It's the penultimate week of the regular season in high school football, week 8 in Missouri and week 7 in Kansas and it is now in the books.  Below is a list of some of the action around the area tonight, with one game on Saturday this week.  

Tune into KFEQ Radio (680AM, 95.3,FM 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!

Savannah 42 (8-0)&nbsp; Maryville 6 (6-2)&nbsp;

Odessa 21 (7-1)&nbsp; Chillicothe 7 (2-6)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cameron 42 (4-4)&nbsp; Benton 26 (2-6)&nbsp;

Lafayette 32 (1-7)&nbsp; Maysville 14 (1-7)&nbsp;

Bishop LeBlond (3-4) vs Greenfield (2-5) - Sat. 10/18 @ 1pm

 East Buchanan 63 (4-4)&nbsp; Plattsburg 34 (0-8)

 West Platte 39 (5-3)&nbsp; Lathrop 14 (4-4)&nbsp;

Mid-Buchanan 62 (8-0)&nbsp;&nbsp;Hamilton 0 (2-6)   

Lawson 35 (6-2)&nbsp; North Platte 22 (5-3)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Marceline 46 (5-3)&nbsp; Trenton 10 (2-6)

 Lafayette 32 (1-7)&nbsp; Maysville 14 (1-7)&nbsp;

Brookfield 52 (6-2)&nbsp;&nbsp;Milan 14 (0-8)

Putnam County 42 (8-0)&nbsp; Gallatin 16 (5-3)&nbsp;&nbsp;

South Harrison 39 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp;Polo 8 (3-5)&nbsp;

 North Andrew 46 (3-5)&nbsp; Princeton 14 (7-1)

King City 62 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp;St. Joseph Christian 8 (3-5)&nbsp;

Albany 56 (4-4)&nbsp; Stanberry 26 (2-6)&nbsp;

Worth County 74 (7-1)&nbsp; Pattonsburg 24 (7-1)&nbsp;

 Rock Port 74 (8-0)&nbsp; Nodaway Valley 28 (7-1)&nbsp;

&nbsp;Platte Valley 62 (3-5)&nbsp;&nbsp;South Holt 44 (3-5) 

Mound City 56 (6-2)&nbsp; Dekalb 16 (0-8)&nbsp;&nbsp;

   East Atchison 50 (4-4)&nbsp; Stewartsville-Osborn 34 (1-7)

Central 49 (5-3)&nbsp; &nbsp;Excelsior Springs 14 (2-6)&nbsp;

 Atchison 40 (4-3)&nbsp; Parsons 34 (3-4)

 Holton 21 (4-3)&nbsp; Hiawatha 13 (2-5)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Riverside 37 (6-1)&nbsp; Doniphan West 0 (1-6)

Centralia 16 (6-1)&nbsp;&nbsp;Troy 0 (4-3) 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

High School Football Scoreboard for Oct. 17th-18th

DEKALB COUNTY —Three juveniles were injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Saturday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Freightliner Straight Truck driven by a 42-year-old Wichita man was southbound on MO 33 one mile north of Osborn. The driver attempted to travel through the intersection at U.S. 36 and continue southbound on Route M. The driver failed to yield to an eastbound 2018 School bus driven by a 64-year-old Burlington Junction woman.

The bus struck the rear passenger side of the truck. Three girls on the bus were transported for treatment of minor injuries.

A private vehicle transported a 15-year-old Maryville girl to Mosaic in St. Joseph and a 16-year-old Maryville girl to Cameron Regional Medical Center. DeKalb-Clinton Ambulance transported a 17-year-old Maryville girl to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The drivers were both properly restrained and not injured according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 Mo. girls injured after truck, school bus accident

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5a.m. Saturday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Hyundia Elantra driven by a 23-year-old St. Joseph man was eastbound on U.S. 59 at Business Loop 29 in Country Cub. The driver failed to stop at the stop sign. The car crossed both north and southbound lanes of Business Loop 29, traveled off the east side of the road, struck an embankment and several trees. The car came to rest on a fence

Andrew County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

St. Joe man injured after car strikes trees and came to rest on a fence

KFEQ Week in Review

HOLT COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Holt County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Toyota Avalon driven by a 29-year-old Pittsburg, Kansas, woman was turning south onto U.S. 59 from Route B five miles south of Oregon. The driver failed to yield to a 2010 Chevy Avalanche driven by a 61-year-old Oregon man. The Chevy struck the front passenger side of the Toyota

Atchison Holt ambulance transported both drivers to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. They were both properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 hospitalized in St. Joe after pickup, car crash

CALDWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6a.m. Friday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Jeep Wrangler driven by a 51-year-old Braymer woman was northbound on Route A five miles north of Braymer.&nbsp;The driver attempted to maneuver around a deer in the road. The Jeep traveled off the east side of the road and struck a barbed wire fence.

