Missouri Western State University President Elizabeth Kennedy traveled with a group of community leaders to Jefferson City to take part in Great Northwest Days last week.  

Kennedy says the event is a great chance to advocate for the university with state legislators, especially around the topic of requesting $4 million more in state appropriations of core funding 

“I have talked about this for two years now, presented it at the Public Affairs Coffee and those kinds of things, but here’s why we need the four million, first of all we are the second lowest funded public university in the state of Missouri, not necessarily the lowest enrolled, but the second lowest,” Kennedy says on the KFEQmunni8ty show.  “And we have been working over the last few years to increase our processes, become more efficient, we have done very modest increase to tuition to offset the costs, but as I always say our fixed costs are just outpacing our state appropriations.” 

Kennedy says while discussions on this topic have been ongoing, with local state representatives, reception during Great Northwest days was very positive 

'I had a really wonderful meeting with Representative Chris Brown, whose from I think the Kansas City area, but he’s the chair of the higher education committee in the house, so telling our story and educating people,” Kennedy explains.  “And I think the realities are, as we’ve all heard, it’s a tight budget, we know that, but I think we’ve demonstrated we’ve done everything the state has asked of higher education in this state, and I think we have a very good story and can demonstrate that we’re worth the investment.” 

MoWest was well represented among the several community members that took part in Great Northwest days in Jefferson City.  

Along with Kennedy, a group of students and administrators traveled down for the event to volunteer and meet with elected officials  

Kennedy says the event was a great and unique opportunity for students 

“I think the opportunity to see the bigger world, to see what else you can do, and to see what government in action looks like,” Kennedy says. 

Kennedy says another good opportunity for students came when a student in legal studies had the opportunity to ask the keynote speaker, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, a question 

“Asked her about how did you survive your college days, law school, undergrad, those kinds of things,” Kennedy says. “And to be able to ask the state AG, the Attorney General, a question about how did you make it through college, that’s phenomenal.” 

Kennedy says students getting the opportunity to speak to state leaders and ask questions such as that, gives them the bigger picture of what is beyond their education at MoWest. 

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

MoWest President advocates for funding during Great Northwest Days

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, in partnership with the American Legion, is officially accepting applications for the 54th Cadet Patrol Academy.

The joint program is seeking motivated young men and women, ages 16 to 18, to participate in the upcoming 2026 class.

Sgt. Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph says, "We've been doing this for mutliple years."

Hux adds, "Registrants need to be sponsored by the American Legion. We recommend you apply and the decision on whether you are accepted or not will be made at a later date."

To be considered for the academy, Hux says interested students must meet the following criteria:

- Possess a valid driver’s license or permit.

- Be at least 16 years old by April 1, 2026.

- Demonstrate a sincere interest in pursuing a career within the Criminal Justice System.

The cost to attend the academy is $450. Hux says payment is due once applicants have been chosen by the American Legion.

"They will be staying at our general headquarters in Jefferson City. Students will not need any money while they are there. Meals will be provided and they will be issued a uniform. All the equipment they need will be provided for them."

The week-long academy is scheduled to begin June 7. The experience is designed to provide students with hands-on insight into the world of law enforcement. Throughout the week, cadets will mirror the daily routines and rigorous training of actual Patrol recruits, allowing them to explore various career paths within the Missouri State Highway Patrol and law enforcement in general. The program will conclude with a formal graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12.

Hux says topics will cover, "defensive driving at the emergency operations training course, learning motor vehicle laws, and personal defense."

Firearm training will also be part of the academy. Hux says students do not need to have a permit for the training portion, but he stresses, "Do not bring a firearm with you. Everything will be provided by our experts. Safety is our number one priority."

Prospective cadets can find applications through the <a href="https://www.missourilegion.org/">Missouri Legion website</a> or by visiting their local American Legion Post. Applications are due by March 1.

Applications now open: MSHP and American Legion partner for 54th annual Cadet Academy

On Saturday, Feb. 14, Persisterhood of St. Joseph will hold its 10th peaceful protest at the intersection of Belt Highway and Frederick Avenue. 

