Kearney, Missouri welcomed thousands of visitors for the 55th Annual Jesse James Festival, a milestone celebration spanning two action-packed weekends at Jesse James Park.

The first weekend opened September 12 with a crowd-roaring Demolition Derby, a Kids Power Wheels Derby, and live chainsaw carvings by Robinson.

The signature weekend kicked off September 18, headlined by the 38th Annual Jesse James BBQ Cook-Out — a Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned championship — alongside free line-dancing lessons led by instructor Tami Davis.

Saturday brought the beloved downtown parade, carnival rides, garden tractor pulls, mud volleyball, and a night rodeo featuring mutton busting and bareback riding, capped by live music from Pistol Creek.

The festival closed Sunday with a classic car show, Cowboy Church, a kids' fishing tournament, and the championship rodeo finale — a beloved Kearney tradition honoring community, heritage, and frontier spirit.

Harvest season brings a surge of farm equipment along Kearney, Missouri roads, as tractors, harvesters, and grain trucks travel between fields and storage sites.

With the increase in large machinery, the risk of collisions rises for both farmers and motorists.

Law enforcement urges drivers to watch for slow-moving vehicles, especially during early mornings and evenings as corn and soybean fields near maturity.

State law requires all agricultural equipment to display “slow-moving vehicle” emblems and use proper lighting when working in low visibility.

Escort vehicles often accompany extra-wide machinery near Kearney, helping alert oncoming traffic for everyone’s safety.

Missouri’s updated ag farm laws also set rules for ATVs and nighttime machinery operation, prioritizing visible markers and driver protection.

Locals are reminded: slow down, be alert, and never pass unless it’s truly safe.

Kearney, Missouri is grappling with shock after a school bus accident on Missouri Route 92 and Jesse James Farm Road claimed the life of a passenger vehicle driver and deeply unsettled students, parents, and local officials.

Six children were on board during the early-morning crash; all were evaluated by emergency crews, with just one needing minor treatment at the scene.

While the bus driver escaped harm, the car’s driver was transported to a nearby hospital but tragically died from sustained injuries.

In the aftermath, families either took students home or allowed them to continue to school under the care of staff striving for calm.

Kearney School District quickly mobilized counselors and emphasized the well-being and safety of students as a top priority.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating as the community reflects on the urgent need for road safety and preparedness.

Liberty, Missouri is abuzz as seventh grader Eleanor Ann Schweitzer claims national attention for her passion and achievement in STEM.

Representing Liberty Middle School, Eleanor secured a place among the top 300 in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Competition—a remarkable feat celebrated throughout the district.

Her research, which began as a classroom experiment, explored how different detergents affect skin moisture, inspired by friends with sensitive skin.

Her findings revealed that water preserves moisture best and that some eco-friendly detergents may actually cause dryness.

This accomplishment not only brings pride to Liberty schools but also highlights the strong spirit of innovation and encourages more students to pursue science.

Families and educators across Liberty are celebrating Eleanor’s success, seeing it as proof of their commitment to nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders.

The Kearney Bulldogs football team ignited community pride with a commanding performance against Rockhurst, showcasing a defense that set the tone in a highly anticipated local clash.

Kearney surged ahead early, as quarterback Carter Temple sparked momentum with crucial throws to Cruise Emmons and Matthew Lindsey—a 52-yard touchdown igniting the home crowd.

Even as Rockhurst found the end zone in the second quarter, the Bulldogs remained composed, responding with tactical precision.

Defensive standouts Grant Bogert, Lane Cook, and Ryker Bruto kept the pressure high, while senior Luke Tucking anchored the linebacking corps with relentless play.

An electrifying 40-yard dash by Temple in the fourth quarter proved pivotal, before Kale Tucking’s clutch end zone interception sealed the victory and sent fans into celebration.

Now, Kearney buzzes with excitement, convinced this Bulldogs squad may be on the path to something truly special as playoffs near.

The proposed Ameren Missouri electric rate increase is sparking heated debate, as both residents and lawmakers question who should bear the rising cost of power in the region.

With another rate hike on the table, state regulators in Jefferson City are under pressure to weigh the impacts on local households.

Ameren’s latest proposal—its third in five years—could push residential bills up by about ten percent, deepening financial strain for many families already coping with higher living costs.

A key issue is the surge in electricity demand driven by a wave of large-scale data centers now expanding into Missouri’s suburbs.

Critics argue these corporate facilities, known for their massive energy use, are shifting costs onto everyday Missourians.

Consumer advocates are urging the Missouri Public Service Commission to scrutinize whether businesses, not residents, should pay for this new demand.

Hard cider is enjoying a fresh surge in Kansas City, Missouri, fueled by a vibrant brewing community embracing both traditional and bold new flavors.

Locals are quickly adopting everything from tart cherry blends to pure apple classics, with an unmistakable pride swirling around handcrafted, regionally inspired ciders.

Boulevard Brewing Company stands out with its new Old Fashioned Hard Apple Cider, created in partnership with Louisburg Cider Mill.

This seasonal release blends freshly pressed apples and signature Midwest nostalgia, making each sip both crisp and warmly familiar.

As autumn arrives, beer halls and taprooms are bustling with excitement, marking the start of a cider season filled with local flavors and community spirit.

Boulevard’s hard cider, rich and semi-sweet, is now a seasonal go-to—though Kansas Citians know to act fast before shelves empty.

With new collaborations rumored, the city’s cider revival is just beginning.

The energy in Kansas City, Missouri is unmistakable as dog-themed events take center stage, drawing pet lovers to popular city spots for unique adventures.

This season’s highlights include the lively dog races and the widely embraced Pawmazing Race, where both pups and their owners race through urban scavenger hunts and playful challenges.

Organizers note a surge in demand for events that spotlight pets, transforming local parks and historic areas into vibrant scenes of laughter and camaraderie.

With each contest, dogs sprint for treats and teamwork, completing interactive puzzles that thrill both participants and cheering crowds.

The Pawmazing Race in particular has charmed locals, blending competition, creativity, and plenty of snacks along every stop.

Adoption booths and vendors add extra buzz, while neighbors connect over a shared love for canine companionship.