Extreme cold temperatures hitting the region are forcing schools to cancel classes for Friday with wind chills as low as -13 expected to hit the area and some snowfall expected this weekend.&nbsp;

There is a Cold Weather Advisory in effect from the National Weather Service until midnight on Saturday.&nbsp; A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect from 6pm on Friday to 6pm on Sunday.

On Thursday evening, the King City School District, the South Holt School District, and the West Nodaway School District all canceled classes due to the cold wind chills plaguing the area.&nbsp;

For more school closures that come in prior to this article being updated, you can click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a>.

(You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.)

Extreme cold temperatures forcing school closures

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust in Brown County.

Just after 8p.m. on Jan. 18, a sheriff's deputy responded to a&nbsp; call of a domestic disturbance in Fairview, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Upon arrival and after the initial investigation, a search warrant was then approved for the residence at 114 W. Front Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 At the conclusion of the warrant, 69-year-old Jane Teske of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.

&nbsp; Robert Hobbs, 50, of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.&nbsp;

Yvette Ward, 56, Pawnee City Nebraska was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of DrugParaphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff: Domestic disturbance led to drug bust at Kan. home

HOLT&nbsp; COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Wednesday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Toyota Prius driven by an 81-year-old Maitland man was southbound on U.S. 59 at Holt 215 five miles south of Mound City. The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The car traveled off the west side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The car began to skid, returned to the road, traveled off the east side of the road, struck an embankment and rolled onto its roof.

Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver to Fairfax Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man hospitalized after rollover accident

St. Joseph Restaurant Week is returning from Feb. 23 to March 1, offering a unique opportunity for local eateries to shine and for the community to rally behind small businesses. 

During Restaurant Week, diners can enjoy special menus, creative dishes, and exclusive offerings that aren’t available at any other time.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce says participation is designed to be simple and flexible. To join, restaurants just need to select a signature dish or a set of dishes to offer at one of three specific price points: $10, $15, or $30.

“It’s always fun when the dish is something that’s not regularly on the menu,” said Natalie Hawn, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. She noted that this is an excellent opportunity for chefs to test new concepts that might eventually become permanent menu staples.

The Chamber is currently encouraging all local restaurants to sign up via&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://saintjoseph.com">saintjoseph.com</a>. The costs for participation are:

These fees directly support the program by covering the costs of posters, brochures, table-top signs, and widespread advertising. The deadline to register and submit your featured menu is Feb. 16. After this date, the full list of participants and their menus will be live at <a target="_blank" href="https://stjrestaurantweek.com">stjrestaurantweek.com</a>.

The primary goal of the week is to boost the local economy during a season that is traditionally quiet for the food service industry. “Please encourage your favorite restaurants to participate,” Hawn added. “We do this as a way to encourage local spending in what can be a slow time of year for restaurants.”

St. Joseph Restaurant Week is presented by C&amp;M Business Solutions.

Calling local chefs: Register now for St. Joseph Restaurant Week

The City of St. Joseph is introducing a transformative approach to the legal system with the creation of the Community Cares Court. 

The City says the new Municipal Court program is specifically designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness who have been charged with nonviolent offenses, shifting the focus from punishment to long-term stability.

By bringing together law enforcement, health providers, and social service agencies, the program aims to connect participants with housing, medical care, and essential life services. Unlike traditional legal proceedings that rely on fines or jail time, this diversionary program addresses the root causes of low-level offenses to reduce the repeated strain on police and the court system.

Participants facing minor charges - such as trespassing, theft, or nuisance complaints - are paired with a dedicated case manager. This partnership focuses on breaking the cycle of criminal justice involvement by securing stable housing, seeking employment, and obtaining vital documents like birth certificates and medical insurance.

The program also ensures that individuals have access to mental health care and necessary medications. For those who demonstrate consistent progress and active engagement with their assigned services, the court offers the incentive of having their legal cases dismissed.

“All of us working together have a greater impact in getting individuals out of the cycle they are currently finding themselves in,” said St. Joseph City Manager Mike Schumacher. “Our aim is to connect people with housing, health care and services that help them improve their lives, rather than just punishing them.”

St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster adds, "Since we have the right resources, lets give people the chance at success."

