As promised, 14 of the best football teams from around the state of Missouri came to St. Joseph and put on seven great football games at Spratt Memorial Stadium at Missouri Western Stadium over the last three days.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The MSHSAA Show Me Bowl wrapped up on Saturday, with action from Classes 2, 4, and 6.&nbsp; The seven games over the three days of the event drew in several football fans from around the St. Joseph area, as well as several fans that followed their teams from all across the state, as far as the southwest part.&nbsp;

The action started on Thursday with the 8-man championship game between two teams from northwest Missouri, the Worth County Tigers and the Rock Port Blue Jays.&nbsp; A rematch of week one in the regular season, in which Rock Port won, Worth County came out on top 56-46, earning their first state title since 2017.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Friday, the odd classes battled.&nbsp; Class 3 took the field first with the Seneca Indians and Lift for Life Academy Hawks.&nbsp; The Indians held the lead throughout a tough battle, earning a 33-26 win, and their first state title since 1995 in their third consecutive trip to the championship game.&nbsp; Northwest Missouri featured again in the second game of Friday, with the Putnam County Midgets taking on the Tipton Cardinals.&nbsp; The Cardinals held the Midgets scoreless in the second half on way to a 39-14 win, for their first state championship in their first ever trip to the state title game.

Friday wrapped up with what may have been the best game of the weekend, again featuring northwest Missouri as the Platte County Pirates faced the Carthage Tigers.&nbsp; The two teams battled, the Pirates leading 21-7 at one point, before going to halftime tied at 21, ending up needing overtime for a 34-28 win for Platte County.&nbsp; It was the Pirates second consecutive state title.&nbsp; Also in the game, senior and Northwest Missouri State commit Adam Gisler ran for a 98 yard touchdown, which is the longest in MSHSAA Show Me Bowl history.

Saturday opened with the Class 4 championship game between the Kearney Bulldogs and the Hannibal Pirates.&nbsp; The Bulldogs retook the lead midway through the fourth quarter, winning 21-14 to take home another championship, after last winning one in 2023.&nbsp; The Class 2 championship between the Blair Oaks Falcons and St. Pius X Lancers of Festus was controlled by the Falcons from the opening quarter, scoring 31 in the second quarter, on way to a 59-0 win for their second consecutive championship.&nbsp;

Closing out the championships was another classic, between the Lee's Summit Tigers and the Nixa Eagles.&nbsp; Nixa led 28-21 at the halftime break, and both teams battled back and forth through the second half before the Tigers came away with a 41-37 win, earning their first state title in the programs history.&nbsp; In the game, standout running back Preston Hatfield had 457 rushing yards with four touchdowns, far surpassing the record held by Kyren Williams set in 2018 of 298 yards.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

MSHSAA High School football championships wrap up in St. Joseph

Law enforcement are asking for help to locate a suspect charged with sexual crimes against minors in four counties in Missouri, according to a statement from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Steven Andrew Bowman, Clinton, is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on multiple felony charges in Missouri, including sexual assault — sodomy, seven counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of statutory rape.

Bowman is described as 5-foot- 10 with black hair, brown eyes and weighs 250 pounds. Bowman has likely attempted to change his appearance, and may have gained or lost weight, changed his hair style or length and may have grown or shaved his facial hair.&nbsp;

There is a cash award for information leading to Bowman's arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshal's or local law enforcement.

Reward for information leading to arrest of Mo. child sex  crime suspect

KANSAS CITY – A Hammond, Indiana., man has been charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana in Daviess County, Missouri.

Nickolas J Burch, 36, was charged and had his initial appearance this week in a two-count criminal complaint, according to the United State's Attorney. Burch was charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

According to court documents, on Nov. 15, 2025, a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper was conducting routine patrol on I-35 northbound in Daviess County. He observed a black sport utility vehicle (SUV) overtaking his vehicle from the rear at 103 miles per hour. After the MSHP Trooper attempted to stop the SUV, it attempted to flee at a high rate of speed, ultimately reaching 128 miles per hour before crashing into a field.

Immediately after the crash the driver, later identified as Burch, exited the vehicle and fled on foot, carrying a red duffle bag over his shoulder.&nbsp; After a foot pursuit and resistance by Burch, law enforcement was ultimately able to take Burch into custody.

A red duffle bag was recovered from the field, which was dropped by Burch during the pursuit. and searched. Law enforcement located $205,950 in United States Currency.

A second duffel bag was in the second row of the SUV which contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine and 18 pounds of marijuana.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

128 mph chase: Alleged drug dealer caught with cocaine and $200k in cash

KFEQ Week in Review

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kevinhardy/">Kevin Hard</a>y

The minimum wage for workers will increase in 19 states and 49 cities and counties next month, with the wage floor reaching $15 per hour in dozens of localities, a new report found.

