Special Sections

Tony Grove's appreciation for downtown Columbia inspires him to work toward diversifying apartments to attract folks of different ages and backgrounds.

An assistant professor in the MU Department of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology, Kenneth Wang cultivates a global perspective in his classes, introducing Americans to cultural experiences or easing the transition for international students.

Jason Rytlewski is an electrophysiologist and cardiologist at Missouri Heart Center who performs procedures at Boone Hospital Center. He brought advanced heart mapping technology and specialized training to treat heart conditions the hospital could not handle before his arrival.

The construction of new housing and parking complexes pepper downtown Columbia, but this new growth comes at a cost to the city's aging infrastructure.

Columbia's east and southwestern neighborhoods, especially ones with existing infrastructure, are expected to expand greatly in the next 20 years.

About 50 housing developments have been built in Columbia since 2002.

Columbia and Boone County experienced steady growth until the economic recession in 2008.

Interstate 70 is in disrepair and needs to be updated – it was built in the '50s and '60s and only expected to last into the 1980s – but there's no agreement on how to fund the renovation.

Home sales in 2012 were the highest since 2007, and those in the housing industry say Columbia has reached a place of steady, healthy growth.

MU Health Care, Boone Hospital Center and Truman Veterans Hospital have spent about $347.5 million on new parking garages, technology, lobbies, exteriors and towers.

An expected decline in enrollment growth, plus the limitations of space on campus, could limit the stream of tuition that has counterbalanced shrinking state funds.

From 2003 to 2013, the district grew from 16,447 students to 17,722 students. The largest growth period occurred from 2004 to 2007.

A partnership between the city and a private firm to install solar arrays at the city-owned COLT Railroad facility has led to the largest solar site in Missouri. The rooftop installation is also the largest in the eight contiguous states.

Water and Light and H2O'C engineers hope to convince residents that water is not an infinite resource and teach easy ways to conserve water and save money.

Their experiences tell a story of how race and community in Columbia have — and haven't — changed over time.

The General Assembly's Joint Committee on Education on Monday revealed a new model for funding public colleges and universities.

The MU Black Homecoming step show featured dance performances by nine historically black fraternities and sororities.

With the game against Kentucky starting at 11 a.m., Missouri fans were up early for a 7 a.m. Homecoming parade.

Students in MU Greek organizations designed and decorated window murals as part of the Decorate The District contest in preparation for Homecoming.

Events begin Thursday night with a free breakfast on campus and run through the football game against Kentucky on Saturday.