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Work from my time as a summer reporting intern with the Columbia Missourian. 

Columbia Missourian •

Fourth Ward candidate Dave Sorrell wants to dive back into city work

Dave Sorrell has more time to focus on his woodworking during retirement. However, a lot of his projects are now being put on hold in pursuit of another: running for Columbia City Council. Sorrell stepped away from working with the city of Columbia in March 2025, capping a 24-year career of service that included jobs with the Public Works and Water and Light departments. Sorrell’s last position was the director of the Utilities Department from 2020 to 2025.
Columbia Missourian •

Fourth Ward candidate Ryan King runs on opportunity

Ryan King has been running for most of his life. His personal record is 80 miles in 24 hours. This summer, though, he decided to run a different race. King is among three candidates running for the Columbia City Council’s open Fourth Ward seat in the Aug. 4 election. He’s focusing his campaign on balancing the city’s budget, assisting the homeless population and incentivizing affordable housing while maintaining the city’s character.
Columbia Missourian •

Columbia library defends LGBTQ+ themed 'Rainbow Story Time'

The Daniel Boone Regional Library defended hosting an LGBTQ+ themed “Rainbow Story Time” for toddlers and preschoolers Tuesday despite repeated attacks from Republican officials. Robin Westphal, the library’s executive director, said in a statement the event held Saturday was in “full compliance with all statutes and regulations.” “The program consisted of a children’s story time using age-appropriate picture books, songs and activities suitable for toddlers and preschoolers,” the statement said. “Absolutely no materials prohibited by current laws were presented to any child in attendance.”
Columbia Missourian •

State Sen. Brattin files records request to uncover 'Rainbow Story Time' planning

State Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, wants to know how the staff at the Daniel Boone Regional Library planned Saturday’s LGBTQ+ themed reading event for toddlers and preschoolers. Brattin filed a state open records request for any records, documents and communications dating back to Jan. 1, 2025, regarding the organization and planning of the “Rainbow Story Time” event.
Columbia Missourian •

Columbia library story time proceeds with packed house following state backlash

Community supporters poured into the Columbia Public Library on Saturday morning as “Rainbow Story Time,” an LGBTQ+ themed event, was held for toddlers and preschoolers. The library staff decided to proceed with the program despite receiving strongly worded letters days prior from two state officials. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway threatened to strip state and federal funding from the library if the event proceeded.
Columbia Missourian •

Federal student loan changes take effect July 1; experts unsure how market will respond

Students opting into repayment plans for federal student loans will have fewer options starting Wednesday when changes enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act go into effect.The act ends both the Grad PLUS program and the Biden-era SAVE plan, sets new loan limits for graduate and professional students, allows institutions to set loan caps on their programs and creates a new tiered repayment plan, as well as a new income-driven repayment plan.
Columbia Missourian •

Passing Amendment 5 could cause steep sales tax increases, analyst warns

Eliminating Missouri's income tax in the Aug. 4 election could mean residents will be paying nearly three times more in sales taxes to recoup the lost revenue, an analyst with the Missouri Budget Project warned Friday.Jessica Ann, an outreach strategist and policy analyst with the Missouri Budget Project, strongly opposed passage of Amendment 5 during a Boone County Muleskinners meeting.
Columbia Missourian •

Board of Curators approve $5.5 billion FY2027 budget

The University of Missouri System’s budget is $5.5 billion for fiscal year 2027, which officials designed to be a cautious approach to cost commitments given moderate revenue growth.

