Work is coming along on the Buchanan County Fairgrounds, but even while work is happening, so are events within the old East Buchanan Middle School 

Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson says even while construction on the arena is happening, things are happening in the school building that is nos turned into an event space 

"We’re not waiting for the first cow to come in with a 4H judge to judge it and things like that, that’s not our go time, that can’t happen until the arena is done,” Nelson says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “But prior to that, the event space we had a concert, and we have a wedding reception, things like that.” 

Nelson says even a summer camp has asked to utilize the space for activities for its kids within the space around the facility.  

This past Saturday the event space within the old middle school in Easton got its first trial run with a concert held by Bea and the Boys 

“They were hoping to get 80 people out there, and we had no idea but we had the place set up, we had a bunch of volunteers and it wasn’t just volunteers from the school board, there were volunteers from the community that came out and helped that are behind this project as an idea in and of itself,” Nelson explains.  “And they ended up with I think 170 people out there that night, and it was full and they were having a good time.” 

Nelson says the event was well attended by community members, and he heard mass support for the project. 

There are other events that are already scheduled even during construction of the arena. You can visit the Buchanan County Fairgrounds Facebook page for more information. 

Despite the cold winter weather, construction is continuing at the Buchanan County Fairgrounds, and things are still on track.  

Nelson says now with the beams of the building up and going 

“They have the walls and insulation up at least on the west wall, probably on the south wall if not all of it, and they’ve continued on around,” Nelson says.  “I’m going to say the whole wall up on the south is probably up, the whole wall on the west is up and insulated.” 

Nelson says once the walls are up and the exterior work is completed the roof should be the next step to go on, keeping them on track to be done with that phase this year.  

Nelson says once the first phase is complete, then it is on to work on getting the correct dirt inside the arena as well as pens and water to make it functional for showing animals. 

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

Events taking place at Buchanan County Fairgrounds as work continues

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce has announced a series of upcoming public forums designed to connect voters with local candidates ahead of the spring elections.

The series kicks off with a Mayoral Candidate Forum on Jan. 28, at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center. The event will be moderated by Kevin Waltman and is intended to provide a platform for candidates to discuss their platforms and visions for the city. The event takes place from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and breakfast will be served. 

For those unable to attend in person, the forum will be broadcast the following morning on 680 KFEQ.

Following the mayoral event, the Chamber will host additional sessions in March focused on candidates for the St. Joseph School District Board of Education and the City Council.

Due to limited seating, registration and a fee are required to attend the forums. The cost for Chamber members is $15 and $25 for non-members. The price includes the full breakfast.

Community members can secure their spot by contacting the Chamber at 816-232-4461 or visiting their <a href="https://saintjoseph.com/">website</a>.

The event is presented by Farmer's State Bank.

St. Joseph Chamber to host mayoral forum Jan. 28

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ News 01/22/2026

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Cruz driven by a 17-year-old Bethany girl was northbound on MO 146 six miles southeast of Bethany. The driver lost control of the car on a curve.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, traveled through a yard and struck a mailbox.

Harrison County EMS transported the teen to Harrison County Community Hospital.&nbsp; She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri teen hospitalized after car strikes mailbox

ATCHISON COUNTY—A suspect wanted following an investigation by police and the KBI in June is in custody facing additional allegaions.

Shortly before 7p.m. on Tuesday an officer on patrol observed a vehicle being driven by Robert ‘Jamie’ Ford who the officer knew was wanted on outstanding warrants, according to Atchison Police Chef Mike Wilson.

The officer stopped the vehicle in the 600 block North 11th Street in Atchison where Ford was taken into custody on two District Court warrants and new traffic charges. 

He was subsequently found to be in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. The District Court warrant charging him with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia is in connection to a June 2025 Atchison Police/Kansas Bureau of Investigation joint investigation. Ford was taken to the County Jail.

He is being held on requested charges that include possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, no vehicle insurance, expired tag, transporting an open container and District Court warrants charging him with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, and probation violation.

Wanted Kansas suspect was in possession of cocaine

Citizens, business leaders, educators, and government officials from Northwest Missouri are set to gather in Jefferson City February&nbsp; 3rd &amp; 4th for Great Northwest Day, an annual event aiming to showcase the region’s strengths and advocating for its legislative priorities.

The event is designed to educate state lawmakers about the critical issues facing the Northwest region and promote the region as a vital contributor to the Show-Me State’s economic and community success.

