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About 17 million people in the United States have diabetes, and many more might not realize they have the disease. Tomorrow is National Diabetes Day, and experts at University of Missouri Health Care encourage everyone to learn more about the condition and assess their risk level.

JEFFERSON CITY — Every day at elementary schools across Columbia, students stand facing the flag to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

However, a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of the words “under God,” could affect a Missouri law requiring the pledge in schools.

The words “under God” pack a punch when it comes to the Pledge of Allegiance.

The latest round of controversy arose in June 2002 when the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in a California case that the words “under God” violated the First Amendment because they constituted government endorsement of religion.

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri taxpayer dollars are not as secure as they should be, a state audit has found.

The state’s accounting system, known as Statewide Advantage for Missouri or SAM II, is not adequately secure from access by outsiders and the department in charge does not have a proper plan to resume business in case the system goes down, the audit reports.

Before city and state officials can even think about buying right of way for an extension of Stadium Boulevard, they’ll have to complete an environmental impact statement that could cost up to $1 million and take up to two years.

The problem is, no one knows yet where money for the study will come from or who will do the work.

In an effort to appease local groups pushing for a public-access television channel, Mediacom, Columbia’s largest cable provider, has announced its intent to begin accepting pre-produced programming this month.

Gary Baugh, director of operations, said Mediacom has decided to “take the initiative” because of an increase in interest from residents who want to use the public-access channel and the Columbia City Council’s slow pace in addressing the issue.

When the Voluntary Action Center began its Christmas basket program 20 years ago, it provided for about 200 families. This year, more than 1,100 families are ready to be adopted.

Now they just need sponsors.

Grade-point averages, tests, homework — the average college student has plenty to worry about. But when you’re a college athlete, add training, practice and the all-important NCAA eligibility requirements.

In order to balance the worlds of athletics and academia, many college athletes turn to athletic tutoring programs such as MU’s Total Person Program. The program was cast in a negative light this summer when MU point guard Ricky Clemons’ ex-girlfriend said that Clemons had received improper academic assistance from the university.

JEFFERSON CITY — An attorney for several school districts argued Wednesday that the governor has no authority to withhold money from public schools even if revenues fall short.

The state countered the governor has an obligation to balance the budget, and the Missouri Constitution expressly grants the governor the ability to withhold funds from any area of government when finances dictate.

If students want to cheat, they’ll find a way to do it, said Bryan Maggard, the director of MU’s athletic tutoring program. But the program is designed to stop cheating before it starts.

Since Maggard joined the Total Person Program in 1995, no tutor has been charged with academic dishonesty.

Instructor Phil Silverman doesn’t seem fazed by the bustling chatter of General Chemistry Lab DD-1.

“It can actually sound like a successful party if you do it right,” said Silverman, lab coordinator for MU’s chemistry department.

The VFW Post 280 has the feel of a grade school cafeteria. The beige linoleum floor and rows of tables bring back memories of 25-cent milk and smashed PB&J sandwiches.

The Matrix movies are among the most incomprehensible of sci-fi action flicks. It doesn’t help that writer-directors Andy and Larry Wachowski don’t talk about the meanings behind the trilogy. They have, however, acknowledged an interest in mythology, theology and some higher-level mathematics, so let’s use those fancy “ologies” as a key to cinematic nirvana. If you were lost at the end of The Matrix Reloaded (and let’s face it, most people were), here’s a handy guide to understanding the movie in terms of religion, philosophy and mathematics. From Platonic theory to religious imagery, somewhere between the Alice in Wonderland references ...

Stella comics recline on Vox’s couch and open up about the ’80s and summer camp

Cheese, steak, eggs and Atkins: the ideal dieting combination

Adults with anorexia or bulimia face a unique set of challenges and must balance family with their own internal struggleswo refrigerators always graced my family’s kitchen: one for my mother and one for the rest of the family. Ours had regular salad dressing and Creamsicles while hers was packed with fat-free this and sugar-free that, a lot of bulk but hardly any calories. She was so afraid that something she was comfortable eating would be discontinued that she hoarded enough to last through a long flood. Anything in the back fridge was Mom’s. If you knew what was good for ...

Playing amateur psychologist can make for hours of Freudian fun, but be careful before you slap someone with a personality disorder diagnosis — this game isn’t as easy as it looks. There is a common phenomenon in medical school called second-year syndrome. As students read about the symptoms of different illnesses in their second year of study, some begin to imagine that they have rare diseases. A sinus headache is interpreted as a brain tumor. A skin rash from cosmetics is the first manifestation of the Ebola virus.

Spiders, dead people and the dark sure can be scary, but watch out for the weirdos who suffer from these 10 freaky phobias. Now they’re creepy.

Artists have issues. Lest it’s forgotten,they are human. Unchecked issues can be overwhelming, and, tragically, some who create art in life take a permanent detour to quiet their minds. Over the years, suicide has erased from the world many painters (Vincent van Gogh), poets (Sylvia Plath) and, recently, musician Elliott Smith.

The band legendary for its flamboyant live performances also provides plenty of inspiration for fanatic consumers