Good morning, Columbia.

A new study by Livability named Columbia as one of the top 100 best places to live because of its low cost, strong education, and many local attractions.

The report highlighted the downtown area — 50 blocks with over 600 businesses — and several parks as key reasons the city stands out.

Boonville man Cameron I.

Comstock was charged with Second Degree Murder after selling fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose in 2021 and with Second Degree Assault plus two counts of Fourth Degree Assault for injuring a detention officer who needed treatment on January 17—he is held at Northeast Correctional Center.

Moniteau County man Aubrey Foxworthy, 81, was charged with possessing a machine gun and an unregistered silencer — he was previously indicted for selling firearms without a license and was found with an AR-15 conversion device.

The University of Missouri will host 18 graduation ceremonies starting Friday through Sunday for 5,954 graduates, with 6,428 degrees to be conferred and three honorary doctorates awarded.

The events will be live streamed and enforce venue policies—such as clear-bag rules—for all guests attending in person.

Boone Health, a Columbia hospital, received the 2025 Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades after more than 3,000 hospitals were evaluated using patient survey data from last year.

President and CEO Brady Dubois said the honor confirms that patients can trust Boone Health for quality care + a supportive work environment.

Jake Stack Live Performance

5-7 p.m. — Dive Bar — No cover — Enjoy a captivating performance by singer-songwriter Jake Stack from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

CoolFest 2025

1-7 p.m. — The Arcade District — Free entry — Celebrate creativity with live music, awesome vendors, and delicious food trucks at the coolest event of the year.

ÆTHER REALM Concert

7-11 p.m. — The Blue Note — Cashless venue — Enjoy an evening of immersive music at this popular Columbia venue.

Intro to Shapeoko CNC Routers Class

6:00 – 8:30 PM — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — Class fee includes materials — Explore woodworking with the Shapeoko router while learning essential safety protocols.

Intro to Vinyl Cutting Workshop

6-8 p.m. — MACCLab Makerspace — Materials included — Learn to master vinyl cutting with GCC vinyl cutters and Cricut Maker in this hands-on class.

CSB Softball Missouri College Showcase

9 AM - 2 PM — Antimi Sports Complex — Registration fee $175 — Participate in a pro-style tryout and gain valuable insights from college coaches.

Columbia Track Club Summer Youth Program

11:00 PM – 12:45 AM — 4303 S Providence Rd, Columbia, MO — Online registration only — A fantastic opportunity for youth to engage in track activities during the summer.

Intro to Woodworking Class

5-8 p.m. — MACCLab — $100.00 — Learn woodworking basics and create your own project in a hands-on setting.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Screening

8:00-9:55 p.m. — Lakeside Ashland — No outside food or drink — Enjoy a classic movie with friends and family on a Friday night.

Midwest Tradeswomen Summit

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Stephens College — Free entry — Empower women in trades through networking, skill-building, and insightful discussions.