Participants will be recognized on the House and Senate floors before taking part in panel discussions focused on key regional priorities. A reception will allow attendees to connect with legislators, and state department leaders. It will also feature the presentation of the Northwest Missouri Citizen of the Year award.

The Great Northwest Priorities Committee has identified six focus areas for the upcoming legislative session: expanding access to rural health care, increasing child care availability, investing in higher education, supporting K–12 education, expanding workforce housing, and ensuring sustainable tax reform.

Registration is $80 through this Tuesday, January 27. Organizers are anticipating participation to exceed 250 attendees.

For additional details, visit <a href="http://greatnorthwestday.com">greatnorthwestday.com</a>.

Great Northwest Day returns February 3 & 4

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a special concert at the historic Missouri Theatre as acclaimed pianist Barron Ryan will put on an evening of romance and elegance, performing love songs from throughout the years.&nbsp;

Ryan is a world-renowned pianist known for his ability to blend classical mastery with jazz and contemporary influences.&nbsp; He has performed across the United States and internationally.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Barron Ryan is an incredible performer, and we are very fortunate to have him perform here,” Executive Director of the Performing Arts Association, Paul Storiale, says in a news release. “..and there’s no better place to spend Valentine’s Day than the Missouri Theatre, where patrons have been making date-night memories for almost a century.”

The night begins with a complimentary wine tasting held beforehand on the mezzanine level of the theatre, setting the perfect tone for this unforgettable Valentine’s celebration. Whether it’s a romantic date night or a sophisticated GALentine’s evening out, this experience is designed to delight.

&nbsp;Ryan takes the stage at the historic Missouri Theatre on Saturday, February 14 at 7:30 PM.&nbsp; For tickets and more information, visit <a href="http://TicketsToTheShow.com">TicketsToTheShow.com</a> or call 816-279-1225

World renowned pianist Barron Ryan performing Valentines concert at Missouri Theatre

The City of St. Joseph is centralizing its efforts to improve neighborhood safety by moving property code enforcement into the St. Joseph Police Department.

The realignment is a direct response to a community survey conducted last year, in which residents identified neighborhood appearance and public safety as top priorities. City officials said the move aims to improve coordination and efficiency by addressing the link between property blight and crime.

“This realignment allows us to focus more holistically on quality-of-life issues,” Police Chief Paul Luster said. “Code officers will be looking beyond individual properties to address broader neighborhood concerns, helping us create cleaner, safer, and more welcoming areas for everyone.”

The Property Maintenance Division, formerly housed within the Planning and Community Development Department, consists of four code enforcement officers, a manager, and a clerk. The team is responsible for identifying violations on private property, including overgrown weeds, trash, diseased trees, and stagnant water.

As part of the transition, the division has moved from City Hall to the Law Enforcement Center at 501 Faraon St. Residents seeking in-person assistance—including right-of-entry requests for yellow-tagged structures or filing code complaints—should now visit the police department lobby.

The transition also includes a visual rebranding. Code enforcement officers will operate newly branded vehicles and wear uniforms designed to increase visibility during neighborhood patrols. To improve transparency, the police department will share enforcement statistics and "before-and-after" cleanup highlights on its social media channels.

While the police department now handles general property maintenance, some responsibilities remain with the Planning and Community Development Department. That office will continue to manage substandard housing, dangerous buildings, and structures "red-tagged" due to fire, weather, or vehicle damage.

Residents can contact the code enforcement clerk at 816-271-4620 for questions or to speak with an inspector.

St. Joseph Police take over property code enforcement

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.

A 2017 Dodge Ram pickup&nbsp; driven by Matthew Carr, 40, Atchison, was northbound on 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The pickup turned west onto U.S.59, crossed the median and left the roadway on the south side of U.S.59.&nbsp; The vehicle continued southbound down an embankment, across a parking lot and then struck the north side of Hotel Eastin,&nbsp;401 S 10th Street.&nbsp;

The hotel room that was struck was unoccupied. 

EMS transported Matthew Carr, the only occupant in the vehicle, to Amberwell Hospital for examination. It is believed that the driver suffered some type of medical episode prior to the accident, according to Wilson.

Kansas man injured after pickup crash into hotel room

The Missouri Department of Transportation and Evergy will host a public meeting today to discuss a planned intersection improvement project on U.S. Route 71 at 340th Street, south of Maryville.

The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Maryville Public Safety Training Room, located at 101 N. Vine St. The event will follow an open-house format with no formal presentation, allowing residents to view project plans and speak directly with representatives from MoDOT and Evergy.

