ABC 17 News Investigates Archives

DEFENDERS: Your TV might be spying on you

December 9, 2019 11:22 AM Deborah Kendrick

If you just bought a smart TV or are planning on buying one for the holidays, the FBI wants to warn you about potential hacking.

WASTEBUSTERS: Cole County Assessor denied reimbursement for ‘abuse of county funds’

December 5, 2019 10:00 PM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) When Assessor Chris Estes asked the Cole County Commission to reimburse the expenses he accrued during a trip to Camden County, one member called his request “an abuse of county funds.” “That’s just a disservice to the people of Cole County and we’re just not going to pay for those kinds

Minor health code violations found in Jefferson City public school kitchens

December 4, 2019 11:54 AM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Health inspectors found only minor violations in the kitchens of Jefferson City’s public schools in October and November, according to inspection reports. October and November health inspection reports included the results from 19 kitchens in Jefferson City education establishments. Inspectors visited 10 Jefferson City School District buildings in October and November:

BBB warns of scams on Cyber Monday

December 2, 2019 10:23 AM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Monday after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest online shopping days, with millions filling up their virtual carts. According to research from Finder, 86 percent of Americans planned to spend money on pre-Christmas sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday last year broke the online sales record with

Report: Unsecured child seats contributed to five fatality crash on Missouri highway

November 27, 2019 5:51 PM Barry Mangold

Emergency responders with decades of experience said it was one of the most severe crashes they had ever seen. “I’ve been in law enforcement for 24 years and this is the first time I’ve gone to a one-vehicle, five-person fatality,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Scott White. White was one of many who responded

Columbia donut shop plans to open 2 stores after lightning struck its original shop

November 27, 2019 11:50 AM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia donut shop is expected to reopen after lightning struck its electrical box. However, the owners are also going to open another location in Columbia. From one, to zero, and now two locations, it’s been anything but a sweet ride for Donut D-Light owners Cindy and Kevin Hicks. In August, the

New adult abuse reporting system expected to lower number of hotline calls

November 26, 2019 7:20 PM Jasmine Ramirez

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Department of Health and Senior Services is rolling out a new adult abuse and neglect online reporting system. Missourians can submit reports of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation online 24/7 as an alternative to calling the hotline. “There’s an aging population and a lot more awareness about the issue of

Missouri man’s death prompts questions, changes for Miller County coroner

November 25, 2019 10:00 PM Lucas Geisler

ODESSA, Mo. (KMIZ) Joy Chance fondly remembers May 24. Her husband, Dustin, surprised her with a weekend camping trip to Majestic Oaks Campground in Miller County. It was their favorite hobby — staying nights out in the wilderness, fishing, hiking and sitting around a campfire. Those memories are framed as photos around Joy’s home in

DEFENDERS: How to avoid holiday gift card scams

November 25, 2019 5:04 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The holiday season is among us and gift cards are an easy, and wanted, gift for many. With that comes scammers ready to take advantage. One of the more popular ways scammers are getting to your gift card before you is by gaining access to the pin number. Here’s how it works:

Inspectors go Behind the Kitchen Door of Zara Barker’s home

November 24, 2019 10:00 PM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) ABC 17 News has gone Behind the Kitchen Door at restaurants, bars, football stadiums and schools. This time ABC 17 News invited Kala Wekenborg-Tomka, the environmental public health supervisor for Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services to inspect the kitchen of ABC 17’s Zara Barker. Wekenborg-Tomka started the inspection in the pantry.

More than $170 million worth of insurance claims made from Jefferson City tornado damage

November 22, 2019 7:42 AM Lucas Geisler

Jefferson City residents made more than $170 million worth of insurance claims following the May 22 tornado.

Health department offers advice on keeping food safe for Thanksgiving

November 20, 2019 1:23 PM Zara Barker

Thanksgiving dinner means turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casseroles and tons of food, usually sitting out for hours.

DEFENDERS: Hackers targeting Disney Plus accounts

November 20, 2019 5:01 PM Deborah Kendrick

Hackers are already taking advantage of Disney’s popular new streaming service.

DEFENDERS: How to check your password security amid Disney Plus hacks

November 20, 2019 5:03 PM Deborah Kendrick

Hackers are already taking advantage of Disney’s popular new streaming service. When hackers reportedly gained access, they changed usernames and passwords. Due to that hack, users had trouble logging into the accounts. ABC 17 Defenders Investigator Deborah Kendrick shows you how to check and see if your password has been involved in a security breach.

Police report: Friends searched for Kirksville man before his body was found in parking lot

November 19, 2019 6:59 PM Barry Mangold

Following the discovery of his body, Columbia police spoke with several friends of Ryan Berry of Kirksville, according to a police report obtained by ABC 17 News. A City of Columbia trash collector called the police department around 6:30 on the morning Monday, July 29, after finding Berry’s body in the parking lot on Lake

DEFENDERS: Questionable honor society organizations targeting college student inboxes

November 14, 2019 6:10 PM Deborah Kendrick

Is it really an honor or are organizations just looking for ways to get your hard-earned money?

College students’ personal information up for grabs under federal law

November 14, 2019 10:10 PM Sydney Olsen

The University of Missouri receives — and fulfills — hundreds of requests each year for student directory information.

Food inspections yield some violations at Faurot Field

November 13, 2019 10:15 PM Zara Barker

Inspectors from MU’s Environmental Health and Safety department completed 221 inspections at 39 food facilities inside Faurot Field. “Our number one priority is the safety of our guests, so we’re going to do everything possible to make sure that they’re having a good experience while they’re at the game, and of course that includes having

Inside Simonsen Ninth Grade Center during the May tornado

November 7, 2019 5:50 PM Deborah Kendrick

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Six months after a Jefferson City tornado scored a direct hit on Simonsen Ninth Grade Center, district leaders continue to look at the safety plans for their buildings. After suffering extensive damage, Simonsen is now a “surplus” property. Jefferson City School Board members will work through the process of what to

Downtown Columbia restaurant cited with seven violations

November 6, 2019 6:10 PM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A downtown Columbia restaurant topped this week’s list of inspections with four critical violations and three non-critical violations. Taj Mahal’s inspection shows that when inspectors visited the restaurant on Oct. 30, they found food that was at the wrong temperature, uncovered food and clean dishes with food debris on them, just to