Renovation projects total over $108 million as MU begins summer construction
With students away on break, the University of Missouri turns its gaze to the many summer renovation and maintenance projects around campus.
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Number of high school graduates in the Midwest declines, enrollment at University of Missouri institutions likely to become more competitive
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools celebrated day two of graduation ceremonies on Saturday, as hundreds of students crossed the stage at Mizzou Arena. The morning began with Rock Bridge High School, followed by Hickman High School in the evening. More than 64% of students from Columbia Public Schools pursue college or postsecondary programs, according
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Columbia city manager touts year’s accomplishments in annual address
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s city manager introduced a new way for the public to give its feedback about city services during the annual State of the City address Friday. De’Carlon Seewood introduced the new “engagement opportunities survey” during his speech. Seewood said the city wants to hear from residents about ways to engage with city
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Christopher Schmitz named new principal at Shepherd Boulevard Elementary
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Christopher Schmitz will be the next principal at Shepherd Boulevard Elementary, according to a Friday press release from Columbia Public Schools. He will replace Jill Edwards, who will become an elementary instructional mentor, the release says. He has 15 years of experience in elementary education and has been the principal at Moreau
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Columbia man accused of taking home seagull from Gulf Coast, amputating wing with scissors
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man has been charged with a felony after he allegedly brought back a seagull from the Gulf of Mexico and amputated its wing with a pair of scissors. Aaron Lacey was charged on Thursday with felony animal abuse, misdemeanor animal abuse and violating an ordinance by the county commission. A
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Police find evidence of gunfire in southeast Columbia Friday morning
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Police found evidence of gunfire on Friday morning in the 4300 block of Kentsfield Lane, the Columbia Police Department wrote in a Friday afternoon social media post. Police wrote that “all involved parties were gone” and that witness saw several people “cause a disturbance,” the post says. Police did not find anyone
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Teenager certified as adult in shootings in December, January
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia teenager was certified as an adult on Friday for his alleged role in shootings on Dec. 21 and Jan. 27. Justin Lumley Jr., 17, is charged with four counts of first-degree assault, seven counts of armed criminal action, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of
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Man found after he went missing on way to Columbia, police say
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Police in a Bootheel town say a missing man with dementia has been found after he went missing on his way to Columbia. Eugene Thompson was reported missing on Thursday, and his truck was last seen Friday going south on Interstate 55 near Ste. Genevieve, according to an Endangered Silver Alert issued
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Reports: Former CPS superintendent Yearwood hired to lead Lousiville, Ky., schools
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) News reports from Louisville, Kentucky, and a state lawmaker say a former Columbia Public Schools superintendent who left before his contract expired will be hired to lead Jefferson County Public Schools. The district board of education voted 5-2 on Thursday to offer a contract to one of its two superintendent finalists. Yearwood,
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An inside look at SEMA during an active severe weather season in Mid-Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As of this week, Missouri leads the nation in the number of tornado warnings issued since Jan. 1, with 140 more warnings than normal. The severe weather season ramped up in March and has been relentless ever since. Missouri typically averages around 50 tornadoes (2000-2024 average), and we have had more than
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New Violent Crime Abatement Team looks to curb violence in Mid-Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mid-Missouri is taking steps toward curbing violence through collaborative efforts between local, state and federal agencies. The Violent Crime Abatement Team — which began on Jan. 1 — looks to discuss recent violent crimes and arrests in the area during monthly meetings at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Discussions include sharing information about
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United Airlines returning to Columbia after four-year absence
Editor’s note: Information about the flights was updated after a source error was corrected. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) United Airlines will start flying again out of Columbia in the fall after nearly four years without local flights. City officials in a Thursday news conference announced the resumption of United service on Sept. 25 at Columbia Regional
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Columbia Fire Department to hold training exercises three days at Fifth and Walnut Parking Garage
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Fire Department will conduct training exercises at the Fifth and Walnut Parking Garage in Downtown Columbia, according to a Thursday press release from the city. Training sessions will occur 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27; Thursday, May 29; and Thursday, June 5, the release says.
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Erin Keys named City of Columbia Utilities director
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Erin Keys has been named the City of Columbia’s next director of utilities, according to a Thursday press release from the city. “I look forward to continuing to support our excellent staff in the work they do to provide the various utility services to our customers and to engage with the community
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Vera Elwood files for Columbia Ward 2 election
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Another person has filed to run for the open Ward 2 seat on the Columbia City Council. Librarian Vera Elwood announced her candidacy Thursday in a press release. City Clerk Sheela Amin wrote in an email that the city received Elwood’s petition on Thursday and is in the process of reviewing it to
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Columbia Public Schools graduation ceremonies set for Friday, Saturday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) More than 1,400 high school seniors in Columbia will graduate this weekend. Graduation ceremonies for Columbia Public Schools will be held Friday and Saturday. There will be 1,422 students receiving their diplomas. A press release from the school district says the class of 2025 collectively earned more than $14.5 million in scholarships
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Man accused of exposing himself on MU’s campus
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri Police Department is looking for a man who allegedly exposed himself Wednesday afternoon near Stankowski Field. A press release from MUPD says witnesses saw the man expose himself before leaving. The release says he was last seen driving a white 2024 Volkswagen Jetta with a Minnesota license plate
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Columbia Public Schools students to end classes Friday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools will have its last day of classes on Friday. CPS wrote in an email to students’ families that state officials gave the district a waiver allowing classes to be out of session next Tuesday. The district had planned for a shortened day Tuesday — one day after Memorial Day
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Columbia drivers pay highest gas prices in Missouri heading into Memorial Day
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A press release from AAA shows that drivers in Columbia are paying more for gas this upcoming holiday weekend than anyone else in the state. The average price of fuel at Columbia gas stations is $2.98 per gallon of regular unleaded fuel, according to AAA. The statewide average is $2.87 per gallon,
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Former MU basketball prospect to be in court Thursday
A former University of Missouri basketball prospect accused of sexual assault is set to be in the Boone County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing on Thursday. Keiner Asprilla, 18, was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy and second-degree kidnapping. A police report states the alleged assault happened in September at the Tiger Hotel in downtown
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