The proposed upgrades are designed to accommodate a projected increase in traffic following the construction of a new natural gas plant in the area. MoDOT officials recommend replacing the existing crossover at 340th Street with J-turns to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of high-speed collisions.

Under the J-turn design, motorists on side roads will no longer cross multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic to turn left or travel straight. Instead, drivers will turn right in the direction of traffic, merge into the passing lane, and use a dedicated lane to make a U-turn into the opposite direction of travel.

The project is currently scheduled to be made available for contractor bids during MoDOT’s April 2026 letting.

Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to share concerns or submit comments. Those unable to speak with project leaders directly will have the opportunity to provide feedback via written comment forms.

Nodaway U.S. Route 71 Intersection Improvement

Missouri Department of Transportation

All comments must be postmarked by Feb. 4, 2026.

MoDOT and Evergy to host public meeting for U.S. 71 intersection upgrades south of Maryville today

Iowa’s corn and ethanol industry faces continued decline without immediate approval of nationwide, year-round sales of E15 gasoline and access to ultra-low carbon fuel markets, according to a new study released by Iowa Corn and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. The study comes as farmers confront a corn carryout exceeding 2 billion bushels and rising input costs for fertilizer, seed and machinery. It estimates corn prices at $1.52 per bushel, a level that could force some producers to downsize or leave farming without expanded demand. 

Iowa remains the nation’s top corn producer and a leading ethanol state, with yields rising about 15% faster than the U.S. average, the study said. However, new markets are critical to sustaining growth. Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Mueller said passage of year-round E15 would help stabilize demand but is not enough long term. He said access to ultra-low carbon ethanol markets, including sustainable aviation and marine fuels, depends on investments such as carbon capture and sequestration pipelines. “Without new corn demand, Iowa could face a 1980s-style farm crisis,” Mueller said.

Analysis shows need for E15 for Iowa’s corn and ethanol industry

Last week, producers and staff from the American Sheep Industry Association met with USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce.

They advocated for the inclusion of wool under the Farmer Bridge Assistance program. Eleven of the $12 billion set aside in the program will go to traditional row crop commodities, and the remaining $1 billion is set aside in reserves for uncovered commodities like specialty crops and sugar, but will exclude livestock and meat products. During the meeting, ASI provided testimony, and the discussion helped USDA better understand the market disruption and high harvesting costs facing the U.S. wool industry with the persistently low prices sheep producers have experienced since 2019.

USDA indicated that wool will be considered within the competitive reserve for uncovered commodities, but no decisions have been made at this time. Fordyce did say that additional information can be expected in the coming weeks.

Sheep Officials Meet with USDA on Assistance

The Democratic Party is previewing this year’s mid-term elections by highlighting the continued importance of food aid, affordability, the job market, and the health of local economies. 

A report from Politico said that over 22 million households will lose SNAP benefits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “On the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump taking office for his second term, families everywhere have been devastated by Trump’s tariffs and the Big Ugly Bill,” said DNC spokesman Abhi Rahman. “Trump has sacrificed families who need critical food assistance to put dinner on the table to line the pockets of his billionaire backers.” 

Research compiled by the Democratic National Committee said the states projected to have the most families losing SNAP benefits include California, New York, and Florida. The report warned of spillover damage to farmers and grocers, such as reduced food purchases and a reduction in local employment.

SNAP to be a Huge Issue in the Midterm Elections

China has purchased about 12 million metric tons of soybeans. Three traders told Reuters that the total meets a U.S.-stated pledge to purchase that amount by the end of February. 

“The 12-million-ton target was met last week after bulk purchases by state buyer Sinograin and state trader COFCO, which were the only buyers of U.S. soybeans,” Reuters reported. “Private crushers continued to favor cheaper supplies from Brazil and Argentina.” Bloomberg agrees that the current total reflects continued bookings by state-owned firms in recent weeks. The USDA’s export data, which lags behind real-time totals, put China’s total purchases at just over eight million tons as of January 8. 

Hitting the 12-million-ton target will likely boost trader and exporter confidence that China could also meet the broader goal outlined by the White House of buying at least 25 million tons of U.S. soybeans through 2028.

China Meets U.S. Soybean Purchase Pledge

March corn closed down 1 cents and May corn was down 3/4 cents. March soybeans closed down 4 3/4 cents and May soybeans were down 4 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed down 4 1/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 7 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 3 cents.