The Community Cares Court is a collaborative effort involving the St. Joseph Municipal Court judge and prosecutor, the St. Joseph Police Department, Community Missions, Mosaic Life Care, and several other community partners.

The program is set to begin its pilot phase in the coming weeks, initially focusing on two to five individuals. These participants are being selected based on their history of interaction with law enforcement and their specific needs for mental health and social services. As officials identify the first group of participants, the city looks forward to seeing the long-term benefits.

St. Joseph launches "Community Cares Court" to help break the cycle of homelessness

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce has announced a series of upcoming public forums designed to connect voters with local candidates ahead of the spring elections.

The series kicks off with a Mayoral Candidate Forum on Jan. 28, at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center. The event will be moderated by Kevin Waltman and is intended to provide a platform for candidates to discuss their platforms and visions for the city. The event takes place from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and breakfast will be served. 

For those unable to attend in person, the forum will be broadcast the following morning on 680 KFEQ.

Following the mayoral event, the Chamber will host additional sessions in March focused on candidates for the St. Joseph School District Board of Education and the City Council.

Due to limited seating, registration and a fee are required to attend the forums. The cost for Chamber members is $15 and $25 for non-members. The price includes the full breakfast.

Community members can secure their spot by contacting the Chamber at 816-232-4461 or visiting their <a href="https://saintjoseph.com/">website</a>.

The event is presented by Farmer's State Bank.

St. Joseph Chamber to host mayoral forum Jan. 28

KFEQ Morning Sports

Work is coming along on the Buchanan County Fairgrounds, but even while work is happening, so are events within the old East Buchanan Middle School 

Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson says even while construction on the arena is happening, things are happening in the school building that is nos turned into an event space 

"We’re not waiting for the first cow to come in with a 4H judge to judge it and things like that, that’s not our go time, that can’t happen until the arena is done,” Nelson says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “But prior to that, the event space we had a concert, and we have a wedding reception, things like that.” 

Nelson says even a summer camp has asked to utilize the space for activities for its kids within the space around the facility.  

This past Saturday the event space within the old middle school in Easton got its first trial run with a concert held by Bea and the Boys 

“They were hoping to get 80 people out there, and we had no idea but we had the place set up, we had a bunch of volunteers and it wasn’t just volunteers from the school board, there were volunteers from the community that came out and helped that are behind this project as an idea in and of itself,” Nelson explains.  “And they ended up with I think 170 people out there that night, and it was full and they were having a good time.” 

Nelson says the event was well attended by community members, and he heard mass support for the project. 

There are other events that are already scheduled even during construction of the arena. You can visit the Buchanan County Fairgrounds Facebook page for more information. 

Despite the cold winter weather, construction is continuing at the Buchanan County Fairgrounds, and things are still on track.  

Nelson says now with the beams of the building up and going 

“They have the walls and insulation up at least on the west wall, probably on the south wall if not all of it, and they’ve continued on around,” Nelson says.  “I’m going to say the whole wall up on the south is probably up, the whole wall on the west is up and insulated.” 

Nelson says once the walls are up and the exterior work is completed the roof should be the next step to go on, keeping them on track to be done with that phase this year.  

Nelson says once the first phase is complete, then it is on to work on getting the correct dirt inside the arena as well as pens and water to make it functional for showing animals. 

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

Events taking place at Buchanan County Fairgrounds as work continues

KFEQ News 01/22/2026

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Cruz driven by a 17-year-old Bethany girl was northbound on MO 146 six miles southeast of Bethany. The driver lost control of the car on a curve.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, traveled through a yard and struck a mailbox.

Harrison County EMS transported the teen to Harrison County Community Hospital.&nbsp; She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri teen hospitalized after car strikes mailbox

ATCHISON COUNTY—A suspect wanted following an investigation by police and the KBI in June is in custody facing additional allegaions.

Shortly before 7p.m. on Tuesday an officer on patrol observed a vehicle being driven by Robert ‘Jamie’ Ford who the officer knew was wanted on outstanding warrants, according to Atchison Police Chef Mike Wilson.

The officer stopped the vehicle in the 600 block North 11th Street in Atchison where Ford was taken into custody on two District Court warrants and new traffic charges. 

He was subsequently found to be in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. The District Court warrant charging him with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia is in connection to a June 2025 Atchison Police/Kansas Bureau of Investigation joint investigation. Ford was taken to the County Jail.

He is being held on requested charges that include possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, no vehicle insurance, expired tag, transporting an open container and District Court warrants charging him with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, and probation violation.

Wanted Kansas suspect was in possession of cocaine

March corn closed up 2 1/4 cents and May corn was up 2 1/2 cents. March soybeans closed down 1/2 cent and May soybeans were up 1 1/4 cents. March KC wheat closed up 6 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 7 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 10 cents.

Thursday was another quiet session across U.S. crop markets with oilseeds relaxing following a midweek surge on Wednesday, likely the result of hitting some technical resistance points on respective charts. Wheat futures recovered from a sluggish start to the week with Kansas City futures again challenging upside resistance ahead of a weekend of severe winter weather across the United States. Outside markets saw equities complete a two-day recovery of Tuesday's tariff-induced selloff, a common theme through the past year as such value breaks have been viewed as buying opportunities. Natural gas continues to be the most compelling outside market, going from three-month price lows to three-year highs in the course of three trading days, although profit-taking has since taken the top end out of the rally on Thursday. Crude oil and diesel prices moved lower on Thursday, influencing a softer soybean oil market as well.

With still no lofty developments yet in this week's fed cash cattle market, the live cattle contracts were trading on both sides of unchanged throughout the session on Thursday. It's also not been helpful that midday boxed beef prices were lower, which is a seasonal trend for this time, but either way, it doesn't "feel" good to a market that's looking for increased fundamental support. Asking prices are noted in the North at $370 but are still not established in the South. Trade could likely be delayed until after Friday's Cattle on Feed report. Boxed beef prices are lower: choice down $0.22 ($365.89) and select down $2.41 ($360.04) with a movement of 56 loads (36.72 loads of choice, 5.00 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 14.19 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex continued to trade mixed and in a sideways fashion headed into the closing bell, and the market is again following in the wake of the live cattle complex. The market will likely maintain a sideways chop until Friday's Cattle on Feed report is released.

The lean hog complex got back to trading softly higher as traders are seeing continued support in pork demand and are willing to scale the contracts higher even though the market is already trading at new contract highs in the spot April contract. The cash market is trading in a thin manner again today, but packers did buy over 2,000 head in Wednesday's market, which is a "big" movement compared to recent days.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/22141730/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The 37th annual Midland Empire Farm, Home, and Rural Lifestyle Show is returning to Civic Arena in St. Joseph this weekend.

Event director, Cindi Cornelius says the event is family friendly with something for everyone. "We love having the kids show up. We have a kid's petting zoo and a kid's activity area upstairs as well, along with a lot of shopping vendors."

With nearly 100 vendors expected to participate at the farm show, Cornelius says she's excited to utilize the space at Civic Arena since the renovations. "We've struggled since Covid but we're back to using both levels this year. The restrooms have been expanded up and down, and the facility looks fantastic, so we're excited."

Cornelius says more food options have been added this year, some of which include Texas Roadhouse, The Enchilada Lady, and The Quilted Cookie. "We'll also have kettle corn, canned pickles, quail eggs, jams, jellies, breads, and brownies, so something for everyone. There will definitely be plenty of food for folks to purchase."

Attendees can also register to win a $250 DeWalt gift card from Family Center Farm and Home, with one winner each day.

Saturday only will feature a free MO Child Identification program.

The farm show takes place Jan. 23 and 24. Hours on Friday are 10:00 a.m.&nbsp; - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.

37th annual Midland Empire Farm Show in St. Joseph this weekend

Iowa’s corn and ethanol industry faces continued decline without immediate approval of nationwide, year-round sales of E15 gasoline and access to ultra-low carbon fuel markets, according to a new study released by Iowa Corn and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. The study comes as farmers confront a corn carryout exceeding 2 billion bushels and rising input costs for fertilizer, seed and machinery. It estimates corn prices at $1.52 per bushel, a level that could force some producers to downsize or leave farming without expanded demand. 

