Good morning, Springfield.

Today, local retailers, restaurants, grocery stores, and delivery services operate on regular or adjusted hours while banks, libraries, and government offices will close on New Year’s Day.

Residents should check with specific locations for exact holiday schedules+ details.

Springfield local Jami McConnell is set to appear on Wheel of Fortune today at 6:30 p.m. on KY3 after practicing with the official game show app and studying past episodes + she also offers tips for aspiring contestants.

Starting Jan. 1, students can apply for over $1.7 million in scholarships offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks for the upcoming 2026 to 2027 school year.

Amounts range from $250 to $10,000 and applications close Monday, March 16.

Springfield Environmental Services is reminding residents to recycle string lights, power cords (including mini, incandescent, C7, C9, rope, and LED) and live Christmas trees free of decorations at designated drop-off centers through January 10.

The program aims to keep thousands of pounds of waste out of landfills.

Springfield residents can recycle live Christmas trees and string lights at city recycling centers until Jan.

10; live trees must be stripped of ornaments before drop-off at the Yardwaste Recycling Center, while artificial trees and decor can be donated to organizations. Recycling centers operate 8 a.m. — 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services launched YouCanQuit.org to provide local residents with resources to quit smoking, as state tobacco use remains above the national average (support is also available through 1-800-QUIT-NOW).

MSU will induct Springfield Daily Citizen sportswriter Lyndal Scranton, seven athletes and championship team into Athletics Hall of Fame 2025-26 on Saturday, Feb.

14 with brunch at 10 a.m. at The Old Glass Place (521 E. St. Louis St.) and a halftime tribute during the Bears 2 p.m. game.

Kickapoo beat Logan-Rogersville 56 to 45 to win the White Division championship at the Pink & White Tournament on Tuesday, Dec.

30 at the O’Reilly Center. Josie Salazar led the defense, and the Lady Chiefs clinched their third title in three years.

Strafford defeated Marshfield 78-49 in the Pink Division championship on Tuesday, Dec.

30 at the O'Reilly Center in Springfield, with Kinley Larsen scoring 30 points & Elsie Larsen earning MVP honors as their family celebrated their final tournament together.

Nixa High School offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell and agent Drew Rosenhaus discussed his recruitment and NIL opportunities in an Ozarks Sports Zone interview, which highlighted his early steps in college football and potential career growth.

Steven Ho Live Stand-Up Comedy

6:30 PM – 10:15 PM — Springfield Comedy Club — Reserved seating required — Join former ER Technician Steven Ho for a night of comedic chaos inspired by real-life healthcare stories.