Today's Talk KWOC

09/16/2026

JUST IN

**THREE PEOPLE CHARGED IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI FOR MEDICAID FRAUD**

Three people in Southeast Missouri are among 17 statewide that have been charged by the Missouri Attorney General in connection to separate medicaid fraud cases.

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway tells KWOC News that Maci Legrand was barred from serving as a caregiver after her Good Cause Waiver was denied due to her criminal history.

Legrand then enlisted her friend Christal Calhoun to pose as the official attendant on paper while they split over $27,000 in Medicaid payments for care that was not provided as claimed.

Calhoun claimed to provide services to a Medicaid recipient who showed up to the hospital disheveled and soiled, and was diagnosed with cellulitis following supposed care.

In a separate case, Gwen Fennell was charged for false claims totaling over $4,800.

09/16/2026

💲Did you know your insurance may cover the repair with NO deductible?

Rushin Auto Glass has over 40 years of combined experience and their mobile team comes to YOU- at work, at home, or wherever you are! Available 24/7 Just call 573-300-4680

09/16/2026

JUST IN

**DONIPHAN MAN IN CUSTODY ON CHILD MOLESTATION AND SO**MY CHARGES**

Authorities in Ripley County have arrested an area man on a child molestation charge.

Ripley County Chief Deputy David Sutton tells KWOC News that 30 year old James Brooks, of Doniphan was arrested Tuesday at the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office on charges of so**my 1st degree - aggravated sexual offense and child molestation 3rd degree.

Following the arrest, Brooks was held in the Ripley County Jail.

09/16/2026

Here is a look at your headlines for Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, including “Four Poplar Bluff police officers receive Governor’s Medal during ceremony in Jefferson City,” “Heat Advisory extended through Friday," and “10 million dollars in state grants awarded to Blue Shield Communities."

FOUR POPLAR BLUFF POLICE OFFICERS RECEIVE GOVERNOR’S MEDAL DURING CEREMONY IN JEFFERSON CITY Four Poplar Bluff Police Officers have received Missouri’s highest public safety honor for their heroic life saving efforts.  According to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Poplar Bluff Police Lieute

09/15/2026

YOUR THOUGHTS…Would you support a 32-hour workweek??
⬇️⬇️⬇️

09/15/2026

JUST IN

**FOUR POPLAR BLUFF POLICE OFFICERS RECEIVE GOVERNOR’S MEDAL DURING CEREMONY IN JEFFERSON CITY**

Four Poplar Bluff Police Officers have received Missouri’s highest public safety honor for their heroic life saving efforts.

According to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Poplar Bluff Police Lieutenant Dusty Johnson, along with officers Kenneth Carpenter Jr., Adam Miles, and Sami Tscherning, were awarded the Governor’s Medal Tuesday for rescuing and transporting a woman that was trapped in a collapsed house following the EF-3 tornado that struck the city in March of 2025.

The Governor’s Medal is bestowed for heroic acts performed by a team of first responders.

K-9 Officer Henry Franklin, with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, posthumously received the Red, White and Blue Heart Award, which is given for first responders seriously or fatally injured in the line of duty.

Franklin was a member of the Sikeston DPS SWAT team when he was shot and killed by a gunman during the service of an arrest warrant in October of 2025.

The awards were presented at a ceremony in Jefferson City on Tuesday.

09/15/2026

**HEAT ADVISORY EXTENDED THROUGH FRIDAY**

A dangerous late season heat wave will continue through the end of the work week.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the ongoing heat advisory has been extended through Friday evening at 7 pm.

High temperatures in the middle to upper 90s are expected through Friday, with peak heat index values ranging from 100 to 105 degrees each afternoon.

Officials say that some locations may break their record for latest 105 degree or higher heat index on record.

09/15/2026

Here is a look at your headlines for Tuesday, September 15th, 2026, including “One in custody, another at large, following Monday morning shooting in Poplar Bluff," “Heat advisory in effect through Wednesday evening,” and “Deputy’s vehicle struck while working a crash in the Missouri bootheel."

ONE IN CUSTODY, ANOTHER AT LARGE, FOLLOWING MONDAY MORNING SHOOTING IN POPLAR BLUFF One person is in custody in connection to a shooting in Poplar Bluff. Poplar Bluff Police Chief J.R. Keirsey tells KWOC News that the shooting occurred on Abbott Street between 10:30 and 10:45 Monday morning. T

09/14/2026

So far, this is the warmest start to September on record in Poplar Bluff, with records dating back to 1893!! Who’s ready for fall weather???

09/14/2026

JUST IN

**STODDARD COUNTY DEPUTY RECOGNIZED FOR USING NARCAN TO HELP SAVE SOMEBODY’S LIFE**

Stoddard County officials are congratulating a local deputy for her actions in helping to save someone’s life.

According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, Deputy Alex Adams was recently presented with a Missouri Crisis Intervention Team Challenge Coin.

The coin was presented in recognition of Deputy Adams actions during an emergency response in which she administered Narcan and saved an individual’s life.

The challenge coin is awarded to first responders who demonstrate commitment to preserving life and serving their communities during critical incidents.