The Missouri Western State University men's basketball team is back in the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since the COVID shortened 2021 season, earning the #5 seed in the Central Region in Topeka hosted by Washburn University.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It's been a remarkable season for the Griffons under first year head coach Brooks McKowen, who came to the university after his time at Upper Iowa University where he led the Peacocks to three NCAA tournament appearances in his time.&nbsp; McKowen says the fit had to be right for him and his family to leave Upper Iowa, and the support he's received from MoWest is what makes this run so special.&nbsp;

"When Andy called me and I came down and met everybody here and got to see the facilities and see the people and see what they were about, that's where the belief and excitement came for me," McKowen tells reporters.&nbsp; "And then to go full circle now and at the end of this year get a chance to play in the postseason is special, it's a big deal and it's something that to me it makes us feel good as a family, moving my family here that we made the right choice and we're on the right track, this isn't the end of us, we're going to continue to build this program and hopefully compete every year."

McKowen essentially rebuilt the Griffons program from the ground up, with only one returning player from former head coach Will Martin's team.&nbsp; The groundwork started with three players that followed McKowen from Upper Iowa to MoWest, senior Noah King, sophomore Gavin Hershberger, and junior&nbsp;William Kiburis, as well as freshman&nbsp;Trey McKowen, the nephew of Brooks who played for his brother at&nbsp;Kennedy High School.&nbsp;

King, says it's special to do this with McKowen, with one of his hold ups prior to transferring being wanting to go somewhere he could compete for a national tournament in his final year.

"On my visit we had a really good heart to heart in his office and he said he truly believed that this was a special place and that he'd be able to put a team together if some of us guys followed him where we'd be able to do that and compete for these goals that we're talking about to be in the spot we are right now," King explains.&nbsp; "And obviously I had a blast in the couple seasons before doing that with him and on his team, so I just believed in him and he said that he thought we'd be not rebuilding, that we'd still be competing for the same goals as we were together at the previous stop, so just trusted him and pretty sweet moment now that we are in this spot."

For McKowen, he says one of the biggest emotions that comes for him is getting to see the guys that followed him getting this moment, not having to follow him away from Upper Iowa.&nbsp;

"The joy that to see them get to play in a postseason now, that they believed in me and they believed this wasn't a rebuild it was a chance to go compete," McKowen says.&nbsp; "Because we won over 20 games last year at Upper Iowa and should have been in the NCAA tournament, but some bad luck happened for us at the end, so for these guys to now take that next step and get to play in an NCAA tournament after their hearts were broken sitting on a bus watching themselves get played out and having nothing to do with it, that's huge, that's where my emotions come and that's why it means so much this time around."

It's just as surreal though for the one returner from last year's squad, senior Devin Butler.&nbsp; Butler was the lone player off Will Martin's squad to not depart from the team, and was key in helping grow McKowen's team as well.&nbsp;

"I just think about everything that led me up to this point and all the hard times, the losing seasons, and I've never had a chance to go to the dance," Butler says.&nbsp; "It's exciting, I'm extremely happy to be here, this is a blessing."

One surprise from this year's team has been the emergence of freshman Marko Pavlovic.&nbsp; Pavlovic burst onto the scene in his first year averaging 29 minutes a game and&nbsp;7.3 rebounds per game, along with 12 points per game.&nbsp; Pavlovic says it's a lot to take in, but everything in his freshman year has exceeded expectations.&nbsp;

"I'm just grateful to be in this position and to play for a coach like Brooks, it's just been a great experience overall and I would say not bad for a freshman year, not bad," Pavlovic says.&nbsp; "It's been a great experience and I'm excited to play St. Cloud in the regional tournament and I hope we get some wins there."

MoWest will travel to Topeka on Saturday as Washburn hosts the Central regional.  The Griffons will face St. Cloud State in the first round of the tournament, tip off time is currently unknown.

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

MoWest men's basketball in NCAA tournament for first time since 2021

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a boy for an alleged aggravated assault

Just after 9p.m. Saturday, police responded to a disturbance at an apartment complex in the 1200 Block of North 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

A 30-year-old victim reported that a group of individuals came to his door to confront a family member and as the group was leaving one of them displayed a firearm. 

Officers located the 14 year old suspect at a nearby apartment where he was taken into custody for alleged aggravated assault. The firearm was an airsoft gun which was located and seized by police. The juvenile was later released to a parent.

