Springfield News-Leader
Building owner paints over mural inspired by local artist
The Springfield art community experienced a keen loss this weekend when it discovered that a mural inspired by Ozarks artist Robert E. Smith had been painted over with gray primer on Feb. 27. Multiple posts on social media expressed dismay and...
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U.S. fighter jets crash in Kuwait due to friendly fire
Three American fighter aircraft crashed in Kuwait on March 2, with crews surviving “unscathed” and in stable condition, the Middle Eastern country’s defense ministry and the Pentagon said, as the congressional debate over President Donald Trump’s...
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Convention center predesign taking shape
At the final convention center workshop on Feb. 26, attendees were invited to play by putting together building blocks, divvying up a fake budget and picking their top concepts and programs that a proposed convention and event center might...
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Mermaids, parades and more this March
From mermaids to a St. Patrick’s Day parade to hunting for eggs, March is packed with all sorts of events in the Ozarks. Here are 21 things to do this month in and around Springfield. Seuss Science Day at the YMCA When: March 7 Where: Pat Jones...
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Push to automate science with AI has constraints
Consistent with the general trend of incorporating artificial intelligence into nearly every field, researchers and politicians are increasingly using AI models trained on scientific data to infer answers to scientific questions. But can AI ultimately...
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Organizations provide resources, funds for families of fallen deputies
The deaths of two Christian County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the wounding of two other law enforcement officers have shaken the Ozarks. As families, colleagues and local communities grieve, organizations are stepping up to help support the families...
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Trump touts ‘roaring economy’ in speech
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump declared the country is booming, his opponents are “crazy” and his administration is engaged in unprecedented levels of “winning” in a marathon State of the Union address that comes as polls showed deep skepticism of...
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Ex-ICE lawyer testifies to Congress
ICE supervisors are teaching “new cadets to violate the Constitution” amid President Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations, a former agency lawyer testified to members of Congress. “The ICE academy is deficient, defective, and broken,” former...
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Ukrainians mourn homes, loved ones lost in the war
DZENZELIVKA, Ukraine – Halyna Popriadukhina, 65, has fled her home three times as Russian troops have marched deeper into eastern Ukraine during four years of war. Tired of running, she hopes Ukraine can somehow hold them back. “I’m afraid there’s...
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Foster hometown pride to grow civic engagement
Eileen Higgins won a historic victory in December. She became the first woman ever elected mayor of Miami, as well as its first Democratic mayor since 1997. h Although the stakes in the city’s Dec. 9, runoff election were high, interest was not − 4 in...
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Community opposes BESS
Dozens of Greene County residents filled the courtroom in the Historic Courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 17, many standing for more than two hours at the Greene County Planning Board meeting. They filed into the standingroom-only meeting to show their...
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‘He’s going to be himself again’
NASHVILLE – Phil Vassar’s heart stopped beating. His eyes rolled back. His skin turned blue. Doctors told him he died. Twice. The odds of the Nashville singersongwriter and pianist surviving a 2023 “widow-maker” heart attack, a complete blockage to...
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STUDY: PLANET IS IN WATER BANKRUPTCY
The world is now using so much fresh water amid the consequences of climate change that it has entered an era of water bankruptcy, with many regions no longer able to bounce back from frequent water shortages. h About 4 billion people – nearly half...
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New municipal court building would cost $42 million
Springfield is looking at an upgrade to its municipal court building, but such an endeavor is costly and all the funding has yet to be identified. Architects with N Form Architecture presented to Springfield City Council the findings of their study and...
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Civil rights icon Jackson dies at 84
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering civil rights icon who battled alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., negotiated global hostage releases and shamed corporations for their lack of diversity and failure to support voting rights, died on Feb. 17. He...
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States take sides in immigration fight
State lawmakers across the country are ramping up efforts to either support or block the Trump administration’s massdeportation efforts, wading deeper into a policy arena that’s long been the province of the federal government. While immigration...
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AI COMPANIES GEAR UP TO SELL ADS
Eighteen months ago, it was plausible that artificial intelligence might take a different path than social media. Back then, AI’s development hadn’t consolidated under a small number of big tech firms. Nor had it capitalized on consumer attention,...
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Jenny Lind Hall expected to have a working elevator after 2 years Repairs finally progress
For the first time in about two years, tenants at Jenny Lind Hall — an affordable housing complex for seniors and residents with disabilities — could have a working elevator. With repairs completed, contractor TK Elevator (TKE) told the News-Leader in...
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‘DANGEROUS’ STAKES
Seventy-five dollars is all Sam needed for his next round of sports bets on his BetMGM app. Well – it wasn’t officially his. He was 17 years old, and the legal gambling age in his home state of Arizona is 21. Sam used his mom’s ID behind her back to...