Though the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not increased since 2009, many state and local governments continue to increase minimums through legislation or scheduled increases tied to inflation.&nbsp;

An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nelp.org/insights-research/raises-from-coast-to-coast-in-2026/" target="_blank">annual report&nbsp;</a>from the National Employment Law Project, a nonprofit advocating for workers’ rights, found that 88 jurisdictions will raise their minimum wages by the end of 2026.

In January, Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase from $13.50 to $15 per hour, while Rhode Island will see an increase from $15 to $16 per hour.

All workers in Denver will see the minimum wage increase from $18.81 to $19.29 in January and the minimum in Flagstaff, Arizona, will increase from $17.85 to $18.35 per hour.&nbsp;

The increases come as rising costs of housing, food and utilities are pinching more workers across the country, said Yannet Lathrop, senior researcher and policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project who authored the report. Those costs are particularly challenging for lower-income workers, who are most likely to be affected by minimum wage changes.

“They are really struggling right now,” she said. “These wages basically mitigate the effects of inflation, the effects of the rising cost of living, and the difficulties so many people are having paying for basics, for food, for housing, for medicine — just the basics of life.”

Lathrop said research increasingly finds that higher wages improve educational outcomes, mental and physical health.

“Things that are going to benefit not just the workers, but also the communities and society as a whole,” she said. “I think that’s an important thing to keep in mind.”

Inflation has significantly eroded the buying power of the federal minimum wage since 2009.&nbsp;

Advocates say raising the wage floor helps low-wage workers cover the rising cost of essentials and boosts the economy by putting more money into the pockets of people who are likely to spend it. But many employers, especially small businesses, argue that raising the minimum wage forces them to cut workers or raise prices.

In Rhode Island, lawmakers this year proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText25/HouseText25/H5029.pdf" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;that would raise the minimum wage $1 per year, culminating with a $20 per hour minimum in 2030. But&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/03/05/minimum-wage-hike-bills-draw-maximum-crowds-to-r-i-state-house/" target="_blank">backlash</a>&nbsp;from business groups and economic uncertainty led the Democratic sponsor to successfully push for a “more measured approach” that includes hikes for the next two years rather than five, reaching a $17 hourly minimum by 2027.

That compromise didn’t persuade Republican opponents, who said even the more modest minimum wage change will force layoffs and consumer price hikes.&nbsp;

“The real minimum wage is $0,” said state House Minority Whip David Place, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/06/13/r-i-general-assembly-backs-hourly-minimum-wage-hike-to-16-in-2026-then-17-in-2027/" target="_blank">Rhode Island Current.</a>&nbsp;“That’s what they make when they get fired because business can’t afford to keep them.”

The minimum wage remains stagnant at $7.25 in 20 states, according to the National Employment Law Project. Those are primarily conservative-led states including Alabama, Iowa, Texas and Wyoming.&nbsp;

Last year, Missouri voters&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/" target="_blank">approved</a>&nbsp;a ballot measure ensuring paid sick leave and boosting the minimum wage to $15 per hour, with future increases tied to inflation.&nbsp;

But Republican lawmakers took aim at the changes in Jefferson City this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a move Democrats called “absolute disdain” for workers, GOP lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/10/missouri-gov-kehoe-signs-bill-repealing-paid-sick-leave/" target="_blank">passed a bill&nbsp;</a>repealing the paid sick leave provision and nixing the annual minimum wage increases tied to inflation. Missouri’s current $13.75 minimum wage will still rise to $15 next month but is no longer subject to future increases.

“Today, we are protecting the people who make Missouri work—families, job creators, and small business owners—by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach, and eliminating costly mandates,” Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a July statement when he signed the bill into law.&nbsp;

Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:khardy@stateline.org">khardy@stateline.org</a>.

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/12/03/dozens-of-cities-states-hiking-minimum-wages-in-2026-amid-federal-inaction/" target="_blank">Stateline</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Dozens of cities, states hiking minimum wages in 2026 amid federal inaction

CALDWELL COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Friday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 2007 Chevy Cobalt driven by a 27-year-old Hamilton man was westbound on U.S. 36 at Route J two miles south of Kidder. The car struck front drivers side of a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by a 53-year-old Shawnee, Kansas man who was stopped in the westbound lane of the highway facing south.

Caldwell County EMS transported both drivers to Liberty Hospital. The Chevy driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. he Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 hospitalized after car, semi crash

With Christmas right around the corner, a lot of people are shopping online and having packages delivered to their homes. Unfortuantley, that also means thieves are out looking for an easy score. There are several easy tips residents can take in order to keep their packages and belongings safe.

