West Plains native Stan Utley has been inducted into the Missouri Golf Hall of Fame, recognizing his accomplishments as a professional golfer, instructor and advocate for junior golf. Missouri Golf announced the induction October 26, 2026, honoring a career that began in Missouri junior golf and included success at the collegiate and professional levels. Utley […]

Mahomes “You get your tailed kicked in this league.”

Among all the questions around the power of AI, one that affects us all is the role of AI in healthcare. One of the top medical research centers in Missouri, and the country, is Washington University and BJC Healthcare. They have appointed their first chief health AI officer, Dr. Philip Payne, and he tells Ashley […]

Rudi Keller is the ever-vigilant journalist who tracks power by tracking political spending. In this midterm election, he shows us whose PACs have the biggest punch.  by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent October 23, 2026 Missouri Democrats confidently predict voter discontent will deliver victories in tight legislative races, but campaign finance reports show Republicans well provisioned […]

Have you ever heard of someone using a couple of metal rods to locate water underground or even find unmarked graves? It’s a practice known as divining or dowsing, and it has a long history in the Ozarks. Barbara Baird, author of The Accidental Ozarkian, explored this unusual tradition and met people who believed they […]

Archery might not be the first sport that comes to mind when you think about school athletics, but it’s giving students across Missouri a chance to compete, build confidence, and develop skills that go beyond the bullseye. 10X Archery, a center in Platte City, is working to introduce more young people to the sport, including […]

Could working inside the Missouri Governor’s Mansion help someone build a career after prison? That’s the goal of a new hospitality apprenticeship for incarcerated workers from Algoa Correctional Center. Matt Pilger spoke with Missouri Department of Corrections official Annie Herman about the program and what it could mean for life after incarceration.

Among the Constitutional Amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot is an amendment to heighten the protections of a county sheriff’s position. Ashley Byrd is joined by Rebecca Rivas, who has covered this issue in depth for the Missouri Independent. She explains why legislators wanted Amendment 8 on the ballot.

Some rural interstate highways in Missouri will soon have a 75 mph speed limit as state transportation officials move forward with changes authorized by a new state law. The Missouri Department of Transportation has completed a review of eligible interstate corridors and selected specific highway segments where speed limits will increase from 70 mph to […]

Missouri’s plan to give every public school and district an A-through-F grade is drawing differing views from members of the State Board of Education as the state works toward rolling out the new system. During Tuesday’s board meeting, St. Louis County board member Vincent Schoemehl Jr. questioned whether the grading system would help struggling schools […]

Missouri High School seniors can now submit a FAFSA application to learn whether they qualify for student financial aid for college. Kaitlyn Venta of the Missouri College & Career Attainment Network says even students who do not need a student loan should file the form.

A boy who grew up in the Ozarks became one of America’s leading playwrights and turned Missouri people, places, and experiences into Pulitzer Prize-winning American theater. The Missouri Press has issued another printing of a book about how Lanford Wilson got to fame from the town of Ozark and how he took Missouri with him. […]

Golf isn’t just about having the right swing. Confidence, patience, and the ability to bounce back from a bad shot can make the difference between a great round and a frustrating day on the course. Justin French, co-host of the podcast Frenchy and The Coach, joins us to discuss the mental side of golf and […]

The History Museum on the Square is bringing back its Haunted History Walking and Bus Tours this October, taking visitors into places including the historic Fox Theatre, an old jailhouse, and a building that once served as an undertaker’s business. Sean FitzGibbons, executive director of the History Museum on the Square, joins Show Me Today […]

Missouri is known as the Cave State, and there’s a good reason for that. The state has more than 7,500 recorded caves, with some offering spectacular rock formations, fascinating history, and family adventures you won’t find above ground. From caves connected to Mark Twain and Jesse James to underground rivers and unusual geological wonders, there’s […]

Barbara Baird, creator of the Accidental Ozarkian, admits she has driven out of her way to see oddball roadside attractions and says it can be some of the most fun stops on a Missouri road trip. From a giant fork and noodle in Springfield to a huge rocking chair along Route 66, a massive pecan […]

Missouri Interim Education Commissioner Stacey Preis resigned Tuesday, effective immediately, as the State Board of Education moves forward with its search for a permanent leader. Preis, who had served as interim commissioner since June, announced her resignation to reporters during a break in Tuesday’s State Board meeting in Jefferson City. “At this time, I think […]

If you are in the voting booth and unsure about the judges up for election, there are some things you should know. The information is available in one place. Every two years, judges are reviewed by their peers and citizens for how they do their jobs. Ashley Byrd talks with Debbie Dodge, chair of the […]

You could spend a day driving around Lebanon, Missouri, looking for pieces of Route 66 history that are still there today. Barbara Baird, the Accidental Ozarkian, recently took a driving tour of Lebanon to see the Route 66 Museum, the famous Munger Moss Motel sign, and a restored cabin with a connection to some notorious […]

The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 5-0 with a convincing 22-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw for 272 yards to earn his 100th career win, while the Chiefs remained one of three undefeated teams in the NFL. The game was a return to the site of Mahomes’ season-ending knee […]