Northwest knocked from playoffs as Harding runs all over Bearcats

The #2 Harding University Bisons ended the 2025 football season for the #14 Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats in the first round of the NCAA Div. II Playoffs with a 38-16 win.

Northwest Missouri State began the game with possession after receiving the opening kickoff. Quincy Torry started the drive with a four yard rush, but the drive stalled after two incomplete passes by Chris Ruhnke. Tommy Warner punted 36 yards, and the Bisons took over on their 35-yard line.&nbsp; 

Harding capitalized on their first possession, moving 65 yards downfield and concluding the drive with a seven yard touchdown run by Braden Jay, followed by a successful extra point. Northwest Missouri State's subsequent drive showed promise with Ruhnke gaining 20 yards on a rush to Harding's 46-yard line. However, the momentum shifted as Ruhnke's pass was intercepted by Jordan Mays, who returned it 12 yards to the Bisons' 46-yard line.

Harding extended their lead with a 25-yard field goal by Magnus Lepak after a series of runs moved them into scoring position.&nbsp;The second quarter began with the Bisons extending their lead, capitalizing on a series of rushing plays from Andrew Miller and Jay, culminating in a touchdown drive, a 10 yard run from Jay that pushed the score to 17-0. The Bearcats though quickly responded with a standout 75-yard touchdown run by Quincy Torry to narrow the gap.

The Bisons regained control with another rushing touchdown, another 10 yard run this time from Christian Franklin, to extend the lead even more,o 24-7. Northwest Missouri State mounted a late-quarter drive, with Ruhnke connecting on several key passes to advance downfield. The drive concluded with a 19-yard field goal by Alwaely as time expired in the quarter, sending the teams to the locker room with Harding leading 24-10 at the halftime break.

The third quarter began with the Bearcats kicking off to Harding, who quickly moved down the field. Benjamin Einess and Carter Edwards made key tackles, but Harding completed a scoring drive with a touchdown, Franklin again scoring a rushing touchdown this time from seven yards out, increasing their lead to 31-10.&nbsp;

&nbsp;A significant turnover for Northwest Missouri State opened the fourth quarter, as Shane Fredrickson forced a fumble from Harding's Andrew Miller, which was recovered by O'Shea Davis at the Northwest 20-yard line. This defensive play set the stage for a promising offensive drive, beginning with a 12-yard rush by Madixx Morris. Northwest continued to move the chains, highlighted by a 19-yard rush from Te'Shaun Porter, but the drive ultimately stalled following a sack.

The Bisons capitalized on the turnover on downs by executing a series of successful rushes, culminating in a 23-yard touchdown run by Miller, extending their lead to 38-10. The Bearcats responded with a burst of offensive energy, as Porter broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 38-16. This was Porter's longest rush of the season. Despite the effort, the subsequent onside kick was unsuccessful, allowing Harding to maintain possession and run down the clock, securing the victory.&nbsp; Harding's 38 points were the most given up by a Bearcat team in the playoffs since Ferris State scored 41 in 2021.&nbsp; 

Porter rushed for 106 yards on five carries, including one touchdown. Torry contributed significantly with 116 rushing yards on eight attempts, adding a touchdown to his performance.&nbsp; Ruhnke was 7 of 15 through the air for 75 yards with an interception.&nbsp;&nbsp;Trevor Spady had one catch for 20 yards to be the leading receiver, while Porter added two catches for 19 yards.

Harding moved to 12-0 and Northwest finished at 9-3.

Pribula returns, but Mizzou's losing streak in Norman moves to 19 games

The Oklahoma Sooners took a critical step in their quest to reach the College Football Playoff as&nbsp;John Mateer threw two touchdown passes, and the #8 Oklahoma defeated #23 Missouri 17-6, knocking the Tigers losing streak to Oklahoma in Norman to 19 games.

The Sooners, coming off road wins over Tennessee and Alabama, claimed their third straight victory over a ranked opponent and their fifth over a team that was ranked when they played. The Sooners likely will make the playoff field with a win at home against LSU on Saturday.

Oklahoma gained just 276 total yards. It wasn't flashy, but the Sooners got what they needed,

Missouri took a 3-0 lead on a 39 yard field goal by Robert Meyer and tried to extend the advantage to six before Oklahoma's Peyton Bowen blocked Meyer's 35-yard field-goal attempt. On the second play after the Sooners gained possession, Isaiah Sategna turned a short catch from Mateer into an 87-yard touchdown that put the Sooners up 7-3.

Mateer connected with Javonnie Gibson for an eight yard score that extended the Sooners lead, and with 17 seconds remaining in the half Oliver Robbins knocked through a 21 yard field goal for the Tigers, and Oklahoma's lead was 14-6 at the halftime break.

In the third quarter, Sooners kicker Tate Sandell hit a 45 yard field goal for the final points of the game.&nbsp; With Oklahoma up 17-6 in the third quarter, Sooner defensive back Reggie Powers III was ejected for targeting on what would have been a critical third-down stop. His teammate, Jacobe Johnson, intercepted Pribula on the next play to maintain Oklahoma's momentum.

