The Missouri State Highway Patrol is encouraging the public to prioritize safety and responsible decision-making during this year’s New Year’s celebrations. 

With the goal of preventing traffic crashes and DWI arrests, officials remind Missourians that the choices made behind the wheel directly impact the safety of everyone on the road.

Statistics from the 2024 - 2025 holiday period underscore the importance of these warnings: during that timeframe, Missouri saw 264 traffic crashes resulting in 118 injuries and one fatality.

The 2026 New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m., Dec. 31, and will conclude at 11:59 p.m., Jan. 1, 2026. 

For those whose holiday plans involve alcohol, Sgt. Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph, says, "Plan ahead and have a designated, sober driver."

To further ensure a safe arrival, travelers are reminded to wear seatbelts and ensure all passengers are buckled up.

Additionally, drivers should remain mindful that Missouri is now a hands-free state. Motorists are urged to stay focused, obey all traffic laws, and yield the right-of-way when necessary.

Due to ongoing road construction across the state, the Patrol suggests using the MoDOT Traveler Information Map to plan routes in advance.

Missouri State Highway Patrol urges safe driving for New Year’s holiday

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Tuesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Chevy S10 driven by a 42-year-old Bethany woman was southbound on U.S. 69 four miles north of Bethany. The pickup traveled off the west side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle began to skid across the road, traveled off the east side of the road, and struck multiple metal objects.

Life Flight Eagle transported the driver to Truman Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman air lifted to hospital after violent pickup crash

(Radio Iowa) - If you plan to make a New Year's resolution Wednesday night, you may need to genuinely focus on making the change in order to keep the pledge. 

Alison Phillips, a psychology professor at Iowa State University, says our approach to making resolutions usually sets us up for failure. Phillips, who studies behavior change and habit formation, says to focus on how to make changes that will lead to creating a better version of yourself. Zero in on things you can become good at and that you see yourself doing and take pride in, she says, as those are the kinds of things people won't give up on.

Phillips says studies find 80-percent of resolutions fail by the second week of February.

ISU expert explains why we fail at most New Year’s resolutions, and how to succeed

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 1, Iowans caught handling a smartphone while driving could face a $170 ticket, a total that includes the fine, court fees, and additional charges.

While the law officially took effect July 1, law enforcement officers have spent the last six months issuing warnings rather than citations to allow for a transition period. According to Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla, state troopers had issued approximately 10,000 warnings by the end of November.

Brett Tjepkes, chief of the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, noted that Iowa modeled its "soft rollout" after other states with similar "hands-free" laws. To support this educational phase, his agency printed 60,000 information cards to help motorists understand the new restrictions.

The educational cards were distributed at every rest area and driver’s license station across the state, and law enforcement officers have also been handing them out during traffic stops.

Hands Off: Iowa’s $170 distracted driving fines start this Thursday

The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) on Monday announced that all 50 states will receive awards under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative established under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation (Public Law 119-21) to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities across the country, according to a statement from CMS.&nbsp;

In 2026, states will receive first-year awards from CMS averaging $200 million within a range of $147 million to $281 million. Missouri will receive&nbsp;$216,276,818, Kansas&nbsp;$221,898,008.

&nbsp;This unprecedented federal investment will help states expand access to care in rural communities, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize rural facilities and technology, and support innovative models that bring high-quality, dependable care closer to home.&nbsp;

“More than 60 million Americans living in rural areas have the right to equal access to quality care,”&nbsp;said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This historic investment puts local hospitals, clinics, and health workers in control of their communities’ healthcare. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, rural Americans will now have affordable healthcare close to home, free from bureaucratic obstacles.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Today marks an extraordinary milestone for rural health in America,”&nbsp;said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “Thanks to Congress establishing this investment and President Trump for his leadership, states are stepping forward with bold, creative plans to expand rural access, strengthen their workforces, modernize care, and support the communities that keep our nation running. CMS is proud to partner with every state to turn their ideas into lasting improvements for rural families.”

A Nationwide Commitment to Strengthen Rural Health Care

The Rural Health Transformation Program is a national commitment to improving the health and well-being of rural communities across the country. With this funding, states will implement comprehensive strategies to improve care delivery, support providers, and advance new approaches to coordinating health care services across rural communities. Across the country, many states are planning efforts that will:

States will advance Make Rural America Healthy Again goals by expanding preventive, primary, maternal, and behavioral health services and creating new access points that bring care closer to home and help preserve strong local health systems. Many states are implementing evidence-based, outcomes-driven strategies—such as physical fitness and nutrition programs, food-as-medicine initiatives, and chronic disease prevention models—to address root causes of diseases and manage chronic conditions. States will also strengthen rural emergency care through improved emergency medical services (EMS) communication, treat-in-place options, and coordinated transfers.

