Students from the St. Joseph schools, known as the Student Voice Alliance, met with city officials this month to discuss their ideas to help improve the city.  

The group of students were narrowed down from a larger group that met at Empower U in downtown St. Joseph last month, developing ideas to help with homelessness and overall cleanliness of the city.  

St. Joseph City Manager Mike Schumacher says the group came to city officials also with ideas of how to better communicate with people their age, an idea that includes going to Tik Tok 

“Because that’s what that age bracket, that’s the current social media platform of choice, and there’s a lot to that and those students are going to help us come up with a communication strategy,” Schumacher says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “Because how you communicate to somebody my age versus how you communicate to somebody whose let’s say 16. Is completely different, and one is not better that the other it’s just different, so they’re going to teach us how to communicate to that age bracket.” 

Schumacher says the topics that students want to discuss, perhaps unironically, mirror the city survey results 

"It’s driving our entire organization at this point, so I’m fairly comfortable that 16 year olds didn’t really fill out those surveys, and if they did it would have been very few of them, but their concerns mirror, for the most part, mirror the citizen satisfaction survey,” Schumacher explains.  “So, it’s kind of a confirmation of the survey that we’re on the right track and it also highlighted a lot of opportunities.” 

Schumacher says after discussion with the group, they will even continue to meet with city officials throughout the summer to work on these ideas.  

“We would have bet $1 that they would not be interested over the summer, but the group without hesitation said we want to do it through the summer, we want to keep this conversation going so we will be here,” Schumacher says.  “That made me incredibly proud of that group and if you take a step back and you look at that, that shows the dedication.” 

Schumacher says the dedication adds to his excitement for the program, as well as the missions of the students aligning with the current existing mission for the city. 

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

Student Voice Alliance shares ideas and vision to improve St. Joseph with officials

CALDWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Saturday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy Silverado driven by a 49-year-old St. Joseph man was stopped in the crossover on westbound U.S. 36 at NE Nettleton Road four miles east of Hamilton. The driver started across the eastbound lanes and traveled into the path of a 2014 Freightliner semi driven by a 35-year-old Illinois man. The semi struck the pickup on the passenger side front fender.&nbsp;

Caldwell County EMS transported the pickup driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. The semi driver was not injured. The pickup driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

St. Joe man injured in semi, pickup crash

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Saturday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Subaru Forester driven by a 28-year-old Smithville man was eastbound on Route H three miles west of Gower. The SUV traveled off the south side of the road and overturned.

Tri-County Ambulance transported the driver and a 27-year-old passenger to Mosaic. The passenger was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 Mo. men hospitalized after SUV overturns

By:<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>

A Republican judge in Cole County on Thursday ruled that the ballot summary must be rewritten for a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it much harder for Missourians to amend the constitution through citizen initiative petitions.

Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ordered the first three bullet points of the summary voters will see on the ballot to be removed, saying they were misleading because they tout provisions already in state law — such as a ban on foreign campaign contributions and penalties for signature fraud.&nbsp;

It isn’t until the fourth bullet point that voters learn the proposal’s main purpose, which is to require constitutional amendments put on the ballot by voters to obtain both a simple majority statewide and a majority in all eight congressional districts to pass. Currently, constitutional amendments only require a simple majority statewide.&nbsp;

Scott Charton, spokesman for Missourians for Fair Governance, the political arm of the organization that filed the lawsuit, the Missouri Association of Realtors, called the quick decision by Green to remove misleading “ballot candy” a total victory.

“We are grateful the court agreed with our arguments and is stripping the misleading, unfair and prejudicial ballot candy from this bad measure,” Charton said. “Missourians deserve clarity in what they are voting on, especially when they are being asked by lawmakers to give up their citizen initiative power, a constitutional right they reserved for themselves more than a century ago.”

Passed by lawmakers during a special session last fall convened to enact a gerrymandered congressional map, the proposed amendment would allow a small percentage of the state’s voters to defeat any citizen initiative petition.&nbsp;

During the 2024 general election, 311,915 votes were cast in the 1st District out of the state’s 2,960,266 votes. So 156,000 voters — or about 5.3% of the statewide vote — could prevent a measure from passing.

Only citizen-led initiative petitions would be affected. Amendments placed on the ballot by state lawmakers are not included in the change.&nbsp;

Missouri is one of 24 states that allows citizen initiative petitions. They can be used to either amend the constitution or change state law, though the path to successfully doing so is often arduous and expensive, requiring tens of thousands of signatures to even land on the ballot.&nbsp;

Through recent ballot measures, Missourians have legalized abortion and recreational use of marijuana and voted to increase the minimum wage and mandate paid-sick leave.&nbsp;

In 2024, the abortion-rights amendment passed with just shy of 52% of the vote with large support from the state’s urban, more-populated areas. Voters in all but eight of Missouri’s 115 counties opposed the amendment.

Judge strips ‘ballot candy’ from plan to make it harder to amend Missouri Constitution 

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just afater 8a.m. Friday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Nissan Rogue driven by an 80-year-old Harris woman was southbound on MO 146 approaching MO 6 two miles west of Trenton. The driver failed to stop at at the stop sign at the intersection. The Nissan struck the passenger side of a westbound 2013 Chrysler Town and Country driven by a 78-year-old Trenton man.

A private vehicle transported the van driver to Wright Memorial Hospital. The Nissan driver was not wearing a seat belt and not injured, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man injured after SUV, van crash

The Saint Joseph Symphony has announced its upcoming Women’s March concert, scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. 

The performance, hosted at the historic Missouri Theater, aims to celebrate the artistic achievements and creative voices of women in classical music. The program is designed to honor both the trailblazing composers of the past and the dynamic leaders shaping the industry today.

The repertoire features a diverse selection of orchestral works, including pieces by historic figures Louise Farrenc and Marianna Martines, as well as contemporary composers Florence Price and Jessie Montgomery. Sponsored by Dr. Helyn Strickland, the event highlights a legacy of resilience and brilliance. Executive Director Nancy Brunson emphasized the historical weight of the evening, noting that women’s voices were largely ignored in the concert hall until the last several decades.

“We are proud to present a program during Women’s History Month that uplifts lesser-known extraordinary composers and reflects our ongoing commitment to musical awareness, education, and artistic excellence,” Brunson said. She further noted that these specific works have never been performed on the Missouri Theater stage, making the event a significant milestone for the local arts community.

Beyond the music, the Symphony is using the month of March to recognize local women-owned businesses and community leaders. Through social media promotional partnerships and features on the history of St. Joseph, the organization seeks to empower women both on and off the stage. The Symphony also plans to highlight its own talented female principal musicians throughout the month to showcase the leadership currently present within the ensemble.

The evening is intended to be an immersive experience, beginning with a pre-concert wine reception when doors open at 6:00 p.m. Brunson expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming gathering, stating, “The Women’s March concert is both a musical celebration and a meaningful statement.” She added that the organization is particularly hoping the women of St. Joseph will join in what she describes as an unforgettable celebration of music and leadership.

Tickets are currently available through the <a href="https://saintjosephsymphony.org/concerts/purchase-tickets.html#/seatingchart-tickets">Saint Joseph Symphony website</a> or by contacting the box office during weekday hours. Because the concert is expected to be a popular draw for the community, organizers are encouraging supporters to secure their seats early.

Saint Joseph Symphony announces upcoming Women’s March Concert

Former St. Joseph Mayor Bill Falkner is looking to return and represent Buchanan County once his time in the Missouri House is complete, announcing his candidacy for Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner in the August election.&nbsp;

Falkner, who is completing his final term in the Missouri House, said he is ready to bring his experience in public service and problem solving back home to focus on the needs of the community.

“As my time in the Missouri Capitol comes to an end, my commitment to the people of Buchanan County remains as strong as ever,” Falkner said in a news release. “Our county deserves leadership that understands our challenges firsthand and is prepared to get to work on day one.”

Falkner says he looks forward to spending more time in St. Joseph addressing local needs and less time navigating Jefferson City’s politically-charged environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;His campaign will focus on restoring and strengthening local infrastructure, ensuring roads, bridges, and public facilities are safe, reliable, and built for future growth. He also plans to champion family-owned businesses and farms, emphasizing their importance to the county’s economic stability and long-term success.

“I’m running to make sure Buchanan County continues to be a place where families can thrive. My work in the House may be coming to an end, but there is still much I want to do to help keep Buchanan County on the path to success and defended against government overreach.”

Bill Falkner announces he will run for Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner 

Missouri Western State University’s Career Development Center will host an All Majors Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the Fulkerson Center. 

The event offers students a platform to connect with potential employers and prepare for professional life.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interview for positions on-site. To support their professional presentation, students can access the Career Closet for free business attire and have professional headshots taken during the event.

The fair will feature more than 60 registered employers. Early arrival is encouraged, as the first 50 attendees will receive a prize. Additionally, the center will hold gift card raffles every 30 minutes throughout the event.

Employer Registration
Off-campus employers wishing to participate must register by 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24. Registration is available through Handshake at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://missouriwestern.joinhandshake.com/login">missouriwestern.joinhandshake.com</a> for a fee of $50.

For more information or assistance, contact Kristen Neeley, director of career development, at 816-271-4206 or kneeley@missouriwestern.edu.

All Majors Career Fair at MoWEST on Feb. 25

The college basketball tournament can make you a winner! Make your picks for the chance to win $200 (local grand prize). Even if your bracket becomes busted you have 2 more chances to play and you could win $100 or $50 (local grand prizes).

Double Bonus Bracket

A Missouri Western State University instructor will host a free writing workshop, “Stories as Letters,” at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Rolling Hills Library Upper Story, located at 1912 N. Belt Highway.

Justin Eells, a developmental writing instructor at the university, will lead the session. The workshop invites participants to explore epistolary fiction and nonfiction—a genre where stories are told through documents such as letters. Eells said the session is designed to help writers develop unique character voices and create the sense of intimacy that letter-writing provides.

The event is open to the public and accommodates all experience levels, ranging from seasoned authors to beginners.

Eells joined the Missouri Western faculty in 2023. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and a certificate in the teaching of writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Free writing workshop, ‘Stories as Letters,’ on Feb. 21 at Rolling Hills Library

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Greater St. Joseph, and the St. Joseph Community Alliance are inviting residents to help shape the future of the city on Feb. 24.

