Local News Archives

Local health officials say information scarce on coronavirus booster shot as promised date arrives

September 21, 2021 3:21 PM Hannah Falcon

Confusion amounts because booster doses are still unavailable to the public with little clarity or explanation on the timeline.

Federal jury convicts Columbia man of illegally possessing gun

September 21, 2021 8:07 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A federal jury convicted a Columbia felon of illegally possessing a firearm after 30 minutes of deliberation. Columbia police arrested Jeremiah Ezekiel Brown, 36, in Nov. 2020 after a traffic stop. An officer found a loaded Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in Brown’s waistband during the traffic stop. Detectives searching the

William Woods board of trustees names university’s 13th president

September 21, 2021 7:36 PM Karl Wehmhoener

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) The William Woods University Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. Jeremy Moreland as the 13th president of the university. “I am humbled and honored to become president of William Woods University and am excited to have the opportunity to play a role in shaping the future of this historic institution,”

State representative criticizes Columbia Public Schools over music video use in class

September 21, 2021 12:25 PM Lucas Geisler

State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) said parents complained to him about a U.S. studies course using the video for “This is America” by Childish Gambino in class. Basye said the video features “gun violence, murder, inappropriate use of firearms and drug use.” Basye said superintendent Brian Yearwood and CPS had not done enough to address concerns he’s heard from parents.

Missouri leaders say more than 45,000 adults have gotten the vaccine since the launch of the incentive program

September 21, 2021 6:31 PM Chanel Porter

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri’s Vaccine Incentive Program or MO VIP will have its fourth drawing of winners Wednesday and state leaders are considering the program to have been a success. Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, said the state has had about 630,000 people enter the program and

TUESDAY UPDATES: Missouri remains in the red zone; state profile report shows new cases up 9%

September 21, 2021 6:08 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Hearing set for next week in state’s lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools mask mandate

September 21, 2021 5:06 PM Matthew Sanders

Judge Brouck Jacobs will hear motions in the case on Sept. 28.

Boone County auditor retiring after 32 years

September 21, 2021 4:33 PM Matthew Sanders

Auditor June Pitchford said in a news release that her current term, which expires Dec. 31, 2022, will be her last. Pitchford, a Democrat, was first elected in 1990 and has served eight terms without a challenge to her office.

WATCH REPLAY: Mizzou defensive coordinator, players talk as Tigers prepare for Boston College

September 21, 2021 4:17 PM ABC 17 News Team

Wilks and his players will appear at a news conference between 5 and 6 p.m. The Tigers travel to Boston College this week for a non-conference game. Mizzou won its last game, Saturday at home against Southeast Missouri State.

Attorney general warns Moberly schools about new recording law

September 21, 2021 12:47 PM Matthew Sanders

State lawmakers in May passed a law allowing parents to record sessions with educators regarding their students’ individual education plans. The plans are made for students who need special accommodations as part of the learning process. The law took effect Aug. 28.

WATCH: Coach talks as Tigers get ready for Boston College

September 21, 2021 11:43 AM ABC 17 News Team

Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz will take questions from reporters at noon Tuesday.

CPS sees highest need for substitute teachers since start of school year

September 21, 2021 5:29 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public School District has seen its highest need for substitute teachers since the start of the school year according to CPS dashboard data. CPS started the school year on Aug. 24. The week of Aug. 23 – 27, it filled 81 of the 122 substitute teacher spots, which equates to 66.5%.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Has the back and forth over a coronavirus booster left you confused?

September 21, 2021 2:59 AM ABC 17 News Team

The FDA and CDC are yet to authorize the vaccine for use as a booster and some health experts have argued there’s not sufficient evidence a booster is needed.

Fire put out at ADM Sunday morning in Mexico

September 20, 2021 9:11 PM Karl Wehmhoener

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) The Mexico Public Safety Department responded to a fire at ADM Sunday morning. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a fire in the attic of a machine shed located on the south side of the plant. ADM staff had discovered the fire and were attempting to put it out when firefighters

University of Missouri student shares story of drugging, rape

September 20, 2021 9:05 PM Leila Mitchell

The student decided to share her story as the University of Missouri continues to receive reports of drinks being spiked as a means of sexual assault. She hopes that talking will help other people feel confident to share their stories.

Destructive TikTok trend seen in Columbia Public Schools

September 20, 2021 11:59 AM Joushua Blount

But a school spokeswoman says the problem here isn’t as severe as it has been elsewhere.

Strong storms tonight usher in fall-like air for the rest of the week

September 20, 2021 2:56 PM Jessica Hafner

If you’ve been patiently awaiting fall-like temperatures to catch up with the calendar, we’re finally getting a break from the heat after a cold front moves through tonight. Temperatures across the mountain west and upper Plains have dipped into the 60s for highs on Monday, a sharp contrast of what we have seen the last

Safety precautions in place to keep Downtown Columbia safe after Saturday shooting

September 20, 2021 3:55 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After a recent shooting in Downtown Columbia early Saturday morning, leaders of the area are reassuring the public that additional safety measures are coming to the area. Nickie Davis with the district downtown said the district paid the city $30,000 earlier this year for new lights to be installed in the area

Morgan County man charged with manslaughter in crash that killed motorcyclist

September 20, 2021 1:29 PM Matthew Sanders

Morgan County prosecutors charged A. Scott Wilson, 58, of Versailles on Friday with second-degree manslaughter, causing a crash by driving on the wrong side of the road and failure to yield to an oncoming vehicle. The latter two charges are misdemeanors.

Illinois man dies at Lake of the Ozarks

September 20, 2021 11:07 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Stephen Jones, 51, of Peoria, Illinois, jumped into the lake off a diving board in an unnamed cove at the 17.6 mile mark Sunday evening and didn’t come back up. The Camden County coroner pronounced him dead about two hours later.