Keep safety top of mind this Independence
Day holiday weekend.

National Fireworks Association President,
Stacy Schneitter-Blake of St. Joseph, says those who sell fireworks urge their
customers to be safe as they celebrate.

“We always want to make sure that people that
are using fireworks for their celebration are taking the correct safety
measures,” Schneitter-Balke tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Schneitter-Blake with Schneitter
Fireworks and Importers says just a few steps will ensure your celebration
remains safe.

“We always want to make sure you’re
buying from a reputable company. Always have water handy. Make sure to brace
your cakes, your fountains, definitely your mortar shells,” Schneitter-Blake
says. “We want to make sure that people are celebrating safely this 4th
of July season.”

A couple of websites have safety tips as
well:&nbsp; the National Fireworks Association
website as well as the website maintained by the American Pyrotechnics Safety
and Education Foundation.

Click <a href="https://www.nationalfireworks.com/safety-resources">HERE</a> for the National Fireworks
Association safety tips.

Click <a href="https://www.celebratesafely.org/safety-resources">HERE</a> for by the American
Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation safety tips.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Keep safe this Independence Day holiday

September corn closed up 2 1/4 cents and December corn was up 3 1/2 cents. August soybeans closed up 2 cents and November soybeans were up 1 1/4 cents. September KC wheat closed down 6 1/4 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 7 1/4 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was down 1 3/4 cents.

September corn closed up 14 cents and December corn was up 10 cents. August soybeans closed up 28 1/2 cents and November soybeans were up 24 1/2 cents. September KC wheat closed up 2 cents, September Chicago wheat was up 23 cents and September Minneapolis wheat was up 19 1/4 cents.

Grain and oilseed markets were mixed to mostly positive on Thursday. Markets closed moderately below daily highs amid technical resistance ahead of the long weekend, with traders not quite willing to extend bullish price bets to the next level with the nearby weather outlook still appearing mostly favorable for growing crops. At this point, the rally is primarily driven by short covering ahead of the holiday break, with no significant changes to the underlying fundamental picture for row crop markets. Meanwhile, investors and traders spent the session awaiting the final House of Representative vote on the 2025 Budget bill. The final vote was delayed but eventually the bill did pass just minutes after the close of trade for Thursday, sending the legislation to President Trump's desk by Independence Day.

It's refreshing to see the live cattle complex traded fully higher into Thursday's close, and to see the spot August contracts fully and confidently trading above the market's 40-day moving average. At this point, it seems safe to assume that traders feel as if the market has endured enough immediate pressure, but it will be imperative that fundamental support begins to improve early next week if traders are going to keep with their current upward trend. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that the fed cash cattle will be able to trade higher as packers continue to build up supply around themselves, and at some point, boxed beef prices will likely break to fit the seasonal norm.

With the continued support of seeing the live cattle contracts trading higher, the feeder cattle market also traded fully higher into Thursday's close. It will be especially interesting to see if Superior's Week in the Rockies sale (which happens all of next week) will be as strong as the Corn Belt Classic was. From a demand perspective, buyers are still in desperate need of calves, but the concern at the back of cow-calf producers' minds is that some buyers could elect to see how aggressive an influx of Mexican feeder cattle imports is going to be. And if that will give them another avenue to buy from and at a cheaper price.

It's been a tough fundamental week for the lean hog complex. Couple the dip in consumer demand with this morning's lousy export report, and it's no surprise that the contracts were trading lower into Thursday's closing bell. In this morning's pork cutout report, no major declines were seen, but with most of the cuts trading lower, that was enough pressure to push the carcass price lower, too.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/03150238/web-closing-markets.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

Commodity markets daily recap

The USDA will lead a trade mission to the Dominican Republic from July 13-17 to expand market access and boost America’s agricultural exports. The delegation includes 47 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and officials from several state departments of agriculture. Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs Michelle Bekkering, who will lead the mission said “USDA is committed to opening up more export opportunities for American agriculture. This trade mission will connect U.S. exporters with key buyers, tapping into Latin America’s growing demand"  

The Dominican Republic is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in the Western Hemisphere and the top market within the Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic region. It’s helped increase U.S. exports to the Dominican Republic to $2.2 billion in 2024. The U.S. supplies 44 percent of the country’s agricultural imports.

USDA trade mission heading to the Dominican Republic

As Americans fire up their grills on Independence Day and throughout the summer, the National Farmers Union highlights how little independence family farmers have in the marketplace. The “Farmers’ Share of the Food Dollar,” released this week, highlights how little family farmers earn compared to how much consumers pay at the grocery store. Family farmers get only a small fraction of their income from popular Independence Day foods, an average of as low as 16.3 percent of a $30 shopping cart. 

For example, one pound of ground beef costs an average of $5.99 a pound, and the farmer’s share is $2.08. An eight-count package of hamburger buns retails for $3.79, and the farmer’s share is nine cents, or 2.3 percent. One pound of lettuce is $3.55, and farmers get 29 cents. NFU President Rob Larew says, “Family farmers and ranchers are working harder than ever and taking home less, all while corporate monopolies make record profits.”

