Good morning, Springfield.

Nixa resident Emily Jenkins won $25,000 in a national pizza contest held in Sonoma County on Oct.

13 when judges selected her Fire and Pine Pizza from hundreds of entries — making her the top finalist among four competitors. She chose the cash prize over a private jet tour of New York and Chicago — saying her recipe was inspired by life in the Ozarks.

Stephanie Stenger, a volunteer who helped set up a crisis nursery in Springfield, was selected as the Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ Humanitarian of the Year—she will be honored with a $5,000 award on November 18 at the National Philanthropy Day event.

Monday morning, a charity golf tournament began at Hidden Valley Golf Link to support the Springfield Salvation Army’s Family Enrichment Center — hosted by Flintrock Home Builders for the second year.

Major Amos Shiels said the funds will help families during the busy holiday season — with more events planned over the coming months.

7 Brew Coffee is growing its presence in the local suburbs with a new Republic location that held its ribbon cutting on Oct.

16 — an Ozark stand is set to open on Nov. 17 while a permit for a Nixa site remains under review.

Springfield’s OMB Bank launched Money & More, a podcast that makes financial topics easy to understand—hosted by Madison Foster and Ryan Bowling and covering advice from debt paydown to smart spending.

The podcast is available on major platforms, and new episodes drop the first of every month.

An injured four-month-old pitbull mix named Petunia was found abandoned in a cage by a cemetery off Cox Road in Springfield and is receiving care from Rescue One while Greene County Sheriff’s Office searches for who left her with wounds + mange.

Drury University announced nearly 200 students enrolled in its Springfield Promise Program for fall classes — a program that offers a $2,000 scholarship to out-of-county students — and limits tuition and fee costs for qualifying Pell grant recipients.

The News-Leader’s Student of the Month program is back to honor local high school students for strong academics, leadership and community service — local voters can cast one vote per hour until 11 a.m. on October 23 and the winner will be announced online on Friday.

A Monday AWS outage disrupted Canvas learning software in local school districts, forcing educators to adjust their teaching methods.

Republic and Ozark districts prepared backup plans as AWS worked to restore service — some systems had been reactivated before lunch.

A WalletHub study ranked 180 U.S. cities using 41 safety measures and found Missouri cities rank with Springfield at 118, Kansas City at 145 and St. Louis at 157; Springfield got a score of 133 in home and community safety — its best measure —, 51 in natural-disaster risk — its lowest score — and 63 in financial safety.

Police officers and deputies from Springfield and Greene County are increasing their presence along school bus routes and loading zones during National School Bus Safety Week that runs through Oct 24.

The effort aims to educate drivers and lower stop-arm violations—protecting students and strengthening local safety.

Due to the federal government shutdown, the Missouri Department of Social Services said USDA funds are not available so November SNAP benefits will not be issued—recipients are urged to use their October balances and access local food banks for support.

Missouri State travels nearly 1,000 miles to face New Mexico State at Aggie Memorial Stadium tomorrow at 8 p.m. CST—Bears coach Ryan Beard said the team will rely on freshman quarterback Deuce Bailey as Jacob Clark remains day to day with a knee injury.

Montycler Concert

9 PM – 1 AM — The Regency Live — Tickets from $49 — Experience an electrifying EDM night with Montycler's high-energy performance.

A Foreign Affair: From Istria to Italy

7:30-10 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — $205 — Experience the flavors of the Adriatic paired with the passion of Italian song during an evening with tenor Michael Spyres.

Eric Johnson Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience guitar legend Eric Johnson live, blending rock, blues, and jazz in an intimate setting.

MPO Concert: Fall into the Magic of Music

7:30-8:30 p.m. — The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing — Free entry — Experience enchanting orchestral melodies in the vibrant heart of Springfield, MO.

Springfield Business Journal Pancake Breakfast

7-9 a.m. — Garbo's Pizzeria — Donations appreciated — Enjoy pancakes and support domestic violence awareness efforts in Greene County.

The Soft Surrender Red Carpet Premiere

6:30-11 p.m. — Gillioz Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Discover the beauty and resilience in the journeys of hospice patients and their caregivers through film.

Buckcherry Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — The Regency Live — Tickets available — Rock out with Buckcherry as they bring high-energy music to Springfield.

KDK Concert Series

5:30-11:30 p.m. — The Riff — $20 cash at the door — Enjoy headlining bands Sound The Alarm & Outlaws Reloaded alongside local artists.

Speed Dating for Adults

2-5 p.m. — Arris Pizza Springfield — Entry fee optional — Meet new people and spark connections while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere on the patio.

Haley Mae Campbell Live Performance

7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Riff — Ticketed event — Experience the soulful sounds of Nashville country artist Haley Mae Campbell on her 'Next Chapter' tour.