Bo Nix ran for a score before throwing a go-ahead touchdown pass to R.J. Harvey with 1:45 left in the game, and the Denver Broncos held on in the closing seconds for a 20-13 victory over the banged-up Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas in a Thursday Night Football matchup.

After giving up a grinding, 14-play drive that soaked up more than half the first quarter and ended with the Broncos Will Lutz knocking through a 27 yard field goal, Kansas City allowed little else through the first 30 minutes. Along the way, a defense put its top two cornerbacks on injured reserve this week managed to pick off Nix, Kristian Fulton tipping the ball to set up a Nick Bolton interception, which set up a short field for the Chiefs that Chris Oladokun converted into his first career touchdown throw.

It also happened to be Brashard Smith's first career touchdown catch.&nbsp; The Broncos tried to answer with another 8-plus minute drive late in the half, but Courtland Sutton dropped a would-be touchdown toss in the closing seconds, and Wil Lutz had to kick his second chip-shot field goal to make it 7-6 at the break.

Denver finally got one of its long, time-consuming drives into the end zone in the third quarter. The Chiefs had pushed the lead to 10-6 on a 53 yard field goal from Harrison Butker, when the Broncos churned through 72 yards in nearly 10 minutes, and Nix finished by scrambling nine yards for the score.&nbsp; Kansas City tied the game in the fourth quarter on another field goal from Butker, from 47 yards out.

The Chiefs managed just 16 yards on their first three possessions of the second half and that gave the Broncos a chance. They drove 65 yards late in the fourth quarter, twice converting on third down and then getting a fourth-down gift when Chris Jones went early inside the 10-yard line, allowing Nix to find Harvey in the back of the end zone on third-and-goal for the eventual winning score.

&nbsp;Oladokun and tight end Travis Kelce gave Kansas City a chance, driving quickly down field after the Broncos had taken the lead. But a third-down pass at the Denver 26 was just out of Kelce's reach, and Oladokun overthrew Marquise Brown in the end zone on fourth down in the final seconds.

Oladokun wound up with 66 yards passing. Kelce had five catches for 36 of those yards in what might have been the last game played by the Pro Bowl tight end at Arrowhead Stadium.&nbsp; He plans to announce soon after the season whether he is retiring.&nbsp; Kareem Hunt rushed seven times for 38 yards, while Isiah Pacheco rushed nine times for 32 yards.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Up next, Kansas City (6-10) finishes its season in Las Vegas.&nbsp; Kickoff time is to be determined, the game will air on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM) and Q Country (92.7 FM).

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

Oladokun, Smith score first NFL touchdowns as Chiefs fall 20-13

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/charleyduffin/">Charley Duffin</a>

When Jan. 1 rolls around, Missouri’s minimum wage will increase from $13.75 to $15 an hour, putting the state ahead of many others.

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced that the minimum wage is set to increase by $1.25 beginning in 2026. The minimum wage rate will be in effect for all non-exempt employers.

Missouri’s HB 567, signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe into law on July 10, repealed statewide earned paid sick time while simultaneously modifying the state’s minimum wage law.

It eliminated the automatic inflation adjustments that were set to begin in 2027 and kept the $15 per hour rate for public employers. However, it is also removing voter-approved worker protections for businesses as of Aug. 28.

Lily Roberts is the managing director of economic policy at the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan economic policy institute. She said conversations about adjusting the minimum wage reflect rising prices that have increased in recent years.

“Everybody can tell you about inflation, and everybody can tell you about the cost of rent or groceries or childcare being really expensive, but the flip side of that is wages,” Roberts said. “There are many folks who are worse off and less able to keep up with those raising prices because a major pillar of how we make wage policy hasn’t been changed since 2009.”

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 and it hasn’t been adjusted since 2009, which Roberts said is the longest it’s gone unchanged since the introduction of minimum wage in 1938.

“$7.25 is so unbelievably low that many people don’t even believe that it’s still that low,” Roberts said.

In Missouri, employers who are involved in retail or service businesses and have an annual gross income less than $500,000 are exempt from having to pay the state minimum wage rate. Instead, those employers can pay their workers any wage at their discretion, according to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Roberts said Missouri is unique in the fact that it raised its minimum wage to reflect inflation numbers, but when the state implements a $15 an hour minimum wage, it is no longer required to factor in inflation.

Between 2015 and 2019, Missouri’s minimum wage rose just under a dollar, from $7.65 to $8.60. Since 2019, the increase has been at least $0.75 annually every year except for 2023. The $1.25 jump will be the second straight year that the minimum wage has increased by more than a dollar.

Missouri is one of 34 U.S. states, territories and districts that has a higher minimum wage than the federal requirement.

Roberts said Missouri is in line with nearby states, such as South Dakota, Nebraska and Arkansas. All of those states, plus Missouri, have consistently been working on increasing their respective minimum wages.