States will support clinical workforce training, residencies, recruitment and retention incentives, and new pathways that help students begin health care careers in their own communities. States are also investing in programs to train and support the existing clinical workforce and build futures close to home.&nbsp;

Investments will modernize rural facilities and equipment; strengthen cybersecurity and interoperability; and expand telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and digital tools that enable timely access to care. States are also exploring the use of technology such as AI scribes and clinical workflow improvement tools to reduce burdens on clinicians.&nbsp;

States will prioritize streamlining operations, empowering providers to enhance coordination of care and resources, and building partnerships across the state with the goal of keeping care local. This includes establishing specialized hub-and-spoke models, rural regional centers of excellence, comprehensive data-sharing platforms, and rural clinically integrated networks.

States will test new primary care and value-based care models, strengthen partnerships among rural and other providers, and promote regional collaboration that improves health sustainability and patient outcomes.

The Rural Health Transformation Program’s $50 billion in funds will be allocated to approved states over five years, with $10 billion available each year from 2026 through 2030. As directed by Public Law 119-21:

CMS made funding awards to all 50 states.&nbsp;

Missouri secures $221 Million in 2026 from Rural Healthcare Transformation Fund

The fund held $5.8 billion, a record, at the end of June 2023. Without changes to the budget, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick warns, the money will all be gone by June 2028

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>

Missouri’s budget faces a fiscal cliff by mid-2028 when accumulated surpluses will be depleted, state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said in a report released Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2025101&amp;token=0111925473" target="_blank">analyzing spending trends</a>&nbsp;since 2000.

The report, following soon after revenue projections estimating general revenue will be&nbsp;$400 million less than expected, warns that a recession could deplete the surplus even faster, by the end of fiscal 2027.

“The time is now to make the tough decisions that will prevent drastic, emergency budget cuts from being necessary in the months and years ahead,” Fitzpatrick said in a news release.&nbsp;

Fitzpatrick, the auditor since 2023, was previously chairman of the House Budget Committee. When he was a lawmaker, from 2013 to 2019, state revenues were tight and often subject to large cuts when growth was sluggish.

Few current legislators have experienced shrinking budgets, Fitzpatrick said.

“Many current legislators have only been in office during these last few years during which strong economic growth and a huge influx of federal money have made hard budget decisions unnecessary,” Fitzpatrick said. “But they’re about to face the challenge of crafting a budget in the face of slowing revenue growth and reduced federal funding.“

Gov. Mike Kehoe on Jan. 13 will deliver his budget proposal for fiscal 2027. When he released the reduced revenue estimate on Dec. 17, Kehoe warned of a tight budget coming and a need to limit new spending.

There will be upward pressure on the general revenue fund from changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/26/medicaid-snap-cuts-could-create-a-massive-hole-in-missouri-budget-cost-thousands-of-jobs/">shared federal programs</a>&nbsp;and spending from soon-to-be-depleted funds that substitute for general revenue. At the same time, the estimate shows, there will be downward pressure on revenues due to the bill eliminating the state income tax on&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/10/capital-gains-exemption-and-motor-vehicle-fee-hike-bills-signed-by-missouri-governor/">capital gains</a>&nbsp;pushed through by Republicans in Missouri and changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/02/proposed-federal-tax-changes-could-mean-170m-or-more-cut-to-missouri-state-revenues/">federal tax code</a>&nbsp;pushed through by Republicans in Congress.

The budget for fiscal 2026, which ends on June 30, projects general revenue spending on state operations at $15 billion, with another $725 million appropriated for building projects. General revenue receipts for the year should be about $13.15 billion, a decline of 2.1% over fiscal 2025, according to the estimate released Dec. 17.

If the estimate is correct, it would be the fourth consecutive year when state revenues&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/17/missouri-tax-revenues-declining-in-first-months-of-fiscal-year-raising-concerns/">lag behind inflation</a>&nbsp;and the first time revenues have declined year-over-year outside of a recession or COVID-impacted fiscal 2020.

Previous estimates had projected revenue growth for the year.

The Dec. 17 estimate forecasts growing revenues in the coming budget year, and Fitzpatrick used the 25-year average of year-over-year growth to project further.

