The Show Me St. Joe Experience has wrapped up its final tour of this year. 

St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Christian Mengel says the experience gives residents a guided bus tour around their own city 

"You get driven around, the transportation is covered for you, we have a step on guide that points out all the architecture and the history when you’re going from point to point,” Mengel says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “Each place that we go into there’s a guided tour that tells you maybe some things that you didn’t necessarily know about it, because maybe you’ve been in a certain museum a few times, but maybe you’ve never had a tour from the director of that museum.” 

The bus tours are given three times throughout the year, giving residents the chance to become better advocates for the city by seeing it through a visitor’s eyes.  

Mengel says the tour is kind of like speed dating with the city’s attractions 

"Because you spend just enough time at each place to understand ok here’s what I need to go back for, or when somebody asks me what they need to do and see in town, here’s the suggestions I can make based on what I already know about that person, what their interests are,” Mengel explains.  “And so, you actually end up being a better advocate for the visitor industry.” 

Mengel says at the end of the tour you're much more informed than you probably were before, to be able to give people more advice of places to go when visiting St. Joseph.

Mengel says reviews of the tour are always positive, with the only negative being not having enough time, which he says really speaks to what we have here 

"That a full day is not enough to really experience everything, and I think that that’s the message that we get across to people that maybe don’t believe there’s a visitor industry when they say oh there’s nothing to do or see here, it’s wrong to think that way really,” Mengel says. 

The last tour of the year was held at the end of last month, but you can contact the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information on future events. 

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

Show Me St. Joseph helps residents become better advocates for tourism

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/SECOND%20REVISED%20SUMMARY%20STATEMENT%20FOR%20HJR%2073.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3687540" target="_blank">latest version</a>&nbsp;of ballot language for a proposed abortion ban states the amendment would repeal a 2024 amendment after a Cole County judge said he had to be more specific.

The portion revised under court order now reads:

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

The previous ballot language used the word “amend” rather than “repeal.”

On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Daniel Green said that Hoskins’ first attempt was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-judge-orders-revised-ballot-language-repeal-abortion-rights/">“insufficient and unfair”&nbsp;</a>because it didn’t make clear that a current constitutional amendment would be repealed. Hoskins was charged with rewriting the ballot language after Green ordered that the initial wording by lawmakers also did not alert voters that<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">&nbsp;it would repeal the voter-approved amendment.</a>

Like the previous attempt, the language does not explicitly state what is in the section of the constitution to be repealed. That was a key point in the arguments filed over the first effort, with opponents of the amendment saying the ballot language should say it would reinstate a ban on most abortions and attorneys for Hoskins telling Green voters could easily look it up if they wanted to know more.

The<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">&nbsp;proposed amendment drafted by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;will appear before voters in November 2026, two years after<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">&nbsp;Missourians codified the right to reproductive health care&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp;including abortions up until fetal viability —&nbsp;in the state constitution.

Green previously ruled that the remaining bullet points are now acceptable. Hoskins did not make any changes to the summaries, which read:&nbsp;

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

Under a new law enacted this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld in a separate case by Green</a>, Hoskins has three attempts to submit ballot language that satisfies the court. If after that, Green still finds the language insufficient, the judge will rewrite it himself.

Hoskins was also responsible for writing the fair ballot statement that appears in polling places and on the office’s website that summarize what both a “yes” and “no” vote mean.

Green previously told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hoskins’ latest ballot statement makes just one change by again swapping “amend” out for “repeal.”

This latest summary also states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages, and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, in part, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.

Prior to the passage of the 2024 abortion rights amendment, nearly all abortions were illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies. The new proposed ban would broader access slightly to also allow abortions for survivors or rape or incest up to 12 weeks gestation, though it’s not yet clear if or how a survivor would need to prove the assault in order to receive medical care.

Missouri secretary of state submits second attempt at abortion ban ballot language

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

Transport 360, LLC has issued an invitation for
bid for the purchase of a material handler for the St. Joseph, MO Port
Authority Terminal located at 1616 Stockyards Expy., St. Joseph, MO 64501. 

A pre-bid meeting with optional attendance is
scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm (CST),&nbsp;located at the
project site. Final bids will be due on October 24, 2025 at 2:00 pm (CST). For
complete project details,&nbsp;please contact Aaron Khouri at <a href="mailto:AaronKhouri@Transport360.org">AaronKhouri@Transport360.org</a>.

