Soybean Yield Predictions Drop for Northern Missouri

Predicted soybean yields across Missouri have taken a downward turn in recent weeks, according to the latest University of Missouri Extension Soybean Growth and Yield Report.

Until the last report, 2026 predictions were uneventful, but the recent heat wave changed that. With prolonged heat expected to persist for a few more weeks, projected yields could decline even further, says MU Extension soybean farming systems specialist Andres Reis, who compiles the report.

Declining soil moisture reserves and drought concerns have created a challenging environment across large parts of Missouri’s soybean-growing regions. The hardest-hit area the northern Missouri, where Reis sees the biggest predicted yield decreases across all planting dates and maturity groups.

With high temperatures, there is increased crop water demand and accelerated soil moisture depletion at a time when soybeans are entering critical reproductive stages.

“Drought stress is now a concern across much of the state as later April- and May-planted soybeans move through key yield-defining stages,” says Reis.

The impact of hot, dry weather depends largely on soybean growth stage. MG 4 soybeans planted in April in central and southwestern Missouri are still maintaining above-average yield potential.

As late-planted soybeans move through reproductive growth, the declining availability of water in the soil may have a greater impact on pod retention and seed fill. Extended drought during seed fill can lead to smaller seeds, lower test weights and reduced yield potential.

Final Hazardous Mitigation Meeting Held for Worth County

The third and final Hazardous Mitigation Meeting for Worth County was held in Sheridan Monday to iron out details of the Hazardous Mitigation Plan that has to be submitted every five years to the state and to FEMA. Submission of this plan is required for jurisdictions to get federal disaster funding. Worth County has had 10 storm disaster declarations since 1990 with between $15 million and $35 million in crop damage claims filed. The county has had nine disaster declarations since 1965 for extreme weather, five since 1965 for winter storms, and four for tornado damage. Worth County has had six confirmed tornadoes since 2000, surprisingly low. The most severe was an EF2 event in 2001. The most severe is an EF 5. A few years ago, Worth County was on the southern edge of a massive derecho that passed through Iowa and caused over $1 billion in damages. 

The last update to the plan was in March 2022. It was conducted via zoom, with the whole country just emerging from COVID-19. Each jurisdiction will review and adopt the revised plan, provide data, and develop action items. These can be carried over from the last cycle. 

As part of the new plan, a public survey was conducted, with 153 responses. Disasters identified as concerns included thunderstorms, extreme winter weather, and drought. Disasters identified as having the most potential impact for the county included tornadoes, drought, extreme temperatures, and extreme winter weather. The county and the whole region experienced a massive ice storm in 2009 that knocked out power for a few days. 

Solutions that a majority of respondents were in favor of were the creation of tornado-safe rooms, retrofitting existing shelters, stopping soil erosion, flood mitigation, electrical retrofitting, and retrofitting from wind damage. There used to be a tornado shelter at the Sheridan Housing many years ago, but it has been dug in. The county conducts regular testing of storm sirens; there was one conducted earlier this month. 

Goals identified in the event of a disaster included preserving human life, safety, and health, continuing essential services, protecting property, and returning to normal. 

Continuing action items include educating and notifying the public, reviewing and incorporating flood insurance maps, identifying structures, people, facilities, and infrastructure at risk, implementing emergency communications, obtaining backup power generators, and building infrastructure to mitigate flooding. 

There are 64 dams in the county, including three that are critical, including the one just northeast of the Sheridan Housing. 

Worth County is in a low-risk area for earthquakes. Occasionally, people will feel small tremors when an earthquake occurs hundreds of miles away, and animals will become agitated. 

It is up to local water districts to implement conservation measures in the event of an extreme drought. Any jurisdiction can pass a burn ban provided that they notify the State Fire Marshal’s office. Jurisdictions do not require advance approval to do so. The county has occasionally passed burn bans in the past during extreme droughts or situations where there was a high risk of wildfires. 

The risk of wildfires is rare in both the county and the state, but not non-zero. Around 25-30 years ago, there was a wildfire west of Sheridan that nearly got to the Housing; it took a massive effort by emergency responders to stop the fire. 