“Some of them are doing it gradually over time to get to ($15 an hour) and others are passing individual laws,” Roberts said. “These longer-term predictable changes are really the trend right now, where you give businesses and employees a sense of how their wages will grow over time, and it means that it’s easier to predict and easier for employers to budget for.”

She said business owners are often fighting for higher wages, contrary to popular belief, because they need to be able to compete.

“The higher your wages that you pay, in general, the lower your turnover is,” Roberts said. “So businesses that pay really small dollars tend to have a lot of turnover. It actually gets really counterproductive and expensive very quickly because the business owner has to spend all of their time hiring, training and trying to retain folks.”

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/missouri-minimum-wage-set-to-increase-over-a-dollar-in-2026/article_3d33d784-f2f7-4fb3-a7a7-34fe23712ad8.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>.&nbsp;

Missouri minimum wage set to increase over a dollar in 2026

KFEQ Morning News 12/26/2025

KFEQ Sports 12/26/2025

MERCER COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Thursday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Mercedes CL2 driven by a 19-year-old Kirksville woman was southbound on High Street just south of U.S. 65 in Princeton. The driver ran a stop sign. The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, struck a large piece of concrete in the ditch, started sliding counterclockwise, struck another ditch, rolled and the driver was ejected. The vehicle continued over Elm Street, traveled off the south side of Elm Street and struck another embankment.

Mercer County EMS transported the driver to Liberty Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman hospitalized after ejected in rollover crash

DEKALB COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Ford F150 driven by a 50-year-old Stewartsville man was eastbound on U.S. 36 at MO 33 three iles west of Osborn.&nbsp;A northbound 2017 Ford F150 driven by a 46-year-old Stewartsville man pulled in front of the 2001 Ford F150.&nbsp; The 2001 Ford F150 struck the drivers side of the 2017 Ford F150.

DeKalb Clinton ambulance transported both drivers to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 hospitalized in St. Joe after pickups collide

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Chevy Malibu driven by an 18-year-old Chillicothe woman was southbound on U.S. 65 four miles north of Chillicothe. The car struck the passenger side of a 2022 Honda Pilot driven by a 62-year-old Chillicothe man who was attempting to make a u-turn.

Chillicothe EMS transported the teen driver, a 13-year-old and a 50-year-old who were both passengers in the Honda to Hedrick Medical Center.&nbsp; The Honda driver was not injured. All four were properly restrained, accoding to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 hospitalized after crash during u-turn

As Missouri lawmakers head into the 2026 legislative session, new federal THC limits are forcing a fresh debate over how — and whether — intoxicating hemp products should be regulated

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Businesses and Missouri lawmakers are scrambling to understand what will happen in November, when&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/11/missouri-hemp-businesses-fear-new-federal-thc-limits-will-destroy-the-industry/">new federal limits on intoxicating hemp products&nbsp;</a>go into effect.

It’s unclear just how proactive the federal government will be enforcing the new restrictions. Will it clamp down, or like it has with marijuana, look the other way as states enact their own rules?&nbsp;&nbsp;

To add to the uncertainty,&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/18/repub/trump-signs-order-to-loosen-federal-restrictions-on-marijuana-but-its-still-illegal/">executive order&nbsp;</a>last week to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana. That action could impact whether or not the feds choose to enforce hemp products as well, according to a congressional&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11381" target="_blank">report</a>.

Amidst the swirling questions, several Missouri lawmakers have pre-filed bills for the upcoming legislative session that begins in January to establish state regulations on intoxicating hemp products.&nbsp;

Not all of the Missouri proposals include the federal THC limit in their definitions of hemp, which&nbsp;will take effect&nbsp;Nov. 12 and was included in a&nbsp; federal spending package approved by Congress and signed by the president in November.&nbsp;

One&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=443" target="_blank">proposal</a>&nbsp;that does align with the federal restrictions comes from Republican state Sen. David Gregory of Chesterfield, and it would regulate intoxicating hemp the same as marijuana. That would essentially ban current hemp products, because marijuana must be grown in Missouri and most hemp currently is grown outside of the state. It would also require hemp products to be sold in licensed cannabis dispensaries, where most are currently sold in gas stations, liquor stores and restaurants and smoke shops.&nbsp;

Republican state Rep. Matthew Overcast of Ava said he has “no concerns” about the federal language impacting the hemp industry. He plans on continuing to push his&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills261/hlrbillspdf/4263H.01I.pdf" target="_blank">proposed constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;that would overturn the current regulatory framework for the cannabis industry and instead allow marijuana and intoxicating hemp products to be sold in the same stores as alcohol and tobacco.&nbsp;

“Historically, there’s been this softened congressional enforcement of our federally illicit marijuana programs that have regulated programs across the nation,” he said. “Even if the language were to stand, I don’t see — outside of big marijuana continuing to try to influence congressional and state legislators and state agencies — that we’re going to see federal enforcement on hemp.”

Democratic state Sen. Karla May of St. Louis pre-filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=208" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow intoxicating hemp products to continue to be sold outside of dispensaries with a $1,000 registration fee annually. Her bill does not include the federal definition, she said, because it was drafted before the spending package went through. May called her bill a “starting point.”

Through it all, intoxicating hemp businesses — along with companies that assist them — are trying to figure out what their future might look like.&nbsp;

“Think about your bank, your payroll company, your merchant processor — they may not want to wait out the 365 days,” said Jessica Velazquez, a Las Vegas-based accountant with Beach Fleishman, during a November webinar for hemp businesses. “They may take a more conservative approach and say, ‘Hey, you know, this really is like [marijuana] and maybe we don’t want to service you anymore’ in the way that they currently are now.’”

Hemp and marijuana are essentially terms the government uses to distinguish between the part of the cannabis plant that has high amounts of THC.

Hemp has previously been defined as any part of the plant containing 0.3% or less&nbsp;delta-9 THC&nbsp;by dry weight.

Last month, a provision in the federal spending bill amended the&nbsp;<a href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title7/chapter38/subchapter7&amp;edition=prelim" target="_blank">definition of hemp</a>, changing the limit to a total THC concentration of less than .3% on a dry weight basis, rather than only delta-9 THC. It also prohibits products from containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container.

The changes address some of the concerns Congress heard from groups like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cann-ra.org/news-events/cannra-responds-to-congressional-request-for-information-on-federal-cannabinoid-hemp-regulation" target="_blank">Cannabis Regulators Association</a>, which represents state marijuana regulators across the nation.

The association submitted information to Congress in a<a href="https://www.cann-ra.org/news-events/cannra-responds-to-congressional-request-for-information-on-federal-cannabinoid-hemp-regulation" target="_blank">&nbsp;2023 report&nbsp;</a>stating that many hemp businesses are selling “THCA hemp” flower, or buds, containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC.&nbsp;

“However, cannabis plants produce THCA, not THC,” the report states.&nbsp;

When the plant is smoked, the THCA converts or decarboxylates into delta-9 THC – and that’s why every state marijuana program defines THC in terms of both THCA and delta-9 THC, regulators said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

THCA products – including flower, vape cartridges and concentrates – are “indistinguishable” from marijuana products sold in dispensaries, the association stated.

And that’s why, regulators argued, there was a need to add language about total THC, instead of only delta-9.

Regarding weight, the association told Congress that the threshold of 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight is a small amount of THC in a hemp plant. However, when applied to things like chocolate bars or beverages that can weigh significantly more, 0.3% by weight can amount to hundreds of milligrams of THC.

The association gave the example of a 50-gram chocolate bar at 0.3% THC would have around 150 mg of THC — 30 times the standard 5 mg THC dose established by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. A family sized pack of cookies weighing 20 oz can contain around 1,700 mg of THC using the 0.3% THC threshold.

“The whole question was: what is hemp and what is marijuana?” said Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association. “There was not a bright line there, and it was a line that obviously some bad actors have used to push intoxicating products that were completely unregulated.”

The lack of government oversight on these products makes them a public health risk, Cardetti said. Now there is a “clear bright line,” he said, and he believes a majority of Missouri lawmakers will want to align with the federal definition.

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee stated the changes were made to prevent “<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fy26_agriculture_rural_development_fda_bill_summary_-_majority.pdf" target="_blank">the unregulated sale of intoxicating</a>” hemp products.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12620" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Congressional Research Service released this month states that it “remains to be seen” whether the FDA will opt to try and remove the products from the market or not.

The FDA and DEA, in coordination with the Department of Justice, “have a range of civil and criminal remedies they may use in efforts to exercise control over these activities,” it states.

It also says these federal agencies, “may lack the resources to broadly enforce the laws prohibiting intoxicating hemp products on the market.”

Congress may also choose to exercise oversight over federal enforcement priorities regarding state-regulated cannabis activities, the report says. It took that step with medical marijuana, when it prohibited spending money on enforcement.

“Congress can say that, ‘FDA and DEA, we prohibit you from using federal dollars to enforce against state-compliant hemp programs,’” said Craig Small, a Denver-based cannabis attorney.&nbsp;

With the federal limits, Small said hemp companies could run into the same banking and tax issues that marijuana companies do — where there are no business tax deductions allowed and banks largely won’t take them as customers.&nbsp;

How much priority federal agencies need to put on enforcing hemp-derived products seemed to be a “subtext” of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/increasing-medical-marijuana-and-cannabidiol-research/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;to reschedule marijuana, Small said.&nbsp;

It ordered his administration to work with Congress to develop a framework that permits full-spectrum CBD products, which have a trace amount of THC. Those products “will once again be controlled as marijuana,” under the federal spending bill’s provision, the executive order states.&nbsp;

However, it also states the regulatory framework should preserve Congress’ “intent to restrict the sale of products that pose serious health risks.”

