Local Politics Archives

Passage of Show Mo Act opens door for Mid-Missouri film productions

July 19, 2023 3:59 PM Hannah Falcon

The Show Mo Act, which provides tax incentives for entertainment projects in Missouri, passed this year and was signed into law after years of trying.

Ashland Board of Aldermen meets, does not appoint interim police chief

July 18, 2023 12:09 PM Avery Roehler

Ashland’s mayor said Tuesday that he doesn’t know whether the board of aldermen will appoint an interim police chief when it meets.

Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments in abortion ballot question lawsuit

July 18, 2023 6:16 PM Hannah Falcon

The Missouri Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit against the Missouri Attorney General that would allow an initiative petition on reproductive rights to move forward.

Columbia City Council looks over results from recycling and waste diversion study

July 17, 2023 5:25 PM Mitchell Kaminski

Columbia, Mo (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council met on Monday night and — once again — recycling was one of the topics discussed. One of the items council’s pre-meeting included the results of a Recycling and Waste Diversion Study. The project includes data collection, responding to recommendations and technical documents for waste projects. Waste collection

Ashland celebrates Pride after new law restricting transgender treatments signed

July 16, 2023 10:08 PM Hannah Falcon

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) The second annual Ashland Pride Festival took place on Sunday, at a time when Missouri is enacting laws restricting access to gender-transition treatments. Caitlin Cunningham, owner of the Dandy Lion Cafe and organizer of Ashland’s Pride Festival, said they took every safety precaution when planning Sunday’s event, from health safety to physical safety.

Fulton City Council meets for first time since city administrator was fired

July 11, 2023 4:04 PM Marina Diaz

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) The Fulton City Council met on Tuesday for the first time since Renee Tyler was fired from the city administrator position Friday. Tyler’s firing came during a special session held on Friday by City Council members. Tyler’s firing was not mentioned during the meeting though at the end of the meeting members

Lawmakers want to restore $1.4 million for Missouri Task Force One after governor’s veto

July 11, 2023 4:16 PM Hannah Falcon

Two Missouri Task Force One members left Columbia this week to help with the catastrophic flooding in Vermont.

Columbia Water and Light hopes Thornbrook water issues solved

July 9, 2023 9:24 PM Isabella Roberts

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s Water and Light Advisory Board heard Monday from city officials who say they hope low water pressure issues in the city’s southwest neighborhoods is no longer a problem. This comes after the Thornbrook neighborhood had three boil water advisories since June. According to Thornbrook resident Julie Ryan, this has been a

Fulton city administrator terminated Friday night

July 8, 2023 7:51 PM Hannah Falcon

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) The city administrator of Fulton was terminated unexpectedly Friday night. Fulton Mayor Steve Meyer confirmed the news to ABC 17. Meyer said more information may be offered later, but he has nothing further to say. ABC 17 reached out to the city’s spokesperson to ask why and how the sudden termination came

UM schools to discontinue scholarships acknowledging race after Supreme Court decision, statement says

June 29, 2023 5:06 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri System issued a statement in regards to the Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday to omit the use of affirmative action in college admissions. In the statement, the school said it will stop allowing a number of scholarships, following the decision and a letter issued by the state’s attorney

How Missouri’s full abortion ban reverberates a year after Roe was overturned

June 22, 2023 4:33 PM Hannah Falcon

The ban was written to go into effect after a decision overturning the precedent.

Abortion access initiative one step closer to ballot after Cole County ruling

June 20, 2023 6:31 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri voters could decide whether to restore access to abortion after a Cole County ruling pushed an initiative petition one step closer to getting on the ballot. Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beteem ruled the attorney general must approve the fiscal note on a proposed initiative petition within 24 hours, allowing

Callaway County commissioners still support removed sheriff

June 13, 2023 4:19 PM Hannah Falcon

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) Callaway County commissioners said Tuesday morning that they still support the sheriff removed from his office amid allegations of drinking on the job. Clay Chism was removed as Callaway County sheriff after his peace officer license was suspended indefinitely. Callaway County commissioners appointed Chief Deputy Darryl Maylee as the interim sheriff

Randy Minchew no longer planning state senate run

June 8, 2023 5:08 PM Lucas Geisler

Columbia businessman Randy Minchew said he will not run for the newly-drawn state senate seat representing Boone County.

Public comments at City Council meeting express concern over crime and policing in Columbia

June 5, 2023 8:04 PM Isabella Roberts

Watch Monday’s Columbia City Council meeting in the web player above. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) At Monday’s City Council meeting, there were three public comments that led the meeting and all heavily focused on crime levels and policing in Columbia. Several people came to the meeting with questions and ideas for the council to address what

Boone County Circuit Clerk announces retirement

June 2, 2023 7:00 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Circuit Clerk has told ABC 17 News that she plans on retiring next month. Christy Blakemore, a Democrat, was first elected to the position in 2006. She won that primary election decisively over Missy Marlett and Beverly Steelman. She ran unopposed in the General Election each year after, including

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Did your member of Congress represent you on the debt ceiling?

June 2, 2023 2:40 AM ABC 17 News Team

The House voted Wednesday night to approve the deal that Democratic and Republican leadership struck last week to increase the debt ceiling and avert a default.

Columbia city leaders say they support police amid street violence, union criticism

May 31, 2023 3:45 PM Hannah Falcon

Columbia’s city manager didn’t directly address criticisms of city leadership made this week by the police officers’ union during Wednesday’s State of the City address.

Local libraries feel prepared for Missouri Secretary of State’s rule on ‘obscene’ books

May 30, 2023 3:50 PM Hannah Falcon

A new state rule allowing parents to challenge which books are appropriate for children went into effect Tuesday.

Housing and Community Development Commission reviews requests for 2024 funds

May 24, 2023 6:43 PM Abby Landwehr

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Housing and Community Development Commission met Wednesday to start the decision process of where 2024 funds will go. Representatives from other community housing groups also joined the meeting at City Hall. The commission heard proposals from 11 organizations during the meeting. Projects were presented to the commission including a request