Tuesday was an overall mixed to lower day across U.S. row-crop markets, with grain futures easing and oilseed futures surrendering early gains and a selling mindset overtook most markets by early afternoon. Most of the early positive influence on the soybean complex likely came via outside energy markets on Tuesday, with crude oil futures firm on buying interest following last week's profit-taking pullback, and natural gas futures leading the sector with a 25% daily surge amid a return to very cold conditions across the U.S. after a very mild past month. Lastly, stocks and the U.S. Dollar Index both saw intense selling to start the shortened trading week following a heightening of tensions between the U.S. and Europe over President Trump's plans to acquire Greenland, with the president threatening a fresh round of tariff increases on eight countries if a deal is not reached allowing for the U.S. purchase of Greenland.

Following last Friday's sharp decline, the live cattle complex traded cautiously higher into the closing bell on Tuesday. The spot April contract is hovering above the market's 100-day moving average, which remains a very critical threshold to monitor, as a close below that price point could signal continued downward pressure. Still nothing has developed in this week's fed cash cattle market and won't likely until Thursday or Friday. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Kansas, about steady in Nebraska/Colorado, but lower in Texas. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice up $1.99 ($366.32) and select down $0.79 ($359.54) with a movement of 54 loads (42.95 loads of choice, 6.13 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 5.24 loads of ground beef).

And much like the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts are trading slightly higher into midday Tuesday following last Friday's severe break. The feeder cattle complex will likely continue to follow in the live cattle market's wake, waiting and hoping for increased fundamental support.

The lean hog complex is traded narrowly mixed on Tuesday, seeming technically unafraid that the market is breaking into new contract highs in the spot April contract. It is worth noting that pork cutouts were higher, but it will remain critical that fundamental support remains strong this week if traders are going to keep their momentum in the market.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/20142724/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The U.S. Supreme Court will review the Durnell Roundup case. Monsanto had petitioned the court to hear Durnell in April 2025. The company asked the Court to address the split in authority among federal circuit courts on the application of federal preemption, a cross-cutting issue in the Roundup litigation. The company expects a decision on the merits during the Court’s 2026 session, which ends in June. 

“The Supreme Court decision to take the case is good news for U.S. farmers, who need regulatory clarity,” said Bayer CEO Bill Anderson. “It’s also an important step in our multi-pronged strategy to significantly contain this legislation.” Anderson also said it’s time for the U.S. legal system to establish that companies should not be punished under state laws for complying with federal warning label requirements, as every leading regulator in the world has concluded that glyphosate-based herbicides can be used safely.

Bayer statement on Supreme Court case

The U.S. chicken industry is on a decades-long winning streak. Steady growth in consumer demand, coupled with efficiency gains in broiler production have powered the sector’s remarkable growth during the last thirty years. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the near-term outlook for broiler production remains exceptionally strong. But the opportunities for increasing output are becoming more limited. Higher capital costs, tight labor availability, and increased local regulation have stalled site expansions. 

Chick availability has trended downward as genetic priorities have shifted from hatchability to meat yield, and adding more pounds per bird has its limits. “The potential long-term challenge becomes how big is too big for birds on the processing line, and what will drive consumer preferences for chicken products into 2030 and beyond,” said Brian Earnest, lead animal protein economist at CoBank. With a change in genetics, producers can now get over 1,000 pounds of chicken from a single egg-laying hen. 

Chicken demand keeps rising

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">Cami Koons</a>

The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with soybean and specialty crop farm organizations, has asked congressional leadership for economic support to “fill in the gap of remaining losses for both field and specialty crop farmers.”&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fb.org/files/1.15.26-Ag-Letter-to-Congress-Economic-Assistance_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;follows a December announcement from the Trump administration of a&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/08/repub/trump-to-send-12-billion-in-one-time-payments-to-farmers-to-offset-ag-losses/" target="_blank">$12 billion</a>&nbsp;one-time package to offset farmer losses across the country.