And it orders federal health agencies to “develop research methods and models utilizing real-world evidence to improve access to hemp-derived cannabinoid products.”&nbsp;

“It does signal to the industry that if we were on a DEFCON 1 before, we’re now on DEFCON 3,” Small said. “Whatever arguments law enforcement want to make on a federal or state level about the danger of these products and how serious it is that we get them off the streets, I do think that’s lessened a little bit with these instructions.”

This will be the fourth year in a row that Missouri lawmakers have attempted to regulate intoxicating hemp products, with previous debates ending in stalemates.&nbsp;

May said she’s planning on sitting down with Gregory to talk about how to move forward this legislative session.&nbsp;

“We really want to solve the issue,” May said. “That’s the key, so I want to make sure that everybody’s on the same page saying the same thing.”

Under May’s bill, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services would be tasked with establishing rules on potency limits, recall procedures of dangerous products, advertising standards and “create mechanisms for compliance and enforcement.”

May led a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/10/intoxicating-hemp-regulations-stall-in-missouri-senate-after-7-hour-filibuster/">seven-hour bipartisan filibuster</a>&nbsp;in April against a bill similar to Gregory’s, after arguing it was nothing more than an attempt by the marijuana industry to stomp out its competition.&nbsp;

“It reminds me so much of a street drug war,” May said during an April Senate floor debate. “All drugs have always been about distribution and territory. And this is no different.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/26/missouri-lawmakers-weigh-the-cost-of-regulating-intoxicating-hemp-products/">department has previously put a high price tag</a>&nbsp;on proposals that create separate rules for intoxicating hemp and marijuana products.&nbsp;

Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman of O’Fallon led a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/14/lawmakers-vote-down-a-second-bill-to-regulate-intoxicating-hemp-products-in-missouri/">similar effort&nbsp;</a>as May to license hemp business during the last legislative session, but he said he will file a bill that aligns with the new federal definition.

Overcast’s constitutional amendment would replace the marijuana legalization amendment approved by voters in 2022 with language that instructs Missouri lawmakers to create regulations that are no more burdensome than what we already have for alcohol and tobacco.&nbsp;

The amendment is nearly identical to four&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2026-141.pdf" target="_blank">initiative petitions</a>&nbsp;filed in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/09/new-initiative-petition-would-regulate-missouri-marijuana-hemp-products-the-same-as-alcohol/">September and bankrolled by American Shaman</a>&nbsp;owner Vince Sanders and some other major hemp business owners. While the petitions have been approved to circulate for signatures, the effort has been put on pause, said Eapen Thampy, a lobbyist for American Shaman.

“Although we were successful at securing some commitments,” Thampy said, “it wasn’t to the level where we felt comfortable moving forward with a full fledged signature campaign.”

New federal regulations complicate Missouri debate over intoxicating hemp

People will be traveling for the holidays to be with family, and many may be bringing their pets along with them to join in the family fun.   

Melanie Barnes with Friends of the Animal Shelter says if you are taking your pet along on your holiday trips, keep them safe, especially if going to a place with an unfamiliar animal.  

Barnes says there are no for sure tips on introducing pets to each other, because each pet is different, but says there are some ways you can help them acclimate 

"If you can plan ahead of time, and like have them share things to share the smell, that’s really nice,” Barnes says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “So like a week ahead of time if there’s a special toy or a blanket that your pet lays on all the time, or a small bed, and you can swap those so they kind of get used to those smells that’s always a really nice thing to do in advance so it’s not so shocking.” 

Barnes says when introducing your pet to another pet they may not know, it's best to keep them on a leash so you can pull them away if they begin to go at each other.  

"Don’t ever try and reach in between them, that’s when bad things happen,” Barnes explains.  “I know it’s natural, people want to stop it, maybe pick their pet up, things like that, but if they’re really not getting along then use the leashes and pull them apart, do it in a safe area, don’t do it in the middle of your dining room or where the dishes are or something like that.” 

Barnes says be sure to watch your pets for any signs of aggression such as hair standing up or a posture that shows things may be going too fast and says sometimes it's best to take things slow.   

Barnes says an unexpected vet bill could be the las thing you want to spoil your holiday, so keep an eye on your pets and protect them. Barnes says especially to protect them around that holiday food 

"We certainly also don’t want a trip to the vet because we’ve either accidentally eaten something that’s caused severe GI upset, or maybe even toxicity, or even potentially a foreign body,” Barnes says.  “And you need to be cognoscente, not only of the food you put on your table and the food you put in the trash, but your decorations, your Christmas things around, a lot of people like to dress their pets up.” 

Barnes says to make sure those outfits you might put your pets in for the holidays fit well and don't choke your pets or could end up having things falling off and getting eaten making the dog or cat sick. 

Avoid that vet visit this Christmas and keep your pets safe

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging motorists to prioritize safety and sobriety ahead of the 2025 Christmas holiday travel season.

The official holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, and concludes at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28. The MSHP reminds travelers that Missouri is a hands-free state, meaning drivers must put down their phones and remain focused on the road.

