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To finish off a time full of local high school graduations, Bailey Alternative High School in Springfield held its commencement ceremony Wednesday morning. For many graduates at this unique school, this moment is the result of overcoming obstacles that most teenagers don’t face. One student received her diploma only moments prior to her departure back to her hometown, Joplin, where she plans to officially return, despite that her house was destroyed by last year’s tornado.  KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has her story, along with details about the event.

Memorial Day Weekend usually marks different summer festivities for locals in the Ozarks. Some spend time outside, host cook-outs, or take time to honor those serving in the armed forces. For those who are race fans, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) is hosting Laps for Life Blood Drive, featuring the Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 and numerous races on local tracks, like Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark has details.

Joplin tornado destruction

.or this Sense of Community report, we look at the science behind what makes one geographical area more prone to severe thunderstorms and tornados than another. Jennifer Moore reports.

Harmony House, formally known as the Family Violence Center, has been providing basic needs to female survivors of domestic violence for 35 years.  The shelter is in desperate need of some very basic items like toilet paper, paper towels, and bath towels.  A survivor of domestic abuse, Kelly Ulch, has been staying at Harmony House since January 3.

"560 employers and over 5,000 jobs in Joplin were impacted by the tornado."

Joplin health officials are finding lead contamination in the soil throughout the tornado zone.  They believe the tornado -- and Joplin's rich history as a lead mining town -- are to blame. KSMU's Jennifer Moore has this Sense of Community Report from Joplin.

Nancy Chappell talks with Julie Hershberger, probation officer and Teen Court coordinator with the Greene County Justice Center, about Teen Court.

A new Chick-fil-A is "made from scratch" in Joplin after the previous one is destroyed by a tornado.

"Very Blessed"

For the one-year anniversary of the Joplin tornado, the Spiva Arts Center presents two new exhibits related to the storm and its impact on the people of Joplin.  KSMU's Randy Stewart talks with Spiva Executive Director Jo Mueller.

KSMU's Randy Stewart revisits Joplin High School choral director Eric Eichenberger and some of his students in their temporary 11th- and 12th-grade school facility at North Park Mall in Joplin.

Being the caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient can sometimes be frustrating.  As the disease progresses, patients develop behaviors commonly seen in children.  Nationally acclaimed speaker Dr. Verna Carson has taken a simple approach to help caregivers deal with those behaviors, and she’ll talk about that during a program tonight (5/22) in Springfield.   KSMU's Michele Skalicky has more...

Tuesday marks the one year anniversary of the EF5 tornado that ripped through Joplin, killing 161 people and destroying around 7,500 homes and businesses.  AmeriCorps volunteers have been a critical part of the recovery of Joplin, and continue to be a vital part of rebuilding.  KSMU’s Theresa Bettmann has more.

Convoy of Hope is teaming up with other organizations to give away a newly built green home to one of the victims of the Joplin tornado.  Tuesday is the one year anniversary of the tornado, which killed 161 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.  KSMU’s Shannon Bowers has the story.

In this segment of KSMU's Sense of Community series Michele Skalicky talks with Mercy officials about services that are being offered now that weren't able to be offered for nearly a year after the storm.

In this segment of KSMU's Sense of Community, Michele Skalicky talks with Mercy Joplin President/CEO Gary Pulsipher about how far the hospital has come since a tornado destroyed the building one year ago.

UAE Ambassador

The small, oil-rich Persian Gulf country of the United Arab Emirates is giving 5 million dollars to Mercy Hospital, Joplin. KSMU's Jennifer Moore has the details.

  • Introduce kids to gardening
  • Fish
  • Eat suckers
  • Watch for birds

State lawmakers approved a budget that gives higher education institutions in the state flat funding. Because university administrators had anticipated a cut in funding, they say this is positive news. Some uncertainty remains as the budget now moves to the governor's desk, and university administrators wait to see if Governor Jay Nixon will make any withholds.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department has recognized six local child care providers that have been certified through its new “Child Safe Facility” program. KSMU’s Rebekah Clark shares details.

It’s Bike to Work Week, and Ozark Greenways along with other organizations, is urging people to leave their cars at home and pedal to work, school or the grocery store.  KSMU’s Michele Skalicky decided to try biking to work.  She shares her experience as well as advice from local cycling experts…

  

The iconic tent has gone up behind Craig Hall on the Missouri State University campus, marking the start of the 50th season of Tent Theatre. Events scheduled through July will celebrate the 50th All-Star Season.

Managing director Mark Templeton discusses what patrons have to look forward to this season.

It’s “Ride Your Bike to Work Week,” and some Springfield commuters are finding new ways to get around town. KSMU’s Samuel Crowe is one of them – he took a trip from his house to the KSMU studios via foot and city bus, and has this report.

This year in Missouri, there’s a lot of emphasis on how state budget cuts will affect state colleges and universities. KSMU’s Jennifer Moore recently sat down with the president of the University of Missouri System, Tim Wolfe, and has this interview.