The City of St. Joseph, in coordination with Union Pacific Railroad, will temporarily close several roads on Thursday, March 12, and Friday, March 13, for pavement repairs at two railroad crossings.

Motorists should anticipate detours and increased traffic control throughout the duration of the project.

City crews will conduct flagging operations at the crossing at Industrial Road and Lower Lake Road. Simultaneously, the crossing at Lower Lake Road will be fully closed from Industrial Road to 1986 Lower Lake Road.

Bluff View Drive will be closed from Stockyards Expressway to Lower Lake Road for continued crossing repairs.

The project is weather-dependent and subject to material availability. Officials urge motorists to exercise caution, follow all posted signage, and allow for extra travel time.

St. Joseph railroad crossing repairs to trigger two-day road closures and detours

North Central Missouri College recently marked the 40th annual National TRIO Day with a week-long series of events designed to showcase the impact of federal college access programs on student success and community growth.

Observed every February, National TRIO Day honors the legacy of federally funded programs created to remove barriers for first-generation students, individuals from limited-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities.

NCMC currently hosts three of the eight federal TRIO programs, which were originally established by the Higher Education Act to improve national college retention:

These initiatives provide essential services—including academic advising, tutoring, financial aid guidance, and career exploration—to help students navigate the path from high school to professional careers.

Centered on the theme "Academic and Career Growth," NCMC’s celebration featured an interactive "Tree of Opportunity" display in Geyer Hall. The display used leaves to represent current TRIO students and first-generation faculty and staff, illustrating the bridge between those who paved the way and those currently pursuing their degrees.

Reflecting the theme of sustainability and community, students from Student Support Services and Upward Bound participated in a service project creating pollinator seed pods. The project served as a metaphor for growth extending beyond the classroom and into the local environment.

The week also emphasized peer-to-peer connection and career readiness:

Through these events, NCMC continues to highlight how TRIO programs empower students to graduate and pursue meaningful professional pathways.

NCMC Celebrates 40th National TRIO Day With Focus on Growth

KFEQ Morning Sports

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph is seeking volunteers to help with the allocations process for this year's annual campaign.  

Director of Community Investment Jodi Flurry says every year, around 150 to 160 community members come together to help recommend how funds from the campaign should be distributed

“Reviewing the agencies, learning about our partner agencies, and then making recommendations on how they think the money raised from the campaign, the communities money that’s been entrusted to United Way, should be invested back out into these agencies,” Flurry says on the KFEQmunnity show.

Flurry says volunteering to help with the allocations process is a great way to get to know more about where your donation is being used and impacting lives

“And have a voice in how your donation is used in our community,” Flurry explains.  “And maybe you’re brand new to United Way, or the community, and you’re like well I would like to learn more about what’s going on with our non profits, with our social service agencies, what are they actually providing, what are they doing?  The United Way allocations process is a great way to learn about what is happening in our community.”

Flurry says those participating in the process will be a part of sub committees that will review at two to three of the United Way's partner agencies

“Agencies like YWCA, Interserv, Family Guidance Center, and the list goes on until you reach 16, you will review two or three of our agencies, you get an application from them so you really learn a lot about their programs and services, their financial information, and really what impact United Way donor dollars are having in their organization," Flurry says.  “So you get an application to review, you then have a presentation from the agency, where you might go on site or at United Way and you hear from the organization about what they are doing to improve lives in our community.  Then going through a process, you provide feedback and recommendations on how you think United Way should invest in this agency in the coming year.”

To volunteer you can contact Flurry or visit the United Way's website.  Volunteers are asked to dedicate around 10 to 15 hours of time over two months, April to May, to meet and review the agencies. 

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

United Way of Greater St. Joseph asking for voluteers to help with allocations process

The proposal would base funding on the number of students enrolled and some state schools could lose 40% or more of their state support. The plan is part of a budget proposal that cuts $300 million from general revenue spending requested by Gov. Mike Kehoe

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 push to shift hundreds of millions of dollars among Missouri state colleges and universities ran into bipartisan skepticism Monday during a hearing of the House Budget Committee.

State Rep. Dirk Deaton, chairman of the House Budget Committee, said he wants to overhaul state support for community colleges and universities by reallocating funding based on the number of full-time students on each campus. Current funding is too tied to past appropriations, he said, and gives the 10 four-year universities and 12 community colleges widely varying amounts for each student educated.

“The money follows the student, it is really as simple as that,” said Deaton, a Republican from Seneca.

State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Moberly Republican, was among members skeptical about the massive reallocation. Truman State University in Kirksville would lose more than half of its funding under Deaton’s plan.&nbsp;

“That would be a tremendous hit to that university, and would probably cause that university to close within two years,” said Lewis, who is a candidate for state Senate in the district that includes Kirksville.

Deaton led the committee through a discussion Monday of his proposed changes to appropriations for state government operations in the coming year. The committee will meet again Wednesday for further changes before sending the 12 spending bills to the full House for debate.

Budget figures compiled by The Independent show the proposals Deaton discussed Monday would use $15.4 billion of general revenue, about $420 million less than&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/13/missouri-revenue-surplus-nearly-gone-as-gov-mike-kehoe-unveils-his-budget-plan/">Gov. Mike Kehoe requested</a>&nbsp;in January. All spending on operations, including federal funds and earmarked taxes, would be $50.6 billion, or about $1.4 billion less than requested by Kehoe.

Some of the money cut from operations will be shifted to the capital construction budget. Deaton said his spending plan, overall, uses about $300 million less general revenue than the $16.2 billion total sought by Kehoe.

He said he will unveil his proposals for building construction and major renovations after lawmakers return from next week’s legislative Spring Break.

The budget still leaves a huge gap between anticipated revenue and proposed spending. For the coming year, that gap of about $2.6 billion would be covered by accumulated surpluses.

One way Deaton saves general revenue is by tapping other funds that can be spent instead of general revenue. He’s using a constitutional directive to take $64.7 million from the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++38(b)&amp;bid=31786&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">Blind Pension Fund</a>&nbsp;for public schools and taking&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/01/missouri-lawmakers-grill-treasurer-over-interest-earned-on-i-70-funds/">interest earned</a>&nbsp;since lawmakers set aside $1.6 billion for highway projects on&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/04/missouri-budget-negotiations-conclude-with-i-70-expansion-child-care-funding-intact/">Interstate 70</a>&nbsp;and Interstate 44, about $160 million total.

Other significant items in Deaton’s budget proposal include:

Deaton’s proposals for higher education funding shift about $250 million among four-year universities and $26 million among two-year community colleges.

Deaton said he’s not spending any more than Kehoe requested but by changing the method for its distribution, he makes big winners and losers within that limit.

The state’s largest institution, the four-campus University of Missouri System, would receive $542.2 million, up from the $521 million in Kehoe’s budget. The second-largest, Missouri State University, would receive $145.2 million, up from $115.7 million.

Meanwhile, Truman State University would see its funding cut by more than half, to $23.8 million from $50.9 million. Harris-Stowe State University and Lincoln University, the four-year schools receiving the smallest current amounts would each have their core funding cut by almost 40%.

There is no political favoritism being shown in the funding overhaul, Deaton said. He noted that Missouri Southern State University in Joplin near his southwest Missouri district would see a cut.

Missouri’s Southern’s allocation would be reduced by about $6.4 million, to $25.3 million.

“I wish it were different but they do a little bit worse under this plan than their current core model,” Deaton said.

Missouri State and Ozarks Technical College in Springfield would both receive funding boosts, but state Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, the ranking Democrat on the budget committee, said she isn’t satisfied the change is equitable.

“That makes me happy, to see Missouri State getting additional investments and Ozark Technical College getting additional investments,” Fogle said. “But I do have significant concerns with how this will impact my students to go to other public universities and community colleges throughout the state.”

Some lawmakers were enthusiastic in their support of changing how higher education is funded.

“We have subsidized really bad decisions for a very long time,” said state Rep. Louis Riggs, a Hannibal Republican.

But many members were concerned that they have been asked to vote for major building projects and new programs in recent years. The schools need the money to operate those buildings and programs, they said, asking if Deaton would agree to a phased switch.

“Is this something that we just cut the puppy dog’s tail off right away,” asked state Rep. Cathy Jo Loy, a Carthage Republican, “or snip it off a little bit of time?”

Budget leader proposes massive overhaul of Missouri higher education funding

MoDOT has announced a road project for Route FF and 49th Street, near Highway 169.

The plan is to widen the intersection there, and add concrete aprons to allow easier turns for tractor trailers.

Traffic width will be restricted to 10 feet, and the area may have flaggers. Access to 49th Street will be closed from the 16th until June.

