COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) EDITOR’S NOTE: The City of Columbia originally provided the wrong contract cost. The City of Columbia is looking across the nation for the new leader of its communications department. According to Assistant Director of Human Resources Heather Russell, the city hired Affion Public LLC to lead the search for its new communications
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The total spent has been updated to reflect funds provided by the Treasury Department. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department spent more than $420,000 gained from seized property in the last fiscal year, according to a report from the state auditor’s office. The department spent $280,142.57 in funds from the Justice Department
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) ABC 17 News is talking to candidates in select April election races about their positions on key issues. Below is the transcription of the full interview with Christina Hartman, who is challenging the incumbent to be Fifth Ward representative on the Columbia City Council. Her opponent is Don Waterman. LUCAS GEISLER: Why
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) ABC 17 News is talking to candidates in select April election races about their positions on key issues. Below is the transcription of the full interview with Don Waterman, the incumbent Fifth Ward representative on the Columbia City Council. Christina Hartman is challenging Waterman. LUCAS GEISLER: Would you mind just introducing yourself
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Each of the two candidates for the Fifth Ward seat on the Columbia City Council says infrastructure projects would be a top priority if they’re elected April 7. Incumbent Don Waterman and challenger Christina Hartman told ABC 17 News in separate interviews that they are focused on long-delayed infrastructure projects, including a
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COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ) City leaders met Thursday with the City of Columbia Office of Violence Prevention to discuss how the city plans to address violence and reduce crime. The meeting wrapped up around 4 p.m. at City Hall. Media were not allowed inside the meeting, but attendees later shared details about what was discussed. Thursday’s
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is asking the city for an additional $70,000 to extend a targeted media campaign aimed at recruiting for the department. The request comes as the City of Columbia makes its quarterly adjustments to the current fiscal year budget. According to a March 2 council memo, Finance Director Matthew
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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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