Five people have been arrested in St. Joseph, one of which was found to have multiple outstanding warrants for drug possession after a search warrant was executed by the Special Operations Division and St. Joseph Police.&nbsp;

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports that on Wednesday, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and St. Joseph Police Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant on a home in the 1300 block of South 24th Street.

When inside the home, officers found multiple units of drugs, as well as firearms, some of which were stolen.&nbsp; Five people were arrested for the investigation, one of which had several outstanding warrants for drug possession charges.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The case has been submitted to the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

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

Five arrested on drug charges in St. Joseph after search warrant execution

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Friday in Holt County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005&nbsp; Peterbilt semi driven by a 53-year-old Lancaster, Kentucky man and a 2024 Chevy Trax driven by a 57-year-old Rock Port woman were southbound on Interstate 29 two miles north of Craig. The semi merged into the driving land and struck the drivers side rear of the Chevy.&nbsp;

Atchison-Holt ambulance transported the Chevy driver to Fairfax Community Hospital. The semi driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman injured after rear-end crash with a semi

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce helped Moony's Coffee celebrate a ribbon-cutting Friday morning.

Co-owners Liz Generaux and Maggie Johnson say they are excited for the business to be part of the community. "It's been such a surreal experience to do this. And we're so excited to start a community downtown with coffee and friends."

The coffee shop is a women-owned business that’s locally sourced. Flavors are homemade to ensure quality ingredients and taste. Johnson adds, "We use a couple different roasters, Global Citizens and also Burr Roasters in Leavenworth. We also just hired five employees to help with the coffee shop."

The grand opening is officially Saturday, Feb 14. Moony's Coffee will be open from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. that day.

Regular hours will be 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Saturday hours will be 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The business is closed Thursdays and Sundays.

It was noted that after the grand opening on Saturday, Moony's will be closed the week of Feb. 16 for ongoing construction. Generaux says they hope to be open the week after.

Moony's Coffee is located at 510 Edmond St.

St. Joseph Chamber holds ribbon-cutting for Moony's Coffee

The St. Joseph Mustangs have revealed three new additions to their 2026 roster.

New additions include Brayden Luikart, Aron Harrington, and Boston Bruce. 

Luikart, a former MVP, is returning for his third season with the team after a successful year at Missouri Southern. Harrington, a senior at Southeastern University, will also be back after a strong 2025 season. Bruce, a sophomore at Johnson County College, will be playing his first season with the Mustangs this summer. 

The team has also confirmed the return of Chris Coy, Gage Busby, and Michael Infranca for the upcoming season, which is set to begin on May 27th.&nbsp;

St. Joseph Mustangs add three players to 2026 roster

Traffic signal upgrades are set to close access to and from Messanie Street at Belt Highway in St. Joseph beginning Monday, Feb 16. 

RS Electric, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will be completing traffic signal upgrades at the intersection through March 8.

MoDOT says the upgrades will include replacing the current southbound Belt traffic signal mast arm with a longer one, allowing for the addition of a dedicated left-turn signal. During the project all left-turn signals will be upgraded to flashing yellow arrows.

MoDOT asks drivers to work with crews by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.

Traffic signal upgrades at Belt & Messanie in St. Joseph to begin Monday

The Bushman Planetarium at Missouri Western State University will host public screenings of “Hubble Vision 2” and “Extreme Planets” at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21.

Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for children 13 and under, students, university employees, military members, and seniors 60 and older. All tickets must be purchased in advance, either online or at Agenstein Hall, room 140, during regular business hours.

Located in Agenstein Hall, room 147, the Bushman Planetarium features a Digistar 4 projection system. The facility utilizes a slightly tilted dome for easier viewing and a Dolby 5.1 surround sound system.

For more information, contact the planetarium at 816-271-4288.

Bushman Planetarium at MoWest presents public shows Feb. 20 - 21

UPDATE: The Nodaway County Sheriff's Office has issued an update that all suspects are now in custody following a vehicle pursuit out of Iowa. 

Subject 1 - red\maroon jacket with black pants.

Subject 2 - black hoodie with white logo on the back. Wearing gold shoes.

Subject 3 - wearing white and black jacket. It is white from the shoulders up. Black from the shoulders down with black pants. 

The vehicle pursuit ended on the east side of Maryville near 71 and 136. Suspects fled the location on foot. Suspect names were not available.

The Nodaway County Sheriff's Office advises residents to keep homes locked and call with any suspicious activity.

UPDATE: All suspects now in custody in Nodaway County following vehicle pursuit out of Iowa

A longtime dream came true in 2025 for St. Joseph's Noah Cameron making his major league debut for the team he grew up rooting for.  

Multiple injuries to the Kansas City Royals rotation made the front office make the call to bring Cameron up from Triple A Omaha after an impressive Spring Training.   