Safety remains a primary concern following last year's holiday statistics. During a much shorter 30-hour counting period in 2024, the patrol reported 295 traffic crashes statewide. Those incidents resulted in five fatalities and 133 injuries.

To further prevent tragedies, the patrol advises drivers to obey all traffic laws, adjust speeds for winter weather, and ensure every passenger is buckled up or secured in an appropriate child safety seat. Officials emphasized that there is no excuse for speeding, aggressive driving, or operating a vehicle while impaired.

Sgt. Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph says, "If your holiday plans include alcohol, just plan ahead. Make sure you have a sober driver. Don't chance it. Not only is your life at risk, but so is the life of every other motorist on the roadway."

Hux notes that even though the weather is supposed to be warm, it can change rapidly in Northwest Missouri. "Plan ahead for inclement weather. We just want everyone to have a safe holiday season."

Due to ongoing road construction, travelers are encouraged to use the MoDOT Traveler Information Map app or website to plan their routes. The tool provides real-time updates on road closures, work zones, and potential delays.

The public can report criminal activity, dangerous driving, or emergencies by calling the patrol's emergency line at 800-525-5555 or dialing *55.

Hux says all available troopers will be out working during the holiday travel period.

Missouri State Highway Patrol urges safety ahead of Christmas holiday travel

By:&nbsp;<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>

Missouri is trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/app/uploads/2025/12/Petition-for-Declaratory-Judgment-against-HB1.pdf" target="_blank">illegally enact a gerrymandered congressional map</a>&nbsp;in violation of a century of constitutional precedent, a lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges.&nbsp;

The ACLU of Missouri filed the lawsuit in Cole County on behalf of two Jackson County residents against Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. At the heart of the litigation is the state’s decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/09/missouri-gerrymander-congressional-map-referendum/">allow the congressional map approved by lawmakers in September to take effect</a>&nbsp;despite a referendum campaign turning in 305,000 signatures to place it on the ballot.&nbsp;

The decision runs contrary to how the process has worked for more than 100 years, said Tori Schafer, director of policy and campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri.

In a statement released before the lawsuit was filed, Hanaway defended the move, saying the map will only be suspended if and when Hoskins verifies enough signatures have been submitted — a process that could take until July.&nbsp;

“Our office will continue to defend the Constitution and ensure that Missouri’s laws are strictly adhered to during this process,” Hanaway said.

If the map is allowed to go into effect, county clerks and local election boards will be asked to update voter rolls to show which district includes each voter. And it means the new map would be used for candidate filing that begins in February.

By the time signatures are verified in July, it would be too late to change the ballot for the August 2026 primaries.&nbsp;

“Given that the filing period for congressional candidates begins on Feb. 24, 2026, this is a transparent ploy to force the use of (the) new congressional map by delaying certification of the referendum’s signatures until it is too late to change the congressional map for the 2026 midterms,” the lawsuit states.&nbsp;

Historically, when a referendum campaign has submitted signatures to put a law on the ballot, that law has been immediately suspended pending a vote of the people.&nbsp;

That’s what happened in 2017, when then-Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft suspended a right-to-work law after a coalition of labor unions submitted 300,000 signatures. The law never ended up going into effect because it was defeated by voters a year later.&nbsp;

But the precedent goes back much further.&nbsp;

In 1914, the Missouri Supreme Court held that once citizens submit signatures, the challenged law is automatically suspended until voters decide its fate. The court warned that allowing a law to take effect while under referendum would gut the people’s constitutional power and turn the process into a sham.

Half a century later, the court explicitly said the purpose of a referendum is to suspend or annul a law before it has gone into effect. Allowing a law to take effect and then later be suspended, the court warned, would invite instability and confusion.

Prior to 2017, the last time the referendum was deployed was 1982. Then-Secretary of State James Kirkpatrick put a new trucking law on hold after signatures were submitted for a referendum. A lawsuit demanding immediate implementation was dismissed, and the law was repealed by voters.

Lawsuit alleges Missouri officials are ignoring constitution to enact gerrymandered map

Corn futures were higher, with trade pressing back toward the next level of nearby resistance with flat to soft spread action in a quiet session into the break. Ethanol margins are seeing a little pressure from corn gains as unleaded remains at the lower end of the range. Basis will likely remain steady to softer into the holiday weeks.

Soybean futures were higher, with meal leading the product complex heading into the break as we continue to ease oversold conditions. South American weather looks to remain mostly good into the end of the months with key growing areas in the best shape. Basis will likely remain soft into the end of the year.

Wheat futures were higher, with winter wheats leading again as KC pushes back past nearby resistance this morning and Chicago gets closer to testing its resistance as well. Southern Hemisphere harvest will start heading to the homestretch soon. Weather for the Plains looks to cool a little from the weekend with short term moisture remaining limited. On the KC March chart, support is the 20-day moving average at $5.23, which we are consolidating above, with resistance the Upper Bollinger Band at $5.40.

