Members of
Congress who represent agricultural interests brace for impact as they expect
retaliatory tariffs if President Trump follows through with his threats against
U.S. trade partners.

Trump has called
today “Liberation Day,” promising reciprocal tariffs against countries imposing
tariffs on U.S. products.

Northern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves, a Republican and Trump supporter, claims Trump’s tough
stand has already reaped benefits with Canada and Mexico.

“You know, the
president’s for free trade and I think we all are, free and open trade,” Graves
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “But just by putting this out there we’ve already
got two of our biggest trading partners back at the table and they’re trying to
fix this. I think it’s all going to work out in the end and ultimately, it’s
going to be good for everyone.”

Graves has concerns
about the impact increasing tariffs might have on his 6th
Congressional District, which relies heavily on agriculture.

“You always worry
about that a little bit, but I think we have to see what happens,” Graves says.
“And, obviously, that’s my livelihood – is farming – and, obviously we depend
heavily on exports.”

Again, though, Graves
insists that threatened tariffs brought Canada and Mexico to the negotiating
table.

“But I think just
being tough on this stuff, it’ll bring countries right back to the table,”
Graves says. “And, again, our two biggest trading partners are at the table. I
think it’s all going to work out.”

Less sure is Iowa
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican who worries about retaliation by
countries President Trump targets for increased tariffs.

"It's very apt to be against agricultural products. It
wouldn't be the only products probably that they'd put on a retaliatory tariff,
but at least some," Grassley tells reporters during a conference call,
"and then you'd have to know the financial impact of that before you would
say how much money." 

Agriculture
Secretary Brooke Rollins, during a visit to Iowa, attempted to assure farmers
President Trump is playing the long game, slapping on tariffs to reduce a trade
imbalance that the president believes has hurt the U.S.

"He believes very sincerely that for the long term that
this is the right move for the country, that ultimately the economy will thrive
and all Americans will be better off," Rollins said during her tour of Iowa
farm country, "but we have some, you know, maybe a couple of weeks, maybe
a few months while we're working all of that out."

The trade-related
payments to American farmers during the first Trump administration were spread
over three years. Those payments surpassed $23 billion. Rollins told reporters
the president's next set of tariffs policies are still "to be
determined," but she's begun planning for payments to farmers should the
tariffs impact ag commodities.

President Trump is
adamant that the United States has been shortchanged in trade deals. He calls
this “Liberation Day,” a day when the country fights back against those that
impose tariffs and restrictions on American products. The president plans to
unveil his tariffs and their targets after the Stock Market closes this afternoon.

Trading partners
aren’t waiting. China has already responded with tariffs on U.S. agricultural
goods. The European Union has also announced it will target American beef,
poultry, peanut butter, and bourdon if the U.S. follows through.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Agriculture braces for backlash if Trump follows through with tariff threats

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

The grain markets took a breather Wednesday with decreased volume and volatility behind the trade. It was not all that surprising to see corn and soybeans trade slightly lower ahead of the pending announcement from President Trump due Wednesday afternoon regarding the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners. However, the moderate correction from Tuesday's strong session in soybeans displays that traders are likely finding some degree of optimism in that, at the very least, the period of waiting and speculating on policy out of Washington will reach some form of conclusion Wednesday afternoon. Kansas City wheat prices on the other hand continue to recover from last week's lows on continued strength from the bullish acreage estimate on Monday as well as an uncertain weather outlook. Outside markets were understandably choppy ahead of President Trump's comments, but notably the U.S. Dollar Index fell to its lowest point in a week and a half, which also likely served as some bullish fuel for the wheat market.

Live cattle futures have regained additional momentum through midweek with prices moving through last week's highs of $209.55 per cwt in April contracts. This ability to move to additional heights over the past couple of days has helped to rekindle buyer support in both nearby and deferred contracts. Most of the buyer support and aggressive price movement have been contained to April through August contracts with traders focusing on summer demand and the potential for further wholesale and retail beef price support over the coming months. Cash cattle markets remain at a general standstill midweek with activity through the morning and a very slow start to the day with just a few asking prices noted around $212 in the South, but they are still not established in the North.

Feeder cattle futures are held onto light to moderate gains following the support in live cattle trade through the morning. Narrow support is seen in April and May contracts, but further support is seen in fall 2025 contracts. The potential for tighter supplies through the end of the year and continued long-term strength in beef values well past the current run higher is helping to sustain longer-term support through the feeder cattle complex. Given the recent support in the market, nearby and deferred contracts are holding well above both 40-day and 100-day moving averages as contracts continue to reach for new contract highs.

Lean hog futures remain under pressure as traders continue to battle the uncertainty of tariff implications and economic concerns for both short- and longer-term buying decisions. Summer contracts were trading with triple-digit losses as concerns of moving further lower keep buyers on the sidelines. May through July futures have dipped below the 40-day moving average during morning trade.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/04/02142248/web-closing-markets.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

Commodity markets daily recap

The U.S. Trade Representative recently held hearings on a proposal to impose million-dollar port call fees on Chinese vessels. The U.S. Meat Export Federation joined more than 300 other organizations in saying the fees would hurt U.S. exports. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom supports the intent of the proposal to incentivize U.S. shipbuilding. “The reality is it’s not feasible right now,” Halstrom said. “It’s going to take some time to become viable, and we don’t want to have our exporters get penalized by other countries while we wait for this to happen.” 

