Good morning, Columbia.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wildlife: Fireside Stories

10-11 a.m. — Runge Nature Center — Free entry — Enjoy captivating winter tales around a cozy outdoor fire.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.