Oklahoma held the Tigers to 301 yards and shut them out in the second half.&nbsp;Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy, who led FBS with 134.6 yards rushing per game and ran for 300 yards and three touchdowns against Mississippi State last week, finished with 57 yards on 17 carries.&nbsp;Beau Pribula, who dislocated his left ankle last month against Vanderbilt and missed three games, returned on Saturday. He went 20 for 36 passing for 231 yards with two interceptions.&nbsp; Kevin Coleman Jr. caught seven passes for 115 yards for the Tigers.

Up next, Missouri (7-4, 3-4 SEC) closes out the regular season at Arkansas on Saturday.&nbsp; Kickoff is at 2:30pm with pregame at 1:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).

Jackson's historic day spoiled as Wildcats fall to #12 Utah in road finale

Devon Dampier threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, including a go-ahead one yard score with 56 seconds left, and #12 Utah rallied from a 12-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter for a wild 51-47 victory over Kansas State.

The game turned on an unusual play. After the Wildcats took a 47-35 lead on Joe Jackson’s third rushing touchdown of the game, Kansas State went for two, but Utah’s Tao Johnson intercepted a tipped ball and returned it to the Kansas State end zone for two points to make it 47-37.&nbsp; Dampier’s 20-yard touchdown toss to Larry Simmons got Utah within three with 2:47 left. After the Utes forced a punt, Dampier led the winning drive, setting up his go-ahead score with a 59-yard run to the one on fourth down.

Lander Barton intercepted Avery Johnson's pass with 49 seconds remaining to seal it for Utah, which kept alive its hopes for a league title and a College Football Playoff berth.

The teams went into the second quarter tied 7-7 after exchanging rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, Antonio Martin Jr rushing for a 37 yard touchdown for the Wildcats and Byrd Ficklin going in from 10 yards out for the Utes.&nbsp; Kansas State's offense exploded before halftime for 24 points, first getting a six yard rushing score from Avery Johnson to retake the lead.&nbsp;

Ficklin scored his second touchdown of the game from six yards out to tie the game up again, but Jackson soon broke up the tie with his first touchdown of the game, breaking a 66 yard touchdown run.&nbsp; The Utes continued trading blows with the Wildcats, scoring their final touchdown of the half to tie up the game one more time, Dampier rushing for an eight yard score.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas State broke the tie with a 22 yard field goal by Luis Rodriguez.&nbsp; Late in the first half, with 1:17 until the halftime break, Jackson broke another long run for a touchdown to extend the Wildcats lead, running 80 yards to the house for a score, and sending Kansas State to the halftime break with a 31-21 lead.

Out of the halftime break Utah began their rally back on the Wildcats,&nbsp; Dampier found Dallen Bentley for a 38-yard touchdown reception and Ficklin ran for his third score to put Utah up 35-31 early in the third quarter. But Johnson threw to Garrett Oakley for a two yard touchdown on fourth down and Rodriguez added a 36-yard field goal to put the Wildcats back ahead 41-35 with 8:51 to play.

Jackson rushed for a school-record 293 yards for Kansas State, topping Darren Sproles' mark of 292 yards set in 2004. The Wildcats finished with a program-record 472 yards rushing, the most by a Division I team in a loss since Army ran for 534 in a 52-49 loss to North Texas on Nov. 18, 2017.&nbsp; Johnson was 12 for 23 through the air for 102 yards with one touchdown and one interception, adding 12 rushes for 72 yards and a score.&nbsp; Jaron Tibbs had six catches for 45 yards.

Up next, Kansas State (5-6, 4-4 Big 12) hosts Colorado on Saturday in the regular season finale.&nbsp; The kickoff time is TBD

Kansas offense struggles on road as Iowa State snaps losing skid

Rocco Becht threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns, with two scores and 73 yards going to Brett Eskildsen, and Iowa State defeated Kansas 38-14 in the Jayhawks regular season road finale.

The Cyclones earned their first win against the Jayhawks since 2021 and came away with their first home victory since Sept. 27 against Arizona.

Carsen Hansen rushed for 99 of his 120 yards in the first half, including a four yard score to put Iowa State ahead 14-0 early in the second quarter.&nbsp; That score from Hansen came after Becht threw a nine yard touchdown pass to Eskildsen on the first offensive drive of the game. Kyle Konrardy added the second-longest field goal of his career from 55-yards out to extend the lead 17-0, which is where the score stood as the two teams went to the halftime break.

The Jayhawks and Cyclones combined for four straight touchdown drives in the third quarter, with Iowa State leading 31-14 entering the fourth.&nbsp; Leshon Williams opened the second half scoring for Kansas with a four yard touchdown run, but Iowa State extended their lead with Becht connecting again with Eskildsen for a 20 yard touchdown.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Backup quarterback Cole Ballard added to the scoring for the Jayhawks, with the only other touchdown, cutting into the Cyclones lead for the moment with a 21 yard touchdown pass to Boden Groen.&nbsp; Iowa State's final score of the quarter was Becht's third touchdown pass, connecting with Benjamin Brahmer on a 12 yard touchdown pass to send the game to the final quarter.

Aiden Flora capped the scoring with 1:07 left in the fourth with his first rushing touchdown of the season for the Cyclones, running the ball in from 38 yards out.

