UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 21, 2006

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Kansas	1-3368	44-0236370
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification Number)

602 Joplin Street, Joplin, Missouri		64801
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (417) 625-5100

Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

SECTION 8 — OTHER EVENTS

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On June 21, 2006, The Empire District Electric Company completed a public offering of 3,795,000 shares of common stock. Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is an opinion of Anderson & Byrd regarding the legality of Empire’s issuance and sale of 3,795,000 shares of common stock, which exhibit is incorporated by reference herein. This exhibit is filed herewith pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 in lieu of filing as an exhibit to Empire’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-129069), and, as this current report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference in such registration statement, is set forth in full in such registration statement.

SECTION 9 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is filed herewith:

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Opinion of Anderson & Byrd regarding the legality of Empire’s issuance and sale of 3,795,000 shares of common stock. This exhibit is filed herewith pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 in lieu of filing as an exhibit to Empire’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-129069), and, as this current report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference in such registration statement, is set forth in full in such registration statement.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY



By	/s/Gregory A. Knapp
	Name:	Gregory A. Knapp
	Title:	Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: June 21, 2006

Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Opinion of Anderson & Byrd regarding the legality of Empire’s issuance and sale of 3,795,000 shares of common stock. This exhibit is filed herewith pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 in lieu of filing as an exhibit to Empire’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-129069), and, as this current report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference in such registration statement, is set forth in full in such registration statement.