Cover Story
Wisdom of the prairie
The prairie can tell you many things, but it takes time to learn its language. Eighty-six-year-old Clair Kucera has been listening to the voice of Tucker Prairie for more than half a century.
Final decision near: The naming of Albert-Oakland Park
The story of Albert-Oakland Park is complicated. But at the most basic level, it involves a family's legacy and one man's drive to preserve it.
Miles Manor: From dream to reality
Clara Miles' vision paved the way for a community like no other in its time — an upscale subdivision for black families in Columbia. Nearly 50 years later, Miles Manor is still going strong.
Looking beyond the median
In Columbia Public Schools, “gifted” means an IQ above 130, though throughout the rest of Missouri the bar rests around 125. Less tangible characteristics of gifted students include a keen sense of humor, persistent intellectual curiosity, superior reasoning powers and vocabulary and a wide range of interests, according to the district, which last year served 1,271 gifted students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
100 years of education
A look at K-12 and higher education in Columbia, past and future.
Connecting with cameras
People in Columbia post their photos on Flickr as a way to connect with other photographers about shared interests.
Kind caregivers: How one family cared for grandma with dementia
Anne Gamboa was living in Florida when her family discovered her squalid living conditions. They made the decision to bring her back to Missouri, which required buying a new house and moving to Ashland.
Making sense of foreclosures
The terms that swirl around foreclosures and mortgages can often be more complicated than the process itself. Here’s a glossary to help make sense of the convoluted situations.
How to avoid foreclosure
Homeowners who are confused, troubled or even just wondering about their status have options in securing their residential future.
Adjustable-rate mortgages can lead to confusion
Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are complex because rates can differ from year to year, leaving homeowners confused and often troubled about how to move forward.
Foreclosures closing in on mid-Missouri housing market
Although many agree Columbia and Boone County have suffered far less than many others in the nation, foreclosures have still had widespread effects on many group stakeholders in the Boone County mortgage market.
Marathon running reminds MU student of home
It took Zimbabwe native Munashe Chigerwe some time to warm up to Columbia, but a group of runners helped him find his stride and make the transition into his new life.
The Fairfield Gorget: The little white disk with a big, big history
On display at the Museum of Art and Archaeology, there’s a little white disk in the middle of a room. It’s inconspicuous, at first — a simple bauble left by ancient American Indians who once called Missouri home. But peel away the layers of history, and you’ll see that the little disk is far more than an extremely old-school trinket.
A voter's guide to the April election
100 years of belief
In this, the second section in honor of the Missourian’s Centennial Celebration, we look at the history of faith groups in Boone County from 1823 to the present.
State park's missing layers of history
The land at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is rich with layers of cultural history. Park staff are digging into the past to find clues about the area, and they hope community members can help them in preserving the park’s heritage.
Mixed reception: Former Sprint Nextel CEO Gary Forsee takes over as UM System president Monday.
Some faculty members questioned Forsee's lack of academic background, but curators sought a president with business know-how.
The price of parenthood
It’s a chaotic household, and it shows on the faded maroon carpet, worn from the bustling activity of the 101 foster children who have called this house a home.
The happy Grumpy's family
Grumpy’s Bar-B-Cue opened five years ago as a summer-only take-out joint. Today, regulars flock to the Bill and Betty Woods’ year-round restaurant for the homestyle meals and homey atmosphere.
In memory of teenagers lost to car accidents
Car crashes killed their teenage sons and daughter. Now, the surviving parents have come together to push
for new laws designed to keep young drivers safe on the road.
