Local News

• Name of Man Killed in Animal Attack in Newton County Identified

  The man from Missouri that was killed by an animal attack at a campground in Arkansas is identified.

• MODOT Sets Weight Limit for State Highway Bridge in Hollister

  A bridge in Hollister now has a posted wight limit.

• Man Sentenced to Life In Prison for Murder of his Wife

  A man that confessed to killing his wife in Arkansas while in a Branson hospital will spend the rest of his life in prison.

• Stone County Sheriff's Office Investigating Homicide, Attempted Suicide

  One person is dead and another hospitalized in an apparent murder-suicide attempt in Stone County.

• Supreme Court turns away Missouri’s bid to revive gun law

  The Supreme Court turned away Missouri’s bid to revive its law purporting to declare various federal gun restrictions unconstitutional in the state, the justices announced Monday.

• Federal Government Shutdown Continues

  The Federal Government Shutdown is entering its sixth day with the Trump Administration and Congress still at odds on an agreement to get it funded and running again. 

• Slight Chance of Rain, Cooler Temperatures Coming

  A slight chance of rain and more seasonal temperatures are coming to the Lakes Region.

• Forsyth Superintendent Jeff Mingus to Retire at End of School Year

  One of the longest serving school superintendents in the Lakes Region has announced his retirement.

• Governor Kehoe Orders Capitol Dome Lighted Red in Honor of Missouri's Fallen Firefighters

  JEFFERSON CITY, MO – In honor of Missouri's fallen firefighters, Governor Mike Kehoe has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome to shine red, beginning at sunset on Saturday, October 4, 2025, until sunrise on Sunday, October 5, 2025, the days during which annual ceremonies will be held honoring Missouri firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice for their service.

• Breaking down the government shutdown on a local level

  MISSOURI — As the Federal Government pushes through its second day, Ozarks First is speaking to an expert about what is impacted and what isn’t.

• College of the Ozarks theatre students to present Carlo Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters,” adapted and directed by Holli Segura

  POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks theater department will present “Servant of Two Masters” as its fall production for 2025. The play was written by Carlos Galdoni and adapted by Holli Segura, assistant professor of theater.

• Dry Conditions Continue in Parts of the Lakes Region

  Despite the week of rain that moved through the Ozarks in mid- September, dry conditions remain in parts of the Lakes Region.

• Forsyth Harvest Moon Festival This Weekend

  An annual event in Forsyth will take place a a new location this year.

• How the government shutdown is impacting the National Weather Service

  The federal government went into a partial shutdown on October 1, 2025. During a partial shutdown, essential workers will continue working, while others are furloughed until further notice.

• College of the Ozarks receives No. 1 Best Performers on Social Mobility in the Midwest and No. 2 Most Innovative Schools in the Midwest

  POINT LOOKOUT, MO — College of the Ozarks has received new rankings from U.S News & World Report. The new rankings include: No. 1 Best Performers on Social Mobility – Regional Colleges in the Midwest, No. 2 Most Innovative Schools in the Midwest, No. 3 Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest, No. 4 Undergraduate Teaching Programs in the Midwest, No. 6 Best Value Regional College in the Midwest.

• Branson Fall Fest Friday and Saturday

• SMAC Art Center hosts annual Post-it Note Art Show

  Hollister, MO—The Southern Missouri Arts Connection (SMAC) will present the sixth annual Post-It Note, 3"x3" Art Show at the SMAC gallery at 7 Downing Street in Historic Downtown Hollister. Each year, SMAC invites local artists to create miniature artworks presented on a standard size sticky note (3” x 3” square), canvas, paper or other substrate for this unique exhibit. All works of art will be sold at the affordable price of just $5 each. Proceeds are split between the artist and SMAC. This novel event is an important fundraiser for SMAC, helping to cover operating expenses of the Art Cente

• Governor Kehoe Announces Application for Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship is Now Open

  JEFFERSON CITY, MO – On Wednesday, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that the application for Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship is now open. Established through Senate Bill 71, sponsored by Senator David Gregory and Representative Dave Hinman, the scholarship delivers tuition support for first responders and their families.

• Nixa breaks ground on new police station

  NIXA, Mo. — City leaders broke ground Tuesday on a new police station that officials say will improve public safety in the growing community.

• College of the Ozarks to host Hunter Education Course for Missouri National Guard Youth, Oct. 25

  POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks will host a free hunter education course for the Missouri National Guard (MOARNG) Child and Youth Program on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Patriotic Education Building on campus. This one-day camp allows Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) dependent youth to obtain their hunter’s safety certification and practice their shooting skills with pellet guns.

• Special Ceremony to Honor Milestone Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter

  A long-running program to honor veterans reaches a milestone, and the organization that sets it up is going to have a special ceremony on Friday. 

• Man Arrested in Hit and Run Case

  A man is now in custody following a hit and run incident that led to the death of a pedestrian. 

• Ozark Man Faces Murder Charges for Death of his Mother

  The death of a woman in Ozark last week is being investigated as a homicide. 

• Pioneering Quality in the Steel Industry

  Branson Steel Supply

• Can a Contractor Take Over Your Home

  Attorney Dayrell Scrivner, of Scrivner Law Firm, LLC in Branson, Missouri, tells us!

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