The morning-long event, held at inspireU, 521 Felix St., is dedicated to the "Imagine St. Joseph 2040" initiative, focusing on community vision, expert insight, and local voices.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The morning kicks off with a keynote breakfast featuring Rebecca Ryan, a renowned futurist who assisted in developing the original 2040 plan. She will return to share her expertise on emerging trends and the specific opportunities that lie ahead for communities like St. Joseph. This session is open to the public; however, registration is required to cover the $25 cost of the meal.

Following the breakfast, the focus shifts to hands-on collaboration during the 2040 Workshop. This interactive session is designed to evaluate the progress of the current plan and gather fresh input to update the city's roadmap. This portion of the event is free and open to the public, providing a platform for everyone to contribute to the community’s long-term direction.

More information can be found <a href="https://members.saintjoseph.com/events/ImagineSt%20Joseph%202040%20Refresh%20-2386/details">here</a>.

Community leaders to host 'Imagine St. Joseph 2040' event at inspireU

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

Corn and soybean futures traded both sides of even on Friday, with routine trade interrupted at midmorning by reports the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement widespread "reciprocal" tariffs through the first year of his second term. While the initial minutes following the breaking story featured a sharp reversal from daily highs, grain futures settled down and eventually recovered through the session, with wheat futures remaining a bullish beacon throughout with another double-digit surge higher. The exact implications of the ruling will likely take weeks -- if not months -- to determine, but for Friday equity markets initially moved higher on the news, while the U.S. dollar softened.

The livestock complex was trading mixed into Friday's noon hour as the cattle contracts dipped slightly lower ahead of seeing the afternoon's Cattle on Feed report and upon not seeing any fed cash cattle trade by that time.&nbsp;The lean hog contracts continued to scale higher as traders were not currently up against any immediate fears of resistance pressure. 

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/06205559/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

Farm Journal Foundation launched the Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program in 2022 to address the nationwide shortage of veterinarians in rural America. The shortage is having significant consequences on farmer livelihoods, food security, and rural economic growth. In the last four years, the Foundation discovered that the shortage is multidimensional, with high student debt being just one factor. 

Other factors include a lack of early exposure to the opportunities offered in this field, mentorship, and business training, are equally as significant. Recruitment and retention must also be addressed together through a coordinated education-to-practice continuum. Sustainable progress in getting more vets into rural areas depends on local and state infrastructure, not just federal-level programs. Young veterinarians often cite business confidence, financial literacy, and consistent community support as key factors in deciding whether to remain in rural practice. University extension partnerships are effective vehicles for delivering targeted business and risk management training for young veterinarians.

Farm Journal Reports Rural Veterinarian Shortage

Bayer and attorneys for cancer patients announced they’ve reached a proposed settlement this week worth $7.25 billion. The goal is to resolve thousands of lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn people that Roundup, its most popular weed killer, could cause cancer. The AP reports the settlement came about as the Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments in April on Bayer’s assertion that the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Roundup without a cancer warning should invalidate claims filed in state courts. 

“Patients would be assured of receiving at least some settlement money,” the Associated Press reported, “even if the Supreme Court ruled in Bayer’s favor.” Bayer would also be protected from potentially much larger financial penalties if the Court ruled against the agrochemical manufacturer. The deal would require Bayer to make yearly payments into a fund for up to 21 years, which could eventually be worth $7.25 billion.&nbsp;

Bayer Proposes a Roundup Settlement

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order mobilizing the Defense Production Act to protect the domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. The order says these two critical inputs are essential to military readiness and America’s agricultural strength, respectively. The Order finds that any interruption of the supply of either of these critical materials could leave the defense industrial base and food supply vulnerable to hostile foreign actors. 

Reuters said the order underscores U.S. farmers’ critical need to have access to the herbicide. Bayer, the only domestic supplier of glyphosate, produces roughly 40 percent of the world’s supply at its U.S. facilities, and the company added that this move would not lead to shortages in other countries. However, not everyone applauded the move by the White House. The New York Times reported that the move set off immediate alarms among the supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement.&nbsp;

Trump Order Protects Glyphosate, Phosphate Production

March corn closed down 1 1/4 cents and May corn was down 1/2 cent. March soybeans closed up 7 1/2 cents and May soybeans were up 7 cents. March KC wheat closed up 14 1/2 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 12 1/2 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 8 1/2 cents.

Row-crop futures were mixed Thursday with wheat and soybeans higher while corn futures remained sluggish. USDA's early forecasts for 2026-27 were largely as traders anticipated, featuring a switch from corn acres to soybean acres expected to occur this spring. Otherwise, there was very little news Thursday to break markets out of their weekly trends. Outside markets continue to reflect increased risk surrounding tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with crude oil futures hitting their highest mark since early August. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index has strung together positive sessions this week to climb from four-year lows hit in late January. The index has been resistant at 98 through February, however.

