Missouri Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should it be harder to amend the constitution?

January 5, 2023 2:47 AM ABC 17 News Team

One of the priorities set out by Missouri legislators in this year’s session is to change the process of getting an amendment on the ballot via petition.

MDC recruitment doing well as other law agencies struggle to fill positions

January 4, 2023 7:11 PM Chris Bryant

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Many law enforcement agencies and departments are having trouble filling open positions. However, the Missouri Department of Conservation says it’s not experiencing this challenge. Conservation agents are the face of MDC in the field. They are the ones that most people interact with from hunting, fishing and general wildlife issues. MDC Conservation Agent Cole

Missouri legislative session kicks off at noon with fresh faces

January 4, 2023 11:38 AM Hannah Falcon

State lawmakers are returning to the capital city for another session of committee hearings, floor debates and discussing Missouri’s future.

Missouri Senate leaders’ legislative priorities going into 2023 session

January 3, 2023 6:32 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The 2023 Missouri legislative session starts Wednesday. As expected, Republicans and Democrats in the State Senate have differing priorities. Republican Party Republican State Sen. Caleb Rowden, of Columbia, returns to the Capitol this year with a new title: Senate President Pro Tem. The position will have to be ratified by the

Transgender Missouri inmate executed for fatal stabbing

January 3, 2023 7:12 PM Associated Press

By JIM SALTER Associated Press BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri inmate was put to death Tuesday for a 2003 killing, in what is believed to be the first execution of a transgender woman in the U.S. Amber McLaughlin, 49, was convicted of stalking and killing a former girlfriend, then dumping the body near

Crashes down but two killed over New Year’s traffic counting period

January 3, 2023 11:22 AM Matthew Sanders

Crashes were down this New Year’s holiday compared to last year but one more person died on the state’s highways, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported Tuesday.

Wage advocates say new Missouri minimum still not enough

January 2, 2023 8:10 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thousands of workers in Missouri received a raise at the start of the new year, but the extra money still doesn’t match the cost of living. The Missouri minimum wage increased to $12 an hour under Proposition B. This is the last year under Prop B, passed by voters in 2018, which

Number of people killed on Missouri highways in 2022 exceeds pre-pandemic number

January 2, 2023 11:21 AM Erika McGuire

The number of people who died on Missouri roads in 2022 ended up far greater than the number killed in 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Year, New Laws: Minimum wage, taxes, homeless camping

January 1, 2023 8:21 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) At the start of the New Year, several new laws and taxes will impact Missourians. Minimum wage increases The minimum wage in Missouri increased to $12 an hour starting Jan. 1. This is thanks to Proposition B, passed by Missouri voters in 2018. Under Prop B, minimum wage increased by 85 cents

US may execute its first openly transgender woman

January 2, 2023 9:04 AM Associated Press

Unless Missouri Gov. Mike Parson grants clemency, Amber McLaughlin, 49, will become the first openly transgender woman executed in the U.S. She is scheduled to die by injection Tuesday for killing a former girlfriend in 2003.

Multiple people seriously hurt in crashes over the holiday weekend

January 2, 2023 7:19 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two women and one man are recovering after being involved in crashes over the New Year holiday weekend. In Johnson County, 35-year-old Cynthia J. Biggs, of Knob Noster Missouri crashed her vehicle a little after 1:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol crash report, Biggs was driving

Missouri State Highway Patrol watches for drunk drivers

December 31, 2022 7:20 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) Law enforcement officials are reminding everyone to keep safety as a top priority ahead of the new year as the New Year’s counting period has already begun for the Highway Patrol as of 6 p.m. Friday. The Highway Patrol said during the 2021 New Year’s counting period, one person was killed and 331

Local law enforcement encourages New Year’s revelers to find sober rides home

December 30, 2022 7:22 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Before you go out to ring in the New Year, make sure you have a safe and sober ride home. The Jefferson City Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Columbia Police Department and several other local law enforcement agencies will have extra officers on the roads looking for drunk drivers this New

Man wanted by FBI found in Kansas City

December 30, 2022 3:32 PM Ryan Shiner

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The FBI announced in a press release that Trevor Sparks was arrested Friday in the 400 block of Olive Street in Kansas City. Sparks, 33, was charged in a criminal complaint with escape from confinement on Dec. 7. Sparks and Sergio Perez Martinez escaped Dec. 5 from the Cass County Jail.

Missouri Highway Patrol to begin New Year’s counting period Friday

December 30, 2022 6:40 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. Missouri State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are increasing the number of troopers and officers on the roads for the New Year’s holiday counting period. The increased law enforcement presence is an effort to ensure people are celebrating the holiday safely. The counting period is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m.

Jury awards $2.15 million to nurse in DOC sexual harassment lawsuit

December 29, 2022 7:41 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A jury awarded $2.15 million to a former nurse at the Jefferson City Correctional Center for claims of sexual harassment and retaliation against the Missouri Department of Corrections. The jury awarded $2 million in punitive damages and $150,000 in compensatory damages, according to court documents and a press release. Kathleen Newman

Missouri considers raising teacher pay to increase retention

December 29, 2022 8:07 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Half of Missouri teachers leave the profession by their fifth year, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The state is hoping increased salaries will prevent that. The DESE has proposed several ways to extend pay raises for teachers. Missouri still sits at the bottom nationwide when it comes

Missouri personal property tax payments due Saturday

December 29, 2022 6:32 PM Chris Bryant

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Time is running out for Missourians to get their personal property taxes paid before the Dec. 31 deadline. Whether you choose to drop off your property taxes in person, drop box, by phone or online, you have until 11:59 pm Saturday night to avoid any extra penalties. Friday is the last day to

Hearing for man charged in Clark Lane shooting

December 29, 2022 5:26 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) According to online court records, Columbia resident Noah Solbrekken has a court hearing on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. for a preliminary hearing at Boone County Court House. Solbrekken is charged with first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. According to Columbia Police, Solbrekken is charged in connection with the Nov. 2 shooting

MSHP driver examination stations to close statewide in observance of New Year’s Day

December 28, 2022 5:40 PM ABC 17 News Team

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a press release earlier this month that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed Monday, Jan. 2 in observance of New Year’s Day. Normal operations will resume Tuesday, Jan. 3.