Top Stories Archives

Columbia Regional Airport adds direct flights as air travel recovers from pandemic

May 6, 2021 11:31 AM Chanel Porter

American Airlines resumed direct flights between Chicago and Columbia and added a third flight between Columbia and Dallas/Fort Worth on Thursday.

Now Hiring Sign On The Rocks Bar Downtown Columbia, MO

New state, national unemployment claims fall as pandemic restrictions are lifted

May 6, 2021 2:15 PM Zola Crowder

Initial unemployment claims nationwide hit a peak of 900,000 in January.

Slugger Albert Pujols designated for assignment by Angels

May 6, 2021 1:29 PM Associated Press

Albert Pujols has been designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels, abruptly ending the 41-year-old superstar slugger’s decade with his second major league team.

Drive-thru coronavirus testing site at Mizzou North

Deaths outpaced births in Missouri; COVID-19 played a role

May 6, 2021 12:19 PM Associated Press

More people in Missouri died in 2020 than were born, a rarity that was due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Possible gas leak leads to early release at Helias; water issues force Tolton online

May 6, 2021 11:16 AM Matthew Sanders

A Jefferson City private school said Thursday it is dismissing early because of a possible gas leak, while a Columbia school is operating online because of water problems.

Months-long road work on I-70 underway in Callaway County

May 6, 2021 5:16 AM Ben Fein

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, work to improve pavement will take place on I-70 over the next several months.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are unemployment benefits creating an incentive not to work?

May 6, 2021 2:15 AM ABC 17 News Team

Lawmakers in some states have moved to limit the amount or duration of federal pandemic unemployment benefits.

Moberly woman sentenced to 10 years for smuggling gun in body cavity into Boone County Jail

May 5, 2021 11:41 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Moberly woman was sentenced to ten years in a Missouri Department of Corrections facility after smuggling a gun into the Boone County Jail back in February. On Feb. 14, Columbia police arrested Amy Wilhite for drug related offenses and took her to Boone County Jail. In March, Boone County Jail detention

True/False Film Festival kicks off outdoor festival, but capacity restrictions shrink expected ticket sales

May 5, 2021 7:06 PM Connor Hirsch

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) One of Columbia’s largest festivals kicked off on Wednesday while working to keep people safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the True/False Film Festival was held in March with indoor seating in theaters across Columbia. That was right before state and nationwide lockdowns trying to slow the spread of the novel

Missouri state workers ordered to return to office by May 17

May 5, 2021 11:36 AM Leila Mitchell

Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday directed all state workers to return to their offices for in-person work no later than May 17.

Macon County man charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter after fatal Nov. 2020 wreck in Moniteau County

May 5, 2021 8:12 PM ABC 17 News Team

MONITEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) An Atlanta, Missouri man faces a manslaughter charge after a fatal crash in Moniteau county on Nov. 4, 2020 at Highway 50 and Petree road. 33-year-old Joseph Harrington was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter in connection with the wreck. Court documents say Harrington was traveling eastbound and a pickup driver was

Cole County Capital Mall vaccination clinic to change hours of operation

May 5, 2021 7:56 PM Victoria Bragg

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KMIZ) The permanent vaccination site at Capital Mall in Jefferson City is set to change its hours of operation due to the decline in vaccine demand. Kristi Campbell, Cole County Health Department director, says with the increase of vaccine supply throughout the county the Capital Mall clinic has seen a steady decrease

Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approves bridge improvements on I-70 in Boone and Callaway County

May 5, 2021 7:01 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) has approved several projects along Interstate 70 in Boone and Callaway County. One project approved by MHTC is the replacement of the Interstate 70 Outer Road bridge over Little Cedar Creek in Boone County. The current bridge, located between Boone County Route Z and North

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: COVID-19 vaccination clinic being held Saturday at Derby Ridge Elementary

May 5, 2021 9:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Advocate says downtown Columbia businesses still need support as coronavirus threat lessens

May 5, 2021 1:15 PM Meghan Drakas

The outlook is improving for small businesses in Columbia with low numbers of new coronavirus cases and the pending end of local health orders, an advocate for downtown business said Tuesday.

True/False Film Festival prepared for rain or shine

May 5, 2021 3:50 PM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The annual True/False Film Festival starts Wednesday at Stephens Lake Park this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with an outside location, the weather is a concern throughout the weekend. Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau spokeswoman Megan McConachie, said there are plans in place in case the weather does not cooperate,

Doctor cautions Missouri school districts against lifting mask requirements

May 5, 2021 11:55 AM Chanel Porter

The Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education held a webinar for school leaders, school nurses and local health officials to keep local leaders informed with COVID-19 updates pertaining to K-12 schools and answer questions.

Woman who admitted to causing fatal crash gets 10-year prison sentence

May 5, 2021 2:26 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A woman who pleaded guilty to causing a crash last May that killed a Columbia man was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison. Judge Jeff Harris sentenced Regine McCracken to 10 years in prison for manslaughter. McCracken pleaded guilty in March to manslaughter and three misdemeanors — fourth-degree assault, careless driving

Jefferson City police officer recovering after crash

May 5, 2021 11:46 AM Matthew Sanders

The crash happened a little before 9 p.m. at Highway 50 and Missouri Boulevard when a patrol car with lights and sirens on was hit by a pickup truck in the intersection, according to a JCPD crash report.

Missouri House votes to crack down on highway protests

May 5, 2021 10:38 AM Associated Press

The Republican-led House voted 98-50 to pass the bill.