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Comcast expands rural broadband access across Missouri and Kansas

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Comcast expands rural broadband access across Missouri and Kansas


KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Miami County in Kansas and Cass County in Missouri. He also covers agricultural topics. Share your story idea with Ryan.

Community leaders in rural Miami County, Kansas cut a ribbon Monday to celebrate Comcast’s completion of its two-year broadband infrastructure project.

“Most people would agree that internet is no longer just a luxury,” Jennifer Dameron, Comcast director of external affairs for the Midwest division told KSHB 41.

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Ryan Gamboa/KSHB

Jennifer Dameron

The project, fully funded by Comcast, began in 2023.

Comcast expands rural broadband access across Missouri and Kansas

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4,000 homes and businesses in rural Paola and Hillsdale, Kansas, are now offered Xfinity internet and television services.

Miami County Economic Development Director Janet McRae told KSHB 41 the county previously had one internet provider, but they didn’t offer additional services.

Comcast Miami County

Ryan Gamboa/KSHB

“It really helps connect our unincorporated areas of our community with a consistent provider,” she explained.

In early December 2024, KSHB 41 reported on a ‘Tiny Home’ development at My Father’s House, a local shelter.

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RELATED | Paola, Kansas, expands affordable housing options with tiny home village

“It used to be that electricty and water were the necessary utilities, and if you had those, you were good enough,” said My Father’s House Co-Founder, Beth Waddle.

Beth Waddle

Ryan Gamboa/KSHB

Beth Waddle

Waddle says the COVID-19 pandemic exposed rural America’s lack of internet access.

“You could only access social security services online, or you could only access doctors appointments online,” she said. “We saw that there were so many people, especially in these more rural communities, that just didn’t have appropriate internet access. They couldn’t access their necessary services.”

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My Father's House Paola

Ryan Gamboa/KSHB

My Father’s House in Paola, Kansas broke ground on 14 Tiny Homes to bridge the gap in rural affordable housing shortage.

My Father’s House, in tandem with it’s ‘Tiny Home’ project, is helping people get back on their feet.

RELATED | Paola, Kansas, expands affordable housing options with tiny home village

It offers educational and resource tools to apply for jobs online.

Comcast’s expansion to rural Miami County will offer people served at My Father’s House a better opportunity at a second chance.

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Miami County Comcast

Ryan Gamboa/KSHB

Near Hillsdale, Kansas

“Internet is an important component of anybody’s journey back onto their greater journey towards independence,” added Waddle.

In March, Comcast announced it is connecting more than 11,000 homes and business in six Missouri communities: Concordia, Harrisonville, Higginsville, Lexington, Napoleon and Wellington.

It will span more than 300 miles and is expected to be completed by 2027.

Harrisonville Comcast Groundbreaking

Comcast

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Harrisonville, Missouri broadband groundbreaking

In May, Comcast broke ground on its project in Harrisonville, Missouri. The company’s total investment in rural Missouri over the past three years is $100 million.

“We’re really excited to be expanding and doubling our footprint in Missouri,” added Dameron.

RELATED | Rural Kansas counties begin preparations for 2026 World Cup’s economic boost

The FIFA World Cup is less than a year away in Kansas City and rural communities are looking for ways to attract visitors.

World Cup

KSHB 41

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“With the higher-speed internet comes a lot of economic opportunities,” said McRae. “With World Cup coming next year, our businesses are going to be able to reach that world market in a way that they previously couldn’t do. With some online shopping opportunities, but they may not have been able to have the connectivity and the reliability that they needed to be able to do that.”

McRae went on to add some small businesses have reached out to her office looking for ways to offer themselves remote work.

Lola's Paola, Kansas

Ryan Gamboa/KSHB

Lola’s in rural Paola, Kansas

Connectivity, is what Dameron told KSHB 41 could drive population growth in the area from the Kansas City metro.

“It gives you also the opportunity to live in Paola if you want to, but work in Kansas City,” Dameron said. “Why wouldn’t you want to live here?”

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Dameron presented My Father’s House with a $2,500 check on Monday afternoon.

My Father's House Paola Kansas

Ryan Gamboa/KSHB

My Father’s House in Paola, Kansas

It’s a gift that shows the corporation’s investment in its rural partners.

“There’s no strings attached with that check. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership with Comcast,” added Waddle. “I’m thankful for a community that embraces that kind of growth.”





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1 dead after rollover crash Friday evening in Kansas City, Missouri

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1 dead after rollover crash Friday evening in Kansas City, Missouri


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One person died in a rollover crash Friday evening in Kansas City, Missouri, on Missouri 152 Highway near North Indiana Avenue.

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was alone in the vehicle, police said.

The crash happened at 5:35 p.m.

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No word on what led to the crash.





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Missouri Secretary of State admits to misleading ballot language for gerrymander referendum

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Missouri Secretary of State admits to misleading ballot language for gerrymander referendum


Protestors gather in the rotunda to protest a redistricting plan that would split Kansas City into three districts on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at the Missouri State Capitol, in Jefferson City, Mo. (Yong Li Xuan/Missourian via AP)

An attorney representing Missouri’s top election official admitted in court Friday that her client had authored ballot language that could “prejudice” voters about a referendum to block the GOP’s new gerrymandered congressional map. 

The state constitution gives Missourians the right to veto new state laws by holding a statewide referendum vote. Since Missouri Republicans passed mid-decade redistricting in September, voters have been fighting to put it to a referendum. But the Republican Party – including Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins – are throwing every possible hurdle in its path. 

That apparently includes ballot language.

In November, People Not Politicians, the group leading the referendum effort, filed a lawsuit challenging what it termed the “dishonest” text Hoskins had approved.

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The court could take over the task of writing the ballot language if Hoskins fails to provide an acceptable version after three tries. A bench trial is scheduled for Feb. 9.

Missouri law requires the secretary of state’s ballot language to be a “true and impartial statement” that isn’t “intentionally argumentative” or “likely to create prejudice either for or against the proposed measure.”

At a hearing Friday, Hoskins’ attorney admitted the ballot summary was likely to create prejudice against the referendum, according to People Not Politicians. She also said the language would be revised in negotiations with the referendum organizers, the Missouri Independent reported.

Now, the state will get “another bite at the apple” to write new language, Chuck Hatfield, an attorney representing People Not Politicians, told Democracy Docket. 

“Rather than losing in court, today the Secretary of State simply admitted that he broke the law and sought to deceive Missouri voters,” Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians, said in a statement. “While warranted, this admittance does little to alleviate our concerns that a subsequent summary prepared by him will be any more accurate. Missourians deserve the truth about their rights and the referendum.”

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According to court filings, the official certified ballot language reads: “Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled ‘House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),’ which repeals Missouri’s existing gerrymandered congressional plan that protects incumbent politicians, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more cities and counties intact, are more compact, and better reflects statewide voting patterns?”

In addition to the misleading ballot language, Republicans have devised relentless obstacles for referendum supporters, including trying to decline certifying the petition on holding a referendum for being filed too soon, reject signatures for being collected too soon, block the petition from moving forward and intimidate referendum supporters. 

Hoskins is also insisting on enacting the new map before voters can hold the referendum, breaking with Missouri precedent.



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Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026

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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 3-5-3

Midday Wild: 9

Evening: 6-3-9

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Evening Wild: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 7-1-3-4

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 9-6-9-8

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Evening Wild: 9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

27-28-39-47-58, Cash Ball: 04

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Early Bird: 14

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Morning: 07

Matinee: 06

Prime Time: 07

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

02-26-28-29-34

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:

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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.

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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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