Good morning, Columbia.

Ameren has announced plans to build a new (Katy) electric substation near Columbia next year if regulators and local approvals go through, aiming to boost grid capacity for growing neighborhoods.

UnitedHealthcare gave 500 new winter coats to every pre-K through fifth grader at Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary on Tuesday, and Mizzou linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez helped hand them out.

The coats were paid for by UnitedHealthcare + students picked their size and color to make sure they fit for winter.

Nordstrom Rack will open this week in Columbia as the latest national retailer to enter the local market, bringing discounted luxury clothing and home goods to area shoppers (exact location and opening-day details are expected to be announced).

Como Arepas, Columbia's first sit-down Venezuelan restaurant, is serving traditional arepas and building community at its downtown spot as the owners — whose family faces turmoil in Venezuela — share gratitude and hope.

Columbia Public Schools' Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee proposed a $420 million plan to renovate roofing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems across the district spanning 2027 to 2037, citing an average facility score of 3.02 and low ratings at Benton, Hickman and Jefferson; funding would come from a general obligation bond on the April 6 ballot requiring 4/7 approval.

Fischer Minerals has applied to add 40 acres to its limestone mine north of Williamsburg, increasing its permitted area to 120 acres as the Missouri Department of Natural Resources reviews the application.

Public comments are due Nov. 9, and the DNR says it could issue a surface-mining permit within weeks if the review proceeds as expected.

City officials and residents attended a dedication at the McBaine Water Treatment Plant to mark completion of upgrades (new filtration and increased capacity) that will improve tap-water quality and reliability for thousands.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sent a cease-and-desist letter to Eli Lilly alleging the company unlawfully required Missouri hospitals to hand over extensive claims data to qualify for 340B drug discounts (the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program), saying MU Health Care was cut off from reduced pricing and asking Lilly to stop the practice.

The University of Missouri launched a virtual Family Impact Center on Oct.

26 to expand statewide access to health and wellness education, resources, and referrals for families (available online).

Mizzou returns from its bye this week, and Coach Eli Drinkwitz said running back Ahmad Hardy has returned to practice (Drinkwitz gave the update at the team's weekly news conference).