Iowa remains the nation’s top corn producer and a leading ethanol state, with yields rising about 15% faster than the U.S. average, the study said. However, new markets are critical to sustaining growth. Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Mueller said passage of year-round E15 would help stabilize demand but is not enough long term. He said access to ultra-low carbon ethanol markets, including sustainable aviation and marine fuels, depends on investments such as carbon capture and sequestration pipelines. “Without new corn demand, Iowa could face a 1980s-style farm crisis,” Mueller said.

Analysis shows need for E15 for Iowa’s corn and ethanol industry

Last week, producers and staff from the American Sheep Industry Association met with USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce.

They advocated for the inclusion of wool under the Farmer Bridge Assistance program. Eleven of the $12 billion set aside in the program will go to traditional row crop commodities, and the remaining $1 billion is set aside in reserves for uncovered commodities like specialty crops and sugar, but will exclude livestock and meat products. During the meeting, ASI provided testimony, and the discussion helped USDA better understand the market disruption and high harvesting costs facing the U.S. wool industry with the persistently low prices sheep producers have experienced since 2019.

USDA indicated that wool will be considered within the competitive reserve for uncovered commodities, but no decisions have been made at this time. Fordyce did say that additional information can be expected in the coming weeks.

Sheep Officials Meet with USDA on Assistance

The Democratic Party is previewing this year’s mid-term elections by highlighting the continued importance of food aid, affordability, the job market, and the health of local economies. 

A report from Politico said that over 22 million households will lose SNAP benefits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “On the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump taking office for his second term, families everywhere have been devastated by Trump’s tariffs and the Big Ugly Bill,” said DNC spokesman Abhi Rahman. “Trump has sacrificed families who need critical food assistance to put dinner on the table to line the pockets of his billionaire backers.” 

Research compiled by the Democratic National Committee said the states projected to have the most families losing SNAP benefits include California, New York, and Florida. The report warned of spillover damage to farmers and grocers, such as reduced food purchases and a reduction in local employment.

SNAP to be a Huge Issue in the Midterm Elections

China has purchased about 12 million metric tons of soybeans. Three traders told Reuters that the total meets a U.S.-stated pledge to purchase that amount by the end of February. 

“The 12-million-ton target was met last week after bulk purchases by state buyer Sinograin and state trader COFCO, which were the only buyers of U.S. soybeans,” Reuters reported. “Private crushers continued to favor cheaper supplies from Brazil and Argentina.” Bloomberg agrees that the current total reflects continued bookings by state-owned firms in recent weeks. The USDA’s export data, which lags behind real-time totals, put China’s total purchases at just over eight million tons as of January 8. 

Hitting the 12-million-ton target will likely boost trader and exporter confidence that China could also meet the broader goal outlined by the White House of buying at least 25 million tons of U.S. soybeans through 2028.

China Meets U.S. Soybean Purchase Pledge

March corn closed down 1 cents and May corn was down 3/4 cents. March soybeans closed down 4 3/4 cents and May soybeans were down 4 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed down 4 1/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 7 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 3 cents.

Tuesday was an overall mixed to lower day across U.S. row-crop markets, with grain futures easing and oilseed futures surrendering early gains and a selling mindset overtook most markets by early afternoon. Most of the early positive influence on the soybean complex likely came via outside energy markets on Tuesday, with crude oil futures firm on buying interest following last week's profit-taking pullback, and natural gas futures leading the sector with a 25% daily surge amid a return to very cold conditions across the U.S. after a very mild past month. Lastly, stocks and the U.S. Dollar Index both saw intense selling to start the shortened trading week following a heightening of tensions between the U.S. and Europe over President Trump's plans to acquire Greenland, with the president threatening a fresh round of tariff increases on eight countries if a deal is not reached allowing for the U.S. purchase of Greenland.

Following last Friday's sharp decline, the live cattle complex traded cautiously higher into the closing bell on Tuesday. The spot April contract is hovering above the market's 100-day moving average, which remains a very critical threshold to monitor, as a close below that price point could signal continued downward pressure. Still nothing has developed in this week's fed cash cattle market and won't likely until Thursday or Friday. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Kansas, about steady in Nebraska/Colorado, but lower in Texas. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice up $1.99 ($366.32) and select down $0.79 ($359.54) with a movement of 54 loads (42.95 loads of choice, 6.13 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 5.24 loads of ground beef).

