COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau is rolling out a new campaign designed to bring both international and domestic soccer fans to Mid-Missouri ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The initiative, called “Kick It in CoMo,” is meant to boost local businesses and showcase Columbia as a destination for visitors traveling
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EDITOR’S NOTE: A photo has been removed from this story because it was not directly related to the subject matter. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Sunday marked National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and the Missouri Department of Transportation is using not only Sunday, but the entire month of January to help educate the public about how traffickers
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The fallout from the ICE shooting that killed a woman in Minnesota continued Friday, as vigils were held across the country. The FBI has taken over the investigation, and state investigators in Minnesota have been blocked from accessing key evidence connected to the case. A candlelight vigil for Renée Good and all
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Carlos Graham is the newest member of the Jefferson City Board of Education. Graham was unanimously picked by the board to take the open seat left by former board President Erika Leonard. The board made its decision by a public vote during its Thursday night meeting. Graham was sworn in immediately
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Drivers across Mid Missouri should plan for delays as several road construction and improvement projects continue or begin next week in multiple counties. Many of the projects will run from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4. The impacted counties include: Boone Co., Callaway Co., Camden Co., Crawford Co., Howard Co., Laclede Co., Maries
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two people are facing felony drug charges after investigators uncovered a large amount of methamphetamine Monday in Columbia, leading to trafficking charges. On Monday, detectives with the Columbia Police Department’s Vice, Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit worked alongside the North Missouri Drug Task Force, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Minimum wage workers across Missouri will soon see a boost in their paychecks. In November 2024, voters approved Proposition A, a ballot measure designed to raise the state’s minimum wage and provide earned paid sick leave for certain workers. As part of that measure, Missouri’s minimum wage will increase from $13.75 to
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The national unemployment rate is at its highest point in nearly four years at 4.6% recorded last month, and hiring trends are slowing as thousands of college graduates prepare to enter the workforce. The U.S. unemployment rate has ticked up since hitting a 54-year low of 3.4% in April 2023, reflecting a
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Construction for Boone County Public Safety Childcare Center is on schedule to be completed in July 2026. The center cost $5 million, with the county providing half and the state providing the other half. The Boone County Commission held a meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss the current status of the project. Officials
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A local substance use prevention group is asking the City of Columbia to reject extended alcohol service hours during next year’s FIFA World Cup. The City’s Substance Use Prevention Advisory Commission warns that nearly 24-hour alcohol sales could strain service industry workers and first responders, while also posing risks to public safety.
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AUDRAIN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) With temperatures dropping to dangerous levels, Room at the Inn in Audrain County is extending its hours to make sure no one is left out in the cold. The shelter will now remain open during the day as extremely cold conditions are expected through Sunday. The shelter is open daily from
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As winter approaches, the Boone County Fire Protection District’s fire chief is reminding residents to check their safety devices. Scott Olsen said now is the time to make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working to give families the early warning they need. “Fires burn a lot quicker, a lot
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County Fire Protection District Chief Scott Olsen is retiring. BCFPD announced in a Thursday press release the last day of Olsen’s career will be Feb. 1, 2026. Olsen submitted his letter of resignation to the district on Wednesday. Olsen said that after receiving his 40-year service award at the department banquet
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As temperatures continue to fall and with more snow on the way this week, Mid-Missouri mechanics are urging drivers to check their tires and prepare their vehicles for the next round of winter weather. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop F responded to more than 400 incidents during last weekend’s
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A group of students gathered at the University of Missouri’s Black Culture Center Saturday night to honor Concerned Student 1950, the student organization that led the 2015 protests over racial discrimination on campus. Several attendees said they came to pay respect to the organizers who pushed for major change at the university,
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Attorney General Catherine Hanaway on Friday warned Missourians to be vigilant on where to purchase tickets after grouping announcements for the World Cup were announced in the morning. Argentina, Germany and the Netherlands are set to compete in Kansas City in the FIFA Word Cup next summer. Megan McConachie with Columbia Convention
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) More than 40 countries are set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a global event just months away. The U.S. will host the majority of matches, with eleven cities selected, including Kansas City, which is expected to draw massive crowds. The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau is considering the possibility
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A shooting investigation in Jefferson City is drawing attention from millions across the country, as the family of Erik Spencer II continues to call for transparency. Spencer was shot and killed on Nov. 1 in the 3500 block of Missouri Boulevard. Police records obtained by ABC 17 News show that officers
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A peaceful march unfolded in Jefferson City on Friday night, bringing together friends, family and community members to honor the late Erik Spencer II. The event comes nearly a month after Spencer was shot and killed outside an Old Navy store while visiting Jefferson City for Lincoln University’s homecoming. The march
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COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ) The National Retail Federation is projecting another record-breaking holiday season, predicting that Americans will spend more than $1 trillion on gifts, food and décor. Consumers plan to spend an average of $890.49 per person this year on gifts, food, decorations and other seasonal items. That figure marks the second-highest spending level in
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