Good morning, Columbia.

Columbia will host its 74th annual Fire in the Sky at Stephens Lake Park on Saturday, starting at 6:30 p.m. and featuring a 9:15 p.m. fireworks show with 757 shells, plus EMS support and safety measures to manage large crowds.

The iCan Bike camp returned to Columbia this week after years in Fulton—providing a program for people with disabilities to build biking skills and confidence.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing crowds to Columbia restaurants and sports bars today, boosting sales and creating a festive atmosphere.

Local businesses like International Tap House and La Terraza Mexicana Grill report increased staffing and a community celebration with flags (for all 48 teams).

Missouri River Relief received a $15,000 grant from the Missouri Humanities Council to produce a documentary on the river’s cultural revival; the film will debut parts of the project at Cooper's Landing during the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary celebration in October.

Missouri DESE proposed public school 'A'-to-'F' report cards costing $518,000 to create and $715,100 a year (extra funds will be requested).

The plan warns that budget cuts and fewer IT staff may compromise data quality as the State Board reviews it in August.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources released its list of state park beaches, noting all are open for swimming for the week beginning Thursday, July 2.

Finger Lakes State Park in Columbia is also included.

Areas in Missouri have seen high humidity since July 1 due to corn fields releasing thousands of gallons per acre daily.

Meteorologists note that corn sweat accounts for about 10% of the moisture in the air & that local water bodies provide most of the rest as the heat wave continues.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway urges residents to be cautious of HVAC scams (inflated prices or unnecessary services) amid high heat this summer, advising consumers to seek second opinions before agreeing to repairs.

New Day Columbia is operating an overnight cooling center at Opportunity Campus on Bowling St. from 7 p.m. + 7 a.m. to help people escape the hot temperatures; the facility will fully open later this month to support those experiencing homelessness.

Recent rainfall and high heat have created mosquito-friendly conditions in Columbia this Fourth of July weekend, and local experts advise removing standing water and using DEET outdoors to reduce the risk of West Nile virus.

Intro to Vinyl Cutting Class

6-8 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — Class fee includes materials — Learn to create vinyl projects with GCC vinyl cutters and Cricut Maker in a hands-on session.

Callaway Chamber Monthly Roundtable Tour

8:30-10 a.m. — Callaway Chamber of Commerce — Free entry — Engage with community members and business leaders to discuss local workforce developments.

Basics of Industrial Sewing Class

5-8 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — Class fee includes materials — Master the fundamentals of industrial sewing and create your very own tote bag.

Incredibles Movie Night

8-10 p.m. — Lakeside Ashland — No outside food or drink — Enjoy a family-friendly movie night under the stars with the Incredibles.

Clay Street Unit + Arkansauce Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Rose Music Hall — Ticket availability varies — Enjoy an evening of live music from local favorites Clay Street Unit and Arkansauce.

Encanto Outdoor Movie Night

8-10 p.m. — Lakeside Ashland — No outside food or drink — Enjoy a magical evening with Encanto under the stars.

A League of Their Own Movie Night

8:30-10:30 p.m. — Lakeside Ashland — No outside food or drink — Enjoy a classic film under the stars with friends and family.

Nike Basketball Camp at Battle High School

9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Battle High School — $299 — Develop basketball skills at this comprehensive camp with professional coaching.

Class – Intro to Heat Transfers

6:00-8:30 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — $80.00 — Learn about heat transfer software and create projects in a hands-on class with provided materials.

Twister Movie Night

8:30-10:30 p.m. — Lakeside Ashland — No outside food or drink — Enjoy a classic film under the stars with family and friends.