Caldwell County EMS transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman injured after Jeep strikes a barbed wire fence

Halloween brings the annual Witches Tea to the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art.  

Executive Director Eric Fuson says the event is one of the best costumed events that he has ever been to 

"Cause it's easy to, if you if you just want to come put a witches hat on, done, you're good to go, so you can pop in out of work at lunchtime, cause the first ones at noon for lunch and then we’ll have a dinner at 6:30,” Fuson says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “But we do have a lot of people that pop in for the lunch over there, lunch hour, throw on their hat and their good to go, but some of them go full out.” 

Fuson says the event has been one of the more popular events since the museum took it over 

"It generally sells out, especially the lunch goes pretty quick, so that’s why we’re kind of talking about it now, if you really have been saying I should go, I’ve been meaning to do that, get your reservations in soon because it does fill every time,” Fuson says.  “We get about 100, 120, something like that for each one, so it is really, really a good time.” 

Marketing and Communications Manager Madison McKinley says people shouldn't be turned off by the name of the event  

“It’s fun to just come and hang out with your friends or your family, get in costume, there are specialty drinks from our bar,” McKinley explains.  “We have a little boutique shopping that will be going on, we always have little pop-up vendors that are selling witchy trinkets and jewelry and plants, stuff like that, and then we have psychic readings.” 

The lunch will be at noon with the dinner at 6:30pm at the museum.  Tickets can be purchased while available on the Albrecht Kempers website. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Anuual Witches Tea celebrates the Halloween season at Albrecht Kemper

Buchanan County Sheriff, Bill Puett, says
his jail has seen a big increase in the number of mentally ill inmates
incarcerated in St. Joseph.

Puett says it’s not a local problem,
either. It is a problem faced statewide.

Puett says his jail is not equipped to
handle mentally ill inmates. Puett points to one example of an inmate housed in
the Buchanan County jail far longer than he should be.

“He has been with us 11 months,” Puett
tells KFEQmmunity. “And so, this is not like two weeks. We see 10, 12, 16
months sometimes before we can get them to the Department of Mental Health and
that’s just not good.”

Puett recently testified before a
Missouri House committee on the problem, telling lawmakers it is a serious
issue for his jail, but even more of a burden from rural jails.

The Buchanan County jail houses around
200 inmates at any one time with between 10-and-20% of those inmates ruled by
the courts as incompetent to stand trial.

Puett says his jail is ill equipped to
handle such inmates.

“I don’t need staff assaulted. I don’t
need the jail torn up. I don’t need all these things, because we have
individuals that should be in the Department of Mental Health,” Puett says.

The problem, according to Puett, is the
Department of Mental Health doesn’t have enough bed space, leading to mentally
ill inmates staying in his jail too long.

Puett says his jail isn’t equipped to
handle mentally ill inmates.

“Lots of problems with individuals who
are not getting treatment, who are not getting their medication,” Puett says.
“Individuals might be a lot better off and a lot more easily dealt with if they
were able to have treatment and medication. So, being incarcerated without that
makes some of them very violent.”

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Sheriff Puett sees number of mentally ill inmates grow

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map faces a referendum campaign seeking to repeal it. Republican officials are using procedural roadblocks and litigation to protect the new districts

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

As the campaign to repeal Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map approaches the 106,000 signatures needed to put the issue on the 2026 ballot, Republicans are pulling out all the stops to block it.&nbsp;

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins announced Wednesday that roughly 100,000 signatures gathered so far for the referendum won’t count — and that gathering them before his office approved “constitutes a misdemeanor election offense.”

Later in the day, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a lawsuit arguing that holding a referendum on the congressional map is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to stop it.&nbsp;

“Missouri politicians continue to try to confuse, intimidate and, frankly, silence us,” Richard Von Glahn of People Not Politicians, the committee behind the referendum campaign, told reporters Thursday.&nbsp;

People Not Politicians is already in court challenging Hoskins’ decision to reject its initial referendum petitions because they were filed in September before the governor signed the redistricting bill. &nbsp;If those petitions aren’t valid, neither are the 100,000 signatures already gathered for the referendum.&nbsp;

Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green set the case for a trial on Nov. 4.&nbsp;

“This office remains committed to transparency, accuracy and protecting Missouri voters’ trust in the democratic process,” Hoskins said Wednesday.&nbsp;

At the heart of the debate is Missouri’s congressional map, which has eight districts with six currently represented by Republicans.&nbsp;

Lawmakers returned to the Capitol last month to gerrymander one of the Democratic seats in a way that would adhere to President Donal Trump’s instructions to create a new GOP district before the 2026 midterms.

