Local News

The current rise in COVID Numbers in the Branson Lakes Area as well as all of southwest Missouri is drawing national attention.

Jim Bakker and his church will pay restitution of $156,000 to settle a lawsuit that accuses the TV pastor of falsely claiming that a health supplement could cure the coronavirus.

The Mayor of Branson says his desire is to stay the course on not mandating COVID-19 Protocols despite an uptick in numbers in Taney County and the Lakes Region.

A man who was on the run from the law for several weeks after crimes in Ozark County eapes from a work detail out of the Tipton Correction Center.

A major connection between Branson and Hollister has reopened to traffic. 

Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced a special session starting Wednesday to focus on extending the Federal Reimbursement Allowances (FRA), according to a press release from the Governor’s Office.

The Taney County Health Department has released updated numbers on COVID-19 Cases in the county. 

The City of Hollister includes as part of their new Police Department Building off of Birch Road an area the people can use as what is called a Safe "Exchange Zone."

The 11-year-old boy who was severely injured on a Branson rollercoaster Sunday night has been identified, and his grandmother is sharing the latest on his condition.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announces a new state office Monday designed to support outdoor recreation efforts in Arkansas.

College of the Ozarks will not host their Honor America for the public this year.

The latest edition of the "At Your Service" Podcast features a discussion with the Stone County Health Department about Parkinson's Disease.

A member of a local Rotary Club is set to become the area District Governor later this week. 

11 people sustain minor to moderate injuries in a traffic crash involving a shuttle bus early Monday morning near Ridgedale.

Information given to Ozarks First indicates that a 12-year-old boy is in a Springfield hospital after being seriously injured at the Branson Mountain Coaster on West 76 Country Boulevard Sunday evening, according to the Branson Police Department.

An annual initiative through a regional bank group again helps many groups in the region.

The Southern Stone County Fire Protection District has a busy late Saturday afternoon as Firefighters work two blazes in the span of just over 30 minutes.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol releases information on two more arrests involving area residents the past couple of days.

The second in a series of Power Boat Races at Branson Landing is happening this weekend.

A Harrison Woman injured in a single vehicle crash Friday night in Taney County is also facing a felony drug charge.

The new Missouri Department of Conservation Podcast is now posted.

Harrison Police Chief Chris Graddy has released the name of a man shot and killed by police Wednesday afternoon in Harrison.

For some in the Lakes Region, today will be the hottest day of the year as temperatures are expected to approach 100. 

The digital world has only continued to grow, so officials are working on getting rural counties access to better internet connection.

A project that began in 2018 now has grown to become another draw for visitors in Historic Downtown Harrison.

The Stone County Health Department reports the number of cases of COVID-19 has risen 40 cases over the last week which includes reports of the Delta Variant strain of the virus. 

The Campbell Point Swim Beach on Table Rock Lake near Shell Knob reopens Wednesday after being closed for five days due to high E. coli levels were detected in that area.

Hollister’s new Police and Public Works Buildings were officially dedicated with a Ribbon Cutting Wednesday Morning.

Cassandra Elledge from Freedom Wings Counseling spoke with “Around The Table” on KHOZ Wednesday to discuss PTSD Awareness Month.

Taney County Animal Control announces Wednesday that two of the Chihuahuas found after allegedly being dumped around the Lakes Region have tested positive for Parvo.

The Branson Duck Tours has postponed their opening after meeting some “unexpected delays,” according to a Facebook post from the company.

A community in Christian County that includes highways connecting travelers to many Ozarks' attractions sees an opportunity to cater to motorist while helping their own community. 

Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin will present the annual report for the Fire Department to the Branson Board of Aldermen during a regularly scheduled study session.

Taney County Animal Control reports four more Chihuahuas being picked up over the last few days.

With Flood Waters keeping people from enjoying the current campground and park facilities, Diamond City officials are making plans for new facilities near Bull Shoals Lake but out of Flood Plain.

The Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce is asking for input on the future economic development of Stone County.

Information on three incidents leading to Fatalities over the weekend.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention has Branson and surrounding Taney County on its list of potential COVID "Hot Spots" after a significant rise in cases over the last two weeks. 

Attorneys for College of the Ozarks have filed another appeal to stop a directive from the President Joe Biden Administration dealing with the opening of sex-specific dorms to members of the opposite sex.

Lisa Marshall and Kara Miller of the Taney County Health Department pass along some tips for Summer Safety on the latest edition of the "At Your Service" Podcast.

The Salvation Army Midland Division announces that their units in Missouri and Illinois are standing by to open Cooling Centers during times of excessive heat under guidelines to reduce the potential for COVID-19 Spreads in their facilities.

Like many other areas of the Lakes Region, the Branson Landing has seen many visitors during the Spring and expecting those numbers to continue to grow in the Summer. 

Governor Mike Parson signs the Second Amendment Preservation Act into Law over the weekend. 

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Officials are concerned over a large number of Turkey Hunting Violations this past season.

Five teams from four different states came together in Branson Saturday for a hurling tournament.

The storms that blew through the Ozarks Friday night caused major problems for an area power provider. 

A Swim Beach along Table Rock Lake is closed until further notice after high levels of E. coli were detected after testing. 

Recap of Ozarks First Feature by Natalie Nunn and Chris Six.

The new Conservation Report Podcast is posted.

Like the military procedures it is modeled after, the Salvation Army assigns leaders to their units for tours of duty then moves them to other units. That process is underway in the Branson Unit.

Taney County Animal Control is currently housing 34 chihuahuas that have been found in and around the region.

The latest edition of the "At Your Service" Podcast features information from the Taney County Health Department.

Free Fishing Weekends are happening in both Arkansas and Missouri this weekend. 

The Branson Board of Aldermen hear an update on Sports Marketing.

Ozarks Technical Community College is hosting a pair of "Boot Camps" to help prospective employees get experience in both the Manufacturing and Welding.

Branson Firefighters work a pair of traffic accidents on Wednesday, including one where a vehicle crashed into an apartment complex. 

A new medicine approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Alzheimer's is controversial but does bring some hope according to an area Doctor. 

City of Branson recognized Tammy Jones as Employee of the Month on Tuesday. Branson Alderman Jamie Whiteis presented the award to Jones.

People in the Forsyth community are frustrated with local parks and campsites being flooded due to the recent rain and nearby lakes.

A former Presidential Candidate and Cabinet Member is the first speaker announced for a national event hosted by College of the Ozarks. 

Leaders in Rockaway Beach are making efforts to revitalize the community as one of the attractions in the Lakes Region.

The third and final Town Hall Meeting regarding the proposed new animal ordinance is set for this evening at 6:00 at the Branson Community Center on Compton Dr.

A Boil Water Advisory that had been in effect for customers of the City of Forsyth’s Water System has been lifted.

Missouri will no longer be the only state in the country without a statewide prescription drug monitoring program. 

Governor Mike Parson told business leaders of Southwest Missouri that Branson’s economy is trending in the right direction following the pandemic.

In his recent “For The People” Letter, Branson Mayor Larry Milton discussed his first eight weeks as the City's Mayor.

The Taney County Health Department in a release on Monday confirms a trend in southwest Missouri that COVID-19 Cases are on the rise.

Branon’s big-screen honored soldiers of a largely unknown army this weekend.

The City of Forsyth issues a Boil Water Advisory that will be in effect through Tuesday. 

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is conducting a genetic survey of the largemouth bass and spotted bass populations in Bull Shoals Lake.

A man from Ozark has been identified as one of the people found deceased in a vehicle near an overpass to an exit ramp on I-44 near Bois D’Arc on Saturday. 

The Nixa Police Department is investigating a death outside of Walmart.

One man is dead following an officer-involved shooting in Green Forest Saturday. 

State Auditor Nicole Galloway announces on Twitter Friday morning that she will not be a candidate for State Auditor nor any other office in 2022.

Health officials in Springfield and Joplin are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations amid relatively low vaccination rates and more people gathering for social events without masks or social distancing.

Vintage vessels will be displayed today on Table Rock Lake.

The latest Missouri Department of Conservation Podcast is now posted.

A program to help people with addictions is about to expand to Branson. 

Two missing teens from the Forsyth area have been found at the site of a single vehicle crash in Christian County that claimed both of their lives.

Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex will host a screening of the documentary “The Ghost Army” in conjunction with Ghost Army Recognition Day on Sunday.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is looking to learn what you think about passenger rail and is making it as easy as ever to share your thoughts.