Jalon Daniels was 13-of-23 passing for 154 yards and an interception for Kansas.&nbsp; Groen had five catches for 76 yards.&nbsp; Daniel Hishaw Jr had eight runs for 50 yards, while Williams added four rushes for 42 yards and a touchdown.&nbsp; Ballard in relief of Daniels was 3 for 6 for 37 yards and the touchdown.&nbsp;

Kansas (5-6, 3-5 Big 12) returns home for a game against Utah on Saturday to wrap up the regular season.&nbsp; Kickoff is at 11am and the game will air on ESPN.

Nebraska falters as Huskers pounded by Nittany Lions in road finale

 Kaytron Allen ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns, and Penn State’s defense played its best game of the season to keep the Nittany Lions’ bowl hopes alive with a 37-10 win over Nebraska.&nbsp; Allen, who racked up 181 yards rushing in last week’s win against Michigan State, became Penn State’s career rushing leader with 3,954 yards, passing Evan Royster’s 3,932 set in 2010.

The senior back plowed through and zipped around the Huskers all night. Allen passed Saquon Barkley on the school’s career rushing list in the first half before eclipsing Royster with a three yard run in the fourth quarter.&nbsp; By then the Nittany Lions&nbsp; had put the game out of reach, scoring on five-straight possessions while their defense stymied the Cornhuskers.

Allen ripped off a 50-yard run around Nebraska’s left flank on the Nittany Lion’s opening drive to help setup a short touchdown toss from Ethan Grunkemeyer to tight end Andrew Rappleyea.&nbsp; Ryan Barker booted a 26-yard field goal, then Nicholas Singleton capped Penn State’s next two drives with four and 10-yard rushing touchdowns to make it 23-3 at the&nbsp; halftime break, the Huskers getting just a 31 yard field goal from Kyle Cunanan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nebraska mustered just 140 yards in the first half, turned the ball over on downs twice and punted twice more. Penn State forced three more turnovers on downs in the second half.

Allen added a three yard touchdown run to open the second half scoring.&nbsp; The Cornhuskers didn’t find the end zone until quarterback TJ Lateef scrambled 11 yards through a broken play to cut Penn State’s lead to 30-10 with 0:55 left in the third.&nbsp; Allen then scored a 13-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth, which prompted bundled-up Penn State fans to chant “Terry, Terry, Terry!” as Smith, who played for Joe Paterno. wiped tears from his eyes on the sideline.&nbsp; As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Penn State players pulled out signs that read “Hire Terry Smith”.

Emmett Johnson had 19 carries for 103 yards and eight catches for 48 for yards for the Cornhuskers , who have lost three of their last five.&nbsp; Lateef was 21 of 37 through the air for 187 yards and added 15 rushing yards on 10 carries with a score.&nbsp; Jacory Barney Jr led the receivers with five catches for 55 yards.

Up next, Nebraska (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) hosts Iowa on Friday in the regular season finale.&nbsp; Kickoff is at 11am and the game will air on CBS.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

CFB: Bearcats fall in playoffs, Mizzou offense cold, K State falls on RBs career day

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/sydneywaldron/">Sydney Waldron</a>

The trucking industry is a major economic driver supporting multiple sectors, but lately it is facing challenges due to a lack of freight to haul and labor constraints.

The Missouri Department of Transportation estimates that over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/fast-facts" target="_blank">985 million tons of goods</a>&nbsp;pass through Missouri annually, with a net worth of $1.1 trillion. About 87% of these goods&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/trucks" target="_blank">are moved by trucks</a>.

“If we’re doing our job right, you don’t notice us,” Tom Crawford, president and CEO of the Missouri Trucking Association, said. “The shelves are full, and life is good.”

Crawford said that the economy has a direct impact on the trucking industry due to its integral role in the supply chain.

“Our industry is a reflection of the economy,” Crawford said. “A few years ago, the economy was running and gunning — everybody was spending like it was. So we got a lot of demand for goods.”

Consumer spending across the United States surged between 2021 and 2022, rising about 9%, and then about 5.9% from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/consumer-spending-increased-for-all-income-groups-from-2022-to-2023.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">2022 to 2023</a>, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, inflation remains elevated as the consumer price index&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf" target="_blank">rose approximately 3%</a>&nbsp;on an annual basis since September 2024.

“You’re buying less than you did in 2022,” Crawford said. “You’re probably spending the same amount of money, but you’re not buying as much.”

Crawford explains that these economic changes are usually reflected back in the trucking industry’s demand for freight hauling. When there is an increase in consumer spending, there may be the challenge of finding more drivers to haul goods. While when the economy is facing a downturn, there might be a challenge of finding freight loads to haul.

One area where Crawford said this is often apparent is in the construction industry.

“When you see construction starting, with the ground being worked and foundations being set, you are also seeing a spike in freight demand,” Crawford said. “All of the raw materials, like concrete, gravel, and lumber, have to be delivered by truck. So changes in construction activity directly drive the volume of loads the trucking industry handles, especially in segments like flatbed trucking.”

There have been nationwide concerns from trucking organizations about the shortages of truck drivers. Representatives from the American Trucking Association, the largest trucking organization in the U.S.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/spear-drives-ata-priorities-capitol-hill" target="_blank">testified before Congress in July</a>&nbsp;to address the issue of a driver shortage, among other challenges.

Labor shortages have been an ongoing issue for the trucking industry, which caused the Biden administration to introduce the Trucking Action Plan in 2021.

