ABC 17 News Investigates Archives

DEFENDERS: Missouri sets record for price gouging complaints in 2020

July 20, 2020 5:40 PM Deborah Kendrick

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state attorneys general are actively investigating price gouging cases across the United States.

Concern grows over in-person bar exam in Columbia, Osage Beach

July 17, 2020 7:54 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The state’s bar exam will bring hundreds of law school graduates to Columbia and Osage Beach later this month, a fact that concerns some test takers. More than 600 people are set to take the test on July 28 and 29 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia and Tan-Tar-A Resort

MU Health Care investigating where about 100 ‘unaccounted for’ COVID-19 tests went

July 16, 2020 8:19 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health Care said it and a testing lab are investigating after about 100 people’s tests for COVID-19 were apparently misplaced. MU Health Care spokeswoman Jesslyn Chew said the agency and GeneTrait Labs were looking into about 100 tests that are “unaccounted for.” Chew said she did not know the date range

Salute to America saw approximately 50% the attendance it saw last year.

Salute to America inspection reports reveal no code violations

July 15, 2020 11:37 AM Molly Stawinoga

There were no food code violations found among the Salute to America vendors.

DEFENDERS: Beware of mask exemption cards

July 13, 2020 9:59 PM Deborah Kendrick

Federal agencies are warning about a scam going around as many states and cities mandate face coverings.

Multiple complaints, inspections came before public health alert at Columbia restaurant

July 8, 2020 11:23 AM Molly Stawinoga

ABC 17 News obtained documents from the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services that show they had already visited the establishment three times regarding COVID-19 guidelines

Crowds celebrate the Fourth of July at Salute to America in 2019.

Salute to America vendors taking extra precautions amid COVID-19

July 2, 2020 10:35 AM Molly Stawinoga

The annual “Salute to America” Fourth of July festival will take place without any COVID-19 health orders in effect.

Black & Gold Tavern posted signs reminding customers to social distance.

Restaurant reopening inspections not required, despite health department guidance

July 1, 2020 10:00 AM Molly Stawinoga

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is updating its guidance for businesses following an ABC 17 News investigation.

Hotel occupancy drops by half in May for Columbia

June 24, 2020 8:49 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – The number of Columbia hotel rooms used in May dropped by 50 percent compared to May 2019, according to numbers obtained by ABC 17 News. The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau said hotels reported an occupancy rate of 30.8 percent of the month of May. That’s down from the 60.3 percent

Search warrant reveals new details in Pettis County deputy shooting

June 22, 2020 7:15 PM Lucas Geisler

A surveillance camera in Sedalia captured the entire interaction between a Pettis County deputy and a woman that deputy killed.

State gets federal grant to expand COVID-19 mental health services

June 19, 2020 7:18 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The state of Missouri will get millions of dollars to expand mental health services to those affected by COVID-19. The Department of Mental Health announced Thursday that the state will get $2.3 million as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Crisis Counseling Program. The program helps people “recovering from the

Hotel occupancy rates make double-digit drops across mid-Missouri

May 28, 2020 7:51 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The number of hotel rooms used in Columbia and Jefferson City made steep drops in April, mirroring a loss of business seen across the state. Numbers from the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau show a drop of 40 percent in April compared to April 2019. The CVB reported 21.5 percent of hotel

Average deaths per day from COVID-19 dropping in Missouri

May 21, 2020 7:53 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The average number of people dying from COVID-19 in Missouri continues to drop from its mid-month peak. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 30 more deaths on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 661 since the pandemic first hit the state in March. It is the third time this

IN DEPTH: Boone County’s COVID-19 cases in May

May 18, 2020 8:16 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County has kept its average daily case gains below one for throughout May. The county added nine cases of COVID-19 since May 1, but the seven-day average of cases over that time has remained below one, according to an analysis done by ABC 17 News. The county had reached an average

IN DEPTH: New COVID-19 daily case average dropping statewide

May 15, 2020 8:43 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The week-long average of new cases of COVID-19 added in Missouri dropped over the last seven days. An ABC 17 News analysis shows that the average number of new cases announced by the Department of Health and Senior went down from May 9 to 15. The state’s seven-day average was 216

Business owners say COVID-19 complaints, concerns fixed quickly

May 5, 2020 8:18 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Business owners that dealt with city officials over compliance with Boone County health’s order say the issues didn’t last long. ABC 17 News reported on Monday that the Office of Neighborhood Services elevated at least seven complaints to the Columbia/Boone County Health Department director. All seven ended without prosecution, and owners of

State health department could pay private labs more than $1 million to ramp up testing

April 28, 2020 7:48 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services could pay more than $1 million to private labs in increase testing capacity as the state begins to relax social distancing rules. The contracts obtained by ABC 17 News show that at least three labs, including one in mid-Missouri, will help the state

DEFENDERS: Text tricks people into COVID-19 scams

April 23, 2020 8:30 PM Deborah Kendrick

The Missouri Attorney General is warning Missourians to keep an eye out for scammers trying to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DEFENDERS: Price gouging complaints reach nearly 1,000 in Missouri

April 10, 2020 7:28 PM Deborah Kendrick

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt confirms his office is investigating 951 price gouging complaints related to COVID-19. The number of consumer complaints has increased every week since mid-March when ABC 17 News started monitoring the data. The number of complaints reported on April 10 are 30 times higher than they were

DEFENDERS: Beware of COVID-19 stimulus check scams

March 30, 2020 4:50 PM Deborah Kendrick

The FBI, state attorneys general and other agencies are alerting Americans to possible COVID-19 stimulus check scams.