Taking place from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., the "Love without Borders" rally continues the group's active opposition to the Trump administration’s policies, a movement they have sustained since March 2025.

This milestone event aims to transform the community's energy into a public display of unity.

Love Without Borders: Persisterhood to hold protest this weekend in St. Joseph

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Freightliner semi driven by a 50-year-old St. Joseph man was northbound on Interstate 29 just north of I-159 Rulo exit. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, struck a MODOT sign, continued down an embankment and struck a tree.

Atchison-Holt ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Man from St. Joe injured after semi crash into a tree

KFEQ Morning Sports

The bill growing out of an interim committee’s work would set separate tax rates for different types of property and set appraisals at replacement costs rather than sale value

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Property tax bills would look different next year, with separate rates for each type of property,&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?year=2026&amp;bill=HB2780&amp;code=R%20&amp;cal=1" target="_blank">under a measure</a>&nbsp;given first-round approval Wednesday in the Missouri House.

The proposal from state Rep. Tim Taylor, a Republican from Bunceton, would also move all local tax elections to November, change how the taxable value of homes and commercial property is calculated and limit when homes rented for short-term stays can be taxed as commercial property.

The wide-ranging bill is designed to quiet public outrage over rapidly rising tax bills tied to biennial reassessments.&nbsp;

“Our tax system is a mess in many ways,” Taylor said. “It did not become a mess overnight. It became a mess over a long period of time.”

The bill won first-round approval on a voice vote. A final roll call vote is needed to move the bill to the state Senate.

Last year, Taylor chaired the Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform, which toured the state to take testimony. The bill debated Wednesday grew out of that work, he said.

Some of the changes are technical in nature, such as allowing tax bills to be paid in installments in every county of the state.&nbsp;

The bill’s directive to implement separate tax rates for various types of property will have the biggest impact on individual taxpayers, Taylor said.

“This bill is crafted in a way that it is going to make substantive changes for our taxpayers and bring stability to their issues we heard so much about as we went across the state,” Taylor said.

When Missouri governments set property tax rates, they are stated as an amount to be charged for every $100 of assessed value. The minimum tax rate for school districts, for example, is $2.75 per $100 of assessed value.

Each of the state’s 2,811 taxing districts has a tax rate ceiling, which is the highest rate it is allowed to charge. The ceiling may be different from the actual rate charged.

Under the 1980 Hancock Amendment to the Missouri Constitution, revenue from property taxes in each district is allowed to increase annually by the rate of inflation. When property values rise after the biennial reassessment cycle, if the tax rate ceiling would produce revenue in excess of the limit, taxing authorities are required to reduce the ceiling.

Everywhere in Missouri except St. Louis County, taxes are uniform for all property subclasses — residential, commercial, agricultural and personal. If values on one type of property rise faster than for others, the owners in that subclass pay a bigger share of the total taxes while other property owners pay less.

That happened in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/30/diluting-the-rollback-missouris-tool-for-capping-property-tax-rates-gives-limited-relief/">Hamilton in Caldwell County</a>&nbsp;last year. Commercial assessments in the town of about 1,700 increased by 200% or more and tax bills for those properties rose dramatically even as tax rates in some districts that include Hamilton declined moderately.

In St. Louis County taxing districts have charged separate rates for each subclass since 2003. As a result, residential properties generally pay the lowest rates, followed by commercial property owners.

In four St. Louis County school districts, the spread between the rates paid by homeowners for residential property is more than $2 per $100 of assessed value.&nbsp;

The largest difference is in the Bayless School District in south St. Louis County, where the residential rate is $2.788 per $100 while the personal property tax rate — paid on autos, trailers and boats — is $5.3231 per $100.

During reassessment last year, the assessed value of residential property in Bayless School District increased 16.4% and the tax rate fell 9.5%. The assessed value of personal property declined 2.9% and the tax rate was unchanged.

Creating separate tax rates for each property subclass is called&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/21/missouri-house-committee-eyes-plan-to-silo-property-classes-for-taxation/">“siloing” the rates</a>. The change is intended to end the process that has shifted the tax burden away from farms, railroads and utility companies to homeowners and commercial businesses.&nbsp;

“To me, that is the base of this entire bill,” Taylor said. “It is the foundation.”

