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
A fundraiser on Friday helped raise money for a mid-Missouri family’s effort to get their daughter medical treatment.
Hurts Donut from Springfield, Mo., traveled to Ashland to help the Kroeckel family raise money for their daughter, Harper’s, life-changing medical treatment in Italy.
“After exhausting available treatment options in the United States, the family is now pursuing specialized care that offers new hope for her future,” wrote the Hurts Donut shop in a press release. “Because the treatment, travel expenses and extended medical stays are not covered by insurance, the family is facing more than $85,000 in out-of-pocket costs.”
Harper had been born prematurely at 35 weeks and admitted to the NICU, where a nurse discovered a spot that they assumed to be diaper rash on her bottom. However, further inspection led to her diagnosis of Capillary Malformation-Arteriovenous Malformation, or CM-AVM.
CM-AVM is a genetic mutation at the cellular level that causes blood vessels in certain areas to be tangled, causing swelling, pressure, chronic pain and, in some instances, bleeding. In Harper’s case, it could potentially spread to her spine or brain.
The donut shop set up shop at the Ashland Optimists Club and donated 100% of its Special Tribute donut sales to the Kroeckel family, as well as 10% of the proceeds from its dozen donut sales.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 28 drawing
Midday: 0-7-2
Midday Wild: 1
Evening: 9-9-6
Evening Wild: 7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 28 drawing
Midday: 4-5-0-4
Midday Wild: 9
Evening: 1-4-6-7
Evening Wild: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 28 drawing
Early Bird: 04
Morning: 07
Matinee: 09
Prime Time: 06
Night Owl: 15
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from June 28 drawing
05-08-12-33-34
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:
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.
Missouri
UPDATE: Well-known mid-Missouri attorney charged after sting expected to request home detention | 93.9 The Eagle
A prominent mid-Misssouri attorney has pleaded NOT guilty to a felony charge of enticement or attempted enticement of a child.
56-year-old Daniel Walter Follett is charged in Boone County Circuit Court. He had served as the Missouri Department of Revenue’s (DOR) general counsel until he was fired after last week’s arrest.
Court documents filed by Boone County prosecutors say Follett was allegedly using a prostitution website “to solicit sexual services from a person whom he believed to be a 16-year-old child.” The Boone County Sheriff’s Department’s probable cause statement says Follett allegedly arrived at an address in Boone County last week to pay money to have sex with a female whom he believed was under the age of 17.
Follett, who is currently jailed without bond, is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon before Judge Kimberly Shaw and is expected to request home detention, based on online court records.
939 the Eagle News contacted the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) after Follett’s arrest. DOR released a statement about Follett’s arrest and status last week. It reads: “The Department is aware of an out-of-office incident involving a staff member who was arrested and charged with criminal activity. Following departmental procedures, employment has been terminated with the individual.”
What’s next: Follett is scheduled to appear in Boone County Circuit Court on Tuesday at 1 pm for a bond hearing before Judge Kimberly Shaw. Follett is represented by defense attorney Jessica Caldera, a former Boone County assistant prosecutor. Follett is expected to request home detention from the court until his trial. Boone County prosecutors have described Follett in a court filing as a flight risk.
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