Good morning, Springfield.

James River Church is handing out free groceries and essential supplies at six Springfield locations today from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.—and hosting a block party on Park Central Square with live music, dinner, a XPogo stunt show and free ice cream from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A man escaped from a house fire at 700 E Delmar St. early Thursday morning with no injuries as firefighters contained the blaze to the back of the house and declared it a total loss — the American Red Cross helped him while the fire marshal is still investigating the cause.

Queen City Shakespeare Company presented its inaugural production of The Tempest, which opened August 21 and will run until August 30 at 317 E.

Walnut — a pop-up space next to J.O.B. Public House in downtown Springfield. The production uses puppetry, masks and projections to explore modern themes with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.

A list of fall festivals for the Ozarks has been released with events like sunflower patches, corn mazes and pumpkin patches scheduled in many towns including Springfield from September through November.

Festival organizers can submit additional events—updates will be provided throughout the fall.

Springfield Public Schools approved a three-year plan on August 19 to hire EverDriven for challenging bus routes and expand eligibility for middle school and SPS Choice students.

The plan will start this school year and later add capacity for about 752 extra riders while cutting long ride times—saving the district roughly $524,600.

U.S. News & World Report released its 2025 rankings for Missouri high schools and Nixa High School was ranked No. 1 in the Springfield metro area for the fourth year in a row.

Willard and Ozark High Schools ranked No. 2 and No. 3 while Springfield's Central High School placed fourth.

K-9 units from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office trained at Willard Aquatic Center yesterday to boost their confidence and control on land and in water—developing vital skills for future public safety tasks.

The training helped the dogs cool off as they practiced in a different environment.

Small-school football teams in Springfield will open their season on Aug.

29 with returning stars including Ash Grove's Kyler Reece, Fair Grove's Gavin Thomason, Strafford's Tilman Heil, Springfield Catholic's Sam Boster, and Lighthouse Christian's Sawyer Morris—each expected to boost their teams after major roster changes.

Taste of the Ozarks 2025

6-9 p.m. — Oasis Hotel & Conv. Center — Ticket info available online — Enjoy a Luau-themed culinary experience with local eats and exciting auctions.

Pokey LaFarge Live Performance

8-10:30 p.m. — The Regency Live — All ages welcome — Experience Pokey LaFarge's unique blend of folk, country, and swing in an unforgettable evening.

Air Power History Tour in Springfield

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Premier Flight Center — $20 Adults, $10 Children (11-17), Free Under 10 — Experience the power of historic aircraft with the entire family on display and in flight.

Air Power History Tour - Springfield MO

9 AM - 5 PM — Premier Flight Center — $20 Adults, $10 Children (11-17), Free for Under 10 — Experience the B-29 Superfortress and other historic aircraft with educational opportunities and flights.

Movie Matinee: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

2 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — Ticket & Concession combo available — Enjoy a classic 1954 musical about love and family in the great outdoors.

2025 Japanese Fall Festival

5-10 p.m. — Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden — Free entry — Experience the art of traditional Japanese sword fighting mixed with contemporary performances by Samurai Sword Soul.

Kid'Athlon

1:30-5 p.m. — Chesterfield Park — $35/Child; $25/Additional child — A mini-triathlon for kids ages 5-12 featuring swimming, biking, and running fun.

Blind Melon Concert

7 PM - 1 AM — The Regency Live — All ages — Blind Melon returns for a night of alternative rock after six years away.

Shining A Light: Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Webinar

This webinar will provide insight into warning signs, prevention strategies, and resources regarding youth suicide awareness and prevention, available here in Missouri. We encourage registration and attend as groups, as space is limited.

Springfield Native Plant Sale

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Bass Pro Shops — Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted — Discover a variety of native plants while supporting local conservation efforts.