After the shooting deaths of two Columbia teenagers this spring, we follow up with this discussion about youth violence and efforts to prevent it in our community. We hear from two teenagers about the challenges and opportunities young people encounter, and we discuss programs that encourage teens to get involved.

Panelists:
Josh Bass, teacher at Douglass High School
Nakita Cade, junior at Hickman High School
Tarrence Davis, sophomore at Hickman High School
Sherrod Ellis, empowerment coordinator for Silence the Violence

A spate of new development has taken off in downtown Columbia, in particular the construction of several multi-story student housing developments. Amid the current building boom, we take a look at the vision for Columbia's downtown and consider what it might mean to have hundreds of students living in the area.

Panelists:
Carrie Gartner, executive director, Downtown Community Improvement District.
John Ott, developer and owner of Alley A Realty and several downtown properties, including the Stephens Building at Broadway and Hitt.
Debbie Sheals, historic preservation consultant and founding member of the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission

More than a quarter of Missouri’s population lives in rural areas. We examine some of the challenges -- and benefits -- of life as a rural teenager. Our guests include the producers of a multimedia series that chronicles the experience of growing up in small-town Missouri.

Panelists:
Brian Kratzer, director of photography for the Columbia Missourian
Katie Currid, staff member at the Missourian who helped edit a series of pieces about rural teens
Bradd Anderson, a state 4-H development specialist
Craig Schroeder, director of Youth Development for the Rural Policy Research Institute (joining the program by phone)