QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will lawmakers fix the school calendar issues around snow days?
Missouri’s rules for public school instruction time and how inclement weather affects that time have caused some issues for school districts.
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Missouri lawmakers push to clarify school calendar, snow day rules
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) While cold weather may have moved out of Mid-Missouri, the lingering effects of last week’s snowfall will affect Columbia Public Schools. On Feb. 17, CPS used its last-of-six allotted alternative methods of instruction days. The next day, CPS was forced to use a “traditional snow day” which will force the district to
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University of Missouri leader Choi says federal cuts require trimming budget
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The president of the University of Missouri warned Monday of budget cuts coming because of a pullback of federal funding. UM System President Mun Choi wrote in a letter to staff that the current fiscal year budget will be trimmed, citing a change to research funding from the National Institutes of Health
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LU to introduce master of science in nursing program in Fall 2025 semester
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Lincoln University in Jefferson City announced in a Thursday press release that it will introduce a master of science in nursing program for the upcoming fall semester. LU is one-of-16 historically Black colleges or universities that will offer an advanced nursing degree, the release says. The program features online coursework that can
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Shannon Lundeen picked as new Stephens College president
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Stephens College Board of Trustees has picked the school’s next leader. Shannon Lundeen will be the 25th president of Stephens College, beginning on June 1, according to a Thursday press release from the school. Lundeen will replace Dianne Lynch, who announced her retirement last year. Lynch will retire in May after
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MU Health Care recommends Anthem patients apply for ‘Continuity of Care’ as contract deadline looms
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health Care wrote in an email to patients who use Anthem Blue Cross Shield to apply for “Continuity of Care” in case the two sides don’t come to an agreement. The email recommends Anthem customers call the insurance giant at the number on the back of their insurance cards to learn
Continue Reading Jefferson City School District off again Thursday as intense cold lingers in Mid-Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A number of school districts have called off class again for Thursday as intense cold will still impact the area on Thursday. Several inches of snow fell throughout Mid-Missouri on Tuesday. Wind chills by daybreak on Thursday is expected to be around minus 15 degrees and 20 below zero. The Jefferson City
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Jefferson City School District, Columbia Public Schools closed Wednesday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City School District and Columbia Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday. A Weather Alert Day was issued by the ABC 17 News Stormtrack Weather Team because of snow accumulating Tuesday night and intense cold temperatures continue to hit the area. JCSD made the announcement through email and on its
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Water tower will not be built next to Beulah Ralph Elementary School
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Editor’s Note: The lede has been corrected. A proposed water tower will not be built by Beulah Ralph Elementary School in Columbia. According to an email from Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark, the Columbia Board of Education decided not to sell the land near the schools to the City of Columbia.
Continue Reading Columbia Public Schools, Jefferson City School District not in session on Tuesday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools will not be in session on Tuesday. A district spokesperson wrote on social media that Tuesday will be a day for alternative methods of instruction for students. Tuesday is the last AMI day that can be used by the school district before having to make up class hours over
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Area schools on snow routes, call off classes for Thursday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A number of area schools will still be impacted by weather conditions on Thursday. The Jefferson City School District wrote in an email that it will be in session, but it’s morning bus routes in Callaway County will be on their snow routes. The Southern Boone School District will also be on
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Columbia Public Schools, Jefferson City School District among several districts canceling Wednesday classes for snow
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools will not be in session Wednesday with a snowstorm expected to dump several inches of snow on Mid-Missouri. CPS sent out alerts to parents at about 4:30 p.m. saying classes would be canceled and students would be expected to study “alternative methods of instruction.” CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark wrote
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CPS nears limit on AMI days as Mid-Missouri districts work around snowy winter
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools was among several Mid-Missouri districts to announce a shift to remote learning or class cancellations due to forecasted snowfall for Wednesday. After Wednesday, CPS will have just one remaining Alternative Method of Instruction day before it would need to extend the school year. Missouri law requires public school districts
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Anthem Medicare Advantage plans no longer in-network at MU Health Care starting April 1
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield customers using Medicare Advantage plans will no longer pay in-network rates at University of Missouri Health Care clinics and hospitals starting April 1. The insurance giant, which has about 2 million members in Missouri, failed to reach a deal to cover those plans in-network after negotiations, MU
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you concerned that NIH grant cuts could hurt the University of Missouri?
The Trump administration sent shockwaves through the medical research establishment last week with an announcement that the National Institutes for Health would cut grant funding for research. Much of that research goes to universities, including the University of Missouri System. MU alone took in $70 million in NIH funding in fiscal 2024, according to official
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CPS employee salaries considered ‘highly competitive’ within relative labor market, study shows
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools employee salaries are considered “above market and highly competitive,” a Gallagher benchmarking study found. The study was done to ensure competitiveness within the external market, according to a presentation from the district. Gallagher worked with CPS to identify a group of comparator organizations based uponorganization size, budget size, location
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Columbia Board of Education picks name for new elementary school
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education on Monday night voted on a name for its new elementary school. Eagle Bluffs Elementary School was the name that was unanimously picked by the board. The school will be built near John Warner Middle School on Sinclair Road. Officials have said that the school is expected
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Judge blocks Trump administration order to cut NIH research funding
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Universities and research institutions are seeing temporary relief as U.S. District Judge Angel Kelly issued a temporary restraining order to block the Department of Government Efficiency’s hopes to decrease federal funding of National Institute of Health grants. According to ABC News, previously, most universities were able to acquire more than 70% of
Continue Reading Columbia school bus involved in crash near Midway
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) No injuries were reported Thursday afternoon after a Columbia Public Schools bus was involved in a multi-vehicle crash. The crash occurred on Highway 40 near Rollingwood Boulevard in the Midway area. Gale Blomenkamp, of the Boone County Fire Protection District, and CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark told ABC 17 News that there were
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Columbia man charged after alleged burglary, kidnapping at sorority house
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man has been charged after he has been accused of forcing his way into a sorority house and locking himself in a room with another person at Sigma Kappa. Jeffrey Wheeland Jr., 41, is charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree kidnapping and a fourth-degree assault. He is being held at the
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