Making his major league debut on April 30th, Cameron says he felt all the emotions you would expect to feel 

"Overwhelmed with emotion, nerves, excitement, just super amped up just to be there,” Cameron tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post at the Royals Rally.  “And I think the biggest difference was I was there to try to earn a spot to stay, it’s like hey let’s get you to the major leagues, well then they’re like hey we don’t want to get you to the major leagues, we want you to stay in the major leagues.” 

Cameron went back to Omaha after pitching a near no hitter in his debut but was called up two weeks later and never went back down finishing out the season with the Royals.

The St. Joseph Central alum, for his stellar season, was named the Royals Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year.  A trait many fans noticed from Cameron, that made him a fan favorite, was his composure on the mound. 

Cameron says that composure on the mound and ability to not let the game get away from him, comes from his competitiveness  

"Like I’d give up those runs, those home runs, and it’s immediately like not necessarily like I’m mad, it’s not necessarily frustration, like yes I’m upset I gave up a pitch to hit and he hit it, but for pitchers that’s out of our control in a sense of after we let go of the ball anything can happen, like yes can I place it in a better spot or something like that, for sure, but I think it’s just more of a competitive mode of man I gave up a solo home run, that sucked, but like I have to face this next batter and not give up another one,” Cameron explains. 

Cameron recalls a moment like this against the New York Yankees, giving up a longshot to Aaron Judge in the opening inning of the game.  Cameron didn't give up another run until the fourth inning.

Cameron finished his rookie campaign with a 9-7 record and a 2.99 ERA, posting 114 strikeouts, and coming fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting. 

Now in his second Royals Spring Training camp, Cameron says he's excited for this year in Surprise, Arizona to feel different 

"Excited to not have to push over the edge, where I feel like last Spring Training I was trying to earn a spot, so I was coming in guns blazing, throwing as hard as I possibly could to show them hey I want this spot really bad,” Cameron says.  “And now, thankfully, we’re like hey let’s prepare you to be 100% ready come end of March, instead of being 100% ready at the middle of February, so excited to just come in, still just compete my butt off and fight everyday with the guys.” 

Cameron could likely have a rotation spot locked up, but will compete with pitchers such as Bailey Falter, Ryan Bergert, and Stephen Kolek this spring. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

After stellar '25, St. Joseph's Noah Cameron ready to turn it up for Royals in '26

KFEQ Morning Sports

City of St. Joseph offices will be closed In observance of Presidents' Day on Monday, Feb. 16.

Exceptions include the REC Center remaining open and the landfill will have abbreviated hours from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

City offices will reopen for normal operating hours the following day.

City of St. Joseph offices to close for President's Day

DAVIESS COUNTY —A Missouri girl was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Thursday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Arctic Cat 650 driven by a 12-year-old Gallatin girl was southbound in a private field on Ridge Avenue at 248th Street two miles southeast of Gallatin. The driver turned sharply and the vehicle rolled and the vehicle landed on her leg.

A private vehicle transported the girl to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

12-year-old Mo. girl injured in ATV accident

March corn closed up 1/2 cent and May corn was up 1/4 cent. March soybeans closed down 4 1/4 cents and May soybeans were down 3 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed down 11 1/2 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 3 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 5 3/4 cents.

It was an overall mixed to lower session in row-crop futures to close the week, with corn showing resilience to trade marginally higher, while soybeans and wheat futures fell as traders looked to square positions ahead of a long weekend, with markets closed on Monday for Presidents Day. Overall, for the week it was positive price action for U.S. grain markets as prices made technical strides as well in holding chart support. Outside markets for Friday traded primarily in reaction to a cooler than expected inflation reading via the Consumer Price Index, which declined to 2.4% annual price growth, the lowest since early 2021. This was a source of pressure to commodities early on Friday, while also fueling recovery efforts in equities after a two-day selloff through the middle of the week. The U.S. Dollar Index was lower on perceived lower interest rates (as a result of lower inflation), while crude oil and other energy markets recovered from daily lows in an otherwise narrow session to close the week.

The live cattle complex drifted only slightly lower as traders try to remain patient, waiting for cash cattle to trade. It's fully assumed prices will be higher late on Friday when trade develops, but the real question is: How much higher? A single bid was on the table in Nebraska at $238, but otherwise no news has developed as of this writing. Asking prices remain firm in Texas at $245 to $247, but aren't clearly established elsewhere. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $0.45 ($364.39) and select up $0.26 ($363.29) with a movement of 30 loads (24.05 loads of choice, 2.18 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 3.48 loads of ground beef).

Keeping in alignment with the live cattle contracts, the feeder cattle complex traded mixed to slightly lower as well. Demand has mostly higher this week in the countryside for both feeders and calves, but there has been notable interest in the heavier weight feeders that will make grass cattle in a few months.

