Good morning, Columbia.

Loaves and Fishes resumed serving meals Monday at the new VAC Opportunity Campus & is offering dinner options for residents.

The organization is committed to providing reliable meal service in the community.

Abdul-Kala Abdullah became the new president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce on July 1 (bringing 20 years of community work experience) after serving as City Manager in Berkeley and Executive Director in St. Louis.

Cannabis dispensary workers in Columbia approved the state’s first union contract for higher pay and paid vacation last week (a win fueling wider union efforts across Missouri).

Post-harvest teams in St. Louis are preparing for upcoming union votes as both companies and workers seek better conditions.

On Jul. 5, Gina Singleton at Columbia College explained that strong revenue does not equal healthy cash flow and small businesses must plan for timing differences with accrual accounting (a tool showing cash movement) since the cash flow statement remains key.

Frontier Schools will open Columbia’s first charter school, Frontier STEM Academy, in fall 2027.

The STEM-based school, approved by the Missouri Board of Education in April, will serve preschool to second grade (adding one grade each year) while Columbia Public Schools pursues a legal challenge over the law.

After severe storms over July 4-5, over 2,000 mid-Missourians remain without power, according to the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives' outage map.

Counties (including Boone and Osage) are among those most affected.

The Missouri Department of Conservation highlights three central Missouri spots – Paydown Access, Bell Chute, and Whetstone Creek Conservation Area – for frog gigging during a season running until Oct.

31. Anyone with a valid permit may join, with exemptions for children 15 and under and residents 65 and older.

Columbia formed a steering committee to create a plan to address homelessness with recommendations expected by year-end.

The committee includes representatives from public safety, government, health care, education, and nonprofits and will gather community input through focus groups and a survey (meeting at 1005 W. Worley St.).

Boone County is funding a peer navigator program by in2Action to help individuals leaving jail – including those detained and released in the past 12 months – access treatment, housing and job support.

The program aims to reduce recidivism by linking them to local service providers.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, MU Health Care University Hospital treated 11 firework injuries and Boone Health saw two cases; officials advised residents to keep fireworks spaced and use water nearby (fireworks should not be relit if they fail) to prevent injuries.

Local fans in Columbia gathered at downtown sports bars to watch the match and felt disappointed when the U.S. team ended its World Cup run & discussed plans for better play.

The community shared mixed emotions as they reflected on the game and looked ahead to future competitions.

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.

Brad Upton Live Performance

7 p.m. — The Blue Note — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughter with comedian Brad Upton in Columbia's iconic venue.