Mosaic Life Care
has broken ground on a new women’s health clinic in Maryville.

More than 100
attended the groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Mosaic Medical Center –
Maryville and Mosaic Life Care – Philanthropy. Mosaic states in a news release
the clinic will offer preventive care, obstetrics, gynecology and wellness
support.

Mosaic Medical
Center – Maryville also announced it has received a $100,000 Rural Planning
Grant from Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program, which
is funded by the Health Resources &amp; Services Administration (HRSA). Through
this grant, outreach clinics have already been set up in Bedford and Albany to
offer OB patients greater access to care.

The Maryville
clinic will offer services that women in northwest Missouri have had to drive long
distances to receive.

“I see the
disparities in women’s healthcare in this region and across the state. Women’s
health care is expensive and difficult to deliver, which is why so many near us
have closed their maternity unit doors,” Megan Jennings, director of
development for the St. Francis Foundation said. “Today, I am so proud to say
through the efforts and dedication of many, we aren’t saying when we close, but
rather, let’s grow, let’s extend our arm to other communities, let’s be the
solution.”

&nbsp;The new clinic, made possible by community
support through the St. Francis Foundation and a significant investment from
Mosaic Life Care, is set to open in late summer of 2026. 

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Mosaic breaks ground on new Maryville women's clinic

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

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

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

Mo. woman injured after crash pushed SUV into bridge rail

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 10p.m.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Toyota Corolla driven by a 17-year-old Bethany girl was northbound on U.S. 69 just south of NE 121 six miles south of Cameron. the car struck a deer.

Cameron EMS transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri teen injured after car, deer crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop.&nbsp;

Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, a police officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the 500 block South 5th Street in Atchison for a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 A sheriff’s deputy was on the scene with a K-9 and alerted to the presence of a controlled substance. A smoking device containing methamphetamine was subsequently located in the vehicle and the driver, Martin Winfield, was taken into custody. He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Kan. sheriff's K9 alerted to smoking device containing meth

A law creating a misdemeanor offense for school employees that supply ‘sexually explicit material’ to students is now void

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>

A Jackson County Circuit Court judge struck down a state law criminalizing school employees for supplying “sexually explicit material” to students, ruling it unconstitutionally vague and overbroad in a five-page decision Monday.

“This is a real victory for all library professionals who are trained to select age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate material for students in both public and private schools,” Gillian Wilcox, the ACLU of Missouri’s director of litigation, told The Independent. “It is a real insult to their training and professionalism for the government to think that it knows better what books belong in those schools, and it’s an insult to parents as well.”

The now-void law, passed by Missouri lawmakers in 2022, expanded the state’s regulations on pornography to create the offense of providing explicit sexual material to a student. It applied only to those “affiliated with a public or private elementary or secondary school in an official capacity.”

The law is part of a larger trend placing higher scrutiny on what books are offered by libraries and schools. In Missouri, efforts earlier this year to place new restrictions on digital libraries and expand the officials who could face prosecution were debated but did not pass.

“The ACLU has been seeing an increase in the last at least five years in book removal from school libraries and public libraries for a variety of reasons,” Wilcox said. “And it all culminated in this law being passed.”

The Missouri Association of School Librarians and Missouri Library Association, represented by Stinson LLP and the ACLU of Missouri, challenged the law in 2023 after “hundreds” of titles were removed from shelves.

“Librarians and school professionals statewide now assess prospective and existing titles in their collections based on fear, rather than expertise,” their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Suggestions%20in%20Support%20of%20Plaintiffs%20Motion%20for%20Summary%20Judgment.PDF?courtCode=16&amp;di=28487444" target="_blank">attorneys wrote in July</a>. “They have been reluctant, or have refused, to add new art, books, or even digital access to such materials that contain diverse or marginalized content or viewpoints, lest some unknown government official determine the work contains prohibited ‘explicit sexual material.’”

The state has long&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=573.040&amp;bid=56402" target="_blank">prohibited</a>&nbsp;people from giving pornographic material to minors. The decades-old law uses a different definition of pornography, one that has been held up in courts as only prohibiting speech unprotected by the First Amendment.

But the 2022 law extends beyond that precedent, plaintiffs attorneys argued, impeding free speech rights.

The case was originally filed against county prosecutors but is currently being defended by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

Deputy Solicitor General Samuel Freedlund labeled librarians’ arguments as insufficient, since they hadn’t presented evidence of the law being enforced.