The target was the 5th District, based in Kansas City and represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver since 2005. It is carved up under the new map with portions attached to the 4th and 6th Districts. Heavily Republican areas stretching along the Missouri River to Boone County were added to the remaining Kansas City portions.

Hours after the map won legislative approval, People Not Politicians filed for a referendum to put it on the ballot. Under the Missouri Constitution, if the group gathers 106,000 signatures before Dec. 11, the map will not go into effect until after a statewide vote.&nbsp;

The referendum poses a real threat to the new map. Of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the Missouri ballot, voters have rejected actions by the General Assembly all but twice. That includes 1922, when&nbsp;<a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_Proposition_17,_Congressional_Redistricting_Referendum_%281922%29" target="_blank">voters rejected a new congressional map</a>&nbsp;drawn by the legislature.&nbsp;

A referendum was last deployed in Missouri seven years ago, when labor unions collected 300,000 signatures in 90 days to put a question on the statewide ballot repealing a GOP-backed right-to-work law.

A year later, the secretary of state’s office used procedural maneuvers to derail a referendum campaign that sought to overturn newly-passed restrictions on abortion.&nbsp;

That 2019 referendum never got off the ground because of the secretary of state’s actions. But it sparked a 2022 Missouri Supreme Court ruling that determined the laws the secretary of state used to obstruct the citizen-initiated referendum process were unconstitutional.

“We’ve been here before,” said Chuck Hatfield, an attorney representing People Not Politicians. “The Secretary of State knows better.”

People Not Politicians has raised $2.6 million in six-figure donations since the campaign began last month. According to disclosure reports filed with the state ethics commission, more than $1.2 million of that has gone directly towards signature gathering.&nbsp;

Most of the group’s money has come from out-of-state nonprofits who are not obligated to disclose their donors. Last week, Kansas City-based Health Forward Foundation donated $750,000.&nbsp;

Hanaway pointed to People Not Politicians out-of-state donors in announcing her federal lawsuit seeking to block the referendum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Missouri’s redistricting process cannot be dictated by out-of-state special interests,” Hanaway said. “We will not allow dark money groups to silence Missouri voices or hijack the work of the General Assembly.”

Hatfield called the actions of Hanaway and Hoskins “outrageous” and a “full on tantrum about the right of the people to overrule these congressional districts, which is a right the people are guaranteed in the constitution.”

In particular, he called the accusation that gathering signatures could ever be considered a crime “totally ridiculous.”

“This is nothing,” Hatfield said, “but an attempt to intimidate and deny people the right to petition their government.”

Lawsuit, threat of criminal charges part of GOP effort to block vote on Missouri map

December corn closed up 3/4 of a cent and March corn was up 1 cent. November soybeans closed up 8 3/4 cents and January soybeans were up 8 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 2 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 1 1/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 1 cent.

December corn closed up 9 1/2 cents and March corn was up 7 1/2 cents. November soybeans closed up 12 3/4 cents and January soybeans were up 13 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed up 8 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 5 1/4 cents and December Minneapolis wheat was down 3 1/4 cents.

Corn, soy, and wheat markets continued their weekly recovery efforts, gaining back losses from last week's trade-war-induced selloff. President Trump said early Friday he still plans to meet with China's President Xi in South Korea at the end of the month, ahead of a Nov. 1 target date to potentially raise tariffs against China in response to recent restrictions imposed on rare-earth exports by China. This is providing some optimism to traders that, as was the case through the summer, an extension of the previous "trade truce" will be achieved, although how soybeans and other key ag exports will fare in any such agreement remains in the balance. Stock indices were higher following the president's comments, while higher gasoline and diesel prices for Friday also supported corn and soy futures.

It was a tumultuous session for the live cattle complex, as the market opened in a panicked manner, as on Thursday afternoon, President Trump shared that the administration is going to do something about beef prices being too high. Although no specific details have been shared just yet, there's a belief that some sort of deal could have been done with Argentina, as President Trump just met with their President, Javier Milei, at the White House. This comes at such an un-opportunistic time as the fed cash cattle market is trading anywhere from $5.00 to $9.00 higher, which should have a bolstering effect on the market, but this looming news has clouded that positive fundamental achievement. This news development has been gut-wrenching for the market as the cattle complex was just in the middle of adding another record-breaking high to the complex's already impressive rally, but this development has completely shaken the complex.