Family farmers don’t get much Independence on July 4th

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/02142633/30001-closing-markets.wav">HERE</a> to listen to audio for your closing markets

September corn closed up 12 cents and December corn was up 11 1/2 cents. August soybeans closed up 23 3/4 cents and November soybeans were up 20 3/4 cents. September KC wheat closed up 11 cents, September Chicago wheat was up 15 cents, September MIAX Minneapolis wheat was up 20 1/2 cents.

The U.S. Dollar Index is down 0.03 at 96.79. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 39.0 points at 44,768.0. August gold is up $13.10 at $3,362.90, September silver is up $0.34 at $36.74 and September copper is up $0.1090. August crude oil is up $1.95 at $67.40, August ultra-low sulfur diesel is up $0.0795, August RBOB gasoline is up $0.0207 and August natural gas is up $0.071.

September corn futures closed up 12 cents to $4.18. December futures were up 11 1/2 cents to $4.33 1/2. In overnight trade, September futures appeared primed to test the $4.00 mark again and traded as low as $4.02 before buyers stepped in to ultimately send prices up 16 cents off the low by the close. It could be we are seeing traders' express satisfaction that the surge in recent bearish bias for the corn market is adequately priced in at this point.

Tuesday's Grain Crushing's report was neutral for the most part. Corn used for ethanol in May was 449.4 million bushels (mb), in line with expectations but about 1.3% less than in May 2024. In fact, monthly corn grind has fallen below the respective month from 2024 in four out of the past six months. Corn grind will need to average 473 mb per month over the final quarter of the marketing year to hit the USDA goal of 5.5 billion bushels (bb). At this point this seems like a stretch; I personally have lowered my estimate for 2024-25 corn crush to 5.45 bb. The Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday that last week's ethanol production averaged 1.076 million barrels per day, the third straight weekly decline but still larger than the previous 4-year average for the same week.

In corn technicals, December futures rose to post their highest close since June 23. Prices once again were supported in the $4.15 to $4.20 range. The close back above the former contract low at $4.28 is a positive technical achievement. The short-term bullish objective should be to return prices to downtrend resistance in the upper $4.30s.

The DTN National Corn Index finished Tuesday at $3.92. Wednesday's futures close and implied corn basis of 14 cents under the September board would indicate the index on Wednesday afternoon to be near $4.04.

August soybeans surged 23 3/4 cents on Wednesday to $10.53 1/2. New-crop November soybeans followed suit, up 20 3/4 cents to $10.48. It was all around bullish session for the soybean complex as soybean oil futures started the session strong with a gap higher, pulling soybeans along for the ride but the market really took off midmorning with the announcement of the trade deal with Vietnam, which injected a new shot of trade optimism into the market.

Tuesday's Fats and Oils report was overall strong. USDA reported soybeans crushed in May totaled 203.68 mb, just slightly less than I was anticipating but still the strongest May on record at 6% higher than May 2024. The U.S. crush industry has only posted two months through the marketing year thus far at less than 200 mb, keeping the program on pace to hit the USDA goal of 2.420 bb of crush if not slightly more. I personally am penciling 2.425 bb for the marketing year. Also supportive were historically low soybean oil stocks for the end of May/beginning of June at 1.4 billion pounds, 19% less than in May 2024. Meanwhile meal stocks were 36% larger than in May 2024, adding to supply woes in that market. However, meal futures traded higher Wednesday as well amid a very technically oversold market in the short term as well as overwhelmingly positive influence from the soybean market.

In regard to the trade agreement with Vietnam, it is possible traders are viewing it more as a show of optimism that similar agreements will ultimately be reached with trading partners such as Japan and most importantly for soybeans, China. Vietnam is certainly no slouch in the soybean trade however, importing 38.75 mb of soybeans from the U.S. in 2024, good for ninth among buying countries.

In soybean technicals, November futures erupted through the major moving averages in the $10.35 to $10.40 range and have now reclaimed about 50% of last week's losses back to the June 18 high. $10.50 may be the next source of resistance for a sustained move higher. To the downside, a test of the 50-day moving average near $10.36 1/2 currently for support seems likely and will be an important technical test for gauging the staying power of the emerging price rally.

The DTN National Soybean Index finished Tuesday at $9.76. Wednesday's futures close and implied soybean basis of 54 cents under the August board would indicate the index on Wednesday afternoon to be near $10.00.

September Kansas City wheat closed 11 cents higher on Wednesday to $5.42 1/4. September Chicago wheat was 15 cents higher while MIAX Minneapolis September spring wheat was 20 1/2 cents higher. The spring wheat market continues to be the bull of the wheat complex, driven by lower year-over-year acreage and expanding drought concerns for Montana, Idaho, and eastern Washington. Winter wheat prices were able to shake off harvest pressure on Wednesday, riding a wave of overarching grain market positivity to close higher by double digits as well.

In world wheat markets, Paris milling futures recovered from a rough past week of trade which sent prices back near 2025 lows. The intense heat wave may be worth keeping an eye on for adverse effects, although the majority of the wheat is mature at this point and harvest just around the corner. In Russia, the International Grains Council (IGC) reported winter wheat harvest is 1% complete as of the end of June, a slow start to harvest which supported export offers through the past week although Russian offers still remain among the least expensive in the world according to the weekly IGC report.

