Haley Swaino, Author at ABC17NEWS

Democrat wins Missouri House District 60, Republican pulls ahead in 59th

November 3, 2026 3:31 PM Haley Swaino

Four candidates are vying for term-limited seats in Missouri’s 59th and 60th House Districts. Republican candidate Carrie Tergin and Democratic candidate Becky Kroll are running to take over a seat currently held by term-limited State Rep. Rudi Veit (R-Wardsville). Republican candidate Shane Kampeter and Democratic candidate Suzanne Luther are hoping to succeed State Rep. Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City), who is also term-limited and not seeking reelection.

Both House District 59 and House District 60 cover part of Cole County, including much of Jefferson City. All four candidates said funding for public education is among their priorities.

Columbia Office of Violence Prevention targets two-year collaboration to curb crime

November 2, 2026 3:35 PM Haley Swaino

The Columbia Office of Violence Prevention believes in two years, collaboration between community-based groups will be strong enough to deter some crimes from happening across the city.

The OVP began operating in Mar. 2025 following a 2023 proposal by Mayor Barbara Buffaloe. The goal of the office is to coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of prevention and intervention tactics in the city. It works to provide community enrichment programs and ensure discussions about violent trends are being addressed.

Halloween weekend saw some violent crimes in Columbia. Downtown, a 36-year-old woman was shot in the back early Saturday morning. Outside a southside Walmart, a 46-year-old man was shot Sunday night.

Investigation underway after shots fired at Jefferson City event attended by hundreds

October 31, 2026 10:21 AM Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) No one was hurt after shots were fired during a large event in northwest Jefferson City early Saturday morning. According to a press release from the Jefferson City Police Department, officers were called around 1:15 a.m. to 2411 Industrial Drive for reports of shots fired at an event that “several hundred” people

Lohman teen seriously injured in Moniteau County rollover crash

October 31, 2026 9:50 AM Haley Swaino

A 17-year-old girl from Lohman was seriously hurt in a rollover crash in Moniteau County early Saturday morning.

One injured in downtown Columbia shooting early Saturday

October 31, 2026 3:34 AM Haley Swaino, Alison Patton, Melissa Houston

One person was hospitalized after a shooting in downtown Columbia early Saturday morning.

According to a Facebook post from the Columbia Police Department, officers were called around 2:30 a.m. to Eighth and Walnut Streets for reports of shots fired. One victim was found and taken to the hospital.

Historic Glasgow property in limbo after missing tornado funding deadline

October 27, 2026 12:09 PM Haley Swaino

After missing the deadline to apply for federal disaster relief, small business owner Scott Morris is in limbo on how to get a damaged historic property he purchased in Glasgow fixed.

Morris was just 22 days away from moving into the downtown building at the corner of Market and 2nd Streets, combining his next-door business — River Brew Coffee Company — and a nearby bookstore — Fitz’s SideQuests. But those plans have been on hold since an EF-2 tornado tore through the roof of the building on Apr. 27.

Consumer advocates warn Missouri lacks data center cost safeguards, but regulators disagree

October 26, 2026 3:37 PM Haley Swaino

The Consumers Council of Missouri believes state regulators do not have strong enough safeguards in place to ensure data center power costs are not falling back on the average Missouri ratepayer.

“The decision makers in Missouri have tended to err on the side of promoting data centers rather than protecting the public,” CCM Executive Director John Coffman said. “It’s an ongoing regulatory battle.”

Missouri leaders tout state’s data center consumer protections

October 23, 2026 12:15 PM Haley Swaino

Over the last two years, federal and state regulators have worked to establish what they believe are efficient safeguards to protect average ratepayers from data center power costs.

Amid a surge in large-scale data center projects across the Show-Me State, Missouri Senate Bill 4 helped lay the groundwork for consumer protections.

Scott Boulevard reopens after southwest Columbia crash leaves motorcyclist critical

October 23, 2026 7:37 AM Haley Swaino

Two southwest Columbia streets were closed Friday morning after a man was critically injured in a motorcycle crash.

