Michele Skalicky

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. Michele enjoys hiking, camping, taking an active role in her two girls’ activities and caring for her family’s two guinea pigs, two cats, two dogs and five fish.

Disaster Relief Volunteers Needed To Help Victims of Hurricanes Laura and Sally

By Michele Skalicky • Sep 16, 2020

The American Red Cross of Southern Missouri is looking for disaster relief volunteers.

The organization’s executive director, Stacy Burks, said they need volunteers willing to travel to areas of the U.S. that are being impacted by storms.

"We're looking for volunteers who are willing to step up and help folks who are still fighting to recover from Hurricane Laura as well as looking to the Gulf and Hurricane Sally," said Burks.

Hurricane Sally is expected to make landfall in Louisiana late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

SPS Superintendent John Jungmann Plans To Retire From Public Education Next May

By Michele Skalicky • Sep 10, 2020

The superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, Dr. John Jungmann, announced Wednesday that he plans to retire from public education at the end of this school year.

The Board of Education has accepted Jungmann’s letter of retirement, and a nationwide search for his replacement will begin immediately, according to a statement from SPS.

Jungmann explained why he decided to retire.

MODOT To Limit Road Construction For The Long Holiday Weekend

By Michele Skalicky • Sep 4, 2020

The Missouri Department of Transportation says it will limit road construction starting at noon Friday and continuing over the three-day Labor Day weekend.

MODOT officials say statewide traffic fatalities are up compared to last year. They’re urging motorists to use caution when traveling and to buckle up, obey speed limits and don’t use your phone while driving.

MODOT director, Patrick McKenna says incidents and fatalities are up more than 11 percent from this time last year.

Lost Wage Assistance Benefit Payments To Go To Unemployed Missouri Workers In Coming Days

By Michele Skalicky • Aug 25, 2020

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations says it’s working to issue Lost Wage Assistance benefit payments to unemployed workers. Payments could go out later this week.

According to a news release, Missouri was granted initial federal funding for the LWA program and will pay eligible recipients an additional $300 per week retroactively to the week ending August 1, 2020.

A Brown Booby Hanging Out Along The Current River Is The First Recorded Sighting In Missouri

By Michele Skalicky • Aug 13, 2020

A bird hanging out along the Current River near Doniphan right now must be wondering where it is. Birders have identified the gray and white bird as a brown booby. And their habitat is nowhere near here.

Steve Paes is a forester for the Missouri Department of Conservation. He said he’s not a bird expert, though he enjoys birding, but this is what experts have told him.