SALINE COUNTY —Wildlife officials are investigating after a&nbsp;deer was&nbsp; poached and left headless in Saline County.

&nbsp;Just after 11:30a.m. October 31, Friday a resident who lives near the 1900 block of North Kipp Road reported of finding a headless white-tailed deer, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Office.

The day before, the resident heard a gunshot at around 4:30 pm. He then found tire tracks, which led him to find the headless deer.

Rifle season for deer in the state is&nbsp;December 3 through December 14, 2025, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

SALINE COUNTY —Wildlife officials are investigating after a&nbsp;deer was&nbsp; poached and left headless in Saline County.&nbsp;Just after 11:30a.m. October 31, Friday a resident who lives near the 1900 block of North Kipp Road reported of finding a headless white-tailed deer, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Office.The day before, the resident heard a gunshot at around 4:30 pm. He then found tire tracks, which led him to find the headless deer.Rifle season for deer in the state is&nbsp;December 3 through December 14, 2025, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Sheriff: Deer poached, left headless ahead of rifle season in Kansas

RENO COUNTY —Cleanup is underway and authorities are investigating the cause of a train derailment in Hutchinson.

At about 1 a.m.&nbsp; Monday, approximately two dozen Union Pacific rail cars derailed in Hutchinson, according to a statement from Union Pacific. The incident occurred near 17th Avenue and N. Halstead Street. There were no injuries or releases.&nbsp;

The railroad crossing at 17th Avenue has reopened. One northbound lane of K-61&nbsp; from 17th to 39th Avenue remains closed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762178755778.jpeg" alt="Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Cleanup is underway and authorities are investigating the cause of a train derailment in Hutchinson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762178739883.jpeg" alt="Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston</figcaption>
 </figure>At about 1 a.m.&nbsp; Monday, approximately two dozen Union Pacific rail cars derailed in Hutchinson, according to a statement from Union Pacific. The incident occurred near 17th Avenue and N. Halstead Street. There were no injuries or releases.&nbsp;The railroad crossing at 17th Avenue has reopened. One northbound lane of K-61&nbsp; from 17th to 39th Avenue remains closed.

Cleanup underway after train derailment in Kansas

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay for a portion of November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the department said Monday in a brief to a federal court in Rhode Island.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820142/21/rhode-island-state-council-of-churches-v-rollins/" target="_blank">four-page report</a>&nbsp;from the USDA answered U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr.’s order that President Donald Trump’s administration pay at least a portion of benefits to the 42 million people who receive assistance through the program by the end of Wednesday.

McConnell on Saturday laid out two options for the administration: pay for partial benefits by the end of Wednesday through a contingency fund holding about $5.5 billion, or pay for a full month of benefits by tapping other reserve sources such as the child nutrition program by the end of Monday.&nbsp;

USDA opted to use the contingency fund, giving the department until the end of Wednesday to pay out benefits.

A month of SNAP benefits costs the federal government about $9 billion.

USDA “will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds today by generating the table required for States to calculate the benefits available for each eligible household in that State,” Monday’s brief said. “USDA will therefore have made the necessary funds available and have authorized the States to begin disbursements once the table is issued.”

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762195854495.png" alt=" A sign in a convenience store along Barlowe Road in Hyattsville, Maryland, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, advertises that it accepts SNAP benefits. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption> A sign in a convenience store along Barlowe Road in Hyattsville, Maryland, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, advertises that it accepts SNAP benefits. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>The U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay for a portion of November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the department said Monday in a brief to a federal court in Rhode Island.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820142/21/rhode-island-state-council-of-churches-v-rollins/" target="_blank">four-page report</a>&nbsp;from the USDA answered U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr.’s order that President Donald Trump’s administration pay at least a portion of benefits to the 42 million people who receive assistance through the program by the end of Wednesday.McConnell on Saturday laid out two options for the administration: pay for partial benefits by the end of Wednesday through a contingency fund holding about $5.5 billion, or pay for a full month of benefits by tapping other reserve sources such as the child nutrition program by the end of Monday.&nbsp;USDA opted to use the contingency fund, giving the department until the end of Wednesday to pay out benefits.A month of SNAP benefits costs the federal government about $9 billion.USDA “will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds today by generating the table required for States to calculate the benefits available for each eligible household in that State,” Monday’s brief said. “USDA will therefore have made the necessary funds available and have authorized the States to begin disbursements once the table is issued.”

Trump admin. to pay partial November SNAP benefits by Wednesday

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 9a.m. Sunday in Wyandotte County.

According to Kansas City, Kansas Police, a truck was southbound on College Parkway when it collided with a car, with three occupants that was crossing College Parkway from Delaware Drive. 

The driver and one passenger from the car were taken to a nearby hospital, where the passenger, an adult female, died from her injuries.

The driver of the truck was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries, and is cooperating with the investigation. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Traffic Division.&nbsp;

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 9a.m. Sunday in Wyandotte County.According to Kansas City, Kansas Police, a truck was southbound on College Parkway when it collided with a car, with three occupants that was crossing College Parkway from Delaware Drive. The driver and one passenger from the car were taken to a nearby hospital, where the passenger, an adult female, died from her injuries.The driver of the truck was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries, and is cooperating with the investigation. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Traffic Division.&nbsp;

Woman killed, 2 injured after 2-vehicle Kansas crash

CAMDEN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 11p.m. Sunday in Camden County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Impala driven by a 19-year-old Steelville man was northbound on MO 5 just north of Dry Hollow Road. The car crossed the center of the road and struck a 2022 Peterbilt semi head-on.&nbsp;

The teen driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Allee Holman-Howe Funeral Home. The 45-year-old Owenville, Missouri semi driver was not injured.&nbsp; The teen was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CAMDEN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 11p.m. Sunday in Camden County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Impala driven by a 19-year-old Steelville man was northbound on MO 5 just north of Dry Hollow Road. The car crossed the center of the road and struck a 2022 Peterbilt semi head-on.&nbsp;The teen driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Allee Holman-Howe Funeral Home. The 45-year-old Owenville, Missouri semi driver was not injured.&nbsp; The teen was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri teen killed in head-on crash with a semi

KANSAs CITY —Law enforcement are investigating an officer involved shooting involving a Kansas City, Missouri police officer, according to a statement from the the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control. One person was transported to the hospital with critical injuries.&nbsp;

Just after 3:30p.m. Sunday, Kansas City Police were dispatched to a disturbance&nbsp;in the 3500 block of Independence Avenue. A man was reportedly shooting a gun into the air. When officers arrived at the scene, one officer deployed a taser. Another officer fired his duty weapon striking the man. EMS transported the man to an area hospital in critical condition. No officers were injured. Investigators recovered a handgun at the scene.&nbsp;

The Missouri&nbsp;State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control is in charge of investigating the officer-shooting. Authorities released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762168565158.png" alt="Near the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Near the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAs CITY —Law enforcement are investigating an officer involved shooting involving a Kansas City, Missouri police officer, according to a statement from the the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control. One person was transported to the hospital with critical injuries.&nbsp;Just after 3:30p.m. Sunday, Kansas City Police were dispatched to a disturbance&nbsp;in the 3500 block of Independence Avenue. A man was reportedly shooting a gun into the air. When officers arrived at the scene, one officer deployed a taser. Another officer fired his duty weapon striking the man. EMS transported the man to an area hospital in critical condition. No officers were injured. Investigators recovered a handgun at the scene.&nbsp;The Missouri&nbsp;State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control is in charge of investigating the officer-shooting. Authorities released no additional details.