And much like the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts are trading slightly higher into midday Tuesday following last Friday's severe break. The feeder cattle complex will likely continue to follow in the live cattle market's wake, waiting and hoping for increased fundamental support.

The lean hog complex is traded narrowly mixed on Tuesday, seeming technically unafraid that the market is breaking into new contract highs in the spot April contract. It is worth noting that pork cutouts were higher, but it will remain critical that fundamental support remains strong this week if traders are going to keep their momentum in the market.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/20142724/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The U.S. Supreme Court will review the Durnell Roundup case. Monsanto had petitioned the court to hear Durnell in April 2025. The company asked the Court to address the split in authority among federal circuit courts on the application of federal preemption, a cross-cutting issue in the Roundup litigation. The company expects a decision on the merits during the Court’s 2026 session, which ends in June. 

“The Supreme Court decision to take the case is good news for U.S. farmers, who need regulatory clarity,” said Bayer CEO Bill Anderson. “It’s also an important step in our multi-pronged strategy to significantly contain this legislation.” Anderson also said it’s time for the U.S. legal system to establish that companies should not be punished under state laws for complying with federal warning label requirements, as every leading regulator in the world has concluded that glyphosate-based herbicides can be used safely.

Bayer statement on Supreme Court case

The U.S. chicken industry is on a decades-long winning streak. Steady growth in consumer demand, coupled with efficiency gains in broiler production have powered the sector’s remarkable growth during the last thirty years. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the near-term outlook for broiler production remains exceptionally strong. But the opportunities for increasing output are becoming more limited. Higher capital costs, tight labor availability, and increased local regulation have stalled site expansions. 

Chick availability has trended downward as genetic priorities have shifted from hatchability to meat yield, and adding more pounds per bird has its limits. “The potential long-term challenge becomes how big is too big for birds on the processing line, and what will drive consumer preferences for chicken products into 2030 and beyond,” said Brian Earnest, lead animal protein economist at CoBank. With a change in genetics, producers can now get over 1,000 pounds of chicken from a single egg-laying hen. 

Chicken demand keeps rising

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">Cami Koons</a>

The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with soybean and specialty crop farm organizations, has asked congressional leadership for economic support to “fill in the gap of remaining losses for both field and specialty crop farmers.”&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fb.org/files/1.15.26-Ag-Letter-to-Congress-Economic-Assistance_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;follows a December announcement from the Trump administration of a&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/08/repub/trump-to-send-12-billion-in-one-time-payments-to-farmers-to-offset-ag-losses/" target="_blank">$12 billion</a>&nbsp;one-time package to offset farmer losses across the country.

“These funds could provide a meaningful first step but do not cover the extensive and cumulative losses that farmers have absorbed over the last several years,” the letter said after acknowledging the farmer bridge payment program.&nbsp;

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is allocating the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/farmer-bridge-assistance-fba-program" target="_blank">funding</a>&nbsp;with commodity specific payment rates and set aside $1 billion of the $12 billion for specialty crop farmers.&nbsp;

The American Soybean Association, a signee on the recently submitted letter, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://soygrowers.com/news-releases/asa-usda-farmer-bridge-assistance-payments-fall-short-for-soybean-farmers/" target="_blank">news release</a>&nbsp;the $30.88 per acre allotted for soybeans from the payment package was not enough to cover the “significant financial damage soybean farmers sustained this year due to the high cost of production and losses sustained during the China trade war.”&nbsp;

Grant Kimberley,&nbsp;Iowa Soybean Association’s director of market development, said the additional need from farmers is “complicated” and is a result of more than just one event in the past year.&nbsp;

“I think people don’t really realize this has been going on for a couple years now,” Kimberley said. “… Just about every row crop agriculture sector in the whole country has been losing money, probably, for the last three years.”

Kimberley said the ongoing downturn in the industry is due to several factors, including low commodity prices, high input costs, changes in global trade and uncertainty in domestic markets.&nbsp;

Data from Farm Bureau&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fb.org/market-intel/declining-farm-economy-continues-to-pressure-profitability" target="_blank">show</a>&nbsp;that commodity prices for major row crops like corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat have declined each year since 2022.&nbsp;

Kimberley said as the prices that farmers can get for their crops has declined, expenses have not declined, and have instead increased.&nbsp; Land, rent, equipment and inputs like fertilizer, seed and chemicals continue to squeeze farmers’ bottom lines, he said.

