Top Stories Archives

Kawasaki to create manufacturing plant at former Nordyne site in Boonville

October 6, 2021 12:57 PM Matthew Sanders

Boonville and Cooper County officials are expected to make an economic development announcement at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Workers seek health care jobs amid high demand for employees

October 6, 2021 3:14 PM Joushua Blount

The health care industry is in need of people, with many hospitals reporting staffing shortages that have become a familiar sight during the coronavirus pandemic.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Was justice served in the Ernest Johnson case?

October 6, 2021 10:18 AM ABC 17 News Team

Johnson had been convicted of the 1994 murders of Fred Jones, Mary Bratcher and Mable Scruggs in Columbia and had awaited execution for about 25 years.

Centralia man hurt after crash in Audrain County

October 6, 2021 8:24 AM Josie Anglin

AUDRAIN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Centralia man was hurt after a crash in Audrain County on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 2:50 p.m. on Route D near Audrain Road 975. Troopers said a vehicle being towed with a chain behind an SUV crossed the center line and

Ameren Missouri customers can apply for a utility assistance program due to pandemic

October 5, 2021 5:15 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An additional $1.5 million is now available by Ameren Missouri for families struggling to pay their utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ameren is directing $1.2 million to its Clean Slate program to support moderate-income customers who do not qualify for low-income programs. The company is also directing $300,000 to support

Columbia Job Center to host special health care hiring event

October 6, 2021 4:44 AM Ben Fein

The Columbia Job Center is set to host a special health care hiring event from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to a release.

No charges in deadly south Columbia officer-involved shooting

October 6, 2021 7:04 AM Zachary Farwell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A special prosecutor will not file charges against three Columbia police officers involved in a deadly shooting. According to the Columbia Police Department, Callaway County Prosecutor Christopher D. Wilson told the Missouri State Highway Patrol in a letter on Oct. 1 the officers acted lawfully in their use of deadly force. Special

Helias Catholic High School changes masking requirements for students and staff starting Wednesday

October 6, 2021 5:27 AM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City is changing its masking requirements for students and staff on Wednesday. According to the high school’s website, the school will make changes to its COVID-19 protocols due to a drop in county and school case numbers compared to earlier in the school year. The

State executes Ernest Lee Johnson for Columbia triple murder; state releases last offender statement

October 5, 2021 11:08 AM Matthew Sanders

The state executed Ernest Lee Johnson on Tuesday, 25 years after he killed three gas station workers and following a last-ditch effort by his lawyers to save him, The Associated Press reported.

Rallies, vigils hope to stop Ernest Lee Johnson execution

October 5, 2021 11:52 AM Joushua Blount

Johnson is set to be executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. at a state prison in Bonne Terre for the 1994 murders of Mary Bratcher, Fred Jones and Mable Scruggs at a Columbia gas station.

TUESDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports five new coronavirus-related deaths; 50 new cases

October 5, 2021 6:32 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

WATCH: Savannah Guthrie reports on Ernest Lee Johnson murders in 1994

October 5, 2021 3:54 PM ABC 17 News Team

These videos pulled from the ABC 17 News archive show the station’s original reporting in the aftermath of a 1994 triple murder at a Casey’s gas station.

Best Buy to close Jefferson City store

October 5, 2021 12:46 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Best Buy will not renew its lease and will close the Jefferson City store on Oct. 30. The closure is a part of the regular and ongoing review of stores and their lease renewals, according to Kevin Flanagan, a spokesperson with Best Buy. Flanagan said in a release, “The decision to

Two Columbia liquor stores robbed Monday night

October 5, 2021 9:49 AM Matthew Sanders

The first one hit was the new Arena Wine and Spirits at 515 S. Scott Blvd. at about 9:40 p.m. The second robbery happened at 10:25 p.m. at Arena Liquor, 208 Corporate Lake Drive.

Convicted Columbia murderer Ernest Lee Johnson set to be executed Tuesday

October 5, 2021 5:24 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Convicted Columbia murderer Ernest Lee Johnson is set to be executed Tuesday night in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Johnson was convicted of a triple murder at Casey’s General Store along Rice Road in Columbia in 1995. In February of 1994, Johnson robbed the convenience store after using drugs and hit, shot, and stabbed

QUESTION OF THE DAY: How did the Facebook outage affect you?

October 5, 2021 3:15 AM ABC 17 News Team

Many people spend hours each day on the social media platforms, while others are dependent on them for work. However, others eschew or limit their time on social media, citing the potential harm the services can cause.

Former CPD officer recounts murders 27 years later as governor confirms plans to execute Ernest Johnson

October 4, 2021 11:37 AM Leila Mitchell

Randy Boehm, a former Columbia police officer and chief, arrived at the Columbia Casey’s General Store 27 years ago, the morning after the horrific murders of three of the store’s employees.