Police seize boy's gun after alleged threat

Construction on the U.S. Route 169 and Southeast Riverside Terrace intersection improvement project south of St. Joseph is officially scheduled to begin today, Monday, March 9. 

While contractors from Hoy Excavating, LLC, and the Missouri Department of Transportation had originally planned to start work on March 2, the project was pushed back by one week due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Starting at approximately 9:00 this morning, Route 169 is closed to all traffic between Route AC and Southeast 70th Street. To navigate the closure, motorists must follow a signed detour that directs traffic from Route 169 to Missouri Route 31, then to U.S. Route 36 and Interstate 29, before reconnecting with Route 169. 

The roadway is currently expected to remain closed until the project reaches completion in July 2026.

MoDOT says the primary goal of this initiative is to improve sight distance for drivers. The project involves shifting the U.S. Route 169 roadway slightly to the north between Summerhill Drive and the area just east of Southeast Riverside Terrace. Additionally, crews will realign both the north and south entrances of Southeast Riverside Terrace where they meet the highway. 

As with all outdoor construction, the schedule remains weather-permitting and may be subject to further adjustments.

Route 169 Intersection Project South of St. Joseph begins today

Here is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work that MoDOT has planned in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of March 9 - 15.

There may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below. Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work.&nbsp;

U.S. Route 169 – Shoulder work from County Line Road to Route D, March 9-13.

U.S. Route 136 – Resurfacing project March 10 through July 2026. The road will be narrowed to one lane, and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place.

Gene Field Road Bridge –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project through July 2026.

U.S. Route 59/Route 752/Route U – Intersection improvement project through spring 2027.

U.S. Route 169 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for an intersection improvement project at Southeast Riverside Terrace beginning March 9 at approximately 9 a.m. through mid-July 2026.

Route 759 – Shoulder work from Cedar Street to Lower Lake Road, March 9-13.

U.S. Route 169 – Utility/permit work at Route FF, March 9-22. The road will be narrowed to one lane during daytime hours with flaggers guiding motorists through the work zone.

Route 10 – Pavement repair and resurfacing project from Route FF to Route C in Ray County, through May 15. The road will be narrowed to one lane with flaggers guiding motorists through the work zone.

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Mid-Fork Chariton River Overflow Bridge for replacement projects through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through March 2026.

Route KK –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Puzzle Creek Bridge for a replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through mid-March 2026.

Route O –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Bee Creek Bridge for a replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route KK –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Little Chariton River Bridge for a deck replacement project through March 2026.

Route F –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from 330th Street to Southwest 90th Ave, March 13, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Route N –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from East 280th Avenue to East Diamond Road, March 9, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Route N –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from East Diamond Road to Route O, March 11-13, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

Route 11 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Badger Creek Bridge, north of New Boston, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through May 2026.

Route 139 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Parson Creek Bridge, north of Meadville, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through May 2026.

Route U –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Long Branch Bridge, northwest of Bucklin, through early May for a deck replacement project.

Route K –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the North Fork Crooked Creek Bridge for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route W –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from County Road 506 to County Road 508, March 9, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Route JJ –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Honey Creek Bridge for a deck replacement project through early April 2026.

Route E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Honey Creek Bridge for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through July 2026.

U.S. Route 71 – Shoulder work from U.S. Route 136 to the Iowa state line, March 9-13. The road will be narrowed to one lane, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Route EE –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from 210th Street to 220th Street, March9, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route EE –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from 220th Street to 230th Street, March 10-11, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Route EE –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from 245th Street to 250th Street, March 12, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. &nbsp;

Route EE –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from 250th Street to U.S. Route 136, March 13, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. &nbsp;

Route N –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Turkey Creek Bridge through July 2026, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Locust Creek Bridge through June 2026, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route T –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the East Locust Creek bridge through July 2026, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route 46 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at Marlowe Branch Creek for a bridge replacement project March 11 through May 2026.

Planned roadwork for Northwest Missouri, March 9 - 15

KFEQ Morning Sports

Lawmakers say the bill may have room for improvement but pushed it forward as ‘the best product we have in the Capitol right now’

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>

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2026/eo1" target="_blank">request</a>&nbsp;to grade public schools on an “A” through “F” scale is pushing House lawmakers to approve legislation some think isn’t quite ready.

With approval and dissent on both sides of the aisle, the House voted a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB%202710" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;to create a new school accountability system through to the Senate 96-53 Thursday despite concerns the letter grades could be a “scarlet letter” for underperforming schools.

