Good morning, Springfield.

Twelve-year-old Harper Johansen of Lebanon earned top honors at the Ozark Empire Fair junior cattle show on Friday, July 31, where her family worked together to groom her Charolais & Hereford cattle and uphold a long-standing fair tradition.

The Ozark Empire Fair hosted a sensory friendly afternoon on Monday from 1 to 3 p.m., letting families enjoy rides without music+flashing lights in Springfield.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers report 27 drownings so far this year (an 80% increase from last year) and urge families to use life jackets and flotation devices near water.

Diane Jones from Diane’s Bookkeeping Services offers professional bookkeeping and financial reporting to local small businesses.

With 30 years experience and Gold Tier QuickBooks ProAdvisor accreditation, she provides personalized support to help business owners manage finances.

Missouri’s annual back-to-school tax holiday starts on Friday, Aug.

7 and runs through Sunday at midnight (covering eligible clothing, school supplies and computers) as shoppers benefit from state and local tax savings throughout the state.

At this year's Ozark Empire Fair, the Missouri Department of Conservation did not staff its historic exhibition building due to budget constraints and instead used it as a beer garden; visitors can learn about wildlife at other conservation centers + plans for future updates remain uncertain.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is reminding parents to vaccinate their children before school begins.

It offers free vaccines for uninsured & underinsured students through easy appointment scheduling to remove cost barriers.

Former coach and breast cancer survivor Trish Marsh, now vice president of Western Missouri Coaches Fighting Cancer, urges local coaches to get mammograms at Buddy Check 3’s clinic, which will be held Wednesday, Aug.

5 at Greenwood Laboratory School in Springfield; the event welcomes public participation to support early detection.

Missouri State is facing roster changes as a judge ruled on July 31 to allow Class of 2022 athletes an extra season (athletes must have competed last season and meet roster limits).

The NCAA plans an expedited appeal while coaches weigh their options with nearly full teams.

Central High's varsity football season for 2026 is canceled due to low player turnout, and the school will focus on developing its junior varsity program.

Athletic Director Josh Scott said homecoming will be celebrated at a soccer game on Oct. 2 amid plans to upgrade Harrison Stadium.