Local News Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the terror attack extend the military mission in Afghanistan?

August 27, 2021 1:39 AM Matthew Sanders

Two suicide bombs went off outside the Kabul airport today, killing a dozen U.S. service members and killing and wounding scores of Afghans.

Neighbors ‘shocked’ after Columbia man is arrested for kidnapping allegations

August 26, 2021 4:50 PM Karl Wehmhoener

The Columbia police arrested a man Thursday after an attempted kidnapping in the area of Hyde Park Avenue and Cooper Drive.

Murder charge upgraded against woman accused in Jefferson City boy’s death

August 26, 2021 9:46 AM Matthew Sanders

Quatavia Givens was indicted Wednesday on first-degree murder, child endangerment and abandoning a corpse charges in the death of Darnell Gray after he dropped the previous charges, which included second-degree murder, according to a Jefferson City Police Department news release.

Iowa man drowns at Lake of the Ozark Wednesday night

August 26, 2021 6:30 PM Karl Wehmhoener

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) An Iowa man drowned Wednesday night after trying to get off a boat in the Grand Glaize Arm of the Lake of the Ozark. According to the drowning report, Chris Oliver was getting off a docked boat when he fell into the water and didn’t resurface. This is the Missouri State

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports Mid-Missouri leading 137th coronavirus death; 4th death this week

August 26, 2021 4:04 PM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Missouri’s U.S. senators and representatives react to attacks outside Kabul Airport

August 26, 2021 3:46 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Missouri’s U.S. Senators and several congressional members have spoken out about the Thursday morning attacks outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Double murder suspect previously ordered to stay away from ex-wife and child, court documents say

August 26, 2021 11:29 AM Molly Stawinoga

The man accused of murdering a Fulton teacher and her daughter not only has previous run-ins with the law, but also previous familial disputes, including threats of violence.

Ex-wife of Fulton murder suspect says she’s ‘not surprised’ by charges against him

August 25, 2021 9:41 PM Leila Mitchell

Boone County prosecutors charged JT McLean with two counts of first-degree murder Wednesday in the deaths of his girlfriend, Allison Abitz, 43, and her daughter, Jozee Abitz, 11, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The sheriff’s office said McLean was the last person to see them alive but released no other details about the investigation.

Doctor: Pandemic’s mental health toll on kids continues as school starts again

August 26, 2021 2:08 AM Ben Fein

Dr. Laine Young-Walker, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with MU Health Care, spoke to ABC 17 News about kids’ mental health amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the return to the classroom.

August’s fifth drowning reported at the Lake of the Ozarks

August 26, 2021 10:13 AM Josie Anglin

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. (KMIZ) An Iowa man drowned at the Lake of the Ozarks on Tuesday night at the 3.7-mile marker of the Grand Glaize Arm. Chris Oliver, 50, of Indianola, Iowa, fell into the water and did not resurface as he was trying to step onto the dock from a boat, according

Columbia kinders head back to school Thursday as national enrollment surge is expected

August 26, 2021 5:24 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools kindergartners start school Thursday in-seat and nationwide officials are expecting a surge in students this year. Some school districts across the United States even started hiring additional teachers in anticipation of one of the largest kindergarten classes ever. Across the country, many school districts saw significant drops in kindergarten

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Has FDA approval changed your opinion of the coronavirus vaccine?

August 26, 2021 2:17 AM ABC 17 News Team

Officials hope the move will convince some skeptics who said they hadn’t gotten the shot because it wasn’t fully approved to be vaccinated. However, many skeptics continue to cite other reasons for not getting the jab.

School of the Osage comments after former school resource officer charged

August 25, 2021 10:33 PM ABC 17 News Team

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ) The School of the Osage says it will cooperate with law enforcement after its former school resource officer was charged. Prosecutors charged Jenna Jackson for allegedly sending nude photos of herself to a student and having a sexual relationship. The school district put out a statement today saying it first learned

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Missouri expands COVID-19 treatment for high-risk individuals

August 25, 2021 7:22 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Fulton man arrested after motorcycle crash in Callaway County

August 25, 2021 8:02 PM ABC 17 News Team

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Fulton man was arrested for driving while intoxicated after a motorcycle crash Tuesday night in Callaway County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash occurred on Robbies Road south of County Road 428. 27-year-old Jess Murrell was driving south on Robbies Road when he lost control

Rep. Hartzler responds to CPS mask mandate lawsuit

August 25, 2021 7:26 PM Karl Wehmhoener

CENTRALIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler made an appearance in Centralia talking with agricultural group leaders to discuss water regulations. During her appearance, Hartzler spoke about Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s lawsuit against mask mandates in schools districts. Hartzler says she believes the parents of students should have the power to determine if their child

Boyfriend suspected in double killing of teacher and her daughter

August 25, 2021 6:13 PM Matthew Sanders

Boone County prosecutors charged JT McLean with two counts of first-degree murder Wednesday, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The release said McLean was the last person to be in contact with Allison Abitz, 43, and her daughter Jozee Abitz, 11. The two were found dead in their home just south of Columbia on Sunday night.

Candlelight vigil to be held in honor of murdered Fulton teacher, daughter

August 25, 2021 4:32 PM Hannah Falcon

A candlelight vigil will be held in honor of Allison and Jozee Abitz, who were found dead in their home Sunday night.

Fulton Public Schools starts class Wednesday with COVID-19 precautions in place

August 25, 2021 5:53 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Students at Fulton Public Schools are heading back to the classroom Wednesday with some COVID-19 precautions in place. Fulton Public Schools return planDownload Masks According to the districts plan, masks are not required, but highly encouraged for students and staff when social distancing is not possible. However, masks are required on buses

Moberly starts school year with new COVID-19 return plan

August 25, 2021 3:26 AM Molly Stawinoga

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Moberly School District kicked off the 2021-22 school year Tuesday with a plan in place to safely return to in-person learning. Moberly Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services PlanDownload Masks According to Moberly’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP), masks are not required