In keeping with its lower trend, the lean hog complex continued to lose position as the market anticipates more supply to be working its way into the system, which causes traders some fear that pork cutout values could weaken. Not to mention, just a little over a week ago the market did reach new all-time highs in the futures complex which put heavy pressure on the market's technical side.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/13145333/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The first Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor of 2026 shows the U.S. ag economy entered the year in a clear crop-sector recession. However, the survey also finds a deeper crisis of confidence. Economists say the downturn is cyclical and manageable through optimization, but farmers are experiencing it as a structural stress test on their operations and livelihoods. The first survey points to a continuing split in the ag economy, which is strength in livestock, particularly beef cattle, versus persistent financial stress across most of the row-crop sector. 

The Monthly Monitor asks respondents to compare the ag economy right now with the same time a year ago, and most retailers, producers, and economists report being somewhat worse off. “Across nearly all responses, margin pressure emerged as a dominant concern,” said Tyne Morgan of AgWeb. “While several producers talk about diversifying as a key, others responded with cutting costs to the bone, especially around capital spending.” 

Survey shows producers “fighting for survival”

According to data from Joe Janzen, an economist for the University of Illinois, The buildout of grain storage capacity in the U.S. has stopped.  He wrote that U.S. grain storage capacity grew in parallel with production from 2000 to 2019 at about 350 million bushels per year. However, that growth has stagnated since 2020 across all regions and facility types. Janzen said this stagnation, combined with continued production growth, has led to a record-high-capacity utilization rate, particularly in on-farm storage. 

The 2025 crop brought these tensions to a head, with December 1 on-farm utilization reaching 80 percent. What’s less clear is why investment in grain storage capacity dropped. It’s also difficult to determine if current U.S. storage capacity is sufficient for efficient operation along the grain supply chains. Janzen said, “The entire grain industry will need to consider these questions as it addresses the shifting geography of global grain production.” 

U.S. grain storage capacity growth has stopped

March corn closed up 3 3/4 cents and May corn was up 5 1/4 cents. March soybeans closed up 13 1/4 cents and May soybeans were up 12 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed up 15 1/2 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 15 1/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 7 1/4 cents.

It was a mostly positive session across the board for row-crop futures Thursday, with soybean futures again leading the way higher on continued trade optimism ahead of President Trump's upcoming visit to China in April. Meanwhile, wheat futures have caught a midweek burst, rallying from trendline support and aided by a strong past few weeks for export sales. This positively influenced corn futures as well for Thursday, with strong export sales in their own right. Outside markets were very volatile on Thursday, with no clear macro news to explain the sharp turn lower in stocks by late morning. Treasuries were firm again following Wednesday's better than expected jobs data for January. The U.S. dollar was firm, but energy markets turned lower on U.S. inventory build-ups in crude and finished motor gasoline last week, and at least a temporary soothing of supply risk as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are planned to continue.

Following Wednesday's sizeable rally, the live cattle complex was back to trading slightly lower as the market tries to patiently wait to see what's going to develop in the fed cash cattle market this week. With boxed beef prices declining -- as they seasonally do during this time -- traders need to see additional fundamental support, which will likely come from the cash market when trade develops at some point this week. But in the lightning fast world we live in, waiting until the very bitter end of the week to see what's going to develop fundamentally for the market is a painful waiting lesson traders aren't necessarily fond of. Boxed beef prices are lower: choice down $0.39 ($365.53) and select down $0.59 ($361.99) with a movement of 46 loads (24.40 loads of choice, 3.08 loads of select, 7.95 loads of trim and 10.72 loads of ground beef).

And as one would logically assume in this market, with the live cattle contracts trading lower, the feeder cattle contracts followed suit. Demand has been mostly strong this week in the countryside for both feeder cattle and calves -- and especially for cattle that will make yearlings this upcoming summer.

The lean hog complex continues to tumble lower as the market anticipates a wall of supply that's likely going to hit the market at any point in time now. The latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report showed market-ready supplies were larger than originally assumed, and the market is bracing itself for that supply to hit.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/12200936/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The USDA is facing some doubts about the reliability of its data from farmers, grain traders, and economists. Reports say the doubts are coming about because of the agency’s significant staff losses and the sharp upward revision in how many acres of corn U.S. farmers harvested in 2025. “Thousands of employees left the agency last year as a part of the administration’s push to shrink the federal government, and industry stakeholders are worried that the shrinking staff limited the agency’s ability to produce timely and accurate data.”  

USDA’s final January estimates of how many acres corn farmers planted and harvested in 2025 represented unprecedented increases from June’s initial estimates. Already-low grain prices dropped over five percent at a time when growers were already struggling to make enough money to stay in business. The unexpected revisions prompted the National Agricultural Statistics Service to launch an internal review of its processes for making acreage estimates.

USDA data under increasing scrutiny

It’s well-known that the U.S. cattle herd continues to shrink. The January U.S. Cattle Inventory report showed the total inventory at 86.2 million head on January 1. That was down 300,000 head from last year. American Farm Bureau analysis showed the combination of fewer beef cows and a declining calf crop means the 2026 calf crop will likely continue to trend downward because there are fewer calves available for the breeding herd, even if more heifers are kept for breeding purposes. 