Farm Bureau economists found that farm expenses in 2025 were 12% higher than the previous five-year average cost.&nbsp;

Another piece to the puzzle, Kimberley explained, is the growing soybean and row crop markets in Brazil and other South American countries. He said the expansion of these markets has interrupted U.S. demand, especially with big buyers like China.&nbsp;

China also declined to purchase U.S. soybeans for the beginning part of harvest season due to President Donald Trump’s trade policies. While the country later&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/30/farm-groups-encouraged-by-trade-deal-with-china-for-u-s-soybeans/" target="_blank">agreed</a>&nbsp;to a trade deal, Kimberley said it’s less than what the country previously bought from the U.S. and the gap in purchasing this year has also had an effect.&nbsp;

Kimberley also pointed to the lack of finalized guidance from federal agencies on renewable fuel standards and tax credits. Many of these initiatives, like&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/biofuel-producers-stuck-in-neutral-without-finalized-tax-credit-guidance/" target="_blank">45Z tax credits</a>&nbsp;for low-carbon fuel, were initiated during the Biden administration and still do not have finalized guidelines.

Other standards, like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/06/13/epa-proposes-historic-renewable-fuel-blending-standards/" target="_blank">blending standards</a>,&nbsp;were proposed over the summer and have yet to be finalized. Kimberley, who is also executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, said this uncertainty means overall biodiesel production has declined in the state, causing a “ripple in the pond” for soybean demand.

“You can’t really just say it’s this or that, you know, it’s all of these things that have kind of added up a little bit over time,” Kimberley said.

The letter from American Farm Bureau Federation also noted the compounding factors squeezing farmers. According to the letter, farmer bankruptcies are increasing and nationwide farmer losses are approaching $100 billion.&nbsp;

“These trends aren’t just statistics; they represent an economic crisis in rural America,” the letter said.&nbsp;

Specialty crop farmers are also struggling under similar pressures and asked Congress for relief.&nbsp;

The majority of the more than 50 organizations that signed the letter represented specialty crop growers.&nbsp;

In a news release about the letter, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said that despite the fact that specialty crops account for more than one-third of all U.S. crop sales, the farmer bridge program from USDA allocated just $1 billion to the industry.&nbsp;

“Any agricultural aid package should reflect the economic contribution of specialty crops, which support rural communities and provide key nutrition,” the alliance leadership said in the release.&nbsp;

The letter, addressed to House and Senate leadership, ask for “immediate” congressionally approved support.&nbsp;

Kimberley said additional changes need to occur in the farm economy for farmers to be profitable, but those changes won’t happen overnight.

“None of these things make farmers whole, and (aid packages) are not preferred, but sometimes they’re necessary,” Kimberley said.&nbsp;

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/01/16/farm-bureau-soybean-and-specialty-ag-groups-ask-congress-for-additional-farmer-support/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</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.

Farm Bureau, soybean and specialty ag groups ask Congress for more support

Mo. governor declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm

State Rep. Cecelie Williams said the messages resurfaced trauma from past abuse as lawmakers voted 138–10 to punish Dean

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>

The text messages were brief, but state Rep. Cecelie Williams told the Missouri House on Thursday that they carried her backward in time.

She thought she had worked through the feelings of fear, self-doubt and the instinct to shrink and stay quiet. Last year, she publicly shared her history of domestic abuse for the first time, hoping it would give purpose to her pain.

But those feelings came rushing back, she said, when she looked at her phone during a September special legislative session and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-democrat-faces-ethics-inquiry-loses-committee-seats-over-obscene-text/">found messages</a>&nbsp;from Democratic state Rep. Jeremy Dean.

“I live with PTSD from abuse I endured,” Williams said. “And this situation has intensified those triggers for me for more than four months.”

Williams’ speech preceded a 138-10 House vote to sanction Dean for sending her obscene and unwanted text messages, a decision that followed a bipartisan ethics investigation but stopped short of expulsion.

