City Hall is undergoing a bit of
renovation as it prepares for a big year.

St. Joseph’s City Hall turns 100 in two
years along with the Missouri Theater.

St. Joseph Assistant City Manager, Dawn
Lanning, says the city wants to celebrate in style.

“So, really, a lot of much needed
maintenance has gone into that area through using both ARPA and some CIP funds to
accomplish that,” Lanning tells KFEQmmunity. “Sidewalk repairs throughout. Some
of that historical limestone that’s on the patio, there was some replacement of
that.”

Congress authorized local allocations of
ARPA money to offset losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and to help stimulate
the economy. CIP, or Capital Improvements Program, funds come from a half-cent
sales tax approved by St. Joseph voters.

Lanning says the Pioneer Woman statue and
fountain have been removed, but will return. She says the fountain no longer
worked and needs to be replaced.

“The fountain itself, the water feature,
was broken. It was beyond repair. And some concern about there being a berm
there and some visibility,” Lanning says. “So, we’re going to flatten all that
out and then we are going to put another water feature back in that space with
some sitting area for the community to be able to enjoy.”

The pioneer woman statue has been stored
away for the winter. She will return in the spring once the project has been
completed.

Work is well underway to create a grand
staircase for Civic Center Park. Lampposts have been replaced to replicate the
original lampposts.

“Some of the interior work that’s going
on is they are doing some painting of the walls and just some maintenance on
the inside as well,” Lanning says. “City Hall’s a gorgeous building. If people
haven’t been in there, they definitely need to come visit it.”

Both City Hall and the Missouri Theater
will celebrate their centennial in 2027.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph City Hall spruces up for upcoming milestone

A person injured
in a St. Joseph fire has died.

The St. Joseph
Police Department reports a person removed from a house fire in the early
morning hours of Friday has died.

Firefighters
responded to the fire around three o’clock Friday morning near the intersection
of Jamesport Street and Industrial Road. The person was taken to the hospital,
but later died of injuries from the fire.

Two firefighters
suffered injuries severe enough to require medical attention. The St. Joseph
Fire Department reports the two firefighters were treated and released.

Person dies of injuries from St. Joseph fire

The decision came just a few hours after a state trial over which signatures should be counted if petitions are delivered this week

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>

A federal judge Monday refused to back Missouri’s Republican leaders efforts to block a statewide vote on a gerrymandered&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">congressional district map</a>, dismissing a case filed by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.

U.S. District Judge Zachary Bluestone ruled he had no jurisdiction over the lawsuit brought on behalf of Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and the General Assembly claiming the U.S. Constitution&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/26/federal-ruling-on-missouri-gerrymandered-redistricting-plan-to-come-in-early-december/">bars state referendums</a>&nbsp;on Congressional district plans.

The decision came just a few hours after Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh conducted a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC07128&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19" target="_blank">three-hour trial</a>&nbsp;over when a referendum petition drive can begin and which signatures should be counted when petitions are submitted.

Limbaugh did not issue a ruling Monday and gave attorneys until Wednesday afternoon to file proposed judgments.

The redistricting bill forced through in September by Republicans at the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/after-hearing-from-trump-missouri-gop-muscle-gerrymandered-map-forward-in-state-senate/">insistence of President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is scheduled to take effect Thursday for use in the 2026 elections.

Republicans hope to win seven of the state’s eight congressional seats by adding enough GOP votes to flip the 5th District, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City.&nbsp;

If referendum petitions with sufficient signatures are submitted, the map will take effect only if it is upheld in a statewide vote in November.

The issues in the now-dismissed federal case can all be decided in state court, wrote Bluestone, a recent Trump appointee. All Hoskins has to do, he said, is reject the petitions gathered by People Not Politicians, the campaign committee seeking the referendum.

The deadline for submitting signatures is Thursday.

“Fortunately for the state, Secretary Hoskins has a tool at his disposal that almost no other litigant could boast — the power to declare the petition unconstitutional himself,” Bluestone wrote.

That would trigger litigation over the main question, he wrote.

“A decision that the Missouri Constitution does not permit a redistricting referendum would moot the state’s federal constitutional claims, while a decision that it does clearly permit them would significantly narrow the issues,” Bluestone wrote. “Further, abstaining here would avoid federal interference in a referendum process created entirely by the Missouri Constitution and state law.”

The main question in the lawsuit heard Monday afternoon by Limbaugh is when a referendum petition drive can begin.

Attorney Chuck Hatfield, representing People Not Politicians, said the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++49&amp;bid=31807&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">Missouri Constitution’s clause</a>&nbsp;giving the people the “power to approve or reject by referendum any act of the general assembly” means signature gathering can begin as soon as lawmakers hold the final vote on a bill.&nbsp;

“We don’t need the governor’s signature on something to seek a referendum on it,” Hatfield said. “Nor do we need the secretary of state’s approval to gather signatures.”

