Jeff Kessinger
@jkessingersgf.bsky.social
Reader Engagement Editor, Springfield Daily Citizen | #OldHead | he/him/his | Opinions my own
My teammates and I at the Springfield Daily Citizen love telling the community's stories and we'd like to keep doing it. Like, forever. If you're in the giving mood today, your donation will go three times as far. Help us continue to work toward fulfilling our mission!
As a nonprofit news organization, we depend on community support to help us inform our community and be a catalyst for good. Thanks to a few generous supporters, every $1 you give on Giving Tuesday will be matched with $2 more.
Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
December 2, 2025 at 10:06 PM
My teammates and I at the Springfield Daily Citizen love telling the community's stories and we'd like to keep doing it. Like, forever. If you're in the giving mood today, your donation will go three times as far. Help us continue to work toward fulfilling our mission!
The second and third players to enter the portal for the Bears. One thing I keep telling myself is that if Missouri State's staff scouted and recruited guys like Tristian Gardner and others who will leave, they will most likely be able to find some quality players to fill those voids.
Two more Missouri State starters reportedly plan to enter the transfer portal, including defensive end DJ Wesolak and left tackle Ebubedike Nnabugwu.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
December 2, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The second and third players to enter the portal for the Bears. One thing I keep telling myself is that if Missouri State's staff scouted and recruited guys like Tristian Gardner and others who will leave, they will most likely be able to find some quality players to fill those voids.
I'm always looking for a chance to write about SGF's craft beer community. Hold Fast, Springfield Brewing Company, Tie & Timber and Wire Road all earned medals in the first Missouri Beer Cup. Get out there and try some of the best beers in the Show Me State!
Springfield craft breweries combined to capture a dozen medals, including five golds, in the inaugural Missouri Beer Cup, the only statewide beer competition dedicated exclusively to the Show Me State’s craft breweries.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
December 2, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I'm always looking for a chance to write about SGF's craft beer community. Hold Fast, Springfield Brewing Company, Tie & Timber and Wire Road all earned medals in the first Missouri Beer Cup. Get out there and try some of the best beers in the Show Me State!
It was spitting snowflakes on my way to work. Happy first day of December, babies!
December 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
It was spitting snowflakes on my way to work. Happy first day of December, babies!
Hey! Quick question: Has anyone heard when sports gambling is coming to Missouri? 🙃 If only there was a commercial. 🫠
November 26, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Hey! Quick question: Has anyone heard when sports gambling is coming to Missouri? 🙃 If only there was a commercial. 🫠
This is such a good day. It’s Victoria day. She’s 25 now, a whole quarter-century. She is fierce and brave and soft and loving and I wish the whole world could meet her. Thank you for being your inimitable self. Thank you for letting me be your dad. I love you infinitely.
November 22, 2025 at 1:43 AM
This is such a good day. It’s Victoria day. She’s 25 now, a whole quarter-century. She is fierce and brave and soft and loving and I wish the whole world could meet her. Thank you for being your inimitable self. Thank you for letting me be your dad. I love you infinitely.
It’s mid-November. The Bears are still playing meaningful games and folks are talking about bowl game possibilities. I hope MO State fans are reveling in this season. No matter how it ends, it’s been a great FBS debut.
OPINION: Missouri State avoided a potential letdown against UTEP on Nov. 15, shaking off a third-quarter slump to earn a homecoming victory and ensure a winning season in its FBS debut. Lyndal Scranton says these Bears continue to prove they're different.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
November 18, 2025 at 1:05 AM
It’s mid-November. The Bears are still playing meaningful games and folks are talking about bowl game possibilities. I hope MO State fans are reveling in this season. No matter how it ends, it’s been a great FBS debut.
A powerful theater experience has been crafted with care by Sarah Jenkins and Imari Stout at High Tide Theatrical — an it only runs this weekend. I'm thankful for a production about mental health that isn't a band-aid and aims to create connection to remind us we are never alone.
High Tide Theatrical's interactive "Every Brilliant Thing" examines heavy themes, like depression and suicide. Actor Sarah Jenkins and director Imari Stout, who have formed a friendship behind the scenes, hope audience members leave with a little hope.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
November 14, 2025 at 6:50 PM
A powerful theater experience has been crafted with care by Sarah Jenkins and Imari Stout at High Tide Theatrical — an it only runs this weekend. I'm thankful for a production about mental health that isn't a band-aid and aims to create connection to remind us we are never alone.
My wife just said, “Well, I went through this short-lived Steppenwolf phase…”
Sheesh. You think you know someone, you know?
Sheesh. You think you know someone, you know?
November 11, 2025 at 3:03 AM
My wife just said, “Well, I went through this short-lived Steppenwolf phase…”
Sheesh. You think you know someone, you know?
Sheesh. You think you know someone, you know?
As a fan, I don't get too worked up over DI v DII games. They can be hard for my untrained eye to analyze. I was just happy to watch some basketball.
Missouri State’s revamped interior stepped up big in a season-opening win over Division II Missouri Southern.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
November 5, 2025 at 3:24 PM
As a fan, I don't get too worked up over DI v DII games. They can be hard for my untrained eye to analyze. I was just happy to watch some basketball.
I was voter No. 57 at my polling place, which had been open for 8.5 hours. Just abysmal turnout. Don’t give away your power! Vote!
