Farmington Inmate Dies at St. Louis Hospital

St. Louis, Mo. (KFMO) - A Missouri Department of Corrections inmate has died at a St. Louis hospital. According to the Missouri Department of Corrections, 39-year-old Terry Benson was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital St. Louis at 4:48 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2026. Benson was serving a five-year sentence at...

This Charming Little Missouri Town Is So Budget Friendly It Feels Almost Too Good To Be True

Most things that sound too good to be true actually are, but Farmington, Missouri keeps being the exception that breaks that rule. Sitting comfortably in the rolling hills of St. Francois County, about 70 miles south of St. Louis, this town has quietly assembled a combination of affordability, charm, and genuine quality of life that most people spend years searching for and never quite find.

Missouri high school forfeits playoff football game for interesting reason

This season has been one to forget for The Principia School's high school football team (St. Louis, Missouri). Now, the Panthers' 2026 season is over despite still having a playoff game on the schedule. According to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the team forfeited its second-round postseason game against Crystal City (MO). The reason for the forfeit? To address culture issues. “While we’re disappointed with how the season ended, we believe this was a necessary step in moving our program forward,” The Principia School athletic director Shawn Brown told the Post-Dispatch. With the loss, the Panthers finish the season with a 2-7 record. The team gave up 54 or more points five times and 60 or more points four times. In their six on-field losses, the Panthers lost by an average of 29 points. In their two wins, the Panthers did put up a ton of points, scoring 70 against Veritas Christian Academy (MO) and 66 against Confluence Prep Academy (MO). This year is just the latest what's been a trying near-two-decade stretch for the Panthers. Principia School last won more than five games back in 2009. Since that season, the Panthers have compiled an overall record of

Missouri hemp businesses clear shelves, close shops as new restrictions take effect

Brian Riegel, owner of South Point Hemp, has farmed hemp since 2018 near Union. He had hoped to specialize in full-spectrum CBD products, which are marketed as sleep aids and pain relievers. But those products contain small amounts of hemp-derived THC, which is now banned in Missouri (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

This Secret Illinois Nature Preserve Is A Peaceful Escape Worthy Of Your Bucket List

There’s a place in southern Illinois that most people have never heard of, and it sits above the Mississippi River like it’s been keeping a very pleasant secret for a very long time. That place is Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve, and it’s located near the small town...

Area Schools Face $5.5 Million Funding Shortfall Under State Budget Proposal

Ten area school districts could receive a combined $5.55 million less than Missouri's school funding formula calls for in the next fiscal year, according to estimates released by Crawford County R-I Superintendent Brian Witt. The projected shortfall includes $907,480 for Potosi, $835,223 for St. Clair, $755,760 for Sullivan and $338,498...

Public Comment Rule in Place

(Farmington, Mo.) Public comment guidelines are now in place for St. Francois County Commission meetings after the proposed rules were approved by St. Francois County Commissioners. Presiding Commissioner, Kent Scism, says with the guidelines in place it gives everyone who wants to talk during the public comments section of commission meetings an equal opportunity.

Catch A Shuttle Up The Mountain And Ride Back Down At This Missouri Bike Park

A mountain that once held Civil War cannon positions now sends mountain bikers flying down rocky downhill trails. You can still spot those old cannon spots up there. You can also find leftovers from a former ski operation. The best part is the ride to the top. A shuttle hauls...

District football championships decided tonight

Eureka, Festus and St. Pius X host district championships tonight, while Crystal City, Jefferson and Seckman have tough road tests if they’re to play another week. Bundle up because playoff football weather arrived just in time for high school football’s stretch run that ends up with the Show Me Bowls in St. Joseph in December. Hillsboro, Festus and St. Pius were state finalists the last three years. That’s new territory for county teams. All that remains is closing the deal with Jefferson County’s first state title.

CCC introducing new program in 5 southeast Mo. counties

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Community Counseling Center (CCC) is introducing a new program that will serve Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry and Ste. Genevieve Counties. The Early Diversion program will help people facing mental health challenges get treatment and support before an arrest or being booked into...

After 26 Years, Farr Takes Reins at St. Francois County 911

More than a quarter-century ago, a young Chuck Farr was determined to land a job as a dispatcher with St. Francois County 911. He repeatedly approached then-Director Alan Wells, hoping for a chance to begin a career in emergency communications. Wells initially turned him down, believing he was too young...

Local Author Pens Historical Fiction Book

(Farmington, Mo.) Local author, Jack Ward Skinner, has a new book. It’s the second installment in his continuing saga of the Calliott family. Skinner says The book is called “War and Promise” and it’s set in the time of the War of 1812. Skinner says he has several book signings coming up for those who wish to purchase a copy.

Women's Basketball Scores School-Record 116 Points in Season Opening Win Over Eureka

ST. LOUIS – The Maryville women's basketball team poured in a school-record 116 points and began its 2026-27 season by rolling past Eureka 116-26. The total eclipsed the previous mark of 113 set versus Oakland City Dec. 1, 2013. In addition, the Saints set a new program mark for largest margin of victory at 90 points, topping the record of 74 set against Blackburn Nov. 11, 2012. A third record that fell was most total rebounds as Maryville grabbed 83 boards, to surpass the previous record of 64 versus Harris-Stowe Dec. 10, 2010. Melia Lemorande led four Saints in double figures with 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Lindsey Schadewalt added 22 points and snared 10 boards. Hadley Crosier and Claire Lueken finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

New U.S. 67 and Route CC Interchange Opens in Jefferson County

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A new interchange at U.S. Route 67 and Route CC in Jefferson County is officially open following a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. The Missouri Department of Transportation, along with KCI Construction and Bartlett & West, held the ceremony to celebrate the completion of the project, which transforms the former signalized intersection into a grade-separated interchange.

"Don't Give Up the Ship" Flag Arrives In Annapolis

MoDOT Plans Route U Bridge Replacement in Iron County

Iron Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri Department of Transportation is planning improvements to a bridge along Route U in Iron County, with construction potentially beginning in early 2029. MoDOT plans to replace the Route U bridge over Logan Creek, located between County Road 28 and Logan Road, east of...

County Council adds road improvements to subdivision plan

The Jefferson County Council has added another stipulation that developers of a 200-home subdivision in Imperial must follow before their petition is given the go-ahead. The council voted 6-0 on Oct. 26 to amend the petition submitted by JSS Land Development LLC of St. Louis to include work on Lions Den Road before more traffic is added to the road once the subdivision is built. The work includes widening the road at the intersection of Lions Den and Old Hwy. 21 to allow for a dedicated right-turn lane and a shoulder.

Commission Hears Updates on Downtown Revitalization

The Madison County Commission discussed progress on a proposed downtown revitalization grant, county road improvements and preparations for the general election at its regular meeting Monday, Nov. 2, at the courthouse in Fredericktown. Although no new or old business was scheduled on the agenda, commissioners heard updates from county officials...

Judge Rules Against Crawford County R-I, Other Defendants In Lawsuit Over Property Tax Bills

A Cole County judge has ruled against the Crawford County R-I School District and dozens of other local government entities in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Missouri property tax law enacted as part of legislation intended to help finance stadium projects for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

Festus Hosts Sikeston for Class 4 District 1 Football Championship

(Festus) The Festus Tigers football team battles Sikeston for the Class 4 District 1 Championship Friday night. Festus is 8-2 on the season after a 34-6 win over De Soto last week. Sikeston is 7-3 after beating Hillsboro 15-10 in their last game. Festus head coach AJ Ofodile said his...