Tighter cattle supplies will contribute to higher prices and volatility for cattle and beef in 2026. Smaller cattle supplies paired with strong consumer demand for beef have driven up prices for both cattle and beef. With cattle supplies this tight, markets have become more responsive to news and events that could impact supply and demand. Beef cattle cash receipts have been one of the few bright spots in the U.S. agricultural economy. 

AFBF: Smaller cattle herd means market volatility

March corn closed down 1 1/4 cents and May corn was down 3/4 cent. March soybeans closed up 1 1/2 cents and May soybeans were up 2 cents. March KC wheat closed up 8 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 9 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 2 cents.

Row-crop trade was quiet at midweek with wheat futures leading the way higher after successfully holding above trendline support early in the week. Meanwhile, soybeans recovered from early losses to extend the rally while corn futures were sluggish despite larger-than-expected cuts to U.S. stocks in Tuesday's WASDE report, with a seven-year high forecast for reserves still weighing on price potential. Outside markets leaned mostly positive with firm energy markets amid lingering geopolitical risks as negotiations continue between the U.S. and Iran regarding the latter's nuclear program. In other news for Wednesday, January jobs data was much better than expected, with a cut to the unemployment rate and a surge in job creation. This in turn pressured Treasuries and raised yields as the slowing job market through the final few months of 2025 had been an argument for lowering interest rates.

It's almost as if the overarching theme in the live cattle complex as we headed into Wednesday's noon hour was, "Why are we waiting around? We know the market's direction is higher." So where does all this support come from this morning? Good question, because boxed beef prices were mostly lower, there's yet to be any trade in the fed cash cattle market, and the equity markets aren't doing anything that would justify trading notably higher. But if there's one thing we know and understand about the livestock complex, it's that it is an anticipatory market. If traders think the market is bound to trade substantially higher, one may ask, "Why not today?" and they followed through finishing fully higher. Still no trade has developed in the fed cash cattle market and both bids and asking prices remain elusive at this point. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $0.41 ($367.14) and select up $1.19 ($364.09) with a movement of 53 loads (45.12 loads of choice, 3.38 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 4.62 loads of ground beef).

Upon seeing the live cattle contracts trading higher, it didn't take much convincing to get the feeder cattle futures to move higher also. Sales have been noticeably stronger this week in the countryside for both feeder cattle and calves as supplies remain incredibly thin.

Meanwhile the lean hog complex is the same story Wednesday that it's been over the last couple of days as the market continued to scale lower. And with pork cutout values down slightly, the market won't likely change its direction until that is corrected.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/11140419/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

A new American Farm Bureau Market Intel Report said Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row, reaching 315 filings in 2025, a 46 percent increase from 2024. The Midwest and Southeast filed 121 and 105 Chapter 12 cases, respectively, far outpacing any other regions. Deep crop losses across commodities common in those two regions have compounded after years of declining receipts and rising expenses. 

Filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy is a last resort for farmers who have incurred large debts to continue operating with increased flexibility for payments. Midwest states with double-digit filings include Iowa with 18, Nebraska 17, Missouri and Wisconsin each had 16 filings, Minnesota with 13, and Kansas had 11. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said farmers are taking out larger operating loans and taking longer to repay them. USDA estimates that total farm debt will rise 5.2 percent to a record $624.7 billion this year. 

Farm bankruptcies continued climbing in 2025

The USDA announced the enrollment periods for agricultural producers and landowners to submit offers for the Continuous and General Conservation Reserve Program. The Farm Service Agency is accepting offers for Continuous CRP starting this Thursday, February 12, through March 20, 2026. Enrollment for the General CRP will run from March 9, 2026, through April 17, 2026. FSA will announce the dates for the Grassland CRP signup in the near future. 

“We’re still very close to the 27-million-acre statutory cap, with 1.9 million acres available for all CRP enrollments this fiscal year, so enrollment is likely to be competitive,” said Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Programs and Conservation. “It’s not about the total number of enrolled acres, it’s about producers and landowners offering the acres that can best deliver real and lasting benefits to soil, water, and wildlife.” Producers and landowners interested in participating in CRP should contact their local FSA county office. 

USDA announces enrollment periods for 2026 continuous and general CRP 

March corn closed unchanged and May corn was up a 1/4 cent. March soybeans closed up 11 3/4 cents and May soybeans were up 12 1/2 cents. March KC wheat closed up 1 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down a 1/2 cent, March Minneapolis wheat was down 2 1/4 cents.

Soybean futures led the way higher on Tuesday, resuming rallying efforts after a brief pause on Monday. Meanwhile, corn and wheat markets were mixed as USDA made very few changes to U.S. and global balance sheets but did reiterate multi-year highs in grain reserves. Outside markets were mixed for Tuesday with softer energy markets, while the U.S. dollar recovered from the turn lower on Monday.