One of the Trucking Action Plan’s main goals was to reduce barriers for individuals seeking commercial driver’s licenses. As part of this effort, the&nbsp;<a href="https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/16/fact-sheet-the-biden-%E2%81%A0harris-administration-trucking-action-plan-to-strengthen-americas-trucking-workforce/" target="_blank">Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provided over $30 million</a>&nbsp;in funding to help states expedite the commercial driver’s licensing process.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/cdl" target="_blank">CDL</a>&nbsp;process involves first obtaining a learner’s permit by passing a knowledge test and meeting age and medical requirements. Drivers then complete training and pass a skills test, which includes vehicle inspection, basic maneuvers and on-road driving.

The current Trump administration has sought to reverse the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce barriers for the CDL licensing process. To do so, it has made&nbsp;the English Language Proficiency aspect of the test an out-of-service violation.

“It’s really all about safety, because, you know, if you think about it, if someone cannot understand what a road sign means, then that could be a real issue,” said Sicily Waters, director of communications for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “And that’s really why I think everybody has really galvanized and supported this issue. The actions that this administration has taken are rooted in safety, and that’s not a partisan issue.”

<a href="https://www.missourinet.com/2025/11/11/missouri-cites-494-commercial-drivers-for-flunking-english-proficiency/" target="_blank">Reporting from Missourinet</a>&nbsp;indicates that 484 commercial drivers have been cited and pulled from driving on Missouri roads as of Oct. 21 because they are not fluent in English, according to information from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Crawford acknowledged that many drivers in Missouri’s trucking industry speak English as a second language. However, he stressed that it is the responsibility of employers to verify English proficiency during the hiring process.

“I know several members who have drivers for whom English isn’t their first language, but they are conversant,” Crawford said. “That’s what the law requires, and that’s a safe driver.”

This story originally appeared in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missouribusinessalert.com/industries/missouri-trucking-industry-faces-labor-challenges-as-freight-hauling-demand-dwindles/article_502d62c0-3215-41fe-bf7d-2cd2126c41be.html" target="_blank">Missouri Business Alert</a>, a digital newsroom covering businessand the economy in Missouri.

Missouri trucking industry faces labor challenges as freight hauling demand dwindles

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday night in Basehor, Kansas.

Just before 9p.m., deputies from the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 16900 block of Dempsey Road where a resident reported being threatened, according to a media release from the KBI.&nbsp; The reporting party provided a description of the suspect’s vehicle, which was a white Honda SUV.

Preliminary information indicates deputies located the Honda nearby, and attempted to stop the SUV, when the driver fled. While the Honda traveled eastbound in the 17000 block of Dempsey Road, gunshots were fired from the SUV toward the pursuing patrol vehicle. Near N. 147th&nbsp;and Parallel Road, in Basehor, gunshots were again fired from the Honda, and the responding deputy crashed his patrol vehicle.

The pursuit continued to the area of N. 156th&nbsp;and Parallel Road, where the Honda collided with a passenger car. As a deputy pulled behind the Honda, a male subject, later identified as Andrew M. Amundsen, 33, of Leavenworth, exited the passenger side, and fired several rounds. The deputy returned fire. The driver of the vehicle, Mariah Huggins, 29, of Kansas City, Kansas, was taken into custody at the crash site.

Amundsen fled on foot. In an attempt to hide, he broke a basement window of an area home, entered the residence, but then exited and continued to flee. Sheriff's deputies located him hiding in a truck bed in the area of N. 157th&nbsp;and Cedar Street and took him into custody. Amundsen was uninjured, and later booked into the Leavenworth County Jail on an outstanding arrest warrant.

The deputy involved in the wreck was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and then released. No other deputies or civilians were hurt during this incident. As a precaution, Huggins was examined by hospital personnel, and then booked into the Leavenworth County Jail on a pre-existing warrant.

Additional charges, related to this incident, are expected for Amundsen and Huggins.

This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

When this investigation concludes case findings will be presented to the Leavenworth County Attorney for determination of charges. The investigation is ongoing.

Couple jailed after exchange of gunfire with Kansas deputy

KFEQ Week in Review

CALDWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Friday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Ford Edge driven by a 19-year-old Parkville man was westbound on U.S. 36 at Joe Montana Road three miles east of Cameron.&nbsp; The SUV struck a westbound 2022 Chevy Trailblazer driven by a 58-year-old Lawson man who was slowing. After impact the Chevy struck a bridge railing.&nbsp;

Caldwell County EMS transported a 53-year-old female passenger in th Chevy to Liberty Hospital. The drivers were not injured. The occupants of the Chevy were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman injured after crash pushed SUV into bridge rail

KFEQ Sports

KFEQ News

St. Joseph Police
Chief Paul Luster says his department is responding to residents’ concerns
about traffic violations, including expired temporary license plates.

Luster says the
city survey confirmed what he has heard during community meetings.

The police chief
says the department has partnered with the Missouri State Highway Patrol to use
its helicopter during traffic saturation efforts. Luster says he hopes the word
gets out about a crackdown on traffic violations.

“Getting that
message out that we’re going to take this seriously,” Luster tells KFEQmmunity.
“So, we get out there do a lot of traffic stops, write a lot of tickets, write
a lot of warnings, do a lot of education, but then also have that helicopter
element in the sky, too, which works out really well for us.”