Transport 360, LLC will receive sealed bids for the procurement of
a material handler until 2:00 PM CST on 10/24/2025 at Transport 360, LLC, 1616
Stockyards&nbsp;Expy. – St. Joseph, MO 64501, or by electronic submission to <a href="mailto:AaronKhouri@Transport360.org">AaronKhouri@Transport360.org</a>, at
which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Bidders are invited to submit proposals for the supply of the
following equipment and services: Large dry bulk material handler as well as
transportation of the machine from origin to 1616 Stockyards Expy. – St.
Joseph, MO 64501.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting and site inspection will be held
on 10/9/2025,&nbsp;1:00 PM CST at 1616 Stockyards Expy. – St. Joseph, MO 64501.
&nbsp;

Electronic Contract Documents may be obtained by contacting Aaron
Khouri at (901) 409-3962 or <a href="mailto:AaronKhouri@Transport360.org">AaronKhouri@Transport360.org</a>.
No deposit is required. Documents will be provided via email.

Contractors must pay workers no less than the minimum wages set by
the Missouri Division of Labor Standards Annual Wage Order. Additionally, they
must ensure equal employment opportunity by prohibiting discrimination based on
race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, age, or ancestry.

Contractors must comply with Missouri’s E-Verify law and OSHA
10-hour construction safety training requirements for all on-site employees
within 60 days of beginning work.

Failure to substantially complete the project by November 21st,
2025 will result in liquidated damages of $750 per calendar day beyond the
deadline.

Transport 360 reserves the right to reject any or all Bids or to
waive any informality in the bidding. Bid awards will be made to the lowest
responsible bidder,&nbsp;considering conformity with specifications, delivery
terms, quality, serviceability, experience, and performance history.

Bids may be held by Transport 360 for a period not to exceed 45
days from the date of opening for the purpose of reviewing and investigating
qualifications prior to awarding the Contract

Transport 360 invitation for bid for material handler St. Joseph Port Authority

Clean Sweep began
Wednesday and runs through the 7th, allowing St. Joseph residents to
dump unwanted items at the landfill for free.

Fourth District Councilmember,
Michael Grimm, says Clean Sweep helps with the city council goal of beautifying
St. Joseph.

“From out
standpoint, it helps clean up the city,” Grimm tells KFEQmmunity. “This
council’s been big on trying to work on things to clean up the city and this
just helps us along if you get rid of all that old lumber that you’ve had
laying outside your house.”

Residents can dump
only six tires. Yard waste needs to be separate from trash. Toxic or hazardous
waste will not be accepted. Only automobiles, pickups, and two-wheel trailers
may be used. Just one vehicle per IC is allowed at a time. No company vehicles
are allowed.

Grimm says it is
no surprise that a recent survey of city residents ranked code enforcement and
cleaning up the city as their top priority.

“And it always is,
you know,” according to Grimm. “They do this survey maybe once every couple of
years and I’ve seen it for the last 15 years and it’s always been in the top
five; is cleaning up our city.”

Residents should
notify the gate attendant at the landfill they’re using the Clean Sweep program
and must present a St. Joseph personal property tax receipt and photo ID.

The city landfill,
located at 9431 South East 50th Road, is open Monday through Friday
7am to 4:30pm; 7am to 2pm on Saturday.

Click <a href="https://www.stjosephmo.gov/298/Clean-Sweep-Program">HERE</a> for more on Clean Sweep.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Time to clean up:  Clean Sweep underway in St. Joseph

CLINTON COUNTY—Five people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Thursday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Honda CRV driven by a 59-year-old Jefferson City woman was eastbound on MO 116 at U.S. 169 three miles south of Gower.&nbsp; The driver ran the stop sign. The Honda struck a southbound 2023 Ford Mustang driven by a 32-year-old Smithville woman. After impact the Mustang struck a northbound 2024 Chevy Traverse driven by a 61-year-old Kansas City, Missouri woman.

Buchanan County EMS transported the Mustang driver and a 13-year-old passenger in her vehicle to North Kansas City hospital. Tri-County Ambulance transported the Honda driver, the Chevy driver and a 63-year-old passenger in her SUV to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

4 adults, 13-year-old hospitalized after 3-vehicle crash

State Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck says Gov. Kehoe should not have authorized a deployment just hours before the federal shutdown

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

Gov. Mike Kehoe’s decision to deploy Missouri National Guard soldiers to support immigration enforcement “makes no sense” because they will not get paid until the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/30/repub/midnight-federal-shutdown-edges-closer-as-us-senate-fails-to-agree-on-spending-bills/">federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;is resolved, the state Senate’s Democratic leader said Thursday.