In trying to wait patiently for the week's fundamentals to shine through the marketplace, the live cattle complex was mixed for the bulk of the session before finishing lower, as traders simply aren't willing to advance the market at this point without first seeing fundamental reassurance develop. It's quite likely the market could enter a sideways trading range until it sees what the fed cash cattle market is going to accomplish this week. Traders don't want to pressure the market's resistance from a technical standpoint, but at the same time they believe in the market's long-term, bullish fundamental outlook, which is why a sideways trend is most likely to be the theme throughout the remainder of the week and until cash cattle begin to trade. Tuesday's WASDE report shared a fruitful outlook for the cattle and beef markets of 2026. Beef production for 2026 was increased by 185 million pounds as fed cattle slaughter is expected to increase, cow slaughter is expected to increase, and carcass weights are obviously higher. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice up $2.24 ($370.00) and select down $0.82 ($364.53) with a movement of 74 loads (53.35 loads of choice, 4.31 loads of select, 4.17 loads of trim and 11.88 loads of ground beef).

Without a strong presence seen in the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts were also trading mixed into Tuesday's noon hour, before fading and finishing lower. But what remains interesting about the feeder cattle market's behavior is the deferred contracts aren't concerned about what the live cattle contracts are doing and instead traded fully higher, seeming more focused on the market's long-term situation of short supplies for the bulk of today's session.

The lean hog complex was again trading lower as the market seems to be anticipating increased supplies that are soon to hit the market. The last quarterly Hogs and Pigs report unveiled more market-ready supplies than what the industry anticipated, and there were plenty of hogs noted in the heavy weight categories which will meet the consumer in the supply chain at any point in time now. But what also remains true is that while the futures complex may be scaling lower, pork demand over the last two weeks has been noticeably stronger, which one may logically assume is because some consumers are electing to purchase pork as opposed to beef as it's a cheaper protein option.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/10143131/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

JOHNSON COUNTY —A man who admitted his role in a fentanyl overdose death is going to prison.

Last month, Judge Thomas Sutherland sentenced 34-year-old Gerrell M. McKoy to 184 months in prison for drug distribution causing death and 12 months for theft of between $12,000 and $100,000.

In October McKoy pleaded guilty to the charges in the death of 25-year-old Michael Danilov in March of 2020.

Kan. man going to prison for deadly fentanyl overdose death

SALINE COUNTY —Two Kansas teens are facing multiple allegations after a burglary in Salina.

Just before 2a.m. Friday, an officer on routine patrol in Salina observed the front door glass of Rod’s 5 convenience story, 680 S. Phillips Avenue in Salina, shattered, according to&nbsp;Police Captain James Feldman.

Officers searched the business and determined a burglary had occurred and numerous vapes had been stolen from the building. 

Officers also located blood near the broken glass. Police alerted the hospital and asked them to contact law enforcement if any came to the hospital with lacerations. 

At about 2:00 AM, the hospital reported a 17-year-old boy arrived with a laceration to his arm. Officers spoke with the boy who confirmed he had broken into the business along with a 16-year-old boy. Officers went to the residence of both suspects located in the 600 block of Gypsum where they took the second boy into custody and recovered the stolen vapes. 

Both boys face charges of Burglary, Felony Theft and Damage to property. The estimated theft is valued at over $1,000, and the damage is valued at about $1,000.

Hospital helps police catch Kansas teen injured in burglary

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans and a Palantir-backed think tank want to require students to learn about communist and socialist regimes and pass a civics exam to graduate, all in response to political skepticism by Gen Z.

Sen. Brad Starnes, a Republican from Riley and a former district superintendent,&nbsp; introduced the bill Tuesday before the Senate Education Committee. He brought forward statistics: 19% of Americans under age 45 can pass the citizenship test, 34% of Americans ages 18-29 say they have a “favorable view” of communism, and a rising number of Gen Z and millennials who believe the “Communist Manifesto” guarantees freedom and equality better than the Declaration of Independence.&nbsp;

The statistics were provided by the Cicero Institute, a Texas-based conservative think tank founded by the billionaire co-founder of Palantir —&nbsp;the technology software company that combines&nbsp;<a href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/01/30/nj-pension-fund-ice/" target="_blank">government data</a>&nbsp;into platforms for immigration agents. Cicero also lobbies for bills that&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/03/kansas-lawmakers-entertain-texas-groups-plan-to-penalize-homeless/">criminalize being homeless</a>.&nbsp;

