Four-year-old Kaylee Harmon, center, watches hairdresser Patrice Harris, left, while getting her hair done in preparation for her sister’s ninth birthday party on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 360 Star Styling Studio in Columbia, Mo. Harris’ mother, Kyra Jones, said her daughter is shy but smart—and even a little mischievous when she wants to be. Jones said Harris loved the silk press she received so much that she wouldn’t stop shaking her hair after her appointment.

From left, Vicki Mennemeyer, Ginny Mennemeyer, Mia Lock, 13, and Katie Lock cheer for Missouri Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Capital Bluffs Event Center in Jefferson City, Mo. During his speech, Kehoe thanked the various stakeholders who supported him during his candidacy.

The old I-70 Rocheport Bridge’s truss collapses into the Missouri River during a scheduled demolition on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, between Cooper and Boone counties in Missouri. Despite multiple fog delays, dozens of people gathered in various locations along the river to watch the explosion. The demolition dropped close to 6 million pounds of steel into the Missouri River.

Referee Barbara Brummet, left, checks on Boonville High School senior Audrionnah Donahue during Donahue’s match in the MSHSAA Class 1 Girls Tournament on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Earlier in the match, Brummet had to pause competition so Donahue and her coaches could treat the senior’s bloody nose. Donahue lost by fall in 5:29 to Savannah High School sophomore Jade Brundige.

Every summer around sunset, the Phantom Piper fills the air with the sound of bagpipes from his lookout atop the Kincardine Lighthouse, the melancholy melodies traveling across the pier. Before the music begins, Dallas Bosman, 11, jumps off the Station Beach pier while other young swimmers watch on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Kincardine, Ontario. Locals and tourists alike swam, ate ice cream and listened to the music as the sun sinks below the horizon of Lake Huron. This year, however, wildfire smoke in Canada diluted and obscured the sunset's glow.

Dennis Fischer, back, hugs his wife, Linda Fischer, at their home, which was destroyed by the Park Fire, in Forest Ranch, Calif., on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The Fischers, who have been together for 15 years, got married on the deck of their house. “I’ve lived up here 30 years, and you’re always sort of ready for this in the back of your head. And it doesn’t make it that much easier. Thirty years, same home,” Dennis Fischer said. “We just try to keep moving forward, looking forward, you know. You can’t just sit there and fret over things.”

Brandon, 42, left, and Reighna, 45, right, hold one another for warmth during their morning smoke break on Dec. 20, 2024, outside the Room at the Inn homeless shelter in Columbia, Mo. Brandon and Regina, two unhoused community members whose last names have been omitted to protect their privacy, said they have known each other for about five or six months.

“I never try to pretend that I know what anyone took away from my performance, but what I hope they took away was joy in personal sensuality and maybe [that they] felt inspired to embrace that," said Leah Franklin who performed a pole dancing routine in front of nearly 150 people for the Muse Pole Fitness 11th Anniversary Student Showcase on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at The Blue Note in Columbia, Mo. The sold-out event featured 58 performers with acts ranging from striking and sultry to poignant and political, each drawing applause, supportive shout-outs and cheers from the crowd. 

Franklin first “stumbled into pole” a decade ago while trying to find a new outlet for movement and dance. “I became hooked about a year into it, on and off, and I haven't looked back since," she said. Now, in addition to being a nationally-competitive pole dancer, Franklin is a studio manager and instructor at Muse Pole Fitness. "My favorite part of the showcase is watching all of my students show everything they've worked so hard for to prepare," she said. "I love seeing their growth as dancers as well as people."

Members of the Missouri House of Representatives celebrate the end of the legislative session by tossing papers into the air on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. The session was marked by restrictions on gender-affirming care for young Missourians and the passage of the largest state budget to date.

Republican Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe takes the stage before his speech on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Capital Bluffs Event Center in Jefferson City, Mo. Kehoe spoke of his upbringing and the lessons he learned from his family during his speech. Kehoe spoke of his upbringing and the lessons he learned from his family during his speech.

Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23), center, drives past San Antonio Spurs guard Tyson Ward (35), right, during a California Classic NBA summer league game at Golden 1 Center on Sunday, July 7, 2024. Ellis logged 13 points during the game, and the Kings went secured an 85-61 win over the Spurs.

Tolton Catholic High School assistant coaches Jadon Henry, left, and Brock Davis cheer for one of their wrestlers on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Six Tolton wrestlers competed in the Class 1 Semifinals.

“Dance is my passion, so when it’s time to perform I’m always ready,” 22-year-old Bre Thompson said. She watched shows like “Dance Moms” and “The Dancing Dolls” growing up. By the time she was 4 or 5 years old, Thompson was scouring YouTube to teach herself different dance styles, her favorites of which are jazz, hip-hop and majorette.

“I would be in the grass in my front yard flipping, using my bed as a training mat, and just all around the house dancing in some kind of way,” she said.

When she’s dancing, Thompson’s mind is clear. All she thinks about is how to improve her skills and execute her routine at the highest possible level. On the night of Saturday, March 23, 2024, Thompson performed in her first ever paid background dancing gig working for drag queen Mahajanay DeMornay at the Sun Theater in St. Louis.

“I use to get butterflies, but as time went by it got easier,” Thompson said. “It can be stressful, so I have to motivate myself and push myself to keep up. I always tell myself, ‘It’s only day one. You not gone have it perfect by day three.”

Performers arrived for the final night of the 50th annual Miss Gay Missouri America pageant around 6 p.m., but the competition didn’t end until after midnight.

“I feel free when I’m performing,” Thompson said. “I can do whatever face or move to express my mood while doing that routine during practice.”

Thompson said she hopes those watching her on stages feels inspired to confidently pursue their own passions.

Gregory, an unhoused man whose last name is not included to protect his privacy, sits in his wheelchair shortly after midnight on Dec. 20, 2024, at the Room at the Inn homeless shelter in Columbia. Gregory planned to move to Texas on the first of the year since his probation ended on Dec. 27.

Izzy, a 9-year-old transgender girl whose last name is not included to protect her safety, has a snack before going with her older brother, who is also transgender, to his basketball tournament on Feb. 8, 2025, at their home in Jefferson City, Mo. "I don't want somebody to view Izzy as a predatory. ... "I"m afraid for Izzy." " said Jessie, Izzy's mom. "At what point does she go from being that sweet, innocent little girl who's got friends at school to people viewing her as a predator?"