Fitzpatrick said if lawmakers add nothing to the current budget for three years, and the revenue estimate is accurate, the general revenue fund balance, which reached a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/30/missouri-surplus-peaking-at-8-billion-as-governor-prepares-to-act-on-state-budget/">record $5.8 billion</a>&nbsp;on June 30, 2023, will be depleted before fiscal 2028 ends on June 30, 2028.

The general revenue fund balance was $3.4 billion at the end of November. The state will be about $370 million short in fiscal 2028, Fitzpatrick’s report projects.

If a recession hits and Missouri experiences a repetition of the worst decline this century, Fitzpatrick said, the balance will be depleted as much as a year earlier. The gap between revenue and spending could reach $3.8 billion, the report states.

“Economic trends are unpredictable and we need to make sure Missouri is ready to face any challenge,” he said.

Spending has exceeded revenues in each year since fiscal 2023, with the surplus providing the difference. The surplus was accumulated by replacing state funds with federal COVID-19 pandemic aid and year-over-year revenue windfalls due to inflation and rapid wage growth.

In a statement issued Monday afternoon, House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, said Fitzpatrick’s projection is not surprising.

“His analysis confirms what I have said both in private and public comments over the past year about the long-term condition of the state budget,” Deaton said. “Specifically, the concern about a structural deficit created when ongoing general revenue spending exceeds what the state collects within a given fiscal year.”

Keeping spending flat into future years will be difficult. This year’s state budget includes about $1.2 billion in spending from non-general revenue funds that will be depleted at the end of the fiscal year. Department budget requests have identified&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/09/missouri-public-schools-medicaid-need-1-billion-more-to-continue-current-programs/">about $1 billion in spending</a>&nbsp;in just a handful of large items that must come from general revenue for programs to continue at their current level.

“There are certainly significant mandatory increases that we’re going to have to deal with,” state Budget Director Dan Haug said in an interview with The Independent earlier this month.

Fitzpatrick’s report notes that Missouri has a budget reserve fund holding about $900 million but that it cannot be used to cover shortfalls except in an emergency.

The report does not address whether other funds, holding about $2.5 billion for major projects, should be recaptured for general revenue. It also does not estimate the potential impact of future tax cuts in law and being proposed.

Ongoing expenses have increased for public education, increased payments to medical and mental health providers and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/09/missouri-state-employee-pay-raise-advances-with-vote-on-spending-bill/">state employee payrolls</a>. The budget has also been increased by lawmakers sprinkling hundreds of millions in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/30/missouri-governor-hits-earmarks-with-veto-pen-as-he-signs-state-budget/">earmarked projects</a>&nbsp;into spending bills to fund local needs or help favored organizations.&nbsp;

State lawmakers asked by The Independent about the budget said they expect cuts in a number of programs when Kehoe presents his plan.

State Rep. Jeff Vernetti, a Republican from Camdenton on the House Budget Committee, said decreasing revenues will force spending reductions.

“I think every single department across the state, every single area, needs to be looked at so that Missouri can not have a crisis on its hands.”

State Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said Republicans are facing the impact of policies that put tax cuts ahead of state obligations.

The capital gains tax cut will reduce revenue by $500 million but Republicans, when it passed, insisted it was closer to $110 million annually.

“I do not understand how they think outcomes in this state will change when they continue to blow holes in our budget through things like the elimination of the capital gains tax,” Fogle said.

State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, echoed Fogle’s criticism of GOP tax policies. Additional costly tax cuts for top earners are already in state law, she said.

“Because of the decisions of Republican politicians to give tax cuts to the most wealthy, fundamental state services are going to suffer,” Nurrenbern said.

Reducing ongoing programs now will protect future budgets from cuts, Fitzpatrick said in the news release.

“The longer Missouri waits to take action,” Fitzpatrick said, “the harder this exercise will become.”

Missouri auditor warns of vanishing state general revenue surplus as spending rises

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that ten people died in traffic crashes over the 2025 Christmas holiday. 

The counting period began at 6 p.m. Dec. 24, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 28.

In addition to the fatalities, troopers responded to 258 total crashes and 94 injuries. The Patrol&nbsp; also remained active in enforcement, making 93 arrests for driving while intoxicated over the long weekend.

The fatalities were reported across several regions of the state. These incidents occurred in areas patrolled by Troop A in Lee’s Summit, Troop B in Macon, Troop C in St. Charles, Troop E in Poplar Bluff, Troop G in Willow Springs, and Troop H in St. Joseph.

The 2025 totals were higher than the previous year, which saw only three deaths. However, it was noted the couting

10 dead, 93 arrested in Missouri holiday traffic

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/tyler-kirwan/">Tyler Kirwan</a>

Contracts are in place for a project that will test the wastewater of public schools in Missouri for signs of fentanyl and other drug use.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety has been negotiating with Mighty Good Solutions DBA Stercus Bioanalytics, and the Missouri-based company is now the contractor on a $7 million statewide project.