Shippers have already indicated they would reduce port calls, including a key port for the red meat industry. “The Port of Oakland represents about 40 percent of our waterborne exports on the beef side,” Halstrom added. “We’ve had some companies publicly say that Oakland would be a candidate to stop service to, if this current policy were installed.”

USMEF says shipbuilding idea not feasible

Improved economic conditions in many regions, together with ongoing high prices for other proteins, make poultry an attractive option for worldwide consumers. Rabobank says global consumption growth is predicted to reach 2.5 to three percent this year. This marks the second year of above-average market growth, which led to significant improvements in margin performance. However, dealing with avian influenza remains a significant challenge for the U.S. poultry industry and one of its biggest concerns. 

Additionally, the supply of parent stock remains tight, and hatching egg prices are still high, restricting growth. Aside from the ongoing flu risk, rising geopolitical tensions and competition pose the biggest challenges for global trade. The geopolitical tension includes U.S. tariffs on imports and retaliatory tariffs on U.S. poultry from affected regions, which could lead to a trade war and shifting global trade flows. 

Poultry markets strong but face headwinds

U.S. farmers will plant nearly 5 million more corn acres in 2025 compared with last year. In its 2025 Prospective Plantings report released Monday, the agency pegged corn acres for the 2025/2026 crop year at 95.3 million. This was up 5% from last year and above the average trade expectation. Soybean acres projected below last year at 83.5 million acres, below both last year and the average trade expectation. 

USDA says corn acres up 5% in 2025

Extreme weather events, such as drought, jointly impact agricultural production and rural infrastructure, including transportation infrastructure. An important part of this transportation infrastructure is the Mississippi River. It serves as one of the most critical networks for moving agricultural commodities. Soybeans, the leading U.S. agricultural export, rely heavily on barge transportation, with 53 percent of exports moved by barge. 

Despite this reliance on barges for moving U.S. grain, little is known about the link between extreme weather, rural transportation infrastructure, and crop prices. Record-low water levels increased transportation costs and barge freight rates. Higher transportation costs are transmitted to row crop producers through lower cash bids or a weakening of local crop basis. Historic lows in Mississippi River levels during the fall harvest of the last three years have highlighted the need to measure the impact of these low river levels on rural infrastructure and communities. 

Impact of low Mississippi River levels on soybean basis

May corn closed up 4 1/2 cents and July corn was up 5 cents. May soybeans closed up 19 1/2 cents and July soybeans were up 21 cents. May KC wheat closed up 8 1/4 cents, May Chicago wheat was up 3 1/2 cents, May Minneapolis wheat was up 2 cents.

After somewhat head-scratching price action following Monday's onslaught of USDA data, market sentiment was much clearer Tuesday with corn, soybeans, and wheat all trading higher in apparent consensus to focus on the bullish aspects of Monday's reports. The markets will have technical roadblocks to an attempted rally and weather both in the U.S. and abroad will take an increased level of precedence to the markets as planting season has arrived. In outside markets, U.S. stocks continued choppy action on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's long-awaited announcement from the Trump administration regarding tariff action. The announcement is expected at 3 p.m. CDT on Wednesday. Stock indices noted two-sided trade on Tuesday as some investors are holding out optimism that U.S. trade policy Wednesday will be precise and at least fill in some unknowns that have had the market anxious over the past month plus. In biofuel news, the Trump administration released over half a billion dollars for biofuel blending initiatives on Monday, in the latest optimistic sign that the administration has the biofuel industry in mind despite the uncertainty in the industry through 2025 thus far.

The live cattle complex may have initially been trading lower this morning, but as the market plodded through the day, stronger tones powered the live cattle market. Following the market's lower ascend on both Friday and Monday, traders now again sit in a better technical position as they are no longer up against immediate resistance pressure. From a fundamental standpoint, boxed beef prices are showing ample support, but no cash cattle trade has developed yet and won't likely develop until Friday. And yes, your choice cuts really were up over $7.00 this morning -- that's no April Fool's joke! Asking prices are noted in the South at $212 but are still not established or known for the North.

The feeder cattle complex is "feeling its oats" as the market charged mostly $2.00 higher into Tuesday's noon hour. The spot May contract is still about $2.00 lower than the market's resistance threshold, so traders were able to maintain their stronger tune throughout the afternoon without too much opposition.

Although pork cutout values made a trend lower, the lean hog complex traded higher as the market is rallying on some of the positive energy stemming from the cattle complex's change in direction. The biggest hindrance to the morning's pork cutout value was the $4.75 decline in the belly.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/04/01143656/web-closing-markets.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15th to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to eligible farmers who experience substantial declines  in crop prices or revenues for the 2025 crop year.  

ARC or PLC programs provide excellent risk protection, for market declines, at no cost to the producer, said Brenda Archuleta, deputy state executive director for FSA. Producers who have not made program elections or signed a contract are urged to contact their local FSA county office as soon as possible to set an appointment so you don’t miss the April 15th deadline.

April 15th deadline to enroll in key commodity safety net programs

May corn closed up 4 cents and July corn was up 3 1/4 cents. May soybeans closed down 8 1/4 cents and July soybeans were down 9 cents. May KC wheat closed up 5 1/4 cents, May Chicago wheat was up 8 3/4 cents, May Minneapolis wheat was up 11 cents.

