COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As colder temperatures move into Mid-Missouri, health experts typically expect an increase in seasonal illnesses. But so far, influenza activity across the region remains low. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported “low” influenza activity across the state from the week of Nov 16-22. The weekly total number of cases
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Overcrowding at the Boone County Jail is costing the county, with officials now housing more inmates in out-of-county facilities than in the jail itself. According to Cpt. Brian Leer with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the county has spent more than $1.8 million so far this year on housing inmates in other
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Friends and family of Erik Spencer II, who was shot and killed in a Jefferson City parking lot, spoke during the public comment portion of Monday’s City Council meeting, as they continue to demand that officials release the identity of the alleged shooter. Spencer was shot and killed on Nov. 1
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) While families get to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at home, others like firefighters at the Columbia Fire Department have to spend the holiday on the clock. At CFD’s Fire Station No. 1 on Orr Street in downtown Columbia, the crew teams up to fight fires, and on Thanksgiving morning, they teamed up
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PILOT GROVE, Mo. (KMIZ) The response to an EF-2 tornado that damaged or destroyed dozens of buildings in Pilot Grove was hampered by some first responders not being able to communicate with each other using radios at the scene. A four-page “after-action report” drawn up by the Cooper County Emergency Management Agency gives insight into
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PILOT GROVE, Mo. (KMIZ) More than seven months after an EF-2 tornado hit the small town of Pilot Grove, a report obtained by ABC 17 News through a Missouri Sunshine Law request breaks down the timeline of events on April 2. 2025. According to the agency, the morning began with dangerous conditions as the National
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BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Fire Protection District held an open house Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the opening of the Fire Station No. 8. The $4.7 million facility is located on Route K just feet away from the old facility that was built in 1981. Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said BCFPD decided to
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A deal to end the federal government shutdown included a provision that limits how much THC can be legally contained in hemp-derived products. Under the new rule, hemp products could contain no more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. Experts note that hemp generally has much lower levels of THC
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Coyote Hill, a nonprofit foster care ministry, celebrated its opening Thursday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new $2.6 million facility is located on North Tenth Street in downtown Columbia and aims to provide space for licensing and training new foster families, along with ongoing parent, coaching, advocacy and family support and
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) All eight members of Missouri’s U.S. House delegation voted Wednesday on the bill that is expected to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. Six Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while the state’s two Democrats voted against it. The House passed the government funding bill by a vote of
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The family of Erik Spencer II, who was shot and killed in the parking lot near the Old Navy on Missouri Boulevard, held a balloon release Tuesday afternoon to honor his life as they continue to call for justice. Spencer was killed on the evening of Nov. 1, and his family
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools made significant strides in key academic measures for the 2024-25 school year, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Annual Performance Report. DESE released the report Thursday afternoon, highlighting year-over-year improvements among school districts across the state. CPS continued its upward trend. The district scored in
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) This story was edited to indicate that the ordinance is not directed toward panhandling and to include anyone who is standing on applicable medians. An ordinance proposed by the City of Columbia that would restrict activity on busy medians and intersections could be up for a vote at the council’s next meeting
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thousands of federal workers are feeling the financial strain as the government shutdown stretches past a month, leaving many furloughed or working without pay in what is expected to become the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown began Oct. 1 as lawmakers in Washington D.C. are in a stalemate over a
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is searching for a suspect after an armed robbery Thursday evening in the 2100 block of Paris Road. According to a release, a cashier told police that a black man entered the store wearing a black hoodie, a black mask, black pants with white markings on the legs,
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missourians who work for the Internal Revenue Service in Kansas City are feeling the effects of the government shutdown, as thousands of federal employees across the United States are furloughed. A little more than 34,000 employees with the IRS are furloughed, according to Shannon Ellis, president of NTEU Chapter 66, which represents
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools’ Adult English Language Learner program secured funding through fiscal year 2026 after facing uncertainty due to potential cuts to adult education grants. The proposed federal budget included a 24% cut to adult education funding, reducing it from $642 million to about $486 million. The CPS program provides free online
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The new Trader Joe’s in Columbia will open Thursday, Oct. 30, the company confirmed Wednesday in a press release. The store is located at 201 North Stadium Blvd at The Shoppes where a number of businesses including Men’s Warehouse, Five Below and other stores are located. The grocery chain offers a variety
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Despite the growing number of school shootings in the United States, many Missouri school districts and law enforcement agencies lack standardized requirements for active shooter drills. In Missouri, teachers are required to participate in simulated active-shooter drills under the state’s ASIRT statute. However, broader safety training, such as how to identify threats or
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A school safety package that Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law this year requires students to participate in active school shooter drills starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Before Senate Bill 68 took effect in August, school district staff were only required to participate in active shooter drills. While the new law
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