Local News Archives

Harrisburg adds exemptions to district-wide mask mandate

August 20, 2021 7:20 AM Ben Fein

The Harrisburg R-VIII School District has added exemptions to its mask policy, according to a release from the district.

Joseph Elledge set to appear in court Friday

August 20, 2021 5:19 AM Ben Fein

Joseph Elledge is set to appear in a hearing at the Boone County Courthouse, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you worried about more coronavirus cases as school resumes?

August 20, 2021 2:48 AM ABC 17 News Team

Many schools and higher education institutions have taken steps to slow the spread of the virus, such as requiring masks indoors. But data show more children are contracting the virus during the current wave powered by the more contagious delta variant.

Columbia and Boone County leaders to give COVID-19 update at Columbia City Hall.

Columbia police and fire department leaders ask city for federal funding

August 19, 2021 9:39 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Fire Department and Police Department chiefs met with the city council Thursday to discuss getting a share of federal funding. Both departments are looking to get money for staffing. They’re trying to get money from the American Rescue Plan from which the city is expected to get $25 million. CPD

Westminster College announces largest incoming freshman class in five years

August 19, 2021 7:06 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Fulton, Mo. (KMIZ) Westminster College announced the largest freshman class, 217 students, in five years. The incoming freshman class is a 25 percent increase over last year’s freshman enrollment and a 53 percent increase compared to 2019 “This increase can be attributed to a number of factors, but especially our exceptional faculty and academic programs,”

Tracking storms Friday night, heat for the weekend

August 19, 2021 4:30 PM Jessica Hafner

Temperatures have been gradually increasing the last few days thanks to a shift in our winds aloft to the southwest. This weekend will be no exception as dew points continue to rise ahead of a deep low-pressure system to our northwest on Friday. Friday starts off muggy and mild and there will be an afternoon

Mid-Missouri public schools 2021 reopening plans

August 19, 2021 5:32 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Schools are making plans for the second year for reopening as COVID-19 cases continue across Mid-Missouri. Each public school district in Mid-Missouri plans to open with in-person classes. And each school has created its own reopening plan tailored to their local situation. Click on the name of the individual school district below

A resident at The Bluffs in Columbia gets the COVID-19 vaccine.

Nursing home workers concerned over the president’s vaccine mandate

August 19, 2021 5:50 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) President Joe Biden and his administration’s requiring of nursing home staff to be vaccinated in order to receive Medicaid and Medicare funding has caused concerns for some nursing home staff. The order is the latest step taken by the White House to increase vaccinations in the United States. Roystan Pais, executive director

Body of missing soldier recovered from Gasconade River

August 19, 2021 5:13 PM Karl Wehmhoener

GASCONADE, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri State Highway Patrol is reporting the body of Spc. Joshua Morrison was recovered Thursday morning in the Gasconade River. Morrison was reported missing during a kayaking trip Sunday. He was last seen in the vicinity of Ruby’s Landing. According to the Associated Press, crews searching for Morrison on Tuesday found

The director of the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services on Thursday extended the current COVID-19 order, which had been set to expire Tuesday.

THURSDAY UPDATE: Boone County reports 127 hospitalizations, 14 hospitalizations are Boone County residents

August 19, 2021 12:45 PM ABC 17 News Team

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

Columbia Public Schools cuts budget by nearly $6 million, citing court ruling

August 19, 2021 11:46 AM Hannah Falcon

The Columbia Public Schools Board of Education met Thursday morning to discuss how the tax cuts due to a court decision in Franklin County will affect the school district’s budget.

Husband of state representative dies after battling COVID-19

August 19, 2021 8:35 AM Josie Anglin

State Rep. Sara Walsh (R-Ashland) said in a tweet that her husband Steve Walsh had passed away.

WATCH: JC Schools superintendent discusses mask mandate, vaccinations ahead of return Monday

August 19, 2021 4:17 AM Zola Crowder

The Jefferson City School District superintendent will join ABC 17 News This Morning on Thursday.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should nursing home workers be compelled to get coronavirus shots?

August 19, 2021 2:05 AM ABC 17 News Team

President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that his administration will require nursing homes to have all their employees vaccinated to receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funds. It’s the latest step Biden has taken to increase vaccination rates as another wave of coronavirus — this time powered by the more contagious delta variant — sweeps the country.

Maries County escapee caught Wednesday morning in Gasconade County

August 18, 2021 10:23 PM Karl Wehmhoener

GASCONADE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Maries County escapee was caught Wednesday morning in Gasconade County after a search of a residence. According to Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Christopher Koepke, a recent escapee from the Maries County Sheriff’s Office, was found at a house on High St. in Bland. Koepke was discovered hiding in

Lawsuit seeks to overturn Second Amendment Preservation Act; shows impact on law enforcement agencies

August 18, 2021 8:53 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A lawsuit has shed new light on a new Missouri state law on guns about local law enforcements agencies’ ability to enforce federal gun laws. The US Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms filed a memo with those details in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Second Amendment Preservation Act that stops state police

Local health care providers offer coronavirus booster appointments for immune-compromised

August 18, 2021 11:55 AM Leila Mitchell

The Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine can now be given at least 28 days after the first two doses if the patient is diagnosed with conditions that leave them more vulnerable to the virus because of their immune system.

University of Missouri freshmen move into dorms; COVID cases lower than last year

August 18, 2021 2:31 PM Hannah Falcon

Under the blistering summer sun, Cade Lightle moved into a University of Missouri dorm hall with the help of his parents.

Columbia man found guilty of second-degree murder in December 2019 shooting

August 18, 2021 5:59 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man was found guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action Wednesday for a December 2019 shooting at the Welcome Inn in Columbia. Kevin J. Lambert shot and killed Marceino Carlous Moore after shooting him in the head. Moore’s body was later discovered in a car in the Welcome Inn

Federal jury convicts Columbia man of enticing a minor for illicit sex

August 18, 2021 5:37 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A federal jury convicted a Columbia man Wednesday for attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. According to a release, Darren Wade Lasley, 32, responded by email to an online classified advertisement on Craigslist that was placed as part of an undercover operation by a detective in