Local Politics Archives

ELECTION UPDATES: Democrats win big in Boone County

November 8, 2022 1:23 PM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates about races in Missouri and nationally.

Cole County looks to buy new vote-scanning machines

November 8, 2022 1:48 PM Meghan Drakas

Cole County is dedicating taxpayer dollars to make sure voting is secure for the next five years of election cycles.

What you need to know before heading to the polls

November 8, 2022 6:26 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Tuesday is Election Day and polling locations will be open from 6:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m for people to cast their vote. If you plan to stop by your polling location, there are some items you need to keep in mind to make sure your vote counts.Proper forms of identification: A non-expired

State election officials block federal oversight of Cole County polling locations

November 7, 2022 8:58 PM Hannah Falcon

This year, the DOJ is looking into 64 voting jurisdictions within 24 states.

Columbia mayor discusses recent string of gun violence in city

November 7, 2022 9:18 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After a string of recent gun violence in the city, the mayor of Columbia says the city hopes to work with the community to address it. This past weekend was the fourth weekend in a row where gun violence resulted in someone getting hurt or dying. The violence included two women dying,

Schmitt ties Busch Valentine to Biden administration in Columbia campaign stop

November 7, 2022 6:31 AM Joushua Blount

Schmitt ties Busch Valentine to Biden administration in Columbia campaign stop

Secretary of state says Department of Justice asked to observe Cole County polls

November 6, 2022 4:59 PM Hannah Falcon

The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office said Saturday that Cole County’s top elections official has denied a Department of Justice request to monitor Tuesday’s election.

Missouri voters to decide on statewide constitutional convention

November 3, 2022 7:13 PM Hannah Falcon

Every 20 years, the same question appears on the Missouri ballots: “Shall there be a convention to revise and amend the constitution?”

Amendment 5 could see Missouri National Guard change offices

November 2, 2022 7:52 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Next week, state voters will have a chance to vote on Amendment 5, which would move Missouri’s Department of National Guard from it’s current partnership with the Missouri Department of Public Safety. State Rep. Adam Schnelting (R-St. Charles) introduced the amendment to the Missouri House of Representatives. If passed, the Amendment would

Hartzler holds marijuana impact summit to discuss concerns about Amendment 3

November 1, 2022 8:06 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri will be heading to the polls next week to vote on Amendment 3. The amendment would legalize the recreational sales of marijuana for adults. While some are in favor of the amendment, Rep. Vicky Hartzler held a marijuana impact summit Tuesday to talk about cannabis issues in Missouri. A panel of

Missouri voters to decide how state funds should be allocated

October 31, 2022 8:39 PM Hannah Falcon

Amendment One would change the way state funds are allocated.

Mass shooting at St. Louis high school sparks debate on gun laws, mental health resources

October 28, 2022 8:25 PM Hannah Falcon

Missouri politicians are debating whether the law or more mental health resources would have made a difference.

Pair of Legal Missouri 2022 ads removed from YouTube following cease-and-desist letter from MSHP

October 21, 2022 8:16 PM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.) A pair of advertisements supporting the recreational use of marijuana were removed from YouTube following a cease-and-desist letter was issued by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Missouri State Highway Patrol claimed on Thursday that the ads — one lasting 30 seconds, the other 15 seconds — contained unauthorized use of the MSHP name

Taxes, county offices fill out November election ballot

October 21, 2022 5:14 PM Matthew Sanders

Some Mid-Missouri counties will select their top elected official on Nov. 8, while voters in some local communities will also be deciding on tax questions.

Redrawn state House, Senate districts in play this November

October 21, 2022 11:23 AM Matthew Sanders

The Missouri Senate district that includes Callaway County now spreads out to the Illinois border north of St Louis.

Columbia City Council approves VFW as new homeless shelter

October 18, 2022 6:18 AM Ben Fein

Columbia’s City Council met Tuesday night and approved the purchase of The VFW to be used as a temporary homeless shelter in the city.

Secretary of State proposes rule to restrict ‘obscene’ books at Missouri libraries

October 17, 2022 7:08 PM Hannah Falcon

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is proposing a new rule that would require libraries to distinguish which books are age-appropriate for children.

Jefferson City Council to vote on proposed 2023 fiscal year budget

October 17, 2022 6:37 AM Joushua Blount

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City council plans to vote Monday night on the proposed 2023 fiscal year budget. City council members are scheduled to meet at city hall at 6 p.m. The proposed budget includes more than $75 million in funds. Jefferson City Council agenda Council members met twice in August to go

Columbia City Council set to discuss video surveillance system

October 17, 2022 6:11 AM Ben Fein

The Columbia City Council is set to meet at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Monday night, to discuss a new video surveillance system among other topics.

Jefferson City, Cole County leaders hold State of the City and County meetings Friday

October 14, 2022 6:00 AM Ben Fein

Both Jefferson City and Cole County are set to hold State of the City and County meetings Friday afternoon, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center.