September 19 2024

Economic Transformation in Cherryvale: New $375 Million Soybean Plant Opens

Kansas City Pharmacists Ignite National Movement with Walkouts

Farm Bill Stalled, Congress Considers 'Mini-Farm Bill’ for Farmers

Kansas State Fair Sees Highest Turnout in Six Years with 328,714 Attendees

Cold War-Era Kansas Missile Silo Listed for $749,000 as Prepper's Paradise

1. Economic Transformation in Cherryvale: New $375 Million Soybean Plant Opens
   While this southeast Kansas town’s population peaked more than 100 years ago, the opening of the region’s largest ever economic development project means its best days are ahead, Lt. Gov. David Toland said Thursday. Toland spoke to a crowd of more than 100 state and federal lawmakers, economic development officials, and construction company representatives who gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Bartlett soybean crushing plant just south of Cherryvale. The town’s population peaked at 4,700 in 1920 and is now 2,200. The $375 million plant, which began accepting shipments of soybeans in February, can house 49 million bushels of the crop and will help create food, animal feed, and fuel, officials said. Now that it’s operational, Bartlett executives said it will employ about 60 full-time workers. Bartlett, purchased by Savage in 2018, received both state and local incentives to ensure the plant landed in Cherryvale as the company conducted its nationwide search. Company executives said Kansas officials also quickly approved environmental permits and offered other assistance. Source

2. Kansas City Pharmacists Ignite National Movement with Walkouts
   A year ago this week, 27 pharmacists walked off their jobs in and around Kansas City to protest understaffing, low technician pay, and burdensome workloads at some CVS-owned pharmacies. Their action forced about a dozen Kansas City-area pharmacies and 10 others in outlying areas to close anywhere from a few hours to two full days. It inspired walkouts at CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid pharmacies across the country later last fall. And it sparked a nascent labor movement that is undertaking a national store-by-store campaign. “We had no idea what we were starting,” said Ed Smith, a former CVS pharmacist who organized the walkouts. “We were just fed up with our situation.” Experts say the industry was ripe for an uprising. Economic pressures, transformed buying habits, and a worldwide pandemic have forced retail pharmacies to shut down, left pharmacists with overwhelming workloads, and put regulators on guard against mistakes in prescriptions. Kansas City’s walkout and the wave of news coverage that came with it simply offered a jump start. Source

3. Farm Bill Stalled, Congress Considers 'Mini-Farm Bill’ for Farmers
   The state of the farm economy is pushing key members of Congress to pass an aid package for commodity farmers because negotiations on a full farm bill are stalled. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., spoke Monday at the Kansas City Agribusiness Council's Ag Outlook Forum and suggested lawmakers are considering a "mini-extension plus," to help farmers suffering from low prices. Moran told more than 250 people at the forum that he has been a critic of Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and her handling of the farm bill this year. But Moran said he had a "moment of optimism" when he spoke to Stabenow last week on the Senate floor. Stabenow is recognizing the financial situation for farmers is "dire," and farmers can't wait for Congress to reach an agreement on a five-year farm bill. "We cannot afford to wait past the end of the year," Moran said. Source

4. Kansas State Fair Sees Highest Turnout in Six Years with 328,714 Attendees
   The Kansas State Fair announced that this year’s event drew 328,714 attendees over ten days. The first Saturday saw a turnout of more than 51,000 visitors, the highest in six years, followed by more than 56,000 on the second Saturday. Source

5. Cold War-Era Kansas Missile Silo Listed for $749,000 as Prepper's Paradise
   Interested in owning a significant piece of American history? Real estate agents say a historic missile silo in central Kansas, originally built during the Cold War, has just been listed for sale. The decommissioned underground structure, once part of the U.S. defense system, offers a rare glimpse into a significant period of American history. “Whether you're seeking refuge from natural disasters or preparing for worst-case scenarios, this meticulously crafted compound, with over 15,000 sq. ft. ensures you're ready for anything,” the listing reads. The property sits on 23 acres and its listing price currently sits at $749,000. Source

Sports
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Sporting KC Dominates Colorado Rapids with 4-1 Victory
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