Buchannan County Sheriff Bill Puett says, "Don't let packages sit on your porch for hours and hours." He recommends coordinating with trusted neighbors to pick those packages up if you are going to be away from home during the day.

Puett adds, "Check with your employer to see if its okay to have packages shipped to your place of employment. That way you can take them home and they aren't sitting on your porch." 

Puett also says doorbell cameras are an excellent way to identify theives in case your packages are stolen.

Puett recommends if you are shopping at a store to keep your valuables hidden inside your vehicle or take them with you. "Thieves prowl for unlocked cars in parking lots. Cover your items up and keep them in the trunk of the vehicle."

One other tip Puett says is helpful in deterring thieves, is to tear and break down boxes after they are open. "Don't set a bunch of empty boxes on the curb. People driving by can identify boxes and know what items are present and new in your house. We just want everyone to stay safe and enjoy the holidays."

Buchanan County Sheriff offers simple tips to keep packages safe from thieves during the holidays

For a third year, the St. Joseph Sports Commission will bring Division One women's basketball to the Civic Arena.  

Director Brett Esely says once again the Kansas State women will come to St. Joseph to play basketball on Sunday 

"I always hate to weigh matchups and say one was better than the other, but arguably of the three years we’ve hosted this game their opponent this year is by far the best of the three as we welcome the #13 ranked team in the country, the Ole Miss Rebels to St. Joe,” Esely says on the KFEQmunnity show. 

The game will round out a weekend of sports after the Missouri high school football championships end on Saturday night. 

Esely says this year Kansas State comes in during a year of transition, so fans that come to the game will see some new faces 

"I think a lot of K State faithful and a lot of people who just enjoy good basketball have taken advantage of this opportunity,” Esely explains.  “It’s another wonderful opportunity for them this year.” 

On the other hand, Esely says the Rebels come into the matchup as one of the hottest teams in the nation currently 

"They’re undefeated, they’re #13 in the country, they had the number one transfer signing class in the country this year, and I know a couple of WNBA scouts will be on hand to watch some of their players, in addition to some of Kansas State’s players, that ask has already come,” Esely says. 

Esely says that alone should show the caliber of this matchup. The Rebels defeated number 18 Notre Dame 69 to 62 last night. 

Esely says often when it comes to Kansas State coming for this matchup, even in the third year, he's asked if this is an exhibition 

"No, this is a real game, uniforms and everything,” Esely says.  “I know this is a good basketball community, I know we have people that love to see great basketball, you have this right in your own backyard and I hope people have an opportunity to come down Sunday afternoon at 2’o clock and see a high level matchup.” 

Tickets are still available for the matchup.  The game will tipoff at 2pm on Sunday at the Civic Arena. 

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

High level women's college basketball comes to Civic Arena on Sunday

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

St. Joseph firefighters responded to a structure fire early Friday morning and rescued one person.

Fire investigator with the St. Joseph Fire Department, Casey Crockett, says firefighters were called to the scene at 2025 Jamesport Street. "The garage portion of the house was fully involved." According to Crockett, the fire took place around 3:00 - 3:30 a.m.

According to Crockett there was black smoke coming out of the door when it was opened and the caller said there was someone possibly trapped inside.

Fire crews worked quickly and rescued the person inside, before extinguishing the blaze.

Crockett says the individual was taken to the hospital for treatment. 

Firefighters from Engine 2, Quint 6, Engine 11, Rescue 10, Rescue 1, Truck 7, and Battalion Chief 33 responded to the scene.

St. Joseph firefighters rescue one person in structure fire

March corn closed down 2 1/2 cents and May corn was down 2 1/4 cents. January soybeans closed down 14 1/4 cents and March soybeans were down 12 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed down 2 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 4 1/2 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 0 cents.

March corn closed down 3 cents and March corn was down 3 1/2 cents. January soybeans closed down 32 1/2 cents and March soybeans were down 30 cents. March KC wheat closed up 3 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 2 3/4 cents and March Minneapolis wheat was down 5 cents.

The soybean market fell by double digits on Friday, and in four of the five sessions this week as traders are expressing growing impatience regarding where cumulative sales stand to China, despite USDA announcing a flash sale Friday morning, the first announcement for soybeans in a week. Corn and wheat futures displayed more resilience on Friday as compared to soybeans but slipped slightly amid spillover weakness as well as uncertainty regarding how USDA will forecast crop demand in next Tuesday's WASDE report, which will leave the supply side of the balance sheet unchanged and among record levels for corn and wheat. In outside markets, a relatively cool inflation reading in the delayed September Personal Consumption Expenditure Index keeps the Federal Reserve on track for a rate cut in their meeting next week. Energy markets were higher to close the week, having gained traction through the second half of the week after the meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Moscow has featured little follow-through news in regard to advancing peace talks in the Black Sea region.

The live cattle contracts traded higher into Friday's close, as traders remain pleased with the higher uptick thus far in the fed cash cattle market. On Thursday, some Northern dressed cattle traded at $340 to $345, which is $11.00 to $16.00 higher than last week's weighted average. The South remains at an utter standstill, but trade should begin to develop before the day is done. Asking prices for cattle in the South are set at $225 plus and in the North at $346 plus. Boxed beef prices are lower: choice down $0.04 ($362.68) and select down $0.84 ($349.48) with a movement of 100 loads (81.03 loads of choice, 8.93 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 10.25 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex also traded higher into Friday's closing bell, pushing mostly $1.00 advancements into the late afternoon. Currently, the spot January contract is trading above the market's 40-day moving average, which hasn't been done since Oct. 24, but the market isn't confident enough that there's enough support to conquer the 100-day moving average.

The lean hog contracts managed a fruitful day as the market continues to push onward and higher, currently pressuring the market's resistance at $82.00 in the spot February contract. It is helping that midday pork cutout values were up over $3.00 higher, which is a significant jump and helps traders feel as though demand will remain a key factor moving forward.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/05135801/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

USDA plans to roll out a short-term “bridge payment” for farmers next week, officials said Tuesday, in a bid to help growers survive tight margins and trade-related losses. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told White House colleagues a key purpose of the payment is to cushion crop producers after a year of depressed prices and significant drops in U.S. soybean sales to China. 

While the broader 2025 farm support package has received roughly $40 billion in commitments, the second highest since the 1930s, farming groups say some producers need immediate liquidity to cover seed, fertilizer and other input costs ahead of 2026 planting. Details, including how much each farmer may receive and which crops are eligible, remain unclear. Lawmakers expressed optimism that at least partial payments could be distributed before year’s end. 

U.S. officials to announce short-term “Bridge Payment” aid for farmers

Beef production in major exporting and consuming regions is projected to decline in 2025, with global output likely to remain under pressure heading into 2026, analysts at Rabobank reported this week. The report indicates the largest volume reductions are expected in the United States, which has faced shrinking herds and lower slaughter rates. That trend helps explain why other producers — particularly Australia — are expanding feedlot capacity to capitalize on weakened U.S. output. At the same time, production in several other major beef-producing countries — including New Zealand — is forecast to drop the most in percentage terms, driven by tighter margins, disease pressures and shifting global demand. 

Globally, exports of beef and beef products are expected to grow only modestly, as shrinking supplies and rising input costs limit expansion potential, the Rabobank analysis found. This downtrend could have ripple effects on beef prices worldwide — potentially boosting retail costs in importing countries and reshaping consumer supply chains just as demand recovers after pandemic-era disruptions. 

Global Forecast: beef production to fall further in 2025

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

U.S. ag futures regained at least part of the midweek losses seen in Wednesday's session. Corn, soybeans, and wheat markets all approached near-term support which encouraged buying as traders are likely satisfied to keep prices within their recent ranges for now, ahead of the USDA update early next week. Outside markets were quiet for Thursday, with mostly higher energy markets, while Treasury yields were mixed to higher which offered support to the U.S. Dollar Index which has fallen in eight of the past ten sessions.

The live cattle complex traded higher into Thursday's closing bell, although midday boxed beef prices were lower, traders are hopeful that the fed cash cattle market will trade cattle stronger later this week. A few bids are currently on the table at $218 live in Kansas, and $216 live and $335 to $340 dressed in Nebraska but no cattle have traded yet. Asking prices are firm at $225 in the South and $340 plus in the North. The market still has plenty of room to trade higher before it runs into resistance pressure, which will likely happen around the market's 100-day moving average ($231.33). Boxed beef prices are lower: choice down $0.78 ($363.03) and select down $3.22 ($349.90) with a movement of 86 loads (67.88 loads of choice, 14.18 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 4.39 loads of ground beef).

Upon seeing the live cattle contracts continue to trade higher, the feeder cattle complex pushed a moderate rally into Thursday's close. This week's rally hasn't only developed throughout the futures complex, but its support has also affected feeder cattle prices, which are trading higher in the countryside once again.