“These funds could provide a meaningful first step but do not cover the extensive and cumulative losses that farmers have absorbed over the last several years,” the letter said after acknowledging the farmer bridge payment program.&nbsp;

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is allocating the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/farmer-bridge-assistance-fba-program" target="_blank">funding</a>&nbsp;with commodity specific payment rates and set aside $1 billion of the $12 billion for specialty crop farmers.&nbsp;

The American Soybean Association, a signee on the recently submitted letter, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://soygrowers.com/news-releases/asa-usda-farmer-bridge-assistance-payments-fall-short-for-soybean-farmers/" target="_blank">news release</a>&nbsp;the $30.88 per acre allotted for soybeans from the payment package was not enough to cover the “significant financial damage soybean farmers sustained this year due to the high cost of production and losses sustained during the China trade war.”&nbsp;

Grant Kimberley,&nbsp;Iowa Soybean Association’s director of market development, said the additional need from farmers is “complicated” and is a result of more than just one event in the past year.&nbsp;

“I think people don’t really realize this has been going on for a couple years now,” Kimberley said. “… Just about every row crop agriculture sector in the whole country has been losing money, probably, for the last three years.”

Kimberley said the ongoing downturn in the industry is due to several factors, including low commodity prices, high input costs, changes in global trade and uncertainty in domestic markets.&nbsp;

Data from Farm Bureau&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fb.org/market-intel/declining-farm-economy-continues-to-pressure-profitability" target="_blank">show</a>&nbsp;that commodity prices for major row crops like corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat have declined each year since 2022.&nbsp;

Kimberley said as the prices that farmers can get for their crops has declined, expenses have not declined, and have instead increased.&nbsp; Land, rent, equipment and inputs like fertilizer, seed and chemicals continue to squeeze farmers’ bottom lines, he said.

Farm Bureau economists found that farm expenses in 2025 were 12% higher than the previous five-year average cost.&nbsp;

Another piece to the puzzle, Kimberley explained, is the growing soybean and row crop markets in Brazil and other South American countries. He said the expansion of these markets has interrupted U.S. demand, especially with big buyers like China.&nbsp;

China also declined to purchase U.S. soybeans for the beginning part of harvest season due to President Donald Trump’s trade policies. While the country later&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/30/farm-groups-encouraged-by-trade-deal-with-china-for-u-s-soybeans/" target="_blank">agreed</a>&nbsp;to a trade deal, Kimberley said it’s less than what the country previously bought from the U.S. and the gap in purchasing this year has also had an effect.&nbsp;

Kimberley also pointed to the lack of finalized guidance from federal agencies on renewable fuel standards and tax credits. Many of these initiatives, like&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/biofuel-producers-stuck-in-neutral-without-finalized-tax-credit-guidance/" target="_blank">45Z tax credits</a>&nbsp;for low-carbon fuel, were initiated during the Biden administration and still do not have finalized guidelines.

Other standards, like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/06/13/epa-proposes-historic-renewable-fuel-blending-standards/" target="_blank">blending standards</a>,&nbsp;were proposed over the summer and have yet to be finalized. Kimberley, who is also executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, said this uncertainty means overall biodiesel production has declined in the state, causing a “ripple in the pond” for soybean demand.

“You can’t really just say it’s this or that, you know, it’s all of these things that have kind of added up a little bit over time,” Kimberley said.

The letter from American Farm Bureau Federation also noted the compounding factors squeezing farmers. According to the letter, farmer bankruptcies are increasing and nationwide farmer losses are approaching $100 billion.&nbsp;

“These trends aren’t just statistics; they represent an economic crisis in rural America,” the letter said.&nbsp;

Specialty crop farmers are also struggling under similar pressures and asked Congress for relief.&nbsp;

The majority of the more than 50 organizations that signed the letter represented specialty crop growers.&nbsp;

In a news release about the letter, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said that despite the fact that specialty crops account for more than one-third of all U.S. crop sales, the farmer bridge program from USDA allocated just $1 billion to the industry.&nbsp;

“Any agricultural aid package should reflect the economic contribution of specialty crops, which support rural communities and provide key nutrition,” the alliance leadership said in the release.&nbsp;

The letter, addressed to House and Senate leadership, ask for “immediate” congressionally approved support.&nbsp;

Kimberley said additional changes need to occur in the farm economy for farmers to be profitable, but those changes won’t happen overnight.

“None of these things make farmers whole, and (aid packages) are not preferred, but sometimes they’re necessary,” Kimberley said.&nbsp;

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/01/16/farm-bureau-soybean-and-specialty-ag-groups-ask-congress-for-additional-farmer-support/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Kansas Reflector, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Farm Bureau, soybean and specialty ag groups ask Congress for more support

Celebrations recognizing women’s contributions to agriculture are expected to be widespread this year as the International Year of the Woman Farmer gains momentum across the United States. 

