Daily
Columbia
Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
Good morning, Columbia. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 17th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Food insecurity is at a 10-year high amid government shutdown concerns — the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri is hosting its 19th One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Columbia Mall and Buchheits in Jefferson City. ABC 17
- ➤ Harbor House announced plans to add recovery home services for local homeless residents. The service will offer supportive living options soon + more details will be shared. Columbia Missourian
- ➤ Tuesday evening at Columbia City Hall, a firetruck dropped hundreds of chocolate coins during Chabad of Columbia's annual Hanukkah menorah lighting as the community came together (attendance nearly tripled) in response to a deadly Sydney attack; Mayor Barbara Buffaloe lit the first candle to mark the event. ABC 17
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Early Tuesday morning, a house on the 11400 block of Hecht Rd caught fire at 2:40 a.m., killing two cats and two birds while two adults + four children escaped safely. ABC 17
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday, Columbia’s Jewish community held a Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony outside City Hall featuring a Lego Menorah standing six feet tall, chocolate coins dropped from a truck, gifts for children and remarks from Mayor Buffaloe while organizers worked with law enforcement to boost security after an attack in Australia. KRCG
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The University of Missouri will award 1,832 degrees to about 1,700 students during winter commencement starting Friday and continuing through Sunday. Officials noted that graduates will receive a mix of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees along with Honors Certificates and ROTC commissions. KOMU 8
- ➤ Columbia College secured a $150,000 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing to buy a new simulator for nurse training; the simulator (built for safe practice of complex procedures and communication) will strengthen lessons as the college readies to consolidate its nursing program at Federal Hall in fall. KOMU 8
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Missouri Department of Conservation is pausing its post-hunting season deer removal program to seek a more sustainable way to manage chronic wasting disease. This decision follows mandatory sampling that found a 1% positive rate in last year's tests + prompting a review with hunters and landowners. ABC 17
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Columbia City Council approved a $99,840 contract with Powerhouse Community Development on Monday night to add bus liaisons trained in de-escalation; one man and one woman will begin rides within a month to 90 days from now, with a meeting next week (to review route data) as details are finalized. ABC 17
- ➤ The U.S. Senate passed a bill on Tuesday to designate the National Churchill Museum in Fulton as a national landmark at Westminster College (the site of Churchill’s 1946 Iron Curtain speech) and the measure now awaits House approval. ABC 17
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Pierpont General Store off Missouri 163 is for sale at $1.5M and includes the business, attached kitchen and dining area, plus a leased home—current owners report high local interest, and a new owner could be in place this week. KOMU 8
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Missouri Tigers held a press conference yesterday at noon to share plans before traveling to Jacksonville for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Dec. 27. They will face Virginia in the postseason. ABC 17
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Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
6:30-7:30 p.m. — The Historic Grand Ballroom, Tiger Hotel — Tickets Selling Fast — Experience a magical evening of Christmas carols performed by the Lisetso String Quartet under candlelight.
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Cassie Twehus' Holiday Favorites
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Runge Nature Center — Free entry — Celebrate the season with festive activities hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
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Kansas City Roos vs Missouri Tigers Women's Basketball
2-9:59 p.m. — Mizzou Arena — Ticket prices vary — Witness an exciting matchup between local collegiate teams on the basketball court.
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Wildlife: Fireside Stories
10-11 a.m. — Runge Nature Center — Free entry — Enjoy captivating winter tales around a cozy outdoor fire.
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New Year’s Eve Pawty
10 AM – 2 PM — Premium Pets — Free entry — Celebrate the New Year with sparkling beverages for both humans and pups at a festive backdrop.
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MO Rock Fest
7-8:30 p.m. — The Blue Note — Cashless venue — Enjoy an evening of live rock music in Columbia's popular venue.
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Intro to Longarm Quilting Class
6-8 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — All materials provided — Learn the basics of longarm quilting and create a small tapestry in this engaging two-hour workshop.
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Auburn Tigers at Missouri Tigers Basketball
6-8 p.m. — Mizzou Arena — Cost info not provided — Watch the Auburn Tigers take on the Missouri Tigers in an exciting college basketball matchup.
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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Missouri Tigers Women's Basketball
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Mizzou Arena — Ticket prices vary — Witness a thrilling clash between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Missouri Tigers on the basketball court.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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