The lean hog complex also traded higher as the market continues to see adequate technical support, even though pork cutout values did not trade higher today. At this point, it's likely that the bulk of this week's trade in the cash hog market is essentially done with, although a few more clean-up sales still could develop.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/04144253/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Burks Tractor, an Idaho-based dealership, filed a lawsuit against Monarch Tractor of California. The suit accuses the California-based startup of a breach of contract and warranty violations after its tractors failed to operate autonomously. The dealership said the ten tractors it bought via interest-bearing financing for almost $800,000 are defective and didn’t live up to the driver-optional, or autonomous, claims of the company. Burks bought the tractors in early 2024 with the intent of being among the California company’s first retail dealers. 

Burks said Monarch misrepresented the tractors as fully autonomous and not limited by location or time. An article in Farm Equipment Magazine said Monarch attempted to make the units work autonomously but failed, eventually admitting to the limitations but refusing to take back the defective inventory. A November 19 letter from Monarch Tractor’s HR Department to 102 employees warned of pending layoffs while changing the business to software licensing.

Farm equipment dealer sues tractor manufacturer

After a tariff war stalled trade for months, reports showed shipments of U.S. crops headed to China are picking up in number. At least six large cargo vessels are scheduled to fill up with soybeans at Gulf Coast terminals through mid-December. A shipping schedule that was seen by Reuters this week said a seventh U.S. soybean cargo was loaded during the previous weekend and is already headed to China, the first shipment since May. 

While the White House announced that China agreed to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of this month, Beijing has yet to confirm any details about potential promises to purchase large volumes of U.S. soybeans. USDA data said Chinese importers booked nearly two million metric tons of U.S. soybeans last month for delivery in the 2025-2026 marketing year that ends in August 2026. U.S. sorghum shipments have also restarted to China.

More soybean shipments heading to China

March corn closed down 6 1/2 cents and May corn was down 6 3/4 cents. January soybeans closed down 9 cents and March soybeans were down 9 1/2 cents. March KC wheat closed down 3 1/2 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 2 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 4 1/2 cents.

Corn, soybean, and wheat markets fell under technical pressure as the state of post-harvest rallies has entered a period of limbo with traders likely searching for clarity on lingering fundamental questions such as the supply side of the corn balance sheet, as well as the uncertain nature of the demand for U.S. soybeans in China. Prices may remain rangebound but below immediate resistance ahead of the December USDA update due out early next week which may offer insight into some of these areas of concern. Outside markets for Wednesday saw equities trade higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average higher now in eight of the past ten sessions and once again closing in on record levels. The U.S. Dollar Index was softer for the seventh time in the past eight business days and remains at the bottom of the monthly range for the Index.

The live cattle complex traded modestly higher into Wednesday's close, thankful to again see stronger boxed beef prices. The market initially opened lower at Wednesday's start, but upon seeing improved fundamentals, traders felt as though there was enough support in the market to justify trading the contracts higher. Still no cash cattle trade has developed, but asking prices are noted in the South at $225, and are still not established in the North. It is assumed that cash prices will be higher this week with the uptick in boxed beef prices and with the board's support. The other factor that could be helping drive the cattle contracts higher is the announcement from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller that another detection of New World screwworm (NWS) was found in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, which is approximately 120 miles south of the Texas border. This development could mean that the border will stay closed longer than assumed.

With the live cattle market's support, the feeder cattle complex traded over $3.00 higher into Wednesday's noon hour. It was rather impressive to note some of the sales made Tuesday afternoon at sale barns across the country as some were trading $20.00 to $30.00 higher, with instances as much as $50.00 higher than the week before. That obviously showed up in the CME feeder cattle index as well, which jumped $12.66 to $332.36. Today's support of the futures contracts should only encourage more buying in sale barns this afternoon.

After enduring a couple days of weaker trade, the lean hog complex was back to trading higher as the market is no longer up against immediate resistance pressure. Helping encourage traders to send the contracts higher is also the fact that pork cutout values are a tick stronger.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/03141153/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Farmer sentiment strengthened in November as rising crop prices and improved export prospects pushed the Purdue University/CME Group’s Ag Economy Barometer to 139, the highest level since June. Much of the increase was driven by a sharp 15-point jump in future expectations, even as current conditions held steady. The Future Expectations Index rose 15 points to 144. Financial outlooks improved alongside a 10-15 percent rally in fall-delivery corn and soybean bids, helping offset weaker cattle prices in the livestock sector. 

However, producers remain cautious as capital investment slipped further, and fewer farmers say today is a good time to expand. Long-term farmland value expectations reached a record high, while most corn producers anticipate stable cash rental rates heading into 2026. The survey also showed shifting crop production strategies as growers respond to projected tight operating margins, including lower-cost seed traits, reduced phosphorus applications, and adjustments to seeding and nitrogen rates. 