Two recent
saturation events illustrate the point. In the first, five drivers fled from
police officers attempting to pull them over. All five were apprehended. In the
second, four drivers fled. All four face charges.

Luster says none
realized they were being tracked by the Highway Patrol helicopter.

“A lot of them,
home base is their residence,” Luster says. “So, they’ll run and they’ll pull
in their driveway and they think, oh I made it, and then all of the sudden
three or four police cars are surrounding their house instantly, because the
helicopter’s putting out that information.”

Missouri lawmakers
moved to increase the penalties for fleeing from police a couple of years ago.
Legislators approve Valentine’s Law, putting sharper teeth into state law.

Luster says
drivers who fled from police during the recent saturation efforts found out how
sharp those teeth were.

“They’re learning
this is a really serious charge and there’s no I can just go get probation for
this anymore. You have to do those 12 months,” Luster says. “And that’s a giant
deterrent that says, for Missouri, we’re taking this seriously.” 

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joe police use patrol helicopter to crack down on traffic violations

The director and a star from a movie filmed throughout the St. Joseph and Savannah area will return next month for a special one-night screening.  

Director Matthew Toronto and co-leading actress Kylee Levien will come to the Trail Theatre on December 4th for a meet and greet and a Q and A session to go along with the screening of ‘A ChrisMystery’. 

St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Christian Mengel says the event came to life thanks to someone local who worked on the film  

"We had somebody who was local to the region on the crew that said hey I’m still in contact with some of the people in the LA area that said they would be willing to come back for a showing,” Mengel tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “So, naturally we were like what’s their schedule, what’s it look like? And so December 4th was the day that seemed to work for the director and Kylee.” 

 Mengel says people from the movie coming back is a great opportunity, because while they are here, they don't get much of a chance to experience the town.  

"This is an opportunity for them to come back on their own time, on their own schedule, kind of relax and just have conversations with people who maybe were directly involved either as crew in the region or were extras or had property that was part of the film, maybe offered up their car or their home,” Mengel explains. 

Tickets to the screening are $5 and can be purchased online or at the door, while available.  The meet and greet will begin at 6:30pm with the screening at 7.  

Mengel says there will also be an opportunity for people to ask questions about the film 

“This is an opportunity for them in the room to basically give you that off the wall detail of now here’s exactly where we filmed or what it was like on this day, you get those kind of special moments and details that you otherwise wouldn’t get,” Mengel says. 

 The question-and-answer session, hosted by Bob Schultz will follow the movie. 

The movie is available to view currently on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.54a25b9f-4515-4245-8337-a5ab160ab91c?ref_=imdbref_tt_ov_wbr_ovf__pvt_aiv&amp;tag=imdbtag_tt_ov_wbr_ovf__pvt_aiv-20">Prime Video</a>. A trailer is also available on YouTube.

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

Local film shot in St. Joseph, Savannah to be screened at the Trail Theatre

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 10p.m.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Toyota Corolla driven by a 17-year-old Bethany girl was northbound on U.S. 69 just south of NE 121 six miles south of Cameron. the car struck a deer.

Cameron EMS transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri teen injured after car, deer crash

Five people were arrested in Faucett on Tuesday by the Buchanan County Special Operation Division in connection with crimes across the Midwest.  

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports that on Tuesday, the Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force, comprised of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office Career Criminal Unit, St. Joseph Police Department, and Missouri Highway Patrol located three vehicles in Faucett at the Pilot gas station connected to crimes in several states across the Midwest.  

Officers took four males and one female into custody and seized the three vehicles at the scene.  All five suspects were found to be citizens of Venezuela and due to the significance of the alleged crimes ICE was notified. 

All five suspects were taken to the Buchanan County jail for further investigation before being transferred into ICE custody.   

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

Five arrested in connection with multiple crimes across Midwest

December corn closed down 1 cent and March corn was down 1/4 cent. January soybeans closed up 2 1/2 cents and March soybeans were up 2 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 4 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was unchanged, December Minneapolis wheat was down 7 3/4 cents.

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

Markets took on a more reserved tone Friday ahead of the weekend, with futures trading both sides of even but gaining some semblance of footing following a turn lower across the middle part of the past week. For the most part, it was a retracement-themed week as prices finished on Friday very close to last week's close, with traders for now removing Monday's premium primarily from the soybean market. The support points which propped up prices for Friday will be interesting to monitor when trade resumes on Sunday evening and into next week's holiday-shortened week. Outside markets for Friday were mixed, with equities recovering near October lows. Meanwhile, energy markets headed lower again with January crude oil futures posting the lowest close in a month behind the idea that the proposed peace plan between Russia and Ukraine would ultimately result in a lifting of existing sanctions against the Russian oil industry.

After trading sharply lower as traders at first reacted poorly to the news that broke late Thursday afternoon that President Trump has lifted the tariff on Brazilian beef, as odd as it may sound, the live cattle complex got back to trading higher before closing softly lower into Friday's close. Besides the slightly higher boxed beef prices this morning, it's tough to pinpoint exactly what's giving traders enough support to look beyond Thursday's trade development. Nevertheless, for the sake of cattle producers, higher trade is higher trade, and that's always a win. No new cash cattle trade has developed. Do remember that later this afternoon the monthly Cattle on Feed report will be released. So far this week, Northern dressed deals have been marked at mostly $345, $6 lower than the prior week's weighted average basis Nebraska, while Southern live deals have been done at $222 to $224, $4 to $6 lower than the previous week's weighted averages.

