Today on Update, I am talking with Heather Haddix, President of Schell City Community Betterment. We will be talking about the Schell City Fall Festival happening September 5th and 6th. Heather will tell us all about the plethora of activities scheduled for the 154th Annual Shell City Fall Festival. For more information, check out the social media pages of Schell City Community Betterment.

Today on Update, I am talking with Jessica Sloniker, Director of the Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce. Jessica will be talking about the Chamber's first-ever Golf Tournament on Friday, September 5th at the Frank E Peters Golf Course. We will find out that Octoberfest and the Fall Festival have combined into one event on October Saturday, October 11th at the Vernon County Fairgrounds. Finally, we will talk about Holiday Open Houses where you can shop locally and make up your own gift list for your loved ones this Christmas season. The Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce is located at 225 West Austin Boulevard. Their website is nevada-mo.com and their phone number is  417-667-5300.

The first Nevada (MO) "Tiger Talk" program of the season features the initial weekly visit between Mike Harbit and Nevada head football coach Wes Beachler as the Tigers prepare for their season opener at the Monett Cubs.  Also on the program is an interview with Athletic Director David Hawks.

Due to a technical glitch, the first half of the program did not make the air on the live program.  We apologize for that issue.  That segment can be heard in its entirety on this podcast.

Today on Update, I am talking with Dr. Stephanie Niles, President of Cottey College in Nevada. Dr. Niles will be highlighting several exciting changes to Cottey this Fall. First, they will be implementing a four-term academic year. Fall Semester consists of a two-week mini term, followed by a seven-week course. This schedule is repeated during the Spring Semester. Another change, coming to Cottey, is the introduction of online courses. Finally, there will be a new credit system where courses will now be worth four credits instead of three. For more information, visit cottey.edu.

Today on Update, I am talking with Patty Cantrell, Project Manager at New Growth, and Jennifer Caldwell, Southwest Missouri Community Leader for Missouri's Office of Childhood. We will be discussing the fact that Vernon and Cedar Counties are being called a "Childcare Desert" because there isn't enough available childcare for working parents. Patty and Jennifer say this is especially true for zero to 2-year-old children. We talk about how lack of childcare affects our local workforce and the economy of these two counties. Finally, we go over solutions to the child care problem we have in Vernon and Cedar counties. You can get more information at NewGrowthMo.org.

Today on City Beat, I am talking with Carol Branham, the Mayor of Nevada. We will be talking about her role as the new mayor of Nevada and how her civic life has changed. The Mayor says she is glad she does not work full-time, so she can devote her days to the City of Nevada. We will discuss hot topics like the Animal Shelter and the Pool. Carol mentions that the 2023 City Audit is almost finished, allowing the city to pursue pool renovations. We will also talk bout how the city council is fully engaged in their work, while maintaining individual opinions.

Today on Update, I am talking with Edwin Moore, one of the organizers of the Lamar Free Fair, the largest Free Fair in Missouri. Edwin will tell us how he and his brother, Terry, have been organizing the Lamar Free Fair for 58 years. This is the 82nd year of the Lamar Free Fair. It starts Saturday, August 16th and runs until Saturday, August 23rd. With free parking and admission, the Lamar Free Fair offers family-friendly fun and tradition. Edwin also discusses the history of the fair and all the events of this week-long event.

Today on Update, I will be talking with Christina Dedick, the Promotions Director for the Nevada Mainstreet Alliance. Christina will be discussing all the projects the alliance is involved with this autumn. One of their big projects is the painting of the caboose at Earp Park. If you would like to know more about the Nevada Mainstreet Alliance, please visit their website at nevadamomainstreet.com or check out their social media pages. You can also call 417-448-0025.

Nevada Regional Medical Center Physical Therapist Coordinator, Hannah Cramer, talks with Mike Harbit about new legislation that allows patients to visit a PT without a doctor referral.  Cramer also discusses the variety of services they provide.  The program originally aired on 97.5 FM, KNMO in Nevada, MO on August 13, 2025.

Today on Update, I will be chatting with Jim Liley, Vice President of the Western Missouri Beekeeper's Association. We will be talking about the Bee Festival coming up on Saturday, August 16th, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Nevada Vernon County Youth Fairgrounds, Centennial Hall and Pavilion. Jim knows all things about bees and beekeeping and he answers all the questions I have (and you might have) about bees. He'll even tell you how to cultivate your own bees and make your own honey and beeswax.