The Civility Project, which is an ongoing project that reminds citizens of the importance of respect in matters of public discourse, is celebrating its one year anniversary this week. To honor the occasion, leaders of the project, including members from the Library Center and Community Foundation of the Ozarks, will be hosting the free program series called “Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion.” The program series includes poetry readings, photo exhibits and a soup dinner. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon spoke on the importance of exporting goods from the state of Missouri at a steel manufacturing plant in Springfield Tuesday. KSMU’s Melanie Foehrweiser was there and has this report.
A group has submitted a petition to the City Clerk’s office that aims to repeal the 2011 smoking ban and allow smoking in certain types of businesses again. KSMU’s Melanie Foehrweiser talked to people on both sides of the issue and has this report.
IDEA Commons is Missouri State University’s Urban Innovations Park, designed to help local businesses and students collaborate and network. Inside an old processing facility downtown, the university is working to see creative minds join forces and help small businesses grow. KSMU’s Samuel Crowe has this update on the project.
This is a story about a woman whose perspective is enriched by having lived in two very different worlds, and having lived for over eight decades. A single mom of two boys at 30 years old—a young widow, no less—Shirley Johnson became a teacher and taught at Baptist Bible College in Springfield for years. However, instead of retirement, Johnson packed her bags and moved to Kenya as a missionary, where she began changing the lives of impoverished kids. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark shares her story.
Springfield voters have passed the controversial E-Verify proposal, which requires all Springfield employers to use the E-Verify program to make sure all new employees are legally authorized to work. KSMU’s Nolan Epstein has the details.
Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers in the Springfield area to help out with the organization’s so-called “six-by-six challenge.” KSMU’s Brittany Donnellan has details.
The Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation has received a donation of a fire engine from Jon’s Mid-America Fire Apparatus. KSMU's Brittany Donnellan has details.
Thousands of children in the Ozarks go hungry, especially during the summer months when they’re away from school. A state program is looking for local organizations to step up, and help feed these children. KSMU’s Shane Franklin has the story.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks commits 2 percent of its assets toward direct investments for "Community good." Mike Smith has the story on this installment of Making a Difference Where You Live.
Supporters and opponents of the proposed E-verify ordinance are campaigning away in Springfield. If approved, the ordinance would require businesses to check the immigration status of all new employees using a federal E-Verify computer system. Some people have raised money to promote their messages through advertising on the radio, phone bank operations, and other venues. Now as the final vote approaches on Feb. 7, the groups are stepping up their efforts to make sure the public is aware of the issue. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more.
How do social service agencies keep track of how many homeless people are in a given area? Well, in Springfield, they get out there and try to do a head count twice a year. KSMU’s Brittany Donnellan has details.
The superintendents of several Ozarks school districts gathered together Thursday to advocate for their districts when it comes to state funding. KSMU's Jennifer Moore has details.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have come up with a plan to restore southwest Missouri’s natural resources that have been hurt by harmful substances. The agencies plan to hold three public meetings, starting Wednesday night, to get feedback on the proposal. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has details.
Columbia College held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the move of its southwest Missouri location from Ozark to Springfield. KSMU’s Melanie Foehrweiser reports.
After about 185 people were evacuated due to a fire that broke out early Friday morning, many residents at the Missouri Hotel homeless shelter are seeking temporary refuge at Springfield’s Crimson House Church. Eight people had to go to the hospital, and have since been released. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark began by talking to Pastor John Pace at the Crimson House, who rushed into his church in the wee hours of the morning to open it up as a shelter.
Missouri State University is offering free tax assistance to low income Springfield residents as well as the elderly and international students. KSMU’s Melanie Foehrweiser reports.
This week, the Springfield-based humanitarian organization Convoy of Hope reached a milestone: it has served more than 50 Million people around the world through international children’s feeding initiatives, citywide outreaches, disaster response and partner resourcing. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more.
Local high school students have the opportunity to travel to Africa with Shawn Askinosie, founder of Askinosie Chocolate. Students will travel as part of Chocolate University, a program within Askinosie Chocolate that inspires local students to learn business skills and get involved in the world beyond Springfield. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark talks to Askinosie, who shares how students can get involved in the program.
This week, the Springfield Symphony selected six finalists who are auditioning for the position of music director and conductor during the 2012-2013 season. Each finalist will trade off leading one of the season’s six concerts as a guest conductor, and they will then be evaluated by the audience, orchestra and staff. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more.
On Friday, the two-hour episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will feature the show’s efforts in Joplin after the May 22 tornado. The episode shows volunteers from all over the Ozarks, including more than 300 Drury members who designed and built a tribute to volunteers in Joplin’s Cunningham Park. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has more.
Governor Jay Nixon has been traveling the state to promote a new set of incentives in his overall strategy to create jobs in Missouri. The proposal is called “Missouri Works.” KSMU’s Jennifer Moore has details.