It comes as no real surprise that the news from President Trump about a potential fix on beef prices being too high sent the feeder cattle complex limit lower in all of its contracts except the soon-to-expire October 2025 contract. This news development has been gut-wrenching for the market as the cattle complex was just in the middle of adding another record-breaking high to the complex's already impressive rally, but this development has completely shaken the complex.

The lean hog complex traded mostly higher, although a couple of the nearby contracts traded slightly lower. The market's positive turn could be partly because of the uptick in pork cutout prices, but it could also be that traders believe the market has traded lower enough for the time being.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/17141317/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

High premiums on Brazilian cargoes are discouraging soybean buyers in China, which means the country has yet to secure much of its needed soybean supply for December and January. Reuters says the development could prompt the Chinese government to tap state reserves to meet the near-term needs. China covered its needs through November with hefty buys from Argentina in recent weeks, but still needs eight to nine million metric tons for December and January. 

Escalating Washington-Beijing trade tensions continue to shut American soybeans from the market. “China isn’t buying U.S. beans because of the trade war, and Brazilian beans have become too expensive,” one oilseed trader at an international trading company that supplies agricultural products to China told Reuters anonymously. “China might end up using its own reserves for its year-end needs and into early next year, and will wait until the new South American harvest comes in.” 

China holding off on Brazil soybean purchases

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City launched the Center for Agriculture and the Economy. This initiative underscores the Bank’s ongoing commitment to including perspectives from agriculture and rural areas in discussions on the national economy. “For many years, the Kansas City Fed has provided critical insights into one of the nation’s most vital industries, which is agriculture,” said Jeff Schmid, president and CEO of the Kansas City Fed. “The establishment of the Center formally recognizes our District’s investment in the area and highlights the vital importance that we place on gathering insights from all of those who have a role in the ag economy.” 

The new Center will serve as a resource within the Federal Reserve System by providing timely analysis of industry developments and conducting ongoing research on the agricultural economy and the rural regions where production predominates. Production agriculture is central to the Tenth District’s overall economy. 

Kansas City Fed launches Center for Agriculture and the Economy

December corn closed up 5 cents and March corn was up 3 1/4 cents. November soybeans closed up 4 1/4 cents and January soybeans were up 4 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 3 3/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 1 1/2 cents.

Corn, soybean and (for the most part) wheat markets were higher on Thursday as traders continue to speculate how far production in 2025 could fall from prior estimates amid talk of lower-than-expected yields. Compounding that effect were reminders this week that the demand for U.S. grains and oilseeds remains very strong, especially within the U.S. Outside markets were mixed on Thursday as renewed trade war concerns are weighing on equities, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down for the seventh time in the past ten session. Energy markets are also lower, closing in on May lows for crude oil futures.

With the anticipation that fed cash cattle prices will trade higher again this week; traders continued to push the live cattle contracts at least softly higher into Thursday's closing bell. Again, today it's the market's deferred contacts that are seeing the biggest day-over-day gains as everyone in the industry is clearly recognizing that although supplies are thin now, they're going to become even thinner before the cowherd is rebuilt. A few bids are now on the table in the North, where packers are offering $370 for dressed cattle. But at this point, still no cash cattle have traded. Asking prices are set in the South at $240 plus, and in eastern Nebraska at $380.

The feeder cattle complex also traded higher into Thursday's close as traders continue to believe in the market's positive long-term fundamentals. Demand has been utterly incredible this week in sales across the countryside, as shown by the CME feeder cattle index's rally, which reached a new all-time high Wednesday afternoon at $374.47.

The lean hog complex was again trading lower as the market simply isn't seeing the fundamental support it needs to give traders enough confidence that the contracts should trade steady to somewhat higher. Yes, pork cutout values may be a tick stronger, but overall demand has been volatile, and traders want steadfast confidence.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/16140939/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Representatives Elise Stefanik and Rick Crawford have reintroduced the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act that will protect U.S. national security by prohibiting foreign adversaries from purchasing or controlling American agricultural land and businesses. “Food security is national security, and I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation that will stand up against our foreign adversaries as they attempt to control our agriculture industry,” Stefanik said. “The U.S. cannot allow ownership bids of assets by communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to undermine the efforts of our farmers, who work hard to feed and fuel our communities.” 

The PASS Act will ensure that the USDA is involved in reviewing foreign acquisitions of American agricultural land and businesses, and blacklists America’s foreign adversaries from controlling U.S. agricultural land. Representative Crawford added, “U.S. agriculture is a critical industry with real and significant impacts on our national security.”   

Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act reintroduced in congress

The National Farmers Union recently sent letters to President Trump and Congressional leaders urging immediate action to provide economic relief to family farmers and ranchers facing deteriorating economic conditions. NFU emphasized that aid should reach the family farm operations that need it most. The group also asked for parallel efforts to rebuild fair markets and curb corporate consolidation in agriculture. “Family farmers and ranchers face severe economic challenges and a deepening crisis if they don’t receive assistance,” said NFU President Rob Larew. 

Larew emphasized that aid payments must be directed to family agricultural operations and balanced among regions and crops. The payments must be paired with efforts to investigate monopolies in the agriculture industry and their resulting impacts on the farm economy. Resources must also be dedicated to developing new and enhanced domestic markets for American crops while enhancing existing markets, including markets at the local and regional level. 

Farmers union asking for relief for family farms and ranches

December corn closed up 3 3/4 cents and March corn was up 3 cents. November soybeans closed unchanged and January soybeans were unchanged as well. December KC wheat closed down 1/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 1 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 2 1/2 cents.

For the most part, grains and oilseed markets were steady to slightly higher at midweek as traders continue to form price opinions without input from USDA and other government agency reports. The latest development in the U.S.-China trade war was President Trump's comments late Tuesday that the U.S. is preparing to restrict Chinese imports on goods such as cooking oil in retaliation to the boycott of U.S. soybeans, which supported U.S. soybean oil futures on Wednesday. Meanwhile, equity markets were higher, more-or-less recovering losses from last week's trade scare as investors continue to shrug off greater trade war concerns. Energy markets were lower again Wednesday, with crude oil futures closing in once again on May lows which were at the time the lowest price in over four years.

Following the tremendous gains seen earlier this week, the live cattle complex traded mixed as traders appear more cautious, seeming to need more fundamental support to develop before they'll advance the contracts any higher. Still no cash cattle trade has developed, but it is assumed that feedlot managers are going to aim for higher prices again this week. No bids have surfaced yet, and it's assumed that the market won't see some trade develop until Thursday or Friday. Asking prices are noted at $240 plus in the South.

The feeder cattle complex has been one of the biggest driving factors in the cattle market's recent rally, but it also traded mixed into Wednesday's closing bell, as traders have seemed to notice the immense gains the market has seen recently and want to see more fundamental support arise before they push the market any higher.

The lean hog complex traded higher as the futures seemed to find some footing in the marketplace after plummeting lower on Wednesday. Thankfully, the market is trading further away from its support plane at $82.00, which was a concern heading into the day as traders haven't been overly supportive of the market this week. But with a little improvement in the cash market, traders feel as though the market has traded lower enough for the near term.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/15135459/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The U.S. has traditionally had a healthy agricultural trade surplus for years. As global dynamics change due to multiple political and economic factors, U.S. agricultural imports now exceed exports. A new study says the deficit is likely to get worse in the years ahead. University of Illinois and Texas Tech University researchers say the U.S. is importing much more than it exports. 

From 2017 to 2018, the dispute between the U.S. and China resulted in export values dropping by $9 billion (73 percent) for soybeans, $432 million (67 percent) for wheat, $93 million (61 percent) for corn, and $313 million (37 percent) for sorghum. The total value of lost agricultural exports amounted to approximately $14 billion. At the same time, the U.S. is losing export markets to other large grain producers like Brazil, Canada, Australia, and Ukraine. The only good news is that the U.S. is actively working on new trade agreements. 

Study shows agriculture exports faltering

The National FFA Organization is one of six national organizations to receive a $10 million grant from Lily Endowment, Inc. The grants are being awarded through the latest round of Lily Endowment’s initiative, called the “Character Through Youth Programs,” which helps youth-serving organizations with a nationwide reach create, test, implement, and sustain strategies that support character development in young people ages five to 18. 

“The organizations like National FFA have a long history of supporting young people and helping them grow into healthy, resilient adults,” said Ted Maple, Lily Endowment’s vice president for education and youth programs. “With their distinctive missions and programs, they are embarking on new creative and strategic approaches to support youth-serving organizations through the first round of the initiative.” Ambra Tennery, director of education programs in the programs and events division for the National FFA Organization, said, “We are honored to receive this support from Lily Endowment.”

FFA receives a $10 million grant

December corn closed up 2 1/4 cents and March corn was up 2 cents. November soybeans closed down 1 1/4 cents and January soybeans were down 1 cent. December KC wheat closed up 7 1/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 3 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 2 cents.

