Missouri Politics & Public Safety: Columbia’s new 1% public safety sales tax is set for formal adoption by City Council, projected to raise about $38 million annually for police and fire, with rates topping nearly 10% in some special districts. Local Business & Community: Kansas City, Kansas kicked off its first Black Restaurant Week for 913 Day, highlighting 11 participating restaurants and offering $9.13 specials. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data for the week ending Aug. 29 shows Missouri regular prices easing to about $3.82 statewide, with standout lows like $3.64 in St. Francois County and $3.87 in Iron County; diesel also varies widely, including $5.18 in Grundy County. Cyber/IT Readiness: Jefferson City IT firm Stimulus Technologies urged businesses to “grade” their systems—backups, security, access, and updates—before problems hit. Health & Consumer Trends: A new study links higher-intensity breastfeeding (for women with prior gestational diabetes) to better early postpartum lipid and cardiometabolic markers. Crime & Courts: A Missouri foster mother accused of trading a child for a monkey avoided prison time, receiving a seven-year suspended sentence with probation. Workplace History: Labor Day coverage tied the holiday to organized labor’s push for the 40-hour week and other worker gains.