Missouri Archives

Missouri Department of Conservation starts accepting Christmas tree donations for fish habitats

December 26, 2023 11:31 AM Jazsmin Halliburton

MDC fisheries staff collect the trees to submerge in nearby lakes and ponds to create habitats for multiple types of fish.

Camden County Sheriffs finds possible remains of man who has been missing for over a decade

December 25, 2023 6:49 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

CAMDENTON, Mo. (KMIZ) Camden County detectives are believed to have found the remains of Donnie Erwin, who was pronounced missing in December 2013. On Saturday Camden County authorities and cadaver dogs searched the pond where Erwin’s car was found. The lost car was initially discovered on Dec. 16 by a freelance videographer who was looking

Maries County Sheriff says City of Belle continues to violate Sunshine Law

December 24, 2023 7:29 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

BELLE, Mo. (KMIZ) The Maries County Sheriff believes the City of Belle is continuing to break Sunshine Laws. A petition was filed last week by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office alleging that the City of Belle violated open meeting laws. The City of Belle held an “Emergency Special Closed Meeting” on Dec. 21 and Maries

State health official urges lead testing for children amid cinnamon applesauce recall

December 22, 2023 8:41 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – An epidemiologist said parents should be aware of lead testing for their children as the state health department continues to look for people affected by a recalled food. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said it’s identified five children that had lead poisoning connected to recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches

Flu cases on the rise nationwide, in Missouri

December 22, 2023 10:14 PM Katie Greathouse

Missouri is seeing moderate levels of the flu, according to the state’s weekly report.

UPS uses AI tool to protect deliveries as package thefts increase during holiday season

December 21, 2023 7:17 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) With Christmas just days away, there is an increase in packages being delivered across the country, which also means it’s open season for porch pirates. Columbia resident Breana Logan found that out the hard way when a woman walked up to her front door in the middle of the day, and walked

Missouri AG files lawsuit, claims City of Belle violated open meeting laws

December 20, 2023 7:10 PM Ryan Shiner

BELLE, Mo. (KMIZ) A petition filed by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office alleges that the City of Belle violated open meeting laws. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday and a summons was issued for the City of Belle on Wednesday. The city must respond within 30 days. The petition claims the city did not: Post

Lights, dogs, signs, systems: Experts share ways to deter holiday home burglars

December 20, 2023 11:20 AM Hannah Falcon

December is one of the peak times for home break-ins and burglaries, according to FBI statistics.

Missouri Association of School Administrators brings up questions in DESE’s scoring methods

December 20, 2023 6:46 PM Morgan Buresh

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released its Annual Performance Report this week for Missouri schools, and some administrators are questioning the scoring system. DESE uses the Missouri School Improvement Program, referred to as MSIP, to grade school districts on their performance and determine accreditation. This is the second year

Anxiety and depression symptoms increase during holiday season

December 20, 2023 6:16 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The holidays is the most wonderful time of the year for some people, but for others it can trigger anxiety and depression. The “Holiday Blues” can feel a lot like depression but caused by the holidays and the stresses that surround it such as large family gatherings and hosting and attending events.

Five Missouri children poisoned by lead in applesauce pouches

December 20, 2023 10:48 AM Matthew Sanders

The department didn’t identify the children but said the cases were found as part of the FDA’s investigation that started Nov. 2.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in second year of scoring model

December 19, 2023 6:51 PM Morgan Buresh

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released its 2023 Annual Performance Report of Missouri schools on Monday. DESE uses the Missouri School Improvement Program to grade school districts on their performance and determine accreditation. Columbia Public Schools scored a 70.1% and Jefferson City School District scored 76.7%. A district’s Annual

Warrant ordered for Casa Maria’s owner accused of arson

December 19, 2023 4:44 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A warrant was ordered in Dunklin County on Tuesday for an owner of a Mexican restaurant in Columbia who was accused of arson. According to court records, a warrant was ordered for Crystal Umfress for failing to abide a judge’s order. Court records say Umfress, 40, violated the terms of her bond

Former state representative, Missouri first lady Betty Cooper Hearnes dies

December 15, 2023 8:11 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Former Missouri first lady and state Rep. Betty Cooper Hearnes has died, the Missouri Democratic Party confirmed in a press release. She was 96. Hearnes was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives during a special election in Charleston in 1979 and served through 1986, according to data from the Secretary of

Statewide prescription drug monitoring program begins after two years of preparation

December 15, 2023 11:19 AM Jazsmin Halliburton

Two years after Senate Bill 63 was signed, the Missouri Joint Oversight Task Force will be authorized to supervise the use of prescription drugs.

Missouri starts prescription drug monitoring program

December 13, 2023 8:36 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri’s statewide prescription drug monitoring program started Wednesday, according to a press release from the Missouri Office of Administration. According to the release, the PDMP aims to reduce abuse and misuse of drugs, such as opioids, by making dispensation information for substances available to prescribers, dispensers and health care providers. Now, pharmacies

As lawmakers propose permanent raises for teachers, educators fear it’s not enough

December 13, 2023 10:55 AM Hannah Falcon

After two years of temporary grants, lawmakers are now pushing a permanent raise to Missouri teachers’ base salary.

Abortion bill to be withdrawn after sponsor says it was ‘mischaracterized’

December 12, 2023 10:58 AM Hannah Falcon

At least nine bills have been prefiled ahead of the 2024 legislative session suggesting changes to Missouri’s abortion laws, including one that would make mothers who get abortions criminal homicide subjects.

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri to hosts annual Holiday Food and Fund Drive

December 10, 2023 8:32 PM Grace Pankey

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri will host its annual One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive on Wednesday, December 13th from 6A.M. to 6P.M. in Columbia and Jefferson City. festivities. This will be The Food Bank’s 17th One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive. The event is

Missouri ranks top 10% of states to answer 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline calls

December 10, 2023 4:09 AM Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) This year, Missouri ranked in the top 10 of states for the percentage of calls answered on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline since it launched in July of 2022 and new statistics show it is still going strong. According to data reports, from October 2022 to October 2023, the 988 Lifeline