As alluded to in prior recaps, often the most difficult aspect of USDA releases to gauge is how prices will react to a given estimate. Meaning a bearish number on paper can often translate to a bullish price action given how the figure stacks up against trader expectations as well as price action in the weeks leading up to the report. Monday's Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports from the USDA were a perfect example of this phenomenon. On paper, one would have thought that the higher-than-expected corn acreage and slightly lower-than-expected soybean acreage reported Monday would have translated into corn being down and soybeans being up. In fact, the opposite was true on Monday as corn futures moved higher while soybeans dropped. This price action certainly implies that the Grain Stocks report garnered more attention from corn and soybean traders as compared to the Plantings estimates, which is the opposite of what some expected. Meanwhile, wheat futures gained a spark from a bit of a bullish surprise in the acreage report, ignoring on the other hand what was a sluggish Stocks report.

As the live cattle complex tip-toes into the new week, traders were again cautious not to be overly supportive of the contracts ahead of seeing what's going to develop fundamentally this week. Just last week the futures complex reached yet another new contract high in the spot June contract, so it's natural for traders to be cautious amid reaching new technical highs. All contracts finished in the red by the closing bell. It's likely that the cash cattle market won't trade until Friday again this week. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Kansas, somewhat smaller in Texas and lower in Nebraska/Colorado.

The feeder cattle complex is again trapped and feeling unable to take on the resistance pressure of its market, while the live cattle contracts traded lower. The market has seemed to somewhat plateau and unless something riveting happens in the live cattle complex, it's unlikely that the market will move boldly enough on its own to push through this barrier. A few of the far deferred contracts finished the day unchanged, the front months all slightly in the red at the closing bell.

The lean hog complex was trading lower at the day's start, but throughout the morning the market has grew stronger and the contracts traded fully higher into Monday's noon hour. It likely helped that the market had stronger pork cutout values this morning, which is largely stemming from the ham's $4.39 uptick. The strength faded in afternoon trade with only the April contract finishing in the green.

Deere and Co. filed an answer to the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit alleging the tractor manufacturer holds a monopoly over its repair services. The FTC says that hold unfairly drives up costs and restricts farmers from fixing their equipment in a timely manner. Attorneys defended John Deere in federal court by repeatedly denying allegations that its “business practices are unlawful.” Manufacturing Dive says the issue over equipment repair practices has been building for years, with technological advancements that companies say are designed to make consumers’ lives easier create headaches for those looking to fix their tractors. 

While Deere offers a different repair tool to customers and independent repair shops, the FTC claims that version is inferior to the one available to authorized dealers, saying the tool is allegedly incapable of doing all repairs on Deere equipment. The company acknowledged the existence of two tools but denied that one was inferior.

Deere responds to right-to-repair lawsuit

May corn closed up 3 1/4 cents and July corn was up 2 cents. May soybeans closed up 6 1/4 cents and July soybeans were up 6 3/4 cents. May KC wheat closed down 14 1/2 cents, May Chicago wheat was down 3 3/4 cents, May Minneapolis wheat was down 7 1/2 cents.

May corn closed down 11 cents and July corn was down 11 1/2 cents. May soybeans closed up 13 1/4 cents and July soybeans were up 15 3/4 cents. May KC wheat closed down 37 cents, May Chicago wheat was down 30 cents and May Minneapolis wheat was down 24 cents.

It was a turbulent session for U.S. ag markets to close the week as heavy pressure in the wheat complex drove both Chicago and Minneapolis contracts to new lows, while KC contracts came dangerously close as well. The plunge in wheat pulled corn and soybean markets down with the former trading to its lowest price of 2025 thus far on May futures. However, the bearish early price action attracted buyers to the corn and soy markets to erase early losses and close higher for the day. Strength in vegetable oil markets stemming from Thursday's report that President Trump had asked oil and biofuel groups to take the lead on determining policy for biofuel processing and potential tax credits also provided bullish influence on corn and soybean prices by late-morning Friday. Outside markets on Friday were mostly bearish, led by Personal Consumption Expenditure data (the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation reading), which came in hotter than expected notably on the core basis, which excludes energy and food prices due to volatility in those sectors. This combined with the latest University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading which fell for the third straight month, had stagflation concerns rampant again among investors and contributed to the Dow Jones Industrial Average's heavy loss on Friday.

After carving out yet another new contract high just yesterday afternoon in the spot June contract, the live cattle complex was twiddling its fingers, holding the market steady as traders wait to see what's going to amount in this week's cash market. The contracts all faded lower at the closing bell.

Once again following in the same suit as the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts traded lower as traders anxiously wait to see what's going to develop in this week's fed cash cattle market. Demand in the countryside remains incredible in terms of buyers' willingness to bid calves and feeders higher and higher, so today's hesitancy was solely technical. All feeder contracts waned at the closing bell to finish lower.

After being able to fully absorb Thursday's supportive Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report, the lean hog complex is traded higher early on in the session, thanks to the USDA's supportive report and thanks to the uptick in pork cutout prices this morning as well. The market was not able to keep this bullish tone through the day's end, with the near by contracts in the red and the far deferred contracts barely in the black at the closing bell.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/03/28152733/web-closing-markets.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

The St. Joseph Fire Department&nbsp;Fire Battalion Chief has announced that due to wind conditions, open burning for Wednesday has been canceled.&nbsp;

Open burning should resume tomorrow.&nbsp; Burning of&nbsp;only limbs, branches and brush is allowed and it needs to be contained.&nbsp; Open burning is between the hours of&nbsp;8:00am to 6:00pm normally.

