Good Friday Morning, thanks for joining me for Up First in the Four States, from KRPS. I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro. Let’s first take a look at local weather,

Clear skies today and tonight throughout Southeast Kansas and mild, highs in the lower ‘60s, lows tonight in the mid ‘40s. Sunny tomorrow, breezy and warmer, another chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday. Highs tomorrow in the mid ‘70s, back into the mid ‘60s Wednesday and back into the lower ‘60s on Thursday.

The Kansas economy has almost fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Missouri senator Roy Blunt is defending the decision by his fellow Republicans to block voting rights legislation.

Starting Sunday, people with 785 and 620 telephone area codes will need to include those digits even when dialling locally.

As temperatures get cooler, people bring out their space heaters. But the Springfield Fire Department says you need to exercise caution when using them.

Tuesday, November 2 could be a pivotal day in the history of Joplin as residents will vote on an internet use tax that could provide as much as $4 million in additional revenue to the city.

Kansas not only lags the nation in terms of COVID-19 vaccinations, there are still significant racial gaps.

A quick look at sports,

Pittsburg State football has won two straight, after defeating the Missouri Western Griffon 34 to 14 on Saturday. The final two home games for the Gorillas ahead in the next two weeks. This weekend against Central Oklahoma and against Washburn on Saturday November 6th.

Missouri Southern had their two game winning streak snapped on Saturday, losing 24 to 21 to Emporia State. The Hall of Fame Game this weekend, as the Lions host Missouri Western this Saturday. Then Southern hosts the Northwest Missouri Bearcats on Saturday November 6.

And now for our feature of the day,

If you want to talk to me directly I’m on Twitter @morningsonkrps.

Thanks for joining me for the up first in the Four States podcast. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.