“Will this labeling system actually improve schools or will it mostly brand communities, destabilize staffing and incentivize gaming rather than learning?” asked state Rep. Kem Smith, a Democrat from Florissant, during House debate Tuesday morning.

She said the key metrics that determine the grade, performance and growth, are volatile.

“The label itself can become a self-fulfilling prophecy,” she said. “The bill doubles down on high stakes metrics that are known to be unstable.”

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Dane Diehl, a Republican from Butler, told lawmakers that a performance-based school report card with “A” through “F” grades is inevitable. The details, though, are negotiable.

“The governor’s executive order, it is going to happen either way,” he said. “I think we tried to make that process a little better for school districts.”

Kehoe’s order directs the state’s education department to draw up a plan for the report cards and present it to the State Board of Education. The board could reject the idea, but with a board with primarily new members appointed by Kehoe, lawmakers have accepted the system as fate.

State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Republican from Moberly and chair of the House’s education committee,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/28/bill-creating-a-f-ratings-for-missouri-schools-set-for-edits-as-lawmakers-debate-path-forward/">told the committee in January</a>&nbsp;that he prioritized the bill as a way to give lawmakers influence over the final outcome. He is happy with the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/02/18/key-differences-emerge-in-missouri-house-senate-bills-to-create-a-f-school-grades/">edits the committee made</a>, which gives the education department more leeway to determine grade thresholds and removes a provision that would raise expectations once 65% of schools achieve “A” or “B” grades.

The House also approved an amendment Tuesday that would grade schools’ environment. This would be based on the rates of student suspension, seclusion and restraint incident rates and satisfaction surveys given to students, parents and teachers.

The Senate’s version, which passed out of its education committee last week, does not include those changes.

“I think (the House bill) is the best product we have in the Capitol right now,” Lewis said. “I am not saying it’s complete, but it is the best we have right now.”

The changes have softened some skeptics of the legislation, like state Rep. Brad Pollitt.

Pollitt, a Sedalia Republican, said he didn’t support the legislation “for a number of years.” But with the edits, he sees potential for the legislation to usher in changes to the way the state accredits public schools.

The current process, he said, “nobody seems to like,” pointing to widespread concerns with the state’s standardized test.

Some of these changes are already happening quietly. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a grant from the federal government to develop a state assessment based on through-year testing, which would measure student growth throughout the school year, instead of a single summative assessment.

The department is poised to pilot the new test in 14 classrooms this spring, hoping to eventually offer it statewide within a few years. But the estimated startup cost of $2 million is one of many department requests cut from the governor’s proposed budget as the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/13/missouri-revenue-surplus-nearly-gone-as-gov-mike-kehoe-unveils-his-budget-plan/">state grapples with declining revenue</a>.

Creating the “A” through “F” report cards is estimated to cost a similar amount, if not more, according to the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills261/fiscal/fispdf/6102H.07C.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">fiscal note</a>. The expense is largely frontloaded, going to the programming and technology support required to create the grade cards’ interface.

When The Independent asked Kehoe’s office about the fiscal note, the governor’s communications director Gabby Picard said he would work with “associated agencies” to determine appropriate funding “while remaining mindful of the current budget constraints and maintaining fiscal responsibility.”

The House’s version of the legislation includes an incentive program for high-performing schools, giving bonuses to go toward teacher recruitment and retention, if the legislature appropriates funding for the program.

The bill originally proposed incentives of $50-100 per student to subsidize teacher pay. This had large fiscal implications, and Lewis surmised that it would violate a section of the State Constitution prohibiting bonuses for public employees.

Making the funding optional and directing it to the school’s teacher recruitment and retention fund remedied those concerns. The Senate Education Committee removed the incentive program in its version of the legislation.

The House’s approval Thursday does not stop discussion and possible amendments. Next, the bill will go to the Senate for consideration, and if any changes are made, it will return to the House for more discussion.

A-F rating system for public schools clears Missouri House despite bipartisan concerns

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/emilyskidmore/">Emily Skidmore</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kjdrazen/">KJ Drazen</a>

The Missouri Senate passed a criminal and juvenile justice bill Thursday on a 20-9 vote after hours of negotiations.

Introduced by state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, the legislation seeks to classify older juveniles who commit felonies as adults and share fingerprints of juveniles involved in felonies to a central database.

The bill also allows an increase in the number of juvenile detention centers in the state and solidifies mandatory prison time for adults before parole eligibility.