More moderate to left-leaning think tanks have found the statistics to be more convoluted. While Gen Z women are the most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/aug/07/gen-z-voters-political-ideology-gender-gap#:~:text=Percentage%20of%20men%20aged%2018,somewhat%20agree%20with%20the%20following&amp;text=33-,Guardian%20graphic.,conservative%20than%20their%20millennial%20counterparts." target="_blank">progressive group</a>&nbsp;in American history, Gen Z men are becoming increasingly conservative — much more so than millennials when measured at the same age. In large metropolises like New York City, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/energized-dems-trumpet-wins-state-elections-buckle-midterms" target="_blank">residents just elected</a>&nbsp;the city’s first Democratic Socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, support for socialism is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.org/article/2025/11/24/the-wave-of-evolutionary-socialism-in-american-cities/" target="_blank">on the rise</a>.&nbsp;

Starnes’ bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb381/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 381</a>, would direct the Kansas State Board of Education to develop curriculum to give K-12 public school students an understanding of “communist and socialist regimes and ideologies.”

The bill also would require all public and private school students to pass a civics exam in order to graduate high school. Students could retake it as many times as needed, and the bill would respect a student’s individualized education plan.&nbsp;

The questions of the civics exam would be modeled after the U.S. citizenship test.

Opponents — all of whom work in the education space — repeated a phrase commonly heard in Statehouse education hearings: “local control.” Timothy Graham, director of government relations and legislative affairs for the Kansas National Education Association, said he is tired of saying it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“What we’re saying is when you guys decide to get into these decisions that are traditionally left to the locals, because that is the ideal place for them to take place, if you’re going to get into that, then give a compelling reason why you should do that,” Graham said. “I don’t think Senate Bill 381 is a compelling reason. I don’t think it addresses anything that we need to be worried about in schools.”&nbsp;

Leah Fliter, assistant executive director of advocacy for the Kansas Association of School Boards, said: “It’s covered. And the teachers have the ability and the competency to cover that as is already described in graduation standards.”

Sen. Doug Shane, a Republican from Louisburg whose kids are home-schooled, questioned Fliter.&nbsp;

“To say that yeah we have courses in American history, yeah that’s true, but the content that’s being taught is un-American,” Shane said. “And this rise of anti-Americanism is fomented and breeding in our K-12 institutions. So to the point about local control, local control went out the door when unfortunately — not every single Kansas public school — but public schools have been used to foment anti-Americanism. And it’s really, really tragic.”&nbsp;

“Is this a question?” Fliter asked.&nbsp;

“It’s more of a statement,” Shane responded.

Fliter looked at the camera used to livestream hearings and raised her hands in apparent exasperation.

Shane, 37, said he was taught in school that Ronald Reagan was America’s worst president and that Nazism rose from a far-right government, when Shane said it actually emerged from socialism.&nbsp;

Adolf Hitler tied much of his far-right fascist ideas to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.britannica.com/story/were-the-nazis-socialists" target="_blank">socialist rhetoric</a>&nbsp;— like&nbsp;<a href="https://famous-trials.com/hitler/2529-1923-interview-with-adolf-hitler" target="_blank">“our socialism is national</a>” — and both were geared toward appealing to the lower middle class.&nbsp;

“I would imagine that a textbook from 20 years ago is quite different from a textbook being used today,” Fliter said.&nbsp;

Kathy Brown, who identified herself as a Topeka attorney, although she&nbsp;<a href="https://directory-kard.kscourts.gov/" target="_blank">doesn’t appear to be licensed</a>&nbsp;in Kansas, was among seven proponents who testified in support of the bill. There were seven opponents.&nbsp;

“As we see in this Legislature, our public schools are dominated by the left, they describe marxism as ‘Nirvana’, they teach our Judeo-Christian heritage as evil, Satan worshipers and Islam as diverse,” Brown said, without providing evidence to support her claims. “They frame the founders as white supremacists. They’re teaching racism though now, but against a new color — whiteness.”

Kansas bill calls for communism class, civics test amid claims of ‘anti-Americanism’ in schools

CARIBBEAN SEA --The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) announced on Thursday, the death of a Marine who was lost at sea, while conducting operations in the Caribbean, according to a media release.

Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, was declared deceased on Feb. 10, 2026. He was reported falling overboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) on the evening of Feb. 7 and was the subject of an extensive, around‑the‑clock 72‑hour search and rescue operation.

"We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family," said Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd MEU (SOC). "The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will be profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten."

The declaration followed the conclusion of the 72‑hour search and rescue operation on Feb. 10. The multi‑branch effort covered a wide search area and involved a range of assets, including five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid‑hull inflatable boat, and ten aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force—all supported by National Technical Means.

The nonstop search and rescue operation included hundreds of flight hours, extensive aviation support, and search efforts from USS Iwo Jima’s 7‑meter small‑boat and surface rescue swimmer teams. Aircraft involved in the search included six helicopters (two U.S. Navy MH‑60 Sierras, two MH‑60 Romeos, one U.S. Marine Corps AH‑1Z Viper, and one UH‑1Y Venom); one U.S. Navy P‑8 Poseidon; two U.S. Air Force HC‑130J Combat King IIs; and one U.S. Air Force MQ‑9 Reaper.Lance Cpl. Oforah was an infantry rifleman. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in Oct. 2023 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, in Feb. 2024. He completed the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. At the time of his death, he was deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd MEU (SOC), aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.&nbsp;

Marine becomes first American to die in drug boat targeting operation

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Out of an abundance of caution School Resource Officers initiated a lockout – allowing no one to exit or enter – four Lawrence Public Schools Thursday afternoon, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.

