KABUL AIRPORT ATTACK KILLS AT LEAST 13 US TROOPS
Two suicide bombers and gunmen have targeted crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
U.S. officials said at least 13 U.S. service members have died, including 11 Marines and a Navy Corpsman. An Afghan official says at least 60 Afghans were killed and 143 wounded.
A U.S. official said the attack was believed to have been carried out by the Islamic State group.
President Joe Biden spoke directly to the attackers in a speech to the nation and said “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
POPLAR BLUFF MULES TO KICK OFF REGULAR SEASON TONIGHT AGAINST AGAPE HIGH SCHOOL
The Poplar Bluff Mules Football team is looking to get the 2021 football season off to a great start tonight.
The Mules will host the Agape High School Rhinos, with kickoff set for 7pm. It will be the first game for each team this season.
The Mules went 4-3 in the regular season last year before falling to Jackson in the District Semi-Finals. The Agape Rhinos finished the 2020 campaign with a 1-7 record, including a 42-0 loss to Poplar Bluff, in their first season of play.
Today’s Talk KWOC 93.3 FM and 930 AM will be providing live coverage of the game tonight with the kick-off show beginning at 6:20 pm. KWOC is also providing video coverage at the Today’s Talk KWOC Facebook page beginning at 6:45 pm.
According to Poplar Bluff Athletic Director Kent Keith, a “Kickoff Tailgate Party” will be held tonight in front of the High School starting at 5 pm. River Radio will be handing out a limited supply of shirts at the kickoff party and food and drinks will also be available.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOL TO REQUIRE MASKS AFTER COVID OUTBREAK
A Southeast Missouri school will be now requiring masks after a COVID-19 outbreak.
The Van Buren R-1 School District announced Thursday that multiple students have tested positive for COVID-19 including a new case which was discovered after school on Thursday.
The positive cases, along with the associated quarantines, have pushed the district into Level Two of the COVID-19 Mitigation Plan.
This means that masks will be required at school starting today for all staff, students, and visitors on campus during the school day. Masks are also required on school buses due to a federal mandate.
Van Buren school officials say that extra masks will be available for children who do not have one. Anyone with questions is asked to contact their building principal.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN CONVICTED IN CONNECTION TO 2020 SHOOTING
A Poplar Bluff man is facing decades in prison following his conviction in connection to a 2020 shooting.
Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor tells KWOC News that Kayln Johnson was found guilty Thursday by a Butler County jury of the offenses of assault in the first degree, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The victim testified that his roommate Johnson returned home, pulled out a revolver, and began firing at him while he was seated in a chair. The victim was struck 6 times, including once in the back of the head.
Johnson’s sentencing is set for October 26th. Proctor says that Johnson is facing up to 30 years on the assault charge, a minimum of 3 years on the armed criminal action charge, and 10 years on the unlawful possession of a firearm charge.
DEXTER WOMAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON KIDNAPPING AND DOMESTIC ASSAULT CHARGES
A Dexter woman is facing multiple charges following her arrest in Stoddard County.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 44 year old Rachel Midget was arrested earlier this week on a Stoddard County warrant for kidnapping – 2nd degree, burglary – 1st degree, and domestic assault - 4th degree.
Few details of the arrest were released, however officials say that she was held on a $12,500 cash only bond.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON FELONY FLEEING CHARGE
Authorities in Butler County have arrested an area man on a felony fleeing charge.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 69 year old Michael Hopkins, of Poplar Bluff, was taken into custody Wednesday night on a felony charge of resisting arrest by fleeing.
Officials say that Hopkins is also facing a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.
ALMOST 80 YEAR OLD STEAM TRAIN TO BE MAKING STOP IN POPLAR BLUFF TODAY
An almost 80 year old Union Pacific steam train will be making a stop today in Poplar Bluff.
The train, named Big Boy Number 4014, will arrive in Poplar Bluff on Friday, August 27th at around 4:30 pm.
According to Downtown Poplar Bluff, the train will only be accessible by a free to use shuttle service they are providing. Shuttles will depart from next to the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum in front of the Black River Coliseum every 15 minutes beginning at 4:30 pm and ending at 7 pm.
The train was delivered to Union Pacific in December of 1941 and was retired in 1961. A multi year restoration process began in 2013 and the train returned to service in 2019 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad's Completion.
