Missouri
Missouri hosting scores of summer nature programs for children – Missourinet
(Jefferson City, MO) — The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting dozens and dozens of educational nature programs for children this summer.
Margie Vandeven, Missouri’s former Commissioner of Education, is all for it. Vandeven is now the Educational Branch Chief for the MDC and is leading a team of people coordinating and promoting educational programs.
She told Missourinet the benefits of these opportunities could go far beyond learning about frogs and fish.
Hike with a Shelter Dog – MDC’s Cape Girardeau Nature Center partnered with SEMO Pets in May for their Hike with a Shelter Dog program. The public got to show some shelter pups some love and take them on a hike around the Nature Center. Photo courtesy of Bridget Jackson, MDC Regional Recreational Use Specialist
“We’re seeing improvement in academic outcomes. We’re seeing improvements in mental health benefits. We’re talking about physical health,” said Vandeven. “One of the things that you’ll find about outdoor learning is how it does spark creativity, curiosity, and really promotes a lot of the problem solving skills that we’re looking for in our classrooms today.”
She highly recommends such programs for children to discourage summer learning loss and encourage physical fitness.
“None of us really want to see our students, our children, sitting on couches all day. I mean, getting them outside and exercising and exploring, developing their fine motor skills..all of this is really key,” she said.
According to Vandeven, there’s also a growing amount of evidence suggesting that simply being outdoors has far-reaching mental health benefits as well.
Whitley First Paddlefish — Whitley, age 8, caught her first paddlefish, measuring just over 34”, on Lake of the Ozarks on season opener. She was given a Sonic Citation for a free ice cream at Sonic. Photo courtesy of MDC Agent Bree Hamblin
“There’s something calming about the green space that’s around us, but also just observing what’s happening in nature. And then also that ability to really learn when they don’t even know they’re doing,” said Vandeven.
If that doesn’t convince parents, you don’t have to spend a lot of money.
“Very low cost. Many cases, all free costs to them. And so something that they certainly want to take advantage of,” said Vandeven.
She encourages parents to seek out programs on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website, at any of the state’s 1,000 county conservation programs, or at a nature center.
Copyright © 2025 · Missourinet
Missouri
BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500: Get a 20% first deposit match up to $1,500 for Missouri vs. Alabama State
You can get in on Missouri sports betting with a BetMGM welcome offer for college basketball on Thursday.
BetMGM Bonus code NYPDM1500 gets bettors a 20 percent first deposit match up to $1500 when in Missouri.
Mizzou is a 22.5-point favorite over Alabama State. The Tigers step back onto its home floor looking to reset after road losses to Notre Dame and Kansas. Alabama State has struggled mightily against high-major opponents.
BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500
The BetMGM Bonus Code NYPDM1500 can be used for any sport and market offered at BetMGM. That includes Missouri State vs. Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl.
BetMGM’s Missouri promo code is considered one of the highest valued promotions in contrast to other Missouri bonus offers.
If bettors wanted to snag the maximum value of the offer, they would have to deposit $7,500. Otherwise, they get 20 percent of whatever they deposit, i.e., deposit $100, get $20.
New users must be physically present in Missouri when signing up at BetMGM to take advantage of this welcome offer.
How to sign up for BetMGM in Missouri
- Select your bonus offer.
- Choose your state.
- Fill out your login details.
- Enter the BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500
- Make a deposit.
- Bet responsibly.
What our Post expert thinks about Missouri vs. Alabama State
Alabama State has already dropped its two power-conference tests by an average of 32.5 points, and its defensive profile hasn’t suggested much resistance.
The Hornets bring two of the SWAC’s top scorers in Asjon Anderson and Micah Simpson, they are giving up 81.4 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45.3 percent from the floor.
Missouri’s rebounding edge should matter — the Tigers pull nearly 40 boards per game while Alabama State is giving up 37.4 a night and just surrendered 18 offensive rebounds to UT Martin.
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Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Road construction on Springfield’s northside is affecting access to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society.
MoDOT is realigning the intersection of Norton and Melville Road as part of the I-44 overpass project. The bridge work and intersection project are both impacting the animal shelter.
The shelter sits on Norton Road just west of where the work is happening. Visitors can only reach the shelter by taking the long way up West Bypass to Westgate Avenue, then onto Norton Road.
MoDOT says the intersection at Norton and Melville is supposed to be closed for two weeks. The bridge project, as a whole, is supposed to be completed by the end of the year.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.
KSHB 41 News anchor Caitlin Knute is interested in hearing from you. Send her an e-mail.
Organizers working to turn back Missouri’s congressional redistricting map spoke Tuesday about collecting signatures to put the effort to a vote by citizens.
People Not Politicians submitted more than 300,000 signatures Tuesday to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office. The signatures hope to force a statewide vote on redistricting approved earlier this year by Missouri politicians.
KSHB 41 anchor Caitlin Knute spoke with one of the volunteers behind the effort.
Volunteer describes collecting signatures for petition on Missouri redistricting
“I think people in rural areas want to follow the Constitution, and I think it was pretty clear this was not done within the parameters of the Constitution,” volunteer Elizabeth Franklin said.
Redistricting typically occurs after a census every 10 years, but that wasn’t the case this year in Missouri. Critics on both sides of the aisle note that it splits Kansas City into three districts, lumping parts of the city in with much more rural areas.
A spokesperson for the Missouri Secretary of State’s office confirmed receipt of 691 boxes of signatures.
“The elections division will proceed with scanning, counting and sorting the sheets for verification by local election authorities,” the spokesperson said.
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