Rolla Daily Digest Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Ty's Take
There's something about a slow week that tells you more about a place than any crisis ever could. OAT's running Young Frankenstein down at the Rolla little theater, somebody's bringing music to the Mission, the city council's pondering what property to shed, and somebody wants the chanterelle mushroom for our state flower—or mushroom, anyway. These are the things that matter when there's no emergency: whether your community still gathers for a laugh, whether your charitable organizations are keeping the work alive, and whether you're tending to the small business of keeping a town running clean. The road closures will sort themselves out. Meanwhile, Rolla's doing what it does best—showing up.
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach Rolla Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
Phelps County Focus
OAT’s ‘Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein’ a flirty, fun adult comedy
Ozark Actors Theatre is staging a lively production of Mel Brooks' 'Young Frankenstein' as part of its summer season, delivering the classic comedy with vibrant energy and humor. The show brings Brooks' signature comedic style to life on the local stage.
Baum brings power of music to The Rolla Mission
Ronnie Baum, who overcame homelessness and incarceration with help from The Rolla Mission, treated 20 shelter residents to a Kansas City Symphony concert featuring Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, the piece that inspired him through his darkest times. Baum chartered a bus to ensure no one was left behind,...
Baum brings power of music to The Rolla Mission
Ronnie Baum, who overcame homelessness and incarceration with help from The Rolla Mission, treated 20 shelter residents to a Kansas City Symphony concert featuring Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, the piece that inspired him through his darkest times. Baum chartered a bus to ensure no one was left behind,...
Smooth Chanterelle posed to become Missouri’s state mushroom
The Smooth Chanterelle is poised to become Missouri's official state mushroom after legislation passed with strong community support, celebrated at a foray event in Rolla. The bill awaits the governor's signature before the designation becomes official by mid-August.
Lanning Lane near Bishop Avenue will close to through traffic on July 8 and 9 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for water and sewer repairs. Detour signs will be posted and residents are asked to use alternative routes during the closure.
Council will consider selling some property
The Rolla City Council will consider multiple items at its meeting, including approving a nearly $350,000 asphalt paving contract for city streets and parking lots, closing an alley at Highway 72, and selling city-owned property parcels to a developer. The council will also take action on...
Town Hall meeting Tuesday at The Centre
Mayor Lister B. Florence Jr. will host a town hall meeting Tuesday evening to discuss a proposed quarter-cent sales tax for The Centre that will appear on the August 4th ballot. City staff will answer questions about how the tax would fund operations and improvements to the natatorium.
Rural News Wire is a daily local news digest for Rolla and rural America. We aggregate and curate, original reporting belongs to the sources linked above. Support local journalism by visiting their sites.
Subscribe free to get this digest in your inbox every morning.