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Articles by Ash Merenbloom
State insurance assistance program hosts Medicare enrollment session
The Missouri State Health Insurance Assistance Program hosted its annual open Medicare enrollment session at the Columbia Public Library on Wednesday. At the event, older adults checked in with volunteers and waited to discuss their healthcare options with a counselor. Some had scheduled appointments, and others were just stopping by, but the common link between them was questions about Medicare.
Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival unites the community for its 35th year
Hartsburg was filled with the sounds of families interacting with small businesses and people ordering hamburgers and lemonade at the 35th annual Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11. Live music drifted through the crowd, and kids eagerly asked their parents to let them jump in the bounce house or ride a pony. The festival brought in thousands of people to interact with a variety of vendors, activities and food trucks.
Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival unites the community for its 35th year
Hartsburg was filled with the sounds of families interacting with small businesses and people ordering hamburgers and lemonade at the 35th annual Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Live music drifted through the crowd, and kids eagerly asked their parents to let them jump in the bounce house or ride a pony. Vehicles drive down South Second Street at the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival parade on Saturday in Hartsburg.
Columbia prioritizes public safety measures as Homecoming festivities begin
With thousands of people traveling to Columbia for Homecoming, the Columbia Police Department and the city are preparing downtown safety measures. Columbia police is increasing the number of officers on duty for Homecoming weekend, according to an email from Christopher Ave, communications director for the city. kAm“%96 r@=F>3:2 !@=:46 s6A2CE>6?E A=2?D E@ 42== :? @77:46CD @? @G6CE:>6 2?5 E@ D9:7E D@>6 @77:46CD 7C@> @E96C A2CED @7 E96 4:EJ E@ AC@G:56 6IA2?565 DE277:?8 5@H?E@H?
Disability rights activist pushes for inclusion, awareness in her daughter's memory
The day Angela Keller and her husband decided to donate their daughter’s organs, Keller said they laughed, because even after Renesmee died, things were still done her way. Her kidneys flew first-class on a private jet to a kid in California, in “true Nessie fashion.” “I know it seems selfish to ask parents when they have to make the toughest call of their life if they would consider possibly donating their children’s organs,” Keller said.
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture to host community projects and events
The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture will host the community at its 17th annual Harvest Hootenanny from 4-8 p.m. Saturday at Columbia's Agriculture Park. The Hootenanny — free to attend — is a festival that aims to connect community members with local agriculture resources, according to the center's event page. kAmrr&p H@C<D E@ Q6?92?46 WE96X 4@>>F?:EJVD 962=E9 3J 4@??64E:?8 A6@A=6 E@ 28C:4F=EFC6 2?5 E96 =2?5 E9C@F89 92?5D\@?
Elizabeth Herrera named deputy director of Strategy and Performance Division at Department of Economic Development
Elizabeth Herrera is stepping into a new role in state government as the deputy director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Strategy and Performance Division. Herrera has previously worked at Stephens College and True North of Columbia. Prior to becoming deputy director, Herrera was Stephens College’s executive director of the Mission Promise Kept program, which provides support services aimed at empowering women veterans in academics.
MU researcher raises heat in new tomato study
When describing the flavor of tomatoes, words like “sweet,” “juicy,” “rich” and “fresh” are common adjectives. “Spicy,” on the other hand, is not. University of Missouri doctoral student Kishan Biradar is looking to change that. For the past year and a half, Biradar has been researching why tomatoes do not produce capsaicin (cap-SAY-sin), a chemical compound that activates nerve receptors in the tongue that act like thermometers, creating the sensation of heat.
Ukrainian students at Mizzou are concerned the war at home has been forgotten
When Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, Alina Rohulia was in her five-story apartment in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, about 20 miles from the Russian border. She woke up at 5 a.m. to the sound of explosions and her dad shouting, “Wake up, it has started.” At one point, Russian troops were one mile from her home, she said.
Mizzou researcher raises the heat in new tomato study
When describing the flavor of tomatoes, words like sweet, juicy, rich and fresh are common adjectives. Spicy, on the other hand, is not. University of Missouri doctoral student Kishan Biradar is looking to change that. For the past year and a half, Biradar has been researching why tomatoes do not produce capsaicin (cap-SAY-sin), a chemical compound that activates nerve receptors in the tongue that act like thermometers, creating the sensation of heat.
Moving Ahead Program recognized for after-school services
Michaela Flores, coordinator for the Moving Ahead Program, received the 2026 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders award from The National AfterSchool Association. The award recognizes early career professionals that are committed to growth and building their leadership skills through dedication, curiosity and perseverance. kAm“xV> 565:42E65 E@ E9:D AC@8C2>[ E@ E96D6 <:5D[ 3FE 2=D@ E@ 27E6C\D49@@= :? 86?6C2=[ 3642FD6 x E9:?< :E :D DF49 2 H@?56C7F= @AA@CEF?:EJ 7@C <:5D E@ C62==J 8C@H 2?5 =62C? :?
Conservation group leads efforts to prevent spread of invasive plants
As spring approaches, warm weather welcomes new flower blossoms like petunias or tulips, and flowering trees like Dogwoods or Eastern Redbuds. While this new growth symbolize positivity through new beginnings for many people, some plant species serve as a reminder of the invasive species in Missouri. Groups like the Missouri Invasive Plant Council take measures to prevent the spread of the trees at events like the Callery Pear Buyback event.
Community gardens prepare for cold weather this weekend
With predictions for snow and temperatures in the mid-30s throughout the week, community gardens are preparing for upcoming fluctuations in weather. Harsh weather conditions leave plants vulnerable to injuries that can leave lasting damages. Plants are at risk for being damaged when temperatures have dropped rapidly or fluctuated within the mid-20s. kAms66 r2>A36==\r2CE6C[ E96 82C56?
