Daily
Columbia
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Good morning, Columbia. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 20th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The annual library fall book sale is re-scheduled for this weekend—more than 13,000 donated books, including cookbooks, literature and nonfiction, will be available for purchase. Columbia Missourian
- ➤ A truck delivered 40,000 pounds of food to The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri on Wednesday in Columbia as part of a nationwide project led by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and America250. Missouri is one of five states to receive a truck—donations will continue until July 4 to help families during the upcoming holiday season. KOMU 8
- ➤ On Tuesday, Nov. 25 the Columbia Farmers Market will host a Thanksgiving event from 3-6 p.m. at the MU Health Care Pavilion, featuring live music by local musician Al Jolly and cooking demonstrations by chef/dietician/farmer Lexi Linsenman using seasonal produce—SNAP benefits are accepted. Mid-Missouri vendors will offer artisanal goods—all guests are welcome to join the festivities. Inside Columbia
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Columbia Historic Preservation Commission has opened nominations for the 2026 Most Notable Properties Program to honor properties over 50 years old within the city limits that celebrate local heritage—applications will be reviewed with property visits for photography and research before winners are notified by email. Property owners with houses, parks, or workplaces that reflect Columbia’s historic character are encouraged to apply as the ceremony will be held in May 2026. KOMU 8
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Mizzou is hosting the NCAA Cross Country National Championship this weekend at Gans Creek Recreation Area, drawing teams and fans from across the country. The event is expected to bring nearly $1 million in tourism dollars and sell about 3,000 tickets—boosting local funds from hotel tax contributions for public services. KOMU 8
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ MoDOT and the Missouri Department of Conservation were awarded $900,000 from the Federal Highway Administration to study wildlife collisions on I-70 and I-64 where roadkill is most common. The study began in September 2024 and will end with a final report in February 2026 — locals are asked to report roadkill through the ROaDS app. KOMU 8
- ➤ The Missouri Invasive Plant Council is asking local residents to help identify and treat invasive plants, including bush honeysuckle and burning bush—species that threaten woodlands, farmland, and oak trees. Council leaders say fall is the ideal season for treatment since native plants are dormant and herbicide use is less likely to harm them. KOMU 8
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Columbia Fire Department held a turkey safety demonstration at its training academy on Big Bear Boulevard yesterday to show the dangers of frying a turkey improperly — noting that national data shows five people die each year in such accidents and advising residents to fry turkeys away from homes as Thanksgiving approaches next week. ABC 17
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The 2025 March of Dimes report showed Missouri had an 11% preterm birth rate in 2024, the same as in 2023, and ranked 37th out of 52 regions — including 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico — while St. Louis had the highest rate at 12.8%. ABC 17
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Local restaurants are offering Thanksgiving meal packages for take-and-bake orders with set pickup times — Ozark Mountain Biscuit Co’s orders close Nov. 23 for pickup on Nov. 25 between 4 and 5 p.m., Belly Market & Rotisserie has a meal ready for pickup on Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Flyover offers Midwestern dishes for pickup on Nov. 26. Other options include turkey-cooking help for those who already have a bird and wine pairing selections available this week. Inside Columbia
-
Priscilla Block Concert
6:00-9:30 p.m. — The Blue Note — Ticket info available — Experience an evening of captivating music with Priscilla Block.
-
JUMP - America's Van Halen Experience
8-9:30 p.m. — The Blue Note — Ticket prices vary — Experience an electrifying tribute to Van Halen with one of the top up-and-coming tribute bands.
-
Holiday Curated Crafted Created Market
10 AM – 3 PM — Columbia Mall — Free entry — Explore a unique marketplace featuring local makers and artisans showcasing handcrafted goods.
-
NCAA Cross Country Championships
3:30-7:30 a.m. — Gans Creek Cross Country Course — Ticket prices vary — Experience thrilling races at one of the premier collegiate cross country events in the nation.
-
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Fry 2025
8 AM – 12 PM — Knights of Columbus CKC Event Center — $50 for individual turkeys, $99 to include a donation turkey — Enjoy perfectly fried turkeys while supporting local community projects.
-
Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
8:45-9:45 p.m. — voco The Tiger Hotel — Up to 10% Off — Experience the magic of music from Queen and ABBA under candlelight in a beautiful venue.
-
Siilk Live Performance
7-10:30 p.m. — The Blue Note — Ticket pricing varies — Experience the haunting lyrics of Siilk's music as they perform live in Columbia.
-
SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs. Missouri Tigers Women's Basketball
2-3:30 p.m. — Mizzou Arena — Check for ticket prices — Catch an exciting matchup in women's collegiate basketball.
-
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
7-8:30 p.m. — Jesse Hall Auditorium — Tickets start at $138 — Experience the enchanting performance of the classic holiday ballet filled with magic and joy.
-
Elf The Musical
2-4 p.m. — Macklanburg Playhouse — Refunds available — Enjoy a whimsical story of Buddy the Elf discovering his true identity in this festive musical.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
All progress depends on the unreasonable person.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Columbia
Welcome to the Daily Columbia, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Columbia, Missouri community. If you like the Daily Columbia, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Columbia.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Columbia and across Missouri. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Columbia
A free Columbia community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailycolumbia.com/sitemap