St. Joseph Open Burning canceled for Wednesday

The head coaches of the Benton boys and girls basketball teams look back on a special season for the high school.  

Boys coach Jared Boone says it felt special to get the boys to their first championship since 1941.  

But he says what also felt more special, was getting to share the moment with the girls basketball team, and their coach Chris Michaels 

"You know, for the past four years I've sat and watched this guy to my right (Michaels) do it time and time again, and I'm like man it'd just be fun to get there, I'm trying to be on that court down there with him, not be watching him from the stands," Boone tells KFEQ News. 

Michaels says it was special to share the moment with Boone and the boys, and says the two shared a moment following the semifinal wins  

"You can call it a blackout moment if you want to, I have no idea what we said to each other, I have no idea what we screamed at each other," Michaels says.  "All I know is, boy if someone would have been down there to catch me jump from the stands, I would have jumped out of the stands to go give him a hug." 

Since the second-place finish for both teams at state, the teams have been recognized by the St. Joseph School Board, and most recently the City of St. Joseph.  

Michaels says what hasn't quite fully sunk in just yet is a promise he made to his two graduating seniors as freshman that they would hold up a state title 

"It was a promise not a hope, and I didn't get done with that, that didn't happen for my seniors, so there's two girls that I broke a promise to and the crazy thing is I think they feel the same," Michaels explains.  "I think that they felt like they promised us state championships, and the good thing that I can tell them is they did not let us down at all, they did everything that we asked them to do, and I'd tell them that we didn't let them down either." 

Michaels says he's told people that while he's tired of crying after state championships, he's grateful to be able to. 

Both coaches were also able to take in the moment of being at state, with the southside of St. Joseph taking over Columbia 

Boone says normally before games, he is off in a corner mentally locking himself in, but says this time he really took everything in and looked around 

"Looking up in the stands and seeing the majority of our section covered in Benton red, and even some of the upper sections, it was pretty cool," Boone says.  "I told myself when this happened, I wanted to take everything in, because this is something that doesn't happen all the time, and so I just wanted to not overlook that and have the memories stored in my brain of what it was actually like down there." 

Boone says it meant a lot to be able to do what his team was able to do this year. 

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

Benton basketball coaches prideful of teams run to championship games

The 47th annual Pot of Gold Arts Gala and Auction is coming up at the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph.  

Executive Director Eric Fuson says the annual event is one of the museum's biggest fundraisers, held inside the museum.  

"We'll have a pretty elegant dinner," Fuson tells KFEQ News.  "And the whole them around it is going to be kind of espionage, so you think about that James Bond kind of suave side mixed in with a little bit of Austin Powers for fun, so we'll have a little bit of something for everybody, it really is a beautiful night." 

Fuson says the gala is a time when the St. Joseph community really steps up 

"Whether it's a sponsorship from a local business to sponsor the event on its own or whether it's an item, and even artists may donate a piece that we auction off," Fuson explains.  "We take all kinds of things to have a really well-rounded auction." 

Fuson says it's not too late to help sponsor the gala or purchase tickets for the evening 

"We will welcome you with open arms with any time that you'd like to, just let us know if you've got an idea of something you'd like to do," Fuson says.  "Whether it's a cash donation or if you want to come to the evening, we have lots of different levels, if you want to sponsor a table for your business and have a table of eight and you and all your friends come, we can do that as well." 

The event is being held on April 26th.  Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Albrecht Kemper's website.

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

Largest fundraiser helps raise money for Albrecht Kemper later this month

A Swiss chemical
company has announced completion of its renovation of a fertilizer plant in
Wathena, Kansas.

Omya,
a worldwide mineral processing company, says the Wathena plant will allow it to
expand into the Midwest and the Great Plains. Omya says it will produce
fertilizer in Wathena for use in row and specialty crops as well as on lawns.

Omya bought the
Wathena plant in 2022 and made $6 million in renovations to produce specialty
fertilizer products made from limestone, gypsum and dolomitic lime.

The plant’s
director of operations, Olav Bergset praised the effort, calling it an
investment in the community’s future.

“This
revitalization project is a success because a lot of critical upgrades came
together and added up to improve the overall work environment for our employees
and make the facility what Omya’s world-class standards require it to be—a safe
and efficient producer of consistently high-quality products,” Bergset said in
a written statement released by the company.

Omya Kansas plans
additional upgrades to the facility for 2025 as the company continues its
Midwest expansion.

$6M renovation of Wathena fertilizer plant completed

St. Joseph
Municipal Judge Theodore “Ted” Elo has died.

St. Joseph city
officials announced Elo died Sunday. Elo, a native of St. Joseph, served for
years as assistant city attorney. He won election as Municipal Judge in the
spring elections of 2022.

Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/ea3f89b1-1428-4a10-b4d5-844809ab2ee1">HERE</a> for his obituary.

St. Joseph Municipal Judge Ted Elo dies

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Honda Civic driven by a 19-year-old Liberty man was southbound on U.S. 169 in Trimble.

The car traveled across the center line and struck a northbound 2008 Chevy Cobalt driven by a 34-year-old Gower man head-on.