On Tuesday, Kehoe announced that soldiers from the Guard would, on a volunteer basis, be assigned to provide administrative, clerical and logistical support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities in the state.

The shutdown started a few hours after Kehoe announced the deployment.

“Everybody knew that was coming, and to me that makes no sense,” Beck said.

Spokeswoman Gabby Picard said that there will be up to 15 soldiers on duty at any particular time until authorization ends on Sept. 30, 2026.&nbsp;

ICE continues to work while most of the government is shut down because the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/03/repub/breaking-us-house-passes-massive-tax-break-and-spending-cut-bill-sending-it-to-trump/">budget bill approved in July</a>&nbsp;funded the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/what-government-shutdown-2025-means-immigration-system/" target="_blank">with $29.9 billion for enforcement</a>&nbsp;and $5 billion for detention through September 2029.

When on federal deployment, members of the Guard are paid on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/2025ACPayDay/" target="_blank">same schedule</a>&nbsp;as active-duty personnel, with the next pay date being Oct. 15. No active duty military will receive pay until the shutdown is resolved.

The Tuesday news release said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved assigning Guard personnel to ICE facilities on July 25, allowing them to be paid from the federal treasury.&nbsp;

“The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts,” Kehoe said in a news release.

While all the soldiers taking on the duty are doing so as volunteers, they expected to get paid, Beck said.

“I’m sure, when they did this, they didn’t know that they’d be doing it possibly for free for a while,” Beck said. “I’m assuming they’ll be made whole at some point, but I’m sure they got bills just like everybody else.”

In response to Beck’s criticism, Picard said the decision to assist ICE wasn’t made hastily.

“Planning for this activation has been ongoing for weeks, and has nothing to do with the unfortunate political games of the Democrats in Washington that have caused a government shutdown,” Picard said.

The deployment has also drawn criticism from labor unions and the ACLU..

Lenny Jones, vice president and state director at the Service Employees International Union-Healthcare, said in a news release that the deployment is part of an increasingly authoritarian government.

“This is just another power grab used to silence and intimidate people who disagree with the administration’s anti-American policies,” Jones said.The ACLU said the deployment diverts resources from disaster recovery and other needs.

“National Guard troops should be reserved for genuine emergencies, not deployed to suit the president’s political whims,” Naureen Shah, director of policy and government affairs for the ACLU’s Equality Division, said in a news release.

The deployment should be unneeded because ICE has been hiring large numbers of new employees, Beck said.

“You tell me they can’t keep up with the paperwork?” Beck asked.

The standoff in Washington is over the health care subsidies for marketplace health plans that are ending under the budget reconciliation bill passed in July. Democrats are demanding they be restored, while Republicans insist the government must be reopened before they will negotiate.

Beck said he wants Democrats in Congress to hold their position.

“At the end of the day, the Republicans control everything, all three branches of the government,” Beck said. “So the question you have to ask yourself is, why did they let it get to this point?”

Missouri Guard troops assigned to duty with ICE working without pay during federal shutdown

Marvin O. Looney
wasn’t just the first president of Missouri Western State University. He guided
the university from a two-year junior college to a four-year institution.

“He’s instrumental,”
Kennedy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “If it weren’t for Dr. Looney, I’m not sure
we would have been here.”

Current Missouri
Western President, Elizabeth Kennedy, says Looney undertook no small task to
move the school from one building in downtown St. Joseph to its current campus
on the eastern edge of the city. Kennedy says it didn’t just have a big impact
on the college, but on the community as well.

“Going from a
junior college to a state college has had and then, again, when we (moved) from
a state college to a university. The impact that we’ve had on the community,” Kennedy
says. “What a wonderful opportunity for Dr. Looney to be the leader of that.”

Looney died September
29th in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was 97.

Kennedy says
Looney had a vision of what Missouri Western could be when he took over
leadership of the junior college in 1967. Two years later, he led Missouri
Western to become a four-year institution on the new, spacious campus in St.
Joseph.

Kennedy says it
must have been an exciting time as Looney led the college to its new campus and
new role.

“To move it from
that building, one building, and to say we are going to move this to this area
to provide for the city of St. Joseph and our region another four-year college
where folks can come and earn, at that time, both associate degrees and
bachelor degrees to really add to the economic prosperity of our community,”
Kennedy says.

Kennedy says she
takes lessons from Looney’s tenure.

“It’s always
important from my perspective to think about the university doesn’t operate on
an island or in a vacuum,” Kennedy says. “And I am always thinking about what
is the benefits of the university to our community? Beyond our students, beyond
our faculty, beyond our staff, beyond our administrators, what are we doing to
really add to quality of life for St. Joseph and our region? Because that is
the function of a regional public university.”

