Commerce Bank is partnering with Visa to help get small businesses ready for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and a massive influx of visitors.  

St. Joseph Commerce Bank President Brendon Clark says with over 650-thousand visitors expected to the area, the World Cup presents a great opportunity for small businesses 

“We feel small businesses are the backbone of a thriving economy and we’ve been partnering and working with Visa to come up with some resources to help prepare them for the World Cup event this summer,” Clark tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “We want everybody to have all the tools and resources they need to take advantage of this opportunity.” 

Commerce Bank and Visa have released a list of six topics including fraud mitigation and cyber security and contactless and mobile payments among others, to help small businesses 

Clark says this program is vital for small businesses because not everyone coming for the World Cup may be familiar with payment standards and practices here. 

“We want everybody to be prepared so they can take advantage of this and not miss out on opportunities with systems that are not capable or misunderstandings of how our international guests might perceive things,” Clark explains. 

Other topics covered through the program include alternative forms of payment and language accessibility, and cultural awareness. 

Clark says some of the key takeaway's businesses might focus on in the program are contactless and mobile payments 

"Making sure that each business is kind of evaluating their current set up and taking advantage of the time to get themselves prepared for that,” Clark says. “Really I would advise anybody to go to the website, it’s <a href="http://commercebank.com/soccer26">commercebank.com/soccer26</a> , all of the information is there including a real easy to follow checklist that businesses can download and start looking at to help get themselves prepared.”

Around 650 thousand people are expected to come to the Kansas City area for the World Cup games which begin in June 

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

Commerce Bank helping prepare small businesses ahead of World Cup

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an encounter with police.

Shortly after 6:00PM on Wednesday an officer was conducting a traffic stop in the 1600 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. During the traffic stop, 51-year-old Bobby Glaspie, a family member of the stopped driver arrived at the scene and a short time later drove away, recklessly. 

Just before 7p.m. officers went to Glaspie’s residence in the 400 block R Street in Atchison regarding the reckless driving. Glaspie came out of the residence in an aggressive manner towards the officers and was subsequently taken into custody on requested charges of assault and battery on the officers as well as the reckless driving.

Glaspie has multiple previous convictions that include forgery, burglary, robbery,&nbsp; theft, criminal damage to property and for a variety of drug arrests.

Kan. felon jailed after agressive encounter with police

MERCER COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 7a.m. Thursday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Dodge Durango driven by a 28-year-old Mercer woman was southbound on U.S 65 four miles north of Princeton. The driver was not paying attention, according to the MSHP report. The SUV rear-ended a 2001 John Deere Farm Tractor driven by a 53-year-old Princeton man.

Mercer County ambulance transported the SUV driver and her 5-year-old male passenger to Wright Memorial Hospital. The tractor driver was not injured. The SUV driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman, 5-year-old injured after SUV rear-ends a farm tractor

Inspirations Dance Academy will debut its first performances at the new Savannah High School Performing Arts Center this weekend, marking the start of the academy's competition and recital season.

The event series begins Friday, Jan. 16, with the Inspirations Competition Team’s Dance Team Showcase. Organized as an open dress rehearsal, the showcase provides a preview of the routines the team will take to regional competitions in the coming months.

The academy’s annual winter recital, titled “Happy Little Recital,” follows on Saturday, Jan. 17. The performance features color-themed music, including selections such as “Golden,” “Colors Go Pow,” and “Colors of the Wind.” Two shows are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Mary Ingersoll, owner of Inspirations Dance Academy, expressed enthusiasm for the new local venue.

“Having a beautiful facility right here in Savannah is such a joy,” Ingersoll said. “We can’t wait to kick off our performance season in the new space and look forward to future performances at our new hometown venue.”

Tickets for the winter recital are available for purchase at the door or in advance through the JoMo Tickets website.

Following the performance weekend, the academy will open registration for new students beginning Monday, Jan. 19.

For more information about the program or to register, visit InspirationsAcademy.com or call 816-646-2404.

Inspirations Dance Academy to host first performances at new Savannah High theater

North Central Missouri College in Trenton has released their list of honor students for Fall 2025.

Students on the President's List have at least six credit hours, and a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA). Students on the Dean's List have at least six hours, and at least a 3.5 GPA.

The complete Honor Rolls can be read <a href="https://www.ncmissouri.edu/north-central-missouri-college-fall-honors-lists/">here</a>. 62 St. Joseph students are on the Dean's and President's Lists, and 37 from Savannah.