Future outlook drives farmer sentiment higher

The U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council’s 2025-2026 Corn Harvest Quality Report contained some good news about this year’s large corn crop. The 15th annual survey showed that the 2025 U.S. corn crop is projected to be the largest on record at 425.53 million metric tons, or 16,752 bushels. The crop is also highlighted by the lowest rate of broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) in the report’s history, a remarkable accomplishment for the entire corn value chain. 

This year’s crop, on average, is entering the market with characteristics that met or exceeded each grade factor’s numerical requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade corn. The report showed 87 percent of the samples met all grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade, and 97.8 percent met the grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 2 grade corn. The report is based on 621 yellow corn samples taken from 12 top corn-producing states.  

Large 2025 U.S. corn crop in excellent condition

A junior at Northwest Missouri State University has received a $500 scholarship named in memory of a Savannah native.

Kiara Schaub, of Savannah, Missouri, is currently studying agronomy with a focus on crop science.&nbsp;She is the daughter of Clint and Shelly Schaub.

The Matthew White Memorial Scholarship is an endowed scholarship awarded to a continuing student at Northwest in an agriculture-related major. 

Information from the university says a scholarship of at least $500 is awarded with preference to graduates of Savannah High School, North Andrew High School in Rosendale and students from Missouri or Iowa.&nbsp;

Matthew White was a student at the university who completed his sophomore year as an agriculture business major when he died in an automobile crash in 2005. White's parents, Steve and Julie, of Savannah, established the scholarship in 2006. Both parents are alumni of Northwest.

Northwest Missouri State University student receives scholarship in memory of Savannah native

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a theft at a department store in Topeka.

Just before 10:30a.m. Friday, police responded to the report of a theft at TJ Maxx, 2170 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka, according to a media release from Topeka Police.

A woman reported her purse had been stolen from a shopping cart in the business.

A suspect grabbed the purse and ran from TJ Maxx into the nearby Target store where he was restrained by three citizens, prior to police arrival. The victim’s purse and contents were recovered. There were no reported injuries.

As a result of the on-scene investigation, Rakeem S. Grant, 26, Topeka, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Battery; simple, Theft; Purse Snatching; Unknown Value, Theft; &lt; $1,500 Shoplifting

The Topeka Police Department reminded shoppers this holiday season to stay aware and stay safe with these shopping safety tips:

Carry your purse in front of you, not behind. If it’s in a cart, place it nearest to you, keep it zipped or buttoned, and secure it to the cart using a carabiner or the built-in buckle strap.

Whenever possible, choose one method of payment—cash or card. ATMs can put you in a vulnerable spot, and skimmers remain a risk.

Visible bags and boxes in your vehicle can attract thieves. Place items in the trunk or out of sight under a blanket or sheet to reduce temptation for criminals.

4. Have your keys ready before walking to your car.

Locate and hold your keys while still inside the store or mall. Avoid looking down and fumbling through your purse in the parking lot—it makes you an easier target for crime.

5. Lock your doors immediately once inside your vehicle. This simple step can prevent someone from attempting to enter your car unexpectedly.

3 citizens hold Kansas purse theft suspect until police arrive

🎥Trump awards medals to country music legend, other Kennedy Center honorees 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug allegations.

Just after 3a.m. Nov. 29,&nbsp; a sheriff's deputy with conducted a traffic stop on a blue 2008 Ford Taurus near SW Huntoon Street and SW Lincoln Street, according to Shawnee County Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, were located. Roger K. Kelley, 63, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections on requested charges, Criminal possession of a weapon by felon and Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

Kansas felon is back in jail on drug allegations

Company owner says the seized products were a small portion of the total inventory, and employees were allowed to continue production while feds were there

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>

Federal agents this week seized 73,000 products containing 7-hydroxymitragine, commonly known as 7-OH, from three Kansas City-area warehouses.

The seized products included things like power bars, pills and liquids shots that are made with a concentrate of 7-OH, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/16/fda-warns-kansas-city-manufacturer-of-illegal-marketing-pain-relieving-pills/">the main opioid-inducing element in kratom</a>.&nbsp;

The action came out of a partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Justice Department, according to the DOJ’s<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/justice-department-seizes-unlawful-7-oh-products-three-warehouses" target="_blank">&nbsp;press release issued Tuesday</a>.

“While 7-OH occurs naturally in trace amounts in the plant kratom, products containing 7-OH as an added ingredient can be dangerous,” states a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26338216-shaman-complaint/" target="_blank">civil forfeiture complaint filed on Nov. 21</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. “In the human body, 7-OH is able to bind to opioid receptors, raising concerns about its potential for abuse.”

7-OH products are advertised as improving chronic pain and “mental clarity,” and they are sold in Missouri smoke shops, gas stations, convenience stores and online shops.&nbsp;

The FDA sent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/16/fda-warns-kansas-city-manufacturer-of-illegal-marketing-pain-relieving-pills/">warning letters</a>&nbsp;in June to the facility owners, Shaman Botanicals LLC and Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, stating the 7-OH products were considered “adulterated” and their labels were illegal under federal food laws.

On Nov. 12 and 13, FDA officials did an unannounced inspection of the three facilities, where they tagged and detained 76,000 units. Vince Sanders, who owns Shaman Botanicals LLC, said the company had the opportunity to appeal the FDA’s action, which they did. Shaman was the first company to make 7-OH products, Sanders said.

The DOJ filed a complaint to seize the detained products on Nov. 21, and officials from the FDA and U.S. Marshal Service seized the tagged boxes on Tuesday.

“The 7-OH products seized are illegal under federal law and pose risks to consumers, including children,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “We are committed to helping American consumers protect themselves from dangerous chemicals posing as health products.”

Price said the department will continue to work with the FDA “to ensure illegal products never enter the stream of commerce and pursue all possible civil and criminal remedies against those who violate federal laws.”

However, Sanders told The Independent Thursday the seized units were only a small portion of the 7-OH products that were at the warehouse during the FDA’s November inspection. And his employees were allowed to continue making products while the federal agents were tagging and later seizing products in the warehouse.&nbsp;

“This is the craziest part,” Sanders said. “We literally sat there continuing to make the same products that they were taking.”

Sanders said the agents explained that they were targeting the finished packages, but there were many more finished products in the warehouse than the ones that were detained and ultimately seized.&nbsp;

In the FDA’s June warning letter, the agency deemed that 7-OH is a “new dietary ingredient.” The letter states that a dietary supplement is adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act if it contains a new dietary ingredient that doesn’t have enough evidence to show it isn’t dangerous.

“Because there is inadequate information available to provide a reasonable assurance that 7-OH does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury, it is illegal to sell dietary supplement products containing it as an ingredient,” the release states.&nbsp;

Sanders told The Independent in July that his company conducted three research studies on the products, including using rodents and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25999061-dfr-mgn-25-001-27jun25-crrdoc/" target="_blank">beagles</a>, which he believes shows the products are safe.

“This is just destroying something that has the potential to save hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives long term,” Sanders said.

He said there will likely be a hearing on the recent action in the next few weeks.

On the same day the DOJ’s complaint was filed on Nov. 21,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/21/missouri-ag-launches-investigation-into-manufacturers-of-kratom-7-oh/">Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway</a>&nbsp;sent “civil investigative demand” letters to Sanders’ company and six other producers and distributors of 7-OH products.

The letters mandate the company hand over multiple types of documents, including lab test results, research on health risks and safety label information.

Consumers, Hanaway said in a press release, “may be exposed to unapproved, unsafe and deceptively marketed opioid-like drugs.”

According to the letters sent to each company, the attorney general’s investigation targets the distribution of products containing 7-OH or “any part of the plant Mitragyna speciosa,” which is the kratom plant.

“We are deeply concerned,” Hanaway said, “that Missourians are being sold drug-like substances under the guise of harmless supplements, with no FDA approval, no safety testing, and in some cases no meaningful disclosure of what these products actually contain.”

Feds seize thousands of 7-OH products from Kansas City warehouses

SHAWNEE COUNTY—A wanted fugitive is in custody after an arrest in Shawnee County.

On December 2, sheriff deputies were investigating the occupants of a vehicle at the KWIK Shop near Morse and Topeka, according to Deputy Abigal Christian. Deputies identified a possible wanted subject. The driver was immediately detained, and the passenger ran.

With assistance from patrol deputies, a K-9 Unit, a drone and the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), deputies conducted a search of the neighborhood west of the KWIK Shop and successfully apprehended the fleeing suspect.

Danny J. Belisle Jr., 50, of Topeka, was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department&nbsp; of Corrections on requested charges of Felony interference with law enforcement. Belisle also had two felony warrants for his arrest

Drone and sheriff's K9 helped catch wanted Kansas suspect

Patients of NKC Health in North Kansas City finally learned in late November that their data was compromised in ‘one of the most massive breaches in the health care industry’

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">Suzanne King</a>

In January, hackers gained access to a cache of Cerner electronic health records stored on a legacy network.

But some patients whose sensitive health and financial information may have been exposed are only now being notified — and many others still haven’t been told.

NKC Health, formerly North Kansas City Hospital, is one of the most recent hospitals to let patients know about a cyber incident involving Cerner, now Oracle Health. The Nov. 25&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nkchealth.org/news-and-media/notice-cerner-cyber-security-event" target="_blank">notice</a>&nbsp;said the hospital had only “recently learned” of the incident, which has been unraveling for months and reportedly dates back to January.

About a dozen hospitals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/ehrs/oracle-health-data-breach-hits-3-more-states/" target="_blank">across the country</a>, including Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri, have sent similar notices to patients. Oracle has not publicly disclosed the number of hospitals involved or how many patients may have been affected.

But Elena A. Belov, a lawyer representing victims of the data breach in a federal class action lawsuit filed in the Western District of Missouri, said she has been told by Oracle’s attorneys that 80 hospitals’ patient records may have been involved. And that could amount to millions of victims.

“This is one of the most massive breaches in the health care industry in the last couple of years,” said Belov, who practices with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.almeidalawgroup.com/" target="_blank">Almeida Law Group</a>. “We still don’t know the entire universe. The list of affected hospitals has not been made public.”

Oracle Health, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/oracle-gets-european-approval-28m-cerner-deal-set-close-next-week" target="_blank">acquired</a>&nbsp;North Kansas City-based Cerner for $28 billion in 2022, did not reply to requests for comment about the incident. The company is the country’s second-largest electronic medical records vendor, managing patient data for about 20% of the nation’s hospitals and doctors’ offices.

News reports about the January data breach said it involved data on Cerner’s old network that had not yet been transferred to Oracle’s cloud network.

While details of the Cerner data breach began appearing in news reports last spring, and the company started informing customers about the incident this summer, Oracle did not announce it to the media, and left it up to its health care clients to report the breach to patients and to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights’&nbsp;<a href="https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf" target="_blank">Breach Portal</a>.

“It goes to the big problem we have,” Belov said. “Even huge companies who are in the business of digital security like Oracle are not paying enough attention to security.”

Data security experts said the Cerner network hack illustrates just how vulnerable patients’ health and financial information can be.

During the first 11 months of 2025, health care organizations reported 493 data compromises, which involved more than 34 million victims, according to the<a href="https://www.idtheftcenter.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Identity Theft Resource Center</a>, a nonprofit that tracks and works to prevent such incidents.

Until 2024, health care accounted for the most data breaches of any industry for six years in a row. But last year the financial industry took the top spot and health care came in second. The trend continued this year.

James E. Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said health care is particularly vulnerable to cyber attackers because it is so large and diverse.

“There are small providers in small towns, all the way to huge multinational health care organizations and everything in between,” he said.

Health care involves hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, labs and insurance companies, all of which have access to patients’ personal information, including identity data like Social Security numbers, names and addresses; financial data like credit card information; and personal health information like diagnoses and medications.

All it takes to break in is one legitimate login and password at one point in the system. That leaves plenty of room for weak links, Lee said.

Companies like Cerner, which digitize health records so every doctor and hospital has easy access to patient charts, have become a major part of the system. From its beginnings in 1979, Cerner’s founders promised the electronic management of health records would cut costs and bring better care.

“The idea of digitizing the records — from a patient perspective — was a good one,” Lee said. “What we didn’t anticipate, and it is true across all industries, is the level to which professional criminals would become engaged. These are professional, multinational organizations, not some kid sitting in a basement drinking Red Bull.”

NKC Health’s statement said its patients’ records may have been accessed as early as Jan. 22, but Oracle Health only informed them about the incident recently.

In its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nkchealth.org/news-and-media/notice-cerner-cyber-security-event" target="_blank">notice to patients</a>, NKC said Oracle Health told the hospital that “law enforcement investigators” had urged it to delay notifying patients and hospital customers “because it could have impeded their investigation.”

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the federal law that deals with patient privacy, requires health care providers and their associates to notify patients when sensitive information has been compromised “without unnecessary delay,” and no later than 60 days after an incident. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-D" target="_blank">the law makes an exception</a>&nbsp;if law enforcement requests a delay.

News organizations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/fbi-investigating-cyberattack-oracle-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-03-28/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;in March that the FBI was looking into the attack, and in April, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2025/04/16/cisa-releases-guidance-credential-risks-associated-potential-legacy-oracle-cloud-compromise" target="_blank">security alert</a>, warning that “the nature of the reported activity presents potential risk to organizations and individuals.”

Oracle has informed some of its hospital and physician practice customers about the data breach individually.

Belov called the lack of transparency “really dismaying.”

“We’re losing valuable time for people to protect their information and their identities,” she said. “This is going to be a huge problem.”

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