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

Today at 7:44 AM  Exactly how do desperate parents know when it's best to leave their children in a presumably safe place or race into the face of danger?

Today at 7:31 AM  Groups with tax-exempt status must have educational, charitable, religious or other charitable purposes and cannot be involved in elections or engage in substantial lobbying activity.

Today at 7:19 AM  The 18-year-old cheerleader was also expelled from school because her girlfriend is 14.

Today at 7:00 AM  Tensions between libertarian-leaning and more mainstream Republicans were on vivid display Tuesday.

Yesterday at 3:28 PM  The National Weather Service says that the tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., topped the scale as an EF5.

Yesterday at 11:50 AM  Death toll was corrected and lowered to 24 people, including 7 children.

Yesterday at 11:50 AM  The storm's death toll was corrected and lowered to 24, including 7 children.

Yesterday at 7:33 AM  Associated Press photographer's first-person account of efforts to rescue chidlren and staff in a collapsed school.

Yesterday at 5:00 AM  High crop prices entice farmers to expand planting into old golf courses, wildlife preserves

Monday, May 20, 2013  Updated with new photos (Caution, graphic images), new video added; death toll now at 51.

Monday, May 20, 2013  Swarm of tornadoes slam Plains, Midwest; 1 dead in Oklahoma mobile home park ravaged by twister

Monday, May 20, 2013  Consumer watchdog group warns that most sunscreens meet FDA standards, but questionable SPF ratings persist

Monday, May 20, 2013  In survey, economists say consumers are poised to boost spending, offset government cuts

Friday, May 17, 2013  Dave Brown started his journey in Atlantic City, NJ, heading toward San Francisco, CA.

Friday, May 17, 2013  Australian politician sorry he accidentally 'liked' Facebook photo of prankster exposing self