While Missouri law allows inmates to serve a range of time before being eligible for parole, the bill sets fixed percentages of time served for each felony category:

Class A: 70%Class B: 50%Class C: 40%Class D: 25%Class E: 25%

Senators worked on finalizing the bill language and amendments as part of an ongoing effort this week with negotiations held until early Thursday before the vote.

State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from Kansas City, expressed concerns over the hasty manner of passing the bill. She stated that the Senate Committee of Fiscal Oversight was not able to do a thorough investigation of the fiscal note attached to the bill because of the late night and early morning meetings.

“No other agency had the opportunity to respond to this fiscal note,” Nurrenbern said. “We don’t know the fiscal impact of this legislation.”

Under the bill, any county wanting to place a juvenile detention center may place “a sales tax up to one percent on all retail sales” for its establishment. Nurrenbern said that 1% of sales tax will result in about $1 billion annually for the state.

Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from Affton, also expressed concerns over the lack of information with the fiscal note during Senate debate.

“I guess we’re in a position now in the Senate where you vote up something that (you) don’t even know what the fiscal impact is,” Beck said sarcastically.

In addition to the fiscal note, there were concerns from Democratic senators on the vote excluding state Sen. Steven Roberts, a St. Louis Democrat, from participation as he is serving with Missouri’s Air Force National Guard overseas.

Roberts has been a vocal member from the Democratic Caucus regarding criminal justice reform in Missouri.

Beck emphasized this by stating that Roberts has been a part of every negotiation on a crime bill since he started in his position in 2021.

“He truly wanted to be involved in negotiations on this bill,” Beck said.

All the Democrats who spoke on the floor regarding the bill asked to delay the vote until next week when Roberts would be back.

Democratic state Sens. Barbara Washington of Kansas City and Karla May of St. Louis expressed concerns with certain issues getting prioritized in the bill as it seeks to change criminal justice in Missouri by creating more juvenile detention centers and stricter processing for juveniles committing felonies.

The bill was passed with opposition from Democrats and two Republicans, state Sens. Mike Moon of Ash Grove and Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold. It now heads to the Missouri House.

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/senate-passes-criminal-system-changes-for-juvenile-detention-centers/article_a018f06c-e787-41da-af57-2a17e36e4748.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

Missouri Senate approves mandatory minimums, juvenile justice legislation

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

A&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2014&amp;year=2026&amp;code=R" target="_blank">supplemental spending bill</a>&nbsp;pushing total state appropriations for the fiscal year to almost $55 billion was the first legislation sent to Gov. Mike Kehoe in this year’s session when the Missouri House voted 137-13 for final passage.

The $3.1 billion spending package was pushed quickly through the General Assembly to speed distribution of $59.5 million of federal security funding for the FIFA World Cup matches this summer in Kansas City.&nbsp;

Lawmakers can cut items requested by the governor in a supplemental spending bill but they cannot add new items. Kehoe received most of the money he requested, but a few items were cut because of objections from lawmakers or political disputes of the Capitol.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/03/03/missouri-senate-axes-funds-for-attorney-generals-new-st-louis-offices/">state Senate cut</a>&nbsp;just under $15 million set aside to hire an “owners representative” for a proposed expansion of the state Capitol Building and $150,000 to send a Missouri delegation to Washington D.C. this summer for the Great American State Fair that is part of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The Senate also cut $972,000 to build out and furnish space for&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/14/missouri-attorney-general-wants-1-million-to-furnish-new-st-louis-offices/">the attorney general’s office</a>&nbsp;at a new state building in Chesterfield.

The funding for the Capitol construction project will come back in the budget for the coming fiscal year, said state Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Seneca who is chairman of the House Budget Committee.

The money comes from a fund holding $595 million for the project, money that could be transferred back to the general revenue fund to alleviate the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/29/missouri-auditor-warns-of-vanishing-state-general-revenue-surplus-as-spending-rises/">state’s cash crunch</a>.

“My understanding is they will have some difficult conversations about what that looks like,” Deaton said of the plans for capitol construction.

Some of the biggest individual items in the spending bill are:

Much of the bill is routine, seen every year, to make sure the state has enough money to keep major programs like Medicaid running for the remainder of the fiscal year, Deaton said.

“It is,” he said, “a very conventional supplemental.”

Missouri House sends $3.2B supplemental spending bill to governor’s desk

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on child sex crimes.

On March 5,&nbsp;Alexander Holmes, 35 of Maryville, Missouri was booked into the Brown County jail on requested charges of Rape, Aggravated Sodomy and AggravatedIndecent Liberties with a Child, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

The requested charges are based on the suspect being over 18 years of age and victim less than 14 years of age.&nbsp;&nbsp; This was determined after a lengthy investigation by the Brown County Sheriff's office and upon sending reports to the County Attorney for review, a warrant was&nbsp; issued&nbsp; for Holmes arrest.

Missouri man accused of violent child sex crimes

The Andrew County Sheriff’s Office has officially been notified by the Missouri Department of Public Safety that it has earned the Missouri Blue Shield designation for 2026. 

This honor marks the second consecutive year the office has been recognized, following its initial designation in 2025. The Blue Shield program serves as a formal recognition of Missouri communities that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to enhancing public safety, investing in law enforcement resources, and fostering strong partnerships between officers and the citizens they serve.

Originally established by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, the program was designed to highlight local governments making significant strides in crime reduction. In its inaugural year, 201 communities across the state met the rigorous standards required for the designation. For 2026, the application process reopened on February 4, requiring previously honored communities to reapply and prove their continued alignment with the program’s public safety goals.

Governor Kehoe emphasized that the program’s success is rooted in the prioritization of law enforcement. Following the distribution of $50,000 grants to more than 200 communities last year, the state is continuing this momentum by welcoming new participants and renewing the status of existing partners. Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, noted that the program has already facilitated the acquisition of essential equipment, including hundreds of body cameras, mobile data terminals, and ballistic vests, as well as dozens of new patrol vehicles and interoperable radios.

For Andrew County, this designation translates into tangible benefits for both deputies and taxpayers. The 2025 grant funding allowed the Sheriff’s Office to outfit every deputy with new, advanced ballistic vests. This critical safety upgrade was completed at no cost to local residents, saving the community $49,346.30 in equipment expenses. The 2026 designation ensures that the county remains eligible for further grant funding for training and equipment, supported by Governor Kehoe’s recommended $10 million budget for the 2027 fiscal year.

Eligibility for the Blue Shield designation is based on a community's proactive efforts in officer recruitment, substantial law enforcement funding, and active collaboration with community stakeholders. By meeting these criteria, the Andrew County Sheriff’s Office continues to demonstrate its dedication to creating a secure environment. In addition to financial support, recognized communities are featured on the Department of Public Safety website and the Governor’s social media platforms to highlight their leadership in public safety.

Andrew Co. Sheriff’s Office secures 2026 Missouri Blue Shield Designation for second consecutive year

Sharing the importance of making sure your pets are spayed and neutered, the St. Joseph Friends of the Animal Shelter have brought back a popular event.  

Stemming from World Spay Day at the end of February, the Friends of the Animal Shelter launched an event last year that ran through the year called Spay it Forward.  

Melanie Barnes with Friends says the event allows people to donate money towards the cause 

"And then we can turn around and based on an income need, so you do have to prove your income, we can support the spay and neuter process for those families that need that additional financial support,” Barnes says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “And it’s wonderful, it’s a wonderful program, over the course of the last year we were able to support spaying and neutering 148 pets, pretty significant, and when you think about both the pet population, and the medical and behavioral positive outcomes of spaying and neutering, it’s a great initiative to have and we hope to do even more in 2026.” 

The program runs throughout the year, and applications can be found online on Friends of the Animal Shelters website for those that meet the low-income requirements. 

Another event comes prior to St. Patrick's Day next week, the St. Joseph Friends of the Animal Shelter will host an annual fundraiser  

St. Pittie’s Day takes place on March 14th, next Saturday during the St. Joseph St. Patrick's Day parade, with fun events all raising money to support Friends of the Animal Shelter.  

Barnes says most of the fundraising comes through a sale of T Shirts, however,  

"There’s usually opportunities to just donate in general, usually an initiative with River Bluff on one of the pints, as well as also usually hot dogs and auction items,” Barnes explains. 

T shirt sales have ended for this year's event, but Barnes says you can still wear your shirts from past year's events if you didn't get your order in in time 

"This has been an annual event, I think this may be our third annual I’m not quite sure, and it’s a wonderful event to get out,” Barnes says.  “If you’re going to watch the parade anyways, why wouldn’t you want to get out and make it a fundraiser.” 

St. Pitties Day runs from 11am to 5pm next Saturday at River Bluff Brewery, the week before St. Patrick's Day.  The St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at 10:30am. 

