The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce opened the doors to show off a new space in downtown to help entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.  

The Launch Pad opened officially at the beginning of this year, after a soft launch in December, giving business owners a co-working space in northwest Missouri.  

Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn says there's already been successes, with the building nearly full, including with an exciting tech start up 

"That was really just officing out of what space he could find, if it was Parkway or a coffee shop or Smooth Endings, and we were able to really get him an office space,” Hawn tells reporters.  “And he’s already gone from one office space to three, plus additional cubicles, he's added three employees since he started here and he relocated one of those employees from Los Angeles.” 

Hawn says that type of synergy is exactly what is being looked for in the space downtown.  It also offers several resources to entrepreneurs to get their businesses started.  

Hawn says the space is available to all of northwest Missouri, and provides whatever business owners might be looking for 

"We’re having classes come up on how to prepare for World Cup, we just had a class on how to learn AI, how to code, how to make an app in a day,” Hawn explains.  “So, I think no matter where you are on that journey, we’ll have a resource for you.” 

Hawn says the space is also going to be adding several other resources for people, such as a podcast studio, to continue adding opportunities for people to be able to utilize the Launch Pad.  

Jamie Donaldson, co-owner of Juniper Lane in St. Joseph, says having the resources to know how to start a business in one space is convenient for entrepreneurs. 

"Instead of having to do all the Googling and being like well how am I supposed to start a business, you have one spot to go, you know you’re getting answers from somebody who understands running a business, operating a business, and can send you in the right direction without feeling like you’re having to do all that leg work yourself and then wondering if you found the right answers to begin with,” Donaldson says. 

Donaldson also points to the collaboration at the space being huge for business owners, with the space giving entrepreneurs the space to work together closely and become more of a unit. 

(You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.)

Launch Pad officially opens to help business owners get off the ground and running

WATCH: St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce hosts Mayor Candidate forum

Missouri Western State University Workforce Development is coming up with several new programs this year to help business owners and enhance workers.  

Director Rebecca Lobina says many of the programs announced this year come from the needs within the community in helping the ever-changing workforce.  

Lobina says one such program is this Friday as they will host a program about artificial intellegence, teaching people all its different uses as well as all the types of AI 

"What makes the most sense for you to use if you’re in graphic design, or if you’re in communications, or if you’re in advertising, or if you’re in manufacturing, or if you’re in healthcare, which AI app really will help the most for you?” Lobina says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “And then, the most important part of it I think, is just understanding the legalities behind AI.” 

Lobina adds this is designed as a beginner's course, so it's good for those possibly just starting a business as well.  The program is on Friday.  You can register online if spots are available. 

Programs range from this course on the uses of AI, to finances, to leadership training helping develop all different areas of need within the workforce in the region.  

Lobina says many of the trainings coming from listening to the needs within the community 

"We go out and we talk to the different industries that are out there and we say hey, what are you not getting, what do you need, what are the skill gaps that you’re seeing within your own workforce?” Lobina explains.  “Are they technical skills like AI are they soft skills like you need leadership, we have a leadership series, our next one comes up in March.” 

Lobina says the results of these trainings speak for themselves, but her department always seeks feedback from participants of the programs 

"We want to know that MoWest is providing quality trainings, quality education and that it's relevant, and the way that we find that out is just by directly asking those who are involved,” Lobina says.  “And so, we have done that, and we will continue to do that, and the feedback has been very positive, and we have had some information that has come back and said hey you know we think this course should be longer.” 

Lobina says that feedback often results in changes to programs, such as making them longer or shorter, or adding more.  

To view available trainings, you can visit MoWest Workforce Development online. 

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

New programs enhanced MoWest Workforce Development's efforts

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ News 01/28/2026

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that the Tarkio River Bridge on Holt County Route 111, located west of Craig, will be closed beginning Monday, Feb. 2. 

Bridge crews will be conducting core drilling at the site to gather essential data for an upcoming reconstruction project.

The closure will follow a specific schedule over several days. On Monday, Feb. 2, the bridge will be closed from noon to 5 p.m. Following the initial start, the bridge will remain closed daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, through Thursday, Feb. 5.

Motorists who normally travel this route will need to plan ahead and find an alternate path, as the bridge will be impassable during these working hours. 

This preliminary work is being done in advance of a full bridge replacement, which is currently slated for the 2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

MoDOT to close Route 111 Tarkio River Bridge for core drilling starting Feb. 2

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>

The sponsor, Rep. Peggy McGaugh, said she will seek to put the primary language back in bill, which would also extend ‘no-excuse absentee’ voting to four weeks

The push to reinstate Missouri’s presidential primary suffered a defeat Tuesday when the House Elections Committee voted to remove it from a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1871" target="_blank">wide-ranging elections bill</a>.

On a voice vote, the committee removed the provision from the bill. The measure also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/13/bill-would-ban-missouri-politicians-from-using-recurring-donations-to-fund-campaigns/">extends the period</a>&nbsp;for “no-excuse absentee” voting from two to four weeks.

The committee then voted 13-1, with two abstentions, to send the bill to the full House for debate.

The primary is unpopular with well-organized groups who prefer the caucus system traditionally used to select Missouri’s delegates to presidential nominating conventions, said the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Peggy McGaugh, a Republican from Carrollton.&nbsp;

A caucus is easier to control than the primary, she said. Even though Missouri’s primary is just a popularity contest — no delegates are pledged based on the result — opponents don’t want evidence they are not the majority of their party’s voters, she said.

“You can see from the people who either voted no or present that there’s a super right wing

faction that would prefer to continue doing it the caucus way,” McGaugh said in an interview after the vote.

McGaugh said she will try to restore the primary through an amendment to the bill when it reaches the House floor.&nbsp;

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-backs-return-to-presidential-primary/">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;re-establishing the primary last year but it died in the state Senate.

Missouri conducted its first presidential primary in 1988 but did not have a regular primary until 2000. The law authorizing the primary was repealed in 2022.

In 2024, Republicans met in caucuses to select the delegates that renominated Donald Trump, while the Democratic Party held a private primary on a Saturday morning to start the process that nominated Kamala Harris.

Under the caucus system, adherents to a party must attend a meeting where voters are grouped based on the candidate they prefer. In the Republican Party, a majority of the meeting can choose all the delegates; at Democratic Party caucuses, every candidate with 15% or more of the voters gets a share of the delegates elected at that level.

While Missouri’s primary has, at times, determined the delegate pledges, by 2012, when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/02/07/missouri-primary" target="_blank">former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won</a>, it was only a popularity contest.

State Rep. John Voss, a Republican from Cape Girardeau, sponsored the amendment that stripped the primary from the bill. He said the reinstatement may be lost in the bill that makes several other changes to election procedure at the request of local election authorities.

“It should be something as a standalone piece of legislation,” Voss said. “I’m also concerned with the $9 million fiscal notes that’s attached to that, given our&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/20/missouri-discovers-250m-budget-mistake-but-officials-warn-spending-squeeze-remains/">current financial situation</a>.”

State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat, accused unnamed opponents of “browbeating individuals” on the committee to remove the primary.

The primary was repealed in a big elections bill in 2022, Smith said, and many legislators didn’t even know it was in the bill.&nbsp;

“I didn’t like how that was handled then and I was glad to see that we were putting it back in,” Smith said. “And I’m again, disappointed that it’s being kind of muscled out of here.”

While he voted against Voss’ amendment, Smith voted for the final version of the bill.

The committee also removed another provision in the bill which would have moved the line protecting voters from solicitations like last-minute candidate appeals or petition signature gathering from 25 feet to 50 feet from the entrance to polling stations.

The bill would also change where a small number of voters, eligible under federal law to register on election day, must report to cast a ballot. Instead of a local polling station, the bill would change the location to offices of the election authority.

The clerks wanted that change for better election management and they wanted to extend the no-excuse absentee, or early, voting period, McGaugh said.

The ability to cast a ballot anytime in the weeks prior to Election Day gives clerks the chance to help voters with issues in their registration or other problems that could prevent voting, said McGaugh, who is a former clerk.

The early voting period was included in the 2022 bill that ended the presidential primary. That law also required voters to show a government-issued ID card, with photo, date of birth and an expiration date, prior to voting.&nbsp;

Republicans at the time opposed early voting and wrote the bill to end it if a court struck down the identification requirement. It was upheld&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/27/challenge-to-voter-id-law-heading-for-appeal-to-missouri-supreme-court/">by a Cole County judge</a>&nbsp;in November 2024 but the decision was appealed and a ruling is pending from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/19/missouri-supreme-court-reviews-voter-id-mandate-ban-on-paid-registration-efforts/">the Missouri Supreme Court</a>.

McGaugh’s bill would not remove the link between the provisions of law.

The early voting period has&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">proven immensely popular</a>, with thousands of voters daily taking advantage of the convenience.&nbsp;

The presidential primary occurs just weeks before April municipal elections. Clerks were willing to support it if it was on a convenient date and lawmakers extended the no-excuse absentee period to four weeks, McGaugh said.

“They asked me to put it as part of the bill in exchange for the additional weeks of no excuse, which has been an absolute win,” McGaugh said. “It stretches out the days for people, the voters loved it, and so I was happy to have the bill for them.”

This article was updated at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 27 to clarify that the extended early voting period remained in the bill.