Tri-County EMS transported the Gower man to Mosaic Life Care. The teen driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man hospitalized in St. Joe after head-on crash

CALDWELL COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Tuesday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Ford Edge driven by a 74-year-old Cameron woman was westbound on Route HH one half mile west of Crow Road eight miles southeast of Cameron. The SUV crossed the center line, traveled off the left side of the road, struck two warning signs, continued west down an embankment and overturned.

Caldwell County EMS transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP&gt;

Mo. woman injured after car travels down embankment, overturns

Members of
Congress from rural districts in Missouri and Kansas have joined forces to
introduce legislation aimed at bringing stability to the energy grid in states
served by the Southwestern Power Administration.

Northern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves and Congressman Tracey Mann, who represents the largest
Congressional district in Kansas, are co-sponsoring the Southwestern Power
Administration Fund Establishment Act. The Southwestern Power Administration
markets power produced by federal hydropower projects to electric cooperatives
and municipal utilities in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and
Texas. It is a part of the Energy Department.

“Missouri’s rural
electric cooperatives and municipal utilities have worked with the Southwestern
Power Administration (SWPA) to provide affordable and reliable electricity to
Missouri families for over 80 years,” Congressman Graves said in a written
statement. “But the way SWPA is set up, droughts and other disruptions can
cause rate spikes that are passed on to co-ops and municipalities that have no
choice but to increase electric rates on Missouri families. This common sense
legislation creates a revolving fund to fix that problem—giving SWPA the stable
funding necessary to avoid costly rate spikes, and lower customer rates.”

&nbsp;“For more than eight decades, the Southwestern
Power Administration has allowed rural electric cooperatives and municipal
utilities to provide reliable, affordable energy to Kansans,” Congressman Mann
said in a written statement. “Under the current funding structure, SWPA has not
had the flexibility to make necessary investments into their infrastructure. As
a result, when natural disasters and bad weather limit the Administration’s
ability to produce power, replacement power has to be purchased, and that cost
is absorbed by everyday Kansans. Establishing a revolving fund for SWPA ensures
that they can continue to invest in their infrastructure while providing safe,
reliable, and affordable energy to Kansas families and rural communities like
those in the Big First.”

The Southwestern
Power Administration Fund Establishment Act would give Southwestern Power
authority to establish self-funded financing to provide long-term stability,
helping to mitigate drastic spikes in power rates. 

MO&KS Congressmen move to stabilize hydro power to rural America

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

For a second straight game the Kansas City Royals got a strong performance by their starting pitcher, but were unable to provide run support, falling 3-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers in 11 innings Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

In his first start since Opening Day, Cole Ragans pitched five innings and surrendered just one run on five hits, striking out an oustanding 10 Brewers batters, walking just two, at American Family Field.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The lone run surrendered by Ragans came in the first inning to the second batter.&nbsp; After striking out&nbsp;Brice Turang, Ragans hung a changup down the middle to&nbsp;Jackson Chourio which was promptly put into the left field stands to give the early lead to Milwaukee.&nbsp;

Kansas City answered in the bottom half of the inning.&nbsp; Michael Massey hit a ground rule double after Salvador Perez flew out to open the inning.&nbsp; And after Hunter Renfroe struck out swinging, Cavan Biggio drove in Massey on an RBI single, tying the game at 1-1, where it would stay until the 10th inning.&nbsp;

The Royals struggled to figure out Brewers starter Freddy Peralta, who after holding the hot hitting Yankees to two runs on four hits in his Opening Day start over five innings, shut down the Royals bats over eight innings, striking out eight and allowing just two hits through his start.&nbsp;

Kansas City took the lead in the top half of the 10th inning, a single from Massey driving in Tyler Tolbert, who pinch ran for Vinnie Pasquantino who started the inning at second base.&nbsp; But Milwaukee tied the game back up in the bottom half immediatly as&nbsp;Chourio doubled to score&nbsp;Turang.&nbsp; After back to back intentional walks, reliever&nbsp;Carlos Estévez was able to escape a bases loaded jam to force the 11th inning.&nbsp;

Kansas City would not score in the top half, getting a runner to third base before Jonathan India struck out to end the chance.&nbsp; In the bottom half, with a runner on third, Turang bunted for a single, back to pitcher Sam Long who tried to throw to first base, scoring&nbsp;Oliver Dunn for the walk off win.&nbsp;

Massey led the way hitting for the Royals going 2-4 with one run batted in.&nbsp; India and Biggio had the only other hits for Kansas City, who for a second game in a row managed just four hits total.&nbsp;

The Royals return home to the comforts of Kauffman Stadium next to take on the Baltimore Orioles starting Friday.&nbsp; Seth Lugo will start for the Royals, no starter has been announced for Baltimore.

First pitch Friday will be at 6:40pm, with pregame at 6 on KFEQ (680 AM/95.3 FM).

