QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Columbia be an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city?
A group of University of Missouri students is asking the Columbia City Council to make the city a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community.
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Mizzou Democratic Socialists to present LGBTQ Sanctuary City ordinance to Columbia City Council
The University of Missouri chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America plans to present a proposed ordinance Monday to the Columbia City Council that would make the city a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ people.
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Republican Vernetti says he’ll challenge incumbent Lake of the Ozarks state representative
A Camden County businessman said Monday that he will seek to unseat an incumbent in the Missouri House.
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Missouri Department of Corrections Director retiring after seven years
Missouri Department of Corrections Director Anne Precythe’s last day will be Dec. 5. An interim director will be announced after her retirement.
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Missouri appeals court considers how to word abortion petition on ballot
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Arguments continued Monday over a petition that would allow more access to abortion in Missouri than before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Last month, Cole County Judge Jon Beteem rewrote the ballot summary language. Now, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Attorney General Andrew Bailey want the Appeals Court in the
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Callaway County will revisit former sheriff’s pay after peace officer’s license decision
Former Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism has been paid more than $46,000 since June, the month he was removed from office, the Callaway County Human Resources Department says.
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Mann announces he will not seek reelection for Missouri House seat, citing mental health concerns
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) State Rep. Doug Mann (D-Columbia) announced in a Wednesday press release that he will not seek reelection for his seat next year. The release states he will forgo a reelection bid “due to lingering mental health concerns.” Mann has suffered from “chronic treatment-resistant depression for years,” according to the release. The release
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Despite pushback from lawmakers, University of Missouri will not change new policy on race-based scholarships
Following the decision, the University of Missouri System announced it would no longer offer scholarships with race-based prerequisites or use race as a consideration for admission to graduate programs.
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Moniteau County commissioner fined more than $8,200 by Missouri Ethics Commission
CALIFORNIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Moniteau County Presiding Commissioner Joe Lutz was fined $8,244 last week by the Missouri Ethics Commission. According to documents from the Missouri Ethics Commission, the entity investigated a complaint and found multiple mismanagement issues with fundraising and spending during Lutz’s 2022 campaign. He was elected to the commission in the November 2022
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State lawmaker petitions for senior property tax freeze in Boone County
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A state lawmaker filed an initiative petition about two months ago in an effort to enact a tax freeze for seniors. A state law allowing a property tax freeze for seniors went into effect Aug. 28. On Aug. 29, state Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) filed an initiative petition to let voters
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Ashland police chief alleges wrongful suspension over social media criticism
Ashland’s suspended police chief says in a lawsuit filed Monday that the city removed him from the job illegally because he criticized the mayor on social media.
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Queer rights advocate to take on incumbent for Missouri House of Representatives seat
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Democratic queer rights advocate is officially in the race to represent the 48th District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Joseph “Joe” Jefferies tells ABC 17 he is running for the state legislature because of recent controversial legislation on transgender youth and adults, libraries and more. He will face off
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Columbia state senator announces intent to run for Missouri secretary of state at University of Missouri homecoming parade
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia State Sen. Caleb Rowden announced his plans to run for Missouri secretary of state by displaying a large sign at the University of Missouri Homecoming parade. The Republican served as Senate President Pro Tem this year. Due to term limits, Rowden’s time in the Missouri Senate is coming to an end
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Columbia state representative fined for 2022 campaign ads
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – The Missouri Ethics Commission fined a Columbia state representative for not clarifying who paid for a campaign ad. The commission finalized an order with 50th District Rep. Doug Mann (D-Columbia) on Oct. 16. Mann admitted that ads supporting his campaign did not have the necessary disclaimer that his campaign committee paid
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Bipartisan group of lawmakers believe Lincoln University may be historically underfunded
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Lincoln University is an 1890 land grant university, but it wasn’t until 2022 that the state 100% matched that land grant, which has been required since 2007. Lincoln University deferred maintenance and certain projects because the state wasn’t matching its land grant for many years. Now, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel
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Columbia politicians collect donations for United Auto Workers strike
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Saturday marks one full month of the united auto workers strike. Four Columbia state house representatives were collecting donations Saturday afternoon for the picketing union workers. Several car factories nation-wide are striking until a deal is met between the union and auto-manufacturers. The four democratic house members representing Columbia were collecting donations outside
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Auxvasse mayor resigns, citing backlash from residents
AUXVASSE, Mo. (KMIZ) Auxvasse Mayor Ronald Dye resigned on Tuesday, according to an email from City Clerk Missy Hooks. In his resignation letter dated Monday, Dye stated he resigned due to backlash from residents. “Due to the persisting feeling from the Citizens of Auxvasse that I am not a competent mayor, along with that I
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Democrat Raithel launches 44th House District candidacy
A Democrat who challenged the Republican incumbent in the 44th Missouri House District will run again next year.
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Missouri working to implement Alzheimer’s task force recommendations
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) More than 120,000 Missouri residents are living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to grow by more than 8% in the next two years, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Missouri’s elected officials are recognizing this epidemic, and one of the ways they’ve taken action is with the state’s Alzheimer’s State
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Missouri politicians express support for Israel
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri’s elected officials are outspoken about the attacks in Israel Saturday. Many proclaiming support for Israeli defenses. In a joint statement, Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher and Senate President Caleb Rowden expressed support for Israel. “We reiterate our unwavering support for the State of Israel and its inherent right to defend itself against
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