The feeder cattle complex was taking more of a cautious approach to Friday's trade, as some of its deferred contracts traded higher, but the nearby contracts were still lower and the entire complex finished down. The feeder cattle complex remains on edge as everyone in the industry knows that eventually the border is going to reopen, which will ripple a negative effect throughout the futures complex, and the monthly Cattle on Feed report is set to be released.

The lean hog complex traded fully lower into Friday's closing bell, as the market, once again, comes up empty-handed in terms of enough fundamental support. And while yes, pork cutout values may have been higher this morning, traders need to see more than one day's worth of higher trade to keep the contracts trading higher.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/11/21135332/web-closing-markets-2.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The New Democrat Coalition, made up of about 115 House Democrats, on Thursday unveiled a sweeping Rural Revitalization Agenda aimed at boosting healthcare access, strengthening the farm economy and expanding broadband in underserved communities. The coalition said the plan is designed to spur long-term economic growth in rural areas. The effort is led by Reps. Kim Schrier of Washington, Jim Costa of California, April McClain Delaney of Maryland and Josh Riley of New York. 

The agenda focuses on stabilizing rural hospitals, improving access to medical services and addressing persistent hunger. It also calls for new investment in small and specialty crop producers, reforms to trade and Farm Bill programs, and measures to ensure farmers can compete in global markets. Another major pillar targets the digital divide by expanding reliable, affordable broadband and modernizing federal connectivity programs. Coalition leaders said they intend to work across the aisle on a bipartisan Farm Bill while pushing for greater parity and support in existing rural programs.

‘New Democrat Coalition’ releases rural revitalization agenda

USDA reports that the 2025 U.S. harvest is nearing completion, with 91 % of the country’s corn crop and 95 % of soybeans harvested as of Nov. 16 in the top 18 producing states. Corn harvesting lags the five-year average of 94 % and trails last year’s progress when 98 % was already completed. Soybean harvests are just one point behind the five-year pace of 96 % and three points behind 2024’s 98 % finish. 

Farmers in key states like Iowa report essentially wrapping up operations, with only about 3 % of corn and 1 % of soybeans left to harvest.  Weather disruptions earlier in the season, including rain and frost, help explain the slower pace in some regions. With harvest nearly done, focus is turning to winter wheat planting and preparation for the next crop year.

Harvest wrapping up across U.S.

December corn closed down 3 1/4 cents and March corn was down 3 3/4 cents. January soybeans closed down 13 3/4 cents and March soybeans were down 12 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed down 9 1/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 9 3/4 cents, December MIAX Minneapolis wheat was down 8 1/2 cents.

The market continued to remove premium from prices on Thursday, despite another strong reported sale to China for soybeans early Thursday morning. It would seem like a classic case of "buying the rumor and selling the fact" in the complex for this week. Now that China has seemingly returned to the U.S. market in a meaningful way, traders likely are seeking to establish a new price range. In other words, from the October lows, how much in cents per bushel is the anticipated business from China worth? Time will tell on that. In outside markets, the general bearish tone for Thursday was well noted, with equities all but giving back a short bounce based on strong earnings from AI darling Nvidia. Fears of an AI bubble are the most pointed to explanation for the stock market weakness. Meanwhile, energy futures are lower again, with diesel prices reversing from multi-month highs perhaps on news that President Trump has reportedly approved a plan for ending the Russian-Ukraine war.

The livestock complex was again trading mixed as the cattle contracts dipped lower upon not seeing enough fundamental support in the market, but the lean hog contracts traded higher. No new cash cattle trade has developed, but bids were on the table in Nebraska.

Without seeing more fundamental support, the live cattle complex was trading lower into midday Thursday as traders were disappointed to note the decline in fed cash cattle prices again this week, and aren't overly thrilled with boxed beef prices being mixed again this morning.

Again today, the lean hog contracts were trading higher as traders seem to believe that the market has trended lower enough for the time being. It is helpful that pork cutout values were a tick higher this morning, but the volume of cash hogs traded over the week has been relatively thin.&nbsp;

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/05/29192003/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

U.S. farm safety net programs are projected to deliver more than $13.5 billion in payments for the 2025 crop year, though farmers will not receive the funds until October 2026. The payments come through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, which were modified under the One Big Beautiful Bill reconciliation package signed into law July 4. 

FarmDoc Daily reports the changes, relative to the 2018 Farm Bill, are expected to increase both the likelihood and potential size of ARC and PLC payments in 2025 and future years. Farmers who enrolled in 2025 will receive whichever payment — ARC or PLC — is higher, while enrollment choices will again influence payments starting in 2026. Estimates rely on USDA projections from the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report and data from the Farm Service Agency. Payment rates are calculated using county-level base acres, non-irrigated yields where relevant, and program simulation models, providing detailed projections ahead of next year’s disbursements.

Safety Net Programs Set to Pay More than $13 Billion in 2026

The White House has held separate meetings with oil refiners and biofuel producers as it works to resolve a long-standing dispute over U.S. biofuel-blending requirements, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Biofuels-news.com reports the talks focus on billions of gallons of blending obligations that were waived for small refineries, raising questions about whether larger refiners should make up any of the exempted volumes. 