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

Despite Ragans strong start, Royals fall in extras to Brewers 3-2

Iván Herrera's first career multihomer game helped power the St. Louis Cardinals to a 12-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday afternoon at Busch Stadium, avoiding a series sweep.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After Mike Trout opened the scoring for Los Angeles in the first inning with a solo home run, the Angels held a 1-0 lead until the fourth inning, when Herrera hit his first home run of the game, a solo shot 395 feet to left field to knot the game at one a piece.&nbsp;

St. Louis took their first lead of the game in the sixth inning on Herrera's second blast of the game again to left field, this one traveling even farther going 414 feet, and driving in Nolan Arenado for the Cardinals to take a 3-1 lead.&nbsp;

The Angels took the lead back in the seventh on one hit, a grand slam by&nbsp;Logan O'Hoppe that brought in Jorge Soler,&nbsp;Yoán Moncada, and Nolan Schanuel.&nbsp; But St. Louis tied the game back up in the bottom half, on an RBI double from&nbsp;Willson Contreras scoring Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn.&nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Louis's offense exploded for the final seven runs of the game in the eighth inning.&nbsp; The first two coming on bases loaded walks to&nbsp;Contreras and Alec Burleson.&nbsp; An Arenado single drove in Winn and Contreras, before Herrera's third home run brought in the final runs, scoring Burleson and Arenado.&nbsp; The three homer game made Herrera the first Cardinals catcher in history to hit three home runs in a single game.&nbsp;

JoJo Romero earned the win in relief for St. Louis, pitching 1.1 innings and striking out one.&nbsp; Sonny Gray, the starting pitcher, pitched six innings in a no decision giving up five hits and five runs, all earned, while striking out nine.&nbsp;

Herrera led the way hitting for the Cardinals going 3-4 with three home runs, driving in six runs.&nbsp; Nootbaar (2-5), Arenado (2-3, 2 RBI), and Winn (2-4) also helped.&nbsp;

The Cardinals are now 4-2 on the young season.&nbsp; They hit the road for the first time next, traveling to Boston to meet the Red Sox.&nbsp;&nbsp;Erick Fedde will start for St. Louis against&nbsp;Walker Buehler for the Red Sox.&nbsp;

Coverage will begin on KY 102 (102.5 FM) at 1pm with first pitch at 1:10 on Friday.

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

Herrera's three homer day powers Cards to 12-5 win over Angels 

The St. Louis Cardinals dropped a second game in a row in extra innings, falling to the Los Angeles Angels 9-7 in 11 innings at Busch Stadium on Tuesday night

After the Cardinals took the lead in the bottom of the second inning, and RBI single by Jordan Walker scoring Nolan Gorman, the Angels put up a three spot in the third inning to take lead away.&nbsp; A double by Luis Rengifo scored Tim Anderson to tie the game.&nbsp; Later in the inning a Mike Trout double drove in Taylor Ward And Rengifo to give the Angels a 3-1 lead.&nbsp;

Walker homered in the fourth inning for St. Louis to cut the lead for Los Angeles to one, a lead that was held until the eighth inning, when the Cardinals benefited from an Angels fielding error, Nolan Arenado reaching first on a throwing error by Nolan Schanuel that allowed Lars Nootbaar to score.&nbsp; The game remained tied, and for a second straight day, went into extra innings.&nbsp;

Los Angeles took the lead back in the top half of the tenth inning, putting up another three run inning.&nbsp; Schanuel drove in Kyren Paris and Yoan Moncada with a triple.&nbsp; Schanuel came around to score on a single by Jo Adell.&nbsp; Unlike Monday though, the Cardinals put together a rally to tie the game back up.&nbsp; A two RBI double by Luken Baker scored Victor Scott II and Masyn Winn.&nbsp; Pinch runner Michael Siani came around later to score on a single by Arenado.&nbsp;

The St. Louis bullpen surrendered three more runs in the 11th inning.&nbsp; Paris singled to score Anderson.&nbsp; In the very next at bat, Moncada doubled, driving in Trout and Paris.&nbsp; In the bottom half, the Cardinals managed just an RBI single by Scott II that scored&nbsp;Iván Herrera.

Chris Roycroft took the loss in relief for St. Louis, giving up three runs, two earned in one inning, surrendering two hits and walking one.&nbsp; In his first start of the season,&nbsp;Matthew Liberatore pitched six innings, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out four.&nbsp;

Nootbaar (2-6) and Walker (2-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI) led the way hitting for the Cardinals in the loss.&nbsp;

St. Louis and Los Angeles wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Sonny Gray will start for the Cardinals against&nbsp;Yusei Kikuchi for the Angels as the Redbirds look to avoid a sweep.&nbsp; KY 102 (102.5 FM) will begin coverage at 12:05 with first pitch at 12:15.&nbsp;

Cardinals fall in extras again to Angels, lose 9-7 in 11 innings

The Kansas City Royals seemingly used up their offense on Monday, and were held off the board in the middle game of the three game series with the Milwaukee Brewers, getting shut out 5-0 on Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Brewers catcher Eric Haase hit his first home run of the season in the third inning for the first run.&nbsp; Later in the inning, Christian Yelich grounded into a force out scoring&nbsp;Brice Turang.&nbsp; Milwaukee added two more runs in the sixth inning, a single from Rhys Hoskins scoring Yelich, and a ground out by Vinny Capra driving in&nbsp;William Contreras.&nbsp; The Brewers final run of the game in the eighth came on a solo home run from Yelich to right center field.&nbsp;

The Royals managed just four hits in the loss, with one hit each coming from Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr, Mark Canha, and Maikel Garcia.&nbsp; Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who took the loss, pitched 5.1 innings, giving up five hits and four runs, three earned, while striking out seven and walking three.&nbsp;

The Royals and Brewers will wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Cole Ragans makes his first start since Opening Day for Kansas City as does Freddy Peralta for Milwaukee.&nbsp; KFEQ (680 AM/95.3 FM) will join first pitch at 12:10pm.