NCMC releases fall Honors Lists

The Platte County Commission is scheduled to consider an order Wednesday, Jan. 21, that could lead to property tax relief for local homeowners.

If approved by commissioners, the measure would be placed on an upcoming ballot, asking voters to authorize a Homestead Property Tax Credit Program under Missouri statute 137.1055. The program would effectively cap annual property tax increases at 5% for primary residences of eligible homeowners.

The initiative is an expansion of the county’s existing Senior Tax Credit program, which was passed in 2024 and implemented last year.

“This proposed order reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible property tax reform in an effort to ease the burden of rapidly increasing and unpredictable property taxes for Platte County homeowners,” said Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker.

The commission is encouraging members of the public to attend the meeting and share their perspectives on the proposed tax relief program.

Proposed Homestead Tax Credit aims to limit property tax hikes in Platte County

On Wednesday, Jan 14 authorities in Atchison County served a search warrant in Westboro, MO, which resulted in a drug arrest.

Atchison County deputies, along with members of the Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force, reportedly discovered controlled substances in the residence.

One person was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold

A warrant was issued for Frank Kephart for Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Resisting Arrest.

Westboro, MO resident arrested on drug charges

To ensure the fair distribution of resources, the Pet Pantry Program will transition to a scheduled monthly drive-up clinic format beginning Feb. 1. 

The City of St. Joseph says this change is designed to better serve the community and keep pets with their families by reducing surrenders due to financial hardship.

The first three clinics are scheduled for Feb. 9, March 9, and April 13. All sessions will run from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

The program provides temporary assistance with donated pet food and supplies for community members experiencing financial difficulties. Because the pantry relies entirely on donations, supplies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program cannot guarantee specific brands, types or flavors of food.

Under the new guidelines, food will be pre-packaged based on available inventory. Participants will receive one portion per pet, with a limit of three portions per species for each household. Distribution is limited to once per month per household. To ensure equitable access, staff may request basic information, including the participant's name, contact information, and the number and species of pets in the home.

Pet Pantry program in St. Joe shifts to monthly scheduled clinics

Following the success of their inaugural meeting in late 2025, the City of St. Joseph hosted its second Student in Government Day on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at emPowerU.

The event marked a transition from broad brainstorming to concrete action, as students from across the district returned to refine the local improvement goals they identified during their first session.

During the workshop, students engaged in direct dialogue with City Manager Mike Schumacher and other leaders from around St. Joe. The discussion focused on how to turn student-led ideas into reality, providing the youth a rare opportunity to see the inner workings of local government and advocate for the specific needs of their demographic.

The most significant outcome of the meeting was the formalization of a new youth coalition, dubbed the "Student Voice Alliance," the group will consist of 15 students from local schools. The group is designed to ensure that the momentum generated during these workshops continues year-round rather than being a one-time event.

Moving forward, the Student Voice Alliance will meet monthly at City Hall. These regular sessions will allow the student representatives to work closely with city officials to address their ideas, ensuring that the younger generation has a permanent and influential seat at the table in St. Joseph’s civic planning.

Schumacher says communicating with young people is key to addressing the topics. "Students will lead this discussion. We need to be prepared to listen in order to work on what they want to see. We need to learn from them."

Schumacher adds that he's encouraged by the students' interest in the city. "They are well informed and they know what's going on. And they would really like to see movement in certain areas in St. Joe."

Students short-listed a variety of topics, some of which include addressing homelessness, community cleanliness, and the downtown area.

The next meeting of the Student Voice Alliance is slated for Feb. 11.

St. Joseph students and city leaders launch "Student Voice Alliance" to drive local change

Former Platte County Commissioner John Elliott announced his bid for Missouri State Representative in District 13 today, aiming to succeed Rep. Sean Pouche.

The district comprises parts of Platte and Buchanan counties.

"I’m running to bring common sense conservative leadership from Platte County to Jefferson City," Elliott said, identifying his core goals as "standing with law enforcement, fixing a broken property tax system, protecting life, and defending Missouri land and agriculture from foreign control."

According to a press release from Elliot's campaign, public safety serves as a cornerstone of his platform. Elliott noted that his local community "depends on strong law enforcement to maintain our quality of life," promising he "will back the men and women who keep us safe and push back against policies that weaken public safety." He also extended this focus to food security, asserting that "foreign ownership of agricultural land and critical infrastructure is a growing concern" and that "Missouri families and farmers—not foreign governments—should control our land and food supply."

