On Thursday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson will visit Southwest Missouri. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

The Governor will travel to Joplin to attend the new Casey’s Distribution Center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and visit Kansas City University Medical School. He’s scheduled to arrive at the distribution center at 9 am, followed by a visit to the KCU Medical School at 10. Following the stops in Joplin, Parson will then travel to Louisburg to visit the Dallas County Technical Center.

The visit is his first public appearance in Joplin since last May. The Governor on Tuesday ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome and Missouri Governor’s Mansion to shine purple tomorrow in recognition of Military Child’s Day. The dome and Governor’s Mansion will light up at sunset on April 15 and remain lit until sunrise on April 16. The color purple represents all branches of the military – the combination of each of their respective colors combined into one.