Kennedy says she
had a chance of meet Looney in 2021 when his son gave him a tour of the St.
Joseph campus and came to her office.

MWSU President calls Looney instrumental in growth of university

For a fourth consecutive year, enrollment at Northwest Missouri State University has grown.  

Enrollment increased slightly on the Maryville campus, with 8,747 students enrolled in the fall semester as of the annual census conducted just after the beginning of the semester.  

President Lance Tatum says he's proud of the people at Northwest focused on strategies that have produced positive outcomes in sustained enrollment growth 

“We have seen probably the most significant gains in our portfolio in the area of transfers, as well as keeping the students that we recruited in previous years,” Tatum tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And so, just tickled to death that we continue to see sustainability in our growth and looking forward to the future.” 

Tatum says there was a decline in the number of graduate students, in large part thanks to a decline in the number of international students 

"The geopolitical activity that is occurring around the world as it related to visa attainment has certainly had an impact on our overall enrollment,” Tatum explains.  “We have spent the last two years being very focused on building capacity in that undergraduate segment.” 

Tatum points out where there was growth in enrollment was the number of transfer students, up 9%, and those students enrolled in dual credit course, up 14%. 

Tatum says though, despite the continued growth through the years, they cannot rest on their laurels 

"I think the movement that we see in the higher education industry is going to force us to be flexible, we have to be willing to pivot, when necessary, we have to be willing to invest, when necessary,” Tatum says.  “So, I don’t think that it’s business as usual, I think we’ll continue every year to sit down, figure out where our strengths are, figure out where our weaknesses are, and then look to build with opportunities that are presented to us.” 

Tatum says the university will continue to refine and adjust its strategy as needed to keep students on campus, knowing that enrollment numbers will fluctuate year to year. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

NWMSU sees another year of enrollment growth

The Renewable Fuels Association applauded California Governor Gavin Newsome for signing Assembly Bill 30 into law. AB30, which passed unanimously out of both the Assembly and the Senate, immediately legalizes lower-cost E15 fuel in the Golden State. Prior to the signing, California was the only remaining state in the nation where E15 sales weren’t allowed. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said, “California is on the road to lower gas prices and a cleaner future for families across the state,” and “Many other states have already seen the benefits of E15, including healthier air, better engine performance, and costs savings at the pump.”

 California drivers are about to experience those same benefits for themselves, and RFA thanked Governor Newsom for voicing his support for E15 through the legislative process. Recent studies have shown that E15 could save California drivers $2.7 billion annually, or about $200 per household, while significantly cutting tailpipe pollutants. 

California governor signs E15 bill

The U.S. federal government shutdown will stop some payments to farmers and also delay access to federal farm loans. Reuters said it’s one more blow for producers already struggling with low crop prices, record-high debts, and a trade war at the height of the fall harvest. Republican and Democratic lawmakers couldn’t agree on a plan to fund the federal government, and this will last until one party gets enough votes for its funding plan. 

“Even short interruptions in payments could deepen farmers’ economic turmoil,” said Chad Hart, an agricultural economist with Iowa State University. “After all, it costs money to run those combines at harvest.”  While administration of nutrition programs and food inspections will continue, much of USDA’s other work will cease. That includes processing farm loans and making payments to farmers, including billions in disaster aid. It will also not process annual commodity and land conservation payments typically issued by October. 

Shutdown halts some payments and loans to farmers

December corn closed up 5 1/4 cents and March corn was up 5 1/4 cents. November soybeans closed up 10 3/4 cents and January soybeans were up 10 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 3 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 5 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 3 1/2 cents.

U.S. crop prices again shook off a shaky start to the session on Thursday, with the soybean market leading the way higher as traders continue to look ahead to the month-end summit between Presidents Trump and Xi as a reason for optimism and a reason to remove short-side risk out of portfolios amid shrinking soybean supply side ideas as well. Corn and wheat futures were mainly along for the ride on Thursday but also managed to put together modestly higher sessions. Outside markets were overall a negative weight on agricultural prices for Thursday, with mixed equities as the Dow Jones pushes back toward record highs while the S&amp;P reversed off record highs on Thursday as well. The U.S. Dollar Index was firmer on Thursday while energy markets fell again, breaking support near $62 per barrel to trade to the lowest level since late May.

