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Syringe being filled with coronavirus vaccine

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone Community hosting COVID-19 vaccine weekend community clinics

July 15, 2021 11:04 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Columbia man charged with three felonies in shots-fired incident

July 15, 2021 1:47 PM Matthew Sanders

Channing T. Williams, 27, was charged Thursday with shooting at a person, vehicle or building, armed criminal action and illegal gun possession. He was in the Boone County Jail on Thursday with no bond.

Joseph Elledge pleads not guilty to three felony charges.

Judge hears arguments on allowing secret recordings as evidence in Joseph Elledge murder case

July 15, 2021 5:28 AM Leila Mitchell

Joseph Elledge was charged in Feb. 2020 with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Mengqi Ji.

Insider Blog: Threat for heavy rain and strong winds continues tonight

July 14, 2021 4:34 PM Jessica Hafner

Showers and storms have moved into Mid-Missouri this afternoon, bringing very heavy rain and strong winds in a few of the storms into this evening. Showers and storms continue overnight into Friday morning, especially south of I-70. SETUP A cold front has started to move south into Mid-Missouri this afternoon. As it does, it will

Coronavirus cases in Cole County on the rise as vaccine site set to close

July 15, 2021 11:24 AM Ben Fein

The state says cases have nearly doubled in Cole County week over week.

Governor says health officials playing blame game as state health department issues advisory

July 15, 2021 1:29 PM Associated Press

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says some officials at Springfield hospitals are trying to find someone to blame for a large increase in COVID-19 cases in the region.

Gov. Mike Parson signs the fiscal 2021 budget

Bipartisan police reform package signed into law

July 15, 2021 12:27 PM Hannah Falcon

Gov. Mike Parson signed a package of police and criminal justice reform bills into law Wednesday. The bills, championed by state senators Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Buchanan) and Brian Williams (D-St. Louis), go into effect on August 28.

How to check on your child tax credit payment

July 15, 2021 12:18 PM Matthew Sanders

The IRS began Thursday to deposit advance payments on this year’s expanded child tax credit into Americans’ bank accounts.

Police respond to a report of shots fired on Scott Boulevard.

Columbia police investigating after shooting damages vehicle Wednesday night

July 15, 2021 9:19 AM Molly Stawinoga

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department said a vehicle was damaged when someone opened fire on Scott Boulevard Wednesday. Police respond to a report of shots fired on Scott Boulevard. According to a news release from CPD, officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Scott Boulevard shortly after 7 p.m. Once they arrived

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you worry about school starting as coronavirus cases surge?

July 15, 2021 2:02 AM ABC 17 News Team

Many school districts are just a month away from returning to classes for the fall.

Parents optimistic about Child Tax Credit starting Thursday

July 14, 2021 10:00 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan rolls out Thursday and some Columbia parents are looking forward to the extra cash. “I think it’s awesome,” said Joe Billet, a parent of three children. “I think it would help out a lot of people that desperately need it right now.” Those

Job cuts part of plan to restructure MU agriculture station

July 14, 2021 6:35 PM Matthew Sanders

A report by a special task force on the restructuring of the station that runs several farms and agricultural centers around the state said staff reductions in administration will create a net savings of $120,000 per year. Another $500,000 will come from eliminating construction and fiscal positions, according to the report.

Columbia College celebrates launch of Nadria Wright memorial scholarship

July 14, 2021 11:42 AM Hannah Falcon

Nearly two years after Nadria Wright tragically lost her life, Columbia College is celebrating the Nadria Leeann Wright Memorial Nursing Scholarship.

Rise in COVID-19 cases causes MU Health Care to tighten visitor rules

July 14, 2021 2:00 PM Leila Mitchell

Starting Wednesday, adult inpatients at University Hospital, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute and Women’s and Children’s Hospital will be allowed one visitor from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Women in labor will be allowed a spouse or partner and labor coach. No visitors will be permitted for adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Miller County man sentenced to prison for child sex crimes

July 14, 2021 5:33 PM Matthew Sanders

Luke A. Lessmeier pleaded guilty to one count of statutory sodomy in a Miller County courtroom. He will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence before he can be paroled, according to court records. He will have to register as a sex offender for life, county prosecutor Ben Winfrey said in a news release.

The director of the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services on Thursday extended the current COVID-19 order, which had been set to expire Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Boone County active coronavirus cases top 450

July 14, 2021 8:09 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Columbia Public Schools buses lined up as students and teachers return to full time in person classes.

Columbia Public Schools dealing with staffing shortages

July 14, 2021 12:12 PM Ben Fein

Brian Yearwood, Superintendent of Columbia Public Schools says it continues to deal with staffing shortages in both substitute teachers and bus drivers.

Mid-Missouri school boards take up critical race theory, The 1619 Project

July 13, 2021 11:44 AM Hannah Falcon

Teachers in Mid-Missouri’s largest school district will evaluate the New York Times’ 1619 Project, which is embroiled in controversy over critical race theory in schools.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Vehicle parked with its lights on.

Teen driver dies in Phelps County crash

July 14, 2021 8:43 AM Matthew Sanders

The teen was driving a crossover SUV on Highway 63 a mile north of Rolla when she crossed the center line, sideswiped another vehicle and hit a third vehicle head-on, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Columbia Public Works director announces retirement

July 14, 2021 8:50 AM Josie Anglin

Columbia Director of Public Works Dave Nichols will be retiring on October 14.