Local Politics Archives

Boone County man files to run for the Missouri 44th House District in the Democratic primary

March 18, 2022 8:48 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Dave Raithel has filed to run for the Missouri General Assembly 44th House District in the Democratic Primary set for August 2, 2022.

Attorney general files lawsuit against Missouri School Boards’ Association

March 15, 2022 4:02 PM Hannah Falcon

Missouri’s attorney general is suing the Missouri School Boards’ Association for not fulfilling an open records request.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you vote in the April election?

March 15, 2022 2:02 AM ABC 17 News Team

In three weeks, Missourians will cast ballots in local elections. The races will include school boards, which have drawn new scrutiny amid debates over coronavirus and teaching about history and race. However, turnout rates are generally far lower for local elections than presidential ones. Are you voting next month? Tell us in the poll below.

Faith Voices of Columbia hosting mayoral forum Monday night; focused on addressing homelessness

March 14, 2022 3:48 PM Leila Mitchell

Missouri Faith Voices is holding a mayoral forum Monday evening, focusing on affordable housing and sheltering people in Columbia without homes.

Boone County’s new Missouri Senate district could lead to party switch

March 14, 2022 10:16 AM Molly Stawinoga

Several other Mid-Missouri districts would see shifts if the tentative map is put into place.

City of Columbia partnering with Room at the Inn at Northeast Regional Park

March 11, 2022 2:15 PM Karl Wehmhoener

The City of Columbia is working with Room at the Inn (RATI) to provide shelter at the City of Columbia Northeast Regional Park.

Columbia City Council to consider repealing ban on roll carts in April

March 10, 2022 6:04 PM Lucas Geisler

The City Clerk’s Office tells ABC 17 News that it certified a citizen-led petition on Wednesday that will force the council to vote on removing its prohibition on the collection system.

Future educators look beyond low starting wages as Gov. Parson calls for higher teacher wages

March 9, 2022 6:35 PM Chanel Porter

Teachers in Missouri have the lowest starting salary in the country and Gov. Mike Parson wants to give some of those educators a $13,000 raise, but it would need approval from lawmakers.

Advocates set sights on accessible voting, education on Disability Rights Legislative Day

March 9, 2022 5:16 PM Hannah Falcon

People from all over the state of all abilities gathered in the Missouri State Capitol rotunda to make their voices heard on the 21st Annual Disability Rights Legislative Day.

Last day to register for April 5 general municipal election

March 9, 2022 5:17 AM Ben Fein

The last day to register for the April 5 general municipal election is Wednesday, as all voter registration applications must be dropped off or postmarked by Wednesday.

Cannabis Freedom Act aims to decriminalize marijuana in Missouri

March 8, 2022 5:23 PM Hannah Falcon

Crowds gathered Tuesday morning in the Missouri State Capitol to share their opinion on the decriminalization of marijuana with lawmakers.

Lawmakers, activists discuss how to prevent gun violence in schools

March 4, 2022 8:52 PM Hannah Falcon

Friday’s shooting in Olathe, Kansas, was the 12th shooting on a K-12 campus in 2022, according to CNN.

WATCH: Candidate Randy Minchew shares vision for city if elected Columbia mayor

March 2, 2022 5:13 AM Molly Stawinoga

A Columbia businessman running for mayor joined ABC 17 News This Morning on Wednesday to talk about his plans for the city if elected.

WATCH: Barbara Buffaloe talks vision for Columbia if elected as mayor

March 1, 2022 4:02 AM Molly Stawinoga

Watch the full interview here.

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler at women in agriculture event

Twitter suspends Vicky Hartzler personal Twitter account for tweet

February 28, 2022 9:47 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Social media company Twitter has suspended Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s personal account after a tweet that read “Women’s sports are for women, not men pretending to be women,” and included her television ad. “Twitter believes the bigger threat is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee saying women’s sports are for

Boone County prosecutor will not seek reelection

February 28, 2022 10:23 AM Matthew Sanders

Boone County’s top prosecutor said he will not seek reelection this year as he considers a run for judge in 2024.

Parson signs supplemental budget; public schools to receive $1.9 billion

February 24, 2022 7:53 PM Hannah Falcon

Gov. Mike Parson signed House Bill 3014, the supplemental budget, Thursday.

Missouri Republican primary for U.S. Senate heats up during filing day

February 22, 2022 6:19 PM Hannah Falcon

Long lines wrapped around the Secretary of State’s office as people from all over Missouri gathered to file for the August primary elections.

August primary candidate filing opens Tuesday as U.S. congressional redistricting map is still undecided

February 22, 2022 6:34 AM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (KMIZ) Candidates can file paperwork for the August primary election Tuesday morning at the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City. The candidate filings come as the Missouri Senate works to pick a map for the state’s eight U.S. congressional districts. Missouri is required to redraw the map every 10 years

Jefferson City NAACP and Jefferson City FaithVoices hosting virtual candidate forums on March 21 and 28

February 21, 2022 9:16 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Hear directly from the school board and city council candidates on the April 5th ballot