Missouri
Missouri denies 130+ schools’ requests for earlier start dates
NIXA, Mo. (KY3) – More than 130 Missouri schools have been denied requests to start classes earlier than state law allows, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Wednesday.
The denials affect schools across the state, including several local districts that had sought permission to begin classes before the current restriction. Missouri law prohibits schools from starting more than 14 days before the first Monday in September.
Nixa Public Schools was among the local districts denied an earlier start date. The district has opposed the state restriction since it took effect.
“Ever since the law changed, we’ve been vocal about that, saying, really, this is not what’s best for students,” said Zac Rantz, Chief Communication Officer with Nixa Public Schools. “Because we spent years really listening to our elected officials saying you need to get students college and career ready. And so, we really partnered up with our local colleges and really tried to kind of blend our calendars together. Get those start and end dates about the same.”
Districts cite community impact
School officials say the rigid start date requirement doesn’t account for the unique needs of different districts and their communities.
“There’s also a lot of economic development things in every community that actually can be impacted when school’s in session or not in session,” Rantz said. “And so, being able to really work as a community focus to have those schools start and end dates is a bonus for every school district.”
The denial creates challenges for curriculum planning at affected schools. Teachers at Walnut Grove School District will need to adjust for semester imbalances caused by the restricted start date.
“It’s about a 15-day difference. And so, when you’re talking about a semester-based course, I mean, with content, your 15 days of content in the first semester is gonna be a little bit different,” said Walnut Grove superintendent Rory Henry. “So, teachers are gonna have to just really make sure that they’re utilizing time and trying to get as much of the content as they can in at the time that they have.”
DESE said it will deny any additional waiver requests this year. Schools like Walnut Grove and Nixa say they hope local legislators will address the issue to restore local control over school calendars.
“It’s really important that the local communities and local districts are able to decide what’s best for them,” Henry said.
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Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 17, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 17 drawing
38-43-44-49-62, Mega Ball: 08
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 17 drawing
Midday: 4-8-6
Midday Wild: 2
Evening: 8-8-2
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 17 drawing
Midday: 3-9-4-2
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 7-3-7-7
Evening Wild: 7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 17 drawing
Early Bird: 07
Morning: 06
Matinee: 08
Prime Time: 05
Night Owl: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from April 17 drawing
04-06-25-37-39
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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two separate tornadoes have been confirmed in Clinton, Missouri, from Wednesday evening’s storms by the National Weather Service’s survey crews.
The first tornado was confirmed to be of EF-1 strength. It touched down at 6:03 p.m. just south of Clinton, Missouri, near the Harry S Truman Reservoir. It tracked northeast into the southeastern side of Clinton and strengthened with peak winds of 98 mph. The tornado then weakened to an EF-0 strength before reaching E Clinton St. Its total track length was 2.5 miles.
A second tornado was confirmed from the same supercell storm. It had peak winds of 70 mph, with a path length of 1.85 miles from E. Lincoln St to N 6th St. and a width of 30 yards.
Reported damage from these tornadoes included snapped, large tree branches and trunks, loss of siding, and collapsed walls of small buildings.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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