Local Politics Archives

Columbia Public Library, union reach tentative agreement

November 29, 2023 6:21 PM Matthew Sanders, Mitchell Kaminski

The union representing Columbia Public Library workers reached a tentative agreement Wednesday with library management.

Boone County Commissioners pass on senior property tax freeze

November 21, 2023 3:00 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Commission is working with other counties across Missouri to draft a new version of a law that would provide a property tax freeze for retired residents. A state law allowing a property tax freeze for seniors went into effect Aug. 28. The freeze has to be put into effect by county

Witnesses, expert testify in Missouri voter ID lawsuit Monday

November 20, 2023 10:36 AM Hannah Falcon

As the bench trial in the lawsuit against Missouri’s voter ID law continues, witnesses and an expert are expected to testify Monday on the effects of the law.

Nurse practitioners want restrictions lifted more even after new law

November 13, 2023 11:34 AM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Nurse practitioners continue to advocate for less restrictions, even after a new law lifted some this year. Missouri’s governor is honoring nurse practitioners as new law eases restrictions on their practice. Gov. Mike Parson on Monday proclaimed this week, Nov. 12 through 18, as Nurse Practitioners Week in Missouri. A new

Auxvasse attorney: City won’t appoint new mayor, will stick with pro tem until April election

November 7, 2023 2:46 PM Ryan Shiner

AUXVASSE, Mo. (KMIZ) Auxvasse will not appoint a new mayor, the attorney for the city told ABC 17 News on Tuesday. Nathan Nickolaus, who is the attorney for city, said the city is likely going to wait until the April election for a new mayor to be picked. Alderman Clifford Wenneker has been serving as

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Columbia be an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city?

November 7, 2023 2:15 AM ABC 17 News Team

A group of University of Missouri students is asking the Columbia City Council to make the city a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community.

Mizzou Democratic Socialists to present LGBTQ Sanctuary City ordinance to Columbia City Council

November 6, 2023 11:56 AM Hannah Falcon

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.

Republican Vernetti says he’ll challenge incumbent Lake of the Ozarks state representative

November 6, 2023 4:56 PM Matthew Sanders

A Camden County businessman said Monday that he will seek to unseat an incumbent in the Missouri House.

Missouri Department of Corrections Director retiring after seven years

November 1, 2023 1:40 PM Hannah Falcon, Nia Hinson

Missouri Department of Corrections Director Anne Precythe’s last day will be Dec. 5. An interim director will be announced after her retirement.

Missouri appeals court considers how to word abortion petition on ballot

October 30, 2023 6:37 PM Hannah Falcon

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

Callaway County will revisit former sheriff’s pay after peace officer’s license decision

October 27, 2023 11:15 AM Morgan Buresh

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.

Mann announces he will not seek reelection for Missouri House seat, citing mental health concerns

October 25, 2023 7:29 PM Ryan Shiner

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

Despite pushback from lawmakers, University of Missouri will not change new policy on race-based scholarships

October 25, 2023 12:06 PM Hannah Falcon

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.

Moniteau County commissioner fined more than $8,200 by Missouri Ethics Commission

October 23, 2023 9:54 PM Ryan Shiner

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

State lawmaker petitions for senior property tax freeze in Boone County

October 23, 2023 4:33 PM Hannah Falcon

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

Ashland police chief alleges wrongful suspension over social media criticism

October 23, 2023 11:48 AM Matthew Sanders

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.

Queer rights advocate to take on incumbent for Missouri House of Representatives seat

October 22, 2023 7:10 PM Hannah Falcon

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

Columbia state senator announces intent to run for Missouri secretary of state at University of Missouri homecoming parade

October 21, 2023 3:18 PM Hannah Falcon

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

Columbia state representative fined for 2022 campaign ads

October 20, 2023 2:52 PM Lucas Geisler

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

Bipartisan group of lawmakers believe Lincoln University may be historically underfunded

October 18, 2023 3:02 PM Hannah Falcon

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