A decision, originally expected by the end of October, was delayed by the federal government shutdown. The outreach reflects the administration’s effort to balance competing interests: the oil industry argues that federal mandates threaten refinery jobs, while the agricultural sector says the waivers have reduced demand for corn-based ethanol and other biofuels. 

The outcome could influence fuel prices, farm incomes, and energy policy heading into next year. Officials also discussed year-round sales of gasoline containing 15% ethanol, or E15, potentially linking the measure to small-refinery waiver reforms to win support from both industries.

White House Moving Toward Biofuels Blending Resolution

As the federal government reopens, farmers say the temporary extension of the 2018 Farm Bill offers little relief from rising costs and growing uncertainty. President Donald Trump’s signature restored funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but the farm law that underpins crop insurance, conservation programs and disaster aid is only renewed short term. 

Kentucky farmer Keith Lowry told the Paducah Sun that production and input costs have doubled since 2018 while commodity prices have stagnated, leaving growers without the safety net they need. He added that trade disruptions — including past tensions with China — continue to narrow export opportunities for soybeans and other crops. 

American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland said reopening the government is only a first step and urged Congress to advance regulations and trade efforts that support demand. Farmers say the shutdown hindered access to loans and assistance, compounding a difficult year marked by heavy rains, drought and escalating expenses.

Farmers Worry Renewal of Outdated Farm Bill Doesn’t Adequately Fund Critical Programs

December corn closed down 7 cents and March corn was down 8 cents. January soybeans closed down 17 1/4 cents and March soybeans were down 15 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 10 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 9 3/4 cents, December MIAX Minneapolis wheat was down 1 1/2 cents.

The market turned lower across the board Wednesday in a general risk-off session which stretched from commodities to equity markets. In terms of agricultural products, despite no overtly bearish news to point to on Wednesday, there was also little on the bullish side to sustain momentum against firm chart resistance which may have long-term implications, especially for the soybean market. Energy markets were weaker on Wednesday and added a layer of pressure to corn and soybean oil markets, despite the weekly EIA Petroleum Status report showing lower U.S. crude inventories week over week.

The cattle contracts are trading lower into Wednesday's noon hour as the market is disgruntled with the lack of fundamental support. Some light trade has developed in the North, where dressed cattle were trading at $345, which is $6.00 lower than last week's weighted average.

Without a steadfast stamp of approval from the market's fundamentals, the live cattle contracts were back to trading lower. The market would anticipate that beef demand will begin a sharp fourth-quarter rally in the next week or two, as consumers secure their meat for the Christmas holiday. Still, with beef prices already high compared to years past, the market sits in an unknown position, unsure how much of a fourth-quarter rally is really going to play out. The feeder cattle complex was also trading sharply lower as the market continued to closely follow the direction of the live cattle contracts.

Although midday pork cutout values are lower, once again, the lean hog contracts were trading slightly higher into Wednesday's noon hour as the market has seemed to stumble into some technical support.&nbsp;

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/13201542/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

Omaha Steaks President and CEO Nate Rempe (REM-pee) said, unfortunately, America’s beef bills will likely keep climbing. He told Fox News that the nation’s shrinking cattle supply and continued record demand are driving the possibility of ten-dollar-per-pound ground beef that could stretch family budgets for some time. 

“We need to get our arms around this in the U.S.,” he said. “By the third quarter of next year, American families are going to see ten dollars a pound for ground beef in the grocery store, so we’re in for a bit of a haul here.” He added that prices likely won’t come down in a significant way until 2027. “Heifer retention is a decision that the rancher and feedlot operator make to hold back female animals to help rebuild the herd,” Rempe said. “It’s a double-edged sword, because that means the supply is going to continue shrinking as fewer cattle go to market.”

Beef May Reach Ten Dollars Per Pound

President Donald Trump announced that many fertilizers U.S. farmers rely on will be exempt from reciprocal tariffs. The Fertilizer Institute said it’s extremely good news for the industry. 

“The Fertilizer Institute appreciates the Trump administration’s continued recognition of the importance of fertilizers to America’s food security, national security, well-being, and health,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “While the U.S. has robust domestic fertilizer manufacturing and production, it’s a net fertilizer importer and relies on both domestic production and imports during the busy spring planting and fall application periods.” 

He also said the fertilizer market is highly competitive and characterized by a complex web of global supply and demand factors. “Without farmers, there would be no fertilizer industry, and as farmers continue to face economic challenges, the focus of the industry remains promoting a stable industry that supports U.S. agriculture and ensures affordable food prices for American families,” Rosenbusch added.

TFI Reacts to Fertilizer Tariff Exemption

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ call for a close reexamination of the 42 million people who receive federal food aid has befuddled advocates and lawmakers, coming mere days after recipients began to see benefits that had been stalled during the government shutdown.

Details remain scant a week after Rollins during an interview on the right-wing Newsmax network first publicly broached the startling idea that every beneficiary would have to reapply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, often called food stamps.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, asked for an explanation, referenced existing requirements and suggested more changes in SNAP rules could be in store.

