Good morning, Springfield.

At Route 66 Stadium on Saturday, hundreds climbed in the 14th annual Memorial Stair Climb to honor 343 firefighters lost on 9/11.

The event saw 400+ preregistrations, suggesting a record-breaking turnout.

Ozarks Tech registered a 4% enrollment jump in fall 2026 with over 11,400 students taking 116,565 credit hours, a figure that will help offset upcoming state budget cuts on Sept.

21 (census day). Growth comes as rising interest in technical trades boosts new health science and dual-enrollment programs.

About 350 runners participated in NAMI Southwest Missouri’s Neon Night 5K and walk today in Springfield to honor lives lost to suicide.

Louie Trujillo ran his first 5K in memory of close friends (demonstrating that the event brings both grief and a message of support).

On Friday, Sept. 11, the Hillcrest Hornets ended a long winless streak with a 41-12 win over rival Parkview at Shumate Stadium (running backs Donte Pierce and Xavier Garnett led key plays).

The Hornets will travel next week to play Bolivar.

On Sept. 11, Nixa defeated Republic 49-6 at Eagle Stadium as Missouri State commit Adam McKnight rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another, surpassing a career mark (4,005 yards).

Coach John Perry said the team’s defense and key turnovers drove the emphatic win after a close road contest last week.

Missouri State won 48-14 over FCS-member Lindenwood on Saturday as Ramone Green Jr.-scored two rushing touchdowns and Skyler Locklear completed 17 of 20 passes for 258 yards, helping the team notch six rushing scores in total.

Fair Grove senior Katrina Cantwell, who set school records in multiple races, won the McAuley Warrior Sunrise meet on Aug.

29 and now aims for a top 3 finish at state. The cross-country season will continue on Sept. 19 at the Lebanon Invitational.

Missouri State senior linebacker Dylan Dixson is set to have neck surgery tomorrow after playing in Saturday’s 50-0 loss at Texas A&M; he is the third major defensive loss for the Bears (as noted on his social media post).