International Day of People with Disabilities – A Day for Learning and Empathy

Masks help slow the spread of COVID-19, but they also hinder lip-reading and facial cues – all of which play a huge role in everyday conversation. https://www.kbia.org/post/international-day-people-disabilities-day-learning-and-empathy#stream/0

Three seek 4th District seat in U.S. House

Three candidates — Republican incumbent Vicky Hartzler, Democrat Lindsey Simmons and Libertarian Steven Koonse — are seeking to represent Missouri’s 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next two years. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/elections/three-seek-4th-district-seat-in-u-s-house/article_1ee56868-08a9-11eb-8725-1b0b2e214fd8.html

When people need tobacco cessation services most, many have been suspended

The only group course open to the public in Columbia right now is MU Health Care’s “Quit Tobacco Now,” which met in person before the pandemic, said class facilitator Jenna Wintemberg, who is also a nationally certified tobacco treatment specialist. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/covid19/when-people-need-tobacco-cessation-services-most-many-have-been-suspended/article_5f065316-dc13-11ea-a69c-ebca3086b219.html

Want to support Columbia businesses that are struggling through the pandemic and not leave your couch?

Virtual telethon to support downtown businesses set for Saturday. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/virtual-telethon-to-support-downtown-businesses-set-for-saturday/article_a73892c0-dd76-11ea-b9d1-17975b00d279.html

Floy Brent expected equality, had a talent for being surprising

Floy C. Brent was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who supported and respected others’ decisions. She also had a great passion for seeing people be treated equally. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/obituaries/missourian_life_story/floy-brent-expected-equality-had-a-talent-for-being-surprising/article_f8721e18-d9bb-11ea-bab6-6b7a3d238581.html

MU students worry about safety, financial issues this fall

“Despite the precautions that the university has in place for classes, you don’t know who you can trust to be around,” said sophomore Hope Davis. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/mu-students-worry-about-safety-financial-issues-this-fall/article_951464ae-d5a4-11ea-bbce-dfc5f2f337be.html

Pandemic doesn’t spare popular Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival

Leslie Martin, president of the Pumpkin Festival Committee, said it wasn’t an easy decision to cancel the 2020 Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival. Lots of folks have been working hard to plan the annual October event for months, she said, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced their hands. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/pandemic-doesnt-spare-popular-hartsburg-pumpkin-festival/article_28e4bf5c-d8df-11ea-bcc4-17edcc5853b6.html

New county health order increases bar/restaurant restrictions

Under the new order, customers at bars and restaurants must be seated when not entering, leaving and using restrooms, according to a health department news release. Customers must wear masks when not seated. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/covid19/new-county-health-order-increases-bar-restaurant-restrictions/article_2e7c99fe-d834-11ea-84fb-1f18796b6d16.html

Veterans United Foundation donates $25,000 to COVID-19 antibody testing program

The donation from the Veterans United Foundation will go to the American Red Cross’ Central and Northern Missouri Chapter, said Erika Pryor, who serves in the role of Veterans United Foundation team lead. But because this initiative is national, funds will also support the national budget for testing. https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/covid19/veterans-united-foundation-donates-25-000-to-covid-19-antibody-testing-program/article_e2d8b5b2-d687-11ea-8fc0-8b8d3f406b33.html