The financial plan was unanimously approved by the Board of Curators during Thursday’s meeting. It was crafted to cover existing capital plans and include the improvement strategy MU Health Care adopted to close four quick care facilities and eliminate 150 roles earlier this month.
Columbia Missourian •

Columbia man accused of murder, dumping body in trash bin at Perche Creek denied bond

The Columbia man accused of murdering a woman and dumping her body in a trash bin at Perche Creek was denied bond Tuesday during a hearing in the 13th Circuit Court.Judge Kimberly Shaw’s decision to deny bond to Andrew Acton came after the state provided information insisting he is a flight risk. Besides the nature of the crime, prosecutors said Acton has no home, owes $7,000 in taxes and has no record of employment.
Columbia Missourian •

Fourth Ward candidates discuss charter change at Realtors forum

Three Columbia City Council candidates discussed the city’s budget and implementing a strong mayor system in the first candidate forum for the open Fourth Ward seat.The forum, hosted by the Mid-Missouri Board of Realtors Tuesday, also had a section covering Proposition 1. Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude, Columbia Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer and Third Ward council member Jacque Sample reviewed the measure, which asks voters to approve a 1% public safety sales tax. It, and the open Fourth Ward s...
Columbia Missourian •

Boone County assistant fire chief closes chapter on 35-year career

In a retirement letter, Blomenkamp said ongoing complications after a recent hip replacement made him realize it’s time to step away from the profession. Blomenkamp began his career in fire services 35 years ago, when he moved to Columbia from his hometown in eastern Colorado and joined the volunteer fire department in 1991.

In a retirement letter, Blomenkamp said ongoing complications after a recent hip replacement made him realize it’s time to step away from the profession. Blomenkamp began h...
Columbia Missourian •

Boone County clerk will use new map, but believes there is still legal uncertainty

Over the past couple of weeks, county clerks across Missouri have decided to adopt the gerrymandered congressional map, Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said. She added the consensus among the clerks was that regardless of what they did, it didn’t comfort the concerns of what happens after the election.“There’s still a legal uncertainty as to what maps are in effect and what’s going to happen after the Aug. 4 election,” Lennon said. “But my priority is making sure I’m consistent with my colleag...
Columbia Missourian •

Mizzou's new $35 million meat lab expected to be finished by July

The University of Missouri’s new $35 million meat science laboratory is expected to be completed in July, with officials planning to open the facility in October, according to a university spokesperson.Mizzou broke ground on the Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory in April 2025, funded by a donation from former Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. The lab is intended to provide new tools and technology for leaders and workers in the meat processing industry.
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Columbia Missourian •

Summer Expeditions program allows students to catch a glimpse of college life

When Kamyla Gracia was in fifth grade, she opted to attend the monthlong Summer Expeditions program instead of an art camp for a chance to learn new things and spend a week taking classes at Columbia College. That was three years ago. Now, 13-year-old Gracia has attended the program every summer since and aspires to work in the medical field, either as a neurosurgeon or orthopedic doctor. Though she hasn’t nailed down a dream college destination, Gracia said the “Summer X” program has helped her...
Columbia Missourian •

Columbia reopens pool after three-day filtration snafu

Albert-Oakland Aquatic Center reopened Friday morning after filtration issues caused cloudy water and forced its closure the previous three days.

On Tuesday, staff identified water clarity issues in the pool at 1900 Blue Ridge Road and shortened its hours from noon to 3 p.m., offering half-price admission in response. After closing the pool Wednesday, the city posted on Facebook that it anticipated the pool to be open Thursday, but the issues persisted, Columbia’s aquatics supervisor Sydney Philpot said.
Columbia Missourian •

Three file for Columbia's Fourth Ward City Council race

Three candidates with experience serving the city of Columbia have thrown their hats into the ring for the Fourth Ward City Council seat.

The special election, taking place Aug. 4, is to fill the vacancy left by former council member Nick Foster, who announced his resignation April 30. Foster, who will officially leave the council June 12, is moving to Atlanta, where his wife is taking a dean job at Georgia State University.
Columbia Missourian •

Columbia closes pool for third consecutive day, cites filtration issue

The city closed the Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center on Thursday due to a filtration system issue that has caused clarity problems and raised safety concerns, according to a Facebook post from the Parks and Recreation Department.

Thursday’s closing marked the third day in a row that the city shut the pool down.

Officials closed the pool Wednesday, citing “ongoing mechanical issues,” according to a previous Facebook post.
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