In wheat technicals, September KC futures were able to move back above support at $5.37 on Wednesday, which will be an important level to watch for a retest in coming sessions. The 20-day and 50-day moving averages just below $5.50 are the immediate bullish target for a further retracement of last week's losses. The next round of support is currently seen near $4.27.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced risk-based port re-openings for cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico beginning as early as July 7. USDA - after extensive collaboration between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service experts and their counterparts in Mexico to increase New World screwworm surveillance, detection, and eradication efforts - is set to begin a phased reopening of the southern ports, starting with Douglas, Arizona. 

Progress has been made in several critical areas since the ports were closed on May 11, including the resolution of challenges with conducting flights in Mexico that allowed the USDA team to consistently conduct sterile NWS fly dispersal seven days a week and the dispersal of more than 100 million flies each week. “We’ve focused on fighting the New World screwworm’s advancement in Mexico,” Rollins said. “We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts.”

Phased reopening for southern livestock imports

Farmer sentiment weakened in June following two months of improvement. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 12 points from the previous month to 146. A change in producers’ expectations for the future served as the primary factor in the shift. The Index of Future Expectations sank 18 points to 146. However, the Current Conditions Index only lost two points to 144. 

A drop in optimism about future agricultural exports seems to have influenced producers’ weakened outlook. Even with the June declines, all three indexes persist at higher levels than a year ago. The Farm Financial Performance Index dropped five points to 104, with producers projecting a slightly weaker financial outlook for their farms in June compared to May. An index above 100 indicates that U.S. farmers expect a stronger financial performance in 2025 than in 2024. The Farm Capital Investment Index rose five points in June to 60. 

Farmer sentiment weakens on trade outlook 

September corn closed down 3 1/4 cents and December corn was down 3 1/2 cents. August soybeans closed unchanged, and November soybeans were up 1/4 cent. September KC wheat closed up 4 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was up 10 3/4 cents and September Minneapolis wheat was up 7 3/4 cents.

Grain and oilseed markets recovered from overnight losses to trade well off session lows, with price action following USDA clues given in Monday's Crop Progress report. For now, it would appear markets have moved past Monday's Acreage and Stocks data, with traders likely eager to see what the weather holds as spring crops prepare to enter a crucial period for development. Outside market influence on Tuesday was mixed, with energy markets quietly higher and stocks mixed to mostly higher. Headline news for Tuesday was the Senate passing President Trump's budget bill by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President Vance casting the deciding vote. The bill now returns to the House, where Senate revisions will be voted on.

Although the live cattle contracts did not react as drastically as the feeder cattle contracts to the USDA's announcement that some Mexican cattle imports will resume as early as July 5. The market still traded lower thanks to the bearish news. Still no cash cattle trade has developed. Asking prices are noted in the South at $225-plus, but are still not established in the North. Trade will likely be delayed for at least another day.

And just like that, the oxygen that seemed so bountiful in the feeder cattle complex has dried up as traders negatively reacted to the announcement that the US will begin to allow Mexican cattle Imports starting as soon as July 5. Nevertheless, the biggest concern that cattle producers have is how many cattle are now going to be allowed to cross the border? And how is that going to affect domestic prices? Unfortunately, time will have to answer those questions, but today's negative downturn is a psychological reaction to the announcement. The fact remains that even with Mexican feeder cattle imports, the US still will be short of feeder cattle, but the concern is that if imports flood the market, some of the upper echelon of the market could quickly disappear.

With cash prices lower and pork cutout values sharply lower, it comes as no real surprise that the lean hog complex is also traded no better than mixed into Tuesday's closing bell. Oddly enough today the biggest reason why the carcass price is lower is because the belly wass down $9.10 and the butt was down $6.69.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/01143749/web-closing-markets.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

Growth Energy says Americans will potentially save over $10.1 billion in fuel costs this summer thanks to an emergency waiver issued this year by the Environmental Protection Agency. The waiver allowed for the continued sale of E15 throughout the summer. An analysis from Growth Energy says if American drivers choose E15 instead of the standard E10 this summer, they could collectively save more than 10.1 billion dollars. 

“Access to E15 is a win for American drivers and for American energy dominance,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This summer, up to $10.1 billion dollars is money that could go back into the pockets of working families, and we should never put those savings on hold.” Now that the waiver is in place, Growth Energy is pushing for Congress to make unrestricted access to E15 available year-round. Those savings will deliver relief for working families while creating jobs and economic growth. 

Summer E15 waiver will save billions of dollars

The USDA’s Planted Acreage report shows more corn and fewer soybeans, wheat, and cotton acres. Corn planted area is estimated at just over 95 million acres in 2025, up by five percent from 2024. That’s the third-highest planted acres in the U.S. since 1944. The area harvested for grain is expected to be five percent higher than last year at nearly 87 million acres. 

Soybean planted area for 2025 is estimated at 83.5 million acres, down four percent from last year. The all-wheat planted area this year is estimated at 45.5 million acres, down one percent from 2024. The winter wheat planted area, at 33.3 million acres, is down less than one percent from last year but up slightly from the prior estimate. The all-cotton planted area for this year is estimated at 10.1 million acres, down ten percent from last year. The upland area is down nine percent from 2024.