The project is planned to test the wastewater of 12 schools around Missouri for drug use and was touted by Gov. Mike Kehoe in January.

“In an effort to identify areas of high fentanyl use in schools across the state, we are including $4 million in investment for fentanyl testing in wastewater systems at schools,” Kehoe said during his first State of the State address in January.

An additional $3 million was allocated to the project to fund wastewater testing involving law enforcement efforts. The project was then moved from the Missouri Department of Health and Human services to the Department of Public Safety, Mike O’Connell, public safety communications director, said in an email.

“I believe that at that point, the decision was made to move the whole program to DPS,” O’Connell said.

Last month, Missouri school superintendents received emails asking them to notify the agency if they are interested in enrolling in the wastewater test program, O’Connell said.

In the email sent to superintendents and obtained by the Missourian, the program is said to include ongoing weekly testing that will provide insights into short- and long-term trends.

“Through the collection of one small wastewater sample per week, schools will receive near real-time insights into local substance misuse trends at no cost and with no additional responsibilities for your staff,” said Mark James, director of the Department of Public Safety in the email.

The project dates are not yet set, but the email asks that superintendents request inclusion in the program by this week, adding that the data from the testing may be used to shape initiatives that attempt to counteract drug use.

Opioid overdose is the leading cause of death for those aged 18 to 44 in Missouri, according to the Health and Human Services website.

The project had received $2 million in funding from former Gov. Mike Parson in his 2025 budget. No wastewater testing in schools has taken place yet.

The company in charge of testing, Mighty Good Solutions, says on their website, “By analyzing wastewater for specific biomarkers, we provide governments with powerful tools to detect narcotics prevalence, understand usage patterns, and identify trends — all through anonymous, macro-level data.”

Plans for testing don’t give specific details on how the Department of Public Safety will use the data to help combat opioid usage. Other states have been in conversations with the same company, and Mississippi lawmakers are currently considering them for wastewater testing.

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/contractors-selected-for-fentanyl-testing-in-school-wastewater/article_a72ac90b-b955-4643-afe9-ab4b48097fab.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>.&nbsp;

Contractors selected for fentanyl testing in Missouri school wastewater

Falls from tree stands have surpassed firearm-related incidents as the leading cause of injury for deer hunters, according to a recent national study. While environmental factors and equipment failure play a role, experts say human error is a primary driver of these accidents.

Megan Anderson, an injury prevention coordinator at Emplify Health by Gundersen, noted that while bad weather and faulty stand construction contribute to falls, many incidents occur simply because a hunter loses their balance while perched on the platform.

To mitigate these risks, Anderson recommends that all hunters wear a full-body harness. Safety advocates emphasize that a harness can provide a critical fail-safe for those positioned on wooden platforms high above the ground.

The safety warning comes as several deer hunting seasons remain active, with some set to run through Jan. 25. The risk is widespread, as statistics show that 80% of firearm hunters and 90% of bow hunters utilize tree stands during the season.

Study: Tree stand falls now leading cause of deer hunting injuries

DEKALB COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Sunday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 GMC Envoy driven by a 36-year-old Maysville man was southbound on MO 33 just south of Maysville. The SUV struck a patch of ice, traveled off the west side of the road and rolled.

A private vehicle transported the driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man hospitalized in St. Joe after SUV rolls on the ice

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Ford F150 driven by a 47-year-old Stanberry man was westbound on U.S. 136 three miles east of Conception Junction. The driver lost control on the snow covered road. The pickup traveled off the north side of the road and rolled.

Grand River EMS transported the driver to Mosaic in Maryville. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man injured after rollover crash in the snow

March corn closed down 1 3/4 cents per bushel at $4.40 1/2 and May closed down 2 1/4 cents per bushel at $4.48 1/2. January soybeans closed down 3 1/4 cents at $10.46 1/4 and March soybeans were down 1 1/4 cents at $10.62 1/4. March KC wheat closed down 5 1/4 cents at $5.22, March Chicago wheat was down 2 1/4 cents at $5.10 3/4 and March Minneapolis wheat was down 0.01 cents at $5.785.

Corn and wheat continued to build on Monday's surprising weakness while soybeans traded both sides before fading and were unaffected by a new flash sale to China and rumors of more in the works. Soybean product markets were mixed in quiet trade.