From farm and trade association meetings to state agriculture departments and Capitol Hill, the designation highlights women who lead both on the farm and in agribusiness boardrooms. The United States proposed the resolution to the United Nations General Assembly, which adopted it May 2, 2024, with 123 co-sponsoring countries. “This is long overdue recognition for women who work in every part of agriculture,” said Krysta Harden, former U.S. deputy secretary of agriculture and now president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, speaking during a National Association of State Departments of Agriculture video. Harden said women’s contributions range from physical labor in fields and ranches to leadership and decision-making roles. 

According to the latest USDA Census of Agriculture, 1.2 million female farmers operated in the U.S. in 2022, representing 36% of producers, with 58% of farms reporting at least one female producer. Several farm and food organizations have since formed a working group to coordinate activities throughout the year.

Celebrating Women Farmers

Congress on Thursday approved a major bipartisan spending package that funds key energy, environment and science agencies for fiscal 2026, but lawmakers stopped short of including protections for a Colorado research lab sought by some Democrats. 

The Senate voted 82-15 to send the roughly $180 billion “minibus” package, covering the Department of Energy, Interior Department, Environmental Protection Agency and other science programs, to President Donald Trump’s desk. The legislation locks in full-year funding after months of negotiations, rejecting deeper cuts proposed by the administration. 

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet voted against the legislation after pushing unsuccessfully for an amendment to safeguard the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, a climate and weather research facility. Supporters said the package provides stability for research and environmental programs, while critics raised concerns that it trims some funding and fails to address long-standing agency budget shortfalls.

Congress Passes Spending Package

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Kansas City Chiefs attorney told legislators Wednesday that projections show STAR bonds financing the team’s stadium deal will be paid off 10 to 15 years earlier than the expected 30-year term, upping economic benefits for the state.

Korb Maxwell, a Chiefs attorney, told legislators the planned $3 billion domed stadium and mixed-use development in Wyandotte County, and a $300 million Chiefs headquarters and training facility in Johnson County, will add to the state coffers earlier than expected.

He addressed a joint meeting of the Senate and House commerce committees, where legislators put him on the hot seat for an hour as they attempted to clear up “confusion” and answer constituent concerns about the deal.

Most of the questions, couched from different angles, came down to the dollars — how do the economics of the deal work for Kansas, how will Kansans living in the western part of the state benefit and is the estimated $1 billion economic impact realistic?

While many specifics of the plan are still in planning stages, Maxwell said, the STAR bonds — or sales tax and revenue bonds — are projected to pay off early, which will then push the revenue to the state’s treasury years ahead of time.

The Chiefs project will be funded through a 60-40 public-private partnership, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Project-Monitor-2.0-STAR-Bond-Agreement-Execution-Version.pdf" target="_blank">terms posted online</a>&nbsp;by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The state’s 60% of funding will come from a mix of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/" target="_blank">STAR bonds</a>&nbsp;and the Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund, which is revenue from iLottery and sports betting. STAR bonds also will be repaid with 100% of liquor sales tax collected in the district.

Aside from expected benefits of 20,000 construction jobs and $4 billion in investment during the building phase, Maxwell touted long-term effects.

“This is also about 4,000 permanent careers, hundreds of millions of dollars in annual payroll once the team starts playing,” he said. “It also includes visiting team payroll, broadcaster payroll, concerts, major national events, Republican or Democratic conventions that could be hosted.”

Sen. Kenny Titus, a Wamego Republican, wasn’t convinced about the economic benefits.

“I do appreciate the optimism that this will be one of the first stadiums to pay for itself in new growth, so it will be interesting to watch that play out,” he said, adding that he’d like to know what happens if in 30 years the Chiefs moved again, leaving an empty stadium.

Maxwell answered by explaining the level of investment being made by the team showed their commitment to the stadium project, and also pointed out the team has been at its current location for more than 60 years.

“We absolutely plan to be there for the very long term,” he said.&nbsp;

Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Republican from Stilwell who chairs the House commerce committee, asked Maxwell about information he hears repeatedly that all emails, contracts and other aspects of the deal would be kept private until 2029.

Maxwell said he didn’t know where that idea came from because his understanding was that Kansas open records and open meetings laws wouldn’t allow that to happen.