Without any substantial fundamental support having developed in the complex this week, the live cattle contracts were yet again trading lower. And yes, the spot December live cattle contract was again trading below its 40-day moving average as traders continued to look around for immediate support -- but came up short handed from both a fundamental and technical sense. Asking prices are noted in the South at $237 to $240, and at $363 plus in the North. No new trade has developed following the light business that transpired on Wednesday where some dressed cattle in Nebraska sold at $360 -- $5.00 lower than last week's weighted average. Some bids are on the table at $230 to $233 live in Kansas, and $230 live in Nebraska and $357 to $360 dressed.

Following in the live cattle market's footsteps, the feeder cattle complex also traded lower as traders continue to struggle to find enough support to justify trading higher. Not to mention, adding only more kindling to the feeder cattle market's reasons to trade lower, the market did close lower Wednesday afternoon after traders decided they didn't possess enough support to be edging up against the market's resistance thresholds.

The lean hog complex continued to scale lower and lower as the market again left without enough support to help traders put a bottom in the downward spiral that the market's currently been on. Pork cutout values are again lower this morning with the picnic being the market begging hindrance as it alone is done $6.62.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/02135955/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The White House Office of Management and Budget requires the USDA to maintain a plan for agency operations in the absence of appropriations. The plan shows a total of 85,907 USDA employees on board before the government shutdown took place on Wednesday morning at 12 am. According to the plan, a total of 42,256 agency employees were placed on furlough. 

The plan shows that the work getting paused during a shutdown includes most of the Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Food and Nutrition Service, and other segments of the agency. The shutdown particularly affects employees who work face-to-face with farmers. More than 6,000 of the 9,000-plus Farm Service Agency employees are going on furlough. By comparison, just 533 of the 7,600-plus people working at the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which regulates meat and poultry processing, are to be furloughed. Pesticide registration work at the EPA will continue.

Over 40,000 USDA employees furloughed by shutdown

Tens of thousands of FFA members, advisors, alumni, and supporters from across the country will gather in Indianapolis for the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo. This celebration of agricultural education and leadership takes place from October 29-November 1. “This year’s convention is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of our members’ dedication and a launchpad for the next generation of leaders,” said Christine White, chief program officer for the National FFA Organization. 

“It’s a time where we honor the hard work of today and ignite the spark of inspiration for tomorrow, empowering a community that will shape the future of agriculture and innovation for years to come.” Last year, over 71,000 people attended the event, which is the largest annual gathering of FFA members. Attendees will participate in award ceremonies, explore careers, do hands-on service projects, and more. FFA members will participate in a variety of competitions.

Celebrating leadership and agriculture at the National FFA Convention

December corn closed up 1 cent and March corn was up 3/4 cents. November soybeans closed up 11 1/4 cents and January soybeans were up 10 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 2 1/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 1 1/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 5 3/4 cents.

U.S. crop markets were en route to another lower finish Wednesday, with corn and wheat futures in particular continuing to trade the fallout from bearish Sept. 1 stocks reported by USDA on Tuesday. However, the tide quickly turned shortly after noon when President Trump posted on Truth Social he will meet with Chinese President Xi in four weeks, and soybeans will be a "major topic of discussion." This ultimately sent soybean futures surging over a dime in the last hour plus of trade and ultimately 19 1/4 cents higher than the daily low, pulling corn futures higher as well. Outside markets Wednesday were mixed, as the featured macroeconomic news was the government shutdown which took effect late Tuesday/early Wednesday. Equity markets turned higher after ADP's September employment report indicated a slowing labor market and pointed toward another rate cut in the next Fed meeting. Energy markets were lower after Wednesday's Petroleum Status report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed a general building of crude and crude product inventories in the U.S. and ahead of this weekend's OPEC+ production meeting.

Despite the U.S. government shutdown, the live cattle complex trudged on with business as normal. The live cattle contracts traded fully higher into Wednesday's noon hour, with yet again the market's deferred contracts seeing the biggest day-over-day gains. But even so, the spot December contract was still trading slightly below the market's 40-day moving average, which continues to be a threshold the market is struggling to conquer and the contracts finished the day no better than mixed. Still no cash cattle trade has developed but asking prices are now noted in the South at $237 to $240 but are still elusive in the North. With no packer interest having developed yet, it's likely the week's trade will be delayed another day if not two.

The feeder cattle complex was also scaling higher into Wednesday's noon hour as the market points to the corn complex's continued decline as a slightly bullish factor. The market is growing closer to resistance levels which could cause traders some angst, but traders were content to scale the contracts higher until the reversal in the grain complexes, that triggered some late session selling and the feeder contracts finished in the red all but a few far deferred contracts.