“Absent evidence of any instance of any defendant actually enforcing the law against any of plaintiffs’ members, plaintiffs can only raise hypothetical enforcement examples in their vagueness challenge — an approach Missouri courts have consistently rejected as facially insufficient to raise a vagueness challenge,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Defendant-Intervenors%20Memorandum%20in%20Support%20of%20their%20Motion%20for%20Summary%20Judgment.PDF?courtCode=16&amp;di=28488819" target="_blank">he wrote</a>.

Circuit Court Judge J. Dale Youngs offered little insight into the basis of his decision in the brief ruling, though he acknowledged in a footnote that with his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.16thcircuit.org/Data/Sites/1/media/news/news_releases/judges-burnett-and-youngs-to-retire.pdf" target="_blank">retirement coming at the end of the month</a>, “time is a factor.”&nbsp;

“Moreover, the court recognizes — now more than ever — its status as a ‘way station’ to the Supreme Court of Missouri,” Youngs wrote. “What the parties here need is a decision that can be fully and finally considered by an appellate court that — consistent with its standard of review — gives no deference to what this court thinks or why.”

Wilcox said the judge’s decision, while brief, shows large agreement with plaintiffs’ arguments.

“By granting our motion on all counts and denying the state, the court did agree with all of our legal arguments and found that there were undisputed facts supporting those arguments,” she said.

In the months leading up to summary judgment, “thousands of pages of documents were exchanged” in discovery.

The attorney general’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Missouri court strikes down 2022 law that pulled library books off shelves

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 5a.m. Tuesday at Kansas City International Airport.

A Honda Fit was traveling the wrong way on International Circle, just south of 1 KC Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The car&nbsp; collided head-on with a Subaru. 

The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead from the medical staff at a local hospital. The driver and passenger of the Subaru were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

 This is Fatality #59 vs #82 last year in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.

Driver killed in head-on crash at Kansas City International Airport

CALDWELL COUNTY — Three people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 driven by a 63-year-old Trenton man was stopped in the crossover of U.S. 36 and started northbound and entered the westbound lanes of U.S. 36

A westbound 2012 Chrysler Town and Country driven by a 74-year-old Chillicothe man struck the right side of the pickup. After impact both vehicles began skidding and sliding. The vehicles traveled off the north side of U.S. 36. The van became airborne and rolled.

Life Flight Eagle transported the driver of the van to Truman Medical Center and a 67-year-old female passenger in the van to St. Luke's Hospital.&nbsp; Livingston County EMS transported the pickup driver to Liberty Hospital. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri couple airlifted to hospital after van, pickup crash

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/joshmerchant/">Josh Merchant</a>

The World Cup is just seven months away, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority faces the immense challenge of moving hundreds of thousands of fans around Kansas City next summer.

Now, the transit agency has decided to crack open its piggy bank.

For years, transit leaders have asked Kansas, Missouri and the federal government for financial support during the World Cup to manage massive crowds of fans who will travel to the region without cars.

But they have not received a dime for World Cup bus service. So the KCATA is planning to raid millions of dollars from a federal grant from 2018 intended to buy new buses. Instead, that money will be spent on 40 days of expanded service for fans and tourists.

Chuck Ferguson, the chief operations officer for the KCATA, asked the Mid-America Regional Council to approve the change at a committee meeting on Nov. 10.

“We — Johnson County, the Unified Government — have been pushing local, regional and the feds for some kind of dedicated funding for transit for the last few years to no avail,” Ferguson said. “So now we’re scrambling.”

The federal government created a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/13/drone-defenses-world-cup-00606174" target="_blank">$625 million grant program for safety and security</a>&nbsp;in World Cup cities. But none of that money can be used by transit agencies.

Ferguson told The Beacon that Missouri also provided some support with an “ambassador” program, which will pay people to be “wayfinders” to help visitors find bus stops at World Cup events. But again, that money can’t be used to pay for additional bus routes or operators.

In the absence of additional support, the KCATA is being asked to manage unprecedented numbers of bus riders in Kansas City with a budget that’s already spread thin. And that exposes funding challenges that the KCATA was already facing before the World Cup was even announced.

KC2026, the organizing committee&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/06/19/is-kansas-city-world-cup-ready-2026/" target="_blank">formed to raise funds for and manage the World Cup</a>, announced earlier this year that it plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/housing-development-section/2025-06-12/world-cup-kansas-city-2026-transportation" target="_blank">lease 200 buses</a>&nbsp;to get visitors between the airport, downtown and the six matches planned to be hosted at Arrowhead Stadium.