Row-crop futures were mixed Tuesday with grains trading higher while soybean futures fell on the most recent escalation of the U.S.-China trade war as China hit U.S. subsidiaries of a South Korean shipbuilding company with sanctions. Data out from the Brazilian National Supply Company also served as a reminder to traders of record soybean supplies in Brazil and subsequently what have been record-setting exports as well that have sustained into the typical U.S. sales window due to the ongoing dispute with China. Outside markets were mixed with the U.S. dollar seemingly feeling for a momentary ceiling near 2-month highs which aided wheat markets Tuesday. Meanwhile, energy markets were lower on the China-U.S. shipping news but did manage to bounce off daily lows following a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell which hinted at a slowing of the 3-year effort by the Federal Reserve to reduce its asset holdings, a move which would work to effectively pressure interest rates and stimulate growth. Stock indices reversed from early losses following Powell's comments.

Although the live cattle complex started the day off weaker, the market turned its direction and traded fully higher into the closing bell as traders were pleased to see morning boxed beef prices higher again. Again today, the uptick in the futures complex has pushed most of the nearby contracts to new contract highs. Still no developments have surfaced in the fed cash cattle market, and it's likely that with feedlot managers able to push prices higher last week, they'll again try to advance the market and wait to trade any of their pens until late in the week.

Once again leading the charge, the feeder cattle complex traded fully higher into Tuesday's close, with a snappy $4.00 to $5.00 rally being the theme throughout the complex. With strong equity markets, cheap feed and incredible demand, it's been almost easy for the feeder cattle market to push the contracts higher as demand continues to be wildly strong.

The lean hog complex hasn't been as fortunate today as its contracts traded lower and are nearing support thresholds in the spot December contract. One would hope that the support plane around $82.00 would hold strong and not be broken through, but with demand being fickle in the hog sector right now, it's anyone's guess how low traders are going to send this thing. Yes, pork cutout values were up a bit this morning, but traders are going to need to see more than a midday report's worth of higher prices before they'll say that demand is truly shining through in the market.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/14143038/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The victim in an aggravated battery that occurred on September 23rd has died from his injuries, and the suspect has been arrested and charged in his death, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Police.

At approximately 10:30p.m. Sept. 23, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 2300 block of Ridge Avenue regarding a physical altercation between two ment. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered 78-year-old Leroy Alexander lying outside his residence, unconscious and with apparent head trauma. He was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries on September 30. 

Police arrested Perry Allen Tilghman, Jr., 31, Kansas City, Kansas,&nbsp; and he has been charged with second- degree murder in Alexander’s death. He is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

Police: 74-year-old Kan. man died a week after violent altercation

Trump releases video of US drone strike on ‘drug-carrying submarine’

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry&nbsp;Moran – a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense – spoke on the Senate floor this week to reaffirm the importance of continued U.S. support for Ukraine and maintained pressure on Moscow in order to end Russia’s unjust war. 

Sen.&nbsp;Moran’s remarks were delivered following President Trump’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and ahead President Trump’s meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Shortly before Sen.&nbsp;Moran’s remarks, the U.S. Senate voted on the FY2026 Appropriations bill to fund the U.S. military. Despite receiving bipartisan support in the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the bill did not receive the necessary votes to advance, failing 50-44.

“Last week, we witnessed the long-awaited peace agreement between Israel and Hamas come to fruition,”&nbsp;said Sen.&nbsp;Moran.&nbsp;“Thanks to the efforts of President Trump and his administration, a ceasefire is holding. Iran has been dealt a crippling blow that has weakened its hold on the region, and Hamas has released all living hostages who had been held captive for more than two years.”“Through strength, the U.S. brokered a peace deal that serves the security of Israel and the humanitarian needs of Gazans alike,”&nbsp;continued Sen.&nbsp;Moran.&nbsp;

“Now, as the conflict in Ukraine has surpassed the three-year mark, Putin remains undeterred in his mission to carry out his unjust war on the Ukrainian people. Each day this war continues, lives are lost, and the safety, economic stability and global leadership of the United States are threatened. This war must end.”

“To bring an end to this war, the United States and our allies must maintain pressure on Moscow, as was just seen we maintained pressure on Hamas. One recent and important development in this effort is the potential transfer of U.S. Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This weaponry will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory, deter further Russian aggression and help level the battlefield as negotiations hopefully move forward. By providing advanced, precision-strike systems, America demonstrates that our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty is backed not only by words, but by legitimate support that can alter the course of this war."

“Our adversaries, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, are always looking for an opportunity to disrupt our alliances, weaken our resolve and disturb the free world,”&nbsp;concluded Sen.&nbsp;Moran.&nbsp;“It is imperative that the United States stands firm in its support for Ukraine and, in doing so, places significant pressure on Putin to show our adversaries that democracy will not go undefended.”