Deputy Solicitor General William Seidleck, arguing for the state, said a referendum can only be held on a law. No bill, he said, even if passed by lawmakers, is a law until it is signed by the governor. And a law giving the secretary of state authority to approve or reject the form of a referendum petition, he said, means no signatures can be gathered until the approval is received.

“You can only have a referendum on an enacted law,” Seidleck said. “We submit that there’s no law without the governor’s signature.”

Marc Ellinger, who represents a campaign committee set up to defend the map, Put Missouri First, asked Limbaugh to throw the whole case out as premature. No signatures have been submitted, he said, so there’s no true controversy over which are being counted.

“They’re trying to get an answer on the validity of signatures before the statutory process is completed,” Ellinger said.

To force a referendum on a new law, petitioners must get signatures from 5% of voters in six of the state’s eight congressional districts. That is about 110,000 signatures.

People Not Politicians has enlisted more than 2,000 volunteers and gathered more than 300,000 signatures, including 12,000 last week, campaign Director Richard von Glahn said during a Monday morning conference call with the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.

“We are going to continue to fight to make sure every Missourian’s voice is heard,” von Glahn said to coalition members.

In the afternoon, von Glahn was in a Cole County courtroom while Chrissy Peters, state elections director since 2017, testified that unless a court order says otherwise, no signatures collected before Oct. 14 will be checked against voter registration rolls.

That is a key date because it’s the day Hoskins approved the form of the petition. In the lawsuit, People Not Politicians is arguing that signatures gathered after Sept. 15, when the petition form was submitted, should be checked.

Of the 300,000 signatures the campaign says it has collected, the outcome of Monday’s hearing would only impact an estimated 92,000 that were pre-emptively rejected by Hoskins.&nbsp;

Limbaugh has another decision pending that will impact whether or not the referendum occurs. He&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/12/judge-hears-arguments-over-legality-of-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map/">heard arguments Nov. 12</a>&nbsp;in a lawsuit brought by opponents of redistricting over the state Constitution’s directive on when and how to draw congressional district maps.&nbsp;

If Limbaugh rules lawmakers did not have power to redraw the districts between census reports, the law would not take effect.&nbsp;

The Missouri redistricting fight is part of a national debate over when states can redraw congressional district boundaries for partisan advantage.

Republicans hold a 220-213 edge in the U.S. House, with two vacant seats previously held by Democrats. Six states, including Missouri, have enacted new congressional maps this year in response to the push initiated when Texas redrew its district lines to flip five Democratic seats. The U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/04/texas-redistricting-map-us-supreme-court-2026-midterms/" target="_blank">upheld the new Texas map</a>&nbsp;last week.

California countered and revised its maps to move five seats to the Democratic Party,

<a href="https://ncnewsline.com/2025/11/26/federal-court-allows-republican-led-north-carolina-redistricting-plan-to-proceed/" target="_blank">North Carolina’s new map</a>&nbsp;is intended to net one seat for Republicans, Ohio has passed a new map to&nbsp;<a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/10/31/ohio-redistricting-commission-unanimously-passes-congressional-map-further-gop-advantage/" target="_blank">add two GOP seats</a>&nbsp;and a nonpartisan redistricting commission in Utah revised that state’s four districts in a way&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/11/25/utah-redistricting-republican-lawmakers-appeal-to-utah-supreme-court/" target="_blank">likely to favor a Democratic candidate</a>&nbsp;in one.

Other redistricting efforts are underway. In Indiana, the legislature is&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/08/as-indiana-senate-begins-redistricting-turn-republicans-keep-mum/" target="_blank">meeting in special session</a>&nbsp;to help the GOP gain two seats. Democrats who took supermajorities in the Virginia legislature this year are considering whether to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vpm.org/generalassembly/2025-12-03/vadems-redistricting-gerrymandering-surovell-locke-spanberger-mcdougle" target="_blank">revise lines in that state</a>, where Democrats currently hold a 6-5 edge in the delegation.

As the date for delivering signatures in Missouri approaches, attacks on the petitioners and von Glahn have intensified. Hanaway is demanding personnel records from Advanced Micro Targeting of Dallas, Texas, which is being paid to help with the signature campaign. And Advanced Micro Targeting is suing other political consulting firms, accusing them of paying large sums to sabotage the petition drive.

Donald Trump Jr. led the attacks on von Glahn on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1996275378969559140" target="_blank">social media</a>, calling him a “leftist nut job” who is “trying to STEAL a GOP house seat in Missouri through an unlawful referendum.”

Trump Jr. included a link to a website that called von Glahn a communist.

Denise Lieberman, executive director of the Missouri Voter Protection coalition, called the attacks “absolutely disgusting and inexcusable” during the conference call.

Von Glahn said the insults are generating a counter-reaction.

