Good morning, Columbia.

Crews pruned Boone County’s historic big bur oak this week to remove dead limbs, and owner John Sam Williamson is considering a short decorative fence and a $1,000 security camera to protect roots from vehicles and deter vandalism, with donations being accepted to help cover costs.

A two-story multi-family building in the 1500 block of Citadel Drive caught fire at 7:47 p.m.; firefighters quickly controlled the blaze, found no occupants on arrival, no injuries were reported, and the Fire Marshal and police are investigating.

Missouri marijuana businesses are waiting for IRS guidance after April rescheduling moved medical cannabis to Schedule III, because Section 280E still limits federal deductions and firms that sell both medical and adult use must decide how to split costs before the last 2026 estimated tax payment due Dec. 15.

Nordstrom Rack opened Thursday in West Columbia at the Shoppes on Stadium, occupying the former Macy's at 201 N.

Stadium Blvd. (25,000 sqft) as the first Mid-Missouri location for the off-price chain.

A Cole County judge ruled Thursday the 2024 law allowing charter schools in Boone County is constitutional, clearing the way for groups including Frontier Schools to seek a planned 2027 STEM charter in Columbia; Columbia Public Schools says it will appeal.

Missouri naturalists say most spiders help control pests and shouldn't be feared as Halloween approaches; only two species (brown recluse and black widow) can cause medically significant bites.

If one wanders into your home, trap it with a cup and paper and carry it outside.

Kalshi sued Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway on Tuesday in federal court in St. Louis, asking a judge to block her cease-and-desist over sports-related prediction contracts and arguing federal CFTC oversight preempts state regulation (filed in the Eastern District of Missouri).

Mizzou researchers received a $19 million NIH grant to form the Missouri Center for Influenza Transmission and Immunity (Missouri-CITI) and will study how immunity, temperature, and humidity affect airborne flu spread using human clinical recruits and genetically engineered pig models in specialized campus labs.

Researchers at MU (University of Missouri) developed an AI tool that analyzes gut bacteria to find microbes linked to specific health conditions, and researchers say it could help identify disease signals for earlier diagnosis.

Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at MU Children's Hospital dressed in Halloween costumes this week at MU Health Care, delighting parents and staff and featuring a hungry-caterpillar theme (babies wore fruit and treat outfits).