Missouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe visited St. Joseph Christian School Monday morning, speaking to the
school as a whole during an assembly, then talking with a class of seniors.

Kehoe says one of
the reasons for his visit was to see the impact MOScholars is having on the
community.

“This school has a
significant amount of parents who are taking advantage of that. And I think
that’s a good thing, that parents get to choose to have their child educated,
in this case, in a Christian environment,” Kehoe tells reporters. “Great public
schools in this area. I know them well and they are doing a great job. But
parents having a choice and (students) being able to go to a school like this
is really important. We wanted to come by and see what it was all about.”

MOScholars
provides parents a tax break to offset the cost of tuition to private schools.
It is primarily donation-based. This state legislature though allocated $50
million to the program in the state budget, prompting a legal challenge. The
Missouri National Education Association has filed a lawsuit against the legislature’s
decision, claiming the appropriation violates the state constitution.

The lawsuit goes
before a Cole County circuit judge tomorrow, a bench trial expected to run a
couple of days in Jefferson City.

Kehoe is confident
the state can successfully defend the appropriation.

“I believe we have
great footing. The folks that we surround ourselves with in the legal business
assure us that we should come out good on that,” Kehoe says. “I’m sure hopeful
that we come out on the right side on that, because we’d like to continue to
fund the MOScholars program and promote education choice.”

Kehoe counters MOScholars
isn’t about the schools, but about the parents.

“Well, I would
argue that all the parents that would take advantage of the MOScholars program
are taxpayers,” Kehoe says. “And so, I think that’s pretty simply the answer is
that they’re all taxpayers and how their tax dollars get spent should be a
little bit more up to them.”

Kehoe rejects
notions that his visit to the school and support of tax dollars to MOScholars
demonstrates a lack of support for public education.

“Public education
got a record amount of funding in the budget last year. I don’t think there should
be any question for that,” Kehoe responds. “I’ve been to the public schools
here before, many years ago. Actually, when I was a state senator, I think with
Sen. (Dan) Hegeman as I recall at the time. Been up to Savannah to the public
school there, in Andrew County. I’m a supporter of all forms of education,
whether that’s public or private. I think that parents, again, need to have the
choice on what’s best for their student.”

Kehoe received a tour
of the St. Joseph Christian School, including its new addition, prior to speaking
with students.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Gov. Kehoe defends MOScholars program during St. Joseph Christian School visit

Evergy is urging its customers to be aware of utility scams.   

Partnering with United Utilities Against Scams, Evergy is spreading tips to its customers about scams.   

Communications Manager with Evergy Matthew Lucht says utility scams have become more prevalent  

"The Federal Trade Commission reported that $12.5 billion in theft through cyber scams nationwide was last year, and that’s a 25% increase over 2023,” Lucht tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Lucht says utility scams target anyone and everyone, some with fake websites 

"Scammers are creating websites and they’re actually paying to get those higher in the searches, so usually it’s the first search that you see,” Lucht explains 

Scammers will also ask for gift cards as payment, threaten immediate disconnection for late payments, or offer non-existent discounts to customers.  

Lucht says it's a combination of things of why people fall for these scams more and more. 

"Scammers are coming up with obviously different ways to convince customers to either provide information that they probably shouldn’t or give them access or get payments of things that they obviously shouldn’t,” Lucht says.  “So, I think It’s just really a fear factor and kind of enticing maybe that fear of missing out kind of scenario where you know act now and we’ll give you this discount.” 

Evergy advises customers to use strong and unique passwords to protect themselves and enable multi factor authentication.   

Lucht says if you are targeted by a scam, customers should contact Evergy 

"Report the scam immediately, you can also put that on our website at evergy.com/reportscam, suspicious activity should always be reported obviously to local law enforcement as well,” Lucht says.  “But you can get all sorts of information on our website about not only the scams, but how to report fraudulent calls and how to report scams.” 

Lucht says Evergy will never disconnect your utilities without multiple notifications prior to disconnection. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

Evergy keeps customers aware of rise in utility scams

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

DAVIESS COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Sunday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Nissan Juke driven by a 69-year-old Des Moines, Iowa, woman was southbound on Interstate 35 seven miles south of Pattonsburg. The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road down an embankment, struck a cluster of trees and overturned.

Cameron ambulance transported the driver and a 68-year-old female passenger to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 women hospitalized after violent crash down embankment

ATCHISON COUNTY, Mo. —A juvenile was injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Sunday in Atchison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Equnox driven by a 47-year-old Bethany man was eastbound on U.S. 136 one mile east of Brownville, Nebraska, in heavy fog and smoke. The 2020 Equinox rear-ended a 2019 Chevy Equinox driven by a 42-year-old Beatrice, Nebraska, man who had slowed and stopped due to a separate vehicle crash.

Nemaha County Fire and Rescue transported a 3-year-old female passenger in the 2019 Equinox to Nemaha County Hospital. The drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3-year-old hospitalized after rear-end crash in fog, smoke

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3a.m. Sunday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Freighliner semi driven by a 52-year-old Brooklyn, New York, man was northbound on Interstate 29&nbsp; Thirteen miles north of St. Joseph. The driver fell asleep. The semi traveled off the west side of the road and the driver over corrected. The vehicle returned to the road, overturned and blocked both northbound lanes.&nbsp;

Andrew County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the&nbsp; MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Driver fell asleep and semi overturned in Anrdrew County

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Missouri trucking industry faces labor challenges as freight hauling demand dwindles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Couple jailed after exchange of gunfire with Kansas deputy

KFEQ Week in Review

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

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

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

Mo. woman injured after crash pushed SUV into bridge rail

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

Grains and oilseed markets began what should be a fairly low volume week around a holiday break on Thursday and a shortened session for Friday as well. Prices hovered on both sides of even for Monday, with contracts managing to recover from daily lows by the close but with a lack of bullish momentum capping upside potential as well. Outside markets were mixed influence on agriculture markets for Monday, with a firmer U.S. dollar which continues to challenge long-term resistance among the highest level since May. Stock indices were higher, while energy markets were mixed. Crude oil futures moved higher but diesel prices continue to crash back to earth after trading among 2025 highs last week as talks of a peace plan for the Russian-Ukraine war have gained momentum over the past week.

It's was a painstaking day for the live cattle complex -- there's no other way to put it. Following Tyson Food's announcement on Friday that they're closing their plant in Lexington, Nebraska, and going to reduce their throughput in Amarillo, Texas, to only a single shift per day -- the market has taken the news poorly. Having sufficient shackle space is a big concern for grassroot producers and the thought of losing availability is rather concerning. Last week, Northern dressed cattle were marked at mostly $345, $6 lower than the prior week's weighted average basis Nebraska. Southern live deals were marked at $222 to $224, $4 to $6 lower than the previous week's weighted average.

The feeder cattle complex dropped $9.25 (its daily trading limit) right from the day's get-go as traders fully believed that the only direction that the market could go on Monday was lower. It's unlikely that the market finds any significant support ahead of the day's close.

But adversely, the lean hog complex was trading higher into Monday's closing bell, as the market sees the chaos in the cattle sector as potentially room for increased demand in the hog sector. Pork cutout values are up slightly this morning too, but more than anything, traders seem to be finding some technical footing in the market.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/11/24135900/web-closing-markets-2.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

U.S. ethanol exports climbed sharply in August, driven by record sales to Canada and the European Union, federal trade data show. Shipments reached 188.8 million gallons, a 15% increase from July and 24% higher than a year earlier. Canada remained the top buyer at 74.4 million gallons, while another 47.6 million gallons moved through the Netherlands for use across the EU. RFD-TV reports that together, those markets accounted for nearly two-thirds of all U.S. ethanol exports. The U.S. imported no foreign ethanol during the month. 

Other key markets shifted as well. Colombia boosted purchases by 43% to 14.1 million gallons, India rebounded after several slow months, and Mexico increased buying as the United Kingdom, Peru and the Philippines pulled back. Year-to-date exports reached 1.42 billion gallons, 16% ahead of 2024. Exports of distillers dried grains, or DDGs, with solubles also strengthened, rising 10% to 1.17 million metric tons, though cumulative shipments remain slightly below last year. 

Record ethanol exports are expanding on strong demand

The Senate unanimously passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, clearing a major hurdle toward restoring whole and 2% milk options in school meal programs. The bill now heads to the House, where similar legislation passed overwhelmingly in 2023, before it can be sent to the president’s desk. The measure would allow schools to serve whole and reduced-fat milk alongside the current offerings of low-fat, fat-free and flavored varieties. 

Supporters say the change reflects updated nutrition research showing milk of all fat levels has neutral or positive health effects. Whole and 2% milk remain the most commonly consumed varieties at home. “Restoring schools’ option to offer whole and reduced-fat milk will mean more schoolkids get the essential nutrients they need,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall, Peter Welch, Dave McCormick and John Fetterman.

Senate passes whole milk for healthy kids act

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘New Democrat Coalition’ releases rural revitalization agenda

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

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

Harvest wrapping up across U.S.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

White House Moving Toward Biofuels Blending Resolution

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

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

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

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

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>-

A senior federal judge dismissed charges Monday against two public officials with long-running public disputes with President Donald Trump, saying the controversial appointment of the president’s former personal attorney as a prosecutor doomed the cases.

Senior U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, whom former President Bill Clinton appointed to the bench in South Carolina, wrote in a Monday order that Attorney General Pam Bondi did not have the authority to make Lindsey Halligan the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.&nbsp;

The judge said the deadline for an interim appointee to that position had lapsed.

Because that process was invalid, the prosecutions against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom had investigated or prosecuted Trump, must be dropped, Currie&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136.213.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">wrote</a>.

Currie dismissed the indictments without prejudice, meaning they could be revived. But at least in Comey’s case, in which charges were brought on the eve of the statute of limitations expiring, that appeared unlikely.

U.S. attorneys are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, but the attorney general can appoint someone on an interim basis for 120 days. After that, the judges in the district are responsible for appointing an interim prosecutor.

“Ms. Halligan was not appointed in a manner consistent with this framework,” Currie wrote.

Bondi appointed Erik Siebert as the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in January, while his confirmation was pending in the Senate. After 120 days, the judges in the district allowed him to continue.

Siebert resigned in September, reportedly under pressure from Trump and Bondi to bring charges against Comey. Bondi then named Halligan, at the time a White House aide who had also worked for Trump in a private capacity, as the interim U.S. attorney.&nbsp;

But Bondi could not do that because, after 120 days, the responsibility for naming an interim U.S. attorney fell to the district court judges, Currie wrote.

“The 120-day clock began running with Mr. Siebert’s appointment on Jan. 21, 2025,” she wrote. “When that clock expired on May 21, 2025, so too did the Attorney General’s appointment authority. Consequently, I conclude that the Attorney General’s attempt to install Ms. Halligan as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was invalid and that Ms. Halligan has been unlawfully serving in that role.”

Halligan, after gaining office in September, quickly secured a two-count indictment against the former FBI chief from a grand jury in Alexandria. Comey was accused of lying to Congress about whether he had authorized a press leak of information related to an FBI investigation of Russian actors’ involvement in Trump’s first presidential campaign.&nbsp;

However, U.S. District Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/judge-cites-profound-investigative-missteps-court-case-against-james-comey" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;last week that issues with evidence, testimony and statements to the grand jury in the case outweighed the usual heavily guarded secrecy of proceedings. He said “profound investigative missteps” could result in the dismissal of Comey’s indictment.

Comey has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/former-fbi-director-comey-pleads-not-guilty-criminal-charges-demanded-trump" target="_blank">pleaded</a>&nbsp;not guilty.

James won a civil case against Trump related to business fraud, though a state appeals court later overturned the sentence as overly punitive.

Trump has publicly blasted James and Comey as using the mechanisms of legal proceedings to persecute him.&nbsp;

In an extraordinary public message to Bondi just before Halligan replaced Siebert, Trump complained that the prosecutions against both were not developing faster.

The Justice Department did not respond to a message seeking comment Monday.

Judge drops James Comey and Letitia James charges, saying prosecutor served ‘unlawfully’

WILSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 1a.m. Monday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Ram ProMaster van driven by Bradley&nbsp;Plec, 32,&nbsp; Graniteville, South Carolina was westbound on U.S. 400 nine and one half miles north west of Fredonia. The van veered left of center into the eastbound lane and struck a 2025 Volvo semi driven by Sergiu&nbsp; Ionas, 50, Morton Grove, Illinois,&nbsp;head-on near the eastbound shoulder.

Plec was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Ionas to the hospital in Fredonia. Plec was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Driver killed after van, semi head-on crash on Kansas highway

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged scam that cost a Kansas woman nearly $10,000.

On November, 22, a 72-year-old Salina woman reported receiving an email reportedly from PayPal indicating she had spent $399.99 in Bitcoin purchases on October 29, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

 There was a number attached to the email indicating if she did not make the purchase to call. The victim called and the person they spoke with asked for access to their computer which was granted. 

The suspect advised she had been hacked and he needed to fix the account. A short time later the victim received an email saying the $399.99 was being returned but they had accidentally sent $40,000 to her account. 

When the victim looked at her checking account she observed $40,000. The email asked her to return the money. The person the victim was communicating with asked for a “good Faith” payment of $20,000. The victim refused, then the suspect asked for $9,900. The suspect told her to download Whatsapp and the Bitcoin app for communication purposes.

 The victim also sent pictures of her driver’s license and provided her social security number. The suspect then had the victim drive to Snak Attack at 1619 W. Magnolia in Salina and deposit $9,900 in the Bitcoin machine. The suspect was on the phone with the victim the entire time, according to Captain Feldman.

It was determined the suspect had been able to access the victim’s bank account and move funds to make it look like $40,000 had been transferred into her account. The suspect was reported to have a foreign accent. Total loss was valued at $9,900.

The Salina Police Department remind citizens to not allow anyone to access your computer or provide personal information. If you receive suspicious emails please do not reply or call the numbers attached to the emails. If you have any concerns please call your local police department or contact your bank directly.

Police: Kan. woman lost nearly $10,000 in computer scam

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an incident involving three individuals who entered private property without authorization, climbed a secured tower, and parachuted from the structure, according to a statement from the Shawnee County Sheriff.

"While no injuries were reported, this type of activity is extremely dangerous and illegal."

"Climbing restricted towers poses significant risks, including electrocution, falls from great heights, and structural failures."

"Unauthorized parachute jumps endanger not only the individuals involved but also nearby residents and first responders who must address the situation."

The sheriff's office reminded the public that trespassing on private or secured property is a criminal offense, and high-risk stunts like this can quickly turn deadly.

If you have any information on this incident or if you see suspicious activity, please notify law enforcement immediately.Thank you for helping us keep Shawnee County safe!

Sheriff: 3 parachute from secured Kan. tower on private property

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at an apartment fire in Kansas&nbsp; City.

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, crews responded to a reported apartment fire in the 10604 E. 98th Terrace, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

&nbsp;Crews reported smoke showing from a three-story apartment building. Interior operations were initiated using multiple handlines. Searches of the structure came back all clear. The fire was contained to a single apartment on the third floor; however multiple apartments received water and smoke damage.&nbsp;

There were no injuries reported&nbsp; Red Cross is assisting a number of those who were displaced.

Residents displaced after fire in 3-story KC apartment building

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating an injury crash that critically injured two.

Just before 2:30a.m. Sunday, a&nbsp;white, four-door sedan was westbound on Ward Parkway from the Plaza in Kansas City at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

The driver failed to negotiate the curve transitioning to the southbound lanes. The vehicle vaulted over the guardrail and came to rest upside down in Brush Creek.

EMS transported both occupants to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police released no additional details.

2 critically injured after car flips into Kansas City creek 

MIAME COUNTY —A Kansas felon is back in custody after an arrest in rural Miami County Kansas.

Just before 1p.m. November 20,&nbsp;the Miami County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 28980 Osawatomie Road, with assistance from the Osawatomie Police Department, according to. media release.

The search warrant resulted from an Osawatomie Police Department investigation into stolen property that led officers to the rural Miami County residence. During the search of the home, numerous items of stolen property were recovered related to an Osawatomie Police Department case, estimated to be valued at approximately $3,000. 

Additional stolen property belonging to victims in rural Miami County was also recovered, valued at around $500. Deputies additionally seized 1,076.5 grams (2.37 pounds) of marijuana from the property.

Larry Arthur Poage Jr., 56, was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana – and transported to the Miami County Jail. While inside the jail, additional drug paraphernalia was located on his person, resulting in two additional requested felony charges that include Trafficking Contraband into a Correctional Facility. As the investigations continue, additional charges may be filed. Poage has previous drug and driving convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon caught with stolen property and 2 pounds of pot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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