Good morning, Columbia.

Mid-Missouri exhibitors raised more than $385,000 on Saturday for Youth in Agriculture through two sales events where local young farmers showcased their work (the Best of Missouri Sale brought in $113,000 and the Sale of Champions earned $271,500) to fund scholarships and related programs.

Columbia hosted the largest taco festival in the Midwest yesterday at Rose Music Hall with food vendors, live music and a taco-eating contest benefiting Tacos R Us.

Today the festival continues with a Hot Sauce Showdown as competitors face 10 escalating heat levels.

JBS Moberly meat plant reopened Tuesday after a 4.5-month suspension for sanitation issues — including condensation, cross-contamination and hygiene lapses.

USDA documents show over 4,600 pounds of product were discarded as the plant addresses engineering fixes on line 3.

A new ramp connecting eastbound I-70 to southbound U.S. 63 opened Friday, Aug.

21, to ease congestion near the Connector + MoDOT said the project finished earlier than planned.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and American Red Cross will host a blood drive tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the central regional office, 3500 E.

Gans Road in Columbia, and donors aged 16 and older may schedule appointments online or walk in.