Local

The number of students enrolled in English Language Learner programs in the Columbia Public School District has increased by 138 students so far this year. ELL teachers have managed to keep classes small despite the increase in students by, in one case, leaving ELL students in the traditional classroom and sending them to a daily ELL class.

Vanessa Melton is Columbia's November "Volunteer of the Month" thanks to her role in building a tower that will be a refuge for chimney swifts, a group of birds whose numbers have been declining nationwide.

Omicka L. Cowans, 31, of Columbia was arrested on suspicion of first-degree domestic assault, according to a news release from the Columbia Police Department.

Police arrested Terrance L. Williams, 22, Donte R. Hardin, 20, and Christopher D. Turner, 32, in an ongoing Columbia Police Department investigation into the illegal sales of drugs and firearms.

The MU Institute for Continental Climate Viticulture and Enology is spearheading research that could spur a Missouri wine renaissance and put the growing industry on the global map.

MU researchers are trying to unlock the secret of a parasitic threat to soybean crops in Missouri and nationwide.

The Washington State University board of regents accepted Elson Floyd's suggestion for the voluntary $100,000 pay cut. He will now earn $625,000 a year serving as president of the university.

Neal Boyd, winner of NBC's "America's Got Talent" reality competition series, is still the same humble guy who visits his college town and takes his mom's advice. 

Four Columbia women opened a store downtown to offer alternative retail shopping, but a trip to Uganda changed the way they saw their position.

Administrators are “between a rock and a hard place” in planning the budget for fiscal year 2010, MU Provost Brian Foster said Friday at an open forum for faculty and staff.

With rumors flying, Boone County Fire Protection District board members aren't saying anything about an upcoming vote or the reason for the flurry of closed meetings.

White, who served as editor, publisher and president of the Mexico Ledger and worked to promote press freedom, died Thursday at a Columbia hospital.

Missouri artists interested in designing public art for the new Fire Station No. 9 can now submit applications to the Office of Cultural Affairs until Dec. 12.

Seven non-black students met Thursday to discuss how they perceive the Black Culture Center. Before the session, they voiced beliefs that programs at the center were not aimed at them because of their racial or ethnic identity.

After 50 years in Columbia, McRoberts & Company, led by Andrew J. McRoberts, 85, will be closing.

The Association of Health Care Journalists held an online panel talking about President-elect Barack Obama's health care plan. Karen Davis and Sheila Burke were the two panelists.

A car struck an MU van as the van was pulling out of the driveway of Schweitzer Hall, police said.

Administrators outlined the district's legislative priorities at a Thursday morning meeting.

Columbia is preparing a proposal to create a new interchange on Interstate 70 to relieve congestion at the Stadium Boulevard intersection near the Columbia Mall.