Good morning, Columbia.

True North of Columbia has moved from a 3,000-square-foot facility to a 15,000-square-foot space to handle a rise in domestic violence support, as requests jumped from 5,000 to 16,000 in 2023.

The organization now offers new services with a veteran-specific case manager and free in-house legal help + invites volunteers to join its advocacy efforts.

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services and the University of Missouri Extension are hosting focus groups to learn about agriculture, food access and nutrition as part of the Our Food Boone County project funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health.

The sessions will take place on July 8, 17, 22, 23 and 24 and offer a complimentary meal — a $20 gift card is provided for each participant.

A Columbia man, Kimo Spivey (35), was acquitted of murder but convicted for illegal gun possession after a four-day trial that examined his role in a shooting outside Plush Lounge in May.

Mid-Missouri communities are planning Independence Day celebrations with parades, fireworks, and family events.

In Holts Summit, a fireworks festival is happening today at Greenway Park from 5—10 p.m.—while Columbia’s Fire in the Sky event will take place on July 4 at Stephens Lake Park with festivities beginning at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

The UM System Board of Curators met Thursday and approved plans to build a 116,000-square-foot Energy Innovation Center north of Lafferre Hall that will open in 2028 and serve as a hub for energy research.

They also set up the NextGen MU Research Reactor Working Group to help plan a project that will triple MU’s capacity to produce lifesaving medical isotopes—making it the largest project in the UM System’s history.

Hundreds of cliff swallows are building mud nests under Highway 54 overpasses because the structures mimic their natural cliff habitats and offer dry, safe shelter, according to Austin Lambert at Runge Nature Center.

The Department of Conservation will not disrupt these protected nests under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act — drivers should remain focused on the road.

Dozens of residents gathered at Fairview Community of Christ Church on Thursday evening to hear Ward 4 Councilman Nick Foster & city officials discuss rising homelessness and housing challenges in Columbia.

They noted that while shelter capacity increased slightly from 267 beds in 2019 to 293 in 2024, the number of homeless people still exceeded available spaces by 30.

Intro to Machine Embroidery Class

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — $70 — Dive into machine embroidery with hands-on experience using the Melco Bravo.

Taylorville - A Tribute to Taylor Swift

2-3:30 p.m. — The Blue Note — Cost Info Not Provided — Immerse yourself in the world of Taylor Swift with chart-topping hits and cherished deep cuts.

Red White and Blues Band

6-12 p.m. — Rose Music Hall — Cashless venue — Enjoy live music from the Red White and Blues Band in a vibrant atmosphere.

Intro to Machine Embroidery Class

6-8:30 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — $70 — Learn to use the Melco Bravo embroidery machine and create your first embroidered design.

Class – Basics of Industrial Sewing

5-8 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — $80 — Learn fundamental industrial sewing techniques focused on thick materials in this hands-on class.

Solarize Columbia Kickoff

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Boone Electric Cooperative — Free entry — Celebrate the launch of a community solar energy initiative in Columbia, Missouri.

Finding Dory Movie Night

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Lakeside Ashland — No outside food or drink — Swim into a magical evening with Disney's Finding Dory under the stars.

Second Saturday Shopping: Shop Around the Block

10 AM – 2 PM — The Brick District Playhouse — Free entry — Collect stamps from local businesses for a chance to win a $50 gift card.

Indigo De Souza Live Performance

8-9:30 p.m. — The Blue Note — Ticket prices vary — Experience the profound artistry of Indigo De Souza as she showcases her latest album.

Intro to Longarm Quilting Class

6-8 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — $60 — Learn to use the HandiQuilter Simply Sixteen and create a small quilted project.