Help honor the men and women who have served or are serving our amazing country. The Missouri State Fair is accepting nominations for Veteran/Active Military Honoree of the Day, sponsored by Capital Materials, Retrieving Freedom, Inc., and Starline Brass. Eleven veterans/active duty service members from Missouri will be chosen from the nominations and honored daily in a Military Flag Retreat ceremony to take place outside the Historic Administration Building on the Fairgrounds. Individuals can be nominated using a form available on the Missouri State Fair Mi ..read more

The Missouri Department of Agriculture Plant Industries team is setting spongy moth pest traps in May and will continue monitoring for other plant pests in the upcoming months. Summer is a popular time for pests to make their presence known in a negative way. “Plant pests can hitchhike to new locations through a number of avenues,” said State Entomologist Rosalee Knipp. “They can burrow in untreated firewood and attach themselves to outdoor surfaces. Our team works hard to ensure Missouri’s plant industry remains protected throughout the year, and no invasive species ..read more

 Nine Pittsburg State University Media Production students led by Communication Professor Troy Comeau, Assistant Professor Barth Cox, and Assistant Instructional Professor Kate Allred won 11 awards in eight categories at this year’s Kansas Association of Broadcaster’s competition. “I am extremely proud of these students who have worked really hard to represent us and showcase what our department has to offer,” Cox said. Their success included five 1st Place awards: Zack Shelby (Carl Junction) for Source ..read more

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly Friday announced federal approval of the state’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 2, providing an investment of more than $450 million to expand Kansas’ high-speed internet infrastructure. Funding will be granted to areas that have been identified as underserved through a competitive application process that will begin in July. “Kansans, no matter their zip code, deserve access to reliable, high-speed internet,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The distribution of BEAD funds will break down the barriers that have prevented som ..read more

TOPEKA – On Friday, Governor Laura Kelly announced  appointments to the Route 66 Centennial Commission and a total 11 appointments and 2 reappointments to state boards and commissions. Route 66 Centennial Commission Purpose: To celebrate the centennial anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. The Commission is composed of representatives recommended by the governors of eight states traversed by Route 66, along with representatives recommended by the US Department of Transportation, and leadership of the US House and Senate. Doug Gatewood, Galena Jessica Walker, Galena Mary Billington, Galena Ren ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., police officer who ran an anti-crime charity has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a scheme in which he spent more than $300,000 in donations for his own personal expenses. Aaron Wayne McKie, 46, was charged in a 16-count indictment returned under seal on Tuesday, April 23. The indictment was unsealed and made public today upon McKie’s arrest and initial court appearance. McKie has worked as a police officer for the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department for 24 years, since April 2000. He was assigned as a police officer to the Crime Free Multi-Hous ..read more

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission congratulates Ann Marie Baker of Springfield on her recent appointment by Gov. Mike Parson as commissioner. Baker was sworn into the position Friday following the Senate’s confirmation of her appointment. “We are excited to welcome Ms. Baker’s experience and knowledge to this esteemed commission, and we look forward to the important work ahead with her engaged,” said Commission Chairman W. Dustin Boatwright. Baker replaces Terry Ecker of Elmo, who had served the MHTC since 2017 and held both chairman and vice chairman positi ..read more

Warmer weather encourages people to be more active outdoors. In the coming weeks, more and more bicycles will be sharing the road with motorists. May is Bicycle Safety Month, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages motorists and bicyclists to stay alert and be courteous. Preliminary statistics for 2023 indicate eight people were killed and 438 injured in 522 traffic crashes involving a bicycle. Please know the law regarding operating a bicycle and be a safe rider. Did you know? · A bicyclist is required to ride as near the right side of the roadway as is safe, exercising due care whe ..read more

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will remain among the handful of states that haven’t legalized the medical use of marijuana or expanded their Medicaid programs for at least another year. Republican state senators on Friday blocked efforts to force debates on both issues before the GOP-controlled Legislature’s scheduled adjournment for the year Tuesday. Supporters of each measure fell short of the 24 of 40 votes required to pull a bill on each subject out of committee. Backers of both proposals argue that they have popular support yet have been thwarted going on a decade in each case. Kansas doesn ..read more

(BBB) — As you and your family plan for warmer weather and all the summer fun that comes with it, make sure you vet potential summer camps for your kids carefully. Read more or hear from Better Business Bureau Regional Director Pamela Hernandez below: Summer camp is a safe environment for kids to develop social skills, grow a bit of independence and experience the outdoors. At a top-quality camp, parents should be able to trust the staff with their children’s health and safety so everyone can focus on having a great summer. When you’re choosing a summer camp, use the same level of care that ..read more