Reflecting on his previous experience in county government and his background as a small business owner, Elliott emphasized his connection to the district. "My wife Julie and I understand the challenges local businesses face," he said, adding that he intends to be "a voice for families and family-owned businesses—not corporate insiders in Jefferson City."

Elliott also signaled his alignment with state-level tax reform, backing the elimination of the state income tax. Closing with a nod to his conservative philosophy, he quoted Ronald Reagan’s warning that "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction," concluding that he intends "to do all I can to pass that torch to the next generation."

Platte County’s John Elliott launches campaign for Missouri House

Platte City in Missouri is moving forward with downtown revitalization plans based on resident feedback. The city received input calling for new sidewalks, improved lighting, and more businesses in the area. 

The new master plan includes updated streetscape, new lighting, and enhanced signage to attract more foot traffic and encourage people to stay longer. 

Small business owners believe the changes will bring in new customers and create growth in the community, transforming Platte City into a destination rather than a drive-through community.

Platte City preps for growth under new plan

March corn closed down 1 3/4 cents and May corn was down 2 cents. March soybeans closed up 10 1/2 cents and May soybeans were up 9 1/4 cents. March KC wheat closed down 5 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 2 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 4 1/2 cents.

Corn and wheat futures traded mixed Thursday, again fading from early highs as the weight of added supply in both markets continues to serve as a headwind to rally attempts. Meanwhile, soybean futures enjoyed a double-digit jump on Thursday following a number of supportive news reports, most notably as Brazil's National Supply Company (Conab) reduced their forecast for 2025-26 soybean production in a surprising split from USDA's increase in Monday's WASDE. Outside markets leaned negative, with crude oil staging a sharp reversal after five straight sessions higher on a perceived and at least temporary easing of tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Equities were higher after a two-day profit-taking dip, and the U.S. dollar moved higher for the twelfth time in the past fifteen sessions.

The live cattle complex is back to trading higher following Wednesday's lower close, as once again the contracts are no longer up against immediate pressure. It's very apparent that the market desires to trade higher, but until traders can see immediate fundamental support in the form of stronger fed cash cattle trade, it's unlikely that they'll boldly advance the market until then. At this point, both bids and asking prices remain elusive. Boxed beef prices are higher: choice up $1.91 ($360.44) and select up $2.28 ($359.93) with a movement of 99 loads (78.80 loads of choice, 5.89 loads of select, 7.82 loads of trim and 6.15 loads of ground beef).

The live cattle contracts may be mildly trading higher, but the feeder cattle contracts were trading with more vigor as most of the contracts were trading over $3.00 higher towards the closing bell. The market is currently pushing up against resistance pressure, which could cause the market some anxiety later this afternoon.

With pork cutout values up sharply, the lean hog complex had a breakout day. So long as fundamental support remains evident, it's likely that traders will continue to push the contracts higher as they've been patiently waiting for this amount of fundamental support to develop so that they can charge the market higher.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/15141340/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The USDA confirmed that farmers harvested a record-large crop in 2025, estimated at over 17 billion bushels. Corn stockpiles are also expected to climb to their highest level in eight years, driving corn prices lower. The Renewable Fuels Association said this underscores the pressing need to eliminate the obstacles that are suppressing demand and limiting market opportunities for corn and ethanol alike. “This is a sobering wakeup call about the farm economy and underscores the need for lawmakers to take immediate action to expand markets for American corn growers,” said Geoff Cooper, RFA President and CEO. 

“The fastest and easiest way to shore up the growing supply-demand imbalance in the corn market is to permanently remove the summertime barrier on E15 sales and eliminate obsolete fuel retail infrastructure rules.” He also said these decades-old regulatory barriers are literally choking off demand and shortchanging America’s farmers. 

RFA: More urgency about approving year-round E15

The U.S. agricultural land market is shifting after years of steady growth. Although land values are still historically high, current signs indicate a more complex situation driven by local and regional factors rather than nationwide trends. “After years of steady growth, we’re seeing the farmland market stabilize,” said Colton Lacina, senior vice president of real estate options at Farmers National Company. “This isn’t a sign of collapse but a recalibration that reflects current commodity prices, input costs, and regional production conditions.” 

Farmland demand now varies widely by location. Areas with high crop yields, diversified farms, and dependable groundwater continue to attract buyers and maintain steady values. “Farmland values are increasingly determined locally, sometimes down to the township,” Lacina added. “Buyers are carefully assessing soil quality, the percentage of tillable acres, water access, and how a parcel fits into their operations.” Despite mixed signals, market conditions still remain favorable for most sellers.

