ABC 17 News Investigates Archives

Distribution of COVID-19 vaccine could help keep local hospital staffed

December 10, 2020 6:20 PM Connor Hirsch

According to the Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, the first to get the vaccine will be patient facing health care workers and long-term care facilities.

DEFENDERS: Puppy scams see sharp rise in 2020

December 7, 2020 3:35 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) More and more people are buying puppies at an all-time high. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the demand for pets as people look for support during a time of loneliness. With this rising demand, pet scams have also increased significantly. In November of 2020, the Better Business Bureau reports 337 complaints

Columbia police complete search for remains of missing mom in debris from Lamine River

November 30, 2020 9:00 PM Sydney Olsen

The Columbia Police Department has finished its search for the remains of missing Columbia mother Mengqi Ji.

DEFENDERS: Spotting fake websites while shopping online this holiday

November 30, 2020 5:39 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) More people are expected to do their holiday shopping online because of the coronavirus pandemic, which means there’s an increased risk of falling for online scams. A common way scammers target people is they’ll use fake websites. According to comparitech, a tech consumer website, about 30 million new websites were registered so

COVID-19 closures put pause on CPS health inspections

November 25, 2020 11:11 AM Molly Stawinoga

Only one Columbia Public Schools elementary school was found violating the food code in a recent round of inspections.

ABC 17 News investigates how to spot fake online reviews.

How to spot fake reviews when online shopping

November 24, 2020 4:08 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Studies show people will be doing more online shopping this year than in years past, and a fake review could trick you into buying a product that is not what it seems. We’re talking about those gold stars next to a product or seller on Amazon, Google, or even Facebook Marketplace. Online

DEFENDERS: Utility scams increase during the holiday season

November 23, 2020 3:54 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Holiday’s can be a stressful time and scammers are taking advantage of it. During this time of year, Ameren is reminding customers to be on the look out for utility scams. Ameren told ABC 17 News during the holidays and extreme weather, utility scams tend to be on the rise. Here are

Thanksgiving warning: Health experts say holiday travel unsafe for much of Mid-Missouri

November 18, 2020 11:19 AM Molly Stawinoga

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, mid-Missouri health officials are pleading with residents to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday safely.

DEFENDERS: Scammers creating fake holiday events online

November 16, 2020 4:48 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, scammers are looking for ways to trick you this holiday season. With the pandemic, many in-person events will likely be moving online and scammers are catching on to this trend. According to the Better Business Bureau scammers are creating phony copycat events that charge for

More than 840 COVID-19 violations reported this fall at University of Missouri

November 11, 2020 8:38 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) University of Missouri officials say 841 reports have been forwarded to the student accountability office for COVID-19 violations since the fall semester. Of those, 756 happened on campus in residence halls and 85 happened off-campus. The on-campus claims ranged anywhere from students not wearing masks to students sneaking other people into halls

No food code violations at four Jefferson City schools

November 11, 2020 12:09 PM Molly Stawinoga

Four elementary schools had zero violations during October inspections.

Officials say Mizzou football games COVID-19 safe, but concession stand violations increase

November 2, 2020 11:37 AM Molly Stawinoga

Food code violations increased from 52 during the first three home games of 2019 to 68 so far in 2020.

DEFENDERS: Scam targets nurses and acupuncturists

October 26, 2020 3:16 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri licensed nurses and acupuncturists are the newest target in a scam going around the state. The Missouri State Board of Nursing and Missouri Acupuncturist Advisory Committee are both warning about a scam claiming the person is being investigated and their licenses is in danger of being suspended. In this scam, the

Columbia hotels continue to feel impacts of COVID-19 pandemic

October 21, 2020 7:45 PM Sydney Olsen

Hotels in Columbia continue to try and stay afloat during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as many have stopped traveling.

‘Use caution:’ Police weigh risks, benefits of speed when responding to crime scenes

October 20, 2020 6:38 PM Sydney Olsen

Two Columbia police patrol vehicles collided while responding to a deadly shooting at Douglass Park on Aug. 25.

DEFENDERS: COVID-19 exposure notification feature currently not available in Missouri

October 19, 2020 4:49 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Big technology companies like Apple and Google have rolled out new technology alerting users if they’ve possibly been exposed to COVID-19. The technology isn’t available to everyone though, only some state’s have opted in to this feature. Missouri has not. In an email response from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Multiple schools in Jefferson City found violating food code during September inspections

October 14, 2020 10:35 AM Molly Stawinoga

Four of the five schools in Jefferson City Public School District that were inspected during the month of September were found to be violating the Jefferson City Food Code.

DEFENDERS: Scammers target Amazon users ahead of Prime Day

October 12, 2020 3:15 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Days before Amazon Prime Day, the Better Business Bureau is warning Amazon users about scammers trying to steal your personal information. In a news release, the BBB says the scammer will call you and if you answer a recorded message will play. The message claims there is a problem with Amazon account.

A stalled search: One year later, Columbia mother Mengqi Ji remains missing

October 8, 2020 2:35 PM Sydney Olsen

One year after Mengqi Ji, a Columbia mother, went missing police continue the search for her. Police announced on Tuesday Wednesday they would begin searching the Lamine River for Ji once again while removing part of the levee they built because the water level was so low.

Columbia police, dispatchers implement changes after Volunteer Drive shooting

September 20, 2020 10:27 PM Sydney Olsen

Columbia police and Boone County Joint Communications are working to improve communication after it broke down during a shooting in north east Columbia. This prevented EMS crews from entering the scene to provide help to victims.