All 10 “no” votes came from Democratic lawmakers.

Williams voted in support of the punishment — which includes removal from committees, mandatory sexual harassment training and a requirement that Dean remain at least 50 feet away from her — but made clear she believed expulsion was warranted.

“We are held to a higher standard, one that should exceed any corporate or private workplace,” Williams said. “Because, let us be honest, at any other job, a message like that would be grounds for immediate termination, no questions asked. We cannot excuse behavior in the Capitol that would never be tolerated anywhere else.”

As Williams spoke, Dean sat silently at his desk. He voted “present” on the ethics report and left the chamber shortly after the vote. Dean has publicly apologized for the messages but told The Independent earlier this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/08/bipartisan-missouri-house-ethics-panel-seeks-sanctions-for-obscene-text-sent-by-democrat/">the ethics complaint was politically motivated</a>.

On Sept. 4, while engaged in a sit-in protest on the House floor, Dean sent a text message to Williams, a Republican from Dittmer, while she was participating in a House Elections Committee hearing.

At the time, the committee was taking testimony on a proposal to change how majorities are counted for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition.

The message included a graphic reference to an oral sex act involving the president and questioned how Republicans could speak while engaged in it. According to the ethics report, Dean was watching a livestream of the hearing and sent a second message after seeing Williams’ reaction.

Williams said a second message arrived roughly 20 minutes after the first, following a colleague’s photo of her phone displaying the original text. That message, she said, read: “Make sure it isn’t blurry.”

Dean told investigators that he recognized the messages were “inappropriate and unprofessional” and said he regretted sending them. He denied any intent to disrupt the legislative process, intimidate Williams or improperly influence her participation in the hearing.

The House Ethics Committee — the only House committee with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats and a minority-party vice chair — unanimously approved the sanctions.

After the messages became public, Williams said the scrutiny shifted quickly toward her rather than the sender. She was asked what she sent first, whether she provoked the exchange and why she told anyone at all.

“I have heard those questions before,” she told the chamber. “Just in another chapter of my life.”

Earlier in the year, during a freshman orientation, Williams said she spoke openly in a small group about surviving abuse and how it shaped her life. Dean was present, she said, and already knew her story — a fact that made the messages feel more calculated.

Williams rejected the notion that Dean apologized to her, describing an unsigned email she said amounted to little more than: “I’m sorry you were offended.”

“That is not an apology,” she said. “It is deflection.”

The most painful moment, she said, came when her 13-year-old daughter learned about the messages after seeing a newspaper while checking the mail.

“She cried,” Williams said. “Only knowing that something had hurt her mom.”

Williams said she felt embarrassed and ashamed, despite knowing she had done nothing wrong — a reaction she recognized as a coping mechanism shaped by earlier trauma. She began moving through the Capitol differently, she said, more guarded and more cautious.

“I wish this had never happened,” Williams told the House. “But I cannot undo the text that was sent.”

What she could do, she said, was refuse to remain silent.

“Silence may have been my survival once,” Williams said. “But today, my voice is my defense.”

Missouri House sanctions Democratic Rep. Jeremy Dean over obscene texts to colleague

Topeka&nbsp;– On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. officially filed for re-election in the 2026 midterm elections, according to a statement from his office.

Senator Marshall&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114826039777950636">has received</a>&nbsp;the “full and total endorsement” of President Donald Trump.

“It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve Kansas in the Senate,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“And I promise to continue protecting our Kansas values and working with President Trump to restore the American Dream for future generations.”

Senator Roger Marshall files for re-election 

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Kansas City Chiefs attorney told legislators Wednesday that projections show STAR bonds financing the team’s stadium deal will be paid off 10 to 15 years earlier than the expected 30-year term, upping economic benefits for the state.

Korb Maxwell, a Chiefs attorney, told legislators the planned $3 billion domed stadium and mixed-use development in Wyandotte County, and a $300 million Chiefs headquarters and training facility in Johnson County, will add to the state coffers earlier than expected.

He addressed a joint meeting of the Senate and House commerce committees, where legislators put him on the hot seat for an hour as they attempted to clear up “confusion” and answer constituent concerns about the deal.

