Your morning starts here.

Columbia's No Mow Zones will be maintained by contractor DJM Ecological Services starting next Monday for 30 days along Scott Boulevard and Range Line Street.

The city signed the contract Friday to clear overgrown plants and later seed native species (estimated cost $34,369) to support pollinator habitats.

Top farriers will compete at Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville for The Mane Event: Forging Legends on Oct.

10 and 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — national teams will craft horseshoes by hand while visitors tour the stables and meet the Clydesdale horses.

The VA announced Wednesday that it awarded over $17 million in grants to 17 community organizations to help veterans facing homelessness, including Welcome Home (a local nonprofit) in Columbia.

The funding will support housing stability and transitional services through established VA programs.

Columbia business leaders, local officials and historians have united to save the historic Katy Station building after Shiloh Bar and Grill closes this year.

The coalition is gathering support and exploring ways to keep the building local by raising around five to six million dollars.

Missouri River Relief is celebrating 10 years of Missouri River Days as fourth grade students from Columbia Public Schools learn about the river through boat rides and art activities while receiving a free Every Kid Outdoors pass (the program is now planning next steps after rapid growth).

Family and friends gathered on Wednesday at Ballenger Lane to release balloons (red, green, white) in honor of 33-year-old Lomas Johnson, who was found dead in Stephens Lake Park earlier this month.

A prayer preceded the release as the community remembered his life.

The University of Missouri is investigating professor Wayne Brekhus for remarks on DEI practices after an undercover video surfaced; officials confirmed the school ended all DEI programs (including research) in its curriculum.

The inquiry will determine if further actions are needed.

Missouri’s School Funding Formula shows public schools need nearly $270 million extra next year as the State Board of Education kept its request at this year’s level (leaving rural districts dependent on state funds concerned) while lawmakers decide final budget amounts.