Audio

By Maria Totoraitis/KBIA  ¦   Listen to KBIA's report on the gathering Wednesday night at the Columbia Public Library for a discussion on the role of the news media. The citizen dialogue was sponsored by the City Human Rights Commission, the Columbia Missourian and the Reynolds Journalism Institute.

By Missourian staff  ¦   Listen to Lee Elementary first-graders Ronald Franklin, Lilly Dailey, Symphony Young and Nicole Tinsley talk about their class garden.

By Thanya Doksone  ¦   Rhonda Kaissi has been a permanent substitute teacher for Columbia Public Schools since the beginning of the program in 2004. Her Syrian accent gains students’ attention, but Kaissi feels content every time that they understand what she teaches.

By Elle Moxley  ¦   Franzese discusses his induction into la cosa nostra, or “this thing of ours.” There is no mafia in the United States, he said, just a series of crime families. During the height of his career with the Columbo crime family, Franzese made as much as $6 to $8 million a week. He has since renounced organized crime and speaks to students and sports teams about the dangers of gambling.

By Elle Moxley  ¦   Michael Franzese’s father, John, served as underboss for the Columbo family in the 1960s — but to his seven children, he was just “dad.” He wanted his son to be a doctor, not a mob boss, but Michael Franzese joined the crime family when his father went to prison. Ninety-two-year-old John Franzese remains in prison on robbery charges after numerous parole violations. His son maintains his father was innocent, at least of that crime.

By Ferdous Al-Faruque  ¦   Ronald Smith Jr., the new imam at the Islamic Center of Central Missouri, speaks about Islamic values and American culture. To read about Smith click here.

By Sili Liang  ¦   The busing priority for Ridgeway Elementary School was one of the most discussed topics at the Columbia School Board meeting Thursday evening. Parents Koren Gould, Maruf Hossain and board vice president Darin Preis shared their opinions.

By Courtesy of UM System  ¦   UM System President Gary Forsee laid out for UM System alumni the four legislative priorities pertaining to higher education during a Capitol Rotunda rally last Wednesday.

By Andrew Carpenter  ¦   Children in the Moving Ahead program, which is run by Carroll ZuBolton, celebrate Black History Month by performing and portraying Great African American Achievers.

By Amy DiFrancesco and Mu Li  ¦   Wei Du teaches a sixth grade Chinese language class about the traditions of Chinese New Year.

By Meghan Sundermeier  ¦   Charlene Drury voted at Rock Bridge Elementary on Tuesday evening in the presidential primary.

By Chad Day  ¦   Cardinal John Foley recounts an emotional experience when he and Pope John Paul II visited the Auschwitz concentration camp in the Pope’s native Poland.

By Chad Day  ¦   Cardinal John Foley remarks on the character of Cardinal Wojtyla, who later became Pope John Paul II.

By CHAD DAY  ¦   Cardinal John Foley remembers a visit between Pope John Paul II and Roberto Benigni, who won an Oscar in 1998 for the film “Life is Beautiful,” a comedy set inside a concentration camp.

By Chad Day  ¦   Cardinal John Foley discusses the legacy of Pope John Paul II.

By TYSON SPRICK  ¦   Local youth read essays and performed music with the theme of "The Garden of Humanity" for a Youth Speak event hosted at the Cherry Street Artisan. The event was held to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By MU LI  ¦   Alejandro Tovar-Mendez tells stories of holidays spent in Mexico.

By Beth Stanifer  ¦   Long-time MU Choral Union member Paul Graham speaks about his experience performing and rehearsing Handel’s Messiah. Also listen to a portion of the dress rehearsal—a preview of the performance on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., in Jesse Auditorium.

By Beth Stanifer  ¦   Long-time MU Choral Union member Paul Graham speaks about his experience performing and rehearsing Handel’s "Messiah." Also, listen to a portion of the dress rehearsal — a preview of the performance at 7 p.m. Thursday in Jesse Auditorium.

By Cathy Barton and Dave Para  ¦   Friends of Bob Dyer, the "Bard of Boonville," have recorded a tribute album in his honor. Dyer died April 11 at age 67.


One Last Time, performed by Ed Trickett and chorus