The siloing provisions of the bill received little debate compared to altering election dates and questions about whether the proposed changes are too expansive.

Currently, taxing districts can call an election for bond issues or tax increases on several dates during a year. The bill would require all tax elections to take place at the November general elections in even-numbered years.

Other election dates can have extremely low turnout, and that appeals to district directors seeking a tax increase, Taylor said.

“There are those taxing entities that will seek to get the lowest voter turnout time so they can get their voters out,” he said.

Other members questioned whether that will allow the flexibility to meet emergencies.

“You can’t adequately plan it if you have to wait two years for the election to come around,” said state Rep. Eric Woods, a Democrat from Kansas City.

State Rep. Rodger Reedy, a Republican from Windsor who was vice-chair of the interim committee, said limiting election dates could deprive agencies like fire or ambulance districts the money needed to meet public service demands. He said he did not see a problem having tax elections on days with low turnout.

“People have the freedom to vote,” Reedy said. “They have the freedom not to vote.”

Information about local tax measures could be swamped by the messages from candidates or statewide ballot measures where campaigns are spending millions of dollars. Ballots could grow to multiple pages that confuse voters as well, said state Rep. Bill Falkner, a Republican from St. Joseph.

“What they are doing is they are going to vote on the first page and leave the rest blank,” he said.

The number of changes in the way taxes are calculated and set could make implementation difficult, said state Rep. Peggy McGaugh, a Republican from Carrollton.

“We need to slow our roll out a little bit and we need to talk to the counties and we need to talk to the townships about how this will be implemented,” she said.

Taylor acknowledged that there will be districts that gain and districts that lose under the legislation but said he thinks the results will be acceptable to all.

And, he said, it will be up to future lawmakers to adjust the provisions that go too far.&nbsp;

“For the years to come,” he said, “this body is going to be responsible for additional changes and cleaning up something that is quite complicated and where people are getting hurt in many ways.”

Missouri House moves ahead on bill to silo property tax rates, move tax elections to November

MERCER COUNTY —One person injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway. Patrol reported a 2015 Toyota RAV 4 driven by a 26-year-old Trenton man was southbound on U.S. 65 four miles north of Spickard. The SUV rear ended a horse and buggy driven by 31-year-old Spickard man.

Mercer County ambulance transported the horse and buggy driver to Mosaic Life Caare in St. Joseph. The SUV driver was properly restrained and not injured, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims. The patrol did release details on the condition of the horse.

Mo. man hospitalized after SUV rear-ends a horse and buggy

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before noon Wednesday in DeKalb County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Cadillac XTS driven by a 74-year-old Maysville man was westbound on U.S. 36 at taylor Road two miles west of Stewartsville.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the north side of the highway, struck a Chevron sign, a field fence and a tree.

DeKalb-Clinton County ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man injured after car strikes a fence and a tree

The Missouri Western State University School of Fine Arts will host its 19th Annual Jazz Festival starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. Since its inception in 2007 with only four bands, the event has grown significantly, featuring 18 school ensembles this year.

Performances will take place throughout the day in Blum 219 and the Fulkerson Center. Each participating group will perform for a panel of adjudicators to receive written and recorded critiques. Following their sets, the bands will transition into private clinics lasting 25 to 40 minutes, where professional clinicians will provide hands-on instruction to help students refine their technique.

“The primary focus and commitment of this festival is making this an educational and musical experience for students and directors alike,” said Bob Long, director of jazz studies at Missouri Western.

The event will conclude with a 6:30 p.m. concert in the Fulkerson Center featuring the MoWest Jazz Ensemble and guest trombonist David Dickey. The guest appearance is funded by a grant from the Missouri Western State University Arts Society.

The public is encouraged to attend the performances and the evening concert. Admission for the entire day is free of charge.

Missouri Western State University to host 19th Annual Jazz Festival

The St. Joseph Police Department and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office have announced an upcoming eight-week academy running from&nbsp;March 31st through May 26th.

 This program is designed to be both informative and engaging, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the day-to-day operations within local law enforcement agencies.