Officers were investigating a potential threat. Police were called to 19th and Massachusetts because someone said a man was acting strangely and might have a gun. Another person heard the same man say there was going to be a mass-shooting at Lawrence High School.

Patrol officers immediately began searching for the man.  The School Resource Officers quickly worked to secure LHS and three nearby schools – Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Cordley Elementary School, and Schwegler Elementary School.

The lockout began shortly after 1pm.  Patrol officers continued their search for the man and found him in the 900 block of Vermont.  He was extremely combative.  Officers were forced to restrain the man to get him into a van, then transported him to the Douglas County Correctional Facility.

He faces several potential charges including possession of drug paraphernalia. He was not in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest.  

The schools were able to open back up for a regular dismissal.

4 Kan. schools locked out while police investigate potential threat

The measure would remove the sunset from Missouri’s 2023 restrictions, permanently barring doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors

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

The Missouri House passed legislation Thursday that would permanently bar doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to transgender minors, sending the bill to the Senate for approval.

Lawmakers voted along party lines with 102 Republicans in favor and 40 Democrats voting against the bill. Democratic state Reps. Chanel Mosley from Black Jack and Stephanie Boykin of Florissant voted “present.”

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge, said during debate on Monday that she supports a “watchful waiting” approach to gender dysphoria in adolescents, advocating for counseling over medical intervention.

“Children become confused in many areas of their lives,” she said. “They have many questions throughout their years of development, and we have a responsibility to speak the truth.”

Since passing the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/10/missouri-house-sends-bill-banning-transgender-health-care-for-minors-to-governor/">restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors in 2023</a>, Missouri lawmakers have filed bills every year seeking to remove the law’s expiration date. Last year, the proposal was approved at the committee level and rolled into a 108-page Senate bill that sought to modify the sunsets of a variety of laws. The legislation ultimately stalled in the House.

House Republicans echoed a desire to “protect children,” citing recent statements by medical groups&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/plastic-surgeons-group-delay-gender-affirming-surgery-age-19-rcna257607" target="_blank">recommending against gender-affirming surgeries</a>&nbsp;for youth.

The bill wouldn’t change the state’s ban on gender affirming surgeries for those under 18, which was enacted without a sunset in 2023. It would only impact access to cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers, which Democrats argued should not be regulated by the state’s legislature.

“Why are we so focused on inserting ourselves in the living rooms of Missourians all across the state,” said state Rep. Marty Joe Murrary, a St. Louis Democrat. “When a child and a parent, they have a right to make a decision about the health care decisions for people in their household. Why are we better able to dictate that than themselves and their medical professional?”

State Rep. Jeff Hales, a Democrat from University City, called the legislation an “overreach” Thursday.

“By passing this, we are telling parents that the state knows better than they do on how to care for their own flesh and blood,” he said. “We are telling doctors that their years of medical expertise are secondary to our desires to scapegoat and target a vulnerable minority.”

When the law passed in 2023, three Republicans voted against the restrictions, including House Speaker Jon Patterson, a doctor from Lee’s Summit.

He was not in the chamber for the bill’s debate Monday, pointed out Democratic state Rep. Keri Ingle who is also from Lee’s Summit and is expected to run against Patterson for an open seat in the Missouri Senate, should both win their party’s nomination

“He voted no on this bill, because he at that time believed that it wasn’t in the state’s best interest to stop medical care,” she said.

Thursday, as the bill got its final stamp of approval in the House, Patterson voted in favor of removing the sunset.

The country’s largest medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association, continue to support the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for those under 18 to medically transition.

Permanent ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors clears Missouri House

Four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched at 5:15 a.m. EST Friday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled a Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/people/jessica-u-meir/">Jessica Meir</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-astronaut-jack-hathaway/">Jack Hathaway</a>, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.

“With Crew-12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation, and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth. I’m grateful to the NASA and SpaceX teams whose discipline, rigor, and resilience made today’s launch possible. We undertake these missions with a clear understanding of risk, managing it responsibly so we can continue expanding human presence in low Earth orbit while preparing for our next great leap to the Moon and onward to Mars.”