House committee kills plan to reinstate Missouri presidential primary

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m.&nbsp; Tuesday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Ram 2500 driven by a 52-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was northbound on Interstate 29 four miles south of Mound City. The driver lost control of the vehicles towed unit and he overcorrected. The pickup&nbsp; traveled off the east side of the road, jackknifed, traveled down an embankment.

Atchison-Holt ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care 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.

Mo. man hospitalized after pickup, trailer jackknifed

Whether you love it, or hate it, artificial intelligence is becoming more common place in businesses, and now also to help city officials.  

St. Joseph Public Works Director Abe Forney says the city is now using a program called Road AI to determine street projects.  

Forney says what formerly happened to find these projects was a worker from the city traveling roads and scoring them to pick out road repairs each year 

“This Road AI is basically a phone that attaches in the car that this gentleman will drive around in and it scores and analyzes our streets, it’ll do our signage, and it really is AI,” Forney says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “It’s technology that’s going to get our roads analyzed and we can use that data to figure out what streets we’re going to repair first.” 

Forney says the program looks for everything from cracking in the roads to potholes, and then assigns that road a score 

"This road scores at a 20, and this road scores at a 90, so obviously the 20 needs to be repaired before you go to the 90,” Forney explains.  “And then we can help put in the amount of traffic that goes on.” 

Forney says this AI program is just another tool that workers now have to help.  

"Our guys have done a really good job of grading the streets, but it just takes it out of human error, takes that human factor out of there,” Forney says.  “So, it just analyzes the street and then gives us that information that we can use.” 

Forney says the program will also cut down on the time it takes to evaluate the streets, taking about half the time that it currently does with workers grading streets. 

AI helping St. Joseph officials determine road work projects

The Junior League of St. Joseph will is set to host its 3rd annual St. Joseph Women’s Forum on March 7 at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art.

 This signature event is designed to bring together local female leaders and community members for a day of networking, resource-sharing, and personal growth. By creating a space for self-discovery, the forum aims to provide women with the tools they need to thrive both personally and professionally.

The highlight of the event will be a keynote address by Elisabeth Wykert, followed by a discussion featuring a panel of community leaders. Panelists include Deborah White, Stacia Studer, Brandi Dredge, LaVell Rucker, and Tori Blevins. This group of women will share their experiences and encourage attendees to set concrete goals for improving the quality of life for women throughout the St. Joseph area.

Community members interested in attending the forum can register for $50. To ensure a spot at this year’s gathering, participants must complete their registration by the February 16 deadline. 

The event represents an opportunity for women to connect with mentors and peers while contributing to the ongoing empowerment of the local community.

Local female leaders to headline 3rd annual St. Joseph Women’s Forum at Albrecht-Kemper

The Missouri Department of Transportation is thanking citizens for their cooperation during this weekend’s winter storm, noting that traffic volumes were 75 - 80% lower than normal. This significant reduction in drivers allowed road crews to respond more quickly and safely, leading to a substantial decrease in serious incidents across the state.

MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger expressed his gratitude, stating that the public’s decision to stay home was the single most important factor in the progress made so far. He noted that crews have been working continuously in extreme cold, and while progress is being made, he urged Missourians to continue planning ahead and delaying travel whenever possible.

The storm brought measurable snow to the entire state followed by dangerously cold temperatures. Because of the extreme cold, MoDOT warns that snow and ice will likely remain on surfaces throughout the week, particularly on less-traveled secondary routes.

As of Monday morning, MoDOT crews had already logged more than 1 million miles in clearing efforts across the state. Despite the severity of the weather, Missouri recorded only one weather-related traffic fatality—a figure well below the average for a storm of this size and even lower than a typical weekend in the state.

MoDOT will remain active around the clock over the next few days. While major highways are expected to remain mostly clear, secondary roads may still be covered. Drivers who must head out are encouraged to check road conditions at traveler.modot.org and carry essential emergency supplies, such as blankets, water, and phone chargers.

Finally, officials remind motorists to drive slowly and give snowplows and emergency vehicles plenty of room. If a vehicle slides off the road, the safest course of action is to remain inside the car with the seat belt fastened until help arrives. For further assistance, the public can call 888-ASK-MODOT.

MoDOT credits record low traffic for safe storm recovery

March corn closed up 3 1/2 cents and May corn was up 3 1/4 cents. March soybeans closed up 7 3/4 cents and May soybeans were up 8 1/4 cents. March KC wheat closed up 9 1/2 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 12 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 2 1/4 cents.