“KC2026 is currently planning to fund and operate all transportation required to meet the Host City obligations, as well as additional services to facilitate movement in the region,” a spokesperson for KC2026 said in an email statement. “This includes the 200 buses we have leased, as well as any event-specific services that may be provided by partners.”

But transportation leaders are still staring down a problem — getting fans to and from the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascityfwc26.com/fan-fest/" target="_blank">FIFA Fan Festival</a>&nbsp;on the south lawn of the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

The World War I Museum sits along the newly extended streetcar line, which theoretically could move fans to and from the festival. But anyone who attended the recent Chappell Roan concerts or the NFL Draft in 2023 will remember long wait times to board the streetcar when tens of thousands of people left the venue at the end of the night.

Transportation planners call that a “crush load” —&nbsp;when people are packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the train and a long line of passengers has to wait for the next ride.

“The big worry right now,” Ferguson said at the MARC committee meeting, “is between 25,000 and 35,000 people leaving that venue at one point in time and looking to go somewhere.”

The streetcar, he said, can only handle a fraction of that number — a few thousand per hour.

KC2026 is planning to host the Fan Fest for 18 nights next summer — on the day of every Kansas City or Team USA match. But if the public transit along Main Street is overwhelmed that frequently, transit leaders worry it could be catastrophic for public safety and for the city’s reputation during the World Cup.

So the plan is to repurpose about $2.1 million that the KCATA received in 2018 to purchase new energy efficient buses. Instead, the agency will spend it on operations during the World Cup to run some extra buses along the streetcar line to manage the flood of fans. Another $387,500 would come from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2018-04-09/second-most-popular-bus-line-in-kansas-city-receives-long-awaited-30m-federal-funding" target="_blank">Prospect MAX grant</a>.

That would fund overtime pay for bus operators and the extra fuel.

“It’s not going to be the massive amounts of service that people had originally envisioned,” Ferguson told the committee. “But it is one dedicated opportunity that we hope to put out there.”

Johnson County Transit made a similar request at the Nov. 10 meeting, except it would use $2.1 million to bolster bus lines to hotels like the Sheraton in Overland Park.

In both cases, if the extra buses are not needed, the money will not be spent and it will be returned to the fund, likely to pay for the new efficient buses as originally intended.

KCATA is expected to do more with the same budget

Ultimately, the MARC transportation and emissions committee voted to recommend the change for approval by the entire board later this year.

But there were some dissenters, including Eric Rogers, the executive director and cofounder of BikeWalkKC. Rogers was one of three “no” votes.

He voted that way because he’s concerned about sacrificing long-term transit investments —&nbsp;like buses that could last for 25 years — for the sake of solving a short-term problem at the World Cup.

But he remains frustrated that the KCATA is expected to provide transit service for an unprecedented event in Kansas City without any funding from FIFA or from state or federal partners.

“We are putting our transit agencies in a tough position,” he said. “My question is, ‘Why isn’t the event that’s creating all of this demand doing more to provide the funding that’s needed for the transit agency to respond to the demand?’”

That concern was echoed by several other members of the committee during the meeting, including some who voted yes.

Bailey Waters, the chief mobility officer at Kansas City, asked Ferguson if FIFA was providing any support for the planned World Cup events.

“FIFA is not, never was going to sponsor anything,” Ferguson said in response. “FIFA requires things. But really all that FIFA provides is the happiness that we get to host the World Cup.”

Kansas City Councilmember Eric Bunch, who also serves on the KCATA Board of Commissioners, supports the move to repurpose the green bus funds for World Cup operations. But he said the frustration with FIFA is not lost on him.

“That is the problem with major events like the World Cup, like the Olympics, like the DNC or the RNC,” he said. “They’re pitching this as a positive economic impact. And in the end, it’s the local governments that pick up the bill often, and it’s the local residents who are impacted by it.”

Bunch said this most recent situation is emblematic of ongoing funding issues at the KCATA.

Not only is the transit agency underfunded in the Kansas City area, but its biggest financial constraints are around operating costs, rather than buying new buses.

In other words, the KCATA does not tend to have problems paying for new buses. The issue is finding money to pay the drivers and mechanics or buying fuel.

That’s because the federal government is willing to give grants for “capital” like new buses or streetcar tracks, but it is much rarer for the KCATA to get grants that can be used for “operations.”

(The Trump administration has deprioritized public transit as a whole compared to the Biden administration.)

