Good morning, Columbia.

Local Missouri Task Force 1 members including former leader Steve Paulsell and Boone County Fire Chief Doug Westhoff share memories of 9/11 with KRCG today during a remembrance event, recalling the challenges of rescue efforts and the strong spirit of community.

Columbia Insurance and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines awarded $102,000 in grants to five Missouri nonprofits to boost food security, children’s programs, and workforce support; the funds will benefit groups like the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture — supporting local families.

College students from MU's Sigma Nu and Beta Sigma Psi fraternities laid over 200 flags on the Boone County Courthouse lawn today to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attack— the event starts with opening remarks, an invocation, and a 7:46 a.m. bell toll.

Boone County firefighters rescued a stranded boater on the Missouri River on Thursday morning near Huntsdale Access by towing the vessel to a boat access, with eight firefighters + mutual aid from Southern Boone County Fire and no injuries reported.

Ameren Missouri is sending a team to the 2026 National Gas Rodeo in Florence, KY from Sept.

16–18 – the crew will compete in pipe cutting, hand digging, service construction and meter setting to showcase daily skills and teamwork.

Missouri River Days returns to Columbia for its 10th year as fourth graders attend sessions on Sept.

14, Sept. 16 and Sept. 18 at Cooper's Landing Riverside Resort & Marina to learn about the Missouri River and receive free America the Beautiful passes funded by a national grant.

Missouri school districts will soon review initial 2025 performance data linked to the state's proposed A-F grading plan, with DESE officials saying districts have up to two weeks to analyze the data before explaining it to parents — final changes and feedback sessions are pending.

School district representatives questioned the new A-F grading framework during a DESE public session Thursday in Columbia, arguing that a single letter grade cannot capture overall school performance.

The State Board of Education will vote next week on the system, which would use 2024-25 school data if approved.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking residents to report deer with signs of hemorrhagic disease.

Officials say the virus, spread by biting midges, most often appears from July to October and can kill deer quickly—helping biologists track deer health in our area.

Columbia utility customers can now round up their bills to donate to a fund to help neighbors in need, the city announced Wednesday.

Contributions average 50 cents (each month) and appear automatically on utility statements.

Storms on Thursday morning caused power outages across mid-Missouri, with a transformer pole fire and electrical incidents affecting several areas including south Columbia.

Crews restored power by 5:50 a.m.—utilities continue to repair remaining outages in the region.

MU Health Care is offering free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at several mid-Missouri sites.

In Columbia, drive-thru events run at South Providence Medical Park on Sept. 26 and Oct. 17 (walk-in sessions are at the Farmers Market on Oct. 10 and at the Pediatric Clinic on Oct. 3).