Wheat futures again led the U.S. grain markets higher on Wednesday, putting in a double-digit move higher in Kansas City markets to the highest close in over two months. Corn and soybean futures were also higher, with corn futures catching an early burst of momentum following pro-E15 remarks by President Trump during his speech in Iowa on Tuesday, but eventually faded from daily highs amid a general lack of news to sustain prices. In outside markets, the U.S. dollar recovered after hitting four-year lows on Tuesday, but remains down sharply over the past week. Crude oil and other energy markets were firm as well and added a layer of support to ag markets at midweek.

The live cattle complex wasn't confident at the day's initial start, but the market had longer timeframe to trade, the complex grew stronger. The contracts pushed past the market's resistance and trending higher into the day's closing bell. It's somewhat questionable where traders were getting the additional support from this morning, as boxed beef prices were mixed and we've yet to see any trade in the fed cash cattle market. But maybe traders' confidence lies in the fact that they believe fed cash cattle prices will trade higher later this week and that Friday's Cattle Inventory report will be bullish. I hope all those claims come to fruit. At this point, no cash cattle trade has developed and both bids and asking prices remain elusive. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice up $1.14 ($369.25) and select down $1.45 ($363.73) with a movement of 50 loads (31.60 loads of choice, 4.20 loads of select, 5.22 loads of trim and 8.48 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex was also trading higher into Wednesday's closing bell as the market finds it comforting to see the live cattle contracts trading in a positive manner. As long as the live cattle contracts maintain their upward momentum, it's likely that the feeder cattle contracts will as well.

The lean hog contracts were back to trading lower as the market seems to be facing some technical exhaustion after a significant rally over the last month. Thankfully, pork cutout values were still trading higher, so traders should find some support there, but for the meantime, the market's direction is lower.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/28143234/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

Clean Fuels Alliance America sent a letter to President Donald Trump highlighting the biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel industry’s contribution to U.S. energy security and rural prosperity. The President is embarking on visits across the country to highlight economic conditions. The letter emphasizes that the industry’s growth is at risk as farmers and fuel producers await regulatory rules, specifically the Renewable Fuel Standards for 2026 and 2027, and rules for the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit that were due under the prior administration.

“Our industry has made substantial investments to meet America’s demand for energy security and rural economic prosperity,” CFA wrote. “Our progress is threatened by delays in policy decisions that should have been made in the previous administration, and we’re hopeful you will quickly finalize these policies and secure your promise as the most pro-biofuel president in history.” 

Clean Fuels Alliance wants 45Z rules finalized

Over 70 FFA student members serving as state officers in their respective states started the new year by exploring the history, culture, and agricultural practices of Spain through the National FFA’s International Leadership Seminar for State Officers. The Seminar is an annual program designed to develop awareness of global agriculture and enhance the cultural competency of student members. The traveling state officers help lead more than one million members in over 9,200 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

“During the trip, students had the opportunity to both demonstrate their knowledge and learn about diverse agriculture practices across the globe,” said Joe Martin, program specialist with the National FFA Organization. “These experiences overseas help state officers share the unique agriculture practices of Spain with members of their home state associations.” State officers on the trip came from Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Missouri and multiple other states.  

FFA members travel to Spain for observation

March corn closed down 2 1/4 cents and May corn was down 2 cents. March soybeans closed down 6 cents and May soybeans were down 5 1/2 cents. March KC wheat closed down 11 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 7 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 5 1/4 cents.

Traders worked to remove weather related risk premium from U.S. wheat markets on Monday, with the severe cold event forecast to improve by midweek and decent snow cover across much of the U.S. leading to minimal crop damage thoughts for now. Meanwhile, corn and soybean markets also relaxed from firm closing prices on Friday, on a mix of negative influence from wheat as well as technical pressure. Outside markets were mixed with the story of the day being gold's record-breaking push over $5,000 per ounce for the first time ever on Monday. Investors continue to pour money into the commodity amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with markets now zeroing in on the possibility of another government shutdown with funding set to expire on Jan. 30.

Up until the last hour, the live cattle market was trading mostly mixed as traders seemed overwhelmed by the market's technical resistance. Lo and behold, as the noon hour neared, another gust of support seemed to overcome the live cattle complex. The market doesn't however seem confident in either direction as it's longing to see continued fundamental support to justify a higher trend. And it's not likely that enough support will develop until we see what happens in this week's fed cash cattle trade, which meant a teeter-totter like behavior today in the futures complex and the contracts finished softly lower. Still no trade has developed in the fed cash cattle complex and it's mostly likely that trade will be delayed until Thursday at the earliest and likely wait until Friday. It is assumed that prices will trend higher again this week as fed cash cattle supplies are tight, and packers can't afford to be short bought. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice up $0.37 ($369.27) and select down $2.55 ($364.57) with a movement of 59 loads (42.36 loads of choice, 4.51 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 12.24 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex traded in the exact same manner as the live cattle complex is, as its market was taking more of a mixed approach into Tuesday's noon hour. More than anything, traders seem to want to keep the feeder cattle contracts aligned with the overall direction of the live cattle market. At the same time, traders know supplies are likely to remain thin in the near term and see that as a justification to keep the furthest deferred contracts trading higher, but the feeders likewise finished softly lower.