Following Monday's weaker close, the live cattle complex was higher as traders remain optimistic about the year to come. As we know now more than ever, managing risk remains a critical part of the cattle business and volatility is always looming; but there's still much to be excited about in the cattle sector as the calendar looks ahead to 2026. Still no developments have surfaced in the fed cash cattle market.

Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $0.82 ($348.51) and select up $0.06 ($345.68) with a movement of 93 loads (63.14 loads of choice, 11.25 loads of select, 9.65 loads of trim and 8.83 loads of ground beef).

Upon seeing the live cattle complex trading higher, the feeder cattle contracts have elected to up their game as most of the contracts were trading $2.00 to $3.00 higher into Tuesday's close. The market has plenty of upward potential as the contracts have already broken through the resistance at the 100-day moving average.

The lean hog complex was also higher as traders are no longer up against immediate resistance pressure and the contracts were feeling some spillover support from the cattle sectors' ambitious trade activity.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/30140107/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

Since 2020, AgriBusiness Global has developed a yearly forecast of key events likely to impact global agriculture and agribusiness in the year ahead. Among the top forecasts for 2026 are input prices staying flat or increasing as suppliers compete for farm purchases. They also said China’s economy will continue to be challenged as the country’s enormous pesticide manufacturing capacity continues to drive margin erosion globally. While this is a positive for end-users of crop inputs, profitability for the supply channel remains challenging. Agro-industry “stagflation” is expected to continue into next year. 

Flat global demand in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific nations is being driven by aging, shrinking populations, and in the U.S., especially, food consumption may drop because of the increasing use of obesity drugs and the Make America Healthy Again program. The energy outlook will remain positive, except where political taxes play a role. 

Ag forecasts for 2026

The Federal Communications Commission recently blacklisted all new foreign-made drones and components due to concerns that the foreign equipment is an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security. Reports said the technology is on the Commission’s “Covered List,” barring foreign drone manufacturers from receiving the FCC’s approval to sell new drone models for import or sale into the U.S. Reports say, the ban’s timing hurts as many farmers are financially struggling because of high production costs, which makes the precise application of crop protection products and fertilizers especially important. 

Most precision agriculture is increasingly accomplished through using drones. “Foreign-manufactured drones represent a significant majority of the agricultural drone market, and sudden restrictions on their use without sufficient domestic alternatives would add new financial burdens on already over-stressed farmers,” the American Soybean Association said in a statement. The FCC said the ban won’t ground the thousands of already deployed unmanned aircraft in the U.S.

Drone ban could impact farmers 

Corn futures were higher, with trade pressing back toward the next level of nearby resistance with flat to soft spread action in a quiet session into the break. Ethanol margins are seeing a little pressure from corn gains as unleaded remains at the lower end of the range. Basis will likely remain steady to softer into the holiday weeks.

Soybean futures were higher, with meal leading the product complex heading into the break as we continue to ease oversold conditions. South American weather looks to remain mostly good into the end of the months with key growing areas in the best shape. Basis will likely remain soft into the end of the year.

Wheat futures were higher, with winter wheats leading again as KC pushes back past nearby resistance this morning and Chicago gets closer to testing its resistance as well. Southern Hemisphere harvest will start heading to the homestretch soon. Weather for the Plains looks to cool a little from the weekend with short term moisture remaining limited. On the KC March chart, support is the 20-day moving average at $5.23, which we are consolidating above, with resistance the Upper Bollinger Band at $5.40.

The live cattle complex is traded mostly lower into Wednesday's closing bell as traders had mostly checked out ahead of the holiday. And with the market's 100-day moving average still remaining a barrier, which the complex has yet to be able to challenge, a lower trend is most likely to remain the market's theme through the week's end. A few bids are currently on the table in the fed cash cattle market, but nothing sizeable has developed following Tuesday's light trade. On Tuesday, there was some light trade noted in the North at $356 to $357, which is steady to $1.00 lower than last week's weighted average, and some Southern live cattle traded at $229, which is $2.00 higher than last week's weighted average. Some light clean up trade could happen between now and Friday, but this week's trade isn't expected to amount to much.

While the live cattle complex traded mostly lower, the feeder cattle contracts moved the opposite direction of the live cattle market and traded mostly higher for the bulk of the session but faded to end narrowly mixed into the day's closing bell. It's quite impressive that the feeder cattle complex has been able to maintain its position above the market's 100-day moving average without much support from the live cattle complex.