Classes will be held every&nbsp;Tuesday evening from 6:00 pm to approximately 9:00 pm&nbsp;at the Law Enforcement Center, located at 501 Faraon, unless otherwise specified. Each session will be led by certified Law Enforcement Officers from both the City and County departments, offering a look at how teams serve the community.

It was noted that this is not a candidate school for aspiring officers. Instead, it is a community outreach program intended to provide a hands-on experience of departmental operations. Active discussion and mutual learning is encouraged, but this program is not a forum for debating personal grievances or previous enforcement contacts.

Due to the interactive nature of the academy,&nbsp;class size is limited to 30 participants. Law enforcement is requesting that only those who can commit to the full eight-week schedule apply. To graduate, participants must attend at least six of the nine scheduled sessions.

Reasons for not being accepted may include (but are not limited to); Any felony arrest or conviction, any misdemeanor arrest or conviction within the last year, and arrests related to drugs, domestic violence, or other violent acts.

Only the first thirty qualified candidates will be selected.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be honored at a graduation ceremony and presented with a diploma by Chief of Police Paul Luster and Sheriff Bill Puett.

Registration is available <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfs14RD-gP-J0PrYmz_4-Zz7oxmz4xXKgwNboxrVLQQ7_Ghpg/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawP4iqxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUbW5VTnJSRnZOdDB1cDVVc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrzazT36bifo0hqi94PcjIbWl55nnUedTVLVVs28-ZfcjgI1tONiEd5LDzaQ_aem__w4u1byh00edOd99YfS6kQ">here</a>.

Joint Citizens Law Enforcement Academy announced in St. Joseph

A press release from the Elwood Police Department says on January 15, 2026, Elwood police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying a stolen Nebraska registration tag after receiving information from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

During the stop, officers arrested the following individuals:

- Kyle Wissler was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Stolen Property, and Driving While License Suspended.

- Quetin Elmer was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was also held on an active arrest warrant out of Nemaha County, Kansas.

While processing the case, officers reportedly observed additional items that appeared suspicious and proactively contacted neighboring agencies to determine whether the property was connected to any open investigations. 

As a result, the Hiawatha Police Department obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, leading to the recovery of property connected to a double burglary investigation. Information from this case also assisted the Nebraska City Police Department in advancing their investigation.

Elwood Police stop leads to multi-agency burglary and drug bust

The USDA is facing some doubts about the reliability of its data from farmers, grain traders, and economists. Reports say the doubts are coming about because of the agency’s significant staff losses and the sharp upward revision in how many acres of corn U.S. farmers harvested in 2025. “Thousands of employees left the agency last year as a part of the administration’s push to shrink the federal government, and industry stakeholders are worried that the shrinking staff limited the agency’s ability to produce timely and accurate data.”  

USDA’s final January estimates of how many acres corn farmers planted and harvested in 2025 represented unprecedented increases from June’s initial estimates. Already-low grain prices dropped over five percent at a time when growers were already struggling to make enough money to stay in business. The unexpected revisions prompted the National Agricultural Statistics Service to launch an internal review of its processes for making acreage estimates.

USDA data under increasing scrutiny

It’s well-known that the U.S. cattle herd continues to shrink. The January U.S. Cattle Inventory report showed the total inventory at 86.2 million head on January 1. That was down 300,000 head from last year. American Farm Bureau analysis showed the combination of fewer beef cows and a declining calf crop means the 2026 calf crop will likely continue to trend downward because there are fewer calves available for the breeding herd, even if more heifers are kept for breeding purposes. 

Tighter cattle supplies will contribute to higher prices and volatility for cattle and beef in 2026. Smaller cattle supplies paired with strong consumer demand for beef have driven up prices for both cattle and beef. With cattle supplies this tight, markets have become more responsive to news and events that could impact supply and demand. Beef cattle cash receipts have been one of the few bright spots in the U.S. agricultural economy. 

AFBF: Smaller cattle herd means market volatility

March corn closed down 1 1/4 cents and May corn was down 3/4 cent. March soybeans closed up 1 1/2 cents and May soybeans were up 2 cents. March KC wheat closed up 8 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 9 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 2 cents.