Farmland values enter a new phase

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

Corn, soybean, and wheat futures were all higher Wednesday, with speculators and long-side hedgers likely both seeing opportunity to lock in purchases following the early week, post-USDA price drop. However, upside momentum remained very limited as trading volumes eased following Monday's report day spike. Outside markets Wednesday were supportive as well, as we continue to see a rush to outside commodities this week, such as gold and silver, which have moved once again to new records. Equity markets are softer through the middle of the week on a flow of money from stocks (specifically the tech sector) into commodities. The energy market was firm early in Wednesday's trade, with crude oil futures hitting two and a half month highs on geopolitical risk, specifically ongoing turmoil in Iran, although prices eventually reversed lower likely on profit-taking as well as larger week-on-week crude inventories in the weekly EIA Petroleum Status report.

The live cattle complex traded lower into Wednesday's closing bell as traders are confident that they do not possess enough support to push the contracts any higher. On Tuesday, the market was charged with bullishness, but today, traders seem to look at the markets a tick more level-headed, and while they believe that the bullish sentiment is justified, they also know that they need to see immediate fundamental support before they can confidently push the contracts higher in the near term. Still no cash cattle trade has developed. Boxed beef prices are higher: choice up $1.34 ($359.33) and select up $0.33 ($357.51) with a movement of 78 loads (52.90 loads of choice, 5.14 loads of select, 12.17 loads of trim and 8.20 loads of ground beef).

And once again, in alignment with the direction of the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts also traded lower Wednesday. Until the live cattle complex trades higher, the feeder cattle complex will likely continue to trade in a cautious, lower manner.

Traders continue to push the lean hog complex higher, with not a lot of fundamental support behind their ambitions. Both cash prices and pork cutout values have been lax this week, but even so, traders continue to aggressively push the contracts.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/14143027/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The USDA said inspections of corn, soybeans, and wheat for export all rose week to week during the seven days ending on January 8. Corn inspections improved to 1.49 million metric tons from 1.32 million a week earlier. The agency report said that’s higher than the 1.44 million tons that were inspected during the same week last year. Soybean assessments were reported at 1.53 million metric tons, up from just over 984,000 tons the previous week and the 1.36 million tons inspected at the same point last year. 

Wheat examinations for overseas delivery jumped to 317,400 metric tons, up from 183,000 the previous week. That was narrowly higher than the total inspected during the same week a year earlier. Since the start of the marketing year, USDA has inspected 28.4 million metric tons of corn for export, 17.9 million metric tons of soybeans, and wheat assessments since the start of the marketing year totaled 15.6 million metric tons. 

Weekly export inspection up across the board

The USDA released its January WASDE Report, which projected a 17-billion-bushel corn supply in 2025-2026, raising alarms among the nation’s corn growers and triggering an immediate market reaction. If the projections prove accurate, this year’s crop will be the largest on record by far. The surplus supply promises to keep corn prices low as farmers struggle to pay higher input costs. 

“We need long-term market solutions, and we need them quickly, or this is going to deepen the economic crisis in the countryside,” said Jed Bower, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “The urgency for Congress and the president to open new markets abroad and expand consumer access to ethanol just increased exponentially.” Bower also noted that an immediate boost to demand would be the passage of legislation authorizing year-round consumer access to fuels with a 15 percent ethanol blend. He said this solution could use 2.4 billion additional bushels of corn annually. 

Corn growers alarmed by new supply projections

March corn closed down 1 3/4 cents and May corn was down 2 3/4 cents. March soybeans closed down 10 1/4 cents and May soybeans were down 9 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed down 7 1/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 3/4 cents.

Row-crop futures traded mixed to lower Tuesday in fallout after Monday's much-more-bearish report than even the most already bearish traders and analysts expected. The question now becomes how quickly traders will choose to move past the USDA estimates and ahead to what will be a very busy first quarter of 2026 for further fundamental developments. Outside markets for Tuesday were mixed, with a higher U.S. dollar for the eleventh time in the past 13 sessions as Tuesday's CPI reading was steady at 2.7% year-over-year inflation. Energy prices were firm for the fourth straight session amid growing turmoil in Iran and President Trump renewing tariff threats against countries that trade with Iran. Equity markets were lower on profit-taking amid record highs for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&amp;P 500.