Man critically injured in Kansas City police officer shooting 

President Trump was the opening interview on 60 minutes Sunday. He taped the interview with Norah O'Donnell in Florida after his return from a successful trip to Asia. 

This was his first interview with the show since CBS parent company Paramount settled a lawsuit filed by President Trump over editing of the 60 minutes interview with Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election. The White House released the full 73 minute unedited video of President Trump's interview. The program only used 27 minutes on their broadcast.

President Trump was the opening interview on 60 minutes Sunday. He taped the interview with Norah O'Donnell in Florida after his return from a successful trip to Asia. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">See President Donald J. Trump&#39;s FULL interview on <a href="https://twitter.com/60Minutes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@60Minutes</a> — all 73+ minutes, without the network&#39;s edits and cuts. WATCH IN FULL: <a href="https://t.co/i95cQ3Gqei">pic.twitter.com/i95cQ3Gqei</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1985162774041804844?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>This was his first interview with the show since CBS parent company Paramount settled a lawsuit filed by President Trump over editing of the 60 minutes interview with Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election. The White House released the full 73 minute unedited video of President Trump's interview. The program only used 27 minutes on their broadcast.

White House releases unedited President Trump 60 Minutes interview

KANSAS CITY—Four&nbsp; people were injured in an accident during a pursuit with law enforcement just after midnight Sunday in Kansas City.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a Highway Patrol Trooper was pursuing a silver Infinity G35 for speeding and careless driving, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

 At some point during the pursuit, on Interstate 35 South, past the NE Vivion exit, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the embankment. 

EMS transported all four occupants to an area hospital. One occupant&nbsp; had life-threatening injuries and remained in critical condition with life-threatening injuries late Sunday, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY—Four&nbsp; people were injured in an accident during a pursuit with law enforcement just after midnight Sunday in Kansas City.A preliminary investigation revealed that a Highway Patrol Trooper was pursuing a silver Infinity G35 for speeding and careless driving, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. At some point during the pursuit, on Interstate 35 South, past the NE Vivion exit, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the embankment. EMS transported all four occupants to an area hospital. One occupant&nbsp; had life-threatening injuries and remained in critical condition with life-threatening injuries late Sunday, according to Becchina.

Police: 4 injured in crash during chase involving State Troopers

Morris’ public service covers 16 years on local school board, 20 years in Senate

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

TOPEKA — Former Kansas Senate President Steve Morris, who served southwest Kansas for more than three decades as an elected school board member and state legislator, died Saturday. He was 79.

Morris died unexpectedly at home in Hugoton. He had undergone a series of bypass surgeries and underwent treatment for prostate cancer, said a daughter, Stephanie Heger.

“He was definitely someone who only wanted what was best and for people to work together,” Heger said in an interview Sunday. “He wanted to be a policymaker instead of a politician.”

As a father, she said, Morris was kind, humble and adhered to the biblical concept of “do to others as you you would have them do to you.”

“He was one of the people who never said a negative thing about anyone,” Heger said.

Morris was born in Garden City and raised in rural Hugoton. He graduated from Hugoton High School in 1964 and from Kansas State University in 1969. He served on active duty as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1974 before moving to the Air Force Reserve and returning to Hugoton to farm. His was married to Barbara Morris and they had three daughters — Susan Morris, Sara Tasset and Heger.

He was on the Hugoton Board of Education from 1977 to 1993 and the K-State Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1985 to 1991.

In 1992, Morris was elected to the Kansas Senate by defeating Democrat Leroy Hayden. Morris, a Republican, was a member of the Senate for 20 years.

He served as the chamber’s president from 2005 to 2013 during a period in which the Legislature grappled with controversial casino gambling legislation and court cases on funding of K-12 education. He was involved in shaping major bills on the budget, taxation, transportation and energy issues.

He lost a campaign for reelection in 2012 when defeated by Republican Larry Powell in the August primary. GOP Gov. Sam Brownback and Koch political interests had targeted Morris and one-half dozen other Senate Republicans they viewed as political moderates.

“Americans for Prosperity and Kansas Chamber sent out I think something like 40 negative, large postcards in the last two weeks of the campaign,” Morris said in an&nbsp;<a href="https://ksoralhistory.org/interview/interview-of-steve-morris-by-rex-buchanan-august-22-2024" target="_blank">August 2024 interview with Kansas Oral History Project</a>. “People had never seen something like that before. They assumed all those things were true, which they weren’t.”

Morris also was&nbsp;<a href="https://ksoralhistory.org/interview/interview-of-steve-morris-by-joan-wagnon-july-15-2020" target="_blank">interviewed by Kansas Oral History Project in July 2020</a>&nbsp;regarding his legislative career.

Morris said that after leaving the Legislature he missed “the good people we worked with” and that “overall it was a good experience.”

&nbsp;In 2014, Morris played a role in Republicans for Kansas Values, which supported Democratic state Rep. Paul Davis’ unsuccessful campaign for governor against Brownback.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, said he was saddened by the passing of a longtime friend and dedicated public servant. Moran and Morris served together in the state Senate.

