Missouri

Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires

Published

8 months ago

July 13, 2025

Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires

KANSAS CITY, Mo — Willa’s Books and Vinyl, the oldest Black-owned bookstore in Missouri, is closing its final chapter as owner Willa Mae Robinson prepares for her retirement. The beloved shop, a cultural cornerstone in the community, has been a beacon for literature and music enthusiasts for years.

In a heartfelt farewell hosted by the KC Defender, the event served as a final love letter to her customers and supporters.

Will Shaw

Willa Mae Robinson, Owner of Willa’s Books and Vinyl

“All of these books, all of this music, all of this art—dedicated to you all,” Robinson said.

Dozens, including Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, gathered to honor Robinson and her contributions.

Robinson’s passion for reading and music traces back to her upbringing in Arkansas, where her father, an avid reader, instilled in her the joys of literature.

“That was our life,” Robinson said. “That’s why I am who I am now.”

Willa Mae Robinson, Owner of Willa’s Books and Vinyl

However, it was the profound loss of her daughter and granddaughter that drove Robinson to fill a void in her life.

“I was trying to fill the fact that my children were gone,” she said. “And I was just collecting books, books, books, books.”

Robinson worked for the post office for 30 years. In the 1990s she retired and transitioned her personal collection into a public treasure, selling the books at festivals before establishing her storefront in 2007.

Willa's Books and Vinyl: Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires — Willa’s Books and Vinyl: Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires

“I didn’t collect all these books for them to be covered up somewhere,” she daid. “I want people to enjoy the books.”

As she prepares to turn a new page, she is passing the torch to the next generation. The store is set to become an archive under the ownership of The KC Defender, led by Founder and Executive Editor Ryan Sorrell.

Ryan Sorrell, Founder and executive editor KC Defender

“So people from the community can come in for free and look at these rare books,” Sorrell said.”Being able to nourish that love of literature is something that is extremely important to Mrs. Willa. So that, I think just the Blackness, the Black joy, the safety that people feel being in this space.”

The store’s legacy will be preserved as a community hub and the headquarters for the KC Defender.

“There’s not enough that can be said about what she represents to our community,” said Sorrell. “She went through trials and tribulations. She overcame extreme financial hardships, gentrification, all of these things. She could barely survive being able to run this bookstore. But because of her love for Black people, her love for Black literature, she invested her entire life into this. I am again deeply grateful, I’m excited.”

While Robinson’s retirement is bittersweet, she looks forward to writing a new story.

“I am going to miss them,” she said. “I just want to thank them. Thank them for taking they time out because they could’ve been doing something else.”

Willa Robinson with her daughter and son

The day also served as a final sale with attendees leaving with their own pieces of history.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

11 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 3-5-8

Midday Wild: 6

Evening: 4-3-8

Evening Wild: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 8-0-1-0

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 2-6-8-2

Evening Wild: 3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Early Bird: 02

Morning: 14

Matinee: 09

Prime Time: 09

Night Owl: 12

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

06-14-25-26-38

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

See how much new unemployment claims in Missouri fell last week

Published

23 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

See how much new unemployment claims in Missouri fell last week

Staff reports
| USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Missouri dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 2,182 in the week ending February 21, down from 2,462 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Feb. 26, 2026

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 26, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

Midday: 9-4-0

Midday Wild: 0

Evening: 5-3-9

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

Midday: 9-7-1-7

Midday Wild: 5

Evening: 4-8-6-3

Evening Wild: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

Early Bird: 10

Morning: 10

Matinee: 14

Prime Time: 10

Night Owl: 12

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

05-20-24-28-33

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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