Community Corner
π± Patch AM: How a $471M I-44 overhaul will change driving in Springfield
Be sure to catch Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Springfield on the Springfield Patch calendar

Good morning to you Springfield! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $471M I-44 overhaul will change driving in Springfield
- How Springfield testimony is driving Missouri's new child welfare reforms.
- Springfield community honors the life and faith of Diane DeShong
Also on today's calendar: Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Springfield and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Thursday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 89 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 86, low: 64.
- Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 90 and low of 69 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Missouri Launches $471 Million Project to Expand and Improve I-44 Corridor (adastraradio.com) — A massive $471 million MoDOT project will widen key stretches of I-44 and overhaul major interchanges serving Springfield, including new six-lane sections reaching Chestnut Expressway and improvements at Kansas Expressway. Work starts this fall in Webster County, with Springfield-area construction expected in 2027–28, aiming to improve safety and traffic flow while keeping at least two lanes open each way during peak hours.
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2. Missouri lawmakers looking for solutions as child welfare complaints pile up (ky3.com) — From Springfield leaders are confronting serious delays and staffing shortages in the state's Children's Division that affect local families' child welfare cases. Lawmakers heard emotional testimony, including a 381-day investigation, and one family is pushing "Blaykie's law" to require better communication. Governor Mike Kehoe has also created a statewide Child Welfare Task Force to recommend reforms by November.
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3. Diane DeShong (blogspot.com) — Springfield readers are remembering longtime resident Diane Branham DeShong, whose arrangements are being handled by Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield. After a varied career and years of service at James River Church, she moved to Springfield in 2006 to care for her mother and spend time with her nearby family, leaving a legacy of faith, generosity, and resilience.
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4. Springfield restaurant to reopen after flash flood damage (ky3.com) — A beloved restaurant and wine bar near Sequiota Park is set to reopen after severe June flooding left three feet of creek water and mud inside the building. Owners say community volunteers helped salvage furniture from the creek, rebuild damaged walls, and bring the space back up to code so Springfield diners can return after Labor Day.
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5. Cardinals offense explodes again for eighth straight win (milb.com) — Springfield Cardinals fans just saw a huge 14-4 home win in Springfield, with four homers powering the team to its eighth straight victory and shrinking their magic number. Tanner Franklin earned his first Double-A win, and Jesús Báez and Jack Gurevitch combined for nine RBIs. The club is right back at Hammons Field tonight against San Antonio with several fan promotions planned.
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📸 Around Springfield
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Springfield
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- STI Clinic Appointments →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 227 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
8:40 am - Housing Authority of the City of Springfield Board of Commissioners Meeting →
Springfield, MO Calendar
9:30 am - Cherry Street Market →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 1423 E Cherry Street, Springfield
10:00 am - City Council Workshop →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 840 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield
11:30 am - STI Clinic Appointments →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 227 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
8:40 am - Shingles/RSV/Tdap Clinic →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 227 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
9:00 am - Board of Adjustment →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 840 N. Boonville Ave. 2nd Floor, Springfield
1:30 pm - Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority Meeting →
Springfield, MO Calendar, 840 N. Boonville Ave. 2nd Floor, Springfield
4:00 pm - Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Springfield →
Truman Elementary School, 3850 N Farm Rd 159, Springfield
8:00 am
Friday August 28
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Saturday September 12
📣 Springfield Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Ribbon Cutting: Abacus!
Republic Area Chamber of Commerce Community Events 1835 E Republic Rd Suite 200 Springfield , MO 65804
11:30 am - V, JV Soccer: Boys vs Logan-Rogersville @ Home
Willard High School Home
5:00 pm - V Football at Waynesville
Willard High School Away
7:00 pm - Grill Guys Five Year Celebration
Republic Area Chamber of Commerce Community Events Location: The Grill Guys Address: 932 US Hwy 60 E, Republic, MO 65738
10:00 am
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Update on cats
We found someone to help And Shout out To This amazing individual who helped me when I lost all hope and was desperate and in need. my prayers… (Nextdoor Tom Watkins) - Me and the Grim Reaper have some beef!!!
DOLLY PARTON?!?! I beg your finest pardon! The world is so much darker today. Hug your loved ones and jam some of her records. & if your family… (Nextdoor Woodland Heights)
- EnerSys Corporation posted a job opening for Plant 2 Material Handler C Shift 6a-6p Thurs-Sat every other Wed in Springfield. Apply here.
- Schwan's Company posted a job opening for Part-Time Merchandiser in Springfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Springfield here.
Ok Springfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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