Planted acreage report more corn, fewer soybeans

September corn closed down 2 1/4 cents and December corn was down 1 1/2 cents. August soybeans closed down 3 1/2 cents and November soybeans were up 2 1/4 cents. September KC wheat closed down 7 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 2 1/2 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was down 7 1/4 cents.

Grain markets were choppy but surprisingly calm following the release of the 2025 Acreage report and June 1 Stocks reports from USDA. The reports did hold a few surprises, but for the most part came in very close to what traders expected. It is likely the market will shift focus back to growing season weather and winter wheat harvests beginning with Monday afternoon's Crop Progress update from USDA. In outside markets, equities were firm following the announced resumption of trade discussions between the United States and Canada after Friday's ultimately brief spat over digital services tax. Meanwhile, energy markets remain an extremely narrow trade for the past four sessions following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The U.S. Dollar Index is pushing to new 2025 lows as market anxiety over tariffs and trade has returned to some degree ahead of the July 9 deadline for the 90-day tariff pause, with President Trump stating over the weekend there are no plans to extend the pause in most instances.

Believe it or not, the live cattle complex traded higher into Monday's close, following the large surge in which the market accomplished last Friday. More than anything traders seem to be looking at the market's regression and seem to believe that enough immediate downside pressure has been endured for the meantime. Now what's perplexing about that conclusion is that traders are willing to advance the contracts amid mixed market fundamentals: boxed beef prices continue to scale higher while fed cash cattle prices are drifting lower. Thankfully Friday's surge of the contracts helped push the spot August contract back above its 40-day moving average, which will continue to be a threshold to monitor. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Texas, and Nebraska/Colorado, but lower in Kansas.

Following the lead of the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts also traded fully higher into Monday's closing bell. But even though the fed cash cattle market has been trading lower in recent weeks, the feeder cattle complex has remained consistent in the countryside as buyers continue to show up and buy aggressively as they need to fill their orders and there simply aren't enough calves to go around to do so in a relaxed manner. Given that this week is a holiday-shortened week for the Fourth of July, feeder cattle sales will be light.

While the cattle contracts were rallying, the lean hog complex continued with its downward trend as the market isn't seeing the fundamental support it needs currently. Pork cutout values were disturbing to look at this morning as the rib was down $16.25 and the ham down $6.79.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/06/30155024/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

BUCHANAN COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Thursday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 2006 Chrysler Town &amp; Country driven by a 51-year-old St. Joseph&nbsp; woman and a 2015 Kawasaki UTV driven by a 54-year-old St. Joseph man were northbound on Pigeon Hill Road approaching 40th Road SE five miles south of St.&nbsp; Joseph.

The van rear-ended the UTV. After impact the UTV traveled off the east side of the road, returned to the road and overturned.

Buchanan County EMS transported the UTV driver, a 42-year-old woman, a 7-year-old girl, both passengers on the UTV to Mosaic Life Care. A third passenger on the UTV was checked at the scene by Andrew County EMS&nbsp; and releases. The van driver was not injured. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 adults, 7-year-old hospitalized after van rear-ends UTV

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Thursday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by a 31-year-old St. Joseph woman was eastbound on U.S. 59 in Country Club. The driver failed to stop at the posted stop sign at Business 29 and yield to oncoming traffic.&nbsp;

The SUV entered the southbound lanes of Business 29 and a southbound 2015 Ford Explorer driven by a 32-year-old Mound City man struck the Outlander.

Andrew County EMS transported the driver of the Ford and his passenger to Mosaic Life Care. They were both properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The driver of the Outlander was not injured. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man, woman injured after SUVs collide 

HARRISON COUNTY —Five people were injured in accident just before 11p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 GMC Yukon driven by a 39-year-old St. Joseph man was southbound on Interstate 35 four miles north of Bethany.&nbsp;

The SUV traveled off the left side of the road into the median. It struck a&nbsp; drain field, became airborne and rolled.

Life Flight Eagle transported the driver to Truman Medical Center.&nbsp; NTA EMS transported a 28-year-old female passenger of St. Joseph to Truman Medical Center. NTA ambulance also transported an 8-year-old girl,&nbsp; a 3-year-old girl and an infant girl to Harrison County. Community Hospital. All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 adults, 3 children from St. Joe injured in SUV rollover crash

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect&nbsp; for an alleged violent crime.

Shortly before 10:30a.m. on Tuesday officers responded to a residence in the 600 block South 7th Street where a person was on the premises who had previously been trespassed from that property, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 When officers arrived it was determined that the subject, identified as 37-year-old Jeffery E. Walker of Atchison, had threatened great bodily harm to a 57-year-old woman at the residence with a knife. 

Jeffery Walker was located on the property and taken into custody on requested charges of criminal trespass and aggravated assault and taken to the County Jail.

Police: Kan. man threatened woman with a knife

The Missouri National Education Association hopes to stop the use of the state’s general revenue to fund private school scholarships

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri National Education Association is suing the state in an effort to block the appropriation of $51 million to MOScholars, the state’s K-12 scholarship program.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Verified%20Petition%20for%20Declaratory%20Judgment%20and%20Injunctive%20Relief.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3602182" target="_blank">lawsuit filed in Cole County Circuit Court Monday</a>, MNEA argues that state funds cannot be directly given to MOScholars under the current statute.

