Missouri State Highway Patrol Urges Back-to-School Safety

As the 2025-2026 school year begins, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding parents, students, and motorists to make safety a top priority. Increased traffic, school buses on the roads, and students walking or biking to school mean drivers should be extra cautious.

In 2024, Missouri saw 843 traffic crashes involving school buses, resulting in seven fatalities and 345 injuries. Troopers hope to prevent future tragedies by encouraging safe habits for everyone on the road.

Safety Tips for Students

• Walking: Use sidewalks when available, cross at marked intersections, and make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street. Avoid distractions like phones or music.

• Biking: Always wear a helmet, ride on the right side, follow traffic signals, and keep both hands on the handlebars.

• School Buses: Wait on the shoulder or sidewalk, use handrails, never retrieve dropped items from under the bus, and cross at least 10 feet in front of it.

For Young Drivers
Most crashes involving drivers under 21 happen between 3 and 4 p.m., when school lets out. Parents should remind teens that driving requires full attention—no texting, phone use, or other distractions. Missouri is a hands-free state, so buckle up and put the phone away.

Parents’ Role
Parents are encouraged to discuss safe travel—whether walking, biking, or driving—with their children. They should also introduce the Courage2ReportMO program, which allows students to anonymously report safety concerns, including bullying, threats, weapons, and mental health crises. Reports can be made via the mobile app, website, phone (866-748-7047), or by texting “C2R” to 738477. The program operates 24/7 with trained professionals.

Tips for Motorists
Drivers should be especially alert near school zones, playgrounds, and crosswalks, and anticipate heavier traffic during morning and afternoon commutes. Missouri law requires vehicles on two-lane roads to stop in both directions when a school bus is loading or unloading children with warning signals activated. On four-lane roads, drivers must stop only when following the bus.

Troopers stress that children can be unpredictable near traffic. Patience, attentiveness, and extra travel time can help ensure a safe start to the school year for everyone.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Missouri Annual Back to School Sales Tax Holiday this Weekend

Missouri’s annual Back‑to‑School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 am, on Friday, August 1, and runs through midnight on Sunday, August 3. During this time, state and some local sales taxes are waived on qualifying back-to-school purchases, giving families a chance to save money on essential items.

Shoppers will not pay sales tax on a variety of items, as long as they meet specific price limits:

• Clothing: Each item must be $100 or less

• School supplies: Up to $50 per purchase

• Personal computers and computer peripherals: Up to $1,500 per item

• Computer software: Up to $350

• Graphing calculators: Up to $150

Clothing includes standard apparel such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, and school uniforms. Items like jewelry, handbags, scarves, and sports gear are not included. The purchases must be for personal use, though teachers using personal funds may also benefit from the exemption.

Online purchases made during the tax holiday are eligible, even if the items are delivered later. Out-of-state residents who shop in Missouri during the holiday also qualify for the exemption. Layaway items and rain checks only count if final payment is made during the three-day period.

This annual event is one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year in Missouri. Many families take advantage of the savings by stocking up on supplies, clothes, and even electronics before the school year begins.

Tips for Smart Shopping:

• Keep each individual item within the price limits to qualify.

• Check that electronics like laptops and software stay within the allowed price thresholds.

• Make sure online orders are placed and paid for during the holiday window.

• Plan ahead and compare prices before the weekend rush.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Resource Fair Offers Vital Support for Local Families

Kearney School District is gearing up to host its annual Back-to-School Resource Fair, a crucial initiative aimed at equipping students and their families for a successful start to the academic year. This year’s event will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, August 7, and from 9 to 11:30 am on Friday, August 8, at Kearney Junior High, located at 2215 Pride Parkway.

The Resource Fair provides much-needed school supplies, backpacks, hygiene kits, gently used clothing, and new underwear, along with access to a wide array of community resources. The event illustrates the district’s ongoing commitment to meeting students’ needs beyond the classroom, ensuring every child in KSD has the support necessary to thrive.

“Last year, we helped 262 students prepare for their first day of school,” said Meeghan Masters, Kearney School District Social Worker. “That success was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our community partners.”

Volunteers play an essential role in organizing and distributing supplies during the fair, and community members are encouraged to sign up online to lend their support. The district underscores that the dedication of local residents and organizations is vital to the fair’s continued success.

“We are so thankful for the ongoing support from our incredible community,” Masters added. “Your involvement helps make a lasting difference in the lives of Kearney students.”

Families can pre-register for the Back-to-School Resource Fair HERE.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KSD Rallies Support for 2025 Back to School Resource Fair

As students in the Kearney School District kick off their summer break, district counselors and social workers are already hard at work preparing for the upcoming academic year. Plans are underway for the 2025 Back to School Resource Fair, an annual event aimed at ensuring every Kearney student starts the school year equipped and ready to learn.

Scheduled for August 7th and 8th, the Resource Fair offers vital support to families by providing school supplies, hygiene kits, gently used clothing, new underwear, and access to a wide range of community resources. The initiative reflects the district’s commitment to meeting students’ needs beyond the classroom.

“Last year, we helped 262 students prepare for their first day of school,” said Meeghan Masters, Kearney School District Social Worker. “That success was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our community partners.”

The district is inviting local organizations and individuals to support the fair in several key ways:

Promote the Event

Community members can help by spreading the word. Flyers and digital materials are available for distribution, and groups can request printed copies. Event registration is open online for families in need.

Host a Supply Drive or Make a Donation

Groups are encouraged to collect school supplies or contribute financially. District staff can help identify priority items or manage shopping with donated funds.

Donate Gently Used Clothing

Clean, gently used clothing in sizes from youth small to adult XXL is needed. Donations can be dropped off at Kearney Junior High from August 4th to 6th between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Volunteer at the Fair

Volunteers are essential for organizing and distributing items during the fair. Community members can sign up online to lend a hand.

The district emphasizes that community support is critical to the fair’s success and the well-being of local students.

“We are so thankful for the ongoing support from our incredible community,” Masters said. “Your involvement helps make a lasting difference in the lives of Kearney students.”

For more information or to get involved, residents can visit the Kearney School District’s official website or contact district staff directly.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.