Daily
Springfield
Thursday, April 16th, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 16th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Leigh Moody asked Springfield residents for help finding her lost cat Coffee Bean, who went missing on Wednesday, Apr. 15; she invites anyone with information to contact her through her Facebook page. KY3
- ➤ Dickerson Park Zoo reopened its new Bear Boardwalk (Tuesday, April 14) after a closure since 2021 due to safety concerns, with the boardwalk now providing improved access to the bear exhibit and funded by city carryover funds. Springfield News-Leader
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Springfield’s One More Page bookstore opened last week on Historic Commercial Street. Owner Laurali Carroll bought the building and plans to add a liquor license by year’s end so visitors can enjoy a glass of wine while browsing new books. Springfield Daily Citizen
- ➤ ALDI is planning its fourth Springfield store pending building plan approval; the grocery chain filed plans on April 13 to retrofit a space at 3960 W. Washita St. near major retailers including Petco, Ulta Beauty & Walmart Supercenter at Springfield Plaza. Construction will start July 1 and finish Nov. 18. Springfield Daily Citizen
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Historic images from the News-Leader archives show Springfield's role as the birthplace of Route 66 (a key part of our local heritage), inviting residents to explore the city's storied past. Springfield News-Leader
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ A Cole County judge rejected the Missouri NEA’s challenge to the voucher program that lets over 4,000 Missouri families use public funds for private education. The NEA will appeal the ruling in the Missouri Supreme Court. KY3
- ➤ Springfield School District schools collected over 83,000 meals through Food Fight 2026—Ozarks Food Harvest announced its plan to distribute donations across a 28-county area—supporting the Weekend Backpack Program for over 63 children during the full school year. KY3
- ➤ Springfield Public Schools has partnered with United Way and local businesses to collect school supplies for the new school year, with drop-offs from May 1 until June 5 and supplies distributed during the Ready, Set, Supply campaign (for day one needs). KY3
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ This week, Greene County honors 911 dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, recognizing their role in guiding emergency calls & ensuring community safety. The Springfield-Greene County 911 Center also trains new staff for a year to prepare them for the challenges of handling critical calls. KY3
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Construction for phase 1 of Auburn Meadows is underway near Willard as developer Derek Lee (working with Willard officials) applies to change zoning from suburban to urban for 70 lots. A public hearing on the plan is set for Tuesday, and residents fear local roads and sewers may be overstretched. KY3
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Mike Webb of Webb’s Guide Service (sponsored by Bass Pro Shops) offers this week’s tips for catching spawning bass at Bull Shoals, Table Rock, Stockton, and Lake of the Ozarks. His recommendations include using Ned rigs, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and shakey heads with specific depths and tactics for cloudy, windy days. KY3
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Big Boogie & JaYy Wick Concert
7 PM — Springfield, MO — $50.00-$135.00 — Experience an electrifying night of music with top artists in a vibrant atmosphere.
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Stone Cold and The Jackal Live Show
7:30-11:30 p.m. — Springfield Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of comedy and music with soap opera stars Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson.
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Meet the Morgan Horse
1-4 p.m. — Pinegar Arena — $5 carriage rides — Experience horse demos and fun family activities at this lively event.
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Spring Dance Concert: Bloom Revue
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — $0 to $30.50 — Enjoy a vibrant variety dance concert featuring local talent and choreography.
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Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Celebration
April 30th — Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque — Varied pricing — Celebrate a century of Route 66 with concerts, parades, and community events in Springfield.
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Becky Robinson Live
8-11 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience high-energy comedy from LA-based sensation Becky Robinson as she brings her unique characters to the stage.
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Let's Drive Campaign
12-1 p.m. — The Library Center — Free entry — Attend a class to transform your business ideas into actionable plans with expert guidance.
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Comedian Shelly Belly
6-10 p.m. — Springfield Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of relatable laughs with the renowned comedian Shelly Belly in an intimate setting.
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Springfield Indian Artifact Show
May 8-9 — Ozark Empire Fairgrounds — Entry fee may apply — Explore prehistoric artifacts and connect with local history enthusiasts.
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William Montgomery Live Comedy Show
6:00 PM - 12:45 AM — Springfield Comedy Club — Ticket price varies — Enjoy a night of laughs with comedian William Montgomery, known for his appearances on the hit podcast 'Kill Tony'.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
~ Thomas Jefferson
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