The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Friday, May 03, 2013  In Cole County, programs like Project Prom and Project Graduation aim to give students an alternative to alcohol-fueld parties after the actual prom or graduation.

Thursday, May 02, 2013  College graduates prepare to make the transition from student to employee.

Monday, April 01, 2013  The University of Central Missouri is taking aggressive steps designed to boost the number of students graduating in four years.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013  The nation's high school graduation rate is the highest since 1976, but more than a fifth of students are still failing to get their diploma in four years, reveals an Education Department study.

Friday, January 11, 2013  Missouri’s public schools are 41st in the country in Education Week's annual rankings.

Tuesday, October 09, 2012  The four campuses of the University of Missouri System have joined a national movement to increase the number of college graduates by 2025.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012  The idea of getting rid of the winter ceremony came up during a Lincoln University community discussion on ways to save the school money.

Monday, May 21, 2012  Joplin High School's Class of 2012 will cap a senior year marked by tragedy and perseverance Monday night with a commencement speech by President Barack Obama.

Sunday, May 20, 2012  More than 600 graduates walked across the stage Sunday evening at the Jefferson City High School graduation.

Sunday, May 20, 2012  Jefferson City High School graduation will be outside as planned.

Sunday, May 13, 2012  The thick traffic had everything to do with the thousands of people in town celebrating college graduation. The local businesses were celebrating something of their own... a boost in business.

Friday, May 11, 2012  School officials are awarding degrees to nearly 5,800 students.

Friday, May 04, 2012  William Woods, UCMO and Columbia College will also livestream their graduation ceremonies

Monday, March 19, 2012  Aggressive efforts to prevent students from dropping out contributed to a modest 3.5 percentage point increase nationally in the high school graduation rate from 2001 to 2009, according to research presented Monday at the Grad Nation summit in Washington.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012  National statistics show people without a high school diploma make much less than those with a high school or college education.