After months of preparation, visitors to Ozark National Scenic Riverways enjoyed a spectacular total eclipse, said officials with the National Parks Service. more

“A wonderful time was had on Saturday night the 30th of March when three bands played bluegrass, country and gospel music,” said Joan Dix, president of the Better Eminence Schools for Tomorrow, which held its annual music concert that day in the Eminence High School gym. more

Missouri lawmakers have passed a bill to expand K-12 private school scholarships statewide and pump hundreds of millions of dollars more into public schools. The scholarship accounts are funded by … more

Persistently high interest rates have led Missouri lawmakers to significantly expand a state loan program for farmers and small businesses. Lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a bill that … more

The Arkansas Supreme Court is clearing the way for new DNA testing to be sought in the killing of three boys nearly 30 years ago. Justices on Thursday reversed a lower court's denial of the request … more

A company that operates fiber lines says the loss of 911 service in many places was due to installation of a light pole. Outages were reported Wednesday night in Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota and … more

Four people have been arrested for a shooting that left one man dead and at least nine others injured at a block party in Arkansas. Arkansas State Police said agents Tuesday arrested the suspects, … more

Ronald D. Masterson, 59, West Plains, has been charged with felony first-degree burglary after allegedly entering an elderly woman's home without her permission, rubbing her foot and eating her food. more

A Fulton County, Ark., man has been charged with 14 felonies after an investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor, which also reportedly led to the discovery he had used a computer to solicit or attempt to "seduce, solicit, lure or entice" a child or someone he believed to be a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct. more

In a move indicative of proactive legislative response to economic crises, the Missouri House of Representatives recently passed the "Protecting Missouri's Small Businesses Act" (HB 2874). This legislation comes as a beacon of hope for small businesses across Missouri, offering a substantial package aimed at mitigating the adverse effects caused by emergency shutdown orders, particularly those enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we provide an in-depth analysis of HB 2874, its implications, key provisions, and the broader context of its development and anticipated impact. more

In an initiative to combat the threat of rabies, the Howell County Health Department is set to host its annual rabies vaccination clinics on May 4, offering vital services to the community at reduced costs. This year's clinics aim to broaden the initiative's reach by providing two convenient locations for pet owners in Howell County to access these essential vaccinations. more

A Ferguson, Missouri, police officer fired the fatal shot that killed at man at a gas station in the St. Louis suburb. The shooting happened just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at a convenience store. … more

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office is facing pointed questions from lawmakers about a $19,000 lectern purchase that was the focus of a legislative audit. Sanders' deputy chief of staff and … more

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 12, 2024. Editorial: Having won on abortion, Missouri GOP just can’t stop attacking women’s health care Not content with having already imposed the first … more

A campaign to legalize abortion in Missouri has raised close to $5 million. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom on Tuesday announced a $4.8 million haul from January through March. The money is … more

A Missouri ethics panel is at an impasse over reported misconduct by the powerful state House speaker, who allegedly used his office to stymie the investigation. A draft Ethics Committee report would … more

An attorney says a former Kansas City-area pharmacist who has been incarcerated for more than two decades over a profit-boosting scheme to dilute tens of thousands of prescriptions for seriously ill … more

Business taken care of during Monday’s meeting of the West Plains City Council included the approval of bids for plans to build an upgraded restroom facility at Galloway Creek Park, improvements at the Hilburn Sports Complex and the purchase of a skid steer for the transportation department, all part of the evening's consent agenda. more

A traffic stop by West Plains Police officers recently resulted in the arrest of two West Plains residents who now face felony drug and weapons charges. more

As the 2023-2024 academic year draws to a close, note West Plains R-7 School District officials, it's time for parents to “start planning your summer adventures,” and among them is the option for students to participate in summer school programs at West Plains Elementary, Middle and High schools. more