“The federal government basically says, ‘All right, we’ll help you build your transit system, we’ll buy buses, we’ll build tracks for streetcars and light rail,’” Bunch said. “But once it’s up and running, that’s (the city’s) responsibility.”

About 72% of the KCATA’s operations — $61 million out of total $85 million — are paid for by Kansas City Hall.

So if the KCATA can find a way to use the federal grants to pay bus operators during the World Cup, Bunch said, that’s a far more appealing option than tapping an already strained operations budget.

Tristin Amezcua-Hogan, the chair of the Regional Transit Alliance, told The Beacon in an email statement that the KCATA is “trapped in a cycle of poverty right now that is perpetuated by a lack of stable regional funding.”

“This is just one of the many instances of the organization having to choose what gets the job done over the optimal decision that would come out of consistent funding,” he said.

Some members of the MARC committee, including Westwood City Administrator Leslie Herring, believe that the positive side of the World Cup is that some Kansas Citians are going to be taking public transit for the first time to get to the Fan Fest.

“It might be an opportunity to expand who all in Kansas City actually feels comfortable riding the buses,” Herring said at the committee meeting. “When Mission would take residents down to the Plaza, in Westport, to go bar hop during the holiday season, that was one of my first times on a bus. And I feel very comfortable on KCATA buses now.”

In theory, that kind of public support from new bus riders could pay off in the future if a regional transit sales tax is placed on the ballot.

A sales tax has some support in the Jackson County Courthouse, and four out of five of the Unified Government commissioners elected earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/10/23/wyandotte-county-election-2025-ug-districts/" target="_blank">told The Beacon that they would support putting a similar measure on the ballot</a>&nbsp;in Wyandotte County.

Bunch said polling shows the majority of voters in Jackson, Johnson, Clay and Wyandotte counties&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/housing-development-section/2025-10-02/kansas-city-regional-transit-alliance-poll-sales-tax-bus-service" target="_blank">already support raising taxes to fund public transit</a>. And that could increase if the KCATA does a good job during the World Cup.

“That is the opportunity we have with the World Cup, and enhancing bus service during that time,” he said. “That more people are going to be willing to try it out. And I think that that’s a really good thing.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/11/13/kcata-kansas-city-world-cup-public-transit/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

Kansas City wants state, federal help for extra bus service during World Cup

ANDREW COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Saturday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Polaris Ranger Turbo S driven by a 40-year-old Savannah man was northbound on U.S. 71 just south of CR 57 four miles north of Savannah. The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road and struck a drainage culvert.

Andrew County EMS transported the driver and two passengers including a 45-year-old St. Joseph man and a 37-year-old Rosendale man to Mosaic Life Care. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 Mo. men hospitalized after UTV accident

The Northwest Missouri State University football team fell to the Pittsburgh State Gorillas at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, losing 27-14 and settling for a shared regular season MIAA title.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Despite the Bearcats outgaining the Gorillas in both rushing and passing yards, four first half fumbles were to much to overcome for Northwest. 

Head Coach John McMenamin gave credit to Pittsburgh State and says they just played a better game than Northwest

"I told our guys it's a good spot to be in, what I'm saying is they walked out conference champs, they're walking in conference champs, they're going to be a playoff team and that's all we can ask for," McMenamin says in his postgame press conference.&nbsp; "It didn't go our way today, but I think there's some things we can fix to play, and anytime you lose four fumbles it's not a good recipe for winning."

A strong offensive drive from the Bearcats, highlighted by a 65 yard run from Quincy Torry, opened the game to lead to a quick lead for Northwest as&nbsp;Zechariah Owens threw a three yard touchdown pass to Erwin Nash.&nbsp; On the ensuing Pitt State drive, the Bearcats forced a punt, but their first fumble of the game gave the ball right back to the Gorillas, allowing them to tie up the game.&nbsp;

Jackson Berry threw a 14 yard touchdown pass in the front corner of the endzone to Jaelon Travis.&nbsp; Then, on the next drive Pittsburgh State forced Owens to fumble, and then took advantage to take the lead, Berry throwing a 78 yard touchdown pass to TyJuan Atkins Jr, despite pressure from Carter Edwards, to go ahead 14-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, the third fumble of the half gave the ball back to Pittsburgh State, Cooper Warren fumbling the kickoff, but this time the Bearcats defense stepped up to force a punt, getting the ball back into their offenses hands.&nbsp; Northwest though was unable to do anything with it and had to punt it right back to start the second quarter.&nbsp;