The lean hog complex traded fully higher into Tuesday's closing bell, although a couple of the nearby contacts are traded slightly lower for some of the session. More than anything, the market's uptick in consumer demand seems to be encouraging traders to continue to push the complex higher.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/27134519/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity market daily recap

House Ag Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN) introduced the “Farm and Family Relief Act,” calling it a bill introduced to provide meaningful relief to family farmers. The bill would also help those getting crushed by inflation and higher costs caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and Republican cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

“Family farmers have been hit hard by tariffs and lost market opportunities,” Craig said when introducing the bill this month. “The Farm and Family Relief Act helps get America back on track by supporting farmers, foresters, and families together and putting an end to the president’s ill-conceived tariffs.” A new report from Joint Economic Committee Democrats said President Trump’s inflation cost the average family $1,625 in the past year. Fruit and vegetable prices are up 5.3 percent, while hardworking Americans paid $310 more for groceries in 2025 than the year before. 

House democrats introduce “Farm and Family Relief Act”

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden said two companies have been working together to control the price of fertilizer in the U.S. by limiting supplies. Reports said Vaden’s collusion accusation against Mosaic and Nutrien could suggest the administration may take future steps to inject more competition into the markets, if it becomes necessary. During a webinar hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center, Vaden said, “This administration is going to do everything it can to ensure that farmers have the fertilizer they’ll need and at a price they can pay. We’re not going to permit these companies to do anything that might undermine that.” 

He also said Nutrien and Mosaic were responsible for over 90 percent of phosphate fertilizer and potash production in North America during 2024. Farm Action, an ag industry accountability group, said only seven companies control 70 percent of crop input sales, including Nutrien Ag Solutions, the retail business of Nutrien. 

Vaden accuses companies of fertilizer collusion

March corn closed down 2 1/4 cents and May corn was down 2 cents. March soybeans closed down 6 cents and May soybeans were down 5 1/2 cents. March KC wheat closed down 11 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 7 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 5 1/4 cents.

Last Friday was a whirlwind of developing factors for the live cattle market to note and keep track of, between the fed cash cattle that finally developed, and the monthly Cattle on Feed report that was released. Thankfully, the neutral to slightly bearish tone of the Cattle on Feed report was quickly overlooked by the strong developments in the fed cash cattle market, as traders elected to again push the live cattle contracts higher today. What will remain an obstacle for the market to manage this week is the technical resistance that's formed in the live cattle complex. There's an argument to be made that the market could potentially break through that barrier if fed cash cattle prices are higher again this week, but that's taking a fairly bullish look at the marketplace. Even if prices do trade higher again this week, there's a strong likelihood that traders won't want to challenge that threshold, especially considering that later this week, the highly anticipated Cattle Inventory report is set to be released. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Texas, but lower in Kansas, and Nebraska/Colorado.

Boxed beef prices are higher: choice up $0.33 ($369.25) and select up $3.58 ($365.97) with a movement of 50 loads (32.53 loads of choice, 3.84 loads of select, 4.95 loads of trim and 8.53 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle contracts were also trading higher as the market finds power and momentum in the fact that fed cash cattle prices continue to scale higher. So long as the live cattle contracts continue to trade higher, the feeder cattle complex will also likely do the same.

And last but not least, the lean hog contracts were also enjoying a mild rally into midday Monday. The market has seen steady support from consumers, which has helped encourage the contracts to continue to trade higher, although the market is continuing to drive to new contract highs when it does so.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/01/26140354/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, was very unhappy after it was announced that a legislative fix for year-round E15 was dropped from the January government funding bill. It was further incensed that Congress would instead form a “rural energy council” to formulate another compromise bill with petroleum interests, and with expectations for a vote in February. “What an incredible travesty as Congress picked refiners over American farmers and drivers today,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. 

“E15 delivers cost savings for consumers and generates long-term demand for American agriculture, facts that have been well-known for over a decade.” She also said the debate involves the simple act of allowing consumers the choice to buy a better value fuel year-round. This failure will lead to farmers missing out on a critical market during the worst farm crisis in four decades. “It’s imperative we get this over the finish line in an expedited manner,” Skor added.

Rural Energy Council is a “disgrace”

The Agriculture Council of America is proud to announce the celebration of National Ag Day on March 24, 2026. The annual event recognizes and celebrates the abundance provided by agriculture, acknowledging the essential role it plays in our daily lives. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: Together we grow: Celebrating 250 Years of Progress in Agriculture.” 

This year’s theme emphasizes the collaborative efforts of farmers, ranchers, and all stakeholders in the agricultural sector who work tirelessly to provide safe, abundant, and affordable products, and also recognizes 250 years of progress. A series of events is scheduled in Washington, D.C., and virtually, to mark the day, including an Ag Day Virtual Event. At 9:00 am, a livestream of events from the USDA will also be available. Ag Day at the USDA will run from 8:30 am to Noon at the USDA’s Whitten Patio, where attendees will hear from multiple speakers. 

National Ag Day activities announced

March corn closed up 6 1/2 cents and May corn was up 5 3/4 cents. March soybeans closed up 3 3/4 cents and May soybeans were up 3 1/4 cents. March KC wheat closed up 15 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 14 cents, March MIAX Minneapolis wheat was up 1 1/4 cents.

Friday was a generally positive close to a generally positive week for row-crop futures. Corn futures showed bullish life and vastly improved the technical situation for the March contract, thanks largely to a multi-year high for corn sold in the export market during the week ended Jan. 15. Meanwhile, wheat futures posted a double-digit gain on increased weather premium ahead of this weekend's winter storm, with the March KC contract posting its highest close since mid-November. Finally, soybeans also were positive on strong export sales as well but also on continued spillover strength from the soybean oil market.&nbsp;

The live cattle complex was trading sharply higher into midday Friday as traders have grown more confident, and some light cash cattle trade has developed. The feeder cattle complex also traded slightly higher, but its gusto this morning hasn't been as aggressive or notable as the live cattle market's, which could potentially be because demand in the countryside has been slightly off. &nbsp;The lean hog complex was trading mixed and ended in the red as the nearby contracts were trading a bit lower while the deferred months continue to scale higher.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/26205559/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

KANSAS CITY— A Kansas City man pleaded guilty in federal court for robbing a local bank with the use of a firearm.

Richie E. Manley, 50, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough, to one count of aiding and abetting bank robbery, along with one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to the United State's Attorney.

On Oct. 3, 2024, at approximately 10:43 a.m., Richie E. Manley&nbsp;entered a bank in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp; While speaking to a bank teller, Manley&nbsp;pulled out a handgun, later determined to be a Smith and Wesson, Model SD, .40 caliber pistol, and told the tellers “give me your money.” While pointing the pistol at the tellers, Manley told the tellers to give him the “hundreds.” The tellers provided the money from the bank drawers and Manley&nbsp;took the money and fled the bank. The bank reported an estimated loss of $2,155 from the robbery. The bank was federally insured by the FDIC.

Under federal statutes, Manley is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, up to life in federal prison without parole. The minimum and maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Armed suspect told KC bank teller to give me the “hundreds”

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a chase in central Kansas.

&nbsp;On Tuesday evening, police were dispatched to&nbsp;Salina Regional Health Center for the report of a stolen vehicle, according to Salina Police&nbsp;Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler.

&nbsp;A silver&nbsp;2018 Ford Edge (valued at $20,000)&nbsp;was missing from the hospital's parking garage.&nbsp;A debit card and checkbook had also been left in the vehicle.&nbsp; It was determined the cards had been used at a couple of convenience stores in Salina.

Officers investigated the store and collected surveillance footage, as they spotted the vehicle in the&nbsp;1000 block of Park Street in Salina. When law enforcement arrived to the location, the vehicle fled and a pursuit ensued.

The vehicle traveled through several yards in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Park Street and ended in an alleyway nearby. The driver, identified as 45-year-old Brent Corwin of Salina, then fled on foot and officers followed. A K9 was released and apprehended Corwin in the backyard of a residence on West Ash Street. Police booked Corwin into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Theft, Obstruction and more.

K9 tracks down suspect who took car from Kan. hospital parking garage

OSAGE COUNTY—On Wednesday, all three Osage County deputies who were injured in the line of duty on November 15th have returned to full duty.

"Over the past several months, the Osage County community has prayed, checked in, sent cards, brought food, and shown more support than we could ever put into words. Those prayers, that encouragement, and that kindness mattered more than you know—not just to the deputies, but to their families and to this entire Sheriff’s Office."

"These three deputies showed incredible strength, resilience, and determination through their recovery. Watching them fight to heal and return to the work they love has been nothing short of inspiring."

"We are blessed to have them back where they belong—serving the citizens of Osage County."

"Thank you to everyone who stood with us during this time. Your support helped us through, and today we are sharing some very good news with you."

"Osage County is lucky to have deputies like these."

On Saturday morning Nov. 15, the Osage County Sheriff's Office and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at 11222 S. Topeka Ave. in Osage County after a female resident called 911, according to a media release from the KBI.

Law enforcement encountered a male suspect, identified as Stephen M. McMillan, 22, outside the residence. During the encounter, gunfire was exchanged. Three deputies and two KHP troopers fired during the incident. In the shooting, three deputies, one trooper, the suspect and a male resident were struck. The male resident was identified as the suspect's 77-year-old grandfather.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, cleared the residence, and rendered aid to the injured. All law enforcement officers were transported to Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center. The trooper was later transferred to KU Medical Center. The suspect's grandfather, 77, was also injured and taken to the hospital. McMillan was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

Kan. deputies injured during domestic incident are back at work

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/mollygibbs/">Molly Gibbs</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley on Tuesday called the shooting of an ICU nurse in Minneapolis “very troubling” and added that he welcomes investigations and hearings on the actions of Department of Homeland Security agents in the incident.

Video of the incident shows DHS agents pinning 37-year-old Alex Pretti to the ground and shooting him multiple times after disarming him. There is no video evidence that Pretti ever brandished his weapon, which he was licensed to carry.

In the uproar immediately following the incident, Missouri’s other senator, Eric Schmitt, defended DHS, accusing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz of engaging in a “war on law enforcement.” Schmitt’s comments came before President Donald Trump’s Monday call with Walz, and his announcement that “we’re going to de-escalate a little bit.”

Schmitt was traveling back to Washington Tuesday and was unavailable for comment.

Hawley said he agreed with Trump that it is time to “turn the temperature down” in Minnesota.

When asked about the legality of the shooting, Hawley drew on his experience as Missouri’s attorney general, saying that he oversaw many police raids and that they are always dangerous.

“I am a firm believer in qualified immunity for law enforcement,” Hawley said. “But qualified immunity isn’t total immunity. The test there is: what would a reasonable person have done in those circumstances.”

Hawley said he wouldn’t recommend people carry firearms into an area where law enforcement is known to be conducting an operation, but added that Pretti’s decision to do so did not violate any law. In Missouri, the senator noted, a person would not even need a concealed carry permit, which Pretti had.

Pretti’s death, the second of two fatal shootings by DHS personnel during the agency’s surge in Minnesota, is creating the potential for a government shutdown at the end of the week.

The Senate faces a Friday deadline to approve a package of six funding bills for federal agencies, but Democrats, and some Republicans, say they want to reconsider the DHS funding package in light of what they consider the agency’s overreach in Minnesota.

Hawley said he wants to fund the Department of Homeland Security and keep the government open. Still, he said he will defer to Majority Leader U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., when it comes to delaying or amending funding for DHS.

Fletcher Mantooth contributed to this reporting.

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/nation_world/hawley-says-investigation-of-troubling-dhs-shooting-is-necessary/article_617ad2bd-85bb-44ea-b794-981792f93af2.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

Senator Hawley calls for investigation of ‘troubling’ Minneapolis shooting

Abortion is Murder seeks total ban; Satanic Grotto argues 1st Amendment claim

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;

TOPEKA — Preacher Nicholas Heald lifted a well-worn Bible and his booming voice Tuesday in the Capitol rotunda to declare abortion the equivalent of murder and to amplify a denunciation of the Kansas Legislature for refusing to pass a bill outlawing abortion services statewide.

Heald was surrounded on the third floor by like-minded activists — several wielding large posters with graphic images of a deceased fetus — who made certain House and Senate members, Republicans and Democrats alike, could witness their impatience with politicians reluctant to take a big leap toward ending abortion in Kansas.

He dismissed skeptics who argued such a bill wouldn’t pass the GOP-controlled Legislature or would be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly or had no chance of surviving constitutional challenges before the Kansas Supreme Court.

“The legislators, our representatives, for far too long … have failed in your duty to establish equal justice protection for born and pre-born people,” Heald said. “We have come to you year after year after year … to protect every one of your pre-born neighbors, with no exceptions. And, you have failed. You have refused to do so for political reasons.”

“How much more blood will be on your hands as you sign more so-called pro-life bills that regulate murder?” he added.

His message was aimed, in part, at participants in the Kansas version of March for Life, who plan a rally noon Wednesday on south steps of the Capitol to press for new legal obstacles to reproductive rights. Those rights have been declared fundamental by the Kansas Supreme Court in decisions shielding the right of women to end a pregnancy.

On the first floor of the Capitol and on the south steps of the building, supporters of an organization known as Satanic Grotto took part in a much smaller but equally robust protest in support of reproductive choice.

More significantly, however, Satanic Grotto president Michael Stewart said the group was there to continue building the foundation of a potential First Amendment lawsuit challenging the state’s action to allow Abortion is Murder supporters to bring into the Statehouse posters with ghastly and bloody images but to forbid Satanic Grotto from doing likewise.

“We’re here to say that in Kansas there are horrific people who hang gory signs and harass women and are part of a movement that has a history of incredible violence here in Kansas,” said Stewart, who was taken into police custody in March 2025 at the Capitol while trying to tear a Bible in half and stomp on communion wafers. “We are game to play by the rules as long as everybody’s paying by the rules.”

Stewart referenced the 2009 murder of Wichita physician George Tiller, who at that time was among few U.S. doctors performing late-term abortions. He was shot to death in church by anti-abortion activist Scott Roeder, who confessed to the murder and defended the violence because “pre-born children’s lives were in imminent danger.”

Stewart said Satanic Grotto was a group of “independent satanists” who came together for a sense of community. In the process, they’ve taken on “kind of a sacred duty” to take part in the public debate about political speech at the Capitol. He said group members wanted the state government to know that “we’re serious about what we’re doing, that we’re documenting it and we’re giving them a chance to respond and fix these issues before it can upgrade to litigation.”

One result of Satanic Grotto’s activism would be to demonstrate that state officials at the Capitol engaged in selective enforcement of rules related to protest signs. Information being gathered, he said, would&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/20/kansas-satanic-grotto-files-complaint-about-abortion-rally-permit-approval-plans-counterprotest/">support a complaint filed with the Kansas Department of Administration</a>&nbsp;alleging the Christian anti-abortion group received preferential treatment and expression by people taking part in counterprotests against Abortion is Murder were treated unfairly.

Before the political clash of ideas Tuesday, Stewart said his colleagues had intended to haul a 9-foot-tall sculpture named “Zombie Jesus” onto the Statehouse grounds and into the Capitol. Due to bitter weather conditions, he said, they sidelined the massive piece of art.

In the Capitol, signs displayed by Abortion is Murder adherents included “If abortion is murder, the victim is the baby,” “Taking a pill to terminate a baby is murder with malice aforethought,” “What has 50+ years of incrementalism accomplished?” “Abortion is murder — It must and shall be abolished” and “Abolish Abortion: Thou shalt not murder.”

Other materials distributed during the Abortion is Murder event said: “Abolish child sacrifice — ban in vitro fertilization” and “Public Service Announcement: Women are not sex objects. Babies are not body parts.” One folding piece of literature illustrated blood-covered hands with a photograph of the remains of a fetus aborted at 10 weeks. The image was surrounded by citations of Bible scripture from Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Psalm. A similarly graphic handout contained the same photo with the text: “You know this is murder. Stop suppressing the truth. Demand the total and immediate abolition of abortion.”

Josh Eaton, a pastor at Cross Point Baptist Church in Caney, said most anti-abortion laws included exceptions that enabled women who received an abortion not to be charged with a crime. He said abolitionists wanted all laws applicable to murder cases to apply to abortions, including punishing anyone who coerced or forced a woman to have an abortion.

“If a man sneaks a pill into his girlfriend’s drink to cause her to have an abortion, he can be charged with murder of the child,” Eaton said. “But, if she drinks the pill herself, then she can’t be charged with anything. It’s a double standard.”

Curtis Knapp, pastor at New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca, spoke during the first of two sermons by Abortion is Murder supporters in the rotunda.

“With respect to sin, you either make war with it or you make peace with it,” he said. “With respect to the murder of the unborn, we have chosen peace, peaceful coexistence. Consequently, our conscience has been ruined.”

Knapp urged Republican legislators to quit rationalizing why abolishing abortion would be impractical or unwise. He said lawmakers claimed they couldn’t vote for an abolition bill because they might not get reelected and, if that occurred, the Republican Party could forfeit its supermajority in the House and Senate.

“Keep in mind, Kansas is a state where Republicans have enjoyed a supermajority uninterrupted in the Senate since 1992 and the House since 2012,” Knapp said. “Registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats in Kansas by almost 2-to-1. A question I have is: When will this supermajority ever benefit the unborn?”

During Knapp’s sermon, he responded to a comment from the crowd regarding abortion rights. He assumed the comment was made by a Satanic Grotto supporter.

“It is very clear, and our opponents are helping make that clear, Satan is for abortion. These are satanists, and they are very much for abortion,” Knapp said. “That is the contrast that you have here today. Abortion is Satan’s playground, and God hates it.”

Anti-abolition rally runs up against satanists’ demand for equal access to Kansas Capitol

On his social media account, Kansas City, Missouri mayor Quinton Lucas shared his Wednesday morning interview on CNN where he discussed immigration raids and "standing up for rights of all in Kansas City."