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Student informants spur academic freedom debate
Texas A&M University told philosophy professor Martin Peterson in early January that he could not teach some of Greek philosopher Plato’s writings that touch on “race and gender ideology.” The university’s local chapter of the American Association of...
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Police gain immigration enforcement powers
After hours of testimony Feb. 10, Branson’s Board of Alderman unanimously approved an agreement that will bestow upon Branson Police Department officers the powers to carry out immigration enforcement. The vote came after the tumultuous conclusion of...
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First defendant in Nguyen murder gets max sentence
The first of five defendants in the November 2023 shooting that killed Chaviz Nguyen and injured his pregnant girlfriend Haley Frillman has been sentenced. Greene County Circuit Judge Todd Myers sentenced Elysha Bedell to serve the maximum sentence on...
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Hundreds protest against ICE outside Super Bowl
SANTA CLARA, CA – They came, they marched, they chanted − all under a close watch. But it wasn’t ICE agents who patrolled the streets on Super Bowl Sunday, as many had anticipated. Hundreds of people on Feb. 8 took over a main thoroughfare less than 2...
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New grassroots group helps ICE detainees
While Greene County has not been the backdrop of mass immigration sweeps seen elsewhere in the country, one local grassroots volunteer group is working to ensure those detained and held in the local jail for Immigration and Customs Enforcement can...
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‘There were a lot of sick people in there’
They stole a few hours of sleep under glaring LED lights, crowded in by dozens of other detainees. They shivered through fevers and flus, praying deadlier diseases weren’t stalking their confines. Then, just as they feared their confinement would...
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MAGA vs. Bad Bunny splits Super Bowl
Sen. Tommy Tuberville was thrilled to attend the Super Bowl in 2025 when he hitched a ride on Air Force One, joining President Donald Trump and several other Republican lawmakers for the big game. “Happy Super Bowl Sunday,” the Republican senator for...
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‘Because of the hope’
Growing up in Vietnam, owning a business in the U.S. was a far-fetched daydream for Lee and David Luu. But on March 29, the couple will celebrate 35 years of owning Springfield’s Cashew Station Drive-Thru. The local Chinese food spot at 620 E....
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Lawmakers turn focus to reform Trump’s ICE
WASHINGTON – The latest government shutdown is over, and Capitol Hill is already bracing for another high-profile brawl over President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts that could land one federal agency with a shutdown all its own. As...
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Valentine’s, Galentine’s events in the Ozarks
Valentine’s Day (and its friendship counterpart, Galentine’s Day) is fast approaching — do you have plans? Here are some ideas in the Springfield area for things to do with your friends or lovers. Moth Market: Eat Your Heart Out When: Feb. 7 Where:...
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Trump actions worry free-speech advocates
The FBI search of a Washington Post reporter’s home on Jan. 14 was a rare and intimidating move by an administration focused on repressing criticism and dissent. In its story about the search at Hannah Natanson’s home, at which FBI agents said they...
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20 events coming to the Ozarks in February
February isn’t just for Valentine’s Day. There are chili cook-offs, day camps, expos and musicals to be experienced in the shortest month of the year. Here are 20 events happening in the Ozarks this month to keep you active during the winter. When:...
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‘Crunchy’ podcasters flip script, criticize vaccines
CLEVELAND – The word “crunchy” once defined a progressive outlook in the health and wellness world: Crunchy moms of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s espoused yoga, granola and wheatgrass, alongside broadly left-leaning political views on everything from...
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Deportations from ICE street arrests increase
The Trump administration dramatically increased deportations by arresting migrants on American streets, often without criminal records, according to a new report. The Deportation Data Project’s report, released on Jan. 27, shows the sweeping effects...
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Consumer-driven future seen for GLP-1 drugs
LONDON – Ask executives in the health care industry about the future market for weight-loss drugs and the analogies are telling: monthly GLP-1 medicine subscriptions like a streaming video membership; dose decisions managed on a smartphone app; access...
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At home in the snow
Freezing temperatures and several inches of snow has kept most Springfieldians indoors. But on Tuesday, Jan. 27, it proved to be the perfect day for penguins from the local aquarium to leave their exhibit and take on an outdoor adventure. Seventeen...
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See the lineup for Route 66 centennial kickoff concert
Springfield, known as the Birthplace of Route 66, is set to host the start of a national celebration of the Mother Road’s centennial. Over the course of four days, the Queen City will set the stage with several events, including a concert hosted by...