Northwest's special teams unit prevented the Gorillas from scoring next, Edwards blocking a 47 yard field goal attempt, but again the Bearcats were forced to punt, and after getting the ball back on a Pittsburgh State punt, the fourth fumble extended the lead more, Madixx Morriss fumbling a reception from Chris Ruhnke, and freshman Quintin Kirby taking the ball 71 yards to the house for a 21-7 lead.&nbsp;

Near the end of the first half, Gorillas kicker Austin Schmitt hit a 28 yard field goal.&nbsp; Northwest attempted to drive the field for a late score in the half, but a sack on Ruhnke would wind down the remaining time of the first half and Pittsburgh State took a 24-7 lead into the halftime break.&nbsp;

Northwest could never overcome the four first half fumbles,&nbsp;McMenamin saying there's a difference between getting your butt kicked and self sabotage.

"We contributed to much to their victory," McMenamin says.&nbsp; "And we needed to play more secure football and I think all our guys know that they can, and so it's picking their heads up, we'll come back to work there's a formula for it, and we put it to work today but it just didn't work out."

The third quarter flew by with both defenses holding each other scoreless, the Bearcats finally breaking back onto the scoreboard midway into the final quarter with a five yard pass from Ruhnke to Gannon Gragert, just Gragert's second touchdown catch of the season.&nbsp; But, it was to little, to late, Pitt State consuming almost five minutes of clock, with Schmitt hitting a 30 yard field goal to seal the game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ruhnke was 20 for 30 through the air for 202 yards with one touchdown, adding 35 rushing yards.&nbsp; Owens was a perfect 5 for 5 with one touchdown pass and 40 yards through the air, running for 13 yards.&nbsp; Torry rushed eight times for 101 yards.&nbsp; Nash had seven catches for 81 yards and a score.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Northwest finishes the regular season 9-2, 8-1 in the MIAA. They'll now turn their attention to the playoffs with the NCAA DII Selection Show coming up on Sunday at 5pm.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

First half fumbles hurt Bearcats in loss to Gorillas at Children's Mercy Park

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just before 8p.m. Nov. 13, Sheriff's Deputies were attempting to locate a wanted Kansas man at 133 W. 13th Street in Horton, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

 A search warrant was granted for the residence and deputies&nbsp; executed the Warrant a short time later.&nbsp; &nbsp;Deputies found 45-year-old Gerald Adams of Horton hiding in a closet.&nbsp; He was arrested on a Brown County Felony Failure to Appear Warrant and is facing a charge of Felony Obstruction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff: Wanted Kansas suspect found hiding in closet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Commodity markets daily recap

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

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

‘New Democrat Coalition’ releases rural revitalization agenda

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

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

Harvest wrapping up across U.S.

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

It was a return to low volume, slow news trade on Tuesday across row-crop futures with prices chopping on either side of unchanged but falling from early highs, which were the highs for the rally thus far for the soybean market. It is likely traders saw the need to lock in some profits following confirmation of rumored soybean purchases by China on Monday. In outside markets, diesel prices continue to push higher, positively influencing soybean oil futures, which have surged higher through the first half of the week. In financial markets, equities are under heavy pressure to start the week, led by AI bubble fears. Meanwhile, the potential for money flow out of equities and into commodities as a hedge against inflation may be a story of growing importance to watch through the end of 2025 and into 2026.

The live cattle complex traded mixed, erring on the side of caution as traders would like to see the contracts trade fully higher but need sure-fire fundamental support this week to successfully do so. No developments have surfaced in the fed cash cattle market, and trade will likely be delayed until later in the week, as that's usually what happens whenever a Cattle on Feed report is released. No bids or asking prices are currently on the table.

Likewise, the feeder cattle complex also traded in a mixed manner as the market isn't confident that there will be enough support in the market to trade fully higher. Until something wildly bullish develops, the feeder cattle complex will likely continue to trade in a sideways manner as it's going to take some substantial support to push the contracts back over the market's 100-day moving average.

The lean hog complex traded fully lower and currently pressuring the market's support plane as traders aren't seeing enough support arise in the marketplace to send the contracts higher.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/11/18140529/web-closing-markets-2.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency has extended the sign-up deadline for the Emergency Livestock Relief Program to Nov. 21, 2025, after many ranchers were unable to apply during county office closures tied to the federal shutdown. The program provides payments to producers facing added feed costs or grazing losses from 2023–24 floods and wildfires. FSA Administrator Bill Beam said offices are now open five days a week under Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ directive to restore full access to core services. 