“He was a thoughtful, principled and dedicated statesman who represented Kansans well,” Moran said. “Robba and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Barbara, his family and all those whose lives he touched. We will miss him deeply.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762170439514.png" alt=" Former Kansas Senate President Steve Morris, a moderate Republican, died unexpectedly Saturday in Hugoton. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Oral History Project video)" />
 <figcaption> Former Kansas Senate President Steve Morris, a moderate Republican, died unexpectedly Saturday in Hugoton. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Oral History Project video)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Morris’ public service covers 16 years on local school board, 20 years in Senate</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Former Kansas Senate President Steve Morris, who served southwest Kansas for more than three decades as an elected school board member and state legislator, died Saturday. He was 79.Morris died unexpectedly at home in Hugoton. He had undergone a series of bypass surgeries and underwent treatment for prostate cancer, said a daughter, Stephanie Heger.“He was definitely someone who only wanted what was best and for people to work together,” Heger said in an interview Sunday. “He wanted to be a policymaker instead of a politician.”As a father, she said, Morris was kind, humble and adhered to the biblical concept of “do to others as you you would have them do to you.”“He was one of the people who never said a negative thing about anyone,” Heger said.She said services were pending.Morris was born in Garden City and raised in rural Hugoton. He graduated from Hugoton High School in 1964 and from Kansas State University in 1969. He served on active duty as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1974 before moving to the Air Force Reserve and returning to Hugoton to farm. His was married to Barbara Morris and they had three daughters — Susan Morris, Sara Tasset and Heger.He was on the Hugoton Board of Education from 1977 to 1993 and the K-State Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1985 to 1991.In 1992, Morris was elected to the Kansas Senate by defeating Democrat Leroy Hayden. Morris, a Republican, was a member of the Senate for 20 years.He served as the chamber’s president from 2005 to 2013 during a period in which the Legislature grappled with controversial casino gambling legislation and court cases on funding of K-12 education. He was involved in shaping major bills on the budget, taxation, transportation and energy issues.He lost a campaign for reelection in 2012 when defeated by Republican Larry Powell in the August primary. GOP Gov. Sam Brownback and Koch political interests had targeted Morris and one-half dozen other Senate Republicans they viewed as political moderates.“Americans for Prosperity and Kansas Chamber sent out I think something like 40 negative, large postcards in the last two weeks of the campaign,” Morris said in an&nbsp;<a href="https://ksoralhistory.org/interview/interview-of-steve-morris-by-rex-buchanan-august-22-2024" target="_blank">August 2024 interview with Kansas Oral History Project</a>. “People had never seen something like that before. They assumed all those things were true, which they weren’t.”Morris also was&nbsp;<a href="https://ksoralhistory.org/interview/interview-of-steve-morris-by-joan-wagnon-july-15-2020" target="_blank">interviewed by Kansas Oral History Project in July 2020</a>&nbsp;regarding his legislative career.Morris said that after leaving the Legislature he missed “the good people we worked with” and that “overall it was a good experience.”&nbsp;In 2014, Morris played a role in Republicans for Kansas Values, which supported Democratic state Rep. Paul Davis’ unsuccessful campaign for governor against Brownback.U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, said he was saddened by the passing of a longtime friend and dedicated public servant. Moran and Morris served together in the state Senate.“He was a thoughtful, principled and dedicated statesman who represented Kansans well,” Moran said. “Robba and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Barbara, his family and all those whose lives he touched. We will miss him deeply.”

Former moderate GOP Kansas Senate President Steve Morris dies at 79

WYANDOTTE COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday officers with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department were called the area of North 11th Street and Barnett Avenue to investigate a shooting.

When officers arrived on the scene they located a woman, outside of her home, that had been shot.&nbsp;She was taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.

The KCK Major Case Squad went to the scene to gather evidence and are trying to find out what led to the shooting.&nbsp; Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.&nbsp;

WYANDOTTE COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City.Just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday officers with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department were called the area of North 11th Street and Barnett Avenue to investigate a shooting.When officers arrived on the scene they located a woman, outside of her home, that had been shot.&nbsp;She was taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.The KCK Major Case Squad went to the scene to gather evidence and are trying to find out what led to the shooting.&nbsp; Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.&nbsp;

Police: Woman killed in shooting outside Kan. home

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

On October 30, an Osage County Sheriff’s Office Investigator conducted a traffic stop&nbsp; on Interstate 35 in Osage County for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.&nbsp; During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp;

The deputy arrested&nbsp; Jessica A. Meade, 28, of Lebo on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761945543981.png" alt="Meade photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Meade photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.On October 30, an Osage County Sheriff’s Office Investigator conducted a traffic stop&nbsp; on Interstate 35 in Osage County for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.&nbsp; During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp;The deputy arrested&nbsp; Jessica A. Meade, 28, of Lebo on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia

Sheriff: Kansas woman caught with meth and marijuana

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/juanvassallo/">Juan Vassallo</a>-

Soybeans sit in storage, farm bankruptcies are rising, and total farm debt continues to climb. By nearly every measure, American farmers are struggling.

Experts say financial pressures are expected to continue mounting.

Due to rising costs, low crop prices and the effects of the trade war, economists project that growers could see roughly $44 billion in net cash income losses from their 2025–26 crops.

At a September&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagofed.org/events/2025/midwest-agriculture-conference" target="_blank">conference</a>&nbsp;on agriculture and trade uncertainty hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank, Shawn Arita, professor at North Dakota State University and former senior economist with the USDA, presented projections showing losses across nine major crops.

With production costs far outpacing revenue, Arita and his team at the NDSU Agricultural Risk Policy Center estimate losses of about $20 billion for corn, $10 billion for soybeans and $8.5 billion for wheat — with peanuts, cotton, barley, oats, grain sorghum and rice adding another $6 billion combined.

Since 2023, U.S. farmers have struggled with high input costs and weak commodity prices, a squeeze economists attribute partly to the Russia-Ukraine war.

But this squeeze is made worse by the loss of key export markets — particularly China.

“The tariffs are creating challenges, but it’s not fair to say they are the main culprit,” Arita said. “Certainly, they are exacerbating the issue.”

Arita also noted that the crop sector tends to follow trade cycles more closely than inflation trends. “[China is] not going to start buying soybeans until they get something out of these negotiations,” he said during his presentation.

Still, the main problem remains high costs across the board — tractors, machinery, fertilizers and other inputs, many of which are imported. Although it’s too early to determine whether President Trump’s tariffs will have an effect on these prices, Arita said it’s “simple economics”: higher taxes on these products inevitably lead to higher production costs.

While some farmers are expected to receive financial assistance through the Big Beautiful Bill, that support isn’t set to arrive until October 2026.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/10/28/us-farmers-face-44-billion-in-losses-as-costs-rise-and-markets-shrink/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</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>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762051424365.jpg" alt="Image Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/juanvassallo/">Juan Vassallo</a>-Soybeans sit in storage, farm bankruptcies are rising, and total farm debt continues to climb. By nearly every measure, American farmers are struggling.Experts say financial pressures are expected to continue mounting.Due to rising costs, low crop prices and the effects of the trade war, economists project that growers could see roughly $44 billion in net cash income losses from their 2025–26 crops.At a September&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagofed.org/events/2025/midwest-agriculture-conference" target="_blank">conference</a>&nbsp;on agriculture and trade uncertainty hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank, Shawn Arita, professor at North Dakota State University and former senior economist with the USDA, presented projections showing losses across nine major crops.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762051269695.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With production costs far outpacing revenue, Arita and his team at the NDSU Agricultural Risk Policy Center estimate losses of about $20 billion for corn, $10 billion for soybeans and $8.5 billion for wheat — with peanuts, cotton, barley, oats, grain sorghum and rice adding another $6 billion combined.Since 2023, U.S. farmers have struggled with high input costs and weak commodity prices, a squeeze economists attribute partly to the Russia-Ukraine war.But this squeeze is made worse by the loss of key export markets — particularly China.“The tariffs are creating challenges, but it’s not fair to say they are the main culprit,” Arita said. “Certainly, they are exacerbating the issue.”Arita also noted that the crop sector tends to follow trade cycles more closely than inflation trends. “[China is] not going to start buying soybeans until they get something out of these negotiations,” he said during his presentation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762051344746.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Still, the main problem remains high costs across the board — tractors, machinery, fertilizers and other inputs, many of which are imported. Although it’s too early to determine whether President Trump’s tariffs will have an effect on these prices, Arita said it’s “simple economics”: higher taxes on these products inevitably lead to higher production costs.While some farmers are expected to receive financial assistance through the Big Beautiful Bill, that support isn’t set to arrive until October 2026.This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/10/28/us-farmers-face-44-billion-in-losses-as-costs-rise-and-markets-shrink/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</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>.

US farmers face $44 billion in losses as costs rise and markets shrink

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

Legislature expanded office’s powers to examine social welfare programs

TOPEKA — The first audit under expanded powers from the Kansas inspector general’s office identified more than a dozen problems within organizations providing health care through Kansas’ Medicaid program.

The audit is just the beginning of a campaign to weed out fraud and inefficiencies within social welfare programs, following the 2025 Legislature’s approval of broadening the office’s authority to encompass oversight of cash, food&nbsp;and health assistance.

Steven Anderson, the state inspector general, presented 17 findings with accompanying recommendations based on hospital complaints about delays, discrepancies and a potential conflict of interest. He spoke to the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency at an Oct. 21 hearing.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/24654/638950012792900000" target="_blank">audit</a>&nbsp;analyzed hospital complaints from 2023 to determine whether organizations prolonged reviews, manipulated patient statuses and lacked consistency in determining post-visit levels of care. The audit also identified a potential conflict of interest within United Healthcare, one of three managed care organizations that have offered services under KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas.

The inspector general’s office, which is housed within the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, interviewed staff at six Kansas hospitals, representatives from the three KanCare managed care organizations at the time of the report, staff from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and representatives from the Kansas Hospital Association. KDHE agreed with most, but not all, of the audit’s recommendations.

The audit found that managed care organizations refused to reimburse claims that involved returns to a hospital within 30 days of the initial visit, even if the visits were unrelated.

The hospitals typically eat those costs, Anderson said.

“It’s probably incalculable how much money is lost through all this,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican.

The percentage of denied claims for hospital services across the organizations averaged 6% in 2023. However, the value of hospital service claim denials makes up a disproportionate amount of all denials.

One organization denied $1.8 billion in claims in 2023. Hospital claim denials made up 70%, or $1.3 billion, of those denials. Another denied $1.02 billion in claims, and hospital denials accounted for 69%, or $707 million. The third organization denied $1.8 billion in claims, and hospital denials accounted for 62% or $1.1 million.

Anderson said the amounts have grown larger every year.

“The reality is, if I’m going to deny claims, I’m going to look for the higher-dollar ones,” he said. “We can draw some conclusions, maybe, that they were approving the smaller-dollar ones, but the big money ones were oftentimes denied.”

The audit also found that United Healthcare used its proprietary health care criteria and billing system to judge its own claims.

“So they own the process from front to back,” Anderson said.

He said the organization “controls so much of the narrative,” and United Healthcare’s use of a system owned by one of its subsidiaries “looks bad on the surface.”

However, he acknowledged his office cannot prove United Healthcare uses its system inappropriately. KDHE said in a response in the audit that state Medicaid programs must follow certain conflict of interest provisions, “but to date, United acquiring billing and other health care companies and continuing to use those products is not a conflict per the current standards.”

The tools were used by all three contracted organizations at the time, KDHE said. Trying to restrict United Healthcare’s use of the systems and allowing other organizations to continue would create “additional dynamics.”

“These tools are widely used and accepted by healthcare providers across the nation to make medical decisions and validate claims,” KDHE said.

A spokesperson for the company said in an emailed statement: “We remain committed to transparency and accountability and will address these recommendations with our state partners, including clarifying that Change Healthcare is a division of Optum. UnitedHealthcare and Optum are separate entities and subsidiary businesses of UnitedHealth Group, which maintains strict governance policies and compliance standards to ensure that each subsidiary operates independently and in the best interest of its clients and members.”

Anderson said his office, the managed care organizations and KDHE are scheduling a meeting to discuss the audit’s findings.

“I’m thrilled to hear that,” said Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican and chairwoman of the committee.

The best solution, she said, is to get stakeholders together to sort out their differences.

“I always say, if you want the Legislature to do it, no one’s going to be happy with that fix,” she said, “so I’d rather the entities get together and work it out.”

Ultimately, the audit poses the question of whether the state’s contracts reflect what Kansans need, Erickson said.

Upcoming audits span government assistance programs, according to Anderson. One examines data sharing between the state agencies that oversee KanCare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to verify eligibility for those programs based on comparing residency, household composition and income reporting. Anderson promoted another audit that will look at what he called the pregnant women program to identify whether those accessing it qualify.

The state facilitates the Special Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children, often called WIC, which would fall under Anderson’s purview.

He said his office also plans to release audits of Kansas’ waiver programs, which assist elderly and disabled Kansans through Medicaid, and the pharmaceutical drug program, which is also operated through Medicaid.

Sen. Michael Murphy, a Republican from Sylvia in Reno County, commended Anderson’s work.

“I’m a simple guy,” Murphy said, “and I think when you find you have a hole in the fence, you shouldn’t be surprised when the cows get out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762029006382.png" alt="Kansas inspector general Steven Anderson, who spoke on Oct. 21, 2025, to the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, earned expanded authority from the 2025 Legislature to scrutinize public health, food and cash assistance programs. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature video)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas inspector general Steven Anderson, who spoke on Oct. 21, 2025, to the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, earned expanded authority from the 2025 Legislature to scrutinize public health, food and cash assistance programs. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature video)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Legislature expanded office’s powers to examine social welfare programs</h2>TOPEKA — The first audit under expanded powers from the Kansas inspector general’s office identified more than a dozen problems within organizations providing health care through Kansas’ Medicaid program.The audit is just the beginning of a campaign to weed out fraud and inefficiencies within social welfare programs, following the 2025 Legislature’s approval of broadening the office’s authority to encompass oversight of cash, food&nbsp;and health assistance.Steven Anderson, the state inspector general, presented 17 findings with accompanying recommendations based on hospital complaints about delays, discrepancies and a potential conflict of interest. He spoke to the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency at an Oct. 21 hearing.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/24654/638950012792900000" target="_blank">audit</a>&nbsp;analyzed hospital complaints from 2023 to determine whether organizations prolonged reviews, manipulated patient statuses and lacked consistency in determining post-visit levels of care. The audit also identified a potential conflict of interest within United Healthcare, one of three managed care organizations that have offered services under KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas.The inspector general’s office, which is housed within the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, interviewed staff at six Kansas hospitals, representatives from the three KanCare managed care organizations at the time of the report, staff from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and representatives from the Kansas Hospital Association. KDHE agreed with most, but not all, of the audit’s recommendations.The audit found that managed care organizations refused to reimburse claims that involved returns to a hospital within 30 days of the initial visit, even if the visits were unrelated.The hospitals typically eat those costs, Anderson said.“It’s probably incalculable how much money is lost through all this,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican.The percentage of denied claims for hospital services across the organizations averaged 6% in 2023. However, the value of hospital service claim denials makes up a disproportionate amount of all denials.One organization denied $1.8 billion in claims in 2023. Hospital claim denials made up 70%, or $1.3 billion, of those denials. Another denied $1.02 billion in claims, and hospital denials accounted for 69%, or $707 million. The third organization denied $1.8 billion in claims, and hospital denials accounted for 62% or $1.1 million.Anderson said the amounts have grown larger every year.“The reality is, if I’m going to deny claims, I’m going to look for the higher-dollar ones,” he said. “We can draw some conclusions, maybe, that they were approving the smaller-dollar ones, but the big money ones were oftentimes denied.”The audit also found that United Healthcare used its proprietary health care criteria and billing system to judge its own claims.“So they own the process from front to back,” Anderson said.He said the organization “controls so much of the narrative,” and United Healthcare’s use of a system owned by one of its subsidiaries “looks bad on the surface.”However, he acknowledged his office cannot prove United Healthcare uses its system inappropriately. KDHE said in a response in the audit that state Medicaid programs must follow certain conflict of interest provisions, “but to date, United acquiring billing and other health care companies and continuing to use those products is not a conflict per the current standards.”The tools were used by all three contracted organizations at the time, KDHE said. Trying to restrict United Healthcare’s use of the systems and allowing other organizations to continue would create “additional dynamics.”“These tools are widely used and accepted by healthcare providers across the nation to make medical decisions and validate claims,” KDHE said.A spokesperson for the company said in an emailed statement: “We remain committed to transparency and accountability and will address these recommendations with our state partners, including clarifying that Change Healthcare is a division of Optum. UnitedHealthcare and Optum are separate entities and subsidiary businesses of UnitedHealth Group, which maintains strict governance policies and compliance standards to ensure that each subsidiary operates independently and in the best interest of its clients and members.”Anderson said his office, the managed care organizations and KDHE are scheduling a meeting to discuss the audit’s findings.“I’m thrilled to hear that,” said Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican and chairwoman of the committee.The best solution, she said, is to get stakeholders together to sort out their differences.“I always say, if you want the Legislature to do it, no one’s going to be happy with that fix,” she said, “so I’d rather the entities get together and work it out.”Ultimately, the audit poses the question of whether the state’s contracts reflect what Kansans need, Erickson said.Upcoming audits span government assistance programs, according to Anderson. One examines data sharing between the state agencies that oversee KanCare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to verify eligibility for those programs based on comparing residency, household composition and income reporting. Anderson promoted another audit that will look at what he called the pregnant women program to identify whether those accessing it qualify.The state facilitates the Special Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children, often called WIC, which would fall under Anderson’s purview.He said his office also plans to release audits of Kansas’ waiver programs, which assist elderly and disabled Kansans through Medicaid, and the pharmaceutical drug program, which is also operated through Medicaid.Sen. Michael Murphy, a Republican from Sylvia in Reno County, commended Anderson’s work.“I’m a simple guy,” Murphy said, “and I think when you find you have a hole in the fence, you shouldn’t be surprised when the cows get out.”

Kansas inspector general digs into KanCare provider organizations

JEFFERSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Taurus driven by&nbsp;Stewart, Loretta L.&nbsp;Stewart, 67, Nortonville, was southbound in the northbound lane of Kansas 4 Highway just north of 62nd Street. The car struck a northbound 2019 Dodge Journey driven by Phillip A. Webster, 27, Fort Riley, head-on.

Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene and ws transported to Barnett Family Funeral Home. EMS transported Webster and passengers in the SUV including Shianne K,&nbsp;Webster, 28, and a 2-month-old girl to Stormont Vail. EMS transported a 6-month-girl in the SUV to Children's Mercy. All were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

JEFFERSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Jefferson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Taurus driven by&nbsp;Stewart, Loretta L.&nbsp;Stewart, 67, Nortonville, was southbound in the northbound lane of Kansas 4 Highway just north of 62nd Street. The car struck a northbound 2019 Dodge Journey driven by Phillip A. Webster, 27, Fort Riley, head-on.Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene and ws transported to Barnett Family Funeral Home. EMS transported Webster and passengers in the SUV including Shianne K,&nbsp;Webster, 28, and a 2-month-old girl to Stormont Vail. EMS transported a 6-month-girl in the SUV to Children's Mercy. All were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. woman dead, 2 adults and 3 children injured in head-on crash

CHAUTAUQA COUNTY, Kan.—One person died in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Saturday in&nbsp;Chautauqua County, Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy Silverado driven by Floyd E. Hull, 68, Sedan was southbound on Kansas Highway 99 approximately three miles south of Sedan.&nbsp; The driver failed to yield at U.S. 166. The pickup struck a westbound 2016 Peterbilt semi driven by Gregory L.&nbsp;Hopper, 57, Myrtle, Missouri.

Hull was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported Dickens Funeral Home. Hopper was not injured. Hull was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

CHAUTAUQA COUNTY, Kan.—One person died in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Saturday in&nbsp;Chautauqua County, Kansas.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy Silverado driven by Floyd E. Hull, 68, Sedan was southbound on Kansas Highway 99 approximately three miles south of Sedan.&nbsp; The driver failed to yield at U.S. 166. The pickup struck a westbound 2016 Peterbilt semi driven by Gregory L.&nbsp;Hopper, 57, Myrtle, Missouri.Hull was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported Dickens Funeral Home. Hopper was not injured. Hull was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Missouri driver involved in fatal pickup, semi crash

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement arrested 79 people, including five related to homicides and 15 child predators during a citywide enforcement operation last week with federal partners, according to. social media report from the Kansas City office of the FBI. The child predators have been charged.

Efforts also targeted gang members and others related to violent crime.

In total, 79 arrests, 98 federal/state/municipal warrants cleared, 69 new charges issued, plus narcotics and cash seized.

Members of KCPD’s Special Investigations Division, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Gang Enforcement Squad, Illegal Firearms Squad, Crime Gun Intelligence Center, and SWAT teams were involved.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement arrested 79 people, including five related to homicides and 15 child predators during a citywide enforcement operation last week with federal partners, according to. social media report from the Kansas City office of the FBI. The child predators have been charged.Efforts also targeted gang members and others related to violent crime.In total, 79 arrests, 98 federal/state/municipal warrants cleared, 69 new charges issued, plus narcotics and cash seized.Members of KCPD’s Special Investigations Division, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Gang Enforcement Squad, Illegal Firearms Squad, Crime Gun Intelligence Center, and SWAT teams were involved.

FBI Kansas City operation resulted in more than 6 dozen arrests

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Friday evening issued the following statement after a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued an order finding that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency funds to fund the program during the ongoing federal government shutdown. 

The Court also found that if the contingency fund cannot fully fund the program in November, then the federal government must consider other additional funding sources. The USDA has until the end of the day on Monday to let the Court know whether their plan is to partially or fully fund the SNAP program.

“The Court’s decision today makes clear that the Trump Administration has acted unlawfully in its attempt to withhold November SNAP benefits from millions of Americans, including nearly 188,000 Kansans,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program so Kansans can continue to feed themselves and their families. While this ruling is a step forward, I urge the USDA to act swiftly to comply with this order and issue November benefits to prevent 42 million Americans from going hungry.”

The order comes after&nbsp;Governor Kelly joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general, two governors, and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration for suspending SNAP benefits in a manner that is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Friday's order makes clear that USDA must use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits. The USDA must present a plan to the court by Monday, November 3, to begin issuing SNAP benefits (full or partial).

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Friday evening issued the following statement after a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued an order finding that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) must use its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency funds to fund the program during the ongoing federal government shutdown. The Court also found that if the contingency fund cannot fully fund the program in November, then the federal government must consider other additional funding sources. The USDA has until the end of the day on Monday to let the Court know whether their plan is to partially or fully fund the SNAP program.“The Court’s decision today makes clear that the Trump Administration has acted unlawfully in its attempt to withhold November SNAP benefits from millions of Americans, including nearly 188,000 Kansans,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program so Kansans can continue to feed themselves and their families. While this ruling is a step forward, I urge the USDA to act swiftly to comply with this order and issue November benefits to prevent 42 million Americans from going hungry.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/GaXZbasg6U">pic.twitter.com/GaXZbasg6U</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1984383011937534409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The order comes after&nbsp;Governor Kelly joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general, two governors, and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration for suspending SNAP benefits in a manner that is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.Friday's order makes clear that USDA must use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits. The USDA must present a plan to the court by Monday, November 3, to begin issuing SNAP benefits (full or partial).

Kan. governor comments on judge's order in SNAP benefits case

Two administrative law judges, one fired and another who had salary withheld, sued to be reinstated and fully paid. Neither prevailed in the Cole County decision.

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

An administrative law judge fired last year won’t be reinstated and another who took a pay cut while on active military duty won’t win back his lost salary, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3705777" target="_blank">Cole County judge decided</a>.

In a ruling issued Oct. 23, Circuit Judge Cotton Walker said administrative law judges, who work in the&nbsp;<a href="https://labor.mo.gov/dwc/units" target="_blank">Division of Workers’ Compensation</a>&nbsp;and hear disputes over claims, are not entitled to any more job or pay protections than any other state employee.

The decision means former state Rep. Gina Mitten of Richmond Heights, who was appointed as an administrative law judge in 2021 and fired in May 2024, will not get her job back. And Ryan Asbridge, appointed in 2019 but on active duty with the Air Force since 2021, will receive only three weeks of pay each year while away from his state duties.

Mitten and Asbridge&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/administrative-law-judges-sue-missouri-governor-for-wrongful-termination-withheld-salary/">filed the lawsuit in August 2024</a>. Andy Hirth, the attorney for Mitten and Asbridge, said they will appeal the decision.

“We basically think that the courts found in favor of the state contrary to the plain language of Missouri statutes,” Hirth said.

In the lawsuit, Mitten argued that&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=287.610&amp;bid=15119&amp;hl=" target="_blank">state law is clear</a>&nbsp;that administrative law judges can only be discharged or removed if three of&nbsp;<a href="https://boards.mo.gov/userpages/Board.aspx?35" target="_blank">five members on a review committee</a>&nbsp;vote no confidence after two successive performance audits two years apart.

Walker disagreed, pointing to&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=36.025&amp;bid=35373&amp;hl=" target="_blank">another state law</a>&nbsp;that states employees of the executive branch “may be discharged for no reason or any reason not prohibited by law.”

The law for biennial performance reviews, Walker said, “does not limit the executive branch’s appointing authority by prohibiting the unilateral termination of employment of an ALJ with or without cause.”

Around the same time division Director Pamela Lewis fired Mitten, she informed Asbridge that the department would no longer pay his entire salary of approximately $120,000 a year while he was deployed with the Air Force. Asbridge had received approximately $335,000 in pay while away from his state duties.

Asbridge received no other payments after he received a new deployment in June 2024 until after Oct. 1, 2024, the start of the federal fiscal year, when the state paid him salary for three weeks.

In the lawsuit, Asbridge argued that because his salary is set by statute, the state must pay him regardless of hours worked. The lawsuit cited an attorney general’s opinion from 1998.&nbsp;

Walker, however, ruled that Asbridge’s pay status is&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=105.270&amp;bid=5552&amp;hl=" target="_blank">governed by a law</a>&nbsp;that allows 120 hours of pay for employees and officers of the state on leave to perform active duty with the National Guard or other armed forces.

“Asbridge is entitled to 120 hours, or three weeks’ pay, per federal fiscal year during his&nbsp;leave of absence for military duties,” Walker wrote. The department “could pay him more, up to his full salary, but the law does not require this of (the department).”

Mitten, a Democrat, was a member of the Missouri House from 2013 to 2021. She is seeking nomination for the state Senate in the 4th District in 2026.

Asbridge, who is listed among the&nbsp;<a href="https://labor.mo.gov/dwc/injured-workers/administrative-law-judges" target="_blank">26 administrative law judges</a>, remains on active duty and has received orders extending his service to at least August 2026, Hirth said.

The decision, if it stands, has implications for every executive branch employee, he said.

“The language of that ruling is so broad,” Hirth said, “that if that is right, then the governor of Missouri can fire any employee from any commission including the Missouri Ethics Commission, Administrative Hearing Commission or anywhere.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759143619646.jpeg" alt="-The Cole County Courthouse in downtown Jefferson City&nbsp;(Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>-The Cole County Courthouse in downtown Jefferson City&nbsp;(Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Two administrative law judges, one fired and another who had salary withheld, sued to be reinstated and fully paid. Neither prevailed in the Cole County decision.</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">Rudi Keller</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>An administrative law judge fired last year won’t be reinstated and another who took a pay cut while on active military duty won’t win back his lost salary, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3705777" target="_blank">Cole County judge decided</a>.In a ruling issued Oct. 23, Circuit Judge Cotton Walker said administrative law judges, who work in the&nbsp;<a href="https://labor.mo.gov/dwc/units" target="_blank">Division of Workers’ Compensation</a>&nbsp;and hear disputes over claims, are not entitled to any more job or pay protections than any other state employee.The decision means former state Rep. Gina Mitten of Richmond Heights, who was appointed as an administrative law judge in 2021 and fired in May 2024, will not get her job back. And Ryan Asbridge, appointed in 2019 but on active duty with the Air Force since 2021, will receive only three weeks of pay each year while away from his state duties.Mitten and Asbridge&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/administrative-law-judges-sue-missouri-governor-for-wrongful-termination-withheld-salary/">filed the lawsuit in August 2024</a>. Andy Hirth, the attorney for Mitten and Asbridge, said they will appeal the decision.“We basically think that the courts found in favor of the state contrary to the plain language of Missouri statutes,” Hirth said.In the lawsuit, Mitten argued that&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=287.610&amp;bid=15119&amp;hl=" target="_blank">state law is clear</a>&nbsp;that administrative law judges can only be discharged or removed if three of&nbsp;<a href="https://boards.mo.gov/userpages/Board.aspx?35" target="_blank">five members on a review committee</a>&nbsp;vote no confidence after two successive performance audits two years apart.Walker disagreed, pointing to&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=36.025&amp;bid=35373&amp;hl=" target="_blank">another state law</a>&nbsp;that states employees of the executive branch “may be discharged for no reason or any reason not prohibited by law.”The law for biennial performance reviews, Walker said, “does not limit the executive branch’s appointing authority by prohibiting the unilateral termination of employment of an ALJ with or without cause.”Around the same time division Director Pamela Lewis fired Mitten, she informed Asbridge that the department would no longer pay his entire salary of approximately $120,000 a year while he was deployed with the Air Force. Asbridge had received approximately $335,000 in pay while away from his state duties.Asbridge received no other payments after he received a new deployment in June 2024 until after Oct. 1, 2024, the start of the federal fiscal year, when the state paid him salary for three weeks.In the lawsuit, Asbridge argued that because his salary is set by statute, the state must pay him regardless of hours worked. The lawsuit cited an attorney general’s opinion from 1998.&nbsp;Walker, however, ruled that Asbridge’s pay status is&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=105.270&amp;bid=5552&amp;hl=" target="_blank">governed by a law</a>&nbsp;that allows 120 hours of pay for employees and officers of the state on leave to perform active duty with the National Guard or other armed forces.“Asbridge is entitled to 120 hours, or three weeks’ pay, per federal fiscal year during his&nbsp;leave of absence for military duties,” Walker wrote. The department “could pay him more, up to his full salary, but the law does not require this of (the department).”Mitten, a Democrat, was a member of the Missouri House from 2013 to 2021. She is seeking nomination for the state Senate in the 4th District in 2026.Mitten could not be reached for comment.Asbridge, who is listed among the&nbsp;<a href="https://labor.mo.gov/dwc/injured-workers/administrative-law-judges" target="_blank">26 administrative law judges</a>, remains on active duty and has received orders extending his service to at least August 2026, Hirth said.The decision, if it stands, has implications for every executive branch employee, he said.“The language of that ruling is so broad,” Hirth said, “that if that is right, then the governor of Missouri can fire any employee from any commission including the Missouri Ethics Commission, Administrative Hearing Commission or anywhere.”

Court rules Missouri can fire workers’ compensation judges like other state employees

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law weekend, an off duty Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper reported a possible drunk driver, according to a social media report from the KHP.

 Master Trooper Bales located the vehicle near 10th and Laurel in Independence. While he was observing the vehicle he heard a possible gunshot. Master Trooper Bales and Independence Police pulled in behind the vehicle. The driver had negligently discharged the pistol while trying to unload it.

 He was also found to be under the influence of alcohol (.151 almost twice the legal limit if he was 21) and in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. He also trafficked contraband into the Montgomery County Jail, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761856484453.png" alt="Photos KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photos KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law weekend, an off duty Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper reported a possible drunk driver, according to a social media report from the KHP. Master Trooper Bales located the vehicle near 10th and Laurel in Independence. While he was observing the vehicle he heard a possible gunshot. Master Trooper Bales and Independence Police pulled in behind the vehicle. The driver had negligently discharged the pistol while trying to unload it.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761856440954.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> He was also found to be under the influence of alcohol (.151 almost twice the legal limit if he was 21) and in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. He also trafficked contraband into the Montgomery County Jail, according to the KHP.

KHP: Drunken driver fired gun just before traffic stop 

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a business burglary and asking the public for help&nbsp;to identify the suspects shown on security cameras, according KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

The burglary occurred just after 2:30p.m. October 19,&nbsp; in the area of 12th Street and Broadway Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri.