During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA’s live coverage resumes at 1:15 p.m. Saturday on&nbsp;<a href="https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/nasas-spacex-crew-12-arrival-welcome-remarks/">NASA+</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/livetv/ref=atv_hm_liv_LRad2e3b_slct?serviceToken=v0_Cl0KJGUwMTYwNTQwLWU2NjMtNGE1OC05MDczLTZiMmRmYjI5NWMyNRDwyY266jIaLExpNitvL2dzaDBoR0NjVGdhVGdLTHptYkF6dHpuZ29zb2VJMDZ6YWhmZEk9IAESBmZpbHRlchgBIgRob21lKgRsaXZlWj8KDGxpbmVhckZpbHRlchIvCi1hbXpuMS1wdi1saW5lYXItbGl2ZV90YWItZmlsdGVyLWxlYXJuX2V4cGxvcmV6AIIBBjAAUABwAA%3D%3D">Amazon Prime</a>, and the agency’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/nasa">YouTube</a>&nbsp;channel with rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening. After docking, the crew will change out of their spacesuits and prepare cargo for offload before opening the hatch between Dragon and the space station’s Harmony module around 5 p.m. NASA also will provide coverage of the welcome ceremony aboard the space station shortly following hatch opening.

Learn how to watch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/general/watch-nasa-programming/">NASA content</a>&nbsp;through a variety of platforms, including social media.

Meir, Hathaway, Adenot, and Fedyaev will join the Expedition 74 crew, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev already aboard the orbiting laboratory, returning the space station to its standard seven crew members complement following the Jan. 14&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-spacex-crew-11-mission-returns-splashes-down-off-california/">departure</a>&nbsp;of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission.

During its mission, Crew-12 will conduct scientific research to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasas-spacex-crew-12-to-study-adaptation-to-altered-gravity/">prepare for human exploration</a>&nbsp;beyond low Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth. Participating crew members will study&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9160">pneumonia-causing bacteria</a>&nbsp;to improve cardiovascular treatments, on-demand&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8593">intravenous fluid generation</a>&nbsp;for future space missions, and research on how physical characteristics may&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9473">affect blood flow</a>&nbsp;during spaceflight. Other experiments include automated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9518">plant health monitoring</a>&nbsp;and investigations of plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8301">interactions</a>&nbsp;to enhance food production in space.

Crew-12 is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which provides reliable access to space, maximizing the use of the station for research and development, and supporting future missions beyond low Earth orbit by partnering with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

🎥New astronauts launch to Space Station after medical evacuation

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 5:30p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to 20th and Monroe on a sound of shots call in the area. 911 received multiple additional calls of sound of shots and eventually one call reporting a shooting victim down in a wooded area of a series of vacant lots in the 2000 block of Monroe.

On arrival officers made their way into the vacant lots and located a male shooting victim unresponsive there. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over aid. They eventually declared the victim deceased here at the scene.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Preliminary indication indicates the shooting occurred on 20th street between Askew and Monroe and the victim then ran to the south where he was located.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or possible suspect details.

KCPD: Victim ran from shooting and died in a vacant lot

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement investigating a school threat in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call regarding an online social media threat involving Eisenhower Middle School, 3305 SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.. No other schools are involved in this incident.

On Wednesday, Topeka Police working jointly with the FBI to determine the credibility of the online threat arrested a 16-year-old boy on requested charges of criminal threat and criminal use of weapons.

16-year-old accused of online threat against Kan. middle school

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a townhome in Kansas City.

Just before 1:30p.m. Thursday, Kansas City Fire Department companies&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported fire in the 7600 block of E 79th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, crews reported a 1-story townhome with heavy fire showing. An offensive fire attack was initiated with 2 hose lines advanced into the structure. Searches throughout were performed and reported all clear. 

The fire was brought under controlat 1:41 p.m. Red Cross has been requested to assist with 1 adult. There were no injuries reported.

Red Cross assisting 1 victim after KC townhome fire

After a disappointing 6-11 season in which the Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012, the organization has made several changes to its coaching staff alongside the hiring of new offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy.&nbsp;

The Chiefs announced five new coaching hires, headlined by former NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray as running backs coach. He replaces Todd Pinkston, who was fired following the disappointing season in which the Chiefs ranked 25th in rushing offense last season.&nbsp; Murray spent the past six seasons coaching with the Oklahoma Sooners after a seven-year NFL career that included a 2014 Offensive Player of the Year award with the Dallas Cowboys.

Chad O'Shea returns to Kansas City, where he began his NFL career as a volunteer assistant in 2003. He joins as a wide receivers coach after previous NFL stints with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns.&nbsp; Terry Bradden Jr. was named assistant defensive line coach, while Nate Pagan and CJ Cox fill offensive and defensive quality control roles, respectively.

The Chiefs have the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, their highest selection since taking offensive tackle Eric Fisher first overall in 2013.&nbsp; Where Kansas City could go with that pick remains up in the air with the NFL Combine and pro days still to go before the NFL Draft at the end of April.&nbsp; Many mock drafts project the Chiefs adding to the defensive line, while some do look at the running back position with Jeremiah Love from Ohio State being the favorite.&nbsp;

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