However, the reference to a July 1, 2029, deadline comes directly from the 2024 special session law that allows the Kansas Department of Commerce to negotiate a deal to move the Chiefs or the Royals to the state.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2024s/b2023_24/measures/HB2001/" target="_blank">House Bill 2001</a>&nbsp;says negotiations and documentation around sports team deals would not be subject to open records requests and would remain confidential until July 1, 2029.&nbsp;

The intent of the Commerce Department is to maintain transparency, which is why the terms sheet and other documentation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/chiefs-media-kit/" target="_blank">were made public</a>&nbsp;on the agency’s website when the announcement was made in December, according to Rachel Willis, director of legislative affairs for the Commerce Department.

After the legislative hearing, she affirmed that even though that language is in HB 2001, the agency will only hold back sensitive information for short periods of time, such as maintaining confidentiality that may affect issuing the STAR bonds. Otherwise, transparency on this deal is important, she said.

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, questioned the use of other tax incentives programs, such as a Community Improvement District, which would put a special tax on a designated area that would go to pay off the STAR bonds.

“This is the first I’d heard about it, so I am curious to know, do we know where that CID would be, and would it only apply to things that are built after the formation of the district?” she said. “I don’t like CIDs in general, when they include places where people have to shop. We have to get gas. We have to go to the grocery store. I don’t mind economic development incentives when there’s choice involved.”

Maxwell said the CID would be for the development the Chiefs are building and new developments around the stadium. Adding a CID is part of the reason the STAR bonds are projected to pay off more quickly than the 30-year term.

Sawyer Clayton also confirmed with Maxwell that labor used to build the stadium would be primarily union workers.

Legislators peppered Maxwell with questions, including whether work is being done to address needed infrastructure changes in the area where the stadium will be located next to the Kansas Speedway, whether local governments were partnering with the state on the project and how the future looks for economic development around the stadium.

Although Maxwell said many of the items were in early stages and emphasized the Chiefs and Commerce Department are working with local entities, he said the Chiefs are already in discussion with developers interested in being part of the mixed-use development.

“Our phone has been ringing off the hook since the moment that we announced in Kansas on Dec. 22, and we are considering all of those possibilities and looking at, is that right to go in Olathe? Is that right to go in Wyandotte County?” he said.

Kansas legislators grill Chiefs' attorney on economics behind deal to bring team across state line

State Sen. Barbara Anne Washington said her bill would keep money in Missourians’ pockets, bolstering maternal and infant health.

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">Steph Quinn</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Baby bottles, baby wipes and breast pump supplies would be exempt from state and local sales taxes under a bill discussed by a Missouri Senate committee Wednesday.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=633" target="_blank">bill</a>, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Barbara Anne Washington of Kansas City, would eliminate what she described as a “parenting tax” on the items.

“Anything we can do for mothers and to help the families is what I think we should all be down here doing,” Washington told The Independent.

Washington said the bill complements a law passed by the General Assembly last year that excluded&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/01/missouri-eliminates-luxury-tax-diapers-period-products/">diapers and feminine hygiene products</a>&nbsp;from the state sales tax, and state lawmakers in the Senate Committee on Economic and Workforce Development expressed support. But Washington said she anticipates her bill will face opposition this year.&nbsp;

The bill comes as Gov. Mike Kehoe calls for the elimination of Missouri’s individual income tax and state lawmakers consider increases in sales taxes to help replace revenue the state would lose.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills261/hlrbillspdf/6727H.01I.pdf" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;introduced on Jan. 13, the day of Kehoe’s annual State of the State address, would allow lawmakers to raise state and local sales taxes “for the purpose of reducing and eliminating the state individual income tax.”

Though Kehoe said in his speech that he would not tax agriculture, health care or real estate, the proposed amendment, if passed by Missouri voters, would authorize state lawmakers to tax “transactions involving any goods and services.”

Kehoe’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/13/missouri-revenue-surplus-nearly-gone-as-gov-mike-kehoe-unveils-his-budget-plan/">budget plan</a>&nbsp;proposes cutting $600 million in general revenue expenditures in fiscal year 2027, and the governor in his speech warned lawmakers against reversing his recommended cuts or introducing new spending items.

Washington said she doesn’t think Missouri’s dwindling revenues and diminishing surplus should rule out measures to help families in need.

“If we can let rich people not pay taxes on capital gains, why can’t we let the working people have a benefit as well?” Washington said.

State lawmakers last year repealed Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-becomes-first-state-to-repeal-capital-gains-tax-at-an-estimated-625m-cost/">capital gains tax</a>&nbsp;despite&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/07/missouri-lawmakers-set-to-pass-capital-gains-tax-cut-with-questions-about-its-total-cost/">concerns at the time</a>&nbsp;that revenue losses projected by the state for the measure were inaccurate. The state&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/18/missouri-faces-budget-crunch-as-capital-gains-tax-cut-hits-harder-than-expected/">now anticipates</a>&nbsp;that the tax cut will cost about $500 million in revenue during the current fiscal year and then $360 million annually —more than triple the original estimates.

