Good morning, Columbia.

Columbia business owner Michele Batye (owner of Dave Griggs Flooring America) will serve as the 2026 Red Kettle Chair to lead holiday fundraising for The Salvation Army.

She will be introduced at 11 a.m. on Nov. 14 at Columbia Mall's food court.

The Love Columbia job fair (organized by a nonprofit) will let local job seekers connect with employers in diverse industries.

The event is set to take place soon to offer new career opportunities.

North Callaway R-1 School District announced on Wednesday that it is selling its former elementary school buildings — Hatton-McCredie at 4171 County Road 240 in Kingdom City and Williamsburg at 10500 Old U.S. Highway 40.

Sealed bids are due by 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at the district office.

Columbia College is celebrating 175 years today with its Celebrate CC Day that includes the inauguration of its 19th president Toby Arquette at 11 a.m., refreshments from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and a homecoming festival on the quad from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

COLT Railroad could receive a $20 million grant following a $3.2 million boost from the Department of Commerce’s EDA — a move that may enhance local transportation and economic development.

Columbia will upgrade the 21.4-mile COLT railroad — a vital link for local businesses — with a $16.2-million federal grant and additional local funds.

The project will add new safety features and test autonomous railcars at 57 crossings to support local jobs and improve the rail system.

University of Missouri School of Medicine researchers received a $2.77 million NIH grant to study lung immune cells and the role of nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkB) in respiratory illness; professor Emma Teixeiro’s team will use the funding over the next four years to develop improved vaccines and treatments.

Columbia’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s starts Saturday at Stephens Lake Park, with registration at 10 a.m. and an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. The event aims to raise $195,000 for research + local support for families affected by the disease.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking residents and hunters to look for bird flu symptoms in ducks, geese, raptors and poultry as fall migration begins.

They advise proper handling of game birds, safe disposal of carcasses and cleaning of hunting gear (to reduce virus spread).

Area doctors are concerned as more Mid-Missouri residents use AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini & Copilot for medical advice.

Dr. Ome Ogbru of Aingens says users should view AI-generated information as a starting point and that healthcare providers must guide patients to reliable care.

At Hickman High's Providence Bowl (a game steeped in family legacy), coach Justin Conyers and his son Kason will take on longtime rivals from Rock Bridge, marking the nearing end of their shared sideline journey as they honor decades of local football tradition.