To simplify enrollment, FSA pre-qualified counties where disasters were already verified, allowing eligible producers to apply without submitting additional documentation. Covered livestock include beef and dairy cattle, sheep, llamas and other grazing animals. Payments are based on supplemental feed costs, offering up to 60% of one month’s feed cost for wildfire losses or three months for flood impacts. Annual payments are capped at $125,000, with limited exceptions up to $250,000.

USDA extends livestock relief deadline 

The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday released a new proposed definition of “waters of the United States,” marking the latest shift in federal water policy after the Supreme Court’s narrowing decision in Sackett v. EPA. The proposal would limit Clean Water Act jurisdiction to traditional navigable waters and wetlands that share a continuous surface connection with them. 

Tributaries would qualify only if they directly connect to those waters or flow through other jurisdictional features. The rule also maintains long-standing exclusions, including prior-converted cropland, waste treatment systems and a newly clarified exemption for groundwater. Federal officials said the updated definition aims to align the rule with the Supreme Court’s guidance while providing clarity to landowners. A 45-day public comment period will begin once the proposal is published in the Federal Register.

EPA, Army Corps unveil new proposed WOTUS rule

December corn closed up 4 1/2 cents and March corn was up 4 cents. January soybeans closed up 32 3/4 cents and March soybeans were up 27 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 13 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 17 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 9 cents.

It was a remarkable turnaround session across row-crop futures on Monday following a bearish close to last week's trade which saw sharply lower corn, soy, and wheat prices on Friday following data from USDA which I would characterize as mixed overall, although the released listing of all reportable sales (100,000 metric tons or higher) of U.S. grains and oilseeds through the government shutdown was among the more bearish set of figures unveiled during Friday's busy session. President Trump said over the weekend he had held talks with China on Friday and reiterated they will be considerably increasing their purchases of U.S. ag products, most notably soybeans, which went a long way in easing traders' minds and likely sparked algorithmic buying to begin the new week, with reports by late morning that China had indeed bought some U.S. soybeans to start the week. Outside markets were mostly positive as well for Monday, with slightly higher equities, as well as firm energy markets with crude oil futures attempting a third straight session higher.

The live cattle complex traded higher into Monday's close as traders note the announcement that came on Friday that tariffs on food was going to be reduced. The current tariff on Brazilian beef remains at 40%, so it's still unknown how this will affect the greater marketplace as the U.S. still needs lean beef, but a 40% tariff is still a relatively strong barrier. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Texas, but lower in Kansas and Nebraska/Colorado.

Throughout last week's trade, Southern live cattle were marked at $226 to mostly $228, which is $3.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average. Northern dressed cattle traded anywhere from $346 to $355, but mostly at $351, which is $8.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average. And to only make matters worse, packers were able to get some cattle committed for delivery for the weeks of Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 as they slowly, but surely are buying up supplies to ensure that they're not short bought in the weeks ahead and potentially run the risk of letting feedlot managers gain the upper hand in the market again. Last week's negotiated cash cattle trade totaled 55,342 head. Of that, 83% (45,792 head) were committed to the market's nearby delivery, while the remaining 17% (9,550 head) were committed to the market's deferred delivery option.

The feeder cattle complex was also trading higher into Monday's closing bell, as the feeder cattle market has been closely following the direction of the live cattle contracts. As long as the live cattle complex remains strong through the day's end, it's likely that the feeder cattle complex will too.

The lean hog complex is trading mixed as the futures market wants to trade higher but needs reassurance from consumers that they're going to show up at the meat counter with more demand before they'll do so confidently. It's likely a slightly higher close for the day is in sight as the greater livestock complex is being met with ample trader support.

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In the first set of government estimates since September, Friday’s much-anticipated World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate, or WASDE, Report offered mixed outlooks for major U.S. crops, trimming projected corn and soybean yields while leaving wheat production unchanged. USDA lowered the national corn yield to 186 bushels per acre, slightly reducing 2025-26 production to 16.75 billion bushels. Exports were raised to 3.08 billion bushels, lifting ending stocks to 2.15 billion. The average farm price rose to $4 a bushel. 

Soybean yield was cut to 53 bushels per acre, pulling production down to 4.25 billion bushels. USDA reduced export estimates to 1.64 billion bushels and projected ending stocks at 290 million. The farmgate price increased to $10.50 per bushel. Wheat production held steady at 1.99 billion bushels, but USDA raised ending stocks to 901 million. The average price slipped to $5 a bushel. Globally, USDA boosted wheat and corn beginning stocks while trimming soybean supplies, and raised production estimates for Argentina, Australia and Russia. 