The lean hog complex was again trading lower into Wednesday's close, after seeing the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, and with the holiday sluggishness setting in. It's likely that the market will look for reassurance fundamentally again before it challenges the resistance at $90.00.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/24124738/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity market daily recap

Congressional Republicans plan to revive stalled farm bill negotiations in January after failing to pass a new measure by year’s end, extending uncertainty for farmers facing high costs, inflation and trade disruptions. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson said he hopes to schedule a committee markup ahead of a Jan. 30 funding deadline, though he acknowledged it may be difficult to attach the bill to must-pass spending legislation. The delay means Congress will enter a third year without updating major agriculture policy. Lawmakers remain divided over whether a traditional five-year farm bill is still achievable. 

Thompson and Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman say progress remains possible, even in an election year. But some policy experts are skeptical, noting recent budget legislation sharply expanded farm subsidies while cutting food assistance, weakening the longstanding political link between the two. Congress extended the 2018 farm bill for another year in November, giving lawmakers until Sept. 30, 2026, to enact a replacement.

Lawmakers divided on whether farm bill can be passed in 2026

Two railroad companies submitted a comprehensive application to the Surface Transportation Board requesting approval to combine two major freight railroads into what would be the first transcontinental railroad in America. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern filed the request late last week, representing what could be a landmark development in the U.S. They’re proposing to create a unified rail network across the nation from coast to coast. 

Reports say that the almost 7,000-page application gives a specific explanation on how the combination would enhance competition throughout the freight industry while delivering public benefits to their customers, employees, and communities across the country. The merger agreement, which outlines that Union Pacific is acquiring Norfolk Southern, was put in place on July 29, 2025, setting the stage for the regulatory application. The move isn’t without critics, as it has drawn opposition from trade groups, unions representing engineers and track workers, and rival carrier BNSF.

Historic rail merger application filed

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

Tuesday was, as expected, another very quiet session across row-crop futures, with markets falling from early day gains amid a lack of volume required to build momentum to break through technical ceilings. Another round of solid export data from USDA, this time for the week ended Dec. 11 offered some strength, which was countered by at least a temporary unwinding of some of the surge seen in vegetable oil markets on Monday, specifically canola and soybean oil. Palm oil futures in the meanwhile remained sharply higher. Outside markets for Tuesday saw higher equity markets after U.S. third quarter GDP was reported well above expectations and the highest quarterly growth for the U.S. economy at annual rate of 4.3%. Energy markets were mixed to higher as well.

To no one's real surprise, following Monday's stronger trade, the live cattle complex was back to trading lower as the market's resistance at its 100-day moving average remains a difficult barrier to conquer. Still no cash cattle trade has developed, and the week's volume will likely be rather thin given that it's the week of Christmas and packers will run reduced kill schedules both this week and next. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $3.04 ($359.83) and select up $1.18 ($351.87) with a movement of 58 loads (38.91 loads of choice, 4.72 loads of select, 5.32 loads of trim and 8.78 loads of ground beef).

The feeder cattle complex also traded lower, again seeming to follow the direction of the live cattle complex closely. But even with the market's slight downturn, the spot March contract is still currently trading above its 100-day moving average.

The lean hog complex was rallying into Tuesday's close, waiting for the highly anticipated Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report to be shared later this afternoon. The nearby April contract is currently trading above the market's resistance threshold at $90.00, which was a significant move this morning.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/23140213/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The Department of Agriculture does not plan to issue additional emergency farm aid beyond the recently announced $12 billion assistance package, even as financial stress deepens across the farm sector, said Richard Fordyce, USDA's undersecretary for farm production and conservation. The payments are intended to help producers cope with low commodity prices, elevated production costs and reduced export demand tied to ongoing trade tensions. But economists and farm advocates warn many operations may continue to struggle without further support or stronger export growth. 

U.S. agriculture has traditionally posted trade surpluses, but rising imports and slowing exports have pushed the sector into a widening trade deficit. That shift has weighed heavily on farm income, particularly for row-crop producers dependent on foreign markets. USDA officials say budget constraints and existing authorities limit the department’s ability to offer more aid in the near term. Many farmers, however, say long-term relief will depend less on direct payments and more on expanded trade opportunities.

USDA signals no additional farm aid beyond $12B Package

A new USDA labeling rule takes effect Jan. 1, tightening standards for when meat, poultry and egg products may be identified as a product of the United States. Under the regulation, finalized in March 2024, companies may use labels such as “Product of USA” or “Made in USA” only if the animals were born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Meat from animals imported live for feeding or processing no longer qualifies.