Sen.&nbsp;Moran’s full remarks as delivered:“As President Trump today spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and tomorrow, he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, I want to highlight how important it is, how critical it is, to securing a resolution to Russia’s unjust war in Ukraine.“I had intended to give remarks today on this topic, and I opened the Wall Street Journal this morning. And I was reading it, its top editorial on the editorial page deals with this topic, and I would recommend it to my colleagues. It expresses the views as I wish I could express them so clearly. I’m going to do so today right now.“Last week, we witnessed the long-awaited peace agreement between Israel and Hamas come to fruition. Thanks to the efforts of President Trump and his administration, a ceasefire is holding. Iran has been dealt a crippling blow that has weakened its hold on the region, and Hamas has released all living hostages who had been held captive for more than two years. While we recognize there are significant challenges that remain in the Middle East, this marks a critical step toward a just and lasting peace in the region.“This agreement would not have been possible without the strength of the United States military, our steadfast alliance with Israel and making it unequivocally clear to Hamas that the United States is willing and able to assist our ally in war. Through strength, the U.S. brokered a peace deal that serves the security of Israel and the humanitarian needs of Gazans alike.“Now, as the conflict in Ukraine has surpassed the three-year mark, Putin remains undeterred in his mission to carry out his unjust war on the Ukrainian people. Each day this war continues, lives are lost, and the safety, economic stability and global leadership of the United States are threatened. This war must end.“To bring an end to this war, the United States and our allies must maintain pressure on Moscow, as was just seen we maintained pressure on Hamas. One recent and important development in this effort is the potential transfer of U.S. Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This weaponry will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory, deter further Russian aggression and help level the battlefield as negotiations hopefully move forward. By providing advanced, precision-strike systems, America demonstrates that our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty is backed not only by words, but by legitimate support that can alter the course of this war.“I commend the administration for its efforts to facilitate this transfer and for leading discussions between Ukraine and Russia that hopefully will secure a durable and just peace.“The United States cannot act alone. Our NATO allies must also shoulder the burden. President Trump recently secured an agreement with our NATO allies to increase defense spending from two percent to five percent by 2035. This commitment is critical to maintaining the continued defense of Europe. Russia’s economy is already under strain, but their capacity to fund conflict will continue without enforcement of steady and severe global sanctions.“Before Congress, there’s legislation that has widespread support of more than 80 senators from both sides of the aisle. This legislation would deliver a severe blow to Russia’s economy and trade. By cutting off the resources that allow Putin to fund this war, we can hasten the path to success in finding peace.“Last week, we advanced the National Defense Authorization Act, but today, we failed to advance the appropriations bill to fund our military. We always should recognize that the world is watching. They’re watching us. Our adversaries pay attention, and our allies pay attention. We have to every day make clear the case that it is true: the United States is a stable and friendly supporter of our allies and a full-fledged adversary to those who wish to cause us harm.“Our adversaries, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, are always looking for an opportunity to disrupt our alliances, weaken our resolve and disturb the free world. It is imperative that the United States stands firm in its support for Ukraine and, in doing so, places significant pressure on Putin to show our adversaries that democracy will not go undefended.”

🎥Kan. U.S Senator: U.S. must send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/katiemoore/">Katie Moore</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/">Missouri Independent</a>

Six of the last 10 people executed in Missouri left behind children, but there are few resources for those families to help them deal with the trauma of their loss

For Father’s Day, Summer Shockley drove 60 or so miles from her home in Rolla through central Missouri to see her dad at Potosi Correctional Center.&nbsp;

Lance Shockley, 48, was convicted by a jury for the 2005 murder of Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl Dewayne Graham Jr. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/06/26/missouri-death-penalty-judges" target="_blank">judge sentenced him to death</a>&nbsp;in 2009.

That day in June, Summer and several other family members were invited inside the prison for a restoration visit, where families were given unusual access to the facility.&nbsp;

They ate lunch and played pickleball. Later, the family clasped hands and prayed in a circle.

“It was just a really, really neat day,” said Summer, 27.&nbsp;

Deep down, though, she felt uneasy the entire time. Less than 30 minutes into her drive home, her dad called. Officials had set his execution for Oct. 14.

The experiences of children with parents on death row are often forgotten when it comes to capital punishment. There are few services for them, as they are not generally seen as victims. No organization tracks information on this particular group. Of the past 10 people who have faced execution in Missouri, at least six had children.&nbsp;

Survivors who shared their stories described depression and grief they say could have been avoided, along with complicated feelings about the meaning of justice.