Parents spend an average of $60 to $150 on baby bottles during a child’s first year, according to an estimate from the state’s revenue department. Though most insurance companies cover the cost of a basic breast pump, according to that estimate, 40% to 55% of parents pay an additional $70 to $200 to purchase an upgraded pump.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2026-1/5416S.01I.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">fiscal note</a>&nbsp;for Washington’s bill indicates it could cost the state roughly $1.8 million in fiscal year 2027 and then $2.4 million annually.

State lawmakers praised Washington’s proposed legislation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=384" target="_blank">another bill</a>&nbsp;sponsored by state Sen. Mike Moon, an Ash Grove Republican, that would give a $2,400 tax exemption to taxpayers during the year of their child’s birth.

State Sen. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St. Charles, voiced support for Washington’s bill.

“Anytime I can get on board with reducing or eliminating taxes and encouraging a higher birth rate and encouraging families to grow, I think it’s a good bill,” Schnelting said.

Ryan DeBoef, testifying on behalf of Cross-Lines Community Outreach, which runs Diaper Bank of the Ozarks, described the bill as “a nice resource…to make these kind of products more accessible for our neediest.”

While the bill in its current form would exempt infant care products from state and local sales taxes, Washington said she is open to an amendment leaving local taxes intact.

Washington said that for mothers struggling to make ends meet, the bill is “more than the pennies and the dimes that they’ll save.”

“It keeps more money in the pockets of Missourians, especially as we are challenging affordability at this time,” Washington said. “It reduces the toxic stress that leads to poor health for the mother, which in turn leads to [poor health for] the baby.”

Missouri lawmakers debate eliminating sales tax on infant care items

🎥President Trump signs his Gaza 'Board of Peace' into being

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Firefighters rescued three pets from a fire at a Kansas home on Tuesday.

Just before 5:30p.m. crew&nbsp;responded to a house fire at 868 SE Rice Road, according to a media release.. Upon arrival, crews encountered a single-story home with heavy smoke and visible flames on the exterior of the residence.

Firefighters initiated both exterior and interior fire attack operations and were able to successfully extinguish the fire.

Three occupants self-evacuated from the residence prior to firefighter entry. During search operations, firefighters rescued and revived two dogs and one cat from inside the home.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and related to cooking activity in the kitchen. The home had&nbsp; no working smoke detectors.

Crews rescue three pets after fire at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY —Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced Wednesday that after a thorough review, criminal charges could not be ethically or legally filed against a Kansas City police officer involved in a 2023 shooting that killed two people and injured another.

“Based on the available facts, applicable laws, and legal principles concerning an officer’s use of force, we are unable to criminally charge the officer,”&nbsp;Prosecutor Johnson said.&nbsp;“We recognize that this determination may be deeply painful, and we extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the victims’ families and to a community that continues to grapple with this tragedy.”

On June 9, 2023, a Kansas City police officer was stopped at a red light at the East 31st Street and Van Brunt Boulevard intersection when he observed occupants of a white truck exit the vehicle.

 One of the occupants appeared to be armed but went back inside the vehicle and started to drive away when they noticed the officer. It appeared the occupants of the white truck, located in the right lane, directly in front of the officer, were in a dispute with two vehicles beside them in the left lane.&nbsp;

As the officer pulled up alongside a white minivan involved in the dispute, the front passenger fired a gun at the white truck. The officer fired at the passenger 16 times, killing him and the driver, and injuring a rear passenger.&nbsp;

The Prosecutor’s Office determined the officer used permissible force in defense of others, responding to the front passenger who was firing at the truck. Under Missouri law regarding transferred intent, a person cannot be held criminally liable when they unintentionally strike a third party while defending themselves or others. Dash cam footage shows the officer fired continuously at the front passenger, his intended target, and additional evidence supports that he was unaware anyone was in the back seat.&nbsp;

“To be clear, this Office remains concerned about the circumstances of this shooting. Two parents and spouses were killed, and a young man was hurt,”&nbsp;Prosecutor Johnson said. “Our determination that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges should not be construed as an endorsement of the officer’s conduct or a conclusion that the risks to human life were appropriately weighed or managed.”

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