Community Matters

Missouri Voters Guide-2008

Review information regarding candidates and issues that will be decided in the November 4th election. More on this issue

Labels: Politics , Voter Information

Presidential Election Voters Guide 2008

As we are overwhelmed with information in regard to the upcoming elections, it is hard to wade through and figure out what is fact and what is fiction. Review information available on local and federal election races. More on this issue

Labels: Politics , Voter Information

The Nonpartisan Court Plan for Greene County

The Nonpartisan Court Plan, a proposal to change the way Greene County Judges are selected, is likely to appear on the November Ballot.

Vaccines - Health & Safety

More and more parents are deciding not to have their children vaccinated because of possible links to autism. But is this leading to a public health crisis? More on this issue

Labels: Health , Children , Safety

Automotive Industry Outlook

New standards, rising fuel costs, and decreasing U.S. sales are forcing auto makers to make some big changes. More on this issue

Labels: Business , Transportation , Economy

Autism

Autism, what was once thought of as a rare disease, is now being diagnosed in 1 of every 150 children. What are the reasons? Where can families find support? How can you help? More on this issue

Labels: Health , Children

The Georgia-Russia Conflict in South Ossetia

On August 7th Georgia sent a large military force into South Ossetia; Russia responded the following day. Why did Russia invade Georgia and what is the history behind the current conflict? More on this issue

Labels: World Events

Springfield Public Schools Seeks Public Input

Springfield Public Schools is currently seeking public input on the district's Boundary and Facility Usage Review. More on this issue

Labels: Education , Children

Surviving the Economy

Exploring how economic factors affect how we live, work and play in the Ozarks. More on this issue

Labels: Economy

Diverging Diamond Interchange

The nation's first interchange of its kind is aimed at reducing traffic congestion, improved safety and will be faster and cheaper to build than more conventional interchanges. More on this issue

Labels: Transportation , Safety

Is Your Bank Safe?

Probably. Despite the woes of IndyMac, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae, most banks are not in danger. Each bank should be examined on an individual basis for mortgage and credit issues, as well as other practices and factors affecting performance. More on this issue

Labels: Business , Economy

Driving Safety Legislation - Cell Phones

Many states are legislating cell phone use while driving. Read and review new laws and information from around the United States. More on this issue

Labels: Transportation , Safety

Making the Transition to Green Living

What does green living encompass? How do we change the way we live, the places we work, and our schools? More on this issue

Labels: Environment , Energy

Gun Control

Recent reports of gun violence and the Supreme Court's ruling on the Washington, D.C., handgun ban bring to light ongoing debates about gun control in the United States. More on this issue

Labels: Safety , Politics , Law & Legislation

Global Food Crisis

Prices are increasing sharply for some of the most basic foodstuffs traded on international commodity markets. More on this issue

Labels: Economy

Transition to Digital TV

After years of delays, the nation's full-power television stations are facing a deadline of Feb. 17, 2009, to switch from traditional analog broadcasting to all-digital. Are broadcasters and viewers ready for the switch? More on this issue

Labels: Arts & Entertainment , Technology

Fuel Prices

Rising fuel costs are stretching budgets around the world. Find out what's driving the increase, how local and global entities are responding, and things you can do to minimize the impact on your own finances. More on this issue

Labels: Transportation , Economy

Wind Energy

What is wind energy and how can we use this technology to solve our growing demand for electricity? More on this issue

Labels: Environment , Energy

Confined Animal Feeding Operations

Recent surveys and studies are reviewing the impact of CAFO's. Are CAFO's needed? Are we ruining family farms and the environment with industrial farming? More on this issue

Labels: Health , Environment , Economy

Tibet

Recent events have propelled this region into the international spotlight. What has happened, what is the source of the conflict, and how could, or should, it impact the upcoming summer Olympics in Beijing? More on this issue

Labels: World Events

U.S. Economy

What is currently happening? What led up to it? What does the future hold? More on this issue

Labels: Business , Housing , Economy

Presidential Primaries

Who is running in the Presidential Primaries? Do you have enough information about the candidates to vote in Missouri on February 5? More on this issue

Labels: Politics , Voter Information

Obesity Epidemic

Obesity rates are on the rise in the U.S. and around the world. What factors are contributing to this increase? What health risks are associated with obesity and what can be done to combat it? More on this issue

Labels: Health

Subprime Lending

Subprime lending has been on the rise in recent years. This trend brings problems, particularly in the housing market. Complications are developing, not only for lenders that are losing money, but also for borrowers who are losing their homes. More on this issue

Labels: Business , Housing , Economy

Gun Laws and Regulations

There have been recent changes in the Missouri laws on the use of force and firearms. Are regulations on firearms necessary and effective in modern society? How do we balance individual rights and public safety? More on this issue

Labels: Safety , Politics , Law & Legislation

Food & Product Recalls

Millions of food and product recalls have left many of us wondering what's safe. Who's responsible for our safety? Should it be companies, the US Government or both? More on this issue

Labels: Health , Safety

Scams

Mail, phone, e-mail. There are many different ways we can be scammed. What are these scams and how can you protect yourself from them? More on this issue