The lean hog complex continued to struggle as the market is currently trading below support at $87.00 in the spot December contract -- which has been a threshold the market has respected since early September. And again, adding to the market's disappointment is the fact that pork cutout values were lower once again today.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/01144403/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The USDA’s Grain Stocks Report showed corn stocks down 13 percent from last year, soybean stocks are eight percent lower, and all wheat stocks are up six percent from 2024. Old crop corn stocks in all positions on September 1, 2025, totaled 1.53 billion bushels, down 13 percent from September 1, 2024. Both on-farm and off-farm stocks were down from last year. 

Old crop soybeans stored in all positions on September 1, 2025, totaled 316 million bushels, down eight percent from September 1, 2024. Both on-farm and off-farm stocks were lower. All wheat stored in all positions on September 1, 2025, totaled 2.12 billion bushels, up six percent from a year ago. Based on the 2024 end of the marketing year analysis, corn for grain production was revised up 25 million bushels from the prior estimate. 2024 soybean production was revised up 7.7 million bushels from the previous estimate. 

Corn and soybean stocks are lower

In the event of a government shutdown that has now come to fruition, the USDA says it’s taken steps to be ready. Back in the 2018 federal shutdown, Food Safety and Inspection Service meat inspection and laboratory testing personnel continued to work. USDA says it is prepared for all possible contingencies covering operations, including critical services and support programs. Two people with direct knowledge of the agency’s plans said that USDA employees may face more layoffs. 

The department submitted its tentative shutdown contingency plan to the Office of Management and Budget, and it does include a reduction-in-force provision. No further details were provided on which employees could be cut, but the two people said the rest of the proposal largely mirrors USDA’s typical shutdown contingency plan, last updated during the Biden administration.

USDA ready for government shutdown

December corn closed down 6 cents and March corn was down 6 1/2 cents. November soybeans closed down 8 3/4 cents and January soybeans were down 9 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed down 10 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 11 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 6 1/2 cents.

Grain markets were under pressure through Tuesday's session with selling intensifying on the release of overall bearish quarterly Grain Stocks and Small Grains Summary reports from USDA. Outside markets also leaned negatively on ag futures on Tuesday, with crude oil futures retreating to start the week back toward 2-month support near $62 per barrel. Meanwhile, equities were lower on Tuesday as well as investors weigh what a potential government shutdown could mean for markets moving forward, with bearish concerns being the potential for interference with the Federal Reserve's path to rate cuts, as well as job market concerns amid the potential for layoffs at the federal level.

Although the market started the day off weaker, the live cattle complex collectively advanced its position and traded slightly higher into Tuesday's closing bell. Unfortunately, the market continues to stagger around its 40-day moving average in the spot December contract as traders don't know which way to truly push the market just yet. On one hand, they look at the market's immediate fundamentals and are disappointed to see fed cash cattle prices and boxed beef prices continuing to drift lower as they typically do seasonally. But on the other hand, traders have also recognized that from a 10,000-foot view perspective, the market is still incredibly bullish with herd supplies at a multi-decade low, and the fact remaining that supplies can't be rebuilt overnight. Still no cash cattle trade has developed and it's not likely that any trade develops until Wednesday at the earliest. Bids and asking prices remain elusive at this point too.

The feeder cattle complex was not being as cautious as the live cattle market, as its contracts were confidently trading $3.00 higher into Tuesday's noon hour. And with the feeder cattle complex not up against immediate resistance pressure, it's likely that even if the live cattle market does weaken, the feeder cattle contracts should be able to maintain their momentum for the short term.

It was a painful morning for the lean hog complex as the market continued to break lower. Seeming unable to maintain the gains made just last week, the lean hog complex is continuing to back away from the highs scored late last week as fundamental support isn't as strong as traders need it to be.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/30144122/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The August Rural Mainstreet Index covering a multi-state region shows one-fifth of grain farmers will experience a negative cash flow in 2025. For the seventh time this year, the overall regional economic index sank below growth-neutral, falling to 38.5 in September, down from 48.1 in August. Also, for the 16th time in the past 17 months, farmland prices sank below growth-neutral. Elevated interest rates, higher input costs, and below breakeven prices caused the downward pressure on farmland. 

Farm equipment sales dropped below growth neutral for the 25th straight month. Three out of four bank CEOs reported that tariff increases have had a negative impact on farm operations. “Weak agricultural commodity prices for grain producers continue to dampen economic activity in the ten-state region covered by the Index,” said Dr. Ernie Goss. “Falling agricultural commodity prices represent the greatest threat to agricultural banks over the next 12 months.”