MNEA vice president Rebeka McIntosh and member Kimberly Duvall, who serves as president of the Blue Springs chapter of the National Education Association, are suing on behalf of the organization’s 30,000 members.

“The General Assembly has far overstepped its authority and violated five provisions of the Missouri Constitution by using an appropriations bill to construct out of whole cloth a scheme to divert general revenues to what are essentially vouchers for the payment of private school tuition for elementary and secondary school students,” MNEA’s attorney Loretta Haggard wrote.

MOScholars currently operates using nonprofits dubbed “educational assistance organizations” to gather donations and distribute scholarships to students in private, parochial or home schools. Donors can receive a tax credit equal to 100% of their contribution but can use it to cover no more than half of their state tax liability.&nbsp;

State law allows 4% of donations to be reserved to cover the costs of administering the program, including marketing.

But the budget passed by the lawmakers&nbsp; “dramatically changes the landscape,” Haggard contends.

The budget signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe Monday includes an injection of general revenue to the MOScholars program, budgeting $50 million for scholarships and $1 million to assist marketing the program.

This, MNEA argues, breaks state law for multiple reasons.

The 2021 law that created MOScholars prescribes the use of tax-deductible donations to educational assistance organizations (EAOs), not general revenue, as a funding source.

“The money for (MOScholars) scholarships comes from donations that taxpayers make to EAOs, and EAOs then remit to families. The donated funds never come into the custody of the state, and the state does not select scholarship recipients,” Haggard wrote.

The direct appropriation to the program effectively amends the MOScholars statute, the lawsuit says, which violates laws requiring legislative authorization and limits bills to a single subject. Changing statute in a budget bill is not allowed.

The money would have to flow through a fund overseen by the State Treasurer’s Office which currently does not hold scholarship money. The fund is “to be used by the state treasurer for marketing and administrative expenses or the costs incurred in administering the program, whichever is less,” according to&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=135.715" target="_blank">state law</a>.

Using the fund to administer scholarships is “unauthorized,” the lawsuit says.

MNEA is asking for a preliminary injunction, which would block the $51 million appropriation from being transferred to the MOScholars fund while litigation ensues.

“Once the unlawful appropriations are disbursed to private entities or individuals, it will be difficult if not impossible to claw those funds back to the treasury where they belong,” the lawsuit says.

MNEA argues that the money, if given to MOScholars, would hurt public education statewide.

“Politicians in Jefferson City and their privatization lobbyists are stealing from our kids,” said Missouri NEA President Phil Murray. “In rural Missouri, that $51 million means losing our music teacher, canceling basketball, and watching our schools crumble. They’re killing our small towns.”

Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek, in an interview with The Independent in May, addressed the possibility of a lawsuit.

“We will deal with it when that happens,” he said. “I cannot predict which course it will take.”

Missouri educators sue state over $51 million appropriation to private school vouchers

The St. Joseph Mustangs will celebrate the Fourth of July all weekend long, starting early with Thursday with three days of fireworks extravaganzas at Phil Welch Stadium.  

General Manager and Owner Ky Turner says playing at a stadium within a community, it's unique to play at Phil Welch on the Fourth of July 

"Here's a ballpark and there's houses all around us, well what do those houses do around that holiday? They shoot off fireworks too, so it's really kind of like a 360 of fireworks when you're sitting there watching a baseball game," Turner says on the KFEQmunnity show.  "You know, they talk about the batter's eye and being able to pay attention to that pitch, I don't know how you do that when you've got fireworks going off all around you, but it makes for a great show for us in the stands." 

Fireworks extravaganza will highlight the end of each Mustangs home game during the holiday. Turner says there are also some other fun things going on as well 

"On the 3rd we are hosting Sluggerrr from the Kansas City Royals and Fredbird, thanks to Eagle Radio, from the St. Louis Cardinals, they'll be there for a meet and greet, we'll have pregame skydivers, notice I didn't say Sluggerrr and Fredbird are skydiving but they will be there," Turner says.  "And then the 4th we have a Mr. and Miss Mustangs competition which is a blast." 

On Saturday the 5th, the Mustangs will also honor area fire, police, and EMT personnel.  The pregame police versus fire softball game will also be held on that day.

Turner says the games will also be an opportunity to thank some of our nation’s heroes 

"On the 3rd all veterans and active military receive two free general admission tickets, we're going to honor some local military heroes for pregame that night, and then on the 4th all retired and active military can get two free party deck tickets, we do encourage people to reserve those in advance as they can sell out," Turner explains.  "But we're here to celebrate and honor America playing America's game, you know America's pastime is baseball, we've got fireworks, of course we've got the hot dogs." 

The Mustangs kick off things on Thursday against the Chillicothe Mudcats.  All games over the holiday begin at 7pm.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Celebrate Fourth of July with the St. Joseph Mustangs 

There should be
plenty of fireworks and prices shouldn’t be too much higher than last year,
despite the trade war between the United States and China.

That, according to
Stacy Schneitter-Blake with Schneitters Fireworks and Importers of St. Joseph.
Schneitter-Blake, the president of the National Fireworks Association, says
nearly all the fireworks we shoot off this Independence Day are imported.

