Local Columnists

The tug-a-war among the states and the national government slows policy-making and can result in interstate inequities, but, if the issue of same-sex marriage is any indication, it often contributes to our nation's resilience.

Columbia's decision-makers and professionals need to seek a positive, qualitative difference in the lives of all of our residents — not just a few.

It's that time of the year when we place our bets on basketball teams and make choices at the polls. There will be winners and losers, but losses shouldn't be taken personally.

Class reunions are time to recall values, experiences that drew cohort together.

We can’t allow our wounded children to sit round and suffer, waiting until we get the money to treat them.

Old stories have value. That’s why the Missourian launched a system in which everything on the website is free for the first 24 hours but anything older requires a paid membership.

The choices for mayoral, Third and Fourth ward candidates are clear.

The Transportation Security Administration's decision to relax some of its rules on airport screenings is a breath of fresh air.

Political differences between Missouri republicans and democrats, as seen with the debate over healthcare reform, will be the death of the state citizen's well-being.

Christianity seems to be dying in America, which could be considered bad for the country.

Our political system, and the political culture surrounding it, makes it nearly impossible to achieve the level of financial responsibility most citizens would expect.

The Columbia Missourian Stylebook and Guide to Mid-Missouri will be undergoing its annual revisions in the coming weeks. If you have suggestions, feel free to send them along.

The success of MU mathematics professor Nakhle Asmar, aided by Mayor Bob McDavid, in saving the Niedermeyer building deserves applause.

It appears that state and federal legislators, all of whom are sworn to uphold the federal and state constitutions, are now defying both.

If the Republican Party does not mobilize itself to act as one party, the GOP will once again allow a Democrat to be elected president in 2016.

Hedrick Smith, author of "Who Stole the American Dream?," argues the middle class is disappearing. His argument is a credible one that is consistent with recent research.

People used to use their office phones for business during the day and reserved social calls for evenings on their home phones. But when cellphones came on the market, it seems people began to use them full time for everything.

The explosion of word usage through the Internet, email and tweets, has created a need to more clearly define the meaning of words.

The Missourian will take part in celebrating Missouri's open record law as part of Sunshine Week.

The Missouri legislature's support of lessening the tax burden on wealthy Missourians is a travesty that affects the rest of the population and cuts services such as education funding.