Police, community rally together to support injured police officer Signs of support for injured Officer Aaron Pearson and his family are showing up all around the area. "He was a shining star, no doubt.  Aaron comes from a line of law enforcement," said Springfield Police Officer Mike Evans. The 30-year-old father of two was gunned down, police say, near Chestnut Expressway at Glenstone Avenue early Monday.  Joshua Hagood now faces charges for the shooting. "The reality is: ...

Mizzou athletic director Mike Alden will step down in August The University of Missouri called a news conference for Friday to announce Athletic Director Mike Alden's plans to change jobs at Mizzou, effective Aug. 31, 2015. ...

Jalapeno popper dip 1/29/15 1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and diced 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese 2 teaspoons of minced garlic 1-1/2 teaspoons of garlic salt 1/4 cup of bacon bits 1/2 cup of crushed Ritz crackers 1/4 cup of sour cream 2 tablespoons of melted butter Crackers or chips for dippingSoften cream cheese and combine it with shredded cheese, garlic, garlic salt, and diced jalapeno Toss crushed Ritz crackers ...

Greene County sheriff's deputies investigate series of vehicle thefts Early Thursday morning, Greene County sheriff's deputies were called to a home in the 4300 block of South Troy Avenue in southwest Greene County after the homeowner reported a silver 1998 Dodge Ram truck, Missouri license plate #8MV-659, was stolen from the driveway. The homeowner saw a white man with dark hair, possibly in his 20s, pull into the driveway in a black Kia Optima, then ...

Annual count in Springfield brings help for the homeless The annual homeless count helps bring some important resources to get the homeless off Springfield streets.  But to be counted, they must be found, and Thursday's event, Every One Counts, helped draw those who need the help. They come for many of the things we tend to take for granted like hygiene supplies, something to keep warm, and something to eat.  They once took them for ...

Judge denies bond in first court appearance of accused cop shooter The man accused of shooting and seriously wounding a Springfield Police officer made his first court appearance in that case on Thursday morning.   Associiate Circuit Judge Ron Carrier ordered Joshua Hagood, 32, to remain in the Greene County jail without a bond. Hagood is charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ...

U.S. Congress questions plan to admit Syrian refugees
By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-led House Committee on Homeland Security is challenging an Obama administration plan to admit Syrian refugees to the United States, saying it could allow potential terrorists to sneak into the country. In a letter sent to the White House, Michael McCaul, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee and Peter King and Candice Miller, who chair subcommittees, said the administration's plan "raises serious national security concerns." The letter, dated Wednesday, said the United States lacks the resources to fully investigate the backgrounds of refugees from Syria, a base for Islamic State militants, before they are admitted to the country. Anne Richard, an Assistant Secretary of State, said on Dec. 9 that the United States resettled nearly 70,000 refugees from nearly 70 countries in 2013 and that the administration's refugee plans would lead to "resettling Syrians as well." Richard said the United States was already reviewing around 9,000 Syrian refugee cases referred by a United Nations agency and was receiving "roughly a thousand new ones each month." Ned Price, a National Security Council spokesman, said all refugees including those from Syria would be rigorously screened.

Texas GOP chief leaves role, joins Rand Paul political team
WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the Republican Party of Texas is stepping down from his role to join Sen. Rand Paul's likely presidential campaign.

Ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez goes on trial on murder charges
FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — With his ex-teammates about to play in the Super Bowl, former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez went on trial on murder charges Thursday, watching from the defense table as prosecutors said DNA on a shell casing and security-camera video from his own home connect him to the crime.

Desert stars: Celebs converge on Phoenix for Super Bowl 49
PHOENIX (AP) — The desert is great for stargazing, and that will certainly be the case as the Super Bowl takes over Phoenix and its suburbs.

Feds: Treasure hunter eluded police with cash, tradecraft
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A deep-sea treasure hunter who vanished during a court fight over his $50 million haul of gold bars and coins eluded capture by hiding in a two-room hotel suite under a fake name, paying for everything in cash and keeping a low-profile, authorities said Thursday.