Local jurisdictions have one week to turn in action items for the new Hazardous Mitigation Plan. After that, a public comment period will be held for the draft plan. Following the public comment period, a final draft plan will be adopted by all the jurisdictions, and it will be submitted to the state, and then FEMA. 

Missouri Department of Conservation Deer Hunting Regulation Changes for 2026-27

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters, landowners, and others of changes to regulations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri for the upcoming deer-hunting season. The changes focus on simplifying regulations and responding to public input. 

Reduced Buck Limit for Nonresidents 

MDC has reduced the antlered buck limit for those hunting on nonresident deer hunting permits from two to one. Nonresidents who qualify for nonresident landowner permits will maintain an antlered buck harvest limit of two.  

MDC notes that the number of nonresident deer hunters in Missouri has increased by nearly 50% in the last 10 years and there has been an increasing number of resident hunters who have expressed concern about the impacts to land access and their hunting experiences. This regulation change aims to address resident hunters’ concerns and helps alleviate increasing pressure from nonresident deer hunting.  

Early Youth Portion Moved Earlier 

MDC has moved the Early Youth Portion one week earlier this year to Oct. 24 and 25 to help avoid conflicts with Halloween activities at the end of October. The Early Youth Portion typically occurs two weekends prior to the November portion. This year it will occur three weekends prior. 

APR Removed 

MDC has removed the antler-point restriction (APR) for the final 18 counties where it was most recently in place. Yearling bucks, which the APR protects, travel many miles and can spread chronic wasting disease (CWD) long distances. Removing the APR will help to minimize the spread of CWD while also simplifying regulations. 

CWD Management Zones Removed 

MDC has removed the designations of the CWD Management Zone. A majority of Missouri counties either have had a case of CWD or are within 10 miles of a confirmed case of the disease, so a designated CWD Management Zone is no longer needed. Removing the CWD Management Zone also helps simplify regulations for hunters. 

Prohibiting Feed and Minerals for Deer Continues 

Placing feed and minerals for deer has been prohibited in counties close to where CWD has been detected since CWD was first found in Missouri. Placing feed and mineral for deer artificially congregates them, resulting in an increased risk of disease transmission.  

MDC will continue to prohibit the placement of feed and minerals for deer in counties within 10 miles of where CWD has been found. Learn more about the feed and mineral prohibition online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic-wasting-disease/feed-mineral-prohibition and on page 6 of the Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available online at mdc.mo.gov, at MDC offices and nature centers, and other places where hunting permits are sold.  

Removed CWD Portion  

MDC has removed the CWD Portion of firearms deer season to simplify the structure of the season while not significantly affecting deer harvest. 

Mandatory CWD Sampling Moved to County Rotations 

MDC has moved mandatory CWD sampling during the opening weekend of the November Portion of the firearms deer season to a four-year county rotation. Mandatory CWD sampling will now be conducted in every county of the state once every four years.  

According to MDC, conducting mandatory CWD sampling on a county rotation will allow staff to continue to monitor CWD where it exists and allow for early detections in new areas. A mandatory sampling rotation also simplifies the mandatory sampling requirement for hunters. 

Mandatory sampling for this season will be conducted in 28 counties on Nov. 14 and 15. 

Get more information on mandatory sampling online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic-wasting-disease/mandatory-cwd-sampling and on page 7 of the MDC Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available online at mdc.mo.gov, at MDC offices and nature centers, and other places where hunting permits are sold. 

Changes to CWD Management Permits 

MDC has increased the minimum acreage requirement for CWD Management Permits and simplified the application process. Landowners are now required to have at least 20 contiguous acres in a CWD Core Area to receive CWD Management Permits. The change will make the acreage requirement consistent with other no-cost landowner deer hunting permits, reducing potential confusion for landowners.  

MDC has also simplified the application process. Qualifying landowners in CWD Core Areas can receive five, no-cost, CWD Management Permits for use on their property during deer season and will receive a notice in the mail from MDC about the permit application process. 

Learn more about the CWD Management Permit Program at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic-wasting-disease/cwd-management-permit-program. 

