ABC 17 News Investigates Archives

DEFENDERS: Valentine’s Day weekend scams

February 17, 2020 6:37 PM Brittany Wiley

A report from the Federal Trade Commission shows romance scam artists made about $201 million.

Surprise health inspections reveal some violations at Mizzou Arena

February 12, 2020 8:43 PM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Inspection records completed at Mizzou Arena during the 2018-2019 basketball season show which concession stands had the most and least amount of violations. “Our number one priority is the safety of our guests, we want people coming to the game to be focused on the game, not food safety, that’s our job,”

DEFENDERS: Be cautious when using mobile payment apps

February 10, 2020 2:17 PM Deborah Kendrick

Mobile payment apps come with a lot of conveniences, but their popularity also makes them targets for scammers.

Wendy's off Bernadette Drive in Columbia, Mo.

Mold, contaminated soda lids found at Columbia Wendy’s

February 5, 2020 5:56 PM Zara Barker

Inspectors found “contamination” on soda lid cups at a Columbia fast food restaurant last month.

Jefferson City High School teacher stripped of coaching duties after profanity-laced texts to students

February 4, 2020 5:02 PM Joe McLean

The Jefferson City School District scaled back the duties of one of its teachers after a text conversation with a group of students came to light.

DEFENDERS: Watch out for scammers during tax season

February 3, 2020 3:17 PM Deborah Kendrick

Starting Monday the Federal Trade Commission is launching Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week.

DEFENDERS: New law meant to reduce robocalls

February 2, 2020 8:00 AM Deborah Kendrick

Some new laws could significantly reduce the number of robocalls you get on your phone.

Mid-Missouri schools see more vaccinated students than statewide average

January 31, 2020 10:36 PM Zara Barker

According to data from the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, about 97% of students across Missouri schools are not vaccinated. That number is not as high in mid-Missouri.

The Ben Renick case: snakes, shootings and millions of dollars

January 30, 2020 8:50 PM Lucas Geisler

MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) As prosecutors in Missouri begin making their case that two people killed Ben Renick in 2017, courts are still settling millions of dollars worth of deals he started before his death. In the years since Renick, 29, was shot and killed at his Montgomery County home near New Florence, attorneys and

Traffic stop audio shows former Columbia police chief felt ‘targeted’

January 29, 2020 4:28 PM Sydney Olsen

Body camera and dashboard camera video suggest former Columbia police chief Ken Burton felt targeted by Mayor Brian Treece and the Columbia Police Department before his DWI arrest.

Two Jefferson City eateries top the list with 6 violations

January 29, 2020 7:39 PM Zara Barker

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – KMIZ Jefferson City inspection reports show two eateries tied for the most overall violations during December inspections. In January, Jefferson City’s Environmental Health Services Department posted all inspections completed within city limits in December 2019. Overall, Happy Garden on Truman Blvd and Hardee’s on Country Club Drive tied with 6 overall

DEFENDERS: Warning about Census job scams

January 27, 2020 5:33 PM Deborah Kendrick

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting to fill thousands of temporary positions, but the Better Business Bureau says to beware of scams.

Jefferson City to pay for 96% of demolition costs for downtown building

January 22, 2020 7:08 PM Barry Mangold

As part of an agreement with property owners, Jefferson City taxpayers will cover almost all of the cost of demolishing a crumbling downtown building.

Walgreen's, Aldi and Pickleman's photo compilation

Most eateries clear in Boone County inspection reports

January 22, 2020 4:27 PM Zara Barker

Most of the nine eateries inspected by Boone County health department regulators in the past week were not cited for any violations.

Missouri House considers changes to coroner system

January 21, 2020 8:43 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A House of Representatives committee is considering a bill that would require greater training for county coroners. The House Judiciary Committee discussed a bill from Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg) that would establish a Coroners Standard and Training Commission. The commission would write training standards for coroners, and would also require coroners

DEFENDERS: BBB warning Chiefs fans of fake merchandise on the internet

January 20, 2020 5:08 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As the Kansas City Chiefs head to Miami for the Superbowl, the Better Business Bureau is warning fans about websites selling fake merchandise. The Better Business Bureau receives thousands of complaints from people who shop for goods online and receive counterfeits instead of what they ordered. It’s especially easy for scammers to

Sub Shop restaurant located on West Worley Street in Columbia, Mo.

Repeat violations could lead to fee for Sub Shop

January 15, 2020 6:00 PM Zara Barker

Two non-critical violations could lead to a re-inspection fee for Sub Shop.

DEFENDERS: Donating to Australia wildfires safely

January 13, 2020 4:10 PM Deborah Kendrick

The devastating Australian bushfires spreading across the nation for months are showing no signs of slowing down.

DEFENDERS: Counterfeit Kansas City Chiefs playoff tickets circulating

January 9, 2020 11:52 AM Deborah Kendrick

Police are warning Kansas City Chiefs fans to be careful when buying playoff tickets for the game this Sunday.

Columbia Panera reopens after water heater catches fire

January 9, 2020 7:03 AM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Inspectors from the Columbia/Boone County Public Health Department visited at least eight eateries in the first week of 2020. One of the restaurants they went to was Panera on Brickton Road in response to a small fire that started in a back room of the restaurant. All eateries inspected: If a restaurant