The live cattle complex traded mixed into Thursday's close, as the market is currently seeing its nearby contracts trading higher while the deferred months scale lower. It would appear as though the nearby contracts are trading higher, although no trade has developed yet in the fed cash cattle market, as traders know that supplies of market-ready cattle are going to be thin through the first quarter and potentially partway through the second quarter, which may be part of the reason why the February through June contracts were higher. Absolutely nothing has developed yet in the fed cash cattle market, and there's a chance that trade could be delayed until after Friday's Cattle on Feed report. Boxed beef prices are higher: choice up $1.30 ($365.10) and select up $0.05 ($360.68) with a movement of 54 loads (36.97 loads of choice, 9.47 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 7.16 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle contracts weren't as bullish, as traders yearn to see continued fundamental support before they'll likely push the contracts much higher. And another part of the market's cautiousness could be stemming from the fact that traders are holding a slightly more cautious position ahead of the Cattle on Feed report.

The lean hog complex was trading mostly higher into Thursday's closing bell, as once again, trades aren't feeling pressured by any resistance thresholds following the past week's sharp downturn. Pork cutout values were up slightly, but not enough to make any impactful difference for traders.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/19140859/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Farmers are always interested in growing more resilient crops that can survive tough conditions. Researchers at the University of Missouri may have literally gotten to the root of the challenge. Researchers have discovered how a specific protein known as SRFR1 plays a critical role in how deeply plant roots grow underground. What’s even more promising is that they unlocked a way to manipulate this protein to encourage longer root growth, which is a trait that can potentially help plants better withstand drought. 

This breakthrough could pave the way for genetically engineered seeds that produce more resilient crops. “Depending on the environment, plants sometimes need a longer or shorter root, and we discovered the protein that helps regulate the outcome,” said Walter Gassman of the Missouri College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. ‘Now that we have learned what this protein does, we can manipulate it to help the plant thrive in various environments.” 

Mizzou researchers uncover key to growing more resilient crops

Over one million FFA members, alumni, and supporters will celebrate National FFA Week from February 21 to February 28. It’s an annual tradition coordinated by the National FFA Organization to share the real value of FFA and the impact it has on members every day. “National FFA Week is a time when we showcase the collective impact of FFA nationwide,” said National FFA Advisor, Dr. Travis Park. “Throughout FFA, we see our members stepping up as leaders, innovators, and advocates for agriculture.”

 Park also said this happens through the dedication of agriculture teachers, FFA Alumni, and Supporters. The six National FFA Officers will travel across the country to connect with members during the week, leading workshops, delivering keynote talks, and interacting with students on a more personal level. Trey Myers, National FFA President said, “I’m really looking forward to being in North Carolina and seeing FFA show up in so many different ways.” 

National FFA Week brings students, communities, and agriculture together

March corn closed up 3/4 cent and May corn was up 1 cent. March soybeans closed down 1/2 cent and May soybeans were up 1/4 cent. March KC wheat closed up 12 1/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 9 1/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 5 3/4 cents.

U.S. crop markets traded almost uniformly higher overnight before turning mixed through the day session Wednesday. Two-sided trade was especially prevalent in the soybean market with futures technically overbought and feeling top heavy ahead of the USDA Ag Outlook Forum (with balance sheets unveiled early Thursday), which is expected to show higher soybean area to be planted in 2026. Wheat futures held to a nice recovery after an ugly session on Tuesday, while corn futures were stagnant and caught between influences from wheat and soybean markets. Outside markets for Wednesday were mixed with the U.S. Dollar Index moving higher for the third straight session and five of the past six. Crude oil futures have surged higher at midweek, back among the highest levels of 2026 thus far amid risk with negotiations between the U.S. and Iran ongoing but thus far reportedly yielding little in the way of a clear nuclear deal.

After rallying to highs not seen since October, the live cattle complex ended the session trading mixed to mostly lower as traders look for reassurance from the market's fundamentals. The cash cattle market remains absolutely silent, with no bids or asking prices having been noted yet. It's most likely that trade will be delayed until Friday again this week, and it is assumed that fed cash cattle prices will be higher again this week. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $1.26 ($363.50) and select up $0.99 ($361.21) with a movement of 58 loads (43.87 loads of choice, 6.35 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 8.12 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex traded slightly more optimistically into midday Wednesday than the live cattle complex, and its contracts end the session mixed. Helping keep the feeder cattle contracts elevated is the strong demand in the countryside, as buyers know that supplies are going to remain thin and that if they want to fill their orders, they have to buy aggressively.

The lean hog complex was trading fully higher into Wednesday's closing bell as the market is pleased to have found some technical support after its straining downturn over the last week. Fundamental support remains lagging, and traders will eventually desire to see more support in pork demand.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/18142504/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The National FFA Organization said it will cooperate with a congressional inquiry examining one of its corporate sponsors, while emphasizing its nonpartisan mission and independence from donor influence. 

At question is FFA’s alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party through a partnership with Chinese-owned Syngenta Group. FFA declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The inquiry comes amid heightened scrutiny from some members of Congress over partnerships between U.S.-based nonprofits and companies with foreign ownership ties.

The youth agricultural education group released a statement exclusively to the NAFB News Service that included: "While FFA accepts support from generous donors and sponsors throughout the agricultural and agri-business community, it does not and cannot advocate the views for any donor or sponsor. FFA has received a Congressional inquiry about one of our sponsors, and it intends to cooperate fully."