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Bitter cold expected to keep snow around for the week
This weekend finally brought some winter fun to southwest Missouri as several inches of snow allowed Springfieldians to go sledding, make snowmen or simply cozy up indoors. While forecasts that called for a foot or more of snow were not borne out,...
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Is ICE violating the Fourth Amendment?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is facing scrutiny over its assertion that federal officers can forcibly enter a home without a judicial warrant – a move constitutional scholars, immigration experts and a federal judge say is a clear violation of...
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Pheasant hunt teaches students about outdoors
The Ozarks, known for their natural beauty and outdoor recreation, are a home and destination for fishermen, hunters and campers alike. Hearing dozens of gunshots ring out over a shooting range or conservation area may not be out of the ordinary, but...
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Minnesotans start strike to protest surge by ICE
MINNEAPOLIS – Scores of businesses across Minnesota were closing up for the day on Jan. 23 in what religious leaders and labor unions described as a general strike to protest President Donald Trump’s deployment of thousands of immigration enforcement...
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‘Really a local matter’
A bill filed in the Missouri House of Representatives would remove the option for Springfield voters to overturn zoning changes, a process that has been used in recent years as neighbors have organized in opposition of controversial...
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Polluting plants – disproportionately located in low-income communities – forced back into service ‘VERY DISAPPOINTING’
CHICAGO – In Chicago’s workingclass Pilsen neighborhood, a 1960s-era oil-fired power plant rises up from an industrial lot behind Dvorak Park, which in warmer weather is packed with children climbing on its colorful playground and zooming down...
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Trump ups social media posts about Greenland
President Donald Trump launched a fresh blitz of messages aimed at NATO allies over his determination to take control of Denmark’s Greenland territory, ratcheting up tensions with Greenlandic and European leaders just as he prepares to attend the World...
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‘They understand what works and what doesn’t’
CAPE MAY, NJ – It was Megan O’Rourke’s dream job. As a top climate scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she oversaw grants for research projects aimed at making food production healthier and more sustainable. But when President...
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Sentinel program appears far off track
By July 2024, the public knew the program had blown its budget. But the announcement was staggering nonetheless. The projected price of an Air Force program to build a nextgeneration nuclear missile – dubbed Sentinel – had risen 81%, from $77.7...
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President Trump threatens Insurrection Act in MN
President Donald Trump on Jan. 15 threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would give him power to deploy armed forces domestically, as tensions ratcheted up yet further in Minnesota following a second shooting involving a federal agent. The...
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Trump encourages Iran protesters, issues tariffs
WASHINGTON – A day after the Trump administration said attacking Iran with air strikes was on the table, President Donald Trump encouraged protesters to continue the fight. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the...
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3M WORKERS UNIONIZE
Springfield’s 3M plant has been a major employer in the city since 1967. Now, the plant’s 370 employees will be represented by a union following a successful organization effort. On Dec. 20, 2025, workers elected to be represented by the United...
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AI frenzy driving supply chain crisis
An acute global shortage of memory chips is forcing artificial intelligence and consumer-electronics companies to fight for dwindling supplies, as prices soar for the unglamorous but essential components that allow devices to store data. Japanese...
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Democrats face scrutiny over the Israel-Gaza war
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker recently visited New Hampshire, where he met with activists and spoke at a town hall meeting, sparking speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. The trip also underscored a political reality confronting Booker...
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Trump: Case against Maduro ‘infallible’
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was transported by helicopter on Jan. 5 to a federal courthouse in Manhattan for an arraignment on federal narco-terrorism charges. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were facing a four-count indictment linking...
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Eateries that came to Ozarks in 2025
While the Ozarks had to say goodbye to some restaurants in 2025, it also welcomed many new ones. From Iraqi sweets to boba to French cuisine, here are some of the new restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as one that re-opened after remodeling. For a...
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BIG CHOICES, BOLD CHANGES FOR SPRINGFIELD
Although no seats on Springfield City Council will be up for election in 2026, the year will still be full of noteworthy local government decisions. From a potential referendum to determining the future of the convention center plans, council will have...
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Most Amish now work off the farm
ERIE, PA – Andrew Troyer was teaching in his Amish settlement’s school in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1977 when his pupils began relaying orders for rope. Troyer had brought his handmade, hand-twisting machine to school so his students could make jump...
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‘Let’s get this show on the road’
As the Willard police chief since 1993, Thomas McClain has been a steadfast presence in the community for decades. After being diagnosed with an aggressive lung disease, McClain is planning to join the list to receive a double lung transplant in 2026....
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Distance racing sees participation spike
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Distance running is having a moment – and it’s largely being led by Generation Zers, whose participation has been on the rise since the pandemic ended. In recent years, we’ve seen high-profile celebrities such as Harry Styles,...
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Regenerative farming making a comeback
At Troon Vineyard, in southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley, Garett Long has turned composting into an art form, using it to support soil microbes and eliminate the need for petroleum-based fertilizers. h When Andrea Malmberg and her husband, Tony, bought...
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WHERE TO RING IN 2026 IN THE OZARKS
Regardless of how 2025 treated you, the year is almost over. In the Ozarks, there are plenty of ways to send off 2025 and welcome in 2026. You can celebrate with the kids, dress up, dress down or just enjoy a delicious meal. Events take place on Dec....
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SPRINGFIELD’S NEXT CHAPTER
There are plenty of big projects in the works across the Queen City that locals and visitors alike can get excited to welcome in 2026. h In the new year, Springfieldians will see new dining options enter the scene as well as several large public...
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‘DEEP CONNECTION’
The places Indigenous peoples call home have intertwined with their ways of life for millennia. Their stories, foodways and cultures relate directly to their homelands. Lands, waters, plants and animals, the creatures that inhabit the waters below and...
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2026 may bring more tough money decisions
Americans weary of high – and rising – prices may get some relief in 2026. Or not. Many analysts believe the economy is finding its footing after several jolts from tariffs, the long tail of the pandemic supply snarls, and more. But some think we’re...
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Spotify hits marketing sweet spot
Even before the 2025 Spotify Wrapped dropped, I had a hunch what mine would reveal. Lo and behold, one of my most-listened-to songs was an obscure 2004 track titled “Rusty Chevrolet” by the Irish band Shanneyganock. I heard it first thanks to my son,...
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‘The U’ to open in August
Ozarks Technical Community College has entered its final months of construction of the Michael L. Parson Student Union, which faces Chestnut Expressway east of Sherman Avenue. Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon said the college expects to be able to...
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Turning Point USA gains ground on campuses
A pair of students stood in the Indiana University Indianapolis student center asking a simple legal question: “Is ‘hate speech’ protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution?” Students slowed to read the white board, and many shuffled toward...
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New look coming to MSU campus
In 2026, changes to the look of Missouri State University will take center stage, especially along the east and south edges of campus. The still-under-construction Judith Enyeart Reynolds Performing Arts Complex on Grand Street and the Clifton M....
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Inside how ICE operates in Trump’s America
KANSAS CITY, MO – Inside an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in a suburban office park hangs a printed-out text message that immigration officers feel is aimed at them: “Get a gun and shoot them in the streets.” It’s tacked on a...
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‘Misled and uninformed’
For more than three months, residents who live next to the Pershing school campus have voiced concerns and raised questions about the district’s construction plans. Five neighbors spoke during the Dec. 16 school board meeting, saying they are not...
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‘From the depths of football hell’
Art Hains watched intensely when Missouri State tried to get a stop against Liberty late in the fourth quarter. Months removed from retiring as the longtime “Voice of the Bears,” Hains saw Liberty quarterback Ethan Vasko mishandle the snap, and the...
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Businesses facing rent raise after strip mall sale
One of the main shopping centers in Willard houses businesses of all kinds — a beloved coffee shop, insurance agents, a gym, medical services and unique retail. But come the new year, the East Center at 304 E. Jackson St. is likely to see significant...
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GALLOWAY CID FAILS TO FUND PROJECTS
For five years, some businesses in Galloway Village have been collecting an additional 1-cent sales tax to go toward community improvements. While the tax is estimated to have brought in more than $200,000 since 2020, no projects have been funded and...
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LET THERE BE LIGHTS
With days getting shorter and evenings beginning earlier, twinkling lights and jolly tunes might be the best way to brighten your winter nights and get into the holiday spirit. Folks around the Springfield area are hard at work adding to the Christmas...
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Ozarks theme park, hotel named best holiday spots
The Ozarks has snagged spots once again in two USA TODAY’s 10BEST lists. Facing competition from across the nation, two southwest Missouri institutions were named the best hotel for the holidays and the best holiday theme park event. Industry experts...
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MoDOT cuts back median plan on East Sunshine
Despite making adjustments to its proposal to build safety medians along East Sunshine Street, the Missouri Department of Transportation continued to be the target of criticism from local business owners as well as state and county representatives....
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Couple caring for 3 kids after emergency
The former owner of Plaza Towers has pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawful gun possession and filing a faulty tax return. Marco Denis has remained in jail for more than a year after being initially arrested on four felony counts filed by local...
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SPS to advocate for public schools amid funding threats
With a push to expand school choice and threats to state funding for public schools expected to dominate the upcoming Missouri legislative session, Springfield district officials are preparing to have a larger presence in Jefferson...
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