Good morning, Springfield.

Construction has begun on a new Bingham Elementary School at Cherry Street and Barnes Avenue after the old 70-year-old building was demolished on Aug.

12. The school will feature extra space and a storm shelter and is set to open for the 2027-28 school year.

Ozarks Tech opened its new $48 million student union called The U to give students a central place on campus to gather, dine, and unwind.

The facility includes a food court, store, fitness center and ping pong tables while expansion for building trades is planned.

Springfield Public Schools, the local police & Greene County Sheriff's Office are urging drivers to be extra careful as school starts.

The joint campaign will share safety tips to help protect students on their way to class.

Springfield is launching the Help Starts Here campaign to encourage drivers to donate to local nonprofits instead of giving cash to panhandlers.

The initiative uses signs & educational videos to offer safer, more effective support for local services.

Springfield Police Department and Community Partnership of the Ozarks released a gun safety PSA that urges responsible storage to lower injuries and fatalities, offering free gun locks available at the CoxHealth Emergency Department security desk (plus through neighborhood associations).

Springfield health inspectors are acting quickly on a cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce that has sickened more than 6,000 people across 15 states; they have notified restaurants and stores including Taco Bell and Walmart Marketside and reported full cooperation from establishments.

Health experts urge Springfield residents to cover exposed skin when entering wooded areas because tick and mosquito populations are rising with summer heat and rain in the Ozarks.

They advise bug spray with DEET & regular tick checks to help prevent insect bites.

Springfield bike club member David Hutchison advised riders to treat e-bikes as motor vehicles because they can reach speeds up to 30 mph (they are heavier than typical bicycles) and recommended helmets and low-traffic streets for safety; Missouri does not require a license or registration for e-bikes.