FFA says it will cooperate with congressional inquiry

The number of farms in the United States fell by 15,000 in 2025, continuing a long-term decline in the nation’s agricultural landscape, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported. According to USDA’s annual Land in Farms report, the total number of farms dropped to about 1.865 million last year, down from roughly 1.88 million in 2024. The decline spanned nearly all size and sales categories, with smaller operations — particularly those reporting $1,000 to $9,999 in annual sales — posting the largest losses, USDA data showed. 

Only operations with annual sales above $1 million saw a slight increase of about 50 farms. Total land in farms also edged lower, decreasing about 0.3% to 873.9 million acres, even as average farm size ticked upward, reflecting a consolidation trend. Analysts said economic pressures, including slim profit margins, rising costs and generational turnover, continue to challenge smaller producers and reshape the structure of U.S. agriculture.

U.S. farm numbers decline for second straight year

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after

Just after 6a.m. January 18, a sheriff's deputy conducted a narcotic search warrant in the 1100 block of Laing Street in Osage City., according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

As a result, two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility.&nbsp; Gabriel A. Kennedy, 37, of Osage City is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Interference with law enforcement

Christopher W. Hibbs, 39, of Osage City is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Violation of the registered offender act, 2nd offense and Aggravated violation of the registered offender act. He has been listed as a registered sex offender since a conviction in 2006 for attempted aggravated indecent liberties w/ child; Intercourse w child 14-16 years of age, according to the KBI Offender Registry.

Wanted Kan. sex offender caught during drug bust

Click below to listen to the Palm Beach County Sheriff and Secret Service update on the fatal shooting at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago club.

New details: Armed man shot, killed at Mar-a-Lago 

Locations:&nbsp;Widespread, including&nbsp;Jalisco&nbsp;State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Baja California State (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada), Quintana Roo State (including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), and areas of Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas States

Event:&nbsp;Due to ongoing security&nbsp;operations and&nbsp;related&nbsp;road blockages and criminal activity,&nbsp;U.S. citizens&nbsp;in the named locations&nbsp;should shelter in&nbsp;place&nbsp;until further notice.

All U.S. government staff at Consulate General Tijuana and all U.S. government staff in Guerrero, Michoacan, and Quintana Roo states have been directed to shelter in place.&nbsp; All U.S. government staff at Consulate General Monterrey have been directed to remain in the Monterrey metropolitan area.

While no airports have been closed, roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights cancelled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.&nbsp; All taxis and ride shares are suspended in Puerto Vallarta. &nbsp;Some businesses have suspended operations.

<a href="https://mx.usembassy.gov/contact/" target="_blank">Contact Form</a><a href="https://mx.usembassy.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico</a>From Mexico: (55) 8526 2561From the United States: &nbsp;+1-844-528-6611Department of State – Consular Affairs:  +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444

Links:<a href="https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/mexico.html" target="_blank">Mexico International Travel information&nbsp;</a><a href="https://mx.usembassy.gov/receive-embassy-alerts-on-whatsapp/" target="_blank">U.S. Citizens in Mexico WhatsApp Channel</a><a href="https://mx.usembassy.gov/passports/" target="_blank">U.S. Passports</a><a href="https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step" target="_blank">Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)&nbsp;</a>Department of State on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/travelgov" target="_blank">Facebook&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/travelgov" target="_blank">X&nbsp;</a>

Security Alert: Ongoing security operations – U.S. Mission Mexico

KANSAS CITY—Kansas City , Missouri police know some heroes have four legs.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, police responded to a call for a toddler found wandering barefoot on the street, according to a social media report from KCMO Police.. While trying to figure out the toddler’s identity and family, a dog kept nudging at the officers.

To officers, the dog was trying to tell them something. When the dog walked away, the officers followed their instincts and the dog.

The dog led officers to a house. That house was the toddler’s home.

The toddler was reunited with family, though there is an investigation as to what happened.

🎥Dog helps Kansas City police find wandering toddler's home 

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kevinhardy/">Kevin Hardy</a>

Outrage erupted last month when Oklahoma City residents learned of plans to convert a vacant warehouse into an immigration processing facility.

Making&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/01/27/oklahomans-denounce-potential-ice-processing-center-at-okc-city-council-meeting/" target="_blank">matters worse</a>&nbsp;was the secrecy of the federal government: City leaders received no communication from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement aside from a mandated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.okc.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-manager/ltr-from-dhs-to-okc-about-okc-detention-center.pdf" target="_blank">disclosure</a>&nbsp;related to historic preservation.

Planning a major development without city input is antithetical to the in-depth, sometimes arcane permitting, planning and zoning process in Oklahoma City. Mayor David Holt, a former Republican state senator, said those land use decisions are among the most crucial of any municipal government.

“For any entity to be able to open a detention center in our communities, potentially next to neighborhoods or schools, regardless of your views on immigration policy or enforcement, is very challenging, because that’s a very high-impact use, and that’s the kind of thing that we would expect to talk about,” he told Stateline.

Communities across the country are facing similar prospects as ICE undertakes a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/21/nx-s1-5674887/ice-budget-funding-congress-trump" target="_blank">massive expansion</a>&nbsp;fueled in large part by the record $45 billion approved for increased immigration detention by Congress last summer.

During President Donald Trump’s second term, ICE is holding a record number of detainees —&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2026/02/05/immigration-detention-passed-70000-in-january/" target="_blank">more than 70,000</a>&nbsp;as of January — across its own facilities as well as in contracted local jails and private prisons. ICE<a href="https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt971/files/inline-documents/merrimack-detention-reengineering-initiative.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;documents</a>&nbsp;from last week show plans for acquiring and renovating 16 processing sites that hold up to 1,500 people each and eight detention centers that hold up to 10,000 each, for a total capacity of 92,600 beds. The agency also has plans for some 150 new leases and office expansions across the country,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/ice-expansion-across-us-at-heres-where-its-going-next/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us" target="_blank">Wired reported</a>.

But ICE’s plans to convert industrial buildings — often warehouses — into new detention facilities have recently faced fierce opposition over humanitarian and economic concerns. From Utah to Texas to Georgia, local governments have sought to block these massive facilities. But with limited legal authority, city and state officials have turned to the court of public opinion to deter private developers and the federal government.

Holt, who is the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a nonpartisan organization representing the more than 1,400 leaders of cities with populations of 30,000 or more, said cities have little legal recourse over the ICE facilities.

“We all have a clear, unified position that really crosses party lines,” he said, “and then we also have a clear understanding of how limited our options are.”

Local leaders often cite the U.S. Constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artVI-C2-1/ALDE_00013395/" target="_blank">supremacy clause</a>, which says federal laws supersede conflicting state laws. That leaves cities with limited influence over projects that could take industrial space off tax rolls, cause new strains on city services and raise serious humanitarian concerns given the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement, including the high-profile killings of two Americans in Minnesota.

Facing bipartisan opposition, the out-of-state owner of the Oklahoma City warehouse ultimately decided to&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/briefs/proposed-oklahoma-city-ice-facility-is-off-the-table/" target="_blank">end talks</a>&nbsp;of selling or leasing its warehouse to the federal government.

Similar public pressure has proved effective in reversing plans in several other cities: In late January, a Canadian firm said it would not proceed with a planned sale of a Virginia warehouse after it faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/us/politics/ice-warehouse-detention-canada.html" target="_blank">calls for a boycott</a>&nbsp;from Canadian politicians and businesses. In Mississippi, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker announced the federal government would&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorWicker/status/2019820750900002820" target="_blank">“look elsewhere”</a>&nbsp;after he spoke with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees ICE. Wicker, a Republican who said he supports immigration enforcement, echoed local&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2026/2/wicker-proposed-ice-facility-threatens-byhalia-mississippi-economy-and-infrastructure" target="_blank">economic concerns</a>&nbsp;of a project planned in Byhalia.

Some officials have welcomed the new facilities: Missouri Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford has&nbsp;<a href="https://alford.house.gov/uploadedfiles/1.16.2026_ice_facility_letter.pdf" target="_blank">lobbied</a>&nbsp;to land a detention and processing center in his district. And last week, a Maryland county approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbaltv.com/article/washington-county-dhs-ice-resolution-hagerstown-detention-center/70300009" target="_blank">resolution</a>&nbsp;expressing its “full support” for ICE, which is considering purchasing a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washco-md.net/news/washington-county-statement-on-u-s-department-of-homeland-security-notice-concerning-proposed-ice-facility/" target="_blank">warehouse</a>&nbsp;there, despite local protests. But most communities have fought them.

Neither DHS nor ICE responded to Stateline’s questions.

Holt said the discussion resembles other local development concerns where NIMBY — short for Not in My Backyard — is a common description of opponents.

“There are plenty of people who are very law-and-order and supporters of law enforcement who don’t want a jail next to their house,” he said. “That’s why it’s got such broad opposition: NIMBYism is the most powerful force sometimes in American politics and nobody wants a detention center next to their home, their business or their school.”

After learning that ICE planned to take over a vacant warehouse within its city limits, the Kansas City Council in January swiftly approved a five-year ban on nonmunicipal detention facilities.

Kansas City Council member Andrea Bough, who is also a private development attorney, said the move was both political and legal: The city wanted to send a clear signal opposing ICE facilities, but it also wants to exert its local authority over planning and zoning.

She acknowledged the legal hurdle posed by the supremacy clause, but said there was enough ambiguity over the city’s ability to regulate land use that it may take the issue to the courts.

“Some would say local building codes and zoning regulations do not apply to the federal government,” she said. “That’s something I think we would probably in this situation be willing to fight until we had clear guidance on that.”

Following weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david-hudnall/article314486671.html" target="_blank">pressure</a>, the Kansas City firm that owns the 920,000-square-foot warehouse announced Thursday it was no longer “actively engaged with the U.S. Government or any other prospective purchaser,” the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article314676617.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Jackson County, which includes portions of Kansas City and the potential detention facility, is considering a similar ban. And across the state line, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, is considering a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/wyandotte-county/article314647328.html" target="_blank">two-year moratorium</a>.

But there are clear limitations on cities’ ability to stop federal projects, said Nestor Davidson, a professor who teaches land use and local government law at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

“The federal government can assert immunity from certain state and local laws, including zoning, but it’s complicated, and there are nuances,” he said.

Still, Davidson said some case law has shown cities may have stronger legal footing for zoning rules that are broad and not directly targeted at specific federal government projects.

“I expect to see litigation,” he said. “I think you’re going to see these conversations play out as land use fights often do: both in a legal venue and in a political venue.”

Kansas City’s moratorium has sparked interest among local activists who have pressured elected officials in other cities across the country to act. But many local officials are adamant that federal law ties their hands.

In a legal opinion provided to the Orlando City Council in Florida, City Attorney Mayanne Downs rejected “suggestions of actions we can supposedly take,” including moratoriums or using zoning ordinances to block ICE detention centers.

“However well motivated these suggestions are, the law is very clear: ICE, as an agency of our federal government, ICE is immune from any local regulation that interferes in any way with its federal mandate,” Downs wrote to the mayor and city commissioners.

ICE is reportedly&nbsp;<a href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/06/u-s-reps-maxwell-frost-darren-soto-tell-kristi-noem-not-to-open-ice-facility-in-central-florida/" target="_blank">considering</a>&nbsp;a new $100 million processing center in southeast Orlando.

The county commission in Orange County, which includes Orlando, discussed the issue last week after receiving similar legal advice. County Commissioner Nicole Wilson said the board is even more constrained because of a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/180" target="_blank">Florida law&nbsp;</a>limiting certain local governments’ ability to regulate development through 2027.

After being advised against passing a moratorium, the board agreed with Wilson’s follow-up suggestion to draft a resolution expressing its opposition. That will be considered at a future meeting.

“It doesn’t sound like it has the teeth that a moratorium would have, but it essentially gives an awareness that we’ve established a position in opposition to this type of facility in Orange County,” Wilson told Stateline.

An attorney by trade, Wilson said the case law regarding federal projects largely centers on disputes about post offices, which she said is not an appropriate comparison to the massive detention centers currently contemplated.

“A post office has the same water consumption and sewage as probably a lot of other uses,” she said. “If you take a warehouse that was designed for 25,000 widgets and put 15,000 humans in it, you’ve got a very different set of local needs and services that are being used and being taxed and being burdened.”

Communities have often opposed various other federal projects, such as federal courthouses. But the federal government generally takes the time to listen to local concerns and communicate building plans with communities, said Jason Klumb, a former regional administrator with the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages the federal government’s real estate.

“Generally, GSA has had kind of a good neighbor approach, understanding that they have requirements for federal facilities, and some of those facilities may not always be popular,” said Klumb, an Obama appointee.

But the federal government has not been shy about exerting its constitutional authority.

For example, late last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/31/federal-government-reconfirms-vine-street/" target="_blank">GSA announced</a>&nbsp;it would build a new $239 million federal courthouse in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, despite&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/31/federal-government-reconfirms-vine-street/" target="_blank">bipartisan lobbying</a>&nbsp;from city and federal officials for a different site.

“The feds get what the feds want, ultimately,” Klumb said.

In a statement, a GSA spokesperson declined to clarify the agency’s current role in acquiring ICE detention facilities. The statement said the agency was “following all lease procurement procedures in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.”

Communities have largely been left out of the administration’s immigration decision-making process.

“Most of the information we have received on this facility has been through news leaks and the government has not reached out to us yet,” said Paul Micali, the town manager of Merrimack, New Hampshire.

Through an open records request, the ACLU of New Hampshire&nbsp;<a href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/02/03/new-documents-confirm-federal-government-plans-to-put-an-ice-facility-in-merrimack/" target="_blank">confirmed</a>&nbsp;that ICE was planning to convert a 43-acre warehouse property in the town of about 28,200.

The federal plans were obtained from the state’s historic preservation office, which came under fire for not informing Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte of ICE’s proposal. That agency’s top official&nbsp;<a href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/02/09/embattled-cultural-resources-commissioner-resigns-amid-merrimack-ice-facility-fallout/" target="_blank">resigned last week</a>&nbsp;after pressure from Ayotte.

Ayotte’s office did not respond to a request for comment. On Thursday, her office released documents detailing how the federal government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/02/13/ayotte-releases-dhs-documents-about-planned-ice-detention-center-in-merrimack/" target="_blank">$158 million plan</a>&nbsp;to retrofit the property would create hundreds of long-term jobs for the region.

<a href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/02/12/ice-director-dhs-has-worked-with-gov-ayotte-on-merrimack-immigrant-detention-center/" target="_blank">Testifying before Congress</a>&nbsp;Thursday, an ICE official said the feds will not cancel the project over local concerns.

Micali said the vacant warehouse currently provides about $529,000 in annual property taxes — a substantial sum given the town’s property tax base of about $20 million.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.merrimacknh.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3456/f/news/260123_town_council_letter_to_dhs_re_ice_processing_center_-_signed.pdf" target="_blank">letter to Noem</a>, the Town Council said converting the property to a tax-free federal facility would result in higher local taxes for residents. Merrimack is also concerned about potential demands for water, fire and other city services, Micali said, but can’t even begin to assess needs without more details from the feds.