Rural Mainstreet Index turns negative

MIAMI COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement in a Kansas community are warning residents to be vigilant report of a rare venomous snake&nbsp;

On October 1, a citizen called in an animal complaint regarding a snake that was found moving from 4th Street into the City Park across from the 1st Baptist Church at 4th and Elm Street, according to the Louisburg Police Department.

 Officers responded and along with other City Public Works crew discovered the snake which turned out to be a mature Copperhead reptile that was handled and removed from the area. Checks were made to insure there were no other snakes of this variety still crawling about. While it is uncommon to find this type of snake in populated locations since they tend to avoid most people, they are native to the region and can occasionally turn up. Please be vigilant when out and about in our parks and other areas where trees and thicker foliage can be near the trails and equipment and structures. 

If you do observe a snake or other wild animal, please try to avoid it as most often it is not wanting to to be near you as well. And if you are just not sure, please reach out to the local animal control to handle the creature to insure that there are no issues that might be a safety concern. The local animal control in Louisburg is the Louisburg Police Department. To reach them, call Dispatch at 837-2300 and request an Officer to respond. Thanks.

Police warn Kan. residents after rare venomous snake reported

MIAMI COUNTY— One person died in an accident just before 10a.m. Thursday in rural Miami County.

The Miami County Sheriff’s Office reported a 2015 Ram 1500 was eastbound on 231st Street and failed to stop at a stop sign at Waverly Road. The pickup collided with a southbound&nbsp;2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The impact&nbsp; forced the Chevy off the roadway and into a tree. The pickup left the roadway and rolled.

EMS transported the man driving the Chevrolet Cruze to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. EMS also transported the pickup driver to a hospital for treatment of&nbsp; life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release names of the victims.

The crash remains under investigation, according to the sheriff's office.

Kansas man dies after crash pushed car into a tree

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a computer scam that cost a man thousands of dollars.

On Thursday,&nbsp;&nbsp;a 76-year-old Salina man reported that on Monday he received a “pop-up” on his computer indicating his computer had contracted a virus and to call Microsoft at the listed phone number, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman,

The subject the victim spoke with advised his computer had been compromised and he was supposed to send money via Bitcoin. The victim also received a call claiming to be from the fraud department of his bank who instructed him to send $15,700 in bitcoin. 

On Tuesday, the man went to Kwik Shop at 305 W. Schilling in Salina and purchased $15,700 in bitcoin from the bitcoin machine, which he sent. The victim was contacted a few hours later and advised to send an additional $9,590 and went back to the same machine. The caller advised not to contact the police or his bank as this was an ongoing investigation. On Thursday the victim was told to wire another $24,300 through Wells Fargo. When the victim went to his bank to attempt the transfer it was flagged as fraud and would not go through. Total loss was valued at $25,290.

Sheriff: Kansas man lost $25,000 in computer scam

By:&nbsp;NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

ABILENE - The Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Todd Arrington, has resigned after refusing to gift a sword to the Trump administration.

After President Trump's recent visit to London on Wednesday, September 17, where he visited&nbsp;Britain's King Charles III, Trump wanted to gift King Charles III a sword from the museum.&nbsp;The sword in particular belonged to former 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower that was meant to symbolize the US-UK relationship and highlight the two countries’ collaboration in WWII.

Reportedly, the US Department of State Officials asked Arrington to gift the sword, but he advised that he could not because it is a historical artifact and part of 'gifts that belonged to the American people.'

Arrington was then told he needed to either "resign or be fired."

On Thursday he officially resigned from being Director at the museum.

Arrington was a veteran of the United States Army and holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He received a master of arts in history from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor of arts in history from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

Arrington officially became Director on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/press-releases/todd-arrington-appointed-director-dwight-d-eisenhower-presidential-library-and#:~:text=National%20Public%20Radio.-,Dr.,from%20Mansfield%20University%20of%20Pennsylvania.">June 2024</a>.

Head of Eisenhower library resigns after sword spat with Trump admin.

ANDERSON COOUNTY —An accident victim is recovering after a car fell on him in rural Anderson County.

Just before 10a.m. Thursday, the Anderson County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a vehicle that had fallen on a man according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

Emergency units from Westphalia First Responders, Anderson County EMS, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office were immediately dispatched. Based on initial dispatch information, Anderson County EMS requested an air medical helicopter while en route.