Work is expected to be done by mid-August.

This is a separate project, in addition to work just down Highway 169 at Southeast Riverside Terrace.

Roadwork at 169 and FF to begin March 16th

Mosaic Life Care is set to expand its footprint in St. Joseph with the phased opening of its new Plaza 4 Medical Office, a three-story, 90,000-square-foot facility designed to streamline regional healthcare. 

Located directly across from the main campus at Faraon Street and Riverside Road, this $12.5 million project aims to improve patient access by consolidating a wide array of services. The building features 130 exam rooms and advanced diagnostic technology, all intended to provide a more efficient and centralized experience for visitors.

The grand opening will occur in multiple stages, beginning with Phase 1A on April 20. This initial launch will introduce imaging services and a first-floor coffee shop, followed closely by the opening of the laboratory in Phase 1B on April 27. These early phases establish the diagnostic foundation of the building before the clinical specialty groups begin their transition.

Throughout the month of May, the facility will rapidly scale up its clinical offerings. From May 4 to May 11, Phase 2 will bring specialty clinics into the fold, including Podiatry, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Nephrology, and Endocrinology. Shortly after, on May 18, Phase 3 will see the opening of the Primary Care clinics. The rollout concludes in early June with Phase 4, which marks the opening of the retail and specialty pharmacy.

Patients can expect a modernized environment designed for convenience, featuring on-site valet services and a centralized check-in system. The infrastructure is equipped with six outpatient blood draw bays, an MRI suite, two CT scanners, and three X-ray suites. Additionally, the facility includes specialized spaces such as two hearing sound booths and a dedicated rehab gym. Mosaic has already begun notifying patients via mail and other digital communications to ensure they are aware of which clinics are moving to the new Plaza 4 location.

Phased opening announced for new Mosiac expansion

The City of St. Joseph has authorized a temporary school zone designation along Faraon Street, stretching from Heartland Road to Riverside Road. 

The move comes in response to rising safety concerns regarding students crossing the busy corridor between Mosaic Life Care and the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) medical program facilities.

Local officials noted a significant increase in foot traffic as medical students commute between the hospital and academic buildings on opposite sides of the street. Despite the high volume of pedestrians, vehicle speeds have remained consistently high, creating what the city describes as a potential safety hazard.

The temporary designation allows for the immediate installation of school zone signage and the enforcement of reduced speed limits. These measures are intended to provide an immediate safety buffer while the city undergoes a formal review process to determine if the changes should become permanent.

The proposal is currently slated for review by the Traffic Commission before moving to the City Council for final consideration. The temporary signs and speed limits will remain in effect throughout the duration of this legislative process.

Residents or students with questions regarding the new designation are encouraged to contact city officials at 816-271-5324 for additional information.

St. Joseph implements temporary school zone near Mosaic Life Care

Travis Kelce isn’t ready to hang up the cleats just yet. The future Hall of Fame tight end is expected to return to the Kansas City Chiefs for his 14th NFL season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The report, shared via X (formerly Twitter), indicates that the Chiefs have signaled their intentions to rival teams interested in the veteran All-Pro. Despite speculation regarding a potential retirement or move, the message from Kansas City is clear: Kelce remains a cornerstone of their offense.

While no longer at his statistical peak, the 36-year-old remained a vital target for Patrick Mahomes during the 2025 season.

Travis Kelce to return for 14th season in Kansas City

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

Farmers are facing high input costs, trade uncertainty, and surging grain production. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins spoke directly about those challenges during the recent Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, her home state. The Secretary told attendees that between 2020 and 2024, fuel costs increased 33 percent, seed costs were up 19 percent, fertilizer prices rose by 48 percent, labor was up 44 percent, and interest expenses were up 71 percent.

 “We’re seven years out from the last farm bill and all of this information we’re trying to work with is so outdated,” said Jed Bower, president of the National Corn Growers Association, “Our costs are so different that we have to get something done. It’s like they’ve forgotten about rural America.” There were some stern conversations and tension between farm leaders and representatives of major seed, fertilizer, machinery, and chemical companies during the opening day of the Commodity Classic. 

Farmer frustrations voiced at Commodity Classic

A new poll conducted by YouGov on behalf of Rural Voices USA found that 71 percent of farm families across five Midwestern states say they’re more likely to support a Congressional candidate who votes for year-round E15 legislation. The survey included respondents from Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, and it also found that a majority of all rural voters, at 57 percent, say a candidate’s support of E15 would make them more likely to vote for that candidate.

 “Rural voters see the farm crisis enveloping their communities and are looking for answers from Congress,” said Rural Voices USA Chairman Chris Gibbs. “This survey shows that rural voters and farm families want their members of Congress to go to bat for them on E15 because it ripples across the farm economy.” Gibbs also said that members of Congress would be wise to listen and stop the delays in passing the legislation.

Poll: 71 Percent of farm families back candidates supporting E15

May corn closed down 6 3/4 cents and July corn was down 5 1/2 cents. May soybeans closed down 4 1/2 cents and July soybeans were down 4 cents. May KC wheat closed down 3 3/4 cents, May Chicago wheat was down 13 1/2 cents, May Minneapolis wheat was up 3 cents.

As was wildly expected, crude oil (and related energy markets) jumped drastically again on the Sunday open, with oil hitting the highest level seen since the first half of 2022 following the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine. Prices eventually eased on profit-taking, falling back below $100 per barrel, accelerated on reports that G7 nations will discuss a coordinated release of oil reserves to ease the supply shock caused by the trade halt in the Persian Gulf. Row crops fell from highs along with the energy sector, with overbought technical conditions likely playing a role in encouraging profit-taking and hedging as well. Equity markets were lower again but off their daily lows, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average on pace for the first monthly loss since last April, barring a mid-March turnaround. The U.S. dollar was firm but will face a major technical test near 100 on the index, which has held since early 2025.

It's almost as if the live cattle complex thinks cattlemen and traders alike would grow weary if the market simply traded in a lackadaisical mundane fashion as opposed to the rollercoaster ride it turns into at times. Which perfectly describes the market's $3.00 to $4.00 decline Monday, as news broke late last week that union workers will indeed strike at the JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colorado. The strike is expected to happen the week of March 16, and JBS intends to shift production to other facilities during that time. This causes great anxiousness for the cattle complex as the market is already seeing minimal throughput from packers as they try to manage their margins to the best of their ability. It also raises the question: How is this going to affect beef consumers? Unfortunately, a level of uneasiness will likely reside within the market until this ordeal is played out; expect continued volatility until then. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Texas, but lower in Kansas and Nebraska/Colorado.

As expected, the feeder cattle complex has noted the decline in the live cattle market and consequently elected to send its contracts tumbling $4.00 to $5.00 lower into Monday's close. Until the live cattle complex settles down and trade in a more stable manner, the feeder cattle contracts will likely continue to scale lower.

Not even the lean hog complex could trade higher Monday, as its market is also seeing a slight regression into the closing bell. For the lean hog complex the market's resistance seems to be inflicting pressure more than anything else.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/03/09140148/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

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>

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 first case arising from last year’s special session for redistricting examines whether the state constitution allows the General Assembly to revise maps without new census data

The first case challenging Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">gerrymandered redistricting plan</a>&nbsp;to reach the state Supreme Court questions whether lawmakers had the power to enact the plan at all.

The court’s seven judges on Tuesday spent nearly an hour discussing the definition of a single word — “when” — and what it means in the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional directive</a>&nbsp;to make congressional districts after each census.

The constitution states that “when the number of representatives to which the state is entitled” is reported after each census, “the General Assembly shall by law divide the state into districts corresponding with the number of representatives to which it is entitled…”

“‘When’ means ‘when’ and we think that language is quite clear,” said attorney Chuck Hatfield, who represents the plaintiffs asking the court to throw out the map passed in a special session last year.

Judge Zel Fischer, in one of the few queries from the bench, asked Hatfield to clarify what he meant.

“You are asking us to conclude that ‘when’ means only ‘when,’” Fischer said.

“It does,” Hatfield replied. “It does mean only ‘when.’”

Defending the map, attorneys for Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and the Missouri Republican Party said the provision is a directive to enact a new map after a census but does not bar redistricting at other times.

“This court has long held that the General Assembly has the power to act unless the constitution expressly takes that power away,” said Lou Capozzi, state solicitor general.

Missouri Republicans pushed through a new map for the state’s eight congressional districts under&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/">pressure from President Donald Trump</a>, who is anxious to preserve the GOP’s thin majority in the U.S. House.&nbsp;

Republicans hold six of Missouri’s seats and Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers into a special session in September to draw a map that targets the 5th Congressional District, held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City.

Cleaver filed for a new term on Feb. 24. Despite the case heard Tuesday and other pending lawsuits that could throw out the map, five Republicans have filed so far for the nomination to oppose Cleaver in November.

The map could also be stopped by a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/09/missouri-gerrymander-congressional-map-referendum/">referendum petition</a>&nbsp;seeking to force a statewide vote in November on the new map.&nbsp;

The directive that lawmakers revise district lines every 10 years was added to the Missouri Constitution by a state convention in 1944. Attorney John Gore, arguing Tuesday on behalf of the Missouri Republican Party, said the delegates had recent experience of lawmakers ignoring new census data and refusing to draw district lines for three decades from 1901 to 1931.&nbsp;

The language makes it a duty of the General Assembly to redraw lines after every census, Gore said. And delegates could have added language barring lawmakers from changing the districts between census reports, but they did not, he said.

“It would have been easy for the framers to prohibit redistricting except when there is a census,” Gore said.

Capozzi noted that Missouri revised district lines in 1877 and other states had changed districts without new census data in the years before the convention.

“There is zero historical evidence the framers were worried about mid-decade redistricting,” Capozzi said.

Other lawsuits filed in response to the redistricting plan challenge the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/18/court-battle-looms-over-kc-precinct-listed-twice-in-missouris-new-congressional-map/">details of the map</a>, which signatures of 300,000 submitted should be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-delays-decision-on-signatures-for-missouri-referendum-on-gerrymandered-map/">checked for the referendum</a>&nbsp;and whether the new map&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/02/10/judge-to-decide-whether-missouris-gerrymandered-congressional-map-is-in-effect/">is in effect</a>&nbsp;for this year’s elections despite the filing of the referendum petition.

Only one other case, filed by the NAACP to challenge Kehoe’s authority to call lawmakers into special session, has been decided in a circuit court. The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/special-session-to-redraw-missouri-congressional-districts-was-constitutional-judge-rules/">NAACP lost that decision</a>&nbsp;but is planning an appeal.

The case before the Supreme Court on Tuesday was written to answer the single question of when lawmakers are allowed to revise congressional district lines, Hatfield said.

“Redistricting is like cicadas,” he said. “It shows up noisily, it is very annoying to everyone and then it goes away for 10 years.”

Lawmaker power to draw gerrymandered congressional map tested at Missouri Supreme Court

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement in Salina are investigating a shooting have made an arrest.

Just before 5p.m. Monday, police responded to the 1100 block of W. Republic in Salina after reports of 10-20 shots had been fired, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Lt. Andrew Ziegler.

Witnesses saw a gray Dodge Charger fleeing the scene. A tag for that vehicle was developed, and the FLOCK System was utilized. It was determined the vehicle was near 9th Street and Interstate 70.

Saline County Deputies arrived in the area and located the vehicle at the Pilot Gas Station, 1944 N 9th. Street.

The driver of that vehicle, 26-year-old Alex Ramos-Guebara of Salina, was taken into custody without incident.

The victim, a 21-year-old man, who was an occupant of a residence in the 1100 block of W. Republic was transported to the Salina Regional Health Center by private vehicle for treatment of two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his lower body.

Police with the assistance of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office were able to determine through the course of the investigation that Ramos-Guebara arrived at the residence, where he kicked in the door.

The victim, who does not live at the residence, along with other occupants pushed Ramos-Guebara out of the residence.&nbsp; Ramos-Guebara then retrieved a gun from his vehicle and approached the victim.

Ramos-Guebara began to aim the gun at the victim, who grabbed the gun as Ramos-Guebara began firing. The victim was shot twice in the lower body, as most of the shots went into the ground. Police recovered the&nbsp;gun at the scene.

Ramos-Guebara is being in the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree and Aggravated Burglary.

The case is still under investigation. More arrests are possible, according to Ziegler.

Police: Suspect kicked in door of Kansas home, shot victim

ALLEN COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Humboldt Police Department, and the Allen County Sheriff's Office are investigating a homicide that occurred in Humboldt, Kansas.

Just after 5p.m. on Sunday, Humboldt officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Sycamore Street, in Humboldt, according to a media release from the KBI.

Preliminary information indicates that a woman fled a residence during a domestic dispute with her boyfriend, Malachi I. Davis, 25, of Humboldt, and sought help at a neighbor’s house. The neighbor contacted a male subject, who arrived at the scene. The man, John P. Kent, 43, of Humboldt, became involved in a verbal altercation with Davis.