No Post-Season Removals 

As a result of public engagement and continued evaluation, MDC will not conduct targeted deer removals after the season and currently has no plans to resume the activity. 

Instead, MDC staff will work with hunters, landowners, and other partners to develop a localized approach in which hunter harvest is the primary tool to manage deer numbers and CWD during the regular deer season. 

Learn more about these regulation changes and get other information on deer hunting in Missouri from the MDC 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet available online at mdc.mo.gov, at MDC offices and nature centers, and other places where permits are sold.  

Neon Sign On at Roxy for First Time in Decades; 150 Attend Fundraiser

The neon sign at the Roxy in Hopkins was turned on for the first time in many years, the result of fundraising and hours of long labor. Several area businesses sponsored the efforts to get the sign restored, and a fundraiser was held Friday, August 14th to raise even more funds. 

The Hopkins Guys, a band organized for that purpose, performed; they were playing together for the first time ever, but it didn’t matter. J.R. Gladman, Jerry and Phil Forney, Rick Titus, Dennis White, Ricky Cross, and Robbie Forney were the members. Mr. White’s grandfather helped build the Roxy in 1949. All of them are from Hopkins except for Mr. Cross, who had played in the past in Mr. Gladman’s bands. Mr. Gladman observed that Hopkins has produced a disproportionate number of musicians, and the trend appears to be holding up with the newer generation. Robbie Forney is the grandson of Jerry and is a junior at North Nodaway. Gannon and Gunner Stricker are skilled on the piano, while Caspian Halvin has recently taken up playing the heavy metal guitar. 

Mr. Gladman said at the show that he got started when he was tossing papers for the St. Joseph paper and saw a copy of the Forney Brothers’ first album on sale at Wilson Grocery in 1978. As a boy of 12, Mr. Gladman saved up a month’s pay and finally bought a copy, wearing out the record. He became a musician and writer himself and started performing after winning talent shows in Maryville and Grant City. He performed at Old Defiance Days in Sheridan in 1984. They performed some of Jerry’s hits, “Missouri Moon,” “Railroad Blues,” and “Brownsville Belle.” 

They went on to cover various country artists including Alan Jackson, Johnny Paycheck, and Vince Gill. Mr. Gladman talked about the time he performed at a nursing home, and one of the residents turned out to be Vince Gill’s grandmother. They sang a pair of Mr. Gladman’s compositions, including “Run, Pony Run,” and “Hopkins, USA.” They threw in an occasional rock tune, including Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Werewolves of London.” Carter Forney, younger brother of Robbie, got to get up on the stage and perform the latter song. They also threw in some Johnny Cash. 

There were people from at least 19 communities present, including Hopkins, Pickering, Maryville, Bedford, Shenandoah, Rock Port, St. Joseph, Lawrence (KS), Creston, Lenox, Osceola, Denver, Alanthus Grove, Bolckow, Clarinda, Cowgill (IA), Corning, Jefferson (IA), and Clearmont. “Hopkins is not dead. We’ve just got to keep it going,” said Mr. Gladman. 

Threat of Rain Doesn't Keep Crowds Away at Allendale Rodeo

 The threat of rain did not keep people away from the Allendale Rodeo this year, as the seats were full for the 34th annual edition. 

There was a new clown this year as Josh Roberts, only 15 years old, came up from Arkansas to do the honors. One of his first jokes was that he met a girl from Allendale, but she turned out to be cross-eyed because they could never see eye to eye. Trying to get everyone pumped up, he asked if they were at a church or a rodeo. “It seems like some people need some Mellow Yellow,” he said. 

The rodeo arena was muddy from the on-again off-again rains Saturday. It helped the contestants in some events and hurt them in others. One event that got some participants after not having had much interest the past few years was the steer wrestling. Two contestants placed as Luke Moore got his steer down in 7.2 seconds and Logan Leiderman got his down in 7.79. One contestant allegedly landed so hard according to Josh that the water went anywhere but the hole. Another time, he talked about stepping in a hole so deep, he wound up in China and heard the people there talking. Another time during the event, Josh and the announcer debated the pronunciation of “Y’all.” 

The noise contest was another subject of debate between Rodeo Clown Josh and the announcer. The south side, pumped up by Josh, was noisier, but the announcer claimed victory for his side, “because the Baptist preacher is sitting on my side.” 

Three contestants in the breakaway roping overcame the muddy conditions as Cassie Adams won with 2.9 seconds, Maddie Schultz got a 3.42, and Ashton Joy got 3.6.

The muddy conditions actually made it easier on the Saddle Bronc and Ranch Bronc riders. Wade Madden got a 70 in the event. Another contestant had their horse collapse coming out of the gate and had to re-ride. 

The most popular event, and one which the contestants have had the most difficulty with was the team roping. Only two out of 12 contestants got a qualified ride, as Tanner Schultz and Tate Judd won with a time of 6.7, and Shawn Murphy and Donna McNeese were the other qualified contestants with a time of 12.4. The conditions were easier for the contestants in this event Friday, as four of the six successfully roped their calf.

There was a scare in the Barrel Racing, as one of the contestants fell off her horse in the slick and muddy conditions and had to be taken to the Ambulance, prompting three other contestants to drop out. All of the contestants were really cautious in the slick conditions.

The announcer observed that you could tell if someone from Arkansas graduated from school if they brushed their teeth. Clown Josh said after the bull tossed one rider particularly high in the air that he didn’t know there was an airport in Allendale. One contestant, Leroy Miller, did manage a successful ride with a score of 72. 

Bo Collins, Caleb New Featured on National YouTube Channel About Tiger Football

Last year, Worth County marked its 100th anniversary in football by winning a state title. They were recently featured on Roca Sports, a YouTube channel out of New York, which travels all over the country to do human interest stories. They interviewed players Bo Collins and Caleb New, coach Jon Adwell, assistants Dan Collins and Les New, and members of the community in Craig McNeese, Jeff Blaine, Dennis Downing, and Mason Hawk. They talked about their playing days, the community support for the team, and how the school manages to defy a population decline to field healthy numbers every year. Les New noted that out of 32 players out this year, 13 had a dad or a brother go to state. The broadcast had 35,000 views and 83 comments as of Sunday evening. 

But the crown lies uneasy on Worth County’s head, like it does for any other defending champion. Last year, they defied history by being the first Tiger squad to suffer a regular season loss and then turn around and win a state title. One thing Roca Sports omitted in its broadcast was the role that Northeast Nodaway plays in the program. The Bluejays always supplied 4-8 kids a year to Worth County, many of whom fill key roles. Out of 32 players, there will be six from Northeast Nodaway, all of whom are expected to play key roles in this year’s squad.

Graduating from last year’s squad are stalwarts like Lucas Frisch, Brayden Stevens, Brayden Combs, Sawyer Thurman, and Brayden Murphy. But many others will return.

Bo Collins will return to his tight end position, but he is versatile enough to play anywhere Coach Jon Adwell needs him to. He will move to linebacker this year, Ryder Smyser will move to defensive end. Collins was instrumental in last year’s state title game with three sacks and is now healthy after barely making it through last season and the season before. Hayden Sanders will return at quarterback, where he can muscle his way for three yards at will or air it out deep to receivers like Collins and Caleb New. Cole Ruby is now healthy after dealing with hip injuries during last year’s playoff run; he rushed for 1,500 yards last year. When Cole Ruby went down, Jude Archer turned into a force at the runningback position, getting 150 yards in the State Championship game. Ethan Lininger will return as the center, and Ryder Smyser will return to the line. 

Archer, Bentin Roberts, Liam Cordell, Wyatt Scadden, Jace Burns, and Lance Runde will come over from Northeast Nodaway, and all will be expected to compete for key roles for the team. The Tigers will know right away whether they will be able to contend again. They will face Rock Port in Rock Port on week one on August 28th. The main change to their schedule this year will be the fact they are no longer hosting a jamboree. They will travel to East Atchison, where they will play EA and Nodaway Valley in Tarkio this Friday, August 21st at 7:00 pm. That will be a test for them as well, as the Thunder have one of the fastest receiving corps in eight man, and East Atchison also has some speed on their squad. 

Among teams in the conference, King City still has Landon Carlson at quarterback. Albany always finishes in the upper half of the conference. The Cinderella team of the area will be Princeton, which joined forces with North Harrison; the Shamrocks will bring over leading quarterback Gage Fortner and 1,000+ yard runningback Wyatt Maize along with big linemen Henry Frank and Meric Hansel to compliment Mitchell Walker and a dangerous group of skill players like Bowe Ussery and Kash Holt. 

The softball team will be playing the numbers game once again this year, with only 11 players out for the varsity. They have a solid group of upperclassmen in Megan Tracy, Kristen Tracy, Addison Gray, Keira Hardy, Audrey Runde, and Kambree Briner. The key will be to see if they can develop the lower part of their order. Two freshmen could help; Brooklyn Smith is one of the fastest players on the team, while Kaydence Downing has been a steady hand at softball as well. Teams to watch for this year include Princeton, Albany, Stanberry, King City, and Gilman City, which joined forces with Tri-County this year. 

Opinion -- Hawley, Durbin Launch Child Sex Abuse Investigation Into Roblox

by Senator Josh Hawley's Office

U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sent a letter to Roblox Founder, President, CEO, and Chair of the Board of Directors David Baszucki, informing him that the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism opened an investigation into Roblox. In the letter, Senator Hawley and Senator Durbin called attention to explicit content present on the platform, as well as its connection to real world child abuse. This investigation is only the latest in the series of actions Senator Hawley and Senator Durbin have taken to protect children online, including their STOP CSAM Act passing out of committee unanimously.

They began, "We write to inform you that the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism has opened an investigation into child safety on the Roblox gaming platform."

They continued, "You trumpet Roblox as a safe digital playground for children as young as five. But the public record raises serious questions about this promise of safety. Over the past decade, police have arrested numerous individuals for committing serious acts of violence and harm against children they met via Roblox, including grooming, sexual abuse, kidnapping, rape, and even murder. Roblox is being used to trade child sexual abuse material, participate in sexually explicit (and often violent) virtual 'experiences' with children, bribe and extort children into producing explicit content, and lure children into in-person meetings. It is heartbreaking. In 2025, Roblox reported 65,381 instances of suspected child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children—more than double what it reported in 2024."

"Roblox appears to prioritize revenue and engagement metrics over the safety and well-being of our children, and the alleged criminal activity on Roblox warrants congressional scrutiny. Accordingly, be advised that Roblox is hereby directed to preserve all records, in any format and wherever located, in connection with child safety, child sexual or physical abuse, child bullying, or child financial exploitation ... Let us be clear: children on your platform are hurting. Congress will not look the other way. We await your prompt and complete response," they concluded.

Read the full letter below.

August 12, 2026

David Baszucki

Founder, President, CEO, and Chair of the Board of Directors

Roblox Corp.

Mr. Baszucki:

We write to inform you that the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism has opened an investigation into child safety on the Roblox gaming platform.

You trumpet Roblox as a safe digital playground for children as young as five. But the public record raises serious questions about this promise of safety. Over the past decade, police have arrested numerous individuals for committing serious acts of violence and harm against children they met via Roblox, including grooming, sexual abuse, kidnapping, rape, and even murder. Roblox is being used to trade child sexual abuse material, participate in sexually explicit (and often violent) virtual “experiences” with children, bribe and extort children into producing explicit content, and lure children into in-person meetings. It is heartbreaking. In 2025, Roblox reported 65,381 instances of suspected child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children—more than double what it reported in 2024.

Roblox appears to prioritize revenue and engagement metrics over the safety and well-being of our children, and the alleged criminal activity on Roblox warrants congressional scrutiny. Accordingly, be advised that Roblox is hereby directed to preserve all records, in any format and wherever located, in connection with child safety, child sexual or physical abuse, child bullying, or child financial exploitation. We also attach an annex containing document requests and interrogatories. Please produce all documents and information specified in the annex no later than August 31, 2026.

Let us be clear: children on your platform are hurting. Congress will not look the other way. We await your prompt and complete response.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley 

Chairman

Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism 

Richard J. Durbin

Ranking Member

Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism