KSMU - Ozarks Public Radio

12/01/2025

Sports betting is now legal in Missouri. NPR member station KWMU provides an overview of what it means for the state.

Missourians narrowly passed Amendment 2 in 2024, which legalized sports betting in the state. The constitutional amendment places Missouri among the nearly 40 states with legal sports gambling.

11/27/2025

🦃💛 Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at KSMU! Today we're thankful for our listeners, our storytellers, and the wonderful Ozarks community that makes this region feel like home. We hope your day is filled with good food, good company, and plenty of moments to be grateful for. 🎶✨

11/24/2025

On September 20, 1838, a group led by Cherokee leader Richard Taylor departed Tennessee with 1,029 people. On March 25, 1839, they arrived in present-day Oklahoma with 971 people. The Taylor party followed the Northern Route, now part of the Trail of Tears, passing through Kentucky and Illinois before traveling across Missouri.

Host and archivist Haley Frizzle-Green looks at the national and local history of the Trail of Tears.

11/22/2025

🎶 We're excited to announce this month's Studio Live artist — I AM DREW BEINE! 🤘

Catch his eclectic Americana sound on Studio Live on Friday, December 12th — on air from 12–1 PM on KSMU 91.1 FM and in person from 6–8 PM at BrewCo!🍻

11/21/2025

Dr. Mallory served as president of then Southwest Missouri State College from 1964-1971 and then went on to serve as the commissioner of education in Missouri.

Mallory was president of then Southwest Missouri State College from 1964-1971.

11/20/2025

KSMU's Making a Difference series is focusing on loneliness. In this first segment, learn more about what a former surgeon general called an epidemic, how it can lead to poor health outcomes and why it's important to address it.

In the first segment of our Making a Difference series on loneliness, two local mental health experts weigh in on what loneliness is and the importance of addressing it. This series is made possible by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

11/19/2025

The American Library Association and Missouri Library Association say ALA documents like the Library Bill of Rights help put the ideals of the First Amendment into practice.

The American Library Association and Missouri Library Association say removed ALA documents like the Library Bill of Rights help put the ideals of the First Amendment into practice.

11/19/2025

"The history of this building is absolutely phenomenal," said community advocate Lyle Foster. "But as a transplant to Springfield coming from Chicago, I never had any idea of this important history."

Springfield City Council approved funding for the markers Monday night.

11/14/2025

A project of the Drew Lewis Foundation that promotes homeownership in the Grant Beach Neighborhood, Blue House rehabs dilapidated, foreclosed and abandoned homes and sells them at an affordable rate to those enrolled in the nonprofit’s RISE program.

The project, by the Drew Lewis Foundation Blue House Project, is on N. Campbell Ave.

11/12/2025

While they await a response to the petition Missouri State Athletics Director Patrick Ransdell said they'll control their controllables, "one of those things is going to be competing this weekend against UTEP for homecoming."

A NCAA rule blocks teams from participating in a bowl game when they transition to a new conference. The Bears secured their sixth win in the first year of Conference USA play last Saturday.

11/12/2025

Springfield City Council will once again consider using eminent domain after failing to come to an agreement with the owner of the Hotel of Terror on a price for the building.

City officials said that, in order to build a new Main Street Bridge, the building will have to be torn down and that they haven't been able to negotiate a purchase price with the business's owner.

11/12/2025

DSS confirmed that partial SNAP benefits for November 2025 were issued to participants starting on Tuesday. About 10.5% of Missourians rely on SNAP benefits, One recipient shared her story with KSMU.

KSMU spoke with one SNAP recipient who asked that her identity be kept anonymous because she just left an abusive marriage.