If you can identify the suspects, please contact the Central Patrol Property Crimes Section at 816- 413-3430 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761947486285.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a business burglary and asking the public for help&nbsp;to identify the suspects shown on security cameras, according KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.The burglary occurred just after 2:30p.m. October 19,&nbsp; in the area of 12th Street and Broadway Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri.If you can identify the suspects, please contact the Central Patrol Property Crimes Section at 816- 413-3430 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Police ask for help to ID Kansas City burglary suspects

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761957209962.png" alt="President Trump spoke to reporters upon arrival Palm Beach, Florida on Friday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Trump spoke to reporters upon arrival Palm Beach, Florida on Friday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/GaXZbasg6U">pic.twitter.com/GaXZbasg6U</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1984383011937534409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump: It will be my honor to fund SNAP if ....

HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office has received confirmation as to the identity of human remains found in southeastern Harvey County on Oct. 1, according to a media release.

The individual was identified as Robert F. Williams, 35, of Wichita.

Williams’ identity was confirmed through DNA testing with living relatives conducted by the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center. The Ninth District Coroner’s Office assisted in the investigation.

Human remains later attributed to Williams were discovered in a hay field by a farmer in the 3000 block of South Hillside Road on Oct. 1. Information identifying Williams was not found at the scene.

The farmstead is southeast of Newton. It is unknown why Williams was in the area where he was found. It is suspected he died in the summer. No foul play is suspected in Williams’ death. No further investigation is anticipated.

HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office has begun an investigation after human remains were found southeast of Newton.

Emergency personnel were dispatched around noon to the 3000 block of South Hillside Road after a farmer discovered the remains in a hay field.

The cause of death nor the identity of the individual have been determined. The Harvey County Coroner’s Office is assisting in the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759358345093.png" alt="Google Map" />
 <figcaption>Google Map</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office has received confirmation as to the identity of human remains found in southeastern Harvey County on Oct. 1, according to a media release.The individual was identified as Robert F. Williams, 35, of Wichita.Williams’ identity was confirmed through DNA testing with living relatives conducted by the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center. The Ninth District Coroner’s Office assisted in the investigation.Human remains later attributed to Williams were discovered in a hay field by a farmer in the 3000 block of South Hillside Road on Oct. 1. Information identifying Williams was not found at the scene.The farmstead is southeast of Newton. It is unknown why Williams was in the area where he was found. It is suspected he died in the summer. No foul play is suspected in Williams’ death. No further investigation is anticipated.-----------------HARVEY COUNTY —The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office has begun an investigation after human remains were found southeast of Newton.Emergency personnel were dispatched around noon to the 3000 block of South Hillside Road after a farmer discovered the remains in a hay field.The cause of death nor the identity of the individual have been determined. The Harvey County Coroner’s Office is assisting in the investigation.

Sheriff confirms identity of body found in rural Kan. hay field

By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Boston ruled Friday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan to pause a food assistance program for 42 million people was illegal — but gave the Trump administration until Monday to respond to her finding before she decides on a motion to force the benefits be paid despite the ongoing government shutdown.

At nearly the same time Friday, a Rhode Island federal judge in a similar case brought by cities and nonprofit groups ordered USDA to continue payments and granted a request for a temporary restraining order.

In Massachusetts, in a Friday afternoon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71783393/26/commonwealth-of-massachusetts-v-united-states-department-of-agriculture/" target="_blank">order</a>, District Court of Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani said she would continue to take “under advisement” a coalition of Democratic states’ request to force the release of funds from a contingency account holding about $6 billion.

Her ruling came a day before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-double-whammy-snap-food-benefits-ending-and-federal-workers-go-unpaid" target="_blank">a cutoff of&nbsp;</a>Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to low-income households.

Because Congress is locked in a stalemate over a stopgap spending bill and did not appropriate money for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, administration officials say the program cannot provide federal funds beginning Saturday. In states, SNAP benefits are loaded onto cards on varying dates, but the cutoff would be effective for November benefits.

Talwani, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, called the administration’s conclusion it can’t provide SNAP funding “erroneous,” and said the reserve fund was sufficient for SNAP benefits to flow to states and the vendors that add money to debit-like cards issued to the program’s beneficiaries that are used to purchase groceries.&nbsp;

The law creating the program mandated that benefits continue, she said.

“Defendants are statutorily mandated to use the previously appropriated SNAP contingency reserve when necessary and also have discretion to use other previously appropriated funds,” Talwani wrote.

Talwani ordered the administration to say by Monday whether it would provide at least partial benefits for November.

By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Boston ruled Friday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan to pause a food assistance program for 42 million people was illegal — but gave the Trump administration until Monday to respond to her finding before she decides on a motion to force the benefits be paid despite the ongoing government shutdown.At nearly the same time Friday, a Rhode Island federal judge in a similar case brought by cities and nonprofit groups ordered USDA to continue payments and granted a request for a temporary restraining order.In Massachusetts, in a Friday afternoon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71783393/26/commonwealth-of-massachusetts-v-united-states-department-of-agriculture/" target="_blank">order</a>, District Court of Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani said she would continue to take “under advisement” a coalition of Democratic states’ request to force the release of funds from a contingency account holding about $6 billion.Her ruling came a day before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-double-whammy-snap-food-benefits-ending-and-federal-workers-go-unpaid" target="_blank">a cutoff of&nbsp;</a>Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to low-income households.Because Congress is locked in a stalemate over a stopgap spending bill and did not appropriate money for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, administration officials say the program cannot provide federal funds beginning Saturday. In states, SNAP benefits are loaded onto cards on varying dates, but the cutoff would be effective for November benefits.Talwani, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, called the administration’s conclusion it can’t provide SNAP funding “erroneous,” and said the reserve fund was sufficient for SNAP benefits to flow to states and the vendors that add money to debit-like cards issued to the program’s beneficiaries that are used to purchase groceries.&nbsp;The law creating the program mandated that benefits continue, she said.“Defendants are statutorily mandated to use the previously appropriated SNAP contingency reserve when necessary and also have discretion to use other previously appropriated funds,” Talwani wrote.Talwani ordered the administration to say by Monday whether it would provide at least partial benefits for November.The 25 states that sued were Massachusetts, California, Arizona, Minnesota, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington state, Wisconsin Kansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The District of Columbia also sued.&nbsp;In Rhode Island, where the judge granted a temporary restraining order, the advocacy group Democracy Forward, which was among those bringing the suit, praised the move.“A federal court today granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful effort to halt the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown,” the group said. &nbsp;“The decision ensures that millions of children, seniors, veterans, and families will continue to receive essential food assistance while the case proceeds.”The judge in that case, John James McConnell Jr., said the administration’s actions violated a key federal administrative law against arbitrary and capricious executive action and federal spending laws “by disregarding Congress’s direction that SNAP must continue operating,” Democracy Forward said.McConnell also was appointed by Obama.