“Secretary Rollins wants to ensure the fraud, waste, and incessant abuse of SNAP ends,” a USDA spokesperson wrote Wednesday. “Rates of fraud were only previously assumed, and President Trump is doing something about it. Using standard recertification processes for households is a part of that work. As well as ongoing analysis of state data, further regulatory work, and improved collaboration with states.”

The 2008 law governing SNAP leaves states responsible for administration. Part of that role includes periodically making sure that the low-income people in the program meet the qualifications for inclusion, but the law allows states to determine how often that occurs.

“It’s not clear what she would be proposing that is different from what is already happening,” said Katie Bergh, a senior policy analyst for food assistance at the left-leaning think tank Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

One interpretation of Rollins’ comments is that she would remove all 42 million individuals from SNAP’s rolls and ask them to resubmit applications. Bergh said that would lead to people losing money they need for groceries. About 40% of those enrolled in SNAP are children.

“If she’s suggesting that they’re going to somehow redo that process for more than 40 million people who already demonstrated their eligibility and who already have to periodically recertify their eligibility, that would be pretty duplicative and would likely create pretty significant paperwork backlogs that would cause people who are eligible to lose the food assistance that they need,” Bergh said.

Administration critics have suggested that, while the comments are unlikely to lead to policy changes, they introduce even more confusion for a program that was used as a political token during the record government shutdown that ended this month.&nbsp;

Making people reapply would underscore the Trump administration’s opposition to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/key-statistics-and-research" target="_blank">nearly $100 billion program</a>, which accounts for 70% of federal nutrition assistance.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/research/snap/characteristics-fy23" target="_blank">USDA says</a>&nbsp;the average SNAP household in fiscal 2023 received a monthly benefit of $332, or $177 a person based on the average SNAP household size of 1.9 people.

“Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration have cut food assistance for 42 million Americans multiple times this year,” U.S. House Agriculture ranking member Angie Craig said in a Wednesday statement to States Newsroom. “Now, they’ve once again shown that they do not understand the program.”

In the Nov. 13 interview on Newsmax, Rollins said SNAP was beset by widespread fraud, citing data that 29 mostly Republican-run states submitted to the department. Acquiring data from the 21 other states would give the department a way to wholly remake the program, she said.

“Can you imagine when we get our hands on the blue state data, what we’re going to find?” she said. “It’s going to give us a platform and a trajectory to fundamentally rebuild this program, have everyone reapply for their benefit, make sure that everyone that’s taking a taxpayer-funded benefit through SNAP or food stamps that they literally are vulnerable, and they can’t survive without it. And that’s the next step here.”

In an interview Monday on Fox News, host Maria Bartiromo asked Rollins about the move to have recipients “reapply.”

“Business as usual is over,” Rollins answered in part. “The status quo is no more. We know that the SNAP program is rife with fraud.”

She added that guarding against fraud would help those the program is meant to serve.

The comments touched off widespread confusion about what specifically Rollins meant.&nbsp;

Asked about the initiative during a Thursday press conference, Craig, a Minnesota Democrat, said she was unclear about how it would work and predicted that Rollins would take credit in the future for the existing low rate of fraud.

“We’re hearing off the record that, you know, maybe people don’t know what the hell they’re talking about,” she said. “In fact, I think they’re trying to take credit for the already very strict standards and the actual low fraud rate in the SNAP program … So we can find no real plan there. Not even sure there’s concepts of a plan there.”

In response to a States Newsroom request this week for details about the initiative, USDA provided the statement that did not answer how the department would proceed or under what authority, but said Rollins was seeking to reduce fraud in the program.

Spokespeople did not respond to follow-up questions, or a request to respond to Craig’s remarks Thursday.

Program experts say fraud is not a widespread problem for SNAP.

An April&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF10860#_Ref509241731" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service found that retailers illegally trafficked about 1.6% of SNAP benefits from fiscal 2015 to 2017.

Fraud by households applying for SNAP, which appear to be the main target of Rollins’ proposal, is even lower.&nbsp;

According to a USDA&nbsp;<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-sar-fy23.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>, about 26,000 applications were referred for an administrative review or prosecution on suspicion of fraud. That number accounts for about 0.1% of the 22.7 million households enrolled in the program, according to the Pew Research Center.

“Long-standing data sources indicate that intentional fraud by participants is rare,” Bergh said.

At Thursday’s press conference, Craig called Rollins’ comments “bullsh*t” and “propaganda.”

“Secretary Rollins goes on TV and talks about all the fraud,” she said. “This most effective anti-hunger program in our history has a fraud rate of 1.6%. It’s actually one of the most effective, well-run programs in the country … The bullsh*t this administration is peddling is egregious.”

Even experts who advocate for reforms to SNAP say eligibility fraud is not a major issue.

Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, said high-net-worth individuals can receive SNAP benefits, but aren’t committing fraud by doing so.

“Some of the issues with SNAP … aren’t because of fraud or abuse, but they are because of bad program rules,” said Boccia.

Boccia also cited an “incentive misalignment” inherent in the state-federal program. States have little incentive to control payments because the federal government funds the program, she said.

Forcing all beneficiaries to reapply would likely reduce the cost of the program by reducing the number of its beneficiaries, including by forcing out higher earners who may not consider the benefits they don’t actually need to be worth the onerous reapplication process, Boccia said.&nbsp;