 Products that are minimally processed may use qualified claims, such as noting they were sliced or packaged domestically using imported meat. The rule does not require companies to use U.S.-origin labels, but any firm that does must maintain records supporting the claim. USDA will generically approve labels without additional verification programs. The regulation applies only to domestic sales, not exports. Critics warn it could strain trade ties, particularly with Canada and Mexico, and discourage imports of live animals.

'Product of USA' meat labeling rule takes effect Jan. 1

March corn closed up 3 1/4 cents and May corn was up 3 cents. January soybeans closed up 4 cents and March soybeans were up 5 1/2 cents. March KC wheat closed up 6 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 5 3/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 1 cent.

With the winter season officially underway, row crops kicked off Christmas week with a subdued trading session which saw mostly higher prices. Higher energy futures were the primary bullish driver for Monday with crude oil futures up for a fourth consecutive session and after hitting almost five-year lows last week, on renewed geopolitical risk premium as the U.S. has seized two Venezuelan oil tankers and is reportedly pursuing a third to start the week. Also adding to the unease is heightened Russian attacks on key Ukrainian export infrastructure, at least temporarily giving pause to what had been growing hopes for peace in that area. This gave a boost to vegetable oil markets to start the week, with soybean oil posting just the third positive session out of the past ten.

Following last week's bullish Cattle on Feed report and somewhat bullish fed cash cattle trade, the live cattle contracts traded higher into Monday's closing bell and are again trading alongside the market's 100-day moving average. Traders would like to conquer that threshold, but without knowing for sure how much fundamental support is going to remain in the market, given that it will be a holiday-shortened week both this week and next, traders remain cautious about breaking through that barrier right now. It is helpful to note boxed beef prices were higher again today, showing ample consumer support heading into the Christmas holiday. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Texas and Kansas, but lower in Nebraska/Colorado. Last week Northern dressed cattle traded at mostly $355 to $358, which is $2.00 to $4.00 higher than the previous week's weighted average, but Southern live cattle traded at mostly $228, which is $2.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average.

Today is the first chance that traders have had to fully react to Friday's bullish Cattle on Feed report, and they boldly continued to push the feeder cattle contracts higher, incrementally moving the contracts past the 100-day moving average. Given the strong note of higher boxed beef prices this morning, and the higher trend in the live cattle contracts, it's likely that the market will be able to maintain this rally through the day's close.

The lean hog contracts traded slightly higher into Monday's close as traders are hopeful that more support will develop and allow the contracts to trade above the resistance at $90.00. Do note that on Tuesday (tomorrow), the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report will be released.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/12/22140141/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

KANSAS CITY —Police in Kansas City investigating Christmas weekend homicide have identified the victim as 54-year-old Luis Cruz

Just before 2a.m Saturday, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 3900 block of St. John Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

As officers arrived they located Cruz on the sidewalk, suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers began performing life saving measures as KCFD EMS arrived on scene. Medics transported Cruz to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Just before 3a.m., Cruz was pronounced deceased at the hospital.&nbsp;

Police ID Christmas weekend homicide victim in Kansas City

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 3p.m. Tuesday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 GMC Terrain driven by Robert S&nbsp;Deatherage, 70, Coffeyville, was eastbound on U.S. 160 at County Road 4500. The SUV traveled off the roadway to the right, struck a culvert, continued eastbound across County Road 4500, struck another embankment and rolled into the east ditch.

EMS transported Deatherage to Freeman Hospital in Joplin where he was pronounced deceased. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies in SUV rollover accident

BARRY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Monday in Barry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1991 Mazda passenger vehicle driven by&nbsp; 42-year-old Amberel L. Macdermant of Purdy who was southbound on at 1090 Farm Road two miles north of Purdy.

The vehicle struck a pedestrian identified as an 84-year-old Monett woman who was in the roadway.&nbsp; The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Macdermant was arrested on requested charges of felony DWI; death of another; driving with no valid license and no insurance.

Mo. woman accused of DWI in crash that killed pedestrian

DOUGLAS COUNTY&nbsp; – The Lawrence Kansas Police Department in collaboration with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office announce the arrest of an alleged child sex offender whose crimes date back to 2000-2003. The announcement came during a press conference Tuesday in Lawrence.

 The identification and ultimate arrest are the result of meticulous investigative work and the same science that brought in California’s “Golden State Killer” in 2018.

Monday, December 29, 2025, at the request of the Lawrence Kansas Police Department, U.S. Marshals arrested 58-year-old David James Zimbrick of Raytown, Missouri. Zimbrick is being held in Jackson County Missouri as he awaits extradition to Douglas County.

Between 2000 and 2003, a series of sex crimes occurred in the Naismith Valley Park area, 1400 W. 27th Street. Reports indicate the suspect would lure children into the bushes to perform sexual assaults. The children involved were between 7 and 10 years old.

