Local Columnists

Journalistic efforts coupled with a knowledgeable network of people who are deeply embedded in the places they live can work together to make sure change agents have what they need to solve problems.

It’s the ability to find joy in roles that most of us would find burdensome that makes these three men so memorable.

There is nothing as rich as the development and remembrance of a shared experience. On the other hand, there is nothing as frustrating as a lack of unity in an experience or endeavor requiring it.

The disclosure of data mining has aroused condemnation at both ends of the political spectrum. The far right and the far left alike have criticized this as an invasion of privacy. Either way, though, it's time for the Obama administration to be more transparent.

The re-purposing of the former Ellis Fischel Cancer Center is the underlying and more important story, and beyond the university, there are more important stories this summer.

Four new book acquisitions provide inspiring reading for the summer.

The controversy over the move of the Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Art and Archeology may prove to be the “hits” of the summer. Or “page views,” in more acceptable Web analytic language.

Monday's City Council meeting showed elected officials at their best. The next day, a Columbia lawmaker couldn't find much to praise about the General Assembly's recent session.

Boys are less likely to be organizing their own sports games and building clubhouses now. But some of their actions are now at the forefront of legal cases, actions that would often go unnoticed a couple generations ago.

Battle High School cost nearly $76 million, a cost equivalent to five new MU softball complexes or six Short Street garages. The Missourian is marking the opening by producing coverage in four ways.

With only three flights each day, the Columbia Regional Airport is capable of accommodating its passengers without the addition of a multimillion-dollar terminal.

Since 1890, the Domestic Names Committee has been removing apostrophes from place names - here's why you should care.

Federal investigations of Fox News and The Associated Press raise the question of where the line is between protecting national security and preserving press freedom.

The controversy surrounding prayer and religious symbolism in public places is not a constitutional issue — it's a matter of common sense.

You might be thinking the legislature only intended to stop news media from publishing lists of gun permit holders. If so, legislators were in need of an editor because the bill as written takes a broader whack at the First Amendment protections of free speech and free press.

As a 20-year old graduate of MU with a bachelor of science in agriculture in 1942, Ralph Dobbs answered his country's call to arms and enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of that year. He is currently the head of the Columbia Honor Flight and can almost always be seen greeting the returning flights in his uniform.

Whether close to home or far away, many people sought out news about Monday's tornado and its tragic aftermath in Moore, Okla. The response adds proof to the need for journalism. Many government or nonprofit officials said during interviews on Monday afternoon that they were getting their information and perspective from news reports, same as everyone else.

Two school districts have hosted prayer meetings, despite the Constitution is clear that the government, from local to federal, cannot promote or establish a religion.

Sharing stories about departed family members is one way to bring back happy memories of forgotten times.