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Melissa Houston

Melissa Houston joined ABC 17 News in June 2026 as a multimedia journalist.

Missouri AG issues cease-and-desist orders to six prediction markets

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued cease-and-desist orders to six online prediction market operators, demanding they stop offering sports “event contracts” to state residents without a sports wagering license, according to a Friday press release from her office. The letters were sent to Polymarket, Kalshi, Crypto.com, Novig, Underdog and Robinhood. The AG’s

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‘It still makes me cry’: Missouri Task Force 1 members reflect on their time at the World Trade Center

Editor’s note: Source name has been corrected. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Fire Protection District hosted a ceremony for members of the Missouri Task Force 1 who were deployed to the World Trade Center during 9/11 25 years ago. University of Missouri Provost Matthew Martens and Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe gave speeches at the

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Columbia Fire Department shares safety tips ahead of hot Labor Day weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) With hot weather expected through Labor Day weekend, the Columbia Fire Department is recommending that community members take steps to stay safe while celebrating. Columbia Fire Assistant Chief Lester Shewmake said the department typically sees an increase in calls for grilling incidents and heat exhaustion during holiday weekends. “A lot more people

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MU Health Care reminds football fans to drink water as the Tigers kick off their season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Tigers football season kicks off on Thursday night and the extreme heat has MU Health Care preparing to help out especially for heat-related illnesses. MU Health Care Medical Director Joshua Stilley said there are roughly 30 medical personnel located throughout Memorial Stadium. There is also 3 aid stations located on

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Police staffing among concerns for bar owners talked about during CPD downtown roundtable

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Police Department hosted a roundtable on Wednesday afternoon for downtown Columbia bar’s and businesses over downtown safety concerns. Police Chief Jill Schlude said that the reason for this meeting was to reengage withowners and have a better line of communication between them and personnel. “This is just kind of trying to

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Columbia Public Schools to discuss revisions to bullying policy including a more hands-on role for school employees

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ). The Columbia Public Schools Policy Committee will continue its discussions around changes to the district’s bullying policy, with new revisions giving employees a more hands-on role. The policy would give school employees a more active role in prevention methods when it comes to bullying. Not only are they required to report it,

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Thousands descend on Macks Creek for ‘Gathering of the Juggalos’

MACKS CREEK, Mo. (KMIZ) Emergency responders across Camden County are staging resources as thousands of attendees arrived for the annual Gathering of the Juggalos festival on Wednesday. The four-day event, hosted by the rap group Insane Clown Posse, runs through Saturday at Mother Nature’s Riverfront Retreat. Officials expect total attendance to reach 10,000 people throughout

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