Despite unknown future technology, detectives thoroughly inspected the scene collecting any potential clues. While a distinct DNA profile was recovered, it yielded no match in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the national database of known offenders. With no further leads, the case eventually sat dormant.

In 2018, when California’s “Golden State Killer” was arrested, Detective Amy Price, who was involved in the original investigations, took note of their use of genetic genealogy. Detective Price submitted a request for funding and ultimately sent the evidence to Parbon Nanolabs. Parabon specializes in forensic genetic genealogy to solve cases where there is DNA evidence, but the offender’s identity remains unknown.

In March of 2020, Parabon notified Price that they had successfully genotyped the newly submitted DNA from one of the cases. The lengthy investigation that followed led to clues throughout the United States until the suspect was ultimately identified then located in Raytown, MO.

U.S. Marshals made the arrest without incident. David James Zimbrick is charged with one count of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy and one count of Rape in two cases. He’s being held in Jackson County Missouri Correctional Facility awaiting extradition back to Douglas County, Kansas.

“This arrest is a testament to the fact that time does not diminish our commitment to victims and their families,” says Chief Rich Lockhart. “I am continually impressed with the dedicated professionals who work in this department and am specifically proud of Detective Amy Price, who was assigned to this case and never let time nor dead ends deter her from continuing the search. Crimes against children last a lifetime. It is my hope that this arrest provides some comfort.”

🎥 Arrest made in decades-old Kan. cold case involving child sex assault

The Lawrence Kansas Police Department has cancelled the Silver Alert for Mr. Roger Bean.&nbsp; Information led us to the Kansas City metro area where an officer traveled to confirm his identity.&nbsp;

DOUGLAS COUNTY —The Lawrence Kansas Police Department is issuing a Silver Alert and asking for help in finding 77-year-old Roger Harry Bean.  He has not been seen since December 23.

Mr Bean has cognitive issues, and is known to wander and hitchhike. He is described 6-feet-2&nbsp; and weighs 195 pounds.&nbsp;If you see Mr. Bean, please call dispatch at 785.843.0250 or 911 immediately.

Silver Alert canceled, Kan. man missing for a week found safe

On Monday at the Statehouse, Governor Kelly celebrated Kwanzaa—a time to reflect on our shared values of unity, purpose, and community. 

On social media the governor wrote, "lighting the kinara today served as a powerful reminder of Kansas' commitment to the guiding principles and rich history of Kwanzaa."

The weeklong Kwanzaa holiday from Dec. 26 through Jan 1. celebrates African-American family, community and culture. Its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa.

Gov. attends Kwanzaa celebration at the Kansas Statehouse

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Patients with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas health insurance will be covered in network when they receive care from the St. Francis campus in Topeka after the two organizations reached agreement last week.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is pleased to announce that the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis will remain in the Blue Cross network for 2026, ensuring continued access to local care for our members,” according to a BCBS statement.

The University of Kansas St. Francis campus said in a Monday statement that their patients with BCBS of Kansas plans won’t experience care disruptions and do not need to take any action.

The two organizations&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/01/kansas-blue-cross-topeka-hospital-system-struggle-to-reach-agreement/">had been unable to reach agreement</a>&nbsp;for the St. Francis system to be in network, which concerned insurance customers who didn’t want to lose their health providers if a contract wasn’t in place by the end of the year.

“This agreement reflects our commitment to ensuring patients across the region have uninterrupted access to care,” St. Francis said in a statement.

The St. Francis campus in Topeka is owned by Ardent Health, which manages operations, and the University of Kansas Health System. Ardent is based in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Kansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, St. Francis health system reach agreement

KANSAS CITY —Two people were injured in a fire at an apartment building in Kansas City, Missouri. Police are now investigating.

Just before 7:30p.m. Monday, crews&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported apartment fire in the 1700 block of Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival, crews reported heavy fire showing from the 2nd and 3rd floors, with residents trapped inside the structure. An offensive fire attack, with rescue operations was immediately initiated.

A 2nd Alarm response was ordered.&nbsp;Crews rescued 5 people from the third floor of the building, and multiple handlines were used to extinguish the fire, which was brought under control at 7:46 p.m.

EMS transported 2 people to area hospitals. They were listed in stable condition. Red Cross has been ordered for 14 people.&nbsp;After an initial investigation conducted by KCFD, the Kansas City Police Departments Bomb and Arson unit was requested and the investigation has been turned over to their agency.

Local

Region

Sports

Agriculture