Local News Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Can Blaine Gabbert lead the Chiefs to a win this weekend?

January 5, 2024 2:16 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to play the final game of the regular season on Sunday.

Coordinators train to count Missouri homeless population for 2024

January 4, 2024 10:54 PM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A few dozen coordinators from across the state gathered virtually on Thursday to receive training ahead of a count of Missouri’s homeless population. The Point in Time Count is a census of those who are unhoused on a single night. According to the Missouri Balance of State Continuum of Care website, this

Jefferson City man accused of leaving scene of accident, crashing vehicle into fence

January 4, 2024 7:49 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City man was charged on Thursday after he allegedly caused more than $1,000 worth of damage while fleeing a crash site. Joshua Steen, 39, was charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident that caused more than $1,000 worth of damage and four misdemeanors: Unlawful possession

Jefferson City teenager charged as adult in August shooting case

January 4, 2024 8:42 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City teenager has been charged as an adult in relation to an Aug. 8 shooting. Da’Shawn Johnson, 17, was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, resisting arrest, two counts of misdemeanor property damage and an infraction of second-degree trespassing. Court documents state

Courage2Report tips for school safety concerns rise in 2023

January 4, 2024 11:55 AM Morgan Buresh

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s anonymous school safety tip hotline received hundreds more reports in 2023 than in 2022.

No issues in Columbia yet with drug stronger than fentanyl

January 4, 2024 6:43 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A drug more lethal than fentanyl has potential to grow and spread across the country. According to Forbes and CNN, nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioids similar to fentanyl but can be much stronger and more fatal. Nitazenes were made by researchers in the 1950s as an alternative to morphine, but

Belle man accused of sexually assaulting teenager

January 4, 2024 4:35 PM Ryan Shiner

BELLE, Mo. (KMIZ) An 18-year-old Belle man was charged on Wednesday with a pair of sexual assault charges. Issac James Pruett was charged with first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse. He was arrested on Jan. 4 and is being held at the Maries County Jail on a $10,000 bond, according to court records. A court

Pulaski County teacher charged with statutory rape of student; victim’s father accused of endangerment

January 4, 2024 3:22 PM Ryan Shiner

A Pulaski County high school teacher was charged Thursday with statutory rape and other felonies for allegedly sexually assaulting a high school student.

Longtime Mid-Missouri congressman stepping down

January 4, 2024 1:24 PM Matthew Sanders

A congressman who has represented parts of Mid-Missouri over several terms said Thursday that he’s stepping down when this one ends.

RECALL ROUNDUP: Regulators recall Ford F-150 trucks and at-home massagers

January 4, 2024 11:07 AM Erika McGuire

The Ford Motor Company has recalled over 112,000 F-150 pick-up trucks that could roll away when parked.

Cole County Commission set to discuss 2024 budget Thursday

January 4, 2024 4:34 AM Gabrielle Teiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Cole County Commission is set to meet Thursday at 9 a.m. to further discuss the county budget for the 2024 fiscal year. The meeting will be held in Downtown Jefferson City on E. High St. A public forum will be held before the commission votes on the budget. The current

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is U.S. border security a major political issue for you?

January 4, 2024 2:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

Thousands of migrants continue to attempt illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border.

No injuries reported in Tuesday night fire in Mexico

January 3, 2024 10:12 PM Ryan Shiner

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) No injuries were reported in a Tuesday night house fire in Mexico, Missouri, according to a Wednesday press release from the Mexico Public Safety Department. Emergency personnel responded to a house fire at 9:07 p.m. Tuesday in the 100 block of North Alabama Street. The fire was put out but the front

MDC director announces retirement

January 3, 2024 9:02 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Department of Conservation Director Sara Parker Pauley will retire on July 1, according to a Wednesday press release. The Columbia native spent 30 years in public service and became the MDC’s first female director in November 2016, the release states. A search for the next director will begin in February. “The

Threat made at Moberly school involved phone scam

January 3, 2024 8:19 PM Ryan Shiner

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Moberly School District posted on its social media that a threat was made against one of its schools. The school district wrote that a phone scam was attempted at South Park Elementary. The scam allegedly includes the caller to issue a threat of the party who was called does not transfer

Two men in separate counties, cases accused of sharing explicit photos without consent

January 3, 2024 7:22 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two men have charged in separate cases in different counties with sharing private sexual images without consent. Nathan Drew Bracy, 40, of Columbia, was charged in Boone County. A warrant was ordered for his arrest on Wednesday and a $10,000 bond was set. A court date has not been set. Christopher Brian

City of Columbia continues to work on plans to end traffic deaths with Vision Zero

January 3, 2024 3:48 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

The city received a $1.4 million grant in February 2023 to help implement Vision Zero — its policy of working toward eliminating deaths on the roads. In December, the city received another grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for $1.5 million for road improvements.

Missouri takes first step toward implementing Summer EBT food program

January 3, 2024 11:20 AM Morgan Buresh

The state of Missouri has taken the first step toward participating in an enhanced food benefits program for children this summer.

Columbia lawmakers identify education as early priority for 2024 legislative session

January 3, 2024 5:52 PM Hannah Falcon

Lawmakers gaveled in for the 2024 legislative session Wednesday afternoon with hopes to continue working on many of the priorities that didn’t make it to the finish line last year.

Phones, internet down at Jefferson City Schools

January 3, 2024 4:18 PM Matthew Sanders

People might have a hard time getting in touch with Jefferson City School District buildings and workers temporarily.