Good morning, Springfield.

On Friday, April 11, Jeremy Kudrna killed his wife, Julie, at her workplace at Horace Mann Insurance on East Kearney Street—he then turned the gun on himself after she had an emergency protection order issued on March 13.

A 17-year-old testified in court about her father molesting her since she was 7 and how she once took back her statement because no one believed her, and experts in a local panel said that children often recant abuse claims when they do not get support & urged adults to listen closely.

The Live From Downtown free weekly concert series will take place at Park Central Square every Saturday at 7 p.m. from May 3 to September 27, with 20 shows planned—skipping June 14 and August 9 for other events—and it will feature local artists while being sponsored by Hatch Foundation and managed by Downtown Springfield CID and Headline Productions.

Former vice president Judy Brunner was elected president by a unanimous vote while the board split 4—3 in choosing Danielle Kincaid as vice president; new members Sarah Hough and Gail Smart were sworn in on April 15th.

Springfield-area voters selected Hough and Smart on April 8 to replace incumbent members, setting a new course for the board.

Missouri State University will discuss a proposal to raise tuition fees by 4% today at 4 p.m. in a web conference.

The proposal would increase undergraduate fees by $12 per credit hour and graduate fees by $15 per credit hour—steps aimed at keeping tuition competitive.

Real ID enforcement will begin May 7 after a 20-year delay — Springfield residents should check their IDs for a gold or black star that confirms compliance.

Those without the star must gather documents proving identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and residency to board domestic flights and access federal facilities.

Gov. Mike Kehoe made four appointments to the eight-member Missouri Board of Education this week—replacing board leadership while keeping Springfield eye surgeon Tom Prater on the board.

The new appointees, including replacements for board president Charlie Shields and vice president Carol Hallquist, will work with Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger under state guidelines.

The Springfield Fire Department released its annual fire report for 2024 and noted a new Fire Station 7 built with voter approved funds to improve emergency response.

The report detailed expanded programs such as Project RED Zone — which installed smoke alarms and offered fire safety training — and a naloxone distribution program that increased bystander help during opioid overdoses.

Amy Crocker and Judy Davidson, breast cancer survivors, shared their personal journeys in Buddy Check 3 hosted by the Breast Cancer Foundation of Ozarks during April.

The event brought many survivors together to show the strength and support in the fight against breast cancer.

Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt

1-11 p.m. — Route 66 Springfield Visitor Center — Price per team — Embark on a fun and interactive scavenger hunt adventure through Springfield's attractions.

Springfield Cardinals vs Arkansas Travelers

6:35 PM – 10:59 PM — Hammons Field — Tickets Required — Catch an exciting baseball matchup between local favorites and rivals.

Local Authors Expo

10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Nixa Community Branch Library — Free entry — Celebrate local stories with authors and discover your next favorite book.

Easter Buffet at The Ozark Mill

10:30 AM – 7:00 PM — The Ozark Mill Restaurant at Finley Farms — All-you-can-eat — Indulge in a festive spring buffet featuring various stations.

Vegan Sushi Night

6-8 p.m. — Craft Sushi — Cost varies — Celebrate Earth Day with delicious vegan sushi and connect with fellow vegans.

Stephen Paul Live Performance

7-8:30 p.m. — The Riff — Refunds available until 7 days prior — Enjoy a night of toe-tapping country tunes with Nashville star Stephen Paul.

CVMA Mouse Races

6-10 p.m. — Veteran Event Center — $15.00 — Enjoy thrilling races and support local veterans in need at this fun-packed charity event.

The Little Mermaid Musical

2-6 p.m. — Springfield Little Theatre — Suitable for all ages — Experience the underwater adventure of Ariel in this enchanting musical filled with beloved songs.

Springfield Cardinals vs Northwest Arkansas Naturals

11:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. — Hammons Field — Affordable tickets available — Experience the excitement of a live baseball game with the Springfield Cardinals taking on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

Brown Bag Concert Series: Missouri State Opera Theatre

12-1 p.m. — John Goodman Amphitheatre — Free entry — Experience the award-winning Missouri State Opera Theatre in a captivating performance showcasing student talent.