He’s speaking with lawyers about what options, if any, the town may have to assert local zoning power.

“We’re looking at every possibility,” he said.

Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:khardy@stateline.org">khardy@stateline.org</a>.&nbsp;

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2026/02/17/communities-fight-ice-detention-centers-but-have-few-tools-to-stop-them/" target="_blank">Stateline</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Kansas Reflector, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Communities fight ICE detention centers, but have few tools to stop them

The Department of Homeland Security on Sunday walked back its decision to suspend the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program, after initially sparking confusion for travelers when it said it was temporarily halting the popular service.

WASHINGTON – After a week of being&nbsp;shutdown&nbsp;by Congressional Democrats, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it&nbsp;must take&nbsp;emergency measures to preserve&nbsp;limited&nbsp;funds&nbsp;and personnel&nbsp;to&nbsp;mitigate&nbsp;the&nbsp;national security and public&nbsp;safety damage&nbsp;at the hands of&nbsp;Congressional&nbsp;Democrats.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Democrats’ decision to put politics over public safety, for a third time this&nbsp;Congress,&nbsp;has forced the&nbsp;Department to direct its components to take the&nbsp;following&nbsp;measures effective&nbsp;at&nbsp;6 AM&nbsp;ET, February 22, 2026:&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This is the third time that Democrat&nbsp;politicians&nbsp;have&nbsp;shut down&nbsp;this&nbsp;department during&nbsp;the 119th&nbsp;Congress,” said&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security Secretary&nbsp;Kristi Noem.&nbsp;“Shutdowns have real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS&nbsp;and their families&nbsp;who go without&nbsp;a&nbsp;paycheck,&nbsp;but&nbsp;it endangers&nbsp;our national security. The American people depend on this department&nbsp;every day, and&nbsp;we are making&nbsp;tough but&nbsp;necessary workforce&nbsp;and resource&nbsp;decisions to&nbsp;mitigate the&nbsp;damage inflicted by these politicians.&nbsp;TSA and CBP&nbsp;are&nbsp;prioritizing&nbsp;the general traveling&nbsp;population at our airports and ports of entry&nbsp;and suspending&nbsp;courtesy and special privilege escorts. FEMA will&nbsp;halt all non-disaster related&nbsp;response to prioritize&nbsp;disasters. This is particularly&nbsp;important given&nbsp;this&nbsp;weekend another significant winter storm is forecast to&nbsp;impact&nbsp;the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast&nbsp;United States.”&nbsp;

A full list of&nbsp;measures being&nbsp;taken are&nbsp;below:&nbsp;&nbsp;

FEMA&nbsp;has entered emergency operating status,&nbsp;and is scaling back to bare-minimum, life-saving&nbsp;operations only.&nbsp;&nbsp;Effective 6:00 a.m. on February 22, FEMA will cease all non-essential activities and focus exclusively on immediate disaster response where there is an active threat to life, public health, or safety. As a result: &nbsp;

These actions reflect the reality of operating without appropriations. FEMA cannot continue normal recovery operations under these conditions and must prioritize only its most critical, life-saving responsibilities. Full recovery and&nbsp;assistance&nbsp;operations will resume once funding is restored.&nbsp;

As the Transportation Security Administration enters emergency operating status, resources are being&nbsp;consolidated&nbsp;to prioritize essential security operations and focus personnel on detecting and countering threats. Effective&nbsp;at 6:00 a.m. on February 22, nonessential privileges and courtesies provided by TSA will cease.&nbsp;

Operations at all airports will prioritize screening of the general traveling population. Without appropriations, TSA simply cannot afford to risk overstretching our staff and weakening our security posture. Until funding is restored, all travelers should expect a process that does not sacrifice&nbsp;security, but&nbsp;refocuses TSA officers to standard screening procedures. TSA&nbsp;PreCheck® and other services will resume upon Department of Homeland Security funding being signed into law.&nbsp;

As of&nbsp;6:00 am on February 22,&nbsp;2026&nbsp;U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations will halt all Global Entry arrival processing at participating airports.&nbsp;&nbsp;

DHS reverses course on TSA PreCheck suspension

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Saturday in Kansas City.

Preliminary investigation indicates a black Hyundai with a flat tire was stopped in lane one without hazard lights activated&nbsp;on Interstate 70 westbound near the Walnut exit, according to KCPD Officer Alyana Gonzalez. A tractor-trailer traveling in lane two merged into lane one to pass another tractor-trailer and subsequently struck the rear of the stopped Hyundai, causing significant rear-end damage. 

The driver of the Hyundai was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The accident remains under investigation, according to Gonzalez. This is fatality #10 in KCMO for 2026.

Woman killed after semi strikes car with flat tire on I-70

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a woman's death and the death of a Kansas registered offender accused of her death.

On February 20th, 2026, at approximately 8:19 P.M., officers with the Hutchinson Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of West 4th Avenue in reference to a reported shooting, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.

When they arrived, officers located a woman later identified as 37-year-old Lacy D Nelson of Hutchinson, with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began rendering first aid until Reno County EMS arrived on scene. She was transported by ambulance to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

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