Labels: Technology

Drugs in Sports

With the recent doping scandals rocking the cycling world and the major league, is enough being done to stop the drug use in sports? Should the government assist in regulation? More on this issue

Labels: Health , Recreation, Sports & Leisure

Immigration Reform

With immigration reform not likely to be revisited until after the 2008 elections, questions still remain. Should illegal aliens be given amnesty? What laws will the states pass? More on this issue

Labels: Politics , Law & Legislation

Disaster Response Action Plan for Springfield

Read Springfield's proposed Disaster Response Action Plan and find out what information has been obtained from assessing previous disasters. More on this issue

Labels: Safety

Cruising

A recent ban on cruising in downtown Springfield raises questions about this familiar social activity. More on this issue

Labels: Safety , Law & Legislation

Renewable Energy for your Home

What resources and technologies will fill our energy needs as we attempt to replace oil and coal? More on this issue

Labels: Energy

Carbon Capture and Storage

City Utilities is proposing injecting carbon dioxide underground rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. This process would be the first commercial grade carbon dioxide well in the United States. Explore this issue. More on this issue

Labels: Environment , Energy

Water Conservation

What is the state of the water supply in Missouri and the Ozarks? What can we do to maintain its quality and quantity? More on this issue

Labels: Environment

Oil Free Transportation

What technologies on the horizon will change the way we fill up at the local gas station? More on this issue

Labels: Transportation , Environment , Technology

Darfur Crisis

In 2004, the United States declared the atrocities in Darfur to be genocide. What has been done to stop the violence since then? Can or should, more be done? What can you do to make a difference? More on this issue

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Health Care Insurance Reform

What are the issues surrounding health care reform? How does Missouri compare with other states? How are different states addressing the need for insurance for children? Finally, how has the federal government responded to this growing need? More on this issue

Labels: Health , Politics , Law & Legislation

Global Warming

What is the evidence? What are the causes? What can be done? More on this issue

Labels: Environment , Science

Bullying

What can be done about bullying in our public schools? Legislators, teachers and parents around the United States, including Missouri are taking a hard look at their laws and polices. More on this issue

Labels: Education , Children , Safety

Passengers' Bill of Rights

Recent news about stranded airline passengers and canceled flights has generated a lot of talk about creating a Bill of Rights for travelers. However, not everyone agrees that this is the best solution. More on this issue

Labels: Transportation , Law & Legislation

Iran & Nuclear Power

Iran may be very close to producing a Nuclear Bomb. Who are the Iranians and what are the likely consequences if Iran succeeds in becoming a nuclear power? More on this issue

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Child Abuse

What is the scope of child abuse in southwest Missouri and beyond? What are the causes, and how can it be prevented? More on this issue

Labels: Health , Children , Safety

Cable Competition

What does the future hold for our local cable choices? While this issue is being debated locally, the Federal Communications Commission has enacted new rules and eleven states have passed legislation, taking the decision making away from localities. More on this issue

Labels: Business , Arts & Entertainment , Law & Legislation

High School Dropouts

What causes students to drop out? What are other communities doing to combat this problem? How do we compare to other school districts similar to ours? More on this issue

Labels: Education , Children

Bus Transportation for Students

Should the Springfield Public Schools provide bus transportation for all students? Is walking to school safe? How safe is riding a school bus? Read about transportation safety, Missouri laws governing buses, and issues involved. More on this issue

Labels: Education , Transportation , Children , Safety

Exit Strategy for Iraq

How long should the United States Armed Forces stay in Iraq? Is there an exit strategy? More on this issue

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Stem Cell Research

What are stem cells? How are they used in research? Learn more about the issues that drive this debate. More on this issue

Labels: Health , Science , Politics

Biofuel Controversy

What are biofuels and how are they affecting us in Missouri? New plants are being built to produce ethanol such as the one in Mexico, MO. Can these new biofuels satisfy America's thirst for foreign oil? More on this issue

Labels: Energy , Economy , Technology

Gangs

Are gangs a problem in Springfield? Read about how Springfield and other communities are dealing with this issue. More on this issue

Labels: Safety

North Korea & Nuclear Power

North Korea's test of a nuclear device in October has raised some concerns among the international community. More on this issue

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Eminent Domain

Eminent domain laws give governments the right to appropriate property for public use. How does the Missouri law affect you? More on this issue

Labels: Law & Legislation

Red Light Cameras

The busiest intersections in Springfield will soon have red light cameras that will record images of vehicles running red lights. Springfield Police will mail tickets to vehicle owners. How do these cameras work? How successful are they in other cities? More on this issue

Labels: Safety , Law & Legislation

Prohibition of Pit Bull Dogs

How dangerous are Pit Bull Dogs? What about other breeds? Springfield has a new ordinance requiring registration of all pit bulls in the city limits. What other cities have dangerous dog ordinances and are they working? More on this issue

Labels: Safety , Law & Legislation

Minors in Bars

Should minors be allowed in bars in Springfield? Does this help address the problem of underage drinking and how are other cities handling this issue? More on this issue

Labels: Children , Safety , Law & Legislation

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