COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Bars in Columbia will be able to stay open later during this year’s World Cup, but not for as long as some had hoped for. The Columbia City Council unanimously voted on Monday night to approve an ordinance that extends the time bars can sell alcohol and stay open on certain days
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The family of a man who was shot and killed during a 2025 road-rage incident says they have filed a complaint against police for their alleged response. Derek Gonzalez, 32, of Columbia, died at a hospital after he was shot on May 18, 2025, at the McDonald’s on Nifong Boulevard. Gonzalez’s family
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia city leaders on Monday night approved to allow businesses to apply for a permit that would allow them to sell alcohol for extended hours during this year’s FIFA World Cup. The vote follows pushback from some commissions in the city, including the city’s Substance Use Prevention Advisory Commission. The commission had
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City of Columbia staff has recommended that the City Council approve Special Events permits for businesses looking to sell alcohol during extended hours for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KIMZ) The city of Columbia could be looking at an additional $5.27 million price tag to make the McKinney Building usable for an event space. Members of the McKinney Building Task Force on Friday received an update on a feasibility study outlining potential renovation plans for the historic downtown structure, as officials continue
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia Utilities Department announced in a Thursday press release that it will soon resume utility disconnections as the area begins to enter a warm weather season. City of Columbia Utilities does not disconnect electric customers when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to drop below 32 degrees during a
Continue Reading COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia has not had communication with the attorney general’s office regarding an investigation into the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies in months, according to a city spokesperson. Former Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched the investigation into the city’s practices in July 2025. A press release from Bailey’s office
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An area union has announced its endorsements for Columbia’s upcoming City Council elections. LiUNA Local 955 – which represents a large number of workers in the area, including some city and University of Missouri employees – held a candidate forum on Saturday and announced its endorsements in a Monday morning press release.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Some Columbia City Council members who were present at a recent public safety meeting between the city and the University of Missouri on Thursday told ABC 17 News on Saturday that the meeting was “productive.” The meetings are typically held behind closed doors, which university president Mun Choi said is to keep
Continue Reading COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday night recommended a definition of “data center” to the City Council. The Commission unanimously recommended to revise definitions in the Unified Development Code to include “data center.” The building and inclusion of data centers have been highly contested around the country, including Mid-Missouri. Amazon
Continue Reading COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) City of Columbia and University of Missouri leaders on Thursday held their fourth public safety meeting since the university president called on Columbia to crack down on crime. An ABC 17 News reporter saw University President Mun Choi, Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick, Fifth Ward Councilman Don Waterman and Columbia Police
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COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) Columbia Parks and Recreation had its first public comment on Wednesday regarding improvements to Field Park, located at 900 Range Line St. The improvements would include two new pickleball courts, for which Columbia College has reportedly agreed to chip in $40,000, according to the capital improvement project search. That’s along with updates
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council is moving forward with its plans for a proposed 1% Public Safety Sales Tax it believes will help close a $156 million funding gap in the Columbia Police and Fire retirement fund. The police pension has a $66 million funding gap with nearly $81 million currently in the
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia City leaders unanimously approved a new design to the Douglass Park basketball courts during Monday night’s council meeting. The city had been having discussions about changing the basketball courts since 2023. It was announced in 2023 that the courts would honor Willie Cox, a former assistant coach of the University of
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council on Monday night unanimously approved plans to for a culvert replacement project Old Plank Road. The design and construction will cost $620,000, with the city funding $337,000 of the amount, according to estimates in meeting documents. The memo indicates $282,763.10 will be provided by the Missouri Department of
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia is considering a 1% public safety sales tax to help close the multi-million dollar gap in its police and fire retirement fund and support improvements across both departments. Public safety makes up nearly half of the city’s general fund spending for fiscal 2026, with about $66 million budgeted
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Customer demand at the Columbia Regional Airport is expected to surge as American Airlines expands its flight schedule, United Airlines returns, and Allegiant Airlines adds new service.
The increasing number of passengers flying in and out of COU has sparked the need for additional parking.
To address the issue, the city is considering amending its fiscal year 2026 annual budget to expand the airport’s south parking lot.
Continue Reading Columbia, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia city leaders will discuss design plans for the Old Plank Road culvert project during Monday night’s city council meeting. According to the council agenda, city officials said the existing culvert– originally built in 1986– has significantly deteriorated over time. In December 2020, a structural inspection determined that approximately 90% of the
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The City of Columbia is looking to crack down on unregulated gaming machines with a new ordinance set to be presented Monday.
“Gray machines” or “no-chance machines” are similar to randomized slot machines but feature skill elements or sometimes the ability to show the outcome of the next roll. This requires the player to make a decision or skill-based action to play, making the legality of the games murky.
The ordinance was initially requested by the city council in October 2025 to address concerns about gaming machines. According to city documents, more than a dozen businesses operate a gaming machine.
The ordinance would make it illegal to offer the use of an electronic gaming machine, with violations being punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or 30 days jail time.
The ordinance will be on first reading at Monday’s city council meeting. The law requires that an ordinance be read three times for public notice before the Council votes on it, according to the city’s website.
The memo adds that if approved, CPD may need to adjust arrest and processing procedures, and enforcement of the rule may be delayed.
On Feb. 10, 2026, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway also focused on unregulated gaming enforcement by suing five businesses with gaming machines in Dunklin County.
The Columbia City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia city council members will hear a presentation on Monday proposing a one-percent sales use tax to help generate funds for fire and police services. A presentation scheduled for a pre-council meeting on Monday showed the tax would generate an estimated $38 million in additional revenue for the city. According to the
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