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

Friday, May 03, 2013  The Missouri House has endorsed a $1.2 billion proposal to pay for improvements to public universities, a state mental hospital and state parks.

Thursday, May 02, 2013  During a stop at Rock Bridge State Park Wednesday, Gov. Jay Nixon encouraged young people ages 17 to 23 to apply for summer jobs with the State Parks Youth Corps program.

Thursday, April 18, 2013  A national trails magazine has awarded Missouri the title of "Best Trails State" for its commitment to maintain and improve its vast system of hiking and biking paths.

Monday, March 11, 2013  New figures show attendance at Missouri state parks rose by roughly a quarter-million people last year.

Thursday, August 16, 2012  The event is at Roaring River State Park

Wednesday, June 06, 2012  Eleven Missouri state parks are now offering free wireless Internet access at campgrounds.

Thursday, March 01, 2012  Gov. Jay Nixon is headed to southwest Missouri this morning to fire the starter's pistol for the state's annual trout season.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011  A new smartphone application allows users to get detailed information about Missouri state parks.

Saturday, February 05, 2011  Missouri officials are seeking applications from young adults to work in state parks this summer.

Thursday, December 30, 2010  The state of Missouri is bringing back a program that will give part-time jobs to several hundred high school and college-aged people next summer.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010  Missouri can boast having the top three parks in the Midwest and two of them are in mid-Missouri.

Friday, August 13, 2010  The State Parks Youth Corps has employed nearly 1,000 young people in paid positions at parks and historic sites across Missouri since May.

Friday, July 23, 2010  Boone County’s Finger Lakes State Park joined 4 other Missouri beaches that will be closed this weekend because of high E. coli levels.

Thursday, July 01, 2010  The public beach at Finger Lakes state park is among four state beaches that will be closed through the holiday weekend for high levels of E. coli bacteria.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010  Gov. Nixon is urging mid-Missouri's young people to apply for summer jobs at the Lake of the Ozarks.