Daily
Columbia
Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Good morning, Columbia. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 11th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Boone County firefighters reunited with the horses they rescued from a deep mud pit on a property near Harrisburg today. Columbia Missourian
- ➤ A local food bank received over 850,000 pounds of food from Dollar General—part of a statewide donation effort that exceeded 2 million pounds in 2025 through its Feeding America partnership. Columbia Missourian
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ One of the youngest Holocaust survivors will speak today from 1 to 2 p.m. at Jesse Wrench Auditorium, sharing her experiences with the local community. Columbia Missourian
- ➤ Columbia has opened submissions for a commemorative poster contest honoring America 250 and offering a $1,000 prize plus national exposure. Artists must submit entries by 5 p.m. March 16 and include required text for display at the Celebration of the Arts — full guidelines are provided by the city. Columbia Daily Tribune
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Columbia Job Center relaunches the Walk-In-Wednesdays hiring event on March 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Columbia Public Library (100 W. Broadway) where 13 employers from healthcare, public safety, skilled trades and education will meet job seekers. Attendees should bring a resume. KOMU 8
- ➤ Gas prices in Missouri rose nearly 33 cents per gallon to $3.01 this week amid global tensions following U.S. actions against Iran, according to GasBuddy. Experts warn prices could rise another 20 to 50 cents, adding to the steep increase drivers have seen. ABC 17
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Between 1941 and 1961, Stephens College ran the first aviation program at a women’s college, training over 800 women at Aviation Hall and the old Municipal Airport. The program offered affordable flight lessons and courses in meteorology and plane maintenance — a springboard to careers with Pan Am and TWA. KRCG
- ➤ COMO AI by Trulaske will debut tomorrow, Thursday, Mar. 12 at Shakespeare’s Pizza downtown from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The free monthly meetup will offer expert talks and hands-on AI learning for Columbia’s tech enthusiasts. Columbia Daily Tribune
- ➤ Lincoln University will raise tuition and room and board by 5% for all undergraduates and graduate students for the 2026-27 school year; new course fees for English and journalism classes were included. Documents were released Tuesday ahead of Monday's Board of Curators meeting (set in Jefferson City). ABC 17
- ➤ Mary Grupe, head principal of Hickman High School, announced yesterday that she accepted the director position for Student Support at CPS central office in Columbia. She succeeds Vince Thompson, who retired earlier this year. ABC 17
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting the 2026 Callery Pear Buyback Program so residents can cut invasive callery pear trees and get a free native tree in a three-gallon container. Register online March 16-April 16; pick-up in Columbia is on April 21 from 3 p.m. + 6 p.m. KRCG
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ MU researchers have identified dopamine abnormalities that may link autism and Parkinson’s disease (a theory that will guide further studies) as part of their latest research findings. Columbia Missourian
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C Rock City Live Band Performance
7-10 p.m. — Capital Ritz Banquet & Dance Center — Enjoy the night with easy rock covers from classic artists.
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19th Annual Columbia Polar Plunge
10 AM – 2 PM — Stephens Lake Park — Fundraising event — Brave participants support Special Olympics Missouri athletes by plunging into icy waters.
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Auburn Tigers at Missouri Tigers Baseball
6:59-10:59 p.m. — Taylor Stadium — Cost info unavailable — Catch a thrilling college baseball matchup as the Auburn Tigers take on the Missouri Tigers.
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2026 Disaster Behavioral Health Conference
12 PM - 2 PM — Wyndham Executive Center-Columbia Mall — Registration fee applies — Engage in discussions on disaster behavioral health topics to enhance community support strategies.
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Freelance Social & Workshop
11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — 404 Portland Event Center — Free entry — Network with local creatives while enjoying an afternoon of learning and conversation.
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Working: A Musical
Mar 18-20 — Macklanburg Playhouse — Ticket prices vary — Experience a vibrant celebration of everyday people and their jobs through song and storytelling.
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Family Story Time for Young Kids
10–11 a.m. — Holts Summit Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy a morning of storytelling designed for children five and under.
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Lenten Fish Fry
4:30-7 p.m. — Fr. Tolton Catholic High School — $15 for adults, $10 for children — Enjoy a variety of fried fish and sides in a community gathering atmosphere.
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Unicorn Sparkling Hooves & Enchanted Forest
3-6 p.m. — Iron Wing Ranch, LLC — Check website for pricing — Explore the enchanted woods and take pictures with hidden unicorns.
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Bryce Crawford Live Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Missouri Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience an engaging blend of country, folk, and rock from Bryce Crawford's soulful performance.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The quality of your life is proportional to the quality of your habits.
~ James Clear
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