The live cattle complex stepped higher into Tuesday's close as traders were pleased to see boxed beef prices stronger again today, and are feeling at ease knowing corn prices are projected to remain affordable through 2026 -- as evidenced by Monday's WASDE report. No substantial cash cattle trade has developed yet, and with the futures market trading slightly higher, there's a good chance trade will again be delayed until late in the week. No asking prices have been established either. Boxed beef prices are higher: choice up $0.91 ($358.02) and select up $0.99 ($359.04) with a movement of 93 loads (61.65 loads of choice, 4.78 loads of select, 18.96 loads of trim and 7.78 loads of ground beef).

With corn prices anticipated to remain affordable through 2026, the feeder cattle complex was sporting a noteworthy $4.00 to $5.00 rally through the bulk of Tuesday's session. Feed costs have remained in feeders' favor over the last year as overall it's been affordable, but with feeder cattle prices so high, buyers need that guarantee as their breakevens on these calves is risky and if feed prices were to grow more expensive, a lot of people could be in a tough position given how much they are simply paying for the calves and feeders they desire to feed out.

Following the slight technical downturn in which the lean hog complex has seen over the last three days, the market was again trading higher as traders are no longer up against immediate resistance pressure. It still remains a tough fundamental position for the marketplace as pork cutout values were again lower and as there hasn't been hardly any trade in the cash hog market -- meaning that today's slight uptick was solely a technical decision.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/13134511/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Kansas currently holds the highest number of confirmed bird flu infections in the United States, with recent outbreaks in two northeast counties pushing the state’s total to more than 400,000 affected birds.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the surge in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has impacted four commercial operations and six backyard flocks across the state. The most significant loss occurred in Pottawatomie County, where a commercial egg-laying facility reported 380,000 birds affected by the virus.

In neighboring Nemaha County, officials recently confirmed the virus in a commercial gamebird flock of more than 4,000 birds. The USDA reports that 65 flocks have been impacted nationwide as the virus continues to spread through migratory bird patterns.

Despite the high number of poultry infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that the risk to the general public remains low. While the federal government has recorded 71 human cases of bird flu across the country, none have been identified in Kansas.

Health officials continue to monitor the situation, advising poultry owners to implement strict biosecurity measures to prevent further spread between commercial and wild populations.

Northeast Kansas bird flu outbreaks push state to highest infection rate in U.S.

Enrollment for the USDA’s ARC and PLC Programs will not open until after the 2026 planting season. AgroLatam said the announcement comes as USDA readies a 61-page final rule implementing updates required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. Key changes include higher PLC reference prices, a 90 percent guarantee level for ARC, and expanded base acre eligibility for farmers with historically non-program crops. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce said the delays are due to the Farm Service Agency workload and the complex nature of implementing the new federally-mandated provisions. 

According to the rule, farmers will likely know their 2026 production and yields before enrolling in PLC and ARC – a significant shift in timing that could allow more informed decisions but may compress the planning window for each U.S. producer. At the same time, enrollment in the Dairy Margin Coverage began on Monday, January 12. 

ARC/PLC enrollment delayed until after planting

Recognizing the vital role that dogs often play on family farms and ranches, Farm Bureau launched the Farm Dog of the Year contest several years ago, which is now a popular feature of the American Farm Bureau’s National Convention. The winner of this year’s award is Max, a four-year-old Border Collie owned by John, Charla, and Brynley Enns of Oklahoma. AFBF, with support from Nestle, picked Max as the winner from among almost 100 entries. 

Max fills a number of roles on the farm, but his primary occupation is herding cattle. His assistance is valuable for John, who’s disabled and uses a mobility scooter. “I can’t imagine doing this without Max,” said John Enns. “Max is not only a working dog, but also great with the family.” After a long day of herding boisterous cattle on mostly hilly terrain, Max often accompanies John and Charla to pick up daughter Brynley from school. 

Farm Bureau selects farm 'Dog of the Year'

WASHINGTON — An indictment unsealed Wednesday in the District of Kansas charged a Honduran man and Kansas woman for conspiring to submit, and submitting, a sponsorship application with false statements to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to gain custody of an Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC) after the child entered the U.S. illegally, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.

“This indictment represents the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting individuals who fraudulently pose as suitable&nbsp;Unaccompanied Alien Child sponsors to obtain custody of vulnerable children,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This conduct represents a violation of the societal responsibility to safeguard children. Our efforts are a continuation of the Department’s commitment to hold accountable those who commit crimes related to the exploitation of UACs, and will serve to strengthen ORR’s UAC program and ensure it is not manipulated.”

“We are determined to protect the most vulnerable members of our society,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser for the District of Kansas. “This task often takes a multi-faceted approach involving multiple agencies and superior coordination. Given Task Force Alpha’s efforts, we are seeing real results, and my office is happy to be on the front line.”

According to the indictment, Romulo Hernandez Murillo, 45, a Honduran national without legal authorization to be in the U.S., agreed to pay defendant Lisa Marie Lopez Perdomo, 48, of Syracuse, Kansas, to assist him with applying to sponsor and obtain custody of a Honduran Unaccompanied Alien Child.

 The agreement included being permitted to misrepresent himself by using Lopez’s address on the application to sponsor the minor. The defendants intended for the child to reside with Hernandez and work in the United States. In furtherance of his fraudulent sponsorship application, Hernandez submitted and signed, under the penalty of perjury, documents falsely claiming he resided at Lopez’s address. An employee of the HHS-funded care provider where the child was staying ultimately recommended that Hernandez’s application be denied after an investigation uncovered Hernandez’s false representations. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The defendants are both charged with one count of making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement and one count of conspiracy to commit the same offense. If convicted of either offense, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.&nbsp;

This investigation was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and ForfeitureSection, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 435 domestic and international arrests, which includes those of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 385 U.S. convictions; more than 330 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood.

HHS’s Office of Inspector General and DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case with assistance from the Kansas Department of Labor, Special Investigations Unit; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations; and the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additionally, HSI’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking in Washington, D.C., and ORR have provided invaluable assistance along with the United States Marshals Service.

Acting Deputy Chief Christian Levesque and Trial Attorney Matthew Thiman of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Indictment: Kan. woman fraudulently obtained custody of unaccompanied alien child

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the death of two people at a Kansas City home.

Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 1200 block of NE 83rd Terrace, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino As officers arrived they were directed inside a residence where hey located a man and woman both suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers also located a juvenile boy with an unknown injury. 

The child was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Both the man and woman were pronounced deceased at the scene.This is currently a death investigation and investigators are not looking for anyone else involved. Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incident.&nbsp;

Police did not release the names of the two who died or additional details.

Police: Couple found dead, infant injured at KC home

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Court records show Rachel M. Perkins, the former director of the Hutchinson Kids Wrestling Club, has been charged with one count of theft by deception involving an alleged loss of between $1,500 and $25,000.

According to Reno County booking records, Perkins was booked into the Reno County Detention Center on Jan. 2. She made her first appearance in Reno County District Court on Jan. 9. As of now, no additional court date has been announced.

Charging documents allege Perkins stole approximately $10,000 from the wrestling club. Further details surrounding the allegations were not immediately available in court filings.

She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Former director accused of theft from kids wrestling club in Kansas

By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/max-nesterak/">Max Nesterak</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/alyssachen/">Alyssa Chen</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday morning to send the military into Minnesota to stop protests, following another shooting by immigration agents that injured one person, seven days after an agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.

Writing on his own social media platform, Trump said he would invoke the Insurrection Act, a 19th-century law empowering the government to deploy the military domestically to “repress insurrections and repel invasions.”

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State. Thank you for you attention to this matter! President DJT,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115899252938886431" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Truth Social.

The law grants an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from performing domestic law enforcement.

The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush in response to civil unrest that included the deaths of 63 people, following the acquittal of four white police officers charged with beating to death Black driver Rodney King. The statute has been used about 30 times since the country’s founding, according to records kept by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Protests erupted across the Twin Cities after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/07/ice-officer-fatally-shoots-driver-through-car-window-in-minneapolis/">shot and killed</a>&nbsp;37-year-old Renee Good in south Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

The demonstrations escalated Wednesday night after a federal immigration agent shot and injured a man in north Minneapolis.&nbsp;

According to a statement issued by the Department of Homeland Security, a man crashed his vehicle and ran away as agents were “conducting a targeted traffic stop” at 6:50 p.m. Central time. An agent fired “a defensive shot to defend his life” after the man and two bystanders “attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle,” according to the statement.&nbsp;

The agent shot the man in the leg, according to the department. The statement described the man as “an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022.”

States Newsroom’s Minnesota Reformer was unable to confirm the account.&nbsp;

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a late-night press conference that the man was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Reformer&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/14/second-person-in-a-week-shot-by-federal-immigration-agent-in-minneapolis/">reported</a>&nbsp;that scores of demonstrators arrived at the scene, sparking a back-and-forth with agents, who deployed tear gas and flash bangs. Agents detained at least two people after someone threw fireworks at the agents. At least two vehicles believed to be used by federal officers were vandalized. The clashes largely stopped by 11:30 p.m., according to the Reformer.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked for calm and reiterated his call for the Trump administration to remove ICE from the city.

