Gavin McGough

Years of drought and economic factors caused many ranchers to shrink their operations, and the US cattle herd is at its smallest size in eight decades. As supply has contracted, consumer demand is holding steady, and both beef and cattle are getting top dollar. That is having impacts for ranchers here in Northwest Missouri, as they attempt to plan for the future.

A community-driven effort to preserve three high schools and seek cost-savings elsewhere is the latest plan to bring the embattled school system back to health.

The Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents met on Oct. 24 with an agenda light on business but heavy with ceremony ahead of the university’s homecoming festivities.

Governor Michael Kehoe appointed Leisha Barry to serve on the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents on Oct. 20, filling a seat left vacant by Roxanna Swaney.

Maryville event was one of multiple across the region. Together they joined a national movement which saw millions take to streets and town squares across the country.

Hamilton Properties owns affordable housing complexes across the region and is feeling the impact of the government's closure. Meanwhile, the company is working to secure funds for renovating its Trenton Heights building.

As many as 4,000 students and nearly 500 staff members in the St. Joseph School District are unsure where they will attend or teach in the 2026-2027 school year.

The Nodaway County Commission has begun its budgeting process for the upcoming fiscal year. County Commissioner Scott Walk said revenues are expected to remain steady rather than increase, as they have in previous years.

The killing of Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 reverberated for weeks in the headlines, and continues to be felt in communities across the country. Including in Maryville.

Nodaway County Sheriff Austin Hahn told county commissioners last week that his department is nearing full staffing and seeing a drop in its jail population.