Webb City exploring data center ordinances

City leaders say there are no data centers in the works at this time. But they are looking at what other cities, like Joplin, have done to set limits on that kind of construction.

Republican Louise Secker wins Missouri House District 161 race

Republican Louise Secker has won Missouri House District 161 against Democrat Aaron Metzger. The race between the two candidates was close, with Secker winning by 218 votes. She’s likely one of the only women to be elected to the district, which covers Webb City and parts of Joplin. Her win maintains Republican control of the district, which has been occupied by Lane Roberts since 2019, who did not seek re-election.

Spikes in Republic water/sewer billing scaled back from two to 12 years, officials propose slow roll water, sewer rate changes

The Republic City Council is considering a stunning reversal of the steep water and sewer rate increases approved in January 2025. At the city council’s Oct. 20 meeting, Chief Financial Officer Bob Ford introduced a budget amendment pulling back on the 64 percent increase in water and sewer rates in one year, which would continue to rise annually. After an outcry from the public, in March the city froze scheduled increases in water after the first year. Wastewater rates still increased by 16 percent. Under the vision statement of “doing the Right Thing at the Right Time for the Right Reason,” Ford advances what was called a “fairer” bill calculation methodology, “one that is equitable to all rate payers and can be used for both water and wastewater” for the next three years.

Ribbon cut on affordable housing development on C-Street

For the first time in over 50 years, there is a new building on Historic Commercial Street in Springfield. Amid a light cool drizzle and against a thrumming backdrop of trains, local leaders and developers Wednesday morning cut the ribbon on the Sankofa building. The development, at the intersection of...

Springfield voters reject all four city charter questions

Voters in Springfield rejected four ballot questions intended to modernize the city charter during the November 2026 election.

Springfield asks residents to help shape neighborhood plans

Springfield residents can help shape plans for 24 registered neighborhoods at a Nov. 9 open house launching a citywide neighborhood planning initiative. The event is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. at Lincoln Hall on the Ozarks Technical Community College campus, 815 N. Sherman Ave., according to a community announcement. The City of Springfield and consultant Freese and Nichols are developing plans for 24 of the city's 26 registered neighborhoods. The initiative is intended to guide investment, strengthen neighborhood identity and support long-term quality of life, according to the announcement. Young-Lilley and East Central were not yet registered neighborhoods when the city executed its contract with Freese and Nichols. City Planning and Development staff plan to explore options for developing plans for those neighborhoods and any others that register with the city after the current round is completed in February 2028. "Neighborhood plans are a key component of the city’s long-range planning strategy," principal planner Alana Owen said in the announcement. "Each neighborhood plan will be developed with direct resident involvement and will identify priorities related to land use, housing, transportation, community character and public amenities. These plans will serve as guiding documents for future public and private investments while supporting stronger,

City of Springfield reminds voters of post-election sign rules

Springfield city officials are reminding residents and campaigns to remove political signs from private property within 48 hours of the election and noting that all such signage is strictly prohibited in public rights-of-way.

Missouri allocates $1M to Discovery Center for upgrades

The Discovery Center received $1 million in state funds from House Bill 19 to modernize its facility and construct the Building Kids interactive exhibition.

CASA of the Southwest receives $250,000 for Taney County clubhouse

Court Appointed Special Advocates for children, or CASA of the Southwest, will expand in Taney County after receiving $250,000.

City to combine brush & leaf pickup this year

Aurora City Manager Carrie Howlett said brush and leaf pickup will take place in November and December in the city manager’s report during the Oct. 27 meeting of the Aurora City Council. “In years past, we’ve done the brush pickup, and then we’ve had special pickups just for leaves...

Brian Seitz: Looking Forward to Final Two Years in Office

Lakes Area Missouri State Representative Brian Seitz wins re-election to represent the 156th District in what will be his final two years in Jefferson City. Seitz hits the maximum eight years allowed by law when his new term ends in 2028, and during an interview Election Night on Legends 1063’s Election Coverage, he said that he will continue to work hard on legislation to benefit Branson, Hollister, and the Lakes Region.

Crews begin work on Sunshine Street safety improvements

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Some big changes are coming to Sunshine Street. On Monday, MODOT crews started working on safety improvements along just over four miles of East Sunshine, between Glenstone Avenue and Farm Road 199. The primary change will be raising the medians in order to help traffic flow and reduce the number of crashes […]

Beloved Robert E. Smith mural recreated in downtown Springfield after community outcry

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - A celebrated tribute to renowned Springfield folk artist Robert E. Smith has returned to downtown Springfield, months after the original public artwork was painted over by a new property owner. A pair of regional muralists has nearly finished replicating the iconic piece along the 300 block...

Former Springfield leaders reflect on Cora Scott’s departure from city

Branson to Honor Veterans During Annual Homecoming Week

The Branson community will once again have the honor and privilege of hosting veterans and their families in the days to come during the annual Veteran’s Homecoming Week. From Thursday, Nov. 5 to Wednesday, Nov. 11, dozens of reunions, ceremonies, memorials, galas and other events will take place across the region as community leaders, organizations and businesses pay tribute to the brave men and women who’ve served as members of the United States military.

Governor Mike Kehoe has four city tour to support Amendment 3 ballot measure

JEFFERSON CITY — Governor Mike Kehoe Monday traveled the state to promote a “yes” vote on Amendment 3. Amendment 3 is the ballot measure to restore significant restrictions on access to abortion. Kehoe made stops in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Jefferson City. Kehoe gave remarks and held news conferences at every stop, alongside national and state leaders. The statewide tour ended with a rally at the Jefferson City Memorial Airport.

Sankofa opens on Historic Commercial Street: $13.5M project brings affordable housing, business incubator

City and county leaders gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate the grand opening of “Sankofa,” a $13.5 million mixed-use development that marks the first ground-up construction on Historic Commercial Street in more than 50 years.

Longtime City of Springfield spokesperson out after 14 years

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Communication from the City of Springfield will look a little different moving forward. Cora Scott, who had been at the helm of Springfield’s communications team for nearly 15 years, is out, but there have been very few details surrounding her sudden departure.  Scott confirmed to Ozarks First the career change, saying, “I […]

The Charming Cafe In Missouri Where Cats Roam Around And Steal The Show

Your latte comes with a side of dozens of adoptable cats. That’s the deal at a Branson cafe that pairs coffee with a full-blown feline rescue mission. The cat lounge covers about 2,200 square feet. It has its own HVAC system, totally separate from the cafe, plus a 12-foot window for watching the cats.