“These are meant to be sort of psychological warfare, to make me and my family feel isolated and feel threatened,” he said. “It has been a complete backfire. I have gotten more messages of love and support across this state and across the country this week that I could have possibly imagined.”

Federal judge rejects Missouri AG’s push to block referendum on gerrymandered map

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 1a.m.&nbsp;Monday, an officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver 34-year-old Megan McClain, was taken into custody on traffic charges and found to be in possession of controlled substances.

McClain was later booking into the county jail on requested charges of driving while suspended, no vehicle insurance, expired tag, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of a prescription drugs, according to Wilson.

Police: Kansas driver with an expired tag was transporting drugs

The Friends of Rolling Hills Library are hosting a cookbook fundraiser in time for the holidays.

"The Cake Lady and Friends" is a cookbook of 150 cake, pie, candy and cookie recipes from members of Friends of the Library, staff and volunteers, of course the namesake of the book, Barb Dalrymple, aka The Cake Lady.

Public Relations specialist with the library, Alan Stolfus, says, "Barb Dalrymple had worked at the library for several decades and her thing was making cakes every Monday and for people's birthdays."

Dalyrymple expressed enthuiasm for her work, saying, "Its just what I do. It makes me happy that someone else is happy. Most often they smile when they see me coming in with a cake."

Stolfus says the idea for the cookbook came about after Dalrymple published her 100th recipe in the 2025 winter newsletter.

The cookbooks are currently on sale at the Belt Branch and Savannah Branch, along with Books Revisted, which is the Friends' used book store. The cost is $12.

Stolfus says, "Friends of the Library uses the the funding to support the summer reading program and any other things the library may need."

Along with the fundraiser, the library is also in the process of moving to a new location on Riverside.

Stolfus says, "The outside of the new location on Riverside is pretty much done. All of the work going on right now is on the inside and its going very well."

Stolfus says the new branch won't open for another few months. "We're closing the Belt Branch in February. We'll be closed for about a month while we move over to the Riverside Branch."

Stolfus adds, "We'll take a month or so to get everything setup, worked out, and then have a grand opening in April."

Books Revisited is moving to Riverside, as well. "It will be the last thing we move over there," Stolfus says.

The Friends of Rolling Hills Library hosting dessert cookbook fundraiser

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

The Cameron Regional Medical Center Board of Directors recently voted to award five $1,000 scholarships to North Central Missouri College nursing students through the NCMC Foundation.

The scholarship program, which began in 2014, is awarded to sophomores in their second year of study in an NCMC nursing or health sciences program. Strong academic accomplishments are required, with preference given to residents of Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb or Harrison counties.

This year’s CRMC scholarship recipients are:

“The nursing and health sciences students at NCMC are extremely fortunate to have the continued partnership and support from CRMC,” commented Scholarship Coordinator Kristi Varner. “The NCMC Foundation thanks CRMC for their loyalty and support of NCMC students.”

CRMC Invests in Five NCMC Future Nurses

ATCHISON COUNTY Two people were injured in an accident just before noon Sunday in Atchison.

At 11:45AM on Sunday officers responded to a one vehicle injury accident in the 1700 block South 6th Street.&nbsp; A 2014 Ford Escape driven by Malori Hall, 17, Atchison, was northbound in the 1700 Block of South 6th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The SUV left the roadway and struck a tree on the east side of the road.

EMS transported Hall and a 46 year old passenger to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries.

Teen, passenger hospitalized after SUV crash into a tree

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Saturday in Atchison.

A 2004 Chrysler van driven by Jeanie McHaley, 53, Atchison, was westbound in the 800 Block of U.S. 59, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. A 2011 Chevy Traverse driven by Lawrence Miller, Jr. 54, Huron rear-ended the van as McHaley was turning left turn into a parking lot.&nbsp;

After impact the van struck a tree on the south side of the highway. EMS treated McHaley at the scene and she was subsequently transported by private vehicle to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries. Miller was not injured.

Kansas woman injured after rear-end crash pushed van into a tree

HOLT COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Sunday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Pontiac G6 driven by a 16-year-old Tarkio girl was northbound on U.S. 59 one half mile north of Craig. The car traveled off the east side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the car skidded down an embankment and rolled into a field.

Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver and a 16-year-old female. passenger to Fairfax Community Hospital. The passenger was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 Missouri 16-year-olds injured after car rolls into a field

Five major global gas companies announced a major new partnership to build a large-scale e-methane production facility in Nebraska. Biogenic CO2 sourced from ethanol producers is a critical feedstock for e-methane production, and the ability to secure CO2 delivery via pipeline is the primary reason this project targeted Nebraska. It’s a clear signal that international capital is flowing into the Midwest to secure reliable, low-carbon fuel sources for export markets. 

Methane, also known as natural gas, is usually drilled out of the ground, but can also chemically be formed. When burned, synthetic methane emits greenhouse gases but is considered less polluting due to its cleaner production process and re-use of CO2. A final investment decision is expected in 2027 on the facility, with startup scheduled for 2030. A statement from the five companies said the Live Oak Project will leverage Nebraska’s abundant biogenic CO2 resources, captured from bioethanol plants. 

Global investors betting on Nebraska

President Donald Trump was expected to announce a $12 billion aid package on Monday afternoon. Administration officials told the AP that it will be a boost for farmers struggling to sell their crops due to a months-long trade war with China and many other overseas markets. Trump was expected to unveil the plan at a White House roundtable with Treasury and Agriculture Secretaries Scott Bessent and Brooke Rollins, as well as lawmakers and farmers who grow commodities like corn, soybeans, cotton, and many others. 

Up to $11 billion is set aside for the USDA’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, which the administration says will offer a one-time payment to farmers of row crops of all kinds. The rest will be for U.S. farmers growing crops not covered under the bridge assistance program. It’s to help offer certainty to farmers as they market the current harvest and plan for next year. 

White House announcing $12 billion in farm assistance

🎥President Trump details the $12B aid package for farmers

March corn closed down 1 cent per bushel at $4.43 3/4 and May Corn&nbsp;closed down 1 cent per bushel at $4.51 1/4 and January soybeans closed down 11 1/2 cents at $10.93 3/4 and May soybeans were down 8 3/4 cents at $11.16 3/4. March KC wheat closed down 4 3/4 cents at $5.26 1/2, March Chicago wheat was down 1 cent at $5.34 3/4 and MIAX March Minneapolis wheat was down 0.02 cents at $5.7125.

Ahead of the December edition of the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report on Tuesday, traders sent row-crop prices lower to begin the week with the soybean market leading the way. Selling has accelerated in soybean futures following a bearish technical break late last week, while traders are clearly anxious regarding the trade situation with rainfall in Brazil over the past week also weighing on prices. In outside markets, equities turned lower on Monday after rallying through last week back toward October record highs, hitting technical resistance in the process.&nbsp;

The livestock complex was handling Monday's trade a bit more cautiously as traders yearn to see more fundamental support. Especially in the cattle complex, with both the live cattle and feeder cattle contracts nearing their 40-day and 100-day moving averages, traders will need to see more fundamental support before they'll challenge those moving averages.

The lean hog complex closed up after trading mixed into Monday's noon hour as the market would like to continue to trade higher and keep with the trend of last week. But before doing so, traders are hoping to see continued fundamental demand -- especially as they begin to pressure resistance thresholds.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/01204004/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s Food Price Index fell 1.2 percent to 125.1 points in November, marking a third consecutive monthly decline and a new low level since January. 

Sugar prices tumbled 5.9 percent to the lowest level since December 2020, amid expectations of ample global sugar supplies in the current season. Sugar production remained strong in Brazil and India. Dairy prices dropped 3.1 percent to September 2024 lows with declines recorded across all major dairy commodities. Prices for vegetable oils went down 2.6 percent as lower prices in other categories more than offset a slight increase in the price of soy oil. 

Also, meat prices dropped 0.8 percent, continuing to be driven lower by pig and poultry prices. On the other hand, cereal costs went up 1.8 percent, driven by a 2.5 percent increase in wheat bolstered by potential Chinese interest in supplies from the U.S. and reduced Russian plantings.

World Food Prices Fall in November

Merck Animal Health announced that the Food and Drug Administration granted conditional approval for EXOLT CATTLE-CA 1. It’s a new topical that’s approved for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by New World Screwworm larvae, as well as the treatment and control of the cattle fever tick. 

“The New World Screwworm represents a growing concern to U.S. agriculture, potentially causing devastating economic losses for cattle producers that could reach hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Rick DeLuca, president of Merck Animal Health. “We worked closely with the FDA to accelerate availability so that veterinarians and cattle producers will have access to a powerful new tool to protect cattle from these serious parasites, helping to safeguard the industry’s economic future and the nation’s beef supply.” Merck also received market authorization in Mexico to prevent and treat the New World Screwworm to help control the spread of the parasite and protect cattle.&nbsp;

Conditional Approval of Topical Screwworm Treatment

The holidays bring large increases in food spending for both food at home and food away from home. Consumers’ decisions during this season can have important implications for farmers and ranchers. Farmdoc, at the University of Illinois, said persistent inflation has impacted consumer food decisions in recent years, including their holiday meals. 

This year, estimates of Thanksgiving meal costs showed prices were slightly lower than in previous years. A survey showed 69 percent of respondents expect food prices to affect their meal plans this year. The concern was much higher for people who utilize nutrition assistance programs like SNAP. Despite the challenges, demand for many holiday favorites like turkey remains strong. Despite recent concerns regarding high beef prices, a larger share of consumers report plans to serve beef in their holiday meals compared to recent years. Consumers are adapting by shopping for food deals and shopping earlier than normal.&nbsp;

How Will Food Prices Affect Holiday Meals in 2025?

March corn closed down 2 1/2 cents and May corn was down 2 1/4 cents. January soybeans closed down 14 1/4 cents and March soybeans were down 12 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed down 2 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 4 1/2 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 0 cents.

March corn closed down 3 cents and March corn was down 3 1/2 cents. January soybeans closed down 32 1/2 cents and March soybeans were down 30 cents. March KC wheat closed up 3 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down 2 3/4 cents and March Minneapolis wheat was down 5 cents.

The soybean market fell by double digits on Friday, and in four of the five sessions this week as traders are expressing growing impatience regarding where cumulative sales stand to China, despite USDA announcing a flash sale Friday morning, the first announcement for soybeans in a week. Corn and wheat futures displayed more resilience on Friday as compared to soybeans but slipped slightly amid spillover weakness as well as uncertainty regarding how USDA will forecast crop demand in next Tuesday's WASDE report, which will leave the supply side of the balance sheet unchanged and among record levels for corn and wheat. In outside markets, a relatively cool inflation reading in the delayed September Personal Consumption Expenditure Index keeps the Federal Reserve on track for a rate cut in their meeting next week. Energy markets were higher to close the week, having gained traction through the second half of the week after the meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Moscow has featured little follow-through news in regard to advancing peace talks in the Black Sea region.

The live cattle contracts traded higher into Friday's close, as traders remain pleased with the higher uptick thus far in the fed cash cattle market. On Thursday, some Northern dressed cattle traded at $340 to $345, which is $11.00 to $16.00 higher than last week's weighted average. The South remains at an utter standstill, but trade should begin to develop before the day is done. Asking prices for cattle in the South are set at $225 plus and in the North at $346 plus. Boxed beef prices are lower: choice down $0.04 ($362.68) and select down $0.84 ($349.48) with a movement of 100 loads (81.03 loads of choice, 8.93 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 10.25 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex also traded higher into Friday's closing bell, pushing mostly $1.00 advancements into the late afternoon. Currently, the spot January contract is trading above the market's 40-day moving average, which hasn't been done since Oct. 24, but the market isn't confident enough that there's enough support to conquer the 100-day moving average.

The lean hog contracts managed a fruitful day as the market continues to push onward and higher, currently pressuring the market's resistance at $82.00 in the spot February contract. It is helping that midday pork cutout values were up over $3.00 higher, which is a significant jump and helps traders feel as though demand will remain a key factor moving forward.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/05135801/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

USDA plans to roll out a short-term “bridge payment” for farmers next week, officials said Tuesday, in a bid to help growers survive tight margins and trade-related losses. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told White House colleagues a key purpose of the payment is to cushion crop producers after a year of depressed prices and significant drops in U.S. soybean sales to China. 

While the broader 2025 farm support package has received roughly $40 billion in commitments, the second highest since the 1930s, farming groups say some producers need immediate liquidity to cover seed, fertilizer and other input costs ahead of 2026 planting. Details, including how much each farmer may receive and which crops are eligible, remain unclear. Lawmakers expressed optimism that at least partial payments could be distributed before year’s end. 

U.S. officials to announce short-term “Bridge Payment” aid for farmers

Beef production in major exporting and consuming regions is projected to decline in 2025, with global output likely to remain under pressure heading into 2026, analysts at Rabobank reported this week. The report indicates the largest volume reductions are expected in the United States, which has faced shrinking herds and lower slaughter rates. That trend helps explain why other producers — particularly Australia — are expanding feedlot capacity to capitalize on weakened U.S. output. At the same time, production in several other major beef-producing countries — including New Zealand — is forecast to drop the most in percentage terms, driven by tighter margins, disease pressures and shifting global demand. 

Globally, exports of beef and beef products are expected to grow only modestly, as shrinking supplies and rising input costs limit expansion potential, the Rabobank analysis found. This downtrend could have ripple effects on beef prices worldwide — potentially boosting retail costs in importing countries and reshaping consumer supply chains just as demand recovers after pandemic-era disruptions. 

Global Forecast: beef production to fall further in 2025

Roughly 300,000 signatures demanding Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">gerrymandered congressional map</a>&nbsp;be placed on the 2026 ballot were submitted to the secretary of state’s office Tuesday morning —&nbsp; more than two and a half times the number needed.&nbsp;

The political action committee behind the effort, People Not Politicians, called the campaign an “unprecedented show of grassroots power.”

The petition pages filled 691 boxes and, after initial processing, each page will be scanned and images delivered to local election authorities for signature verification, Director of Elections Chrissy Peters said.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a first-term Republican, will oversee the verification process. Under the Missouri Constitution, the law establishing new districts will not take effect on Thursday and will remain in limbo until voters can decide its fate at the ballot box or Hoskins determines the signature threshold was not reached.

Several questions swirl around the signatures.

First, Hoskins has previously stated he won’t accept any signatures collected before Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the bill on Sept. 29. That decision impacts around 92,000 signatures.

Testifying in a Cole County courtroom on Monday in a lawsuit challenging Hoskins’ decision, Peters said the cut-off date the office will use is Oct. 14, because that is the day that Hoskins approved the form of the referendum petition.

Signatures before that date will be be separated, scanned for preservation, but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/08/federal-judge-rejects-missouri-ags-push-to-block-referendum-on-gerrymandered-map/">not distributed to county election officials for verification</a>&nbsp;until Judge Chris Limbaugh rules on whether Hoskins must accept them, Peters said.

Some pages contain signatures gathered before Oct. 14 and on or after that date, Peters said in an interview Tuesday. How those will be processed is uncertain, she said.

“We were made aware today verbally by the petitioner that there could be mixed pages like that,” Peters said. “So we will make that determination after I have a chance to review it.”

Second, a Trump-appointed federal judge threw out a lawsuit Monday that argued a referendum on redistricting was unconstitutional. In the ruling, the judge said state court was the proper venue if Hoskins believes the referendum violates the constitution. That could set the stage for yet another legal showdown over the power of voters to overturn the actions of the legislature.&nbsp;

Missouri has eight congressional districts, with six currently represented by Republicans.&nbsp;

The 5th District, based in Kansas City and represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver since 2005, is carved up under the new map with portions attached to the 4th and 6th Districts. Heavily Republican areas stretching along the Missouri River to Boone County would be added to the remaining Kansas City portions.

The intended result is a map where Republicans hold seven of the state’s eight seats.&nbsp;

The day lawmakers passed the new map, People Not Politicians submitted paperwork with the secretary of state’s office for a referendum. Of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the Missouri ballot, voters have rejected the General Assembly’s actions all but twice — including overturning a congressional map in 1922.

The last time a referendum campaign was deployed was in 2019, when the secretary of state’s office used procedural maneuvers to successfully derail a push to overturn newly-passed restrictions on abortion. The move sparked a lawsuit, and in 2022 the Missouri Supreme Court ruled the laws the secretary of state used to obstruct the citizen-initiated referendum process were unconstitutional.

Campaign to put gerrymandered Missouri map on the ballot turns in 300,000 signatures

RILEY COUNTY–&nbsp; Law enforcement investigating a weekend homicide in Manhattan have made an arrest.&nbsp;

Just after 8p.m. Monday,&nbsp; Riley County Police in conjunction with Topeka Police and the KHP&nbsp; arrested 29-year-old Erick Sanches of Manhattan in the 300 Block of Kansas Avenue in Manhattan, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

Sanchez is being held on a $1 million dollar bond on requested charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault and criminal threat.&nbsp;

Just before 12:30a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp; responded to the 800 block of Colorado for a reported welfare check of an injured man. Upon arrival, officers located 36-year-old Mark Rickenbaker, of Manhattan. During the investigation, officers discovered Rickenbaker had been involved in an altercation prior to their arrival. Rickenbaker, who was transported to Via Christi Hospital with serious injuries, later died, as a result of those injuries.

Police capture suspect in weekend murder in Manhattan

President Donald J. Trump alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins&nbsp; announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make $12 billion available in one time bridge payments to American farmers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs still impacting farmers, according to a media release from the USDA.

Of the $12 billion provided, up to $11 billion will be used for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which provides broad relief to United States row crop farmers who produce Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower. 

FBA will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. The FBA Program applies simple, proportional support to producers using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2025 crop year. This national loss average is based on FSA reported planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production estimates, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates yields and prices and economic modeling.

Farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by February 28, 2026. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5pm ET on December 19, 2025. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of the month. Crop insurance linkage will not be required for the FBA Program; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new OBBBA risk management tools to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future.

The remaining $1 billion of the $12 billion in bridge payments will be reserved for commodities not covered in the FBA Program such as specialty crops and sugar, for example, though details including timelines for those payments are still under development and require additional understanding of market impacts and economic needs.

The $12 billion in farmer bridge payments, including those provided through the FBA Program, are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

To submit questions, justification for USDA farmer bridge aid, or to request a meeting on farmer bridge aid, producers can reach out to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:farmerbridge@usda.gov">farmerbridge@usda.gov</a>.

“Four years under the failed Biden Administration continues to leave the American farm economy reeling from record inflation, a depleted farm safety net, and delayed disaster assistance. 

The lack of new trade deals under the last Administration turned a trade surplus under Trump into a $50 billion trade deficit, causing our farmers to lose markets and feel acute pain from lower commodity prices. President Trump will not let our farmers be left behind, so he directed our team to build a bridge program to see quick relief while the President’s dozens of new trade deals and new market access take effect,”&nbsp;said Secretary Brooke Rollins. 

“The plan we are announcing today ensures American farmers can continue to plan for the next crop year. It is imperative we do what it takes to help our farmers, because if we cannot feed ourselves, we will no longer have a country. With this program serving as a bridge to the improvements President Trump and Republicans in Congress have made, it will allow farmers to leverage strengthened price protection risk management tools and the reliability of fair trade deals so they do not have to depend on large ad hoc assistance packages from the government.”

Additional Farmer First Actions Taken by the Trump Administration

In addition to $12 billion in bridge payments announced today, the Trump Administration has been working around the clock since January 20th to put American farmers first after inheriting one of the worst farm economies the country has experienced in decades. The following actions have been taken to date and together show historic investments and bold and unrelenting dedication to helping our nation’s farmers thrive again.

Over $30 Billion in Ad Hoc Assistance Delivered to Farmers Since January 2025

Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/emergency-commodity-assistance-program/dashboard">ECAP</a>)&nbsp;is helping farmers recover from the economic hardships of 2024. This program distributed more than $9.3 billion to over 560,000 farmers for soy, corn, sorghum, and other row crops.

Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/marketing-assistance-specialty-crops-masc">MASC</a>)&nbsp;is helping specialty crop producers recover from rising input costs and other market disruptions stemming from the Biden Administration. This program distributed over 1.8 billion in assistance to over 52,000 producers.

The&nbsp;Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/supplemental-disaster-relief-program-sdrp/dashboard">SDRP</a>)&nbsp;is helping producers recover from severe weather events in 2023 and 2024. This program has distributed nearly $6 billion to over 388,000 farmers with up to an additional $9 billion to be distributed over the next four months.

Over $2.5 billion via&nbsp;block grants&nbsp;delivered to states and sugar beet and cane processors via block grants to cover losses from 2023 and 2024 that were left uncovered by existing USDA programs.

With the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill in July, President Trump has made crop insurance more workable and affordable for American farmers and ranchers. Crop insurance is an essential risk management tool that allows American farmers and ranchers endure weather and market volatility. The bill increases crop insurance premium support for beginning farmers and ranchers by expanding the definition from five to 10 years of experience, enabling more producers to qualify for assistance over a longer period. These improvements will result in over $400 million in savings every year for America’s farmers on insurance premiums.

For the first time in over a decade the statutory reference prices for the farm safety net programs, ARC and PLC, were raised by 10-21% for major commodities such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Thanks to OBBBA USDA is also expanding eligibility for these price support programs by adding more than 30 million new base acres to the program making them eligible for future PLC or ARC payments starting in crop year 2026.

OBBBA extended the marketing assistance loan programs through 2031 and updated loan rates for major commodities beginning in the 2026 crop year, providing stronger loan rates for crops like wheat, corn, cotton and soybeans.

The bill included historic investments to the domestic sugar programs and USDA made them available starting October 1, 2025. The loan rate for raw cane sugar has increased to an average 24 cents per pound for the 2025 - 2031 crop years, with refined beet sugar rates increased to an average of 32.77 cents per pound.

OBBBA invested in USDA’s major conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). These funds will result in over $34B in conservation work on agricultural land over the next 10 years.

OBBBA provides $285 million a year for agricultural trade promotion and facilitation. This is in addition to the existing $234M per year of funding for MAP and FMD. These dollars are key to opening and expanding foreign markets.

OBBBA included many important tax provisions for farmers and ranchers. Some of the most impactful provisions for agriculture are the permanency of the 20% qualified business income deduction, full bonus depreciation and the $15 million per individual estate tax exemption, now also indexed for inflation. With the current land values, equipment costs and input prices, even modest-sized farms can easily exceed that threshold, meaning upon the owner’s death, far more family operations would face massive tax bills than previously estimated. A permanent bonus depreciation means that farmers can continue to write off the entire cost of new equipment, land improvements, new barns and other capital upgrades in the year of purchase, rather than depreciating them over many years.

Oversight on Competition &amp; Farmer Input Costs

On September 26, 2025, the USDA and the Department of Justice signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-09-29-doj-usda-mou-farm-inputs.pdf">Memorandum of Understanding</a>&nbsp;(PDF, 1.3 MB) that represents a joint commitment by both agencies to protect American farmers and ranchers from the burdens imposed by high and volatile input costs—such as feed, fertilizer, fuel, seed, equipment, and other essential goods—while ensuring competitive supply chains, lower consumer prices, and the resilience of U.S. agriculture and the food supply.

On December 6, 2025, President Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/addressing-security-risks-from-price-fixing-and-anti-competitive-behavior-in-the-food-supply-chain/" target="_blank">Executive Order</a>&nbsp;to stop price fixing, anti-competitive behavior, and foreign influence that drives up prices and threatens the security of America’s food supply. This EO recognizes that sectors including seed, fertilizer, and farm equipment may be vulnerable to anti-competitive manipulation that result in higher prices for farmers and seeks to take aggressive action in part by the establishment of Task Forces created to investigate price fixing and anti-competitive behavior, especially regarding foreign owned entities.

These actions combined reiterate the Trump Administration’s commitment to scrutinizing competitive conditions in the agricultural marketplace, including antitrust enforcement that promotes free market competition.

Lowering Farm Labor Costs through Deregulatory Actions

Farm labor costs alone increased 47% since 2020 largely due to the high cost of utilizing the H-2A program to secure seasonal labor under the Biden Administration who artificially inflated Adverse Effect Wage Rates set by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) using USDA’s Farm Labor Survey which was never designed to be used for setting government-mandated wage rates and is duplicative of other DOL data sources. As such, USDA discontinued this survey while DOL issued a bold new interim final rule which decreased wage costs for H-2A agricultural employers resulting in initial savings of at least $2 billion. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule, effective October 2, 2025, to streamline the filing process for certain temporary agricultural worker petitions. These actions combined are making farm labor more affordable and more accessible for American agriculture.

USDA is Prioritizing the Purchase of Healthy U.S. Grown Commodities to Feed Those Most in Need through Section 32 Buys

This year alone, USDA has provided nearly $1 billion in Section 32 purchases, all which benefit the charitable feeding network.

On November 24, 2025, Secretary Rollins&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/11/24/secretary-rollins-announces-30-million-food-purchase-back-us-producers-and-strengthen-americas-food">announced a $30 million Section 32 buy</a>&nbsp;of American grown oranges, grapefruit, and mandarins.

On August 6, 2025, Secretary Rollins&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/08/06/secretary-rollins-targets-invasive-species-announces-next-steps-clear-chesapeake-harmful-catfish">announced a $2 million Section 32 buy</a>&nbsp;of invasive Chesapeake Bay blue catfish.

On August 1, 2025, Secretary Rollins&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/08/01/secretary-rollins-announces-local-food-purchases-communities-need">announced up to $230 million Section 32 buy</a>&nbsp;of Alaska pollock, catfish, apples, beans and cranberries.

On May 23, 2025, Secretary Rollins&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/05/23/secretary-rollins-announces-food-purchases-communities-need">announced a $67 million Section 32 buy</a>&nbsp;of American groundfish, pears, cherries, shrimp and beans.

USDA will continue to buy Section 32 commodity purchases to support American seafood, fruit, vegetable, and tree-nut producers for distribution to U.S. food banks, schools, and other outlets serving low-income individuals. These actions support President Trump’s vision to Make America Healthy Again through U.S. local farmer grown, healthy, and nutritious commodities.

This is the most pro-biofuels Administration in history

President Trump recognizes how important the Renewable Fuel Standard is for American corn and soybean farmers. EPA Administrator Zeldin delivered the boldest Renewable Volume Obligations ever and provided much certainty in the market for our producers while delivering lower prices at the pump for consumers. The RVO gives the markets the incentive to invest in American products for American consumers and to export around the world.

EPA’s decision to allow the summer sale of E-15 constituted 2025 year-round E15 and continues to deliver immediate relief to consumers, give more choices at the pump, and drive demand for corn grown, processed, and used right here in America. America’s national security depends on our energy security, and biofuels are a crucial asset that brings more jobs and helps farmers in rural America.

List of Trade &amp; Market Access Wins to Date

USDA announced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/america-first-trade-promotion-program">applications are now open</a>&nbsp;through January 23, 2026, for the $285 million America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP), a key component of the Trump Administration’s work to expand global market access and create new export opportunities for America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers.

Additionally, President Trump and his administration have worked to pen new trade deals and trade frameworks with more than 15 countries.

Switzerland and Liechtenstein&nbsp;will invest at least $200 billion in the United States, remove tariffs on several agricultural products, allow for market access for American beef, bison, and poultry, and remove non-tariff barriers for poultry and dairy.

El Salvador&nbsp;has removed non-tariff barriers including fumigation requirements and arbitrary geographic indicator restrictions on dairy product names.

Argentina&nbsp;will allow access for U.S. poultry and poultry products, within one year, and simplify red tape for U.S. exporters of beef, beef products, pork, and pork products. Argentina also has agreed to protect U.S. exporters’ use of certain meat and cheese terms, preserving market access and creating the potential for new opportunities in the region.

Ecuador&nbsp;has reduced or eliminated tariffs on American nuts, wheat, and wine; and will reduce major non-tariff barriers for many agricultural products regarding import licensing and facility registration requirements.

Guatemala&nbsp;will address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products in its market; maintain science- and risk-based regulatory frameworks; and efficient authorization processes for agricultural products.

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