“When we talk about the collateral consequences of using the death penalty, they should be included in that count,” said Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center.&nbsp;

The impact Maher describes isn’t theoretical. Summer Shockley said she has lived it.

Summer said it was difficult as a child when kids heard about the killing and asked her about it. She credits her mom, who had split with Lance Shockley years before, for encouraging her and her younger sister to see him. They regularly went to Potosi.

“He just always told us how much he loved us and cared about us and how thankful he was that we could visit him and talk to him,” she said.&nbsp;

They bonded over their faith in God. Over the past seven years, that faith has grown even stronger as Shockley became a leader in a prison ministry program. His awakening has transformed both sides of her family, she said, allowing them to be brought to Jesus and overcome generational challenges like alcohol and divorce.&nbsp;

Now married and the head softball coach at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Summer has had time to think about the likely outcome of their relationship, especially as her father’s appeals waned.&nbsp;

Confronted with the actual date, Summer said she’d been “living in grief prior to something tragic happening.” She made space to sit and let her emotions out.&nbsp;

For months, she held onto hope that the execution would be called off. Her father maintained his innocence til the end, and even requested DNA testing on items found at the crime scene. Because this is the first execution under Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, anti-death penalty advocates also hoped the governor’s Catholic faith would influence his clemency decision. On Monday, Kehoe’s office announced he would not grant clemency.

Summer and her sister attended the execution at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre — where the state’s executions take place — despite their dad’s initial reluctance.

In the months after Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams Sr. was executed in 2024, the younger Williams said he sank into a deep depression.&nbsp;

The elder Williams was convicted in the 1998 murder of journalist Felicia Gayle in her University City home. He was sentenced to death in 2001.

The younger Williams said he often replayed the moment his father’s arm fell onto the gurney inside the chamber at Eastern Reception. The man who had once been his guide — the voice that talked him through matters of the heart and brain — was gone.

The execution was complicated by uncertainty. Officials with the prosecutor’s office who sent Williams Sr. to death row later tried to stop the execution because of questions about his guilt and a lack of DNA on the murder weapon. The victim’s family opposed the death penalty. The state moved forward, anyway.&nbsp;

Williams Jr. said afterward, grief followed him everywhere. He often came across places in St. Louis that evoked memories of his dad, like the basketball courts at Walnut Park. He was negative and sometimes mean, he said. He didn’t seek professional help because of the cost, although he suspects he needed therapy even before the execution.&nbsp;

The After Violence Project, which addresses the impact of mass incarceration and the death penalty on families, trains therapists through its Access to Treatment Initiative. Susannah Sheffer, the initiative’s director, said family members often experience “disenfranchised grief,” a kind of mourning that isn’t recognized or publicly supported.

The Rev. Jeff Hood, a spiritual adviser for men on death row, said children who are left behind face complicated emotions. Many families experience a disconnect until an execution date is set, prompting a rush to form a relationship.

In May, Williams Jr. was at a park with his 4-year-old son and found himself out of breath lifting the child onto a slide. After that, he began working out again. He knew he had to “shift out of it” for his son.

On New Year’s Day 2022, Khorry Ramey learned she was pregnant. Her father, Kevin Johnson, also called, warning that his life could soon end. She said she didn’t know how to process it.

That August, her aunt called to tell her an execution date had been set for Nov. 29.

“It was a reality check for me,” Ramey said. “Honestly, it was like, ‘This stuff still happens?’”

Johnson was sentenced to death in 2007 for the 2005 killing of Kirkwood Police Sgt. William McEntee.

Ramey had already known loss from a young age. Her father was arrested when she was 2, and her mother was murdered when she was 4.

She was only 19, but she wanted to attend the execution. State law required witnesses to be 21.

“I was like, if he was in a hospital bed, I’d be there by his side,” she said. “So it’s no different for me. It’s moreso like comforting my dad [in] his time of [need].

“And this is almost a closure for me as well.”

Johnson got to see his grandson several times, and even got to hold him once. Ramey’s last visit was the day of his execution. She had never seen him cry before then.

“He was just telling me how much he failed me as a father. The last memory I have of him is not what I want it to be.”

She tried therapy, but it wasn’t for her. Few understand what she’s been through, she said.

Although she learned at a young age what it was like to lose a parent, her dad’s death was harder. She grew up visiting him often, playing Connect 4 and Scrabble in the visitation room at Potosi. He got her report cards from school. They talked about everything.

When she’s in a dark place, Ramey said she focuses on her son.&nbsp;

She is also steadfast in her belief that the death penalty is not “the Christian way to go about things.” Since her father’s execution, she’s attended other execution watches.

The latest one was on Tuesday, for Summer Shockley’s father.

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