Register for our kickoff of the first phase of the SpringMo Black Wellness Initiative
By Samuel Knox | UniteNews Staff There’s encouraging news coming out of Missouri—and this time, it’s about lives being saved. According to the Preliminary Missouri Drug Overdoes Death Report: January-June 2025, the state has seen a 26% decrease in overdoes deaths compared to the same time last year. During the
by Bruce Douglas | Chief Information Officer Springfield Public Schools (SPS) is committed to the well-being of each student by providing high-quality academic opportunities. A big part of that work includes preparing students for success in an increasingly digital world—not just by providing access to devices and tools, but by
By UniteNews Black Innovator SeriesPatricia E. Bath was born in Harlem in 1942, in a community rich with culture, resilience, and struggle. Long before Dr. Patricia E. Bath would become a world-renowned ophthalmologist, inventor, and laser scientist, she was a curious young girl absorbing stories of possibility. Newspaper articles about
Unite – March 2026 As spring approaches, the Library is ready with some great adult programs. For a full list, visit thelibrary.org or pick up the newest issue of Bookends at a branch or on the Mobile Library. Spring is a great me to learn something new. How Women Got
By UniteNews Staff The modern cell phone did not appear in a single eureka moment; it emerged from decades of experiments in power, physics, and digital networks shaped by brilliant minds like Jesse Russell, Henry Sampson, and Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. Their stories show how Black innovatorshelped build the invisible infrastructurethat now connects the world.
By UniteNews Staff Precious metals like gold and silver are getting more attention lately—and it’s not hard to see why. With prices going up, markets feeling shaky, and un- settling news always in the background, a lot of everyday savers are looking for ways to protect their money. This series breaks down simple, beginner-friendly ways to add precious metals to your finances
By Samuel Knox, UniteNews Staff Booker Taliaferro Washington was born on April 5, 1856, in Hale’s Ford, Virginia, into a world defined by slavery. His early life began in bondage, but freedom came when Union troops reached the area near the end of the Civil War. Like many newly freed Black families, Washington’s childhood was marked by hardship, long
Written by Francine Pratt | Co-Chair for the CPO Gun Safety & Violence Reduction Collaborative Did you know that youth (ages 13 – 18) who carry, show off or use a gun can have serious legal consequences even if no one gets hurt? Youth can be tried as an adult if caught with a gun that was involved with
By UniteNews Relationship Series Every couple begins their journey with hope, laughter, and big dreams. But over time, stresses from work, parenting, finances, or simple misunderstandings can quietly chip away at connection. Re- search consistently shows that couples who invest in prevention early—before problems escalate—enjoy stronger, hap- pier marriages than those who wait until conflict becomes crisis. Why Prevention Beats
February is a time to celebrate Black history, creativity, and community—and the library is proud to be a great gathering place. Together, these programs highlight the power of stories, shared experiences, and community pride. Enter the Library’s 27th Annual Design-A-Bookmark Contest Attention, kids and teens in grades K-12, our annual Design-A-Bookmark Contest starts February 1. The deadline for entries is March
By Samuel Knox | UniteNews Staff There’s encouraging news coming out of Missouri—and this time, it’s about lives being saved. According to the Preliminary Missouri Drug Overdoes Death Report: January-June 2025, the state has seen a 26% decrease in overdoes deaths compared to the same time last year. During the
by Bruce Douglas | Chief Information Officer Springfield Public Schools (SPS) is committed to the well-being of each student by providing high-quality academic opportunities. A big part of that work includes preparing students for success in an increasingly digital world—not just by providing access to devices and tools, but by
By UniteNews Black Innovator SeriesPatricia E. Bath was born in Harlem in 1942, in a community rich with culture, resilience, and struggle. Long before Dr. Patricia E. Bath would become a world-renowned ophthalmologist, inventor, and laser scientist, she was a curious young girl absorbing stories of possibility. Newspaper articles about
Unite – March 2026 As spring approaches, the Library is ready with some great adult programs. For a full list, visit thelibrary.org or pick up the newest issue of Bookends at a branch or on the Mobile Library. Spring is a great me to learn something new. How Women Got
By UniteNews Staff The modern cell phone did not appear in a single eureka moment; it emerged from decades of experiments in power, physics, and digital networks shaped by brilliant minds like Jesse Russell, Henry Sampson, and Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. Their stories show how Black innovatorshelped build the invisible infrastructurethat now connects the world.
By UniteNews Staff Precious metals like gold and silver are getting more attention lately—and it’s not hard to see why. With prices going up, markets feeling shaky, and un- settling news always in the background, a lot of everyday savers are looking for ways to protect their money. This series breaks down simple, beginner-friendly ways to add precious metals to your finances
By Samuel Knox, UniteNews Staff Booker Taliaferro Washington was born on April 5, 1856, in Hale’s Ford, Virginia, into a world defined by slavery. His early life began in bondage, but freedom came when Union troops reached the area near the end of the Civil War. Like many newly freed Black families, Washington’s childhood was marked by hardship, long
Written by Francine Pratt | Co-Chair for the CPO Gun Safety & Violence Reduction Collaborative Did you know that youth (ages 13 – 18) who carry, show off or use a gun can have serious legal consequences even if no one gets hurt? Youth can be tried as an adult if caught with a gun that was involved with
By UniteNews Relationship Series Every couple begins their journey with hope, laughter, and big dreams. But over time, stresses from work, parenting, finances, or simple misunderstandings can quietly chip away at connection. Re- search consistently shows that couples who invest in prevention early—before problems escalate—enjoy stronger, hap- pier marriages than those who wait until conflict becomes crisis. Why Prevention Beats
February is a time to celebrate Black history, creativity, and community—and the library is proud to be a great gathering place. Together, these programs highlight the power of stories, shared experiences, and community pride. Enter the Library’s 27th Annual Design-A-Bookmark Contest Attention, kids and teens in grades K-12, our annual Design-A-Bookmark Contest starts February 1. The deadline for entries is March