Before emergency crews arrived, a nearby Westphalia resident was able to lift the vehicle off the man and move him to a safe area. Upon arrival, Westphalia First Responders provided initial medical care until an Advanced Life Support ambulance from Anderson County EMS arrived and assumed definitive care.

Due to the patient’s traumatic injuries, the he was transported by Life Star 1 Air Medical to a Kansas City area Level I Trauma Center for further treatment.

Sheriff Wes McClain said, “I am incredibly proud of our community members who acted as the first first responders. Their quick thinking and bravery helped save this man’s life. This is a testament to the caring spirit of our community.”

This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that our pre-identified landing zones and online air ambulance ordering through the communication center have proven to be an effective response for traumatic injuries, allowing timely and coordinated care.

Sheriff: Kan. man lifted car off victim after tragic accident

HARVEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Freightliner semi driven by Jared Lee&nbsp;Caviness, 35,&nbsp;Remsen, Iowa, was west bound on U.S. 50 exiting to South bound Interstate 135. The semi traveled off the roadway to the right scraping the barrier wall of the ramp and then rolled onto its side. First responders worked to remove cattle from the overturned trailer. Unfortunately, many died, according to Harvey County Emergency Management.. 

EMS transported Caviness to a Wichita hospital.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Driver hospitalized after cattle truck overturns on Kan. highway

KANSAS CITY — A suspect who hid from law enforcement for nearly a month after running from a high speed chase in custody.

Just after 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Unit and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested 28-year-old Dylan Lancaster of Kansas City, according to a media release.

Lancaster is charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors related to a pursuit last month.

On September 3, he <a href="https://www.facebook.com/motrooper?__cft__[0]=AZXrQ9Uw9SMFyuuSIYWHuEU3nXYds1Qb86PoXXD9k3KeZm04fHmNnICwGErtCW7oCdIdRXBbBAdKW3t0eAXnegJC0mNsgZBWftdM0TGni3_E8hz3QuOXMRwBqLXxpwNuNYhyUy1VJy_rtEWhZBt_ia9qV3YVEj47KCezRNnEdAEBvN82sYNhgADzl6bgrTt8FTE&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Missouri State Highway Patrol</a> identified the vehicle Lancaster was driving as stolen. This initiated a pursuit which ended near E 219th Street and State Route YY in Belton, where Lancaster ran from the vehicle.

 Deputies were unable to locate him that day. Then on Wednesday, deputies and U.S. Marshals arrested him at a hotel near N. Corrington Avenue and 43rd Steet in Kansas City. 

&nbsp;Lancaster is being held on without bond on charges of Tampering With Motor Vehicle - 1st Degree; Aggravated Fleeing A Stop Or Detention and Property Damage. 

The misdemeanors are Operating A Motor Vehicle In A Careless And Imprudent Manner and Leaving the Scene Of Accident (Class A).

Lancaster also violated his parole in Missouri. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kcpolice?__cft__[0]=AZXrQ9Uw9SMFyuuSIYWHuEU3nXYds1Qb86PoXXD9k3KeZm04fHmNnICwGErtCW7oCdIdRXBbBAdKW3t0eAXnegJC0mNsgZBWftdM0TGni3_E8hz3QuOXMRwBqLXxpwNuNYhyUy1VJy_rtEWhZBt_ia9qV3YVEj47KCezRNnEdAEBvN82sYNhgADzl6bgrTt8FTE&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Missouri Police Department</a> and the Jackson County Drug Task Force assisted with the apprehension of Lancaster as well.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Wanted suspect caught at KC hotel after hiding for weeks

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 2:30a.m. September 27,&nbsp; a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a gray 2009 Nissan Titan for speeding in the 3000 block of South Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, the driver, later identified as&nbsp;Raul I. J. Galvan-Romero, 40, of Topeka appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and illegal narcotics were located.

Deputies arrested Galvan-Romero and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections&nbsp; on the requested charges Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, Speeding and Transporting an open container of liquor.

Sheriff: Kansas driver was speeding and transporting illegal drugs

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses to a vehicle pursuit that terminated in Montgomery County on September 26, 2025, according to a media release from the KHP.

The pursuit began in Owasso, Oklahoma, by officers from the Owasso Oklahoma Police Department with assistance from Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers. Two suspects, later identified as Tenisha D. Mayberry (the driver) and Cortez J. Wasson (a passenger), had fled the scene of a theft investigation and struck an Owasso officer with the suspect's driver's door.

When the pursuit entered Kansas, officers from the Coffeyville Police Department took control of the pursuit near the intersection of U.S. 169 and U.S. 166, traveling northbound from U.S. 169 onto Patterson Blvd. 

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