“For the consumer
fireworks it’s 95 to 99% comes from China,” Schneitter-Blake tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post.

Schneitter-Blake
says most fireworks stands bought their fireworks early, before tariffs drove
up the price. Fireworks wholesalers and retailers didn’t have to worry much
about tariffs in the past. Schneitter-Blake says federal policy exempted
fireworks from tariffs until 2019. Now, fireworks are in the thick of trade
talks, especially this time of year.

Schneitter-Blake
says she hasn’t seen a big impact on National Fireworks Association members
this year.

“What I’m seeing
right now, the prices are very similar as they have been in the past years,” Schneitter-Blake
says. “They might have some, you know, maybe a little, slight difference in
price.”

“We did leave some
product in China,” according to Schneitter-Blake. “We have a lot of fireworks
here, but I would encourage people to shop early in case there are certain
items that we might be limited on.”

Schneitter-Blake
says some fireworks manufacturers in China had to shut down production. They
don’t have warehouse space and increasingly higher tariffs dampened demand from
America. A 10% tariff early in the year quickly doubled and as the trade war
escalated, tariffs on goods from China soared to 145% at one time.

Schneitter-Blake does
advise consumers to shop early for their fireworks this Independence Day
holiday. She says fireworks stands might be short on some items. Still, she
doesn’t see much of an interruption to the celebrations this year.

“So, going into
the 2026 season, we’re a little more leery about what that might happen to for
next year, going into the 250th, semiquincentennial of our country,”
Schneitter-Blake says.

The concern for
next year is heightened by the approaching 250th anniversary
celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“My concerns right
now are going into 2026,” Schneitter-Blake says. “Next year, for the
semiquincentennial, the 4th of July lands on a Saturday. It’s kind
of the perfect storm for a 250th anniversary of our country landing on
a Saturday as well, on a weekend.”

Schneitter-Blake
says the National Fireworks Association and the American Pyrotechnics
Association are working together to lobby the federal government to once again exempt
fireworks from tariffs.

Schneitters
Fireworks and Importers is a retail, wholesale company that supplies fireworks
to many companies that put on fireworks displays. It is celebrating its 130th
anniversary. Schneitter-Blake says her parents and grandparents were founding
members of the National Fireworks Association to have more of a say in federal policy.
Schneitter-Blake has made several trips to Washington, D.C. to lobby for
association members.

Trade war with China shouldn't affect your 4th celebration, at least not much

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Shortly before 2:30 a.m. Saturday, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on U.S. Highway 75, near 126th Road for an alleged traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. 

The driver, Tim Wurzbacher, 37, of Atchison, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail&nbsp; on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: NE Kansas man caught transporting meth

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Hallsville, a town of about 2,000 people northeast of Columbia, was peppered with homemade purple and gold “Yes on Prop 2” signs adorning front lawns early this spring.

The Hallsville School District was asking for a $6.5 million bond issue to finance more parking for the growing high school, a new elementary classroom and increased security for schools. And on April 8,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.showmeboone.com/clerk/elections/results/20250408SGM.pdf" target="_blank">nearly 75% of voters</a>&nbsp;approved the measure, and the district launched pre-construction and design work.

But the project came to a halt the afternoon of June 6 when Superintendent Tyler Walker learned the district hadn’t met public-notice requirements before the election. So their bond counsel, the law firm Gilmore &amp; Bell, couldn’t submit the bond issue for certification to the Missouri State Auditor’s Office.

“This was not the fault of the school district,” Walker told The Independent, “yet the school district and the students we educate are unfortunately being punished.”

Hallsville is the only school district to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/k12_education/voters-approve-hallsville-school-bond-issue-but-state-auditor-says-no/article_d4619f98-a255-4bda-a630-61dca5fa6015.html" target="_blank">publicly acknowledge</a>&nbsp;issues with its bond measure, but there could be as many as 10 political subdivisions forced to throw out the results of the April election.

Mark Grimm, an attorney with Gilmore &amp; Bell, said in a June 3 email to the auditor’s office that eight to 10 of his firm’s clients may need to put voter-approved bonds back on the ballot because they appear to have fallen short of&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=115.127" target="_blank">the state law laying out public notice requirements in the run up to an election</a>.&nbsp;

Notice of a bond issue must be published in local newspapers twice — once two weeks prior to the election and again within one week of the election. In each instance, Grimm wrote, notice ran three and two weeks before the election.

Exactly which bond measures are in jeopardy isn’t clear. The firm couldn’t comment on specifics about its clients, and the auditor’s office — which must certify that local bond measures comply with state law — was not provided with a list.

In an interview with The Independent, Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said the state law is clear. The last thing he wanted to do was disqualify a voter-approved measure, Fitzpatrick said, but his hands are tied because public notice requirements are very specific and allow no flexibility.&nbsp;

“If we’re aware of the deficiency,” he said “we can’t knowingly certify that the bonds comply with all the laws.”

Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Shell Knob, acknowledged similar issues with public notice have gone undetected over the years. In fact, an $8.5 million bond measure for the Centralia R-VI School District, Hallsville’s neighbor to the northeast, was certified with similar problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The office has historically relied on bond attorneys like Gilmore &amp; Bell, Fitzpatrick said, to ensure their clients are in compliance with state laws before submitting paperwork for certification. While his staff ensures publication takes place, “it was not part of our process to closely check the dates of the publications.”

