Local Politics Archives

State budget in limbo as deadline approaches

May 8, 2024 2:20 PM Hannah Falcon

Editor’s note: Time elements of this story have been updated. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) About $50 billion hangs in the balance as lawmakers are approaching the deadline to get the state budget on the governor’s desk. Approval of the more-than $50 million budget needs to be approved by 6 p.m. Friday Even though lawmakers started

Superintendents ask Parson to veto bill that would allow charter schools in Boone County

May 3, 2024 7:40 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Superintendents from Boone County schools and neighboring districts signed a letter on Friday that asks Gov. Mike Parson to veto a bill that would allow charter schools to operate in Boone County. SB727 passed the Missouri House last month. The bill mentions that school districts in Boone County would be added to the

University of Missouri says lessons learned during 2015 protests led to peaceful ceasefire demonstration

April 30, 2024 11:43 AM Hannah Falcon

A pro-Palestine protest in Columbia this week saw no safety incidents.

Jewish students disagree during on-campus protest against war in Gaza

April 29, 2024 10:25 AM Hannah Falcon

A group of University of Missouri students has planned a walkout and march for late Monday morning to show their support for the people in Gaza.

Green Party presidential candidate visits Columbia day after arrest at protest

April 28, 2024 6:39 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A third party presidential candidate visited Columbia Sunday, the day after being arrested for her participation in protests in St. Louis. Dr. Jill Stein is running for president of the United States as a Green Party candidate. She spoke with voters Sunday afternoon at the Boone County Government Center. The Green Party is

Former state representative Basye stresses importance of yearly screenings after cancer diagnosis

April 26, 2024 11:25 AM Morgan Buresh

A former Mid-Missouri state representative who dropped out of a state Senate race this week after a second cancer diagnosis wants to make sure people get regular screenings.

Chuck Basye withdraws from state Senate race

April 25, 2024 9:55 AM Madison Stuerman, Morgan Buresh

A former Republican state representative has dropped out of a local state Senate race, leaving only a Democrat seeking the seat for now.

Educators poke holes in Missouri Legislature’s plan to raise teacher salaries

April 24, 2024 10:56 AM Hannah Falcon

As budget negotiations continue at the Missouri State Capitol, lawmakers have multiple proposals on how to give teachers across the state a raise.

City of Columbia’s DEI officer discusses accomplishments in role, advocacy group frustrated in lack of change one year after hiring

April 23, 2024 7:57 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia advocates are frustrated with the lack of change after nearly one year since the city hired its first diversity, equity and inclusion officer. D’Andre Thompson was hired in the role by Columbia’s City Manager De’Carlon Seewood in April 2023. After officially beginning his role on May 1, Thompson said his initial

Resignation letter ends court case against former Callaway County sheriff

April 23, 2024 8:48 PM Ryan Shiner

A court case was dismissed Monday after former Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism submitted a formal letter of resignation.

Senate passes bill to force sale TikTok

April 23, 2024 11:35 AM Hannah Falcon

The U.S. Senate is expected to discuss and possibly vote Tuesday on a bill that would send tens of billions of dollars to overseas allies and effectively ban TikTok if the company refuses to sell.

Missouri AG accuses multiple business around state of deceptive business practices surrounding sales of Delta-8

April 19, 2024 7:36 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Wednesday issued civil investigative demands into four Missouri businesses. Three of the businesses were accused of using deceptive businesses practices to sell Delta-8 products. Delta-8 is a chemical compound found in cannabis plants. Consumers can get high from Delta-8, but the effects are not as strong

Victims, advocates ask Missouri lawmakers to approve measure to allow retroactive sexual assault lawsuits

April 15, 2024 11:15 AM Hannah Falcon

Victims of child sexual abuse and advocates are gathering in Jefferson City to pressure the Missouri attorney general to investigate several Christian boarding schools.

Columbia mayor part of delegation heading to Switzerland later this month

April 11, 2024 8:58 PM Lucas Geisler

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe will be one of many U.S. mayors taking a trip to Switzerland this month.

Boone County Commission to craft senior property tax relief after voter approval

April 3, 2024 11:23 AM Hannah Falcon, Matthew Sanders

The Boone County Commission will set to work drafting a program for senior property tax relief after voters overwhelmingly passed the measure Tuesday.