Show Me Today - The Voice of Missouri

Here’s a great story to tell at parties: Going into a freezer for a week to massage 600 pounds of butter into a life-sized cow. It’s a thing – every year for the Missouri State Fair’s butter sculpture artist. Alisa Nelson talks to Ander Weis, who has been making masterpieces out of butter for the past five years.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...

Archeologists from Missouri State University were excited to find a plantation site near Springfield from the frontier era in the Ozarks. The Director of the program, Kevin Kupka Head, tells Ashley Byrd about how both the region and the time period are not studied enough. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info...

Barbara Baird, known as the  Accidental Ozarkian , explores the hidden gems of Missouri’s Ozarks with rich history and fascinating stories. Today, she takes us to Monett, Missouri, a small town along Highway 60 between Springfield and Joplin, home to the striking Freedom Silo, a towering work of art, and the talented artist who brought it to life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priva...

Applications are pouring in from potential students, hoping to fill in-demand jobs in Missouri. State education officials say interest is growing in the Fast Track grant program , which helps adult students pay tuition and fees. Sue Danielson is joined by Leroy Wade, Deputy Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.co...

American brewers are toasting a tax cut that’ll soon be coming to Missouri, and farmers could be one of the largest beneficiaries.     State Representative Dane Diehl joins Marshall Griffin on Show Me Today.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

So far this year, the names of more than 200-thousand people have been removed from Missouri’s voter rolls. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins joins Show Me Today to explain. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Missouri has a severe shortage of child care workers, and part of the problem is low wages and no benefits. Alisa Nelson talks to Robin Phillips, CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri, who says a new initiative will provide health benefits to support 51 child care educators in five Missouri counties – a low-cost option that all Missouri childcare providers could use to recruit workers.  See Pri...

A PhD candidate at the University of Missouri is using AI to help track the pattern in which invasive pear trees grow .  He hopes the model can be developed into a resource for numerous invasive plant species.  Research project analyst and graduate student Justin Krohn discusses his research on Show Me Today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...

During a commercial break, Bill found a story about AOL dial-up internet that sent him down a Hallmark Movie rabbit hole. He had to run his idea past Alisa, our in-house Hallmark aficionado, so he called her during the show! She loves the idea. What do you think? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Did you know the Midwest has the highest rate of obesity-related cancer deaths?  In Missouri, almost two out of every three adults are overweight or obese.  Dr. Heidi Miller, Chief Medical Officer for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, informs Show Me Today about how we arrived at this point and what resources are available to save lives.  See Privacy Policy at h...

Chaplains will soon be allowed to work and volunteer in public school classrooms in Missouri, thanks to a new law signed by Governor Mike Kehoe. Bill sponsor, State Senator Rusty Black, shares the details on Show Me Today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

College can be a challenging time for students and their families. Whether it is mental health struggles, substance abuse, or feeling disconnected on campus, Missouri Partners in Prevention is working to make sure students have the support they need to succeed and stay safe. Margo Leitschuh joins Show Me Today to share the programs and data resources helping college communities across Missouri cre...

If you are looking for a reason to hit the road and discover something new in Missouri, Twin City Days in Festus and Crystal City pack in everything you love about small-town festivals. From live music to pickleball and golf tournaments, food trucks, carnival rides, and even a Hot Wheels track for kids of all ages, this weekend festival is unique. Kirk Mooney from the Twin City Chamber of Commerce...

Ready, set, paddle…and maybe sink! Fort Leonard Wood in southern Missouri is set to have a cardboard boat race this Saturday. Alisa Nelson visits with Fort Leonard Wood’s Nia (nee-yuh) Dickinson, who talks about the race where creativity and gravity collide. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Finding additional energy sources to keep the lights on in Missouri homes and businesses is a hot topic since artificial intelligence and data centers came on the scene and began eating up a lot of energy. Alisa Nelson talks to state Representative Tim Taylor, who attended a recent legislative conference that showed Missouri is behind, like many other states, in boosting its energy needs to make w...

Bakers in Campbell, Missouri, are busy preparing hundreds of fried peach pies for this year’s Missouri Peach Fair.  Long-time organizer Mary Lou Hill has the schedule (and the menu) for this year’s event. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Almost one year ago, the first-of-its-kind nature school opened in central Missouri. Alisa Nelson talks to the state Department of Conservation’s Education Branch Chief, Margie Vandeven, who says the Boone County Nature School gets middle schoolers excited about learning. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-...

A northwest Missouri woman who was imprisoned for 43 years for a crime that she did not commit is now suing the St. Joseph Police Department. Alisa Nelson talks to one of the attorneys for Sandra Hemme. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Step into a world of community spirit and innovation at the Missouri State Fair this August, where Missouri Electric Cooperatives shine. From scholarships to safety demos and family fun, discover why their building is a must-visit destination for fairgoers of all ages. Missouri Electric Cooperatives sponsors this segment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic...

Railroad tracks are not just for trains. They can be the site of tragedy when drivers or pedestrians make risky choices. Missouri Operation Lifesaver is working to change that by raising awareness about rail safety across the state. Tim Hull joins us to explain the dangers, the facts, and how we can all help prevent needless accidents. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

It starts with a simple “What?”—but for millions, that question echoes daily, and Dr. Parveen Bazard, Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering at Missouri S&T in Rolla, is on a mission to turn up the volume on understanding why. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Missouri does not allow non U.S. citizens to donate to candidate campaigns but they are allowed to donate to Missouri ballot measures. Alisa Nelson talks to Washington State Senator Ben Brown, whose bill has been signed into law to do away with this loophole.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What is corn sweat? And, just how does it contribute to increased humidity levels during Missouri summers? MU State Climatologist Zack Leasor answered these questions and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Missouri grape growers and orchards are watching out for a pest that’s been detected in Illinois. The spotted lanternfly is colorful, but it can cause a lot of damage to dozens of plants and fruit trees. Emily Althoff, University of Missouri Extension Urban Entomologist, joins Show Me Today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#...

Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a collaboration that its CEO is calling a game-changer for the region. Alisa Nelson talks to CEO Kevin McRoberts and Dr. Mark Larson with the Mayor Clinic Care Network. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .