Education & Schools: Missouri school districts get a “first look” at a new A-F grading system this fall, with the state board using 2024-25 data and rolling out literacy later in 2027. Local Culture & Faith: Vietnamese-American Catholics return to Carthage for Marian Days, a decades-old pilgrimage that blends devotion to Mother Mary with community heritage. Community Safety: Putnam County’s First Impact program will coach new teenage drivers on risk, responsibility, and safe habits ahead of licensure. Health & Lifestyle: A Missouri-based aid group, Convoy of Hope, is sending food, water, and cleanup help to flood-hit Indiana communities in partnership with local churches. Local Growth & Infrastructure: Kansas City’s City Council approves key agreements to move the Royals stadium plan forward at Crown Center, aiming for a major timeline toward 2030. Energy & Neighborhoods: Liberty delays a vote on a proposed 200-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility after neighbors raised concerns and the developer requested postponement. History & Heritage: “Raising the Shade” spotlights Franklin County’s Black Civil War legacy, tracing research that helps recover names and stories from the U.S. Colored Troops. Sports & Youth: UCM expands intramural options this fall, from bowling to pickleball, giving students an easy way to meet friends through leagues and free-agent signups.