"The peak of fall color in Missouri is usually around mid-October.
This is when maples, ashes, oaks, and hickories are at the height of their fall display."
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/fall-colors

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Thursday US COVID News

“Trump has ‘knee on the neck’ of public health experts preventing them from fighting Covid-19, former CDC director says.”

“At least 8,000 mink dead in Utah after contracting Covid-19. The virus first appeared in the creatures in August, shortly after farmworkers fell ill in July, according to Dr. Dean Taylor, state veterinarian of Utah. Initial research shows the virus was transmitted from humans to animals, and so far has not seen any cases of the opposite. Mink join only cats, dogs, a tiger and a lion to be the only confirmed animals with Covid-19 in the US, according to the USDA data.”

“Ousted director of vaccine agency calls Trump's message on Covid-19 ‘deadly’”

“On the same day that the FBI and state officials announced charges in an alleged domestic terror plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Trump accused her of ‘complaining’ and again attacked her over her handling of the pandemic, accusing her of having ‘locked down’ her state.” CNN

“The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations across the state Thursday.” KSDK News

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The above photo is our Southeastern property line with the people who put food out for the deer. Everything is wild Native growth (trees, flowers, vines, grasses, etc). Good habitat for the deer. Normally these plants don't put on a colorful Fall display like you'll see "Back East". However, today's late afternoon bathed the few spots of color - that have just started - in a pretty golden light. The colors popped. This could be my most colorful image of the season.

Colors are still spotty in the region. Unfortunately, trees have been stressed by lack of rain have changed color prematurely, often with muted colors or just lost leaves. I don't expect a more colorful display, than above, where we live.