Trump surged more ICE agents to Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Good, bringing the total to roughly 3,000 — far outnumbering the city’s 600 local police officers.&nbsp;

President Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act, deploy military in Minnesota

&nbsp;In another pre-dawn action Thursday, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and apprehended Motor/Tanker Veronica without incident, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.

The Veronica is the latest tanker operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean, proving the effectiveness of Operation Southern Spear yet again.  

These operations are backed by the full power of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, including the ready and lethal platforms of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS San Antonio (LPD 17), and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). 

"The only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully. The Department of War in coordination with interagency partners, will defend our homeland by ending illicit activity and restoring security in the Western Hemisphere."

🎥  US seizes in Caribbean Sea another sanctioned oil tanker

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is aware of a recent event where a skimming device was used in a Wichita store resulting in the theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from 46 Kansas households, according to a media release from the agency.

&nbsp;An investigation by DCF, it was discovered a skimming device had been placed on a point of sale terminal at a Wichita store to steal Kansas Benefits Card (electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card) information. That stolen information was then used to drain the SNAP benefits from the cards. 

The impacted cards were all used at the same store.Currently, this event is affecting 46 SNAP recipients with a total of approximately $9,800 in stolen SNAP benefits.

On Jan. 5, 2026, DCF received notification from several Kansans that their benefits were being used in Pennsylvania. 

DCF immediately began investigating and deactivating cards that had been used at a suspected location as a precaution to prevent additional theft of benefits.Further investigation by DCF indicates possible skimming activity associated with Kansas Benefits Cards (electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards) in the Kansas City, Kansas area. 

The investigation is ongoing and DCF is working with law enforcement on this case.

Affected cardholders should receive notice in the mail. Cardholders with Self-Service Portal (SSP) accounts who have opted in to receive communications will also get a text message or email prompting them to review a message in the portal.​ Affected cardholders will receive new Kansas Benefits Cards mailed to their homes.

<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/skimming" target="_blank">Skimmers</a>&nbsp;are devices criminals use to steal data from credit, debit and EBT cards. These devices are illegally placed on point-of-sale terminals to capture card data. The criminals then use the data to create fake cards and make illegal purchases. Criminals may use the stolen card information to make purchases in other states because skimming events are often part of a larger theft ring.

How to help prevent EBT card theft

Stolen benefits cannot be replaced. DCF strongly encourages cardholders to use the free ebtEDGE app from DCF’s EBT contractor, Fidelity Information Services (FIS), or the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do" target="_blank">ebtedge.com</a>&nbsp;to monitor their account and help further safeguard their benefits by using the following features:

Third-party EBT apps do not provide the same protection features as ebtEDGE. The ebtEDGE app can be accessed in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Cardholders are also encouraged to beware of phishing attempts, and they should not share their card info or the PIN over the phone or via text message. DCF and FIS will never call or text cardholders and explicitly ask for their card number or PIN. 

Learn more about protecting EBT cards at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EBT-Online.aspx" target="_blank">ebtcards.dcf.ks.gov</a>.What should cardholders do if they suspect their card has been compromised?If a cardholder suspects their EBT card has been compromised,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do" target="_blank">ebtedge.com</a>.Will stolen benefits be replaced?Federally funded replacement for stolen SNAP and TANF benefits ended in December 2024. In addition, there is no state money available for reimbursement. This means stolen SNAP and TANF benefits cannot be replaced.

DCF investigating EBT card skimming across Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY—Police are asking help in identifying an individual in connection with a burglary spree in Lenexa.

Since the first of the year, multiple work vehicles at local businesses have been broken into, with tools and equipment stolen. These crimes don’t just result in stolen property—they also cause vehicle damage and disrupt daily business operations. The burglaries occurred in the 8100 Lenexa Drive, in the 8200 block of Melrose, at 95th and Pflumm at 10100 Marshall among other locations, according to police.

If you recognize this person or have information about their identity, please contact our detective at 913-825-8120.

The suspect has been seen driving a dark Honda CR-V, which is shown at the end of this video.

Police ask for help to ID Kansas burglary suspect

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance broke a tied Senate vote to block advancement of a war powers resolution that would have stopped President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorization.