The live cattle complex is traded mostly lower into Wednesday's closing bell as traders had mostly checked out ahead of the holiday. And with the market's 100-day moving average still remaining a barrier, which the complex has yet to be able to challenge, a lower trend is most likely to remain the market's theme through the week's end. A few bids are currently on the table in the fed cash cattle market, but nothing sizeable has developed following Tuesday's light trade. On Tuesday, there was some light trade noted in the North at $356 to $357, which is steady to $1.00 lower than last week's weighted average, and some Southern live cattle traded at $229, which is $2.00 higher than last week's weighted average. Some light clean up trade could happen between now and Friday, but this week's trade isn't expected to amount to much.

While the live cattle complex traded mostly lower, the feeder cattle contracts moved the opposite direction of the live cattle market and traded mostly higher for the bulk of the session but faded to end narrowly mixed into the day's closing bell. It's quite impressive that the feeder cattle complex has been able to maintain its position above the market's 100-day moving average without much support from the live cattle complex.

The lean hog complex was again trading lower into Wednesday's close, after seeing the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, and with the holiday sluggishness setting in. It's likely that the market will look for reassurance fundamentally again before it challenges the resistance at $90.00.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/24124738/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity market daily recap

Congressional Republicans plan to revive stalled farm bill negotiations in January after failing to pass a new measure by year’s end, extending uncertainty for farmers facing high costs, inflation and trade disruptions. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson said he hopes to schedule a committee markup ahead of a Jan. 30 funding deadline, though he acknowledged it may be difficult to attach the bill to must-pass spending legislation. The delay means Congress will enter a third year without updating major agriculture policy. Lawmakers remain divided over whether a traditional five-year farm bill is still achievable. 

Thompson and Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman say progress remains possible, even in an election year. But some policy experts are skeptical, noting recent budget legislation sharply expanded farm subsidies while cutting food assistance, weakening the longstanding political link between the two. Congress extended the 2018 farm bill for another year in November, giving lawmakers until Sept. 30, 2026, to enact a replacement.

Lawmakers divided on whether farm bill can be passed in 2026

Two railroad companies submitted a comprehensive application to the Surface Transportation Board requesting approval to combine two major freight railroads into what would be the first transcontinental railroad in America. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern filed the request late last week, representing what could be a landmark development in the U.S. They’re proposing to create a unified rail network across the nation from coast to coast. 

Reports say that the almost 7,000-page application gives a specific explanation on how the combination would enhance competition throughout the freight industry while delivering public benefits to their customers, employees, and communities across the country. The merger agreement, which outlines that Union Pacific is acquiring Norfolk Southern, was put in place on July 29, 2025, setting the stage for the regulatory application. The move isn’t without critics, as it has drawn opposition from trade groups, unions representing engineers and track workers, and rival carrier BNSF.

Historic rail merger application filed

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

Tuesday was, as expected, another very quiet session across row-crop futures, with markets falling from early day gains amid a lack of volume required to build momentum to break through technical ceilings. Another round of solid export data from USDA, this time for the week ended Dec. 11 offered some strength, which was countered by at least a temporary unwinding of some of the surge seen in vegetable oil markets on Monday, specifically canola and soybean oil. Palm oil futures in the meanwhile remained sharply higher. Outside markets for Tuesday saw higher equity markets after U.S. third quarter GDP was reported well above expectations and the highest quarterly growth for the U.S. economy at annual rate of 4.3%. Energy markets were mixed to higher as well.

To no one's real surprise, following Monday's stronger trade, the live cattle complex was back to trading lower as the market's resistance at its 100-day moving average remains a difficult barrier to conquer. Still no cash cattle trade has developed, and the week's volume will likely be rather thin given that it's the week of Christmas and packers will run reduced kill schedules both this week and next. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $3.04 ($359.83) and select up $1.18 ($351.87) with a movement of 58 loads (38.91 loads of choice, 4.72 loads of select, 5.32 loads of trim and 8.78 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex also traded lower, again seeming to follow the direction of the live cattle complex closely. But even with the market's slight downturn, the spot March contract is still currently trading above its 100-day moving average.

The lean hog complex was rallying into Tuesday's close, waiting for the highly anticipated Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report to be shared later this afternoon. The nearby April contract is currently trading above the market's resistance threshold at $90.00, which was a significant move this morning.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/23140213/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The Department of Agriculture does not plan to issue additional emergency farm aid beyond the recently announced $12 billion assistance package, even as financial stress deepens across the farm sector, said Richard Fordyce, USDA's undersecretary for farm production and conservation. The payments are intended to help producers cope with low commodity prices, elevated production costs and reduced export demand tied to ongoing trade tensions. But economists and farm advocates warn many operations may continue to struggle without further support or stronger export growth. 

U.S. agriculture has traditionally posted trade surpluses, but rising imports and slowing exports have pushed the sector into a widening trade deficit. That shift has weighed heavily on farm income, particularly for row-crop producers dependent on foreign markets. USDA officials say budget constraints and existing authorities limit the department’s ability to offer more aid in the near term. Many farmers, however, say long-term relief will depend less on direct payments and more on expanded trade opportunities.

USDA signals no additional farm aid beyond $12B Package

A new USDA labeling rule takes effect Jan. 1, tightening standards for when meat, poultry and egg products may be identified as a product of the United States. Under the regulation, finalized in March 2024, companies may use labels such as “Product of USA” or “Made in USA” only if the animals were born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Meat from animals imported live for feeding or processing no longer qualifies.

 Products that are minimally processed may use qualified claims, such as noting they were sliced or packaged domestically using imported meat. The rule does not require companies to use U.S.-origin labels, but any firm that does must maintain records supporting the claim. USDA will generically approve labels without additional verification programs. The regulation applies only to domestic sales, not exports. Critics warn it could strain trade ties, particularly with Canada and Mexico, and discourage imports of live animals.

'Product of USA' meat labeling rule takes effect Jan. 1

March corn closed up 3 1/4 cents and May corn was up 3 cents. January soybeans closed up 4 cents and March soybeans were up 5 1/2 cents. March KC wheat closed up 6 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 5 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 1 cent.

With the winter season officially underway, row crops kicked off Christmas week with a subdued trading session which saw mostly higher prices. Higher energy futures were the primary bullish driver for Monday with crude oil futures up for a fourth consecutive session and after hitting almost five-year lows last week, on renewed geopolitical risk premium as the U.S. has seized two Venezuelan oil tankers and is reportedly pursuing a third to start the week. Also adding to the unease is heightened Russian attacks on key Ukrainian export infrastructure, at least temporarily giving pause to what had been growing hopes for peace in that area. This gave a boost to vegetable oil markets to start the week, with soybean oil posting just the third positive session out of the past ten.

Following last week's bullish Cattle on Feed report and somewhat bullish fed cash cattle trade, the live cattle contracts traded higher into Monday's closing bell and are again trading alongside the market's 100-day moving average. Traders would like to conquer that threshold, but without knowing for sure how much fundamental support is going to remain in the market, given that it will be a holiday-shortened week both this week and next, traders remain cautious about breaking through that barrier right now. It is helpful to note boxed beef prices were higher again today, showing ample consumer support heading into the Christmas holiday. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Texas and Kansas, but lower in Nebraska/Colorado. Last week Northern dressed cattle traded at mostly $355 to $358, which is $2.00 to $4.00 higher than the previous week's weighted average, but Southern live cattle traded at mostly $228, which is $2.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average.

Today is the first chance that traders have had to fully react to Friday's bullish Cattle on Feed report, and they boldly continued to push the feeder cattle contracts higher, incrementally moving the contracts past the 100-day moving average. Given the strong note of higher boxed beef prices this morning, and the higher trend in the live cattle contracts, it's likely that the market will be able to maintain this rally through the day's close.

The lean hog contracts traded slightly higher into Monday's close as traders are hopeful that more support will develop and allow the contracts to trade above the resistance at $90.00. Do note that on Tuesday (tomorrow), the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report will be released.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/22140141/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

USDA has approved stricter limits on what Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients can buy, with changes set to take effect in 2026 in multiple states. Under the waivers, states can redefine “food for purchase” to exclude items such as candy, soda, energy drinks and other products deemed unhealthy. Six states — including Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia — received USDA approval this week, joining others that have already adopted similar rules under the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. 

Federal officials, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, say the changes aim to align SNAP with nutritional goals and reduce diet-related chronic illnesses. Implementation details will vary by state, with some plans already targeting specific categories like sugary beverages. The effort has sparked debate among advocates and critics over the balance between nutritional policy and food access for low-income households.

SNAP purchase limits approved for 2026

Leaders of the House Agriculture Committee say Congress may need to step in with at least $10 billion in additional aid for U.S. farmers, beyond the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program recently announced by the Trump administration. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, said the administration’s program, while helpful, does not go far enough to support all sectors of agriculture. The current package is largely aimed at row crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat, with about $1 billion set aside for other commodities. 

Thompson said industries including dairy, timber and specialty crops may require further assistance to help producers secure credit and remain viable into 2026. He emphasized that any supplemental aid should stabilize farms without replacing market forces. Meanwhile, USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce said budget constraints make a second aid package from the agency unlikely, leaving Congress as the primary option for more support. Senate Agriculture Committee leaders said they are waiting to see how far the current funds go before committing to a specific amount of additional aid.

Lawmakers propose additional aid for farmers

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

March corn closed up 3 cents and March corn was up 2 1/2 cents. January soybeans closed down 27 1/2 cents and March soybeans were down 27 1/4 cents. March KC wheat closed down 2 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 19 1/2 cents and March Minneapolis wheat was up 2 1/4 cents.

Row-crop futures were mostly moderately lower to close the week, with little fresh news to break the fall in soybean futures or encourage corn traders to challenge nearby price resistance. In outside markets, energy futures were mixed with higher crude oil and gasoline futures but sluggish diesel prices, which contributed to the pressure on oilseed markets to close the week. Equity markets were higher in quiet trade, with a higher U.S. Dollar Index as well for the third straight session.

Things were heating up in the cattle complex as the live cattle contracts were again pressing up against the market's 100-day moving average. Traders are seeming to hold their breath, patiently waiting to see what's going to develop in the Southern Plains as still no cattle have traded in that region. Bids are on the table in Kansas at $227, which is far below the asking price of $232 to $233, and asking prices in the North are holding steady at $358-plus. There was a light movement of trade in Nebraska at $358 Thursday afternoon, which is $4.00 higher than last week's weighted average. Boxed beef prices are higher: choice up $3.61 ($360.89) and select up $3.57 ($347.54) with a movement of 69 loads (43.73 loads of choice, 8.34 loads of select, 11.09 loads of trim and 6.32 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex pushed a dynamite rally into Friday's closing bell, as contracts were trading anywhere from $5.00 $6.00 higher. The spot March contract is currently trading above its 100-day moving average, seeming to feel well supported since the live cattle contracts are higher, fed cash cattle prices are stronger this week, and hopeful this afternoon's Cattle on Feed report will be bullish too. Time will tell.

The lean hog complex was back to trading higher as traders seemed to have regained some faith in the market but are also feeling additionally supported by the day's slight uptick in pork cutouts. It's unlikely the market will challenge resistance at $90.00, but a steady tone could be maintained through the early parts of next week.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/19140646/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 4a.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

&nbsp;According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a 2015 Harley Davidson was southbound on West Pennway at 26th Street. The driver failed the negotiate the curve of the roadway. The motorcycle struck a light pole. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene. Police released no additional details on Christmas Day.

KCPD: Driver died after motorcycle strikes a light pole

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating after a victim was rescued from small lake in Kansas City on Christmas Eve.

Just after 11:45p.m. Wednesday, the Kansas City Fire Department was dispatched to a reported water rescue near the 8400 block of North Overland Court, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

First responders found a man who was in waist deep water and stuck in the mud, approximately 30-40 yards off the bank.&nbsp;Rescue crews deployed a rope bag, by throwing it out to the victim, who was able to grab it and was then assisted to shore at 12:16 a.m. 

The victim was evaluated by on-scene personnel and transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. It is unknown how he ended up in the water. The KCFD released no additional details.

KC emergency crews made water rescue Christmas Eve

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;A Texas woman was sentenced in federal court last week for her leadership role in a case that resulted in more than $250,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Daisha Sanders, formerly from Kansas City, Mo., 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 18 months imprisonment based upon her conspiracy to commit wire fraud relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Sanders conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf.&nbsp; Sanders received kickbacks of $5,000 for each of the $20,832 PPP loans. Sanders filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $270,820,33, which she was ordered to pay back in a restitution judgment.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.

Prison: Former KC woman led $250K fraud scheme

US launches strike against Islamic State militants in Nigeria

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the woman who died as 52-year-old Sherrie Baier.

&nbsp;Just after 10a.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to 27th&nbsp;and Quincy on a reported cutting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 When officers arrived, they located an adult female victim suffering from laceration wounds.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; While officers were on scene investigating, they received information about the location of a possible suspect.&nbsp;

Just before 10:30a.m., officers responded to the 6600 block of E 16th&nbsp;street to investigate the information they received.&nbsp; When they arrived, possible crime scene evidence was located, and they were directed to a residence on 16th Street.&nbsp; Inside, they discovered Baier suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp; KCFD EMS responded and pronounced her deceased on scene.&nbsp;

This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; A subject of interest was taken into custody on 16th Street, pending further investigation.&nbsp; Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incidents and if the scenes are related.&nbsp;

Police: 52-year-old woman died of 'bodily trauma' in KC home

Missouri was already unlikely to ever collect a dime, legal experts agree, and the countersuit could expose U.S. assets to retaliation

By:&nbsp;<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>

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has cast news that she is being sued by the Chinese government as a badge of honor, pointing to the lawsuit as proof that her&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-wants-to-seize-chinese-assets-to-recover-24-billion-judgment-in-covid-case/">aggressive push to collect on a roughly $25 billion</a>&nbsp;court judgment tied to the COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact.

But experts in international law say the lawsuit, filed in China earlier this year and announced last week by Hanaway, is more likely to do the opposite — making an already remote chance that Missouri will ever collect that money even slimmer, while potentially exposing U.S. assets abroad to retaliation.

Hanaway said last week in a news release that China is demanding a public apology from the state in a complaint filed in the Intermediate People’s Court of Wuhan, along with damages equivalent to $50.5 billion, legal fees and the right to seek additional compensation.

Local

Region

Sports

Agriculture