Nixa Police say a case of mistaken identity may have led to a Nixa animal clinic receiving threats.
Officers responded to the Gentle Care Animal Hospital after a report of active threats.
It turns out the owner of an Oklahoma business, also named Gentle Care Animal Hospital, had allegedly made a statement on social media regarding the death of Charlie Kirk and people were retaliating by sending threats the Nixa animal clinic.
The two animal clinics are not related.
Drury University is adding extra security after a possible threat was discovered Thursday.
A hand drawn target was found on a door in the Hammons School of Architecture.
Drury Security and Springfield Police were notified, and the faculty and staff moved the students to interior rooms and secured the doors.
A search of the campus turned up nothing.
Police are reviewing security video.
One of the operators of a boarding school in Cedar County has been sentenced after a plea deal with prosecutors.
A judge sentenced Stephanie Householder to five years’ probation and 120 days of shock time after she pled guilty to six counts of abuse or neglect of a child and seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Householder and her late husband Boyd were facing a combined 99 charges of child abuse related to the operation of the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch near Stockton.
Charlie Kirk, a political activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on the Utah Valley University today.
Kirk’s sudden death was met with messages of thoughts and prayers for him and his family by many across social media, including many Missouri lawmakers and even Governor Mike Kehoe.
“Claudia and I are deeply saddened to hear of Charlie Kirk’s passing.” Kehoe said in a Facebook post today, “Charlie was an unwavering voice for conservatives across the country who raised the bar for civic engagement and political dialogue, inspiring countless young people to make their voices heard. His tireless advocacy and sharp commentary has left a lasting impact on American politics.”
“Charlie was a patriot in the fullest sense of the word. A loving husband & father.” Senator Eric Schmitt said on X, “An incredible friend to me & so many He was a great American. A legend. What else is there to say? Words fail. Pray for him & his family. Pray for our country.”
Congressman Mark Alford responded to Charlie’s murder in a press release, saying “Leslie and I are horrified by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. We are praying for his family, especially his wife and two young children. We strongly condemn political violence in all forms. It has no place in the United States. Our country must be better.”
Congressman Alford also said in the press release that “all public events, including town halls” will be put on pause “until further notice.”
“I will not risk the safety of my family, my staff, or my own personal safety because some choose violence over dialogue,” Alford explained.
President Donald Trump responded to Kirk’s death in a post on X, saying “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Kansas City Chief kicker Harrison Butker, a friend of Kirk, called him a “strong witness for Christ.”
Kirk was 31 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Erika, and two children.
Photo courtesy of Fox News.
KWTO will have the latest information.
The Missouri House Republican Caucus has chosen State Representative Alex Riley to serve as the next Speaker Designee of the Missouri House of Representatives. He will serve as only the second Speaker of the House from Springfield in the state’s history.
After being elected in 2020, Riley quickly emerged as a respected leader within the House of Representatives. As Majority Floor Leader, he led the House through one of the most productive sessions in recent memory in 2025, guiding key bills through the legislative process and advancing priorities to strengthen families, expand economic opportunities, and uphold conservative values.
“I am humbled by the trust my colleagues have placed in me to serve as Speaker Designee,” Riley said in a House press release. “House Republicans represent Missourians from every corner of the state, and together we will continue to advance policies that grow our economy, safeguard individual liberties, and ensure Missouri remains a place where families can thrive. I look forward to working with my fellow members and continuing to lead with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to service.”
His selection as Speaker Designee reflects his colleagues’ confidence in his ability to guide the House with steady leadership and a clear vision.
“Alex is a principled leader who has earned the respect of our members through his hard work and dedication,” said State Representative Dave Hinman. “We are confident he will serve both the House and the people of Missouri with distinction.”
Riley will continue to serve as the House Majority Leader during the 2026 Regular Session and become Speaker of the House at the beginning of the 2027 session.
Photo courtesy of the Missouri House of Representatives.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Department is launching a new mobile phone app.
The new app will be available for free on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
The Sheriff’s Office says the app will have many of the same features as their website with an added public alert system, to allow community members to get important alerts directly to their devices.
Here is the news release from the Sheriff’s Office about the app:
Marshfield Police are investigating the deaths of a couple at a home near the town square.
Officers responded to a home on East Madison Street around 1 PM Tuesday and found a 65-year-old man and 57-year-old woman dead.
Police Chief Doug Fannen says evidence suggests this is a murder-suicide.
The names have not been released at this time.
(Photo courtesy of the Christian County Jail)
A woman from Clever has been charged with first degree murder in the death of her newborn baby in Iowa in 1992.
Cindy Sue Elder is accused of killing her newborn son and putting his body in the trash.
Advances in D-N-A technology led to the case being re-opened in 2020, and Elder was identified as a parent of the baby.
The father told investigators he was unaware of the pregnancy and what Elder had allegedly done.
The Stone County Ambulance District Board of Directors has chosen Mercy Emergency Medical Services of Springfield as the main provider of ambulance services for the district.
The three-year contract signed by the board will officially begin on October 8th.
There were other top-tier contenders that were in the running for this contract, including LifeNet Emergency Medical Services of Texarkana, TX and Mercy’s fellow Springfield, MO-based company, CoxHealth.
The board worked for several weeks to interview, score, and debate candidates before reaching their decision.
Mercy EMS will provide ambulance services throughout the entire districts with temporary stations in Crane, Branson West, and Lampe, and the district is working to provide new stations and equipment as the budget allows.
Photo courtesy of Mercy Health Care.