Sulky students and real-world lessons

JEFFERSON CITY — A bill on open enrollment, a topic of debate in the state legislature for more than a decade, passed a committee in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Open enrollment allows students to attend schools outside the district they live in. The bill, House Bill 253,...

Graphics editor and TA, Spring 2023. Reach me at jrtbpv@umsystem.edu, or in the newsroom at 882-5700.

Expungements for 5,205 marijuana cases in Missouri have been granted since Dec. 8. This is when it became legal for adults 21 and older in Missouri to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana under Amendment 3. The expungements span over 46 counties, which is one explanation for the quick...

Roll carts for home trash collection will come to Columbia sooner or later. My hunch is it will be sooner — like this year. Columbia City Council members should roll up their selves, dig into the details, require specific preparatory actions be undertaken by Solid Waste Utility staff, and make a darn decision. Then they can move on to other city issues such as inadequate transportation, policing, human resources equity, housing and homelessness, and the use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Columbia's unemployment rate in December ranked the second-lowest in the country in the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but that's not necessarily good news. Unemployment in December was 1.7% in the Columbia metropolitan area, the bureau reported on Wednesday. Only Madison, Wisconsin — at 1.6% —...

As a private citizen and a medical examiner, I remain concerned regarding the approach that police take toward those who they suspect have broken the law. The few times I have been pulled over the demeanor of the police was one of hostility and threatening. Apparently, they are trained to do this, but it has the opposite effect. It makes one angry and threatened. It is not surprising that when pulled over many people attempt to run or fight back.

The Missouri House of Representatives adopted a joint resolution Wednesday that could make it more difficult to amend the state Constitution. The resolution, adopted on a voice vote, calls for a state referendum to modify the threshold of citizen approval for ballot initiatives from a simple majority to a supermajority of 60% of voters.

No. 10 Kentucky gymnastics had a well-rounded performance in its win against No. 14 Missouri on Friday at the Hearnes Center. The Tigers’ uncharacteristically weak performance on the balance beam was a key part of their 197.275-196.625 loss. As fans wearing gold swayed their arms along to the Missouri...

A gold rush will fill the Hearnes Center as No. 14 Missouri gymnastics hosts No. 10 Kentucky at 5 p.m. Friday. MU fans are encouraged to wear gold when the conference foes face off on the SEC Network. Kentucky is coming off its season-best team score of 197.825 in a...

“Knit, Crochet, and Give” is a knitting group that crafts a variety of items, including hats for infants and twiddle muffs for adults and children with sensory needs. MU Women’s and Children's Hospital, West Elementary School, Operation School Bell and, now, local nursing homes receive donations from the group. Along with their community contributions, “Knit, Crochet, and Give” provides an open space for knitting enthusiasts and beginners alike at the Unity Center of Columbia. 


State regulations now allow licensed medical dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana to adults 21 and older Friday if they receive approval from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. On Friday, the department will begin reviewing requests from dispensaries asking to convert from selling medical to adult-use marijuana.

Women’s Intersport Network, a not-for-profit organization that celebrates and supports women athletes, offered free entrance to 10 participating gyms in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Wednesday. Although the holiday has been celebrated nationwide since 1987, this was the first time the corresponding event happened...

The Pedaler's Jamboree, a local cycling and music festival, will make its return Memorial Day weekend. The two day, nearly 65-mile bike trek takes riders from Columbia's Flat Branch Park, to Kemper Park in Boonville and back. Bikers will follow the MKT Nature and Fitness Trail and the Katy Trail...

Missouri men’s basketball’s prolific offense will clash with another top defensive squad when it travels to face Mississippi State at 5 p.m. Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Mississippi. Mississippi State (14-8, 2-7 SEC) has held teams to 59 points per game, ranking eighth-best in Division I. The...

Two men were sentenced in federal court Wednesday for their involvement in a plan to distribute methamphetamine in Boone and Callaway Counties. Jeremiah Foley of Columbia was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison, and Bradley Hensley of Callaway County was sentenced to 6 years. Both sentences did not include parole.

Sandra Kay Coleman, 73, of Hallsville died Feb. 2, 2023. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services will follow at the funeral home. Michael Jan Deason, 83, of Columbia died Feb. 2, 2023. Visitation will be from 10...

As the clock ticked below five seconds to go in the first quarter, Tigers point guard Mama Dembele fired a pass to Sara-Rose Smith. Smith, who entered the game as just a 17.6% shooter from beyond the arc, faked a drive to the basket and got her defender to bite, stepped back and drilled a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded before shouting back at a raucous and energized Missouri bench.

Columbia Parks and Recreation will gather public input on the planned expansion of the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse from 5 to 7 p.m Tuesday at the fieldhouse in A. Perry Philips Park. Plans for the project include four additional hardwood courts, restrooms, office space, a meeting room and common areas, according...

Kimberly Denise McDonald was found unresponsive in her Boone County Jail cell Friday morning and was later pronounced dead. McDonald arrived at the county jail just after midnight Thursday morning after being arrested for three outstanding warrants: two for failure to appear in Boone County and one for larceny in Cole County, according to a news release from the Boone County Sheriff's Office.

Rock Bridge’s Bella Hutchinson took home first place in the diving competition of the Central Missouri Activities Conference championship Wednesday at Hickman High School. The host Kewpies followed with a second-place finish from Savannah Alten and a third-place finish from Megan Zguta.