Senate Republicans used a procedural maneuver Wednesday night to halt debate on the Vietnam War-era&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47603" target="_blank">statute</a>&nbsp;that gives Congress a check on the president’s deployments abroad.&nbsp;

Sens. Todd Young of Indiana and Josh Hawley of Missouri flipped on their previous votes to advance the resolution, splitting support at 50-50 — and delivering a victory to Trump, who had strongly criticized Republican senators who earlier defected from the administration.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky voted to keep the effort alive in the Senate. Paul is the only Republican co-sponsor of the bill. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia was the leading Democratic co-sponsor.

Young said while he “strongly” believes Congress must be involved in any decisions about the commitment of U.S. troops, administration officials assured him that is not the state of play in Venezuela.

“After numerous conversations with senior national security officials, I have received assurances that there are no American troops in Venezuela. I’ve also received a commitment that if President Trump were to determine American forces are needed in major military operations in Venezuela, the Administration will come to Congress in advance to ask for an authorization of force,” Young said in a written statement after he cast his vote.

The vote came less than a week after Young and Hawley were among the&nbsp; five Senate Republicans who broke with party ranks to move the resolution across an initial procedural hurdle — a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-gop-support-advances-war-powers-resolution-rebuking-trump-venezuela" target="_blank">rare rebuke</a>&nbsp;of Trump from some in his own party.

Trump pointedly attacked the five GOP senators after they voted, writing on his Truth Social platform that the lawmakers “should never be elected to office again.”&nbsp;

Senate Republicans argued a resolution to rein in Trump’s military actions against Venezuela is not relevant because “there’s no troops there, there is nothing to terminate,” as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch said on the floor ahead of the vote.

“Now, I know some of my colleagues will argue that a vote for this resolution is a prospective statement about limiting future action in Venezuela. That’s not what it says. They argue, ‘we still have ships in the Caribbean, and clearly the president is ready to invade again,’ they say. But again, that is not what the resolution says. … No language in this resolution addresses future action,” said Risch, R-Idaho, who moved to table the measure.

The vote came 11 days after U.S. special forces apprehended Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their bedroom during a surprise overnight raid. The couple was wanted by U.S. authorities on federal drug and conspiracy charges.

The vote also comes after a monthslong bombing campaign on small boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean in which U.S. strikes killed more than 115 alleged “narco-terrorists,” according to U.S. Southern Command.

Within an hour before senators voted to block any advancement of the war powers resolution, Trump posted on social media that he “had a very good call” Thursday morning with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

“We are making tremendous progress, as we help Venezuela stabilize and recover. Many topics were discussed, including Oil, Minerals, Trade and, of course, National Security. This partnership between the United States of America and Venezuela will be a spectacular one FOR ALL. Venezuela will soon be great and prosperous again, perhaps more so than ever before!” Trump wrote on his own platform, Truth Social.

Trump hosted oil executives at the White House Friday for a meeting on potential investment in Venezuela’s oil industry. Prior to the meeting, the president announced the South American nation had already agreed to give the U.S. between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil. Trump said he would control the money made from the sale.

Paul and Democratic sponsors of the war powers resolution vehemently disagreed with the GOP statements about the U.S. presence in and around Venezuela.

“You don’t have to be a great expert in military affairs to know that we are heavily engaged,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, ahead of the vote.

“Donald Trump says we’re not engaged in hostilities? Tell that to the 16,000 U.S. service members currently deployed in the Caribbean. Tell that to our service members on the Ford carrier strike force. Look at the Marine expeditionary unit operating in the region,” Schumer said. “Donald Trump is turning the Caribbean into a dangerous powder keg — and Congress must rein him in before one mistake ignites a larger, more unstable conflict.”

Kaine likened the Republicans’ procedural move to “a parliamentary gag rule on discussion of this military operation.”

“If this cause and if this legal basis were so righteous and so lawful, the administration and its supporters would not be so afraid to have this debate before the public and the United States Senate,” Kaine said on the floor ahead of the vote.

Paul said the administration’s claim that Venezuela is not an official war is “an absurdity.”

“The invasion of another country, blockading of a country and removing another country’s leader, to my mind, clearly, is war,” Paul said on the floor ahead of the vote.

U.S. Southern Command declined to confirm Wednesday the exact number of troops and warships present in the region.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said more than 100 were killed in the raid, according to numerous media outlets that posted a&nbsp;<a href="https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2026/01/07/venezuela/video/venezuela-ataques-muertos-estados-unidos-diosdado-cabello" target="_blank">video</a>&nbsp;of his statement. The Cuban government announced on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JzbcBUyHz/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;32 of its citizens were among the dead.

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