Most of the questions, couched from different angles, came down to the dollars — how do the economics of the deal work for Kansas, how will Kansans living in the western part of the state benefit and is the estimated $1 billion economic impact realistic?

While many specifics of the plan are still in planning stages, Maxwell said, the STAR bonds — or sales tax and revenue bonds — are projected to pay off early, which will then push the revenue to the state’s treasury years ahead of time.

The Chiefs project will be funded through a 60-40 public-private partnership, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Project-Monitor-2.0-STAR-Bond-Agreement-Execution-Version.pdf" target="_blank">terms posted online</a>&nbsp;by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The state’s 60% of funding will come from a mix of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/" target="_blank">STAR bonds</a>&nbsp;and the Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund, which is revenue from iLottery and sports betting. STAR bonds also will be repaid with 100% of liquor sales tax collected in the district.

Aside from expected benefits of 20,000 construction jobs and $4 billion in investment during the building phase, Maxwell touted long-term effects.

“This is also about 4,000 permanent careers, hundreds of millions of dollars in annual payroll once the team starts playing,” he said. “It also includes visiting team payroll, broadcaster payroll, concerts, major national events, Republican or Democratic conventions that could be hosted.”

Sen. Kenny Titus, a Wamego Republican, wasn’t convinced about the economic benefits.

“I do appreciate the optimism that this will be one of the first stadiums to pay for itself in new growth, so it will be interesting to watch that play out,” he said, adding that he’d like to know what happens if in 30 years the Chiefs moved again, leaving an empty stadium.

Maxwell answered by explaining the level of investment being made by the team showed their commitment to the stadium project, and also pointed out the team has been at its current location for more than 60 years.

“We absolutely plan to be there for the very long term,” he said.&nbsp;

Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Republican from Stilwell who chairs the House commerce committee, asked Maxwell about information he hears repeatedly that all emails, contracts and other aspects of the deal would be kept private until 2029.

Maxwell said he didn’t know where that idea came from because his understanding was that Kansas open records and open meetings laws wouldn’t allow that to happen.

However, the reference to a July 1, 2029, deadline comes directly from the 2024 special session law that allows the Kansas Department of Commerce to negotiate a deal to move the Chiefs or the Royals to the state.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2024s/b2023_24/measures/HB2001/" target="_blank">House Bill 2001</a>&nbsp;says negotiations and documentation around sports team deals would not be subject to open records requests and would remain confidential until July 1, 2029.&nbsp;

The intent of the Commerce Department is to maintain transparency, which is why the terms sheet and other documentation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/chiefs-media-kit/" target="_blank">were made public</a>&nbsp;on the agency’s website when the announcement was made in December, according to Rachel Willis, director of legislative affairs for the Commerce Department.

After the legislative hearing, she affirmed that even though that language is in HB 2001, the agency will only hold back sensitive information for short periods of time, such as maintaining confidentiality that may affect issuing the STAR bonds. Otherwise, transparency on this deal is important, she said.

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, questioned the use of other tax incentives programs, such as a Community Improvement District, which would put a special tax on a designated area that would go to pay off the STAR bonds.

“This is the first I’d heard about it, so I am curious to know, do we know where that CID would be, and would it only apply to things that are built after the formation of the district?” she said. “I don’t like CIDs in general, when they include places where people have to shop. We have to get gas. We have to go to the grocery store. I don’t mind economic development incentives when there’s choice involved.”

Maxwell said the CID would be for the development the Chiefs are building and new developments around the stadium. Adding a CID is part of the reason the STAR bonds are projected to pay off more quickly than the 30-year term.

Sawyer Clayton also confirmed with Maxwell that labor used to build the stadium would be primarily union workers.

Legislators peppered Maxwell with questions, including whether work is being done to address needed infrastructure changes in the area where the stadium will be located next to the Kansas Speedway, whether local governments were partnering with the state on the project and how the future looks for economic development around the stadium.

Although Maxwell said many of the items were in early stages and emphasized the Chiefs and Commerce Department are working with local entities, he said the Chiefs are already in discussion with developers interested in being part of the mixed-use development.

“Our phone has been ringing off the hook since the moment that we announced in Kansas on Dec. 22, and we are considering all of those possibilities and looking at, is that right to go in Olathe? Is that right to go in Wyandotte County?” he said.

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