While driving down an East Texas country road I spotted this scene. The autumn trees and the late afternoon sun made these golden bales of hay shine just a little bit more. Fortunately I had my camera with me. (c) James Q. Eddy Jr.
The Four States NPR News Source 2025 Kansas Association of Broadcasters Award Winner 2nd Place for Website in a Medium Market
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Hear KRPS Weekday Morning & Evening Newscasts in the NPR App

MoDOT TRAFFIC ALERT: I-44 Ramps (mile marker 38) CLOSED at Missouri Route 97 south of Stotts City

Monday-Friday, November 7-11 & 14-18

Where: I-44 ramps (mile marker 38) CLOSED at Missouri Route 97 south of Stotts City

When: Beginning Monday-Friday, November 7-11 & 14-18

What: Contractor crews to repair pavement on I-44 ramps as part of the Pavement Repair Project on Various Routes in Five (5) Southwest Counties that is to completed by December 1, 2022

Traffic Impacts:

I-44 ramps (mile marker 38) CLOSED at Missouri Route 97 south of Stotts City during the week days

  • I-44 ramps (mile marker 38) open at Route 97 during the weekends
  • I-44 and Route 97 Open
  • Drivers may encounter flaggers directing traffic through the work zone where crews are working
  • Drivers will encounter automated flaggers directing traffic through work zone during non-working hours on Route 97
  • Crews and equipment close to traffic in areas
  • Electronic message boards located near the planned road work will alert drivers to any changes in the work schedule
  • Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts
Since 2017 Fred Fletcher-Fierro has driven up Highway 171 through thunderstorms, downpours, snow, and ice storms to host KRPS’s Morning Edition. He’s also a daily reporter for the station, covering city government, elections, public safety, arts, entertainment, culture, sports and more. Fred has also spearheaded and overseen a sea change in programming for KRPS from a legacy classical station to one that airs a balance of classical, news, jazz, and cultural programming that better reflects the diverse audience of the Four States. For over two months in the fall of 2022 he worked remotely with NPR staff to relaunch krps.org to an NPR style news and information website.

In the fall of 2023 Fred was promoted to Interim General Manager and was appointed GM in Feburary of 2024.