Mini Art Show grand opening raises money for On Angels’ Wings at February First Friday Art Walk
February’s First Friday Art Walk, in downtown Springfield, features the Mini Art Show grand opening at Formed: An Artist Collective.
LATEST IN-DEPTH
Cardinals will roost in Springfield as city cuts $16M deal to buy, upgrade stadium
The proposed deal includes $12 million for a package of properties of interest to Cardinals fans — the ballpark, as well as two parking lots that serve Hammons Field. Parking prices in recent years have been controlled by an out-of-town holding company that acquired many Hammons properties after his trust filed for bankruptcy in 2016,…
Springfield Police arrest suspect in shooting near Glendale High School
Keyshawn McElroy, the suspect in a Jan. 28 shooting near Glendale High School, has been arrested by the Springfield Police Department.
most read
latest news
Click here for more news
SPRINGFIELD LIFE
Suspense builds ahead of Hammons Field press conference
Future of the Springfield Cardinals might surface at press conference called by team
There’s family fun on stage and off at Springfield Little Theatre’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’
‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ opens Jan. 27 at Springfield Little Theatre, with a debut performance by Tom Baker and a very special car.
Steve Pokin — Columnist

Steve Pokin writes the Pokin Around and The Answer Man columns for the Springfield Daily Citizen. He also writes about criminal justice issues.
latest columns
Pokin Around: It’s cold out, but you probably already know that because, after all, it’s winter
For this account, I did not call the National Weather Service, and I did not refer to the swirling, lava-lamp weather maps I saw on TV this morning.
Pokin Around: TV blackouts leave little guy who pays his bills in the cold
In 2020, there were 327 TV blackouts across the nation like the one we’ve been suffering since October with KOLR 10, owned by Mission Broadcasting, and DirecTV.
Pokin Around: Springfield church is making its huge backyard into a public park
Church’s community park will have much to offer, including walking trail, soccer and softball fields — and a playground accessible to all
Pokin Around: City says ‘dangerous building’ notice on Missouri Hotel placed in error
A broken window. That’s what warranted a “Dangerous Building Warning” notice on the long-vacant former Missouri Hotel at 412 and 420 E. Commercial St.
SCHOOLS & CHILDREN
OTC doubles number of non-traditional students receiving state grant to shore up workforce
Ozarks Technical Community College announced on Jan. 27 that its number of students receiving a state grant designed to equip adults with education and skills in fields of high demand more than doubled since the last school year.
Cha-ching: Hillcrest High School will get Missouri’s first student-run credit union
Hillcrest High School is getting a new program — a student-run credit union.
economy & growth
High grocery costs, inflation spikes need at local food pantries, eclipsing pandemic-era demand
The pandemic had people lining up for free groceries amid shortages and job losses — yet today’s inflated cost of food is causing more trouble at local food pantries than peak 2020.
As suburbs flourish and grow, Springfield and nearby towns run low on elbow room
Springfield is sprawling, but there’s only a limited amount of Greene County — and the Queen City’s smaller neighbors are eyeing up land and elbowing each other for room.
elections
Filing for Springfield City Council elections closes with 4 contested races
In a move that surprised some, fourth-generation Springfieldian Richard Ollis will not be among them. The incumbent did not file a petition.
Conflict arises out of Springfield ballot measure on changes to conflict of interest rules
Springfield voters are likely to consider a ballot issue about financial conflicts of interest when they vote April 4.
Lucas Kunce declares Democratic candidacy for U.S. Senate in Missouri
Democrat Lucas Kunce announced his second bid for U.S. Senate on Jan. 6, the two-year anniversary of the attack on the Capitol, this time against incumbent Republican Sen. Josh Hawley. That is, if Kunce can secure the Democratic nomination. In August’s Democratic primaries, he was defeated by Trudy Busch Valentine by less than 18,000 votes.…
OTHER SPRINGFIELD NEWS
sports
OZARKS ALIVE | CULTURAL PRESERVATION PROJECT
Ozark National Scenic Riverways superintendent talks building a bright future on a complicated past
After three years on the job, Superintendent Jason Lott shares about the status, future of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
VOICES
Opinion: What do we want in a good neighbor?
Survey data in Springfield shows people think good neighbors are quiet and respect our privacy. David Burton argues we need to move beyond that and become engaged neighbors who genuinely care about each other.
Opinion: This is us — a reflection on poverty reduction in Springfield
Our community has made great strides in poverty reduction, with a strong understanding that more work still needs to be done.
Opinion: Visitors at our shelters — ‘The only thing many may have left is their name’
Why volunteer to help Springfield’s unsheltered population? Alex T. Primm shares his experience and says he sometimes sees himself, or someone who could be his son, in the nameless crowd.
Opinion: Wanna play catch? We need to play more to stress less
With more than a third of all Americans feeling “serious loneliness,” the author says the simple act of playing catch gives us the chance to feel the other player’s joy and pain, their wonder and their worries.