In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson talks with Jeff Houghton, creator and host of "The Mystery Hour." In their conversation, they get serious about comedy, talking about what makes regional humor so interesting, the surprising success of "Instagram Husband" and how Trader Joe's helped land Houghton in the New York Times.

In a wide-branching conversation, arborist Noel Boyer, founder of All About Trees, talks with Tom Carlson about our urban forest. He details how Springfield's tree canopy has dealt with disasters from Dutch Elm disease to the 2007 ice storm, as well as common tree maintenance tactics and why the trees in the Southern Hills neighborhood need extra attention.

In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson speaks with Cora Scott, chair of the Route 66 Centennial Commission. She previews upcoming events in the Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration, set for April 30 through May 2 in Springfield. The events include a concert, historic parade, footbridge dedication and a live broadcast of NBC's "Today."

In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson speaks with Springfield City Manager David Cameron about the upcoming hotel tax vote on April 7. They discuss why the previous question failed in November and how the city has responded since that November loss.

In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson talks with attorney-turned-chocolatier Shawn Askinosie, who talks about how dealing with the loss of his father at a young age affected his life. He talked about what he loved about practicing law and why he walked away from it, as well as how he discovered that making chocolate was his calling.

In this episode of "In Our Town," Tom Carlson speaks with Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott, who discusses the county's new jail and who is kept inside. They also talk about ICE detainees, arrangements with other governments and what the future looks like for law enforcement.

In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson catches up with Geoff Steele, executive director of the Historic Gillioz Theatre. The two catch up about how the theater has surged back from COVID and what's ahead as it plans to celebrate its 100th year.

In a wide ranging conversation, Tom Carlson talks with Springfield Police Department Chief Paul Williams about crime across the city. They discuss the department's recent stats, what's rising and falling, and how a 2016 change to Missouri concealed carry laws helped gun violence proliferate.

In this episode of In Our Town, Tom Carlson speaks with Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon and talks taxes — specifically property taxes that county residents pay, and how recent freezes and other activities constrain the revenue of county departments.

Rob Blevins' National Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Education has been formed to help create learning standards for students about AI. He talked more about his group and the tech with Tom Carlson in this edition of In Our Town.