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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Would an MU Health Care/Capital Region integration be good for local health care?

June 9, 2023 2:35 AM ABC 17 News Team

MU Health Care said Thursday that it plans to integrate with Jefferson City’s Capital Region Medical Center.

One seriously hurt in boat explosion at Lake of the Ozarks

June 8, 2023 11:29 PM Lucas Geisler

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) – One person was flown to the hospital after a boat exploded at the Lake of the Ozarks on Thursday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that 35-year-old Amanda Kingston suffered serious injuries in the explosion around 3:20 p.m. The patrol said the boat, operated by 78-year-old Benny E. Thomas, exploded

Police investigating on side of Highway 63 in northeast Columbia

June 8, 2023 9:48 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – Several officers and a crime scene truck were on the side of Highway 63 on Thursday night in northeast Columbia. An ABC 17 News crew could see multiple police officers and the crime scene investigation van on Highway 63 near the Vandiver Drive exit. Some officers had cars resting on the

Community members and local activists discuss violence trends in Columbia

June 8, 2023 7:49 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two local groups held a town hall meeting Thursday night to discuss crime in Columbia. The meeting was a joint collaboration between Destiny of H.O.P.E and P.E.A.C.E non-profit organizations. The meeting was called at the Parkade Plaza following a shooting that left two teenagers dead after an argument lead to gunshots in

MU Health Care announces intent to integrate with Capital Region Medical Center

June 8, 2023 10:58 AM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two Mid-Missouri healthcare systems announced their intention to integrate on Thursday. According to a news release, leaders from MU Health Care and affiliate Capital Region Medical Center signed a letter of intent to “fully integrate their health systems.” The two systems have been affiliated for more than 25 years. MU Health Care

Volunteers needed at The Food Bank during the summer

June 8, 2023 4:54 PM Isabella Roberts

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri is looking for volunteers during the summer months.

Columbia murder suspect asks for mental health commitment

June 8, 2023 9:40 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – The lawyer for a murder suspect in Boone County asked a judge to commit their client to a mental health facility. Emma Adams, 20, faces four felonies, including murder, for the killing of Sammy Clemons in January. Her attorney, Jeffrey Hilbrenner, asked Judge Jeff Harris to consider committing her to a

Randy Minchew no longer planning state senate run

June 8, 2023 5:08 PM Lucas Geisler

Columbia businessman Randy Minchew said he will not run for the newly-drawn state senate seat representing Boone County.

Columbia man pleads guilty to insurance, COVID business relief fraud

June 8, 2023 4:35 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal charges for scamming insurance companies on car crash claims and fraudulently obtaining federal COVID-19 relief money. Lawrence Lawhorn made the plea in two separate cases on Thursday. Lawhorn pleaded guilty to wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft in the car crash

Man pleads guilty after breaking into Audrain Community Hospital

June 8, 2023 3:11 PM Madison Stuerman

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) A Mexico, Missouri man was sentenced Monday after he pleaded guilty to breaking into a hospital. According to online court records, Geoffrey Allen pleaded guilty to an amended misdemeanor count of second-degree property damage after he broke into the Audrain Community Hospital last April. In a plea agreement, Allen will serve two

Osage County crash leaves man seriously hurt

June 8, 2023 3:05 PM Madison Stuerman

OSAGE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Belle, Missouri man was taken to a hospital after a crash Wednesday afternoon in Osage County. Brian Mistler, 60, from Belle suffered serious injuries after another car hit the side of his 2004 GMC Sierra on Highway 50 just west of Hickory Street, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol

Several counties running out of time to expunge certain marijuana charges as deadline ends Thursday

June 8, 2023 6:25 AM Kennedy Miller

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ.) Thursday marks the deadline for counties to expunge low-level marijuana offenses, but several counties including a few in Mid-Missouri aren’t expected to make it. Columbia attorney and marijuana advocate, Dan Viets argues it shouldn’t be necessary to get a court order which forces circuit courts to follow Missouri’s constitution, but Missouri NORML says they’re

Missouri Show-Me State and Senior Games start on Thursday

June 8, 2023 5:33 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Show-Me State and Senior Games kick off in Columbia on Thursday and will have dozens of events heading into the weekend. According to the game schedule, there will pickleball games at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Cosmo-Bethel Park in Columbia. The sport of pickleball has been around for a some

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you concerned about the air quality in Missouri?

June 8, 2023 2:50 AM ABC 17 News Team

The air quality in Mid-Missouri has remained good. But with smoke from the Canadian wildfires greatly affecting the northeast enough to postpone events, have you been thinking about the air quality in Missouri at all? Let us know in the poll and in the comments.

Karen Hayes picked as new Columbia Board of Education member

June 7, 2023 6:00 AM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Former teacher Karen Hayes was picked as the new board member for the Columbia Board of Education at a special session Wednesday. Hayes was one of the three finalists picked for the final meeting, and won the seat with five out of the six votes among board members. Other finalists included previous

MU will ‘comply with state and federal laws’ after Parson signs anti-transgender bills

June 7, 2023 8:15 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed Senate Bills 39 and 49 on Wednesday. The bills affect health care for transgender people and transgender athletes from competing in girls and women’s sports, which includes public and private universities and colleges. The bill goes into affect Aug. 28 University of Missouri’s spokesperson Christian Basi said,

Area lawmakers react to Parson signing anti-transgender legislation

June 7, 2023 7:27 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday signed a pair of anti-transgender bills, and Missouri lawmakers have been showing support and disdain for the measures. One bill — SB39 — prohibits transgender people from participating in girls and women’s sports. The law applies to elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education institutions, including private schools, public school

Missouri Department of Agriculture expands farmers market programs to seniors, WIC

June 7, 2023 11:38 AM Mitchell Kaminski

The state Department of Agriculture this week unveiled two USDA-funded programs that will allow seniors and mothers to use food benefits at farmers markets.