Millions of twinkling lights, world class holiday shows and festive family fun – Branson, Missouri is your ultimate holiday destination in the heartland. For over six decades, Branson has been the heart of live entertainment in the Ozarks.

KCTV5 anchor Sharon Chen takes a virtual trip to Branson, Missouri, for this week's Destination Heartland.

It is known as the Gateway to West and it’s home to the College World Series, but many call Omaha, Nebraska one of the Midwest’s best kept secrets.

Today, it is where Midwestern warmth meets unexpected adventure of the Old Market, taste farm-fresh flavors at local cafes, and watch the Missouri River shimmer beneath the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Dive into the world-class wonders of the Henry Doorly Zoo, explore history at the Durham Museum, and admire art at the Joslyn.

From College World Series excitement to cozy neighborhood breweries, Omaha surprises at every turn. Come for the skyline — stay for the heart.

Step into history where a national tradition began! Columbia is the birthplace of homecoming, and it’s also home to the Mizzou Tigers.

But it is so much more than just a college town.

KCTV5's Sharon Chen takes us on a virtual trip to Columbia, Missouri!

KCTV Investigative Reporter Samantha Boring joins KCTV5+ to discuss her reporting on the $15K price tag on the stalled Mission Gateway site.

After more than 40 years in the show and 24 of them as Scrooge, Gary Neal Johnson is hanging up his top hat.

Johnson has performed an estimated 1,100 times as Ebenezer Scrooge in Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol,” making him a cornerstone of the city’s holiday tradition.

KCTV's Lauren Magarino takes us behind the story as Kansas City's Scrooge prepares for his final performance.

It’s earned the reputation as one of the Midwest’s most beloved cities. It’s home to fine culinary, artistic treasures, budding live music scene and that friendly Midwestern attitude.

In this edition of Destination Heartland, we explore Lincoln, Nebraska!

Every time you get a driver’s license or register a vehicle, you give the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles your personal information. But did you know that your personal data is being sold? It’s an unavoidable task with an unexpected exposure. In Kansas and Missouri, the state can sell the data you give to the Department of Motor Vehicles. It goes to private companies.

KCTV5+ anchor Taylor Johnson sits down with KCTV5 investigative reporter Samantha Boring to discuss exactly how this works, why it's legal, and whther there's anything you can do about it.

FULL STORY: https://www.kctv5.com/2025/11/19/kansas-missouri-dmvs-sell-personal-data-private-companies-through-decades-old-federal-law/

Fentanyl deaths are rising across the region, but a KCTV5 investigation found in most cases no one is ever charged, creating a growing gap between the headlines and the families left behind.

KCTV5+ anchor Taylor Johnson sat down with KCTV5 anchor Zac Summers to talk about this concerning trend and why investigators say these cases are incredibly hard to prosecute.

FULL STORY: https://www.kctv5.com/2025/11/10/pregnant-with-twins-dead-21-why-her-fentanyl-death-others-go-uncharged/