Friends of the Animal Shelter hosting events through March supporting pets

A Missouri state court has granted preliminary approval to a proposed $7.3 billion settlement aimed at resolving thousands of lawsuits alleging that Bayer’s Roundup herbicide caused cancer. Reports show the order from the Missouri Circuit Court in St. Louis allows the company to begin notifying potential claimants nationwide and sets a July 9 fairness hearing to determine whether the settlement will receive final approval. As part of the preliminary ruling, Bayer must deposit $500 million into the settlement fund within 10 business days. 

The proposed settlement, announced in February, is intended to compensate current and future plaintiffs who claim Roundup exposure caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The agreement also establishes a long-term program for handling future claims. Attorneys representing plaintiffs said the ruling is an important step toward compensation for victims after years of litigation. Bayer officials said the settlement is part of a broader strategy to resolve ongoing legal challenges tied to the herbicide. The settlement process will now move through a notice period before the court decides whether to grant final approval later this year.

Roundup settlement receives preliminary court approval 

A tick-borne cattle disease is spreading rapidly across Missouri, with confirmed cases now reported in 60 counties, raising concern among veterinarians and livestock producers. Reports say the disease, Theileria orientalis ikeda, was first detected in Missouri in 2023 and has expanded steadily as the Asian long-horned tick, the parasite’s primary carrier, spreads across the state. The organism infects red blood cells and can cause severe anemia in cattle. Veterinary experts say symptoms may include weakness, jaundice, pale mucous membranes and lethargy. 

In severe cases, the disease can lead to death, particularly in stressed animals or calves. There is currently no approved treatment or vaccine available in the United States, leaving prevention and tick control as the main tools for managing the disease. Researchers and extension specialists are urging producers to closely monitor cattle for signs of illness and to work with veterinarians to manage tick populations as the parasite continues to expand westward in the state.

Emerging cattle disease spreads across Missouri

March corn closed up 5 1/2 cents per bushel at $4.47 and May closed up 7 cents per bushel at $4.60 1/2 and March soybeans closed up 21 1/4 cents at $11.85 and May soybeans were up 21 1/2 cents at $12.00 3/4. May KC wheat closed up 31 cents at $6.23 1/2, May Chicago wheat was up 33 cents at $6.16 3/4 and May Minneapolis wheat was up 23 1/2 cents at $6.43

Grain and soy markets added more war premium Friday as the bombing of Iran military sites continue; but Iran still has not backed down. Crude oil soared again as the Strait of Hormuz transit of energy and fertilizer supplies continues to be restricted. Wheat led the markets higher on Friday despite still overall bearish fundamentals as funds continued to buy.

The live cattle complex started the day off trading lower, and upon seeing some fed cash cattle trade develop at lower prices, the market extended with that trend through the day's close. Today's weakness seems to be stemming from a number of different areas. Technically speaking, the market's 40-day moving average seems to pose as too much of a technical barrier for traders to challenge at this point. From a fundamental sense, seeing prices trade $3 lower in the North doesn't send the market warm and fuzzy feelings either. Bids are currently on the table in the South, but no Southern trade has been noted yet.

The feeder cattle complex also traded lower as the market witnessed&nbsp; its contracts fall anywhere from $6 to $7 lower by the closing bell. More than anything, the weakness seen in the live cattle complex amid a lower trade in the fed cash cattle market doesn't give the feeder cattle complex much support to rally around.

The cattle contracts may have traded much lower, but the lean hog complex kept with a slightly higher trend as traders remain committed to keeping a sideways/somewhat higher trend in the hog sector. Today's support largely gets attributed to trades as the market's fundamentals aren't helping drive the ship higher.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/03/06140252/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

For many years, the Iowa Corn Growers Association has been raising concerns about the pressure and crushing prices put on farmers by the fertilizer industry. Fertilizer prices continue to rise while commodity prices go in the other direction. ICGA said an investigation by the Department of Justice would be a step in the right direction, as more probing needs to be done. The Association thanked the Iowa Congressional delegation for hearing corn farmers' concerns’ by bringing forward the Fertilizer Research Act in the Senate and House to review the competition and transparency within the fertilizer industry. 

Additionally, ICGA and the Texas Corn Producers Association sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi in early February requesting a status update on the report related to fertilizer pricing and industry consolidation. Reports this week show that the DOJ has begun an official investigation into the U.S. fertilizer industry to explore whether several of the country’s largest fertilizer producers conspired to raise prices on American farmers.

Iowa Corn Growers encourage investigation into fertilizer

The House Agriculture Committee advanced a Republican-led farm bill 34-17 in a vote early on Thursday. While the markup was slowed by partisan fighting about the package, the legislation was approved with the backing of seven Democrats. Reports said that the bill is basically the same as legislation that House Ag Committee Chair Glen Thompson advanced out of the committee two years ago. House Ag Ranking Member Angie Craig said that despite “bipartisan improvements” during the amendment process, the package remains a disappointing farm bill that doesn’t meet the moment. 

“The bill includes sweeping updates to agriculture and nutrition policies that haven’t been formally reauthorized since the last farm bill passed in 2018." Representative Eric Sorenson of Illinois attempted to amend the bill to include language enabling the year-round sale of E15, but the amendment did not pass. The bill still includes language that would eliminate California’s Proposition 12.

House Ag Committee advances farm bill

May corn closed up 9 3/4 cents and July corn was up 9 1/4 cents. May soybeans closed up 9 3/4 cents and July soybeans were up 9 1/2 cents. May KC wheat closed up 20 cents, May Chicago wheat was up 15 1/2 cents, May Minneapolis wheat was up 10 1/4 cents.

For Thursday, traders saw the need for added risk premium in commodity markets, with wheat futures leading the way with another double-digit spike back toward calendar year highs. That positively influenced corn futures as well in tandem with another very strong round of export data released by USDA on Thursday morning. Soybeans were higher and back toward early week highs for the rally, with soybean oil providing bullish influence given the firm energy sector. Meanwhile, in other outside markets, the Dow Jones Industrial Average crashed again following a brief midweek reprieve from selling. Inflation and high interest rates fears (as a result of high energy costs) are driving investor sentiment, with the U.S. Dollar pressing higher and back towards 2026 highs as well.

The live cattle complex traded mildly higher following Wednesday's sizeable surge. Traders are cautiously advancing the spot April contract above its 40-day moving average, but it's not come without some worry as traders question whether or not they're overdoing the upward trend right now. If we had seen some stronger trade in the fed cash cattle market, then there likely wouldn't be any worry amongst traders; but we've yet to see any cash trade develop. There's a single bid currently on the table at $375 in Nebraska, but otherwise the market is sitting idle as feedlot managers wait for packers to offer up stronger bids. Asking prices are noted at $244 in the South but are still not established in the North.

The live cattle complex is pushing its spot April contract above the 40-day moving average, but the feeder cattle complex isn't seeing the same level of support as traders aren't comfortable pushing above their 40-day moving average at this time. The feeder cattle contracts continued to hedge on the side of safety and continue to trade steady to slightly lower.

Following Wednesday's sharp rally, the lean hog complex was mixed heading into Thursday's close as traders no longer want to push the contracts up to the market's resistance. It is helpful to see pork cutout values mildly higher as traders need to see continued fundamental support.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/03/05135830/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The dairy checkoff has unveiled “Dairy Does More,” a national marketing platform to help grow demand by reshaping how consumers think about dairy foods. 

Developed by Dairy Management Inc., the initiative brings to life the “Undeniably Dairy” brand in a contemporary way and reflects a long-term strategy to strengthen dairy’s role in modern lifestyles. DMI said the idea is about unlocking new growth by helping consumers see dairy products of all kinds in a whole new light. “Consumers often put food into boxes,” said Aris Georgiadis, senior vice president of marketing communications. “Milk is for kids, yogurt is for breakfast, and cheese is for dinner, but it’s our job to break those patterns.” 

Dairy Does More launched March 2 and will be supported by three 30-second digital video spots, social media activations, and in-market programs. State and regional checkoff teams will have opportunities to leverage campaign elements in their social and marketplace programs.

Dairy Checkoff Launches “Dairy Does More”

The tech industry’s relentless push for data centers in rural areas is colliding head-on with farmers, who see the projects as a threat to their way of life. 

Politico said the issue is drawing vocal criticism from conservative candidates for political office and fueling unrest in Republican primaries. Data center supporters are looking at vast parts of the nation’s farmland as excellent sites for the sprawling server-packed facilities they need to support the White House goal of making the U.S. the dominant force in developing artificial intelligence. “Farmers and some of the Republicans vying to represent them say that supporting these projects sends the wrong message when deep-red rural America is being hurt by the president’s tariff agenda and the high cost of living,” Politico reported. 

Data centers target rural areas because, like farms, they require a lot of land and access to substantial water and electricity supplies.

Farmers Increasingly Rejecting Data Center Bids for Land

The now closed Strait of Hormuz moves about 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products daily, totaling about 20 percent of global demand. DTN reports that fertilizer exports also move through the Strait, including about a quarter of the globally traded nitrogen market.

 Politico said the White House will offer naval escorts and political risk insurance for oil and gas tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to slow down a surge in energy prices after Iran warned it will attack ships at a choke point in the Strait. “The announcement brought some immediate relief to the overheated crude oil market,” Politico reported. 

In a Truth Social post, President Trump said he’s ordered the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to provide risk insurance and guarantees for the financial security of all maritime trade, especially energy. “If necessary, the U.S. Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump added.

Fertilizer Prices Significantly Higher After Attack on Iran

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

Row-crop futures fell marginally Wednesday, retreating from chart resistance after hitting fresh highs for their recent moves early this week, with little fundamental news to influence price direction. Outside markets have settled to some degree after a volatile start to the week amid the onset of war in the Middle East and corresponding disruptions to world energy trade. Crude oil futures, of course, remain elevated but have stalled on attempted moves above $75 per barrel on NYMEX futures. The U.S. Dollar Index also moved lower for the first time this week, still among the highest level of 2026 but a touch below the mid-January high after Tuesday's reversal. Equity markets have recovered well from early Tuesday lows as investors recover from the initial market shock through the weekend and turn to monitoring the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

The live cattle complex was charging full steam ahead into Wednesday's closing bell as the market is currently trading $3.00 to $4.00 higher into the afternoon. Pinpointing what's driving the rally in the cattle sector is somewhat challenging, but more than anything it seems as though traders have reignited their bullish sentiment toward the market and are now giving the complex more technical support. There's a single bid currently on the table in Nebraska at $375, but otherwise no cattle have traded yet in the cash market. Boxed beef prices are higher: choice up $0.78 ($388.83) and select up $1.79 ($380.37) with a movement of 52 loads (40.57 loads of choice, 4.68 loads of select, 2.56 loads of trim and 4.11 loads of ground beef).

Upon seeing the live cattle complex rally aggressively, the feeder cattle contracts jumped into action as well as most of the contracts were sizeable $6.00 to $7.00 increases. The 40-day moving average seems to be giving the complex a little bit of resistance, but if the live cattle complex continues to trade higher traders may elect to conquer it later in the week.

With a slight uptick in pork demand, the lean hog contracts were also rallying into Wednesday's close. So far this week the market has chopped mostly sideways as traders haven't wanted to push the contracts any higher without increased fundamental support. But the slight uptick in pork demand has traders willing to advance the contracts at this point in time.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/03/04135038/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

MIAMI COUNTY —Three people are safe after a weekend water rescue in Miami County.

Emergency personnel from the Miami County, Kansas Sheriff’s Office, Osawatomie Volunteer Fire Department, and Miami County EMS worked a water rescue in the area of 347th Street and Hospital Drive on Sunday, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.

The driver traveled into flooded roadways, requiring emergency rescue. The occupants, two adults and a juvenile, reportedly did not know how to swim, making this situation even more dangerous for both them and the responders working to reach them.

&nbsp;All occupants were rescued and are safe. There were no injures to anyone involved.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The sheriff office reminded, "Turn around, don’t drown. Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. It only takes a small amount of moving water to sweep a vehicle away.Please avoid flooded areas and allow emergency crews space to work safely."

2 adults, child rescued after driver stuck on flooded Kansas road

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Five Democratic candidates vying to unseat U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall told more than 150 people Sunday how they will deliver in Washington, D.C., if the state can flip the seat blue.

While sharing their experience and goals for Kansas, the five took a few shots at Marshall. They&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU4oovkjmWY" target="_blank">were on stage</a>&nbsp;during the closing day of the Kansas Democratic Party’s annual meeting, which began Friday at Townsite Topeka.

“I just want you to know I’m ready, willing and able to send Roger Marshall back to Florida for good,” said Sandy Spidel Neumann, who is challenging Marshall for his Senate seat.

Democrats have accused Marshall of living at his second residence in Florida more than his Kansas residence, an accusation Marshall denies.

Spidel Neumann said she made the decision to run, after a long career in financial services, after seeing Marshall storm out of a town hall.

Local

Region

Sports

Agriculture