In-Depth News, Information And Entertainment

Greetings!

Happy Friday! This Week's News: A former Bearcat heard his name called in the NBA Draft on Tuesday night, gas prices are on decline, data centers in Missouri are gaining traction and exposure, a scam is ongoing involving the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and so much more. let's get to the news so we can get the answer to this week's joke!

P.S. - Next Friday (7/3) will have some special programming at 10 and 11 AM, scroll to the programs to see what has made the line up for the day! Tune in and let us know what you think of the specials!

Joke of the week— What do you call a reader who stops halfway through a newsletter? Don't peek.

The answer can be found at the end of this newsletter, continue reading to find out!

Former Bearcat Stirtz selected in NBA Draft's First Round

Bennett Stirtz became the first former Northwest Missouri State Basketball player to hear his name called in the NBA Draft on Tuesday night.

Sirtz, a two-time All-MIAA performer with the Bearcats, was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 16th overall pick in the draft. His rights were then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Read the story here

This week's news

Gas prices are continuing to decline across Missouri and much of the nation, providing relief for motorists ahead of the busy Independence Day travel period, though uncertainty remains as tensions persist between the United States and Iran. According to petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan, Missouri's average gasoline price has dropped about 13 cents per gallon over the past week outpacing declines seen in many other states. While prices have fallen 58 cents per gallon in Missouri during the past four weeks, they remain approximately 75 cents higher than they were a the same time last year.

State Rep. Don Mayhew says he is leading an effort with several fellow Missouri House members to urge Gov. Mike Kehoe to call a special legislative session focused on the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers across the state. Mayhew said lawmakers are concerned about the potential impact of the facilities on Missouri's electrical grid, water resources and local transportation infrastructure. Supporters of the proposal say immediate legislative action is needed to evaluate and manage the long-term effects of data center development. Mayhew and other lawmakers argue that a special session would allow the General Assembly to consider regulations and policies aimed at balancing economic development with infrastructure capacity and public concerns.

The MSHP is warning residents about a scam in which fraudsters use the agency's name and image to appear legitimate while attempting to collect money from victims. According to the Highway Patrol, scammers first establish contact with victims through social media or online messaging platforms. The victim is said to later receive a fraudulent, AI-generated notice through WhatsApp claiming the package has been seized by purported "VIP Delivery Transit Program." The Highway Patrol said it does not operate a VIP Delivery Transit Program and emphasized that the notice is fake.

Northwest Missouri State University's Board of Regents has approved a $116.6 million budget for the2026-27 fiscal year and authorized two new degree programs. University officials said the budget accounts for projected enrollment, scholarship support, declining state appropriations and rising personnel costs. The board approved plans for an online Bachelor of Professional Studies degree, as well as a new four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Bearcat Public Media App

The Bearcat Public Media App allows you to listen to Bearcat Public Media - KXCV/KRNW, pause and rewind the live audio, send comments and view the program schedule.

The Harvest Brief

From Harvest Public Media

An official review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement begins in July. President Trump already has suggested the U.S. would be better off without it. The three trading partners will decide whether to renew the USMCA for another 16 years, let it expire in 2036 or begin an annual review process starting in 2027, according to the center for Strategic and International Studies.

Read the story here

Community Corner

Downtown Maryville Market

Join every Saturday morning from May through October in the heart of downtown Maryville for the Downtown Maryville Market!

From 8 AM to 12 PM, the market comes alive with a mix of homemade and homegrown vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, and unique local products.

Enjoy delicious eats from food trucks, plus family-friendly activities and entertainment to keep kids smiling.

It's a fun, welcoming way to kick off your weekend, and the perfect spot to experience the local charm and creativity of Maryville.

Elmo's Fourth of July Celebration

Celebrate Independence Day the small-town way at the Elmo Fourth of July Celebration!

This cherished tradition brings guests together for a full day of patriotic fun, featuring a classic hometown parade, family-friendly activities, and food vendors serving up summer favorites.

Live entertainment and plenty of opportunities to connect make it a welcoming experience for all ages.

The celebration wraps up with a fireworks display at dusk!

Rock The Ville

Rock the Ville is a high-energy outdoor street concert hosted by The Pub, bringing together live rock music, food trucks, and a lively crowd for a night of entertainment.

Hosted in downtown, the event features popular tribute bands, outdoor bars, and a festive, come-as-you-are atmosphere where guests can kick back, bring a chair, and enjoy an evening of classic rock under the open sky.

Stay tuned on their website as they announce bands, sponsors, ticket sales, and more. This year will be the biggest one yet!

Health Minute

Mosaic Medical Center Maryville took a major step toward improving women's healthcare in northwest Missouri with the opening of its Women's Health Clinic in mid-May.

Listen here

Copperhead Conspiracy

The Copperhead Conspiracy recounts a little-known Civil War-era plot in which anti-Lincoln Northerners collaborated with Confederates to organize an armed uprising in several Midwestern states. Their goal was to overthrow state governments, release thousands of Confederate prisoners, and pressure the Union into ending the war while preserving the Confederacy and slavery. The conspiracy was ultimately thwarted by a Union spy who had infiltrated the group.

This program will air on 7/3/2026 at 10:00 AM.

How to 250

How To 250: Your Guide to America’s Birthday takes listeners on a fascinating look at the history behind the Declaration of Independence and how communities can celebrate this historic milestone.

This program will air on 7/3/2026 at 11:00 AM.

Morning Edition

Every weekday for over three decades, Morning Edition has taken listeners around the country and the world with two hours of multi-faceted stories and commentaries that inform, challenge and occasionally amuse. Morning Edition is the most listened-to news radio program in the country.

Fresh Air

Fresh Air with Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley is a nationally recognized radio program and podcast, featuring in depth conversations exploring a wide variety of popular culture, news and issues. The show sets the standard for long form audio interviews.

This Week in History

Each week, student historians at Northwest Missouri State University take a dive into Nodaway County newspaper archives to bring us the stories of times past.

"This Week in History" is a collaboration of the Nodaway County Historical Society Museum, the Northwest Missouri State University History Department, and KXCV-KRNW.

Listen here

💡 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 💡

Do you or an organization you’re part of have an event coming up? Send us the details to have it included in our community events calendar on our website, in this newsletter, on air, and featured on our social media! Send any and all details to kxcv@nwmissouri.edu.