“There’s a level of trust that has been historically built into this process,” he said, “because this is a sporadic thing. It’s not something where we have a team of people sitting around all day and their only job is to review these bonds and check every single law.”

Bill Burns, general counsel for Gilmore &amp; Bell, doesn’t agree with the auditor’s position. He believes Missouri law gives Fitzpatrick enough wiggle room to certify voter-approved bonds despite “minor deficiencies relating to publication notices that would not in any way affect the outcome of the election.”

But Fitzpatrick said the law firm should have been on the lookout for these sorts of problems after a dust up in February involving the Higbee Fire Protection District — another Gilmore &amp; Bell client — resulted in a bond measure being refused certification over similar issues.&nbsp;

“I am surprised that we’re dealing with this now,” he said. “I would expect that bond counsel will be more proactive and communicate with the county clerk on these deals moving forward to make sure the publication dates are where they need to be. But I would have also thought that following the February deal.”

Over the course of two elections last year, voters in Randolph County approved $1.6 million in bonds to support the Higbee Fire Protection District. It was only supposed to take one election, but the county clerk put the wrong total on the August ballot, requiring the rest of the bonds to be approved in November.&nbsp;

By February, all that was left for the bonds to finally be issued was the certification of the auditor’s office.

Fitzpatrick’s staff kept asking for a copy of the sample ballot that was published in the newspaper prior to the election. Erick Creach, an attorney with Gilmore &amp; Bell representing the district, instead sent affidavits attesting that the county clerk published a sample ballot.

As it turns out, the reason Creach couldn’t share a copy of the sample ballot was because it was never published as required by law.&nbsp;

“Erick called first thing this morning,” wrote Leslie Korte, general counsel for the auditor’s office, in a Feb. 26 email obtained by The Independent through Missouri’s Sunshine Law. “He admitted that despite their prior representations and the certification of the clerk, they in fact did not publish the notice as required. For any election. He basically wanted us to let that slide.”

Korte wrote that she informed Creach that the auditor “cannot certify a bond that we know does not comply with state law.”

“I also addressed the secondary issue, which is Gilmore &amp; Bell sending us documents certifying to facts that are not true, and him providing us documents yesterday afternoon identifying them as something they are not,” she wrote. “I told him all bond packages we receive from them going forward will be under heightened scrutiny, and if anything like this happens again, how it is addressed by our office will be escalated.”

Creach responded later that day reiterating that sharing the affidavits wasn’t an attempt to fool anyone but rather to “keep your office updated as I was piecing together the information, which to your point should have been addressed prior to submission of the transcript in the first place.”

The firm, Creach wrote, will “have a call today internally to discuss best practices regarding&nbsp;submission of transcripts and review of documentation to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.”

Fitzpatrick said in an interview this week that Gilmore &amp; Bell “kind of intended to mislead us on that one, and we were unable to certify those bonds because no publication took place.”

In May, the auditor’s office refused to certify bonds for the Brookfield R-III School District in Linn County, again due to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kttn.com/clerical-mistake-halts-school-bond-approvals-in-brookfield-and-meadville-school-districts/" target="_blank">public notice deficiencies</a>.&nbsp;

Though the school district was not a Gilmore &amp; Bell client, the firm took note and decided it would “submit certain hypothetical fact situations” to the auditor in the hopes of clarifying what could disqualify a bond measure, said Burns, the firm’s general counsel.&nbsp;

One of the hypotheticals the firm submitted was publication three weeks and two weeks before the election. The auditor’s office confirmed it would not certify under those circumstances.&nbsp;

Grim responded that “we believe there are 8-10 bond elections from April for political subdivisions we represent where the election authority complied with all publication requirements except the publications fell slightly outside of the two week/one week provision.”

“While we definitely agree that good public policy is to ensure compliance with election laws,” Grimm wrote, “failing to register bonds due to election law technicalities has the result of effectively annulling an election.”

He requested the auditor’s office consider certifying bonds regardless of the public notice issue, with the understanding that “going forward, no such grace will be provided.” And he noted the auditor’s office had just certified a bond for one of the firm’s other clients, Centralia, that had the exact same deficiencies.&nbsp;

Korte responded in a June 4 email that for Centralia, the auditor’s office “relied on the representation of bond counsel that the bonds complied with all state laws, including state law that dictates when those publications must take place.”

Given the number of state laws that exist to cover the issuance of bonds, Korte wrote, it would not be surprising if over the years a bond was certified “despite having an unknown or undisclosed legal defect.”

“That should never be taken as a tacit approval of any failure to comply with state law,” she wrote. “If anything, it should be used by bond counsel as a cautionary tale causing them to double down on their efforts to ensure they are monitoring their clients’ bonds and advising on how to issue bonds in full compliance.”

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon, who oversees elections including publishing notices,&nbsp; told The Independent that her office intentionally chose to publish sample ballots three and two weeks before the election.

“We have tried, especially this past time, to make sure that we have some (safeguard),” she said. “So if there is a mistake that’s made in one of the weekly papers, we still have a grace period to be able to publish.”

