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1 week ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates
COLUMBIA — The Adult English Language Learner's Program offered through Columbia Public Schools could face significant impacts in the upcoming school year after the Trump administration released the new fiscal plan for 2026. The director of the program said oftentimes the district's program offerings are overlooked.
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2 weeks ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates
COLUMBIA — After successfully meeting rigorous requirements, implementing effective communication strategies and advanced warning systems, the University of Missouri is being recognized as a StormReady university. The StormReady program is an initiative developed by the National Weather Service aimed at enhancing communities' readiness for severe weather events.
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3 weeks ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates
COLUMBIA — One moment, Brad Belcher and his daughters were enjoying family time on Easter Sunday. The next, Belcher said he was diving into the kitchen as a damaging storm hit his home in the Bear Creek area. "It was all really fast," Belcher said on Monday. He said he was standing at the front door of his home when a tree fell into his living room. "Five minutes before that happened, we were all standing in that living room laughing having family moments," Belcher said.
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1 month ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates
COLUMBIA — What started as an ordinary college party left many feeling traumatized on Saturday evening when shots rang out at Cosmopolitan Park. Shards of glass, broken benches, jewelry and wrappers can still be found at the park, all connected to the incident. Two days later, University of Missouri students are opening up about their experience and how it has affected their mental health.
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1 month ago | 
columbiamissourian.com | Bethany Cates
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1 month ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates
COLUMBIA — Incumbent mayor Barbara Buffaloe has officially secured a second term as mayor of Columbia in Tuesday's municipal election. Buffaloe faced a competitive election, running against business owner Blair Murphy and public relations specialist Tanya Heath. Murphy's campaign saw record fundraising, but voters reaffirmed Buffaloe's leadership of the city. Buffaloe beat runner-up Murphy by 3,410 votes. Buffaloe received 14,073 votes, Murphy received 10,663 votes, and Heath received 779 votes.
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1 month ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates
Across Missouri on Tuesday, residents will cast their votes to shape the future of their local communities in municipal elections. Ballots will include everything from mayoral and city council races to board of education and other local issues.
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1 month ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates
For many Black women, braids are not just a hairstyle; they are a necessity, providing low maintenance, style and convenience. With new research showing carcinogens have been found in synthetic hair, some are looking for alternatives, and others are looking to educate themselves moving forward. Chloee Holland, who is a student at the University of Missouri, said she's been getting braids all of her life but will look for alternatives with hair.
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1 month ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates |Beth Carlson
ROLLA — An EF-2 tornado that struck Rolla Friday night damaged more than 750 buildings within city limits. Now, the Rolla community has joined together to remove the destruction. In several parts of town, downed power lines caused power outages for residents. Winds caused trees to be uprooted, roofs to fly off of houses and flying objects to damage thousands of windows, cars and houses. Rolla Public Schools cancelled school for the week due to severe roof damage to several school buildings.
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2 months ago | 
komu.com | Bethany Cates
After many rules and regulations, both for and against abortions, the Columbia Planned Parenthood began providing procedural abortions on Monday, according to a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Great Plains. "We are resuming services today," said the spokesperson, who asked to not be identified. According to a spokesperson, since reopening, the Columbia Planned Parenthood has performed four procedures and will have more appointment opportunities soon.
