Local Politics Archives

Bench trial scheduled for Basye-CPS lawsuit

January 24, 2023 11:39 AM Erika McGuire

An emergency hearing in a former state representative’s lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools to get his name on the April election ballot is set for Tuesday afternoon.

Nclusion Plus responds to backlash about drag performance at Columbia event

January 23, 2023 11:53 AM Erika McGuire

The organization whose performers dressed in drag at an event Columbia Public Schools students attended last week is responding to the backlash from some parents and conservative state leaders.

Thousands of Missourians see marijuana charges dropped; none expunged in Boone County

January 20, 2023 7:09 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) More than 3,500 Missourians have seen marijuana charges disappear this year following the implementation of Amendment 3, but no one in Boone County or Callaway County is among them. Missouri voters approved Amendment 3 during the Nov. 8 election with more than 53% of votes in favor. The legislation went into action Thursday

Boone County clerk asks to intervene in Basye-CPS case

January 20, 2023 4:39 PM Ryan Shiner

Boone County’s top election official is asking the court to let her join a former state representative’s lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Chuck Basye’s name be added to the Columbia School Board ballot?

January 20, 2023 12:10 AM ABC 17 News Team

Former state lawmaker Chuck Basye will be in court Monday, when his lawyer will try to convince a judge to force Columbia Public Schools to add his name to the April ballot.

Parson prioritizes maternal mortality during address

January 19, 2023 7:34 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After Gov. Mike Parson announced maternal mortality would be a priority for this year, one Missouri mother felt relieved, but still wonders if it’s enough. In his State of the State address on Wednesday, Parson said he’s requesting $4.3 million go towards the Department of Health and Senior Services to develop a

Basye asks judge to add name to April Columbia School Board ballot

January 19, 2023 4:23 PM Ryan Shiner

A former state legislator will try to convince a judge that he should force Columbia Public Schools to add Basye’s name to the April election ballot.

Governor proposes improvements to railroad crossings following year of deadly crashes

January 18, 2023 7:49 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) During his State of the State address on Wednesday, Gov. Mike Parson asked for a new line item in the fiscal year 2024 budget to increase safety measures at railroad crossings. Parson is proposing $35 million from Missouri’s budget be put towards making train crossings safer. This comes after an unusually

Columbia City Council votes to add marijuana sales tax question to April ballot

January 17, 2023 9:12 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council unanimously voted at its meeting on Tuesday to add a sales tax question for recreational marijuana to the April 4 ballot. The question will ask voters if there should be an additional 3% sales tax for recreational marijuana sales. This would be in addition to the state’s 6% tax. The council

Missouri lawmakers revisit sports betting

January 15, 2023 7:37 PM Abby Landwehr

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A new piece of legislation put the topic of sports betting back on state lawmakers’ agendas. House Bill 581, filed by State Representative Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), aims to add Missouri to the list of states with legalized sports betting. The proposed bill would allow Missouri residents over 21 to legally

Democrat Webber announces run to flip Missouri Senate seat

January 9, 2023 11:09 AM Matthew Sanders

Democrat Stephen Webber, who represented parts of Columbia and Boone County for four years in the state House, said Monday that he will attempt another run for Senate.

Gov. Parson brings in legislative session with prayer breakfast

January 5, 2023 6:30 AM Joushua Blount

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Gov. Michael Parson helped kick off the 2023 legislative session in Jefferson City Thursday morning. The governor hosted the annual prayer breakfast at the Capitol Plaza Hotel from 7:30 until 9 a.m. On Wednesday, state lawmakers returned to the State Capitol for the first day of the legislative session. House leadership

Missouri legislative session kicks off at noon with fresh faces

January 4, 2023 11:38 AM Hannah Falcon

State lawmakers are returning to the capital city for another session of committee hearings, floor debates and discussing Missouri’s future.

Missouri Senate leaders’ legislative priorities going into 2023 session

January 3, 2023 6:32 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The 2023 Missouri legislative session starts Wednesday. As expected, Republicans and Democrats in the State Senate have differing priorities. Republican Party Republican State Sen. Caleb Rowden, of Columbia, returns to the Capitol this year with a new title: Senate President Pro Tem. The position will have to be ratified by the

Wage advocates say new Missouri minimum still not enough

January 2, 2023 8:10 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thousands of workers in Missouri received a raise at the start of the new year, but the extra money still doesn’t match the cost of living. The Missouri minimum wage increased to $12 an hour under Proposition B. This is the last year under Prop B, passed by voters in 2018, which

New Year, New Laws: Minimum wage, taxes, homeless camping

January 1, 2023 8:21 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) At the start of the New Year, several new laws and taxes will impact Missourians. Minimum wage increases The minimum wage in Missouri increased to $12 an hour starting Jan. 1. This is thanks to Proposition B, passed by Missouri voters in 2018. Under Prop B, minimum wage increased by 85 cents

Missouri considers raising teacher pay to increase retention

December 29, 2022 8:07 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Half of Missouri teachers leave the profession by their fifth year, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The state is hoping increased salaries will prevent that. The DESE has proposed several ways to extend pay raises for teachers. Missouri still sits at the bottom nationwide when it comes

Missouri Supreme Court suspends former Boone County prosecutor

December 20, 2022 9:20 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Supreme Court decided on Tuesday to suspend the law license of a former Boone County prosecuting attorney for three years. The Court found that Harry Swingle violated several of the Rules of Professional Conduct – including multiple accusations of conflict of interest, using a lawyer as a witness and

More candidates file for Jefferson City Council races

December 16, 2022 7:04 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Two more candidates filed to run for a Jefferson City Council seat this week. Candidate filings opened on Dec. 6 for the April 4, 2023, municipal elections in Missouri. The last day for a candidate to file for this election is Tuesday, Dec. 27. The last day residents can register to

2023 Boone County budget prioritizes pay increase for law enforcement

December 16, 2022 12:04 PM Ethan Heinz

Increased salaries for sheriff’s deputies and other emergency employees are a priority in the 2023 Boone County budget approved Thursday, with officials citing the need to reverse “unprecedented employee turnover and lengthy vacancies.”