Row-crop trade was quiet at midweek with wheat futures leading the way higher after successfully holding above trendline support early in the week. Meanwhile, soybeans recovered from early losses to extend the rally while corn futures were sluggish despite larger-than-expected cuts to U.S. stocks in Tuesday's WASDE report, with a seven-year high forecast for reserves still weighing on price potential. Outside markets leaned mostly positive with firm energy markets amid lingering geopolitical risks as negotiations continue between the U.S. and Iran regarding the latter's nuclear program. In other news for Wednesday, January jobs data was much better than expected, with a cut to the unemployment rate and a surge in job creation. This in turn pressured Treasuries and raised yields as the slowing job market through the final few months of 2025 had been an argument for lowering interest rates.

It's almost as if the overarching theme in the live cattle complex as we headed into Wednesday's noon hour was, "Why are we waiting around? We know the market's direction is higher." So where does all this support come from this morning? Good question, because boxed beef prices were mostly lower, there's yet to be any trade in the fed cash cattle market, and the equity markets aren't doing anything that would justify trading notably higher. But if there's one thing we know and understand about the livestock complex, it's that it is an anticipatory market. If traders think the market is bound to trade substantially higher, one may ask, "Why not today?" and they followed through finishing fully higher. Still no trade has developed in the fed cash cattle market and both bids and asking prices remain elusive at this point. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $0.41 ($367.14) and select up $1.19 ($364.09) with a movement of 53 loads (45.12 loads of choice, 3.38 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 4.62 loads of ground beef).

Upon seeing the live cattle contracts trading higher, it didn't take much convincing to get the feeder cattle futures to move higher also. Sales have been noticeably stronger this week in the countryside for both feeder cattle and calves as supplies remain incredibly thin.

Meanwhile the lean hog complex is the same story Wednesday that it's been over the last couple of days as the market continued to scale lower. And with pork cutout values down slightly, the market won't likely change its direction until that is corrected.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/11140419/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

A new American Farm Bureau Market Intel Report said Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row, reaching 315 filings in 2025, a 46 percent increase from 2024. The Midwest and Southeast filed 121 and 105 Chapter 12 cases, respectively, far outpacing any other regions. Deep crop losses across commodities common in those two regions have compounded after years of declining receipts and rising expenses. 

Filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy is a last resort for farmers who have incurred large debts to continue operating with increased flexibility for payments. Midwest states with double-digit filings include Iowa with 18, Nebraska 17, Missouri and Wisconsin each had 16 filings, Minnesota with 13, and Kansas had 11. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said farmers are taking out larger operating loans and taking longer to repay them. USDA estimates that total farm debt will rise 5.2 percent to a record $624.7 billion this year. 

Farm bankruptcies continued climbing in 2025

The USDA announced the enrollment periods for agricultural producers and landowners to submit offers for the Continuous and General Conservation Reserve Program. The Farm Service Agency is accepting offers for Continuous CRP starting this Thursday, February 12, through March 20, 2026. Enrollment for the General CRP will run from March 9, 2026, through April 17, 2026. FSA will announce the dates for the Grassland CRP signup in the near future. 

“We’re still very close to the 27-million-acre statutory cap, with 1.9 million acres available for all CRP enrollments this fiscal year, so enrollment is likely to be competitive,” said Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Programs and Conservation. “It’s not about the total number of enrolled acres, it’s about producers and landowners offering the acres that can best deliver real and lasting benefits to soil, water, and wildlife.” Producers and landowners interested in participating in CRP should contact their local FSA county office. 

USDA announces enrollment periods for 2026 continuous and general CRP 

March corn closed unchanged and May corn was up a 1/4 cent. March soybeans closed up 11 3/4 cents and May soybeans were up 12 1/2 cents. March KC wheat closed up 1 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down a 1/2 cent, March Minneapolis wheat was down 2 1/4 cents.

Soybean futures led the way higher on Tuesday, resuming rallying efforts after a brief pause on Monday. Meanwhile, corn and wheat markets were mixed as USDA made very few changes to U.S. and global balance sheets but did reiterate multi-year highs in grain reserves. Outside markets were mixed for Tuesday with softer energy markets, while the U.S. dollar recovered from the turn lower on Monday.