Royals bats shut down by Brewers pitching falling 5-0

The St. Louis Cardinals battled back and forth with the Los Angeles Angels, but fell in extra innings, losing 5-4 in 10 innings on Monday night at Busch Stadium.&nbsp;

The Cardinals did hold the lead for most of the game, with solo home runs by Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan, the first home run off a left handed pitcher in his career, in the first and second innings respectively.&nbsp; The Angels narrowed the gap in the third inning, a sacrifice fly by Taylor Ward scoring&nbsp;Kyren Paris, but St. Louis extended the lead again in the fifth with an RBI single from Nolan Arenado driving in Nootbaar, putting the Redbirds up 3-1 through five innings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Over the next two innings though, the Angels tied the game up, first getting a sacrifice fly by Mike Trout that scored Ward in the sixth.&nbsp; In the seventh, a triple by Paris drove in Luis Rengifo, making it a brand new ballgame.&nbsp;

Los Angeles would not strike again though until the top of the tenth inning, getting the two runs they needed against Cardindals reliever Jo Jo Romero.&nbsp; Rengifo began the inning as the ghost runner at second, and Romero walked Paris.&nbsp; After a sacrifice bunt by Kevin Newman advanced both runners and Romero intentionally walked Ward, Nolan Schanuel reached first on a fielders choice scoring Rengifo, but no out was recorded.&nbsp; 

With one out, Trout flew out and hit a sacrifice fly into a double play, but still drove in a run, Schanuel getting thrown out at second and Paris scoring, pushing the lead to 5-3.&nbsp; St. Louis could manage just one run in the bottom half, a sacrfice fly by Victor Scott II scoring&nbsp;Pedro Pagés.

Romero took the loss in relief, pitching one inning and giving up two runs, just one earned, walking two but giving up no hits.&nbsp; Miles Mikolas in his season debut starting pitched 5.1 innings giving up two hits and two runs, striking out three batters and walking two.&nbsp;

Nootbaar (2-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI), Luken Baker (2-4), Jordan Walker (2-4), and Scott II (2-3, 1 RBI) led the way hitting for the Cardinals in the loss.&nbsp;

St. Louis and Los Angeles will be back in action tomorrow.&nbsp;&nbsp;Matthew Liberatore will start for the Cardinals against&nbsp;Kyle Hendricks for the Angels.&nbsp; First pitch will be at 6:45pm with pregame at 5:50 on KY 102 (102.5FM).

Donovan hits first career HR off LHP, but Cardinals fall in extras to Angels 5-4

The Kansas City Royals offense exploded and in his first start since 2023, Kris Bubic spun a gem, as the Royals spoiled the home opener for the Milwaukee Brewers winning 11-1 on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Kansas City started off hot with back to back singled by Jonathan India, who was back in the lineup one day after being hit in the helmet by a pitch, and Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp; India came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Vinnie Pasquantino.&nbsp; 

Michael Massey's ground rule double prevented Witt from coming home to score, but one batter later Hunter Renfroe singled scoring both Massey and Witt Jr giving Kansas City an early 3-0 lead.&nbsp; Maikel Garcia extended the lead in the second inning, hitting his team leading second home run of the season to center field.

The Brewere were able to silence the Kansas City at least for the next few innings, but the Royals finally put a six spot up in the seventh inning, starting with Salvador Perez hitting his first home run of the season to left field.&nbsp; Following the home run, Massey and MJ Melendez singled, while Mark Canha walked to load the bases, forcing a pitching change by Milwaukee.&nbsp;

But new reliever&nbsp;Grant Anderson would not fare much better, walking Garcia to bring home Massey for another Kansas City run.&nbsp; After that, a single by India brought home Melendez and Canha, before Witt Jr singled to drive in Garcia.&nbsp; The scoring in the inning ended on a groundout by Pasquantino that drove India across home plate, extending the Royals lead to 10-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Angel Zerpa replaced Royals starter Kris Bubic to start the bottom half of the seventh inning.&nbsp; It was Bubic's first start of the season, and first start since 2023 after coming out of the bullpen last year.&nbsp; In the start Bubic put together the first Kansas City quality start of the year, earning the win, pitching six innings, striking out eight and walking two, and giving up three hits.&nbsp;

Zerpa did surrender the lone Brewers run of the game in the inning.&nbsp; Pinch hitter&nbsp;Isaac Collins led off the inning with a double, and two batters later was driven in on a double by&nbsp;Jackson Chourio.&nbsp; Kansas City answered the run in the ninth inning, an RBI single by Cavan Biggio that scored Canha.

India led the way hitting for the Royals in the win going 3-5 with 2 RBIs and two runs scored.&nbsp; Witt Jr (2-5, 1 RBI), Massey (2-4, 1 RBI), and Perez (2-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI) were next on the team.&nbsp;

Kansas City is back in action against Milwaukee tomorrow.&nbsp; Michael Lorenzen will make his season debut while the Brewers have yet to announce their starter.&nbsp; First pitch will be at 6:40pm with pregame coverage at 6pm on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).

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

Royals offense explodes to spoil Brewers home opener with 11-1 win

Following the sudden resignation after one season by Ashton Feldhaus, the Missouri Western Lady Griffons have tabbed the next man up to lead the program, one of the most successful coaches in the junior college ranks.&nbsp;

Missouri Western Athletic Director Andy Carter announced&nbsp;Luke Scheidecker as the 11th head coach in program history today.&nbsp; Scheidecker, a native of Smithville, comes to St. Joseph after a historic stint with Wabash Valley College where he compiled a career record of&nbsp;231-22, a .913 winning percentage, with stints between&nbsp;2016-18 and&nbsp;2020-2025

Most recently,&nbsp;Scheidecker led the Lady Warriors to a 31-3 record, and an exit in the third round of the NJCAA tournament this past Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Luke is an outstanding recruiter and head coach with lots of basketball experience, Carter said in a news release. "It is why he was a finalist less than a year ago during our search. His ties to the region and his success speak for themselves" 

"He is a leader and understands the importance and value of building relationships with the members of his team. I am grateful to have him on our team"

Scheidecker, the 2024 WBCA Two-Year National Coach of the Year, has received numerous accolades, including six NJCAA Region 24 Coach of the Year awards and six Midwest District Coach of the Year honors at WVC. He's also been named the Illinois Basketball Coaches' Association College Coach of the Year five times.&nbsp; Under his leadership, Wabash Valley College has made six appearances in the National Tournament and have won six Great Rivers Athletic Conference Championships. 

"I am excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Missouri Western women's basketball tradition," Scheidecker said. "Being from the area, I am very familiar with Mo West and its success in one of the toughest conferences in the country. I want to thank Andy Carter and Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy for entrusting me with this position."

Scheidecker also has a connection already to the university.&nbsp; His wife, Tori, was a Missouri Western Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant from 2019-2021. She was also a standout player at Butler University, earning All-Big East honors three times. They have two children - nine-year-old son, Cade, and six-year-old daughter, Brynn.

Scheidecker will be officially introduced at a press conference on Friday, April 4th at 12pm in the Spratt Stadium Hall of Fame room. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

MWSU brings on Luke Scheidecker as new women's basketball coach

One day after fans called for him to step away, Sporting Kansas City has announced that the club has mutually parted ways with manager Peter Vermes,&nbsp; ending his trophy-laden run as Major League Soccer’s longest-tenured head coach and one of the longest-serving managers in global soccer.

Kerry Zavagnin has been appointed as Sporting’s interim head coach, effective immediately.

“It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City,” Vermes said in a news release from the club. “I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future.”

Vermes’ historic run as Kansas City’s head coach began on Aug. 4, 2009, punctuating the start of a winning era as the club rebranded to Sporting KC and moved into Children’s Mercy Park ahead of the 2011 season. He guided Sporting to first-place finishes in the Eastern Conference in 2011 and 2012, including a club-record 63-point regular season in 2012. That same year, Sporting captured the U.S. Open Cup—the club’s first trophy since 2004—with a home victory over Seattle Sounders FC on penalty kicks.

Sporting reached greater heights in 2013, winning the club’s second MLS Cup with an iconic penalty shootout win over Real Salt Lake at Children’s Mercy Park. Vermes also coached the MLS All-Stars in the 2013 MLS All-Star Game at the same stadium, two weeks before his selection into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

In addition to hoisting the 2013 MLS Cup and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015 and 2017, Vermes guided the club to 11 playoff appearances—including eight straight from 2011-2018—and four first-place finishes in the regular season. He remains the only person to win MLS Cup as a player and a coach with the same team, having led Kansas City to the 2000 title as a standout central defender, and his three Open Cup championships were the most among active MLS coaches entering 2025. He ranks third on the all-time MLS chart with 203 regular season wins and concludes his tenure as the longest-serving head coach in Kansas City professional sports history.

Vermes coached 609 matches for Sporting in all competitions, more than half of the games in the club’s 30-year existence and the most ever for a manager at one MLS club. His 511 regular season matches coached are third-most all-time and his 17-season run at the helm of Sporting was at least seven seasons longer than any other active MLS head coach.

Like Vermes, Zavagnin has been inducted into the Sporting Legends hall of honor as one of the club’s most accomplished leaders. He made 291 appearances for Kansas City as a player from 2000-2008—earning MLS Best XI and All-Star nods in 2004—and has served as an assistant with the club since 2009. As a member of the club for 26 consecutive seasons, he holds the MLS record for most seasons with one club as a player or coach.

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

Sporting KC mutually agrees to part ways with Peter Vermes

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces several felony charges in connection with a fatal shooting that took place near Blue Valley Park, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2558/Carter-Complaint-Red">Damien Carter, 38,&nbsp; faces</a>&nbsp;2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2559/Carter-PC-red">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to East 29th Street near Blue Valley Park on a shooting. Police located the female victim suffering from gunshot wounds in the front yard of a residence. She was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Video surveillance captured a light tan/silver Chevrolet Tahoe arriving and parking in front of the residence. The driver, later identified as Carter, exits the vehicle with a handgun. The victim walks out of the residence toward him and the defendant points the handgun in the direction of the victim’s head and begins to fire. The victim falls to the ground and the suspect continues firing as she is laying on the ground. Carter gets back into his vehicle and drives away.&nbsp;

Carter is being held in custody with no bond.&nbsp;

*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty.

Local

Region

Sports

Agriculture