A changing newspaper industry has made it harder to publish sample ballots. After a local paper was bought by a large corporation, Lennon’s office struggled to get edits made of notices and receive proofs prior to printing.

Lennon didn’t think her notice strategy would run into statutory issues, since the heart of the law is to ensure voters are informed. Her office goes beyond the law’s requirements and sends sample ballots in the mail to voters and posts them online in advance of all elections.

Hallsville plans on resubmitting the bond issue for November’s election, which Walker estimates will cost the district “between $10,000 and $20,000.” Until the issue is funded and approved by the state, no payment is due to Gilmore &amp; Bell.

The cost of delaying construction isn’t quantifiable, he said, and will cause “significant planning issues for the district,” with improvements critically needed.

“The safety and education of our students is of utmost importance to all of us in Hallsville,” he said.

Walker felt he had no reason to doubt the district’s bond counsel, since Hallsville previously passed three bond issues with Gilmore &amp; Bell’s assistance, and he knew the firm’s reputation as “one of the best.”

“Districts rely on bond counsel because the process to pass a bond issue and finance a successful issue is a complicated one,” he said. “It requires the assistance of a bond counsel to navigate the legal and financial complexities that are involved in the process from start to finish.”

Fitzpatrick said his office will begin requiring bond counsel to sign an affidavit when submitting paperwork for certification of a bond measure “basically saying that, to the best of their knowledge, all laws have been complied with.”

State lawmakers have also reached out to him, Fitzpatrick said, with interest in changing the public notice law when the legislature reconvenes in January. Burns said his firm agrees that the law needs to be adjusted.&nbsp;

“The main thing I think that really needs to be changed is becoming more lenient with the date of the publication,” Fitzpatrick said, adding: “There’s a lot of kind of antiquated aspects of it.”

Numerous voter-approved bonds in jeopardy for violating Missouri public notice law

A sweeping public safety bill that began with a focus on Missouri’s fireworks industry has officially become law.

Senate Bill 81, sponsored by Senator Curtis Gregory of Marshall, modernizes fireworks regulations in Missouri and includes a broad range of public safety updates. The legislation was signed into law and took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.

Senator Gregory emphasized Missouri’s national importance in the fireworks industry:

While Senate Bill 81 started with fireworks, the final version includes a variety of public safety provisions:

Senator Gregory says the bill reflects Missouri’s ongoing commitment to both economic strength and public safety, while bringing long-overdue updates to outdated state statutes.

The legislation is now in effect statewide.

Senate Bill 81 Updates Missouri Fireworks Laws, Public Safety Measures

The Kansas City Royals trailed for most of the game, but came up big in the seventh inning to earn a series split with the Seattle Mariners, avoiding wasting a quality start by Seth Lugo, winning 3-2 on Thursday night at T-Mobile Park.

Jorge Polanco hit a solo home run for the Mariners in the fourth inning, giving Seattle a 1-0 lead, a lead which they would hold until the seventh inning.&nbsp; The Royals did threaten in the sixth, after Salvador Perez doubled and John Rave walked, but Nick Loftin flew out to end that threat, setting Kansas City up to take the lead the very next inning.&nbsp;

In the seventh, after Freddy Fermin lined out to open the inning, Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India got back to back walks bringing Bobby Witt Jr to the plate as the Mariners brought on reliever Carlos Vargas.&nbsp; Witt Jr greeted Vargas with a single into center field, tying the game up driving in Isbel and moving India to third.&nbsp; After Witt Jr stole second base, his 24th stolen base of the season, Vinnie Pasquantino singled into right field bringing home India and also Witt Jr as the Royals star shortstop made a sliding play at home plate, swimming around the catcher to avoid the tag to score.&nbsp;

In the bottom of the ninth inning, against Royals closer&nbsp;Carlos Estévez,&nbsp;Dominic Canzone hit a solo home run to cut the lead to one.&nbsp;&nbsp;Miles Mastrobuoni pinch hit and got a single, and after Estévez struckout Cole Young, J.P Crawford singled, putting the closer in danger.&nbsp; Mastrobuoni and Crawford both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, but&nbsp;Estévez struck out Julio Rodriguez and then got Cal Raleigh to groundout to end the game, earning his 24th save.&nbsp;

Lugo earned the win, improving to 6-5 on the season, pitching 6 1/3 innings and giving up one run on six hits, striking out seven and walking two.&nbsp; At the plate, Witt Jr. was 1-for-5 with a stolen base and an RBI while Pasquantino was 1-for-4 with two RBI's as Kansas City had just five hits.&nbsp;

Kansas City now travels to Arizona for a weekend series, starting with an Independence Day matchup.&nbsp; Kris Bubic (6-6, 2.25 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals in the opener against&nbsp;Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4, 5.13 ERA) for the Diamondbacks.&nbsp; First pitch is at 8:40pm, pregame begins at 8 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Royals offense storms back to steal series split from Mariners with 3-2 win

The St. Joseph Mustangs avenged a road loss to the Chillicothe Mudcats on Tuesday, clobbering the Mudcats at Phil Welch Stadium on Thursday night for a seven inning run rule victory, winning 16-5 to open a three game homestand.&nbsp;

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