In trying to wait patiently for the week's fundamentals to shine through the marketplace, the live cattle complex was mixed for the bulk of the session before finishing lower, as traders simply aren't willing to advance the market at this point without first seeing fundamental reassurance develop. It's quite likely the market could enter a sideways trading range until it sees what the fed cash cattle market is going to accomplish this week. Traders don't want to pressure the market's resistance from a technical standpoint, but at the same time they believe in the market's long-term, bullish fundamental outlook, which is why a sideways trend is most likely to be the theme throughout the remainder of the week and until cash cattle begin to trade. Tuesday's WASDE report shared a fruitful outlook for the cattle and beef markets of 2026. Beef production for 2026 was increased by 185 million pounds as fed cattle slaughter is expected to increase, cow slaughter is expected to increase, and carcass weights are obviously higher. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice up $2.24 ($370.00) and select down $0.82 ($364.53) with a movement of 74 loads (53.35 loads of choice, 4.31 loads of select, 4.17 loads of trim and 11.88 loads of ground beef).

Without a strong presence seen in the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts were also trading mixed into Tuesday's noon hour, before fading and finishing lower. But what remains interesting about the feeder cattle market's behavior is the deferred contracts aren't concerned about what the live cattle contracts are doing and instead traded fully higher, seeming more focused on the market's long-term situation of short supplies for the bulk of today's session.

The lean hog complex was again trading lower as the market seems to be anticipating increased supplies that are soon to hit the market. The last quarterly Hogs and Pigs report unveiled more market-ready supplies than what the industry anticipated, and there were plenty of hogs noted in the heavy weight categories which will meet the consumer in the supply chain at any point in time now. But what also remains true is that while the futures complex may be scaling lower, pork demand over the last two weeks has been noticeably stronger, which one may logically assume is because some consumers are electing to purchase pork as opposed to beef as it's a cheaper protein option.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/10143131/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new federal registration for low-volatility Dicamba herbicides in 34 states. This registration will enable U.S. farmers to have access to this important weed control tool in Dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. Bayer is launching the new registration as Stryax Dicamba herbicide, a restricted-use pesticide. “With a federal registration in hand, we’ll begin the process of seeking state approvals,” said Dr. Ty Witten, Bayer’s vice president of commercial stewardship. ”In the weeks ahead, we’ll launch applicator training opportunities and stewardship education to help ensure that growers and applicators have the best experience possible.” 

The registration will enable the use of approved low-volatility Dicamba herbicides in-crop up to seven days pre-harvest in XtendFlex cotton, and up through R1 in XtendFlex soybeans. Bayer said Stryax is intended to help manage glyphosate-resistant broadleaf weeds, as well as other tough-to-control weeds. 

EPA announces new low-volatility Dicamba herbicides

The U.S. will temporarily expand the amount of beef it can import from Argentina, thanks to an executive order signed by President Trump last week. Reports said the move is intended to help lower the price of beef, but the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said that isn’t accurate. The proclamation increases the in-quota tariff-rate quota for lean beef trimmings by 80,000 metric tons for the calendar year 2026. 

The additional imports will be entirely allocated to imports from Argentina and released into the U.S. market in segments four times through the year, beginning this week on February 13. “The White House said the action is intended to boost supply and make ground beef more affordable for American consumers,” the reports continued. “The proclamation from the White House said the administration is acting in response to historically high beef prices and a prolonged decrease in the U.S. cattle herd.”

U.S. to quadruple beef imports from Argentina

March corn closed down 1 1/2 cents per bushel at $4.28 3/4 and May Corn closed down 1 3/4 cents per bushel at $4.37 and March soybeans closed down 4 1/2 cents at $11.10 3/4 and May soybeans were down 3 3/4 cents at $11.25. March KC wheat closed down 2 1/2 cents at $5.28 3/4, March Chicago wheat was down 1 cent at $5.28 3/4 and MIAX March Minneapolis wheat was up 0.01 cents at $5.7050.