According to Boone County Joint Communications, the crash occurred on Scott Boulevard near Gillespie Bridge Road shortly before 6:30 a.m.

Ryan Schaeffer with the Columbia Fire Department said the crash involved one motorcycle, and a man was taken from the scene by ambulance with “critical” injuries.

Missing Columbia man found safe

October 23, 2026 2:30 AM Haley Swaino

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated after the man was reportedly located. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department said a missing 56-year-old man was found safe Friday morning. In an earlier Facebook post Thursday night, CPD asked for the community’s help in finding the Columbia man. The post says Michael Marvel was last seen

Osage Beach woman airlifted after Morgan County crash

October 18, 2026 10:36 AM Haley Swaino

An Osage Beach woman was airlifted with serious injuries after a crash in Morgan County Saturday night.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the 32-year-old was a passenger in a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro driven by a 37-year-old man from Ivy Bend.

Some Mid-Missouri water users face potential $15 monthly bill increase

October 13, 2026 11:26 AM Haley Swaino

This will make for a drastic spike in water bills. The average St. Louis County customer using 5,900 gallons per month would be billed $23 more. Customers outside the county who use 4,500 would have to pay an additional $15 per month.

Central Missouri AgriService rebuilding Slater facility with $5M restoration after April tornado

October 12, 2026 11:09 AM Haley Swaino

It has been a busy past six months for Central Missouri AgriService’s Slater location in Saline County, according to manager Tedd Wiseman.

After an EF-2 tornado tore through CMAS’ grain elevators and damaged eight bins in April, the agricultural supply and grain-handling company has been working through a hefty cleanup and rebuilding process.

Two treated for smoke inhalation after Columbia house fire Friday

October 11, 2026 5:49 AM Haley Swaino

Two people were taken to a local hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation after a house fire in central Columbia Friday night.

According to a Saturday news release from the Columbia Fire Department, crews were called to a home in the 800 block of Broadhead Street, a street between West Ash Street and West Worley Street off of West Boulevard, around 9:15 p.m. on Friday.

Missouri Task Force 1 will not deploy to Gulf Coast for hurricane recovery

October 10, 2026 10:54 AM Haley Swaino

Missouri Task Force 1 will not be deployed south to assist in Hurricane Isaias recovery, Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Chuck Doss said Saturday morning.

As the hurricane approached the U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday, BCFPD announced that Task Force 1 had been put on “alert” by FEMA, should federal assistance be requested.

“Team members and specialized equipment are prepared for potential deployment,” a Friday press release read.

Around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Doss said FEMA canceled the “alert” status.

Eldon woman killed in Callaway County motorcycle crash

October 4, 2026 3:08 AM Haley Swaino

An Eldon woman was killed in a motorcycle crash Saturday afternoon in Callaway County.

Jefferson City woman dies after being struck by vehicle, driver arrested on DWI suspicion

October 3, 2026 9:33 AM Haley Swaino, Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City woman died Friday evening after she was hit by a truck. According to a news release from the Jefferson City Police Department, officers were called to The Office bar in the 900 block of West McCarty Street shortly before 4 p.m. for a reported vehicle-pedestrian crash. A 67-year-old woman

No injuries reported in north Columbia house fire Sunday morning

September 27, 2026 7:39 AM Haley Swaino

arrived on scene shortly after 6:30 a.m.

Woman dies in Audrain County UTV crash

September 26, 2026 3:46 AM Haley Swaino

A 60-year-old woman was killed in a UTV crash in Audrain County on Friday night.

Jefferson City Council rejects rezoning for homeless shelter

September 21, 2026 11:20 AM Haley Swaino

The Jefferson City Room at the Inn hopes to move forward with possible next steps towards expansion after Monday.

The Jefferson City Council is set to hold a public hearing Monday night about possibly rezoning a vacant building in the city to house a new resource center and emergency shelter.