During the incident, Davis fired a single shot from his vehicle window, striking Kent, who was transported to Allen County Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Davis fled the scene following the shooting. The KBI identified Davis as the suspect and multiple law enforcement agencies began searching for him. At approximately 8:40 p.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol spotted Davis and conducted a traffic stop in Allen County near La Harpe. Davis was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Allen County Jail for second-degree murder.&nbsp; He has a previous conviction for theft in 2022, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released at this time.

KBI: Good Samaritan killed in domestic incident 

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>

Former Missouri House Speaker John Diehl was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison Monday after pleading guilty last year to misusing federal loans meant to help businesses withstand the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diehl, a St. Louis-area attorney, admitted defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration out of $379,900 through an Economic Injury Disaster Loan and a later loan modification obtained through false representations.

His attorneys asked the court last month for a non-custodial sentence, arguing in part that he repaid the money. Prosecutors pushed back on that argument, saying repayment should not be treated as an “extraordinary” basis for leniency because Diehl is a “man of great and substantial means.”

Prosecutors say he used the funds for personal expenses including payments on a Tesla, Audi and Jeep, mortgage payments, pool maintenance, additional country club charges and cash withdrawals. The filing also says he used about $200,000 of the loan money to fund a defined benefit plan for his law firm in which he was the sole participant.

Diehl also allegedly used some of the funds to pay off “a civil settlement related to his time as Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives.” Prosecutors did not specify the nature of that settlement or whether it is connected to the scandal that forced him from office in 2015, which involved sending sexually inappropriate text messages to a 19-year-old House intern.

Diehl will be allowed to report to prison at a later date.

Ex-Missouri House Speaker John Diehl sentenced to federal prison for COVID fraud

🎥Dignified transfer for 7th US service member to die in Iran conflict

WILSON COUNTY&nbsp;– Just a couple of hours after asking for help to located&nbsp; a missing teen on Monday, The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) canceled&nbsp; an endangered persons advisory for 17-year-old&nbsp; Alexandra R. Smith of Wichita who had been seen in Coyville.&nbsp;

Alexandra went missing from Wichita on July 6, 2025 when she was 16. She was last seen Sunday, March 8, at a residence in Wilson County community of Coyville.

Alexandra was a witness to a homicide, and authorities were concerned for her safety.&nbsp; The KBI did not release details on where they located the teen.

They did report that just after 7p.m. on Sunday, deputies from the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 2105 2nd&nbsp;Street in Coyville, after gunfire was reported.

Upon arrival deputies located Lucas R. Pickell, 37, of Fredonia, just outside a fifth-wheel RV on the property. Pickell had suffered a gunshot wound and died at the scene.

Witnesses were interviewed and evidence was examined and collected. Preliminary information indicates Pickell had been using drugs in the RV with a male subject and two female subjects. During the incident, 52-year-old William “Bud” Wescott, of Coyville, is suspected to have shot Pickell.

Wescott was arrested on requested of second-degree murder at the scene and booked into the Wilson County Jail.

Police found Kansas teen, a witness in a deadly shooting

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 11p.m. Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri.

A customized American Chopper motorcycle was southbound on Raytown Road from Longview Road, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. The rider lost control of the motorcycle. The vehicle crossed the double yellow centerline, entered a ditch, and overturned ejecting the rider. Grandiew EMS pronounced the rider deceased at the scene.

This incident marks traffic fatality number 14 for 2025, compared to 10 at the same time last year, according to&nbsp;Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police did not release the victim's name.

KCPD: Motorcyclist killed after ejected in crash

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.&nbsp; Sheriff Tim Morse reports on March 5, 2026, around 

Just after 10:00 a.m. March 5 a, Sheriff's Deputies and Detectives along with the Holton Police Department served a search warrant at 627 W. 3rd&nbsp;Street in the City of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The search warrant was issued in reference to an ongoing drug investigation that was initiated by the Sheriff’s Office earlier this year.&nbsp; The following individuals were arrested at the residence:

Gabriel Joaquin Mendez, 32, of Holton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, interference with law enforcement, conspiracy; possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of THC, and use of communication facility; in the commission of a felony drug violation.

Ruta Lee Mendez, 60, of Holton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, interference with law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of THC and &nbsp;possession of a controlled substance.

Grace Naomi Place, 25, of Holton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, interference with law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia.