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Food insecurity is at a 10-year high in Mid Missouri; government shutdown and upcoming holidays adding to the strain

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Food insecurity is at a 10-year high in Mid Missouri, and the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri says demand has increased since the government shutdown in October and November. The demand became noticeable in October when concerns grew around SNAP benefits during the country’s longest government shutdown. The Food Bank

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Banks say business fraud is surging to record high in Mid-Missouri

Central Bank of Boone County, Central Bank of Audrain County and Central Bank of Moberly are sounding the alarm as business fraud incidents reach an all-time high this holiday season.

According to the banks, scammers are targeting businesses using publicly available information, including pandemic-era loan lists from the U.S. Paycheck Protection Program, to make fraudulent calls.

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Local commission urges Columbia to opt out of 23-hour alcohol sales during 2026 World Cup

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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Columbia holds first legislative priorities session with state lawmakers; priorities include barring minors from having guns

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)   The City of Columbia on Friday held its first legislative priorities session, bringing together local leaders and state lawmakers at City Hall to align ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Columbia Mayor Barbra Buffaloe said the session was about ensuring Columbia’s priorities are heard in Jefferson City. “There’s a lot of priorities

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Salvation Army Harbor House Columbia 12-23

Mid Missouri homeless organizations prepare for influx of people ahead of frigid weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mid-Missouri homeless organizations are preparing to see an increased need as extreme low temperatures are expected over the weekend. Maj. Nancy Powers, a Corps Officer with Columbia’s Salvation Army Harbor House, said Friday that the colder weather has already brought people to Harbor House with dangerous weather-related health problems. “By the time

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