Good morning, Springfield.

It Takes a Village, a local nonprofit, is expanding its outreach to help at-risk kids in Springfield with its new Breaking the Chains program.

Mentors with personal experience now visit group homes to teach self-love and positive choices.

Crosslines Community Outreach on East Division Street received a semi-truck carrying 40,000 pounds of food on Wednesday.

The donation is part of a nationwide effort to mark America’s 250th birthday (addressing growing food assistance needs in southwest Missouri).

Meals on Wheels Springfield needs volunteer drivers to deliver hot meals + wellness visits to seniors and adults with disabilities in north and south parts of the city today.

Volunteers must have a valid license, reliable vehicle and friendly attitude; call 417-269-4696 for north or 417-269-3496 for south to sign up.

A Springfield nonprofit is sending supplies to families displaced by three major wildfires in eastern Washington.

The group is distributing food, water and hygiene items amid dry conditions and strong winds — donations are needed to support the ongoing relief efforts.

The New Branson Tri-Lakes News returns to newsstands after business owners revived the 100-year-old paper.

Its first issue will be delivered Friday, Aug. 7 and features a Stone County section.

The annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival runs Aug.

7-8 in downtown Springfield with a car show, live music, vendors and motorcycle trick shows. Road closures begin Thursday at 4 a.m. and Friday at 4 a.m. on key downtown streets (check posted maps for details).

Wonders of Wildlife announced the birth of a gentoo penguin chick on July 19 at its Penguin Cove exhibit and the chick is being raised by its parents (Dora and Weddell) along with the animal care team.

Visitors will soon be able to see it develop juvenile plumage.

Ozarks Tech will host a public celebration for its new Michael L.

Parson Student Union on Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. at 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, where guests will enjoy tours, activities and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with former Gov. Mike Parson and other officials attending.

With the Missouri primary over, local beekeepers in Greene County now repurpose leftover yard signs for hive insulation and dividing colonies today, lowering costs and boosting bee health.

Metal stakes will be recycled for free at Complete Electronics Recycling & help reduce landfill waste.

A viewer question about subscription cancellations led to a review of the FTC’s click-to-cancel rule that a court blocked last summer.

Many companies already updated their policies to simplify cancellations, and new rules may be announced later this year.

The USDA launched a two-part program to help Missouri veterans and military spouses transition to agriculture careers.

It aims to hire 100 veterans in 100 days and expands its SkillBridge partnership with the Pentagon (providing work experience opportunities).

Missouri health officials reported 1,095 cyclosporiasis cases as of Sunday, Aug.

2, an 85% jump linked to contaminated produce like iceberg lettuce as part of a nationwide investigation. Residents are advised (by health authorities) to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.

U.S. News and World Report released its rankings Aug.

5 identifying 12 Missouri regional hospitals as among the best in the country. Mercy Hospital Springfield tied for No. 6, and top facilities in St. Louis and Kansas City earned high marks for procedures and outcomes (highlighting quality care statewide).

Construction is underway at Mercy’s south campus for the new O’Reilly Pediatric Center, a 30,000 sqft facility that will provide primary care and specialty services for kids — set to open in December along U.S. 65 just south of James River Freeway.