Local News Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you concerned about the Chiefs’ season?

September 8, 2023 9:15 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Kansas City Chiefs opened the new NFL season with a 21-20 loss to the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs came into the season as the defending Super Bowl champions.

Historical marker signifies 134th anniversary of Columbia lynching

September 7, 2023 9:36 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A historical marker placement ceremony was held Thursday, signifying 134 years since a Black teenager was lynched in Columbia. A historical marker was placed in front of the Boone County Courthouse to memorialize the lynching of George Bush. On Sept. 7, 1889, a group of white men lynched Bush at the courthouse after he

Columbia man dies in Lafayette County crash

September 7, 2023 8:56 PM Ryan Shiner

BATES CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man died in a Thursday afternoon crash on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County near mile marker 31, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. Michael Kniest was pronounced dead at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, according to the report. He was 45. The crash occurred as Kniest

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to include American Sign Language services

September 7, 2023 12:10 PM Morgan Buresh

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After a little over a year since the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is adding nationwide American Sign Language, or ASL, services for deaf and hard of hearing callers. According to a news release, local organization DeafLEAD is one of the

Rising number of car break-ins prompts Columbia police to increase patrols

September 7, 2023 5:09 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is increasing patrols in an attempt to stop an uptick in break-ins within the past year. “In the areas we are aware of these (thefts are) being reported, we are increasing, where possible, foot traffic and vehicle patrols just to go through and add that increased presence,” CPD

Moberly man accused of exposing himself to several children

September 7, 2023 4:35 PM Ryan Shiner

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Moberly man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly exposed himself to at least five children. Robert Conner, 61, was charged with sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15 years old. He was booked into the Randolph County Jail on Saturday and remains there. He has a bond hearing

Woman accused of shooting teenager in parking lot arrested, charged

September 7, 2023 3:01 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia woman was charged on Thursday with several felonies after police say she was seen firing a gun and hit a teenager in a parking lot on Aug. 28. Shyraah Robin Brown, 35, was arrested on Wednesday. She was charged with three counts of first-degree assault, first-degree assault of a special

Rolla man seriously injured after vehicle goes airborne

September 7, 2023 2:56 AM Marina Diaz

ROLLA, Mo. (KMIZ) A 45-year-old Rolla man was seriously injured Wednesday after his car left the roadway and went airborne before ejecting him. James Smith was flown to University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries following the crash. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Smith was not wearing a seatbelt when his 1991 Chevrolet

New southwest Columbia elementary school looks at 2026 opening, will hold 650 students

September 6, 2023 9:50 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) At a Wednesday afternoon meeting, Columbia Public Schools officials said its new elementary school in southwest Columbia is expected to hold 650 students. Officials are expecting construction to be completed by early 2026 and for it to open the following fall. The construction is expected to cost about $44 million. A Columbia

Bonne Femme Creek Bridge reopens

September 6, 2023 8:24 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Bonne Femme Creek Bridge reopened Wednesday, the Missouri Department of Transportation stated in a press release. MoDOT closed Highway 163 on April 10 to replace the bridge. The project was initially expected to be completed by Aug. 4, but work halted on April 11 after a cave associated with the Devil’s

Columbia addresses bus route complaints; no timeframe yet to end combined routes

September 6, 2023 7:37 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) It’s been a month since the City of Columbia combined Go COMO bus routes due to a bus driver shortage. The decision cut the number of bus routes from six to three has resulted in longer wait times and complaints from riders. “When we started route combining in early August some of

Governor signs laws expanding first responder access to anti-opioid drugs, increasing law enforcement training hours

September 6, 2023 4:17 PM Hannah Falcon

First responders will now have fewer barriers to giving life-saving medications to people suffering from a drug overdose.

Street paving project in Columbia begins next week

September 6, 2023 7:16 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Street paving on nearly two dozen streets in Columbia is set to begin 7 a.m. Monday, according to a Wednesday press release from City of Columbia Public Works. All 23 sections of streets are expected to reopen by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, the release states. Lane closures will be required and

Columbia Fire prepares to staff two new stations

September 6, 2023 3:50 PM Morgan Buresh

With Fire Station 11 set to open later this month, the Columbia Fire Department already has eyes on Fire Station 10 opening next year.

Man accused of murdering Hermann police sergeant requests change of venue

September 6, 2023 6:45 PM Ryan Shiner

HERMANN, Mo. (KMIZ) The man accused of murdering a Hermann police sergeant in March has requested a change of venue. Kenneth Lee Simpson, 35, of Steelville, was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed-criminal action, first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful gun possession, unlawful possession of an illegal weapon, possession of a controlled substance

Parson requests federal aid for counties, citing recent storms, flooding

September 6, 2023 6:22 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The governor’s office announced in a Wednesday press release that the state is requesting a “major disaster declaration” for federal assistance to 33 Missouri counties, citing inclement weather from July 29-Aug. 14. The aid request includes several counties in Mid-Missouri, including Benton, Camden and Maries counties. According to the release, initial

Aldred announces reelection bid for Boone County Southern District commissioner

September 6, 2023 3:31 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County Southern District Commissioner Justin Aldred announced his intention to run for reelection in 2024 through a press release on Wednesday. Aldred first won the seat representing southern portions of Boone County – including southern Columbia, Ashland and Hartsburg – in 2020. Aldred, a Democrat, defeated incumbent commissioner Fred Parry –

Audrain County man convicted on child pornography charge

September 6, 2023 11:33 AM Matthew Sanders

A federal judge found an Audrain County man guilty Tuesday of producing and receiving child pornography.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Has Eli Drinkwitz made the right quarterback choice?

September 6, 2023 2:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz on Tuesday answered a question that has hung over his program since last season.

Columbia City Council reviews union agreement, reps ask for paid family leave; Council approves SRO contract with CPS

September 5, 2023 3:56 PM Marina Diaz

The Columbia City Council is expected at its meeting Monday to review its collective bargaining agreement with the Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 955 for a four-year labor contract.