Grain and soybean markets fell Monday, led by soybeans and soymeal as the Argentine rain outlook has brightened and soy premiums in South America fell, making the U.S. less competitive. Soybean oil bucked the bearish trend and rallied along with crude oil.

The livestock complex headed into Monday's noon hour with a mixed tone, as traders desired to push the contracts higher, but needed to see more fundamental support before they would confidently do so. New showlists are higher in Texas, Kansas and mostly steady in Nebraska/Colorado.

The live cattle complex was taking a mixed approach to Monday's noon hour as the market continued to desire to trade higher -- but traders need to see continued fundamental support and reassurance before they'll likely push the market up to or beyond resistance thresholds.

Upon establishing what seems to be a new top last week in the lean hog complex, the market continued to trade lower today as traders question if there's enough support to challenge that new threshold.&nbsp;

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/15204004/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

Modern Ag Alliance issued a report on the state of the American farmer, showing that agriculture is facing one of its most challenging periods in a generation. The report said economic pressures and activist campaigns against modern agriculture have created conditions where even the most resilient operations are feeling the strain. 

These pressures extend well beyond the farm gate, giving price instability across the economy for the food, fuel, and fiber that depend on agricultural production. The report shows farmers face profitability challenges, with only about half the farmers expected to be profitable in the past year. Commodity prices have dropped as high as 58 percent since 2022, and cost increases like labor and tariff-related expenses continue climbing. Farm bankruptcies have seen a 60 percent year-over-year increase, surpassing the 2024 total by mid-2025. 

They also said regulatory uncertainty and disconnected policymakers are making a difficult situation even harder.

Modern Ag Alliance Issues a Report on the Modern Farmer

🎥Heated exchange between Mo. U.S. Senator and Minnesota AG

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a double homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victims as 26-year-old&nbsp;Brittnee McMillon and and 28-year-old&nbsp;Jerrell Westmoreland.

At 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of E. Armour Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri, on a sound of shots call, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.

Multiple callers reported the sound of gunfire from behind an apartment building there. On arrival officers were directed to a parking lot in the back of an apartment building where they located a vehicle with shooting victims McMillon and Westmoreland unresponsive inside.&nbsp;

Officers called for EMS who declared both victims deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Homicide detectives responded to the scene to conduct their investigation along with crime scene investigators processed the scene for available evidence.&nbsp; Police have not released details on possible suspects.

Homicide: Police ID couple found dead in car in Kansas City

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating a school threat in Topeka.

Just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call regarding an online social media threat involving Eisenhower Middle School, 3305 SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.. No other schools are involved in this incident.

Topeka Police are working jointly with the FBI and are investigating the credibility of this online threat. The impacted school has notified families.

Anyone who sees or hears anything related to this incident is asked to immediately contact the Topeka Police Department by emailing telltpd@topeka.org or by calling the TPD Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400.

FBI investigating social media threat at Kansas middle school

The House of Representatives passed the election integrity overhaul bill on Wednesday. aimed at keeping non-citizens from voting in U.S. federal elections.

The bill passed with a mostly party-line vote, 218-213. GOP Members of the Missouri House delegation voted with the majority. Only one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar, of Texas voted for the bill.

Mo. lawmakers help House pass proof-of-citizenship requirement for voters

KANSAS CITY —Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department are investigating a shooting that has left a teen dead.

Just before 3p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 7400 Block of Armstrong in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release. \

First responders located a 17-year-old boy outside an apartment complex, the victim of apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries. There are no suspects in custody at this time and police have not released the name of the victim.

17-year-old killed in Kansas apartment complex shooting

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple drug allegations.

On February 9, Officer J. Paulakovich assisted the Kansas Highway Patrol in a vehicle pursuit that ended when the suspect’s car struck a citizen’s vehicle. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Officer Paulakovich arrested the suspect and located fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in the vehicle. 

The suspect had multiple outstanding warrants, including possession of controlled substances, burglary, and parole violations. He was taken into custody and charged.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the suspect.

Fentanyl and cocaine found after Kan. police chase and crash

WASHINGTON— Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Oversight Committee Wednesday to answer questions about the release of the Epstein files and other controversies.

