Community & Heritage: Columbia’s Nifong Park is set for the free Columbia Heritage Festival and Craft Show Sept. 19-20, with multicultural performances, hands-on craft demos, and family activities plus museum access. Local Health & Care: Schuyler County Ambulance District earned Missouri EMS for Children Pediatric Ready certification, adding pediatric equipment and a pediatric emergency care coordinator. Education & Rural Life: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited WashU as part of her 50-state rural healthcare and community-development tour, highlighting higher ed’s role in local success. Health & Wellness: Western Missouri Medical Center’s diabetes education program received American Diabetes Association recognition for meeting national standards. Public Safety: Hundreds gathered at Raytown Christian Church for a vigil honoring Joshua Lewis, the teen killed outside a Casey’s gas station. Sports & Culture: Missouri Tigers open the weekend with Troy at Faurot Field after a rivalry win over Kansas, with coach Eli Drinkwitz urging a “one week away from being humbled” mindset. Arts & Food: Vinnie Cimino’s ROSY was named one of the New York Times’ 50 Best Restaurants in the U.S. for 2026. Big Story (Fraud): A Texas investment firm founder, Siddharth Jawahar, was sentenced to 11 years for a $35M Ponzi scheme that prosecutors say included NFL player Travis Kelce among the victims. Civic Life: Absentee ballots are available in Missouri counties ahead of the Nov. 3 election.