Friday’s WASDE lowers corn, soybean yields

December corn closed down 11 1/4 cents and March corn was down 11 1/2 cents. January soybeans closed down 22 1/2 cents and March soybeans were down 20 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 10 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 8 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 5 cents.

December corn closed up 3 cents and March corn was up 2 cents. January soybeans closed up 7 1/2 cents and March soybeans were up 10 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 1/2 cents and December Minneapolis wheat was up 6 3/4 cents.

Row-crop futures moved sharply lower Friday following the release of new USDA data including Crop Production and WASDE reports, along with a listing of all reportable flash sales which went unreported due to the government shutdown through October and early November. I would characterize Friday's reports as mixed overall, with some undeniably bearish estimates but plenty of silver linings to be found if looked for and discussed in further detail below. Outside markets to close the week were choppy with crude oil turning higher following Ukrainian attacks on Russian ports and the seizure of a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, where over a third of world crude shipments are routed. Stock indices were mixed with tech-focused buying pushing the NASDAQ and S&amp;P500 higher while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped.

The live cattle contracts traded slightly higher into Friday's closing bell, despite the fact that the day's fundamentals are lacking a bit with no new cash cattle trade having developed, and what has developed has been lower than last week's weighted average, and boxed beef prices are lower again. So far this week, Southern live cattle have traded at mostly $228, which is $3.00 lower than last week's weighted average. Northern dressed cattle have traded for mostly $351, which is $8.00 lower than last week's weighted average. And while it's looking like the bulk of this week's trade is done with, some more clean up trade isn't out of the question.

Friday's WASDE report shared less than supportive news for the cattle and beef markets of 2025 and 2026. Beef production for 2025 fell by 70 million pounds from the last report in September, as fed cattle slaughter speeds have declined. The same similar trend is also noted for 2026 beef production as now the year is expected to yield 25,490 million pounds, which is down 100 million pounds from September's report. The biggest expected reason for the decline in slaughter speeds for 2026 is because fed cattle processing is expected to remain light, and with cattle spending more time on feed, marketings will be slower for at least the first half of the year. Quarterly steer prices were also disappointing as steers in the fourth quarter of 2025 are expected to average $234 (down $10.00), steers in the first quarter of 2026 are expected to average $242 (down $5.00) and steers in the second quarter are expected to average $248 (down $3.00). Beef imports for 2025 remained unchanged, but exports for the year fell by 10 million pounds.

Although, the feeder cattle complex was trading fully lower earlier this morning, it rebounded and ended trading higher alongside the live cattle contracts. As long as the live cattle contracts continue to trade higher, the feeder cattle market will likely follow in its shadow.

The lean hog complex also found a little technical support, which could be trader moral given that the cattle contracts were trading higher too, or it could partly be because consumer demand is showing more interest today as the midday pork cutout is up $4.68. It's unlikely that any more cash hog trade is going to develop throughout the day.

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Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins led the largest USDA agribusiness trade mission in the history of the U.S. to Mexico City last week. During the trip to Mexico, 41 U.S. businesses, 33 cooperators and agriculture advocacy groups, six state departments of agriculture, and 150 participants conducted more than 500 business-to-business meetings over three days. This was a critical opportunity for American businesses to further trade ties, and for the USDA to continue its aggressive response to the New World Screwworm in Mexico. 

“Whether it’s securing the Southern Border from illegal immigration, combating the New World Screwworm, or expanding market access for American agricultural products, we are working every day to put American interests first,” Rollins said. Mexico was the top market for U.S. agricultural exports in 2024, with shipments valued at $30.2 billion. Products like meat and meat products, dairy, processed foods, fruits, and beverages constituted almost 50 percent of that. 

Rollins leads trade trip to Mexico City

SHAWNEE COUNTY —The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward for information leading to the identification of subject or subjects involved in a robbery at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Topeka.

FBI said they are offering a $3,000 reward for subject identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual or individuals involved in the robbery.

Just before 9:30p.m. August 19, the KFC,&nbsp; 3920 SW 21st Street in Topeka was robbed at gunpoint. The investigation indicates that an unknown subject entered the business armed with a handgun and demanded money from the employees. The subject fled the scene on foot and to the north.

The subject is described as an adult male, approximately 6-foot-0 to 6-foot 2, 150 pounds with&nbsp; bright blue/green eyes. During the robbery, the subject was wearing khakis, black dress shoes, light grey gloves, a grey hoodie, a ball cap, and a full ski-mask. He was carrying a black/chrome handgun.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is encouraged to call the Kansas City Division of the FBI at 816-512-8200 or Topeka Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. Tips can also be provided via the website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shawneecountycrimestoppers.com/">www.shawneecountycrimestoppers.com</a>&nbsp;or through the P3tips app.

Reward offered for info on Kansas armed robbery suspect

WASHINGTON–&nbsp;On Thursday,&nbsp; Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall released the following statement after the Senate passed his legislation to restore whole milk in schools.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act&nbsp;expands healthy milk options in schools by reversing the Obama-era law that took whole milk out of school cafeterias.

“Whole milk is the most nutritious drink known to mankind, and for whatever reason, the federal government took it out of our schools over a decade ago – robbing an entire generation of essential dairy intake. As an obstetrician, I cannot stress the extensive list of benefits that comes from drinking whole – and most of all, it just tastes better,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“I’m proud to see another win on the MAHA agenda cross the finish line in the Senate and am looking forward to seeing it signed into law.”

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>&nbsp;(DGA) reports that nearly 90% of Americans do not meet their daily dairy intake recommendations. Specifically, Americans are lacking enough Calcium and Vitamin D, and whole milk is an excellent source of both vitamins. Leading nutritionists&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522012898?via%3Dihub">have found</a>&nbsp;that whole dairy fats have no negative effect on a diet, and may even reduce the risk of heart disease.

The legislation was first&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;by Senator Marshall in June of 2023. It was reintroduced in April of 2025 with numerous bipartisan sponsors and co-sponsors and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-legislation-to-restore-whole-milk-in-schools-passes-senate-agriculture-committee/">passed</a>&nbsp;the Senate Agriculture Committee in June of 2025.

Kan. U.S. Senator's bill to restore whole milk in schools passes the Senate

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash have identified the victim as&nbsp;36-year-old Amber Kirk, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis.

The Topeka Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating anyone who was in the area of the NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Paramore Street intersection in Topeka at the time of the incident.

Just before 6p.m. November 15, police&nbsp;responded to a hit-and-run injury accident call at the intersection of NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Paramore Streets in Topeka. The accident involved a vehicle and pedestrian. 

The pedestrian, later identified as Kirk, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries where she died.

During investigation of this incident, police identified Sultan Y. Andemichael, 18, Topeka, as a suspect. Andemichael was located and transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on November 17. He remains jailed on requested charges of&nbsp; Involuntary manslaughter;&nbsp;Interference with LEO;  Conceal/alter/destroy evidence in felony case and Failure to stop accident resulting in death.

Police look for witnesses to hit-and-run that killed Kansas woman

President Trump is accusing six Democratic lawmakers of sedition “punishable by DEATH” after the lawmakers, all veterans, called on U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy “illegal orders” in a video posted to X.

This is the original video that prompted President Trump to respond.

🎥Dem lawmakers respond to President Trump's accusation of sedition

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>

Republicans have been trying since 2006 to enact the photo ID requirement in Missouri. Prior to the 2022 law, every attempt had been rebuffed by the courts

The Missouri Supreme Court must decide if voters need government-issued ID cards and whether people trying to register new voters can be paid.

The judges on Wednesday heard a pair of cases arising from a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1878&amp;Year=2022&amp;code=R" target="_blank">2022 law</a>&nbsp;that also established two weeks of early voting before each election. If the high court throws out the voter ID portion of the law, it would trigger a provision that also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/09/voter-id-requirement-absentee-ballot-changes-clear-missouri-senate/">scuttles the early voting period</a>.

The Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters filed both lawsuits and got a split result at the trial court level in Cole County. Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/27/challenge-to-voter-id-law-heading-for-appeal-to-missouri-supreme-court/">photo ID requirements</a>&nbsp;were “everyday burdens” that did not violate voter rights but that the limitations on individuals and organizations running&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/FINAL%20ORDER%20AND%20JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3368715" target="_blank">voter registration campaigns</a>&nbsp;“chill speech and advocacy related to voting and decrease participation in elections.”

Together, the outcome of the two cases will determine whether Republicans have finally succeeded in goals they have sought for years — stricter limits on acceptable voting identification and higher obstacles for organizations engaged in voter registration campaigns.

Opponents of the voter ID requirements aren’t arguing that there should be no requirement for identification, Jason Orr of the ACLU of Missouri told the court Wednesday. It is the limited list of acceptable identification that violates voter rights, he said.

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