🎥Epstein files: Bondi's Oversight hearing erupts into shouting match

By: NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

The family of the late Riley Dean Faris, is questioning why no criminal charges were placed on an individual involved in the crash that took away his life.

Riley Faris passed away at age 30 on&nbsp;October 17, 2025 after riding his motorcycle, when he was hit from behind on a Brookville road. The crash happened at approximately 6:53 pm on K-140 Highway at Perry Street. Faris was headed westbound when a 2003 Subaru Forester operated by Kiley Barnett (39) from Kanopolis, hit him from behind.&nbsp;

Barnett was booked into the Saline County Jail that same night with requested charges of No Proof of Insurance, Driving While Suspended (DWS) and Following Too Close. She was then released.

According to Kansas Court records, Barnett has 40 traffic violations.

Colton Faris, brother of Riley <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DZBboGCVw/">made a Facebook video on February 3, 2026</a>&nbsp;discussing a conversation he had with Saline County Attorney, John Reynolds.

Colton stated his mother got in contact via phone with Reynolds and wondered why they have not received an accident report after five months since the incident.&nbsp;During the phonecall, Colton said Reynolds explained to his mother the charges placed on Barnett and further said "that is just what happens when you ride a motorcycle."

Colton then called Reynolds on why he made the comment. According to Colton, Reynolds described to him that he thinks there was no evidence to place any sort of murder or involuntary manslaughter charge on Barnett.

"He (Reynolds) said, yes she killed him but it was not criminal. I don't understand that when you don't have a license, you are not supposed to be driving and when you don't have insurance, which is required to drive a car, how killing him is not a criminal offense," said Colton Faris on the video.

Reynolds told Salina Post he did not make explicitly make the comment of "that is just what happens when you ride a motorcycle," but instead was "taken out of context."

He said the context was he explained how "when cars and motorcycles collide, it always ends up bad for the motorcyclist."

Saline County Sheriff's Office on accident report

The Saline County Sheriff's Office told Salina Post why the Faris family received the accident report 3 and one half months later.

According to the Sheriff's Office, reports are available through the <a href="https://www.dol.ks.gov/labor-relations/kansas-open-records-act-kora">Kansas Open Records Act</a>, but with fluid cases (evolving) and cases with the potential to result in criminal charges without a criminal court disposition, are two of the several exemptions to the act.

In this case, the law enforcement agency did not have a court disposition, or any information if criminal charges were not going to be filed by the County Attorney until the week of Feb. 2 - 6, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office wanted to confirm there were not going to be criminal charges filed prior to releasing a narrative report that could potentially interfere with criminal prosecution. 

Once this was learned, the Sheriff's Office encouraged the Faris family to request the case again and the report was disseminated within 48 hours.

"We strive to provide the appropriate information at the appropriate time while adhering to the Kansas Open Records Act," said the Sheriff's Office.

Reynolds stated the charges placed on Barnett were "traffic violations" and not criminal charges.

Reynolds provided details on what happened in the accident.

According to Reynolds, there was a vehicle going southbound leaving Brookville and got onto K-140 westbound. He said the vehicle got right in front of Faris, which caused him to slow down. Barnett coming from behind was headed westbound and once she became aware of Faris slowing down, she had a "very narrowed reaction time, because she closed the gap between him and the vehicle in front," according to Reynolds.

Reynolds said Barnett tried to avoid colliding with Faris during this time.

"By the time she realizes what's going on, she goes to take evasive maneuvers to move over into the other lane to go around Faris," Reynolds said. "She almost missed him."

Reynolds further said he knew this happened, because he not only visited the accident scene, but also by determining the marks on the vehicles, roadway and review of law enforcement body cameras.

"There were two state troopers out there, they came to the same conclusion of the deputies and what I had," said Reynolds.

Additionally, Reynolds said Barnett should have been farther back before the crash. He placed the Following Too Close charge, because the crash resulted in a fatality.&nbsp;

He also said Faris was not wearing a helmet.

For Barnett to have been placed a requested charge of Involuntary Manslaughter, Reynolds stated the following would need to include:&nbsp;

- Killing someone while committing or attempting to commit a felony.   

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