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WATCH: Stormtrack Severe Weather Special

March 24, 2023 10:11 PM ABC 17 News Team

Watch th 2023 Stormtrack Severe Weather Special.

University of Missouri replaces diversity statement in hiring process

March 24, 2023 10:03 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri is changing some value statements for the school’s hiring process. A letter from UM System President Mun Choi says the school will ask applicants to share their experiences and expertise that show diversity. The university will no longer use the diversity faculty hiring rubric that was developed in 2018,

Former Mexico teacher accused of abuse loses case against Board of Education

March 24, 2023 9:24 PM Ryan Shiner

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) A former Mexico, Missouri, elementary teacher — who was fired after being accused of abusing a student and sued to get her job back — lost her case this week against the Mexico Board of Education. Katrina Dukes sued the board in September, saying its decision to fire her after allegations of abuse

MoDOT crews to narrow I-70 next week in Columbia

March 24, 2023 9:15 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Department of Transportation crews will close one lane of Interstate 70 in Columbia nightly next week for sweeping and signing operations, according to a press release. One lane will be closed from 9 p.m.-6 a.m. each night, per the schedule below. At least one lane, each direction, will remain open during

Jefferson City to use revitalization grant to improve area affected by 2019 tornado

March 24, 2023 8:34 PM ABC 17 News Team

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City official told ABC 17 News that the city plans to use $2,113,169 in the Community Revitalization Grant to improve the neighborhood near the old state penitentiary. The neighborhood services supervisor said the city plans to use the funding to remove asbestos from the MSP buildings. Demolition of empty and abandoned

Man charged after allegedly biting court security, says he has HIV

March 24, 2023 7:39 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man faces several charges after he allegedly bit a bailiff at the Boone County Courthouse and said he had HIV in February. Durell Hairston, 37, is charged with first-degree assault, resisting arrest and first-degree trespassing. He is being held without bond at the Boone County Jail. An arraignment was held

14 Downtown Columbia businesses receive grant money to purchase security cameras

March 24, 2023 7:00 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s Downtown Community Improvement District awarded 14 business reimbursements for security cameras purchased totaling $30,000. According to Nickie Davis with the Downtown CID the applications for the grant were supposed to be open until the end of July. However, the applications closed early as all of the grant money was awarded to

City of Columbia to deliver initial water samples to Department of Natural Resources

March 24, 2023 11:13 AM Ethan Heinz

The City of Columbia collected 82 sample bottles of water from customers and is sending them to the Department of Natural Resources on Friday for copper and lead testing, a spokesman said.

Robbery reported at Break Time on Smiley Lane in Columbia

March 24, 2023 5:04 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department confirmed it responded to a robbery report at 11:21 p.m. Thursday night at the Break Time in the 1000 block of Smiley Lane. A CPD spokesman said a small amount of cash was taken and there were no injuries. There is currently no suspect information and the investigation remains

All levels of parking garage at Fifth and Walnut open after installation of fall-prevention panels completed

March 24, 2023 4:34 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia Public Works announced in a Friday press release that the installation of steel panels at a Downtown parking garage has been completed. Panels were installed in all window openings on levels five through eight at the parking garage on Fifth and Walnut streets.Full access to all levels of

Columbia man accused of trying to rob a Break Time faces more charges; woman also charged

March 24, 2023 4:39 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man who was recently accused of trying to rob a Break Time on Smiley Lane is facing more charges for allegedly burglarizing the same store. Nakwon Harris, 22, is charged with second-degree burglary and stealing $750 or more. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An

Columbia school board candidate interviews: Chris Horn

March 24, 2023 3:43 PM ABC 17 News Team

Part of Horn’s campaign is based on continuity on the board, which can be a challenge to serve on and take time to learn. Board member terms are three years.

Insider Blog: Spring forecast calls for more precipitation, minor flooding on rivers

March 24, 2023 10:48 AM Jessica Hafner

We’re in for a pattern change this spring after coming off a mild winter in Mid-Missouri.

Cities and organizations submit applications as Boone County ARPA funds deadline nears

March 24, 2023 11:04 AM Nia Hinson

The deadline to submit applications for the first round of the Boone County ARPA funding is fast approaching and more than 20 organizations and local governments have so far asked for a chunk of the $15 million available.

Show-Me State Games to host two tournaments over the weekend

March 24, 2023 6:39 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Sho- Me State Games tournaments are scheduled to place over the weekend as local teams fight for the win. For “Hoopin’ it Up Basketball”, 41 teams in total will be playing at the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse at 4251 Philips Farm Rd. There are 11 girls teams ranging from third grade through eighth

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will Trump be indicted in Manhattan?

March 24, 2023 6:28 AM ABC 17 News Team

The grand jury in Manhattan has closed its work this week without an indictment of the former president.

Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission approves additional land for a possible new hotel

March 23, 2023 5:49 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Thursday, Columbia’s Planning and Zoning Commission held a public meeting to discuss expanding The Crosscreek Center Development area near Stadium and Highway 63. According to city documents, developers are planning to build a new four-story hotel. Developers had to request approval of an updated statement of intent to move the project forward.

Money distributed in state for Community Revitalization Grant Program

March 23, 2023 9:49 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The state is doling out millions of dollars to help dozens of projects across Missouri. More than $94 million from the Community Revitalization Grant Program will go to 70 projects across the state. About a dozen of those projects are in Mid-Missouri. This grant program started in September and is funded through the

Missouri Senate passes bill limiting gender-affirming treatments for minors; ban includes surgeries, puberty blockers

March 23, 2023 7:15 PM Ethan Heinz

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Senate has voted 24-8 in favor of banning puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries for minors for at least the next four years. The Senate gave its approval to bills this week dealing with transgender issues, despite a filibuster by Democrats. Until Aug. 28, 2027, no healthcare provider can prescribe

Public storm shelters, where to go and what to know

March 23, 2023 6:11 PM Chance Gotsch

Where should you go if the sirens sound for a tornado warning in your area? The best option would be to get to the lowest interior room of your home and protect your head, But what happens when you are either not at home, or your home does not have a sufficient safe space? The