The Center Project offers spiritual care resource list for LGBTQ+ communities
For those in mid-Missouri who are looking for places of worship that are welcoming to LGBTQ+ communities, The Center Project has a resource list for finding a spiritual home. Kimberly Fielding, the spiritual care coordinator at The Center Project, a volunteer-led organization supporting LGBTQ+ communities in mid-Missouri, began her work in 2023. She started as an intern and worked with members of the organization to determine what spiritual care resources would be helpful.
The Center Project offers spiritual care resource list for LGBTQ+ communities
For those in mid-Missouri who are looking for places of worship that are welcoming to LGBTQ+ communities, The Center Project has a resource list for finding a spiritual home. Kimberly Fielding, the spiritual care coordinator at The Center Project, a volunteer-led organization supporting LGBTQ+ communities in mid-Missouri , began her work in 2023. She started as an intern and worked with members of the organization to determine what spiritual care resources would be helpful.
Community gardens prepare for cold weather this weekend
With predictions for snow and temperatures in the mid-30s, community gardens in Columbia are preparing for upcoming fluctuations in weather. Harsh weather conditions leave plants vulnerable to injuries that can leave lasting damages. Plants are at risk for being damaged when temperatures have dropped rapidly or fluctuated within the mid-20s.
Missouri Women's Business Center celebrates first decade
Sarah Shorthose was devastated when she left her business in Illinois behind to move to Columbia. It was a coaching session provided by the Missouri Women's Business Center that helped her regain her footing. “I cried for 30 minutes of this one hour coaching session. It was a mess — unplanned by me, completely mortified the entire time I was doing it — and it was more of a therapy session than it was even business coaching,” said Shorthose.
Columbia businesses offer discounts, events for Valentine's Day
With a range of inexpensive meals to activities to enjoy the weekend, local businesses have discounts and events lined up in celebration of Valentine's Day. Bubblecup Tea Zone BOGO: Annual buy one, get one free deal is available to customers who bring their loved one and “show they’re your Valentine.” When: 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Where: Bubblecup Tea Zone, 23 S. Ninth St. and 1101 Grindstone Parkway.
Columbia discounts and events lined up for Valentine's Day
With a range of inexpensive meals to activities to enjoy the weekend, local businesses have discounts and events lined up in celebration of Valentine's Day. Bubblecup Tea Zone BOGO: Annual buy one, get one deal is available to customers who bring their loved one and “show they’re your Valentine.” When: Feb. 14, 2-7 p.m. Where: Bubblecup Tea Zone, 23 S. 9th St. and 1101 Grindstone Pkwy.
Events featuring Black fashion, art, music and books on tap for citywide Black History Month celebration
Organizations and businesses across Columbia are hosting events throughout February to honor Black History Month and to showcase local artist and historically relevant information. This includes organizations like The State Historical Society of Missouri, Daniel Boone Regional Library and Orr Street Studios. The State Historical Society of Missouri will recognize past and current African-American artists in Missouri through an exhibition at Ellis Library.
Political showcase offers opportunity for political discussion
The University of Missouri’s chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha hosted its fourth annual political showcase on April 17. The showcase offered a forum for productive political conversations and discussions of topics pertaining to local, state and national issues. Mizzou College Democrats, Mizzou College Republicans and Mizzou Young Democratic Socialists of America participated in this year’s showcase.
Missouri Symphony hosts concert to celebrate Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, The Missouri Symphony held their “Tell Our Story: A Black History Month Concert” on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28. in the gymnasium of Douglass High School. The musicians and speakers captivated the audience with music by Black composers, stories about Columbia and emotional performances that narrated the city’s history. Several performers said they had approximately one month to practice for the event.
Oscar Mayer Wienermobile visits MU to recruit new wave of Hotdoggers
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile visited the University of Missouri on Jan. 29-31 to recruit students to be the next Wienermobile spokespeople, also known as Hotdoggers. While on campus, the current Hotdoggers led an informational about their positions on Feb. 4. As Hotdoggers, students work with consumer promotions, being brand ambassadors and managing their own public relations firms for Oscar Mayer.
While FAFSA complications continue, other financial aid resources are available
Students at the University of Missouri are struggling to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for a second year as it continues to face complications with rollout delays and technical issues. For the 2024-25 academic year, its issues caused the opening date to be postponed from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1. As the issues have not been fully resolved, it will be postponed to Dec. 1 for the 2025-26 academic year, as well.
Associated Students of the University of Missouri provides transportation for election day
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Associated Students of the University of Missouri will be providing on-campus transportation to polling places for students so they are able to vote in-person for the 2024 election. Date and time: Tuesday, Nov. 5 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Route and vehicles: Transportation will be available between every on-campus, residential neighborhood to Memorial Union. This also includes Greektown.
Student political groups at MU prepare for the 2024 presidential election
Disclaimer: This article should not be taken as an endorsement from The Maneater, nor does the article claim to be an exhaustive list of all student organizations hosting events for the 2024 presidential election. Additional organizations and events can be found on MU Engage. The University of Missouri’s student-led political groups are working to increase the young voter turnout.
COLUMN: Extra housing needed after MU welcomes nearly 6,000 first-year students
In the past, the University of Missouri had a 2018 first-year student class of 4,673 and a 2023 first-year student class of 5,150. Recently, those numbers have risen significantly. At the start of the 2024 academic year, MU welcomed a total first-year student population of 5,983, a 16.1% increase since 2023. Due to this massive influx of first-year students, multiple accommodations were needed to ensure housing for all of MU’s students.
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