KSMU Radio

Governor Jay Nixon stopped by the Springfield Highway Patrol crime lab Thursday to sign five bills aimed at promoting public safety and strengthening law enforcement. KSMU's Katie Easley was there to cover the ceremonial signing.

Authorities have arrested about 30 people and seized as many as 350 pit bulls in a multi-state operation targeted at dogfighting. KSMU's Adam Hammons has more on how Missouri played a centra l role in the investigation leading to the raids.

Food recalls due to Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks have prompted the Obama administration to look into stricter food regulations. While some food corporations support the proposed regulations, some organic food stores and small farms are worried that the new rules might hurt their businesses...

A group of women who can trace their roots back to Civil War soldiers is undertaking a unique project to remember and honor their ancestors, and the epic war they fought in. KSMU's Jennifer Moore has details.

"Green fever" is hitting a Springfield accounting firm. BKD is taking steps to reduce, reuse, and go "paperless". KSMU's Erika Brame went to the BKD office to learn more about its new program to reduce paper use.

On the morning of May 8th, 2009, over a dozen tornados ripped through the Ozarks region causing substantial damage to many homes and businesses. Severe thunderstorms continued in until May 16th, bringing flooding and further damage...

Two new courtrooms opened Monday on the first floor of the Greene County Courthouse. They will be the new permanent home for a specially-created court division in the Greene County Judicial System. KSMU's Erika Brame went to the new court rooms and files this report.

Although school is out for the summer, some high school students are spending a week at Drury University to experience college life. Drury's Summer Scholars program gives young, African-American teenagers an opportunity to plan ahead for an academic future...

Eleven heat related illnesses have been reported to the Springfield/Greene County Health Department for the week of June 20th from area hospitals. KSMU's Katie Easley reports.

In comes the sweltering heat and on goes, for many Missourians, the air conditioner. But those who live in the Missouri Hotel Southwest Missouri's largest homeless shelter don't have that luxury...

With the rising cost of healthcare coupled with the rising number of uninsured people across America, many are looking for a place to receive quality and cost effective care...

Christian County is in the process of preparing to consolidate its 9-1-1 dispatch system. It recently learned that it can begin collecting money from the sales tax voters approved in April to fund it, sooner than expected. KSMU's Michele Skalicky has moreandhellip;

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks wants to make sure there will be enough blood over the 4th of July weekend for those that will need it. They're asking you to give blood between now and Friday. KSMU's Michele Skalicky has more.

Have you ever wondered about the personal finances of your lawmakers and how that relates to what they stand for in government...

A fan drive is getting underway this week to help families and individuals stay cool this summer. Oxford Healthcare is organizing the drive and is seeking cash donations as well as donations of new fans. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.

Wizards, ghouls, and magic are not things that are often associated with Southwest Missouri, but a local author is delving into the land of fantasy with her new book. Katy Rogers is currently a student at Missouri State and the author of recently published Daughters of Merlin...

An Audubon Society program has given area high school students an immersion into conservation. KSMU's Michele Skalicky reportsandhellip;

With the 4th of July only five days away, Randy Cole, the State Fire Marshal, says Missourians should try to attend public fireworks displays instead of buying their own fireworks. KSMU's Kristian Kriner reports.

A fan drive is getting underway this week to help families and individuals stay cool this summer. Oxford Healthcare is organizing the drive and is seeking cash donations as well as donations of new fans. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.

The Missouri Department of Conservation usually isn't known for its investigative work. But right now, conservation officials have put their detective hats on in an effort to track down the person who recently killed a bird many Americans consider sacred. KSMU's Kristian Kriner reports.

Three and a half year old Braiden Sullivan has faced multiple complex reconstructive surgeries after his lower leg was injured by a lawn mower last year. Braiden lives in Springfield, but he needed to go to Cincinnati for treatment...

The Stone County Sheriff's Department recently became suspicious of a local man who claimed to be retired law enforcement. In fact, he had assisted officers with local traffic stops...

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has closed two public beaches at the Lake of the Ozarks because of high concentrations of E. coli. The closed beaches are located at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park near U.S. 54...

Although windmills may not cover much of Southwest Missouri's landscape, some believe it's the perfect location to manufacture them. The Missouri Partnership is hosting a workshop on July 7th to teach local manufacturers how to create "green jobs" for the future...

Stray dogs and cats may be roaming around more Springfield neighborhoods this summer due to the Greene County Health Department cutting back on its animal control division. KSMU's Kristian Kriner reports.

We're less than a week into summer, yet the heat index across the Ozarks has reached well over 100 degrees. When the heat gets to be too much, cooling centers offer a much-needed relief. This week several cooling centers around Springfield opened to provide such relief. KSMU's Adam Hammons reports.

As the andlsquo;baby boomer' generation continues to age, experts worry that a health care crisis is imminent. One of the diseases this generation is just beginning to experience is Alzheimer's...

The election for Greene County Presiding Commissioner is well over a year away. Springfield resident Conrad Griggs is getting a jump start on the process by announcing his candidacy for the position. KSMU's Erika Brame spoke with Griggs about his campaign.

Temperatures are starting to rise and so is the concern for heat-related illnesses. As KSMU's Katie Easley reports some people are more-susceptible to the heat than others.

The week leading up to Father's Day is considered National Men's Health Week. KSMU's Katie Easley reports.

Saving money on gas or items at the grocery store is on everyone’s mind these days. But budget decisions for the city of Springfield center on whether to pay for kid’s soccer or hire 10 more policemen...

Monday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The day is set aside to highlight the abuse of senior citizens across the world. Here in Missouri, one particular type of abuse regarding senior citizens is skyrocketing: financial abuse...

42 years ago this week, a US spy ship in the Mediterranean came under attack, just off the coast of Egypt. When the air strikes and torpedoes came to a halt, 34 crewmembers were dead and 171 were left wounded...

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department celebrated the opening of the new WIC office in Republic this Friday, June the 12th, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This community service has been steadily increasing over the years, and this new office hopes to accommodate that growth...

On Thursday, the World Health Organization decided to raise the swine flu alert level from phase 5 to phase 6, saying the criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met...

When some Missouri State students open their mailboxes today, they could find a packet that university officials say appears to be from the school but isn't. MSU officials say the packet is not from the university nor was it authorized by the university. KSMU's Kristian Kriner reports.

Community leaders across Springfield met at the Library Center on Wednesday to speak about how "going green" won't only help save the planet, but will also help save the economy. KSMU's Adam Hammons reports.

After the City of Springfield hit a snag in getting the property it wanted for a new bus transfer station site, City Council met with representatives from city utilities to entertain the idea of alternative sites. KSMU's Matt Evans reports on Tuesday's city council luncheon.

The word "generosity" tends to mean different things to different people. For a child, it might mean sharing toys or candy with another kid. For a volunteer, it could take on the form of sharing skills or precious time...

If all goes as planned, Springfield will have a new botanical center by the end of 2010. KSMU's Michele Skalicky has moreandhellip;

It’s summer vacation"a time that kids look forward to, but many parents dread. That’s because they have to work, and determining where a child will go when a parent isn’t home can be difficult. But when children reach a certain age, they might be able to start taking care of themselves...

This weekend, a school in north Springfield will get a "makeover." KSMU's Katie Easley reports.