November 4, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I was voter No. 57 at my polling place, which had been open for 8.5 hours. Just abysmal turnout. Don’t give away your power! Vote!
Go vote, babies!
It's Election Day and polling places across Missouri are open until 7 p.m. Check out our free Voting Guide before you cast your ballot and keep an eye on the Daily Citizen's website and social media channels today for updates.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/government/e...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/government/e...
November 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Go vote, babies!
Great time for sports in my house. Looking forward to watching these Bears and Lady Bears.
Missouri State's Lady Bears tip off the college basketball season tonight, followed by the Bears on Tuesday. Faith Lee and former Central standout Tyrique Brooks played against Missouri State last season. This year, they're both wearing maroon.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
November 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Great time for sports in my house. Looking forward to watching these Bears and Lady Bears.
I'll be honest. I'm probably going to start the Christmas music this week, even with 70-degree weather in Springfield. Don't deny yourself a little joy if you need it. Life is hard and weird and you deserve to feel good.
November 3, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I'll be honest. I'm probably going to start the Christmas music this week, even with 70-degree weather in Springfield. Don't deny yourself a little joy if you need it. Life is hard and weird and you deserve to feel good.
I don’t usually dress up for Halloween, but this year I was feeling like a little stinker. 🦨
October 31, 2025 at 10:54 PM
I don’t usually dress up for Halloween, but this year I was feeling like a little stinker. 🦨
Weekday CUSA has been a lot of fun, mostly because the Bears are 2-0 on Wednesdays. Can they make it three in a row?
It's a Missouri State football game day, as the Bears host FIU at 7 p.m. in Weekday CUSA action. Get ready for kickoff with Ryan Collingwood's notebook. He says MO State's offensive line has exhibited fortitude in league play.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
October 29, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Weekday CUSA has been a lot of fun, mostly because the Bears are 2-0 on Wednesdays. Can they make it three in a row?
We did it, babies. We made it to Winter Grind season!
October 27, 2025 at 10:12 PM
We did it, babies. We made it to Winter Grind season!
From the inbox: A poll says Springfield's National Cemetery is the scariest graveyard in Missouri. "Civil War soldiers from both sides rest here, and legend says visitors sometimes hear murmured voices that sound like men swapping watch duty."
October 24, 2025 at 7:16 PM
From the inbox: A poll says Springfield's National Cemetery is the scariest graveyard in Missouri. "Civil War soldiers from both sides rest here, and legend says visitors sometimes hear murmured voices that sound like men swapping watch duty."
Keisha McMillen is hesitant to call herself a visual artist, so I'll do it for her. Her work is part of a cool new traveling exhibition called "Nevertheless, She Persisted." You can see it now, for free, at the new C-Art Gallery on Historic Commercial Street.
A new Springfield-based traveling exhibition is giving artists like Keisha McMillen a new avenue to share their work. Founders say "Nevertheless, She Persisted" is growing quickly and organically. Here's where you can see it.
Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
October 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Keisha McMillen is hesitant to call herself a visual artist, so I'll do it for her. Her work is part of a cool new traveling exhibition called "Nevertheless, She Persisted." You can see it now, for free, at the new C-Art Gallery on Historic Commercial Street.
Gonna try to stay up for all of this one, but we'll see.
It's a Missouri State game day, as the Bears visit New Mexico State for a Weekday CUSA showdown. Get ready for the 8 p.m. kickoff with preview stories, features and more from Ryan Collingwood.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/tag/missouri...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/tag/missouri...
October 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Gonna try to stay up for all of this one, but we'll see.
I am no longer on vacation.
October 20, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I am no longer on vacation.
Fun way to eeeeease back into things after a week off.
UPDATE: The Amazon Web Services outage has caused a delay in sending Monday's edition of SGF A.M. It will be shipped to your inboxes as soon as the outage is resolved. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
October 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Fun way to eeeeease back into things after a week off.
I felt so honored to be invited to a preview of Queen City Shakespeare Co.’s Shakespeare on Tap: Romeo & Julie-ale. I’m still laughing. There aren’t many tickets left for this fundraiser, so if you’ve been considering it, you’d better add to cart now.
October 16, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I felt so honored to be invited to a preview of Queen City Shakespeare Co.’s Shakespeare on Tap: Romeo & Julie-ale. I’m still laughing. There aren’t many tickets left for this fundraiser, so if you’ve been considering it, you’d better add to cart now.
I am on vacation.
October 14, 2025 at 1:25 AM
I am on vacation.
When Springfield Contemporary Theatre closed earlier this year, I felt sad Springfield wasn't going to get to see Mosaic Arts Collective's version of "Hairspray." Shoulda known the forces of nature that are Amanda Snead and Nki Calloway would find a way to make it happen.
When Mosaic Arts Collective lost its partner in staging "Hairspray" this fall, it decided to push forward with the cult musical on its own. The community has rallied behind the production, which opens tonight at the Historic Fox Theatre.
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
October 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
When Springfield Contemporary Theatre closed earlier this year, I felt sad Springfield wasn't going to get to see Mosaic Arts Collective's version of "Hairspray." Shoulda known the forces of nature that are Amanda Snead and Nki Calloway would find a way to make it happen.