Fulton Sun

Coming in off arguably their worst loss of the season, the St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night in Anaheim, Calif. St. Louis, in a three-way tie for the final wild-card spot in the National League, squandered a 7-0 lead while dropping the decisive contest of their three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, 8-7, in 10 innings on Sunday in Phoenix.

Michael Wacha has been the Kansas City Royals' most consistent starting pitcher in 2026. Of late, however, he hasn't looked like the All-Star he has been this season. The 35-year-old right-hander has been exceptional during his career against the San Francisco Giants, who visit the Royals on Monday night. Wacha (5-7, 3.77 ERA) ranks among the major league leaders with 12 quality starts. Just one reason he earned his second All-Star Game nod -- 11 years after his only other such honor.

In this News Tribune file photo from Jan. 1, 2024, Joseph Jones, front, and Doris Kempker, back, get their blood drawn at a blood drive in Jefferson City.

July 19, 2026 REUTERS FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump deboards the new Air Force One, a plane gifted by Qatar, upon arrival at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Belle Fourche-Cheyenne Valleys, South Dakota, U.S., July 3, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper/File Photo

July 19, 2026 IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Jul 2, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Stephen Kolek (32) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

July 4, 2026 IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Jul 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Royals placed right-hander Stephen Kolek on the 15-day injured list on Sunday after he strained his right flexor during a rehab start. Kolek was injured on Saturday while pitching for Triple-A Omaha to get him ready to return to the major league squad as soon as this week after an extended absence on the family medical emergency list.

Average gasoline prices in Missouri have risen 16.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.67 per gallon in statistics released today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 3,940 stations in the state. Prices in Missouri are 2.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 80 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, the data shows.

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Qatari-donated jet that serves as an Air Force One plane will soon be sent away for upgrades, following questions about the plane's security features. Trump started flying aboard the jumbo jet on July 1 after accepting the plane as a gift last year, when an accelerated effort to renovate the Boeing 747 for presidential use began.

The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage, as the blood supply fell nearly 25 percent in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay, according to a news release from the Central and Northern Missouri Chapter of the Red Cross. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O positive and B negative blood, according to the release.