Local Politics Archives

Mother of three files to run for Columbia Board of Education in April election

December 20, 2021 9:29 PM ABC 17 News Team

Andrea Lisenby is seeking one of the two seats up for election.

City manager requests using ARPA to address workforce development

December 20, 2021 7:25 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday, the Columbia City Council will hear the request from John Glascock and city staff on where to spend $2 million of the $25 million American Rescue Plan Act funds that would address development inequalities that were exposed by the COVID-19 Pandemic. City staff recommends funding three workforce development programs – Moberly Area Community

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Would you vote for a local tax on internet sales?

December 20, 2021 1:55 AM ABC 17 News Team

Boone County commissioners say the county needs a tax on online sales.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you like Columbia Public Schools’ new coronavirus rules?

December 15, 2021 2:10 AM ABC 17 News Team

Students exposed to coronavirus will no longer have to stay out of school. Instead, only those who test positive for the virus or have symptoms will have to stay out of class.

Mid-Missouri health departments respond to attorney general’s warning letter

December 10, 2021 6:32 PM Hannah Falcon

While several health departments across the state are changing orders due to the attorney general’s threat, Mid-Missouri health departments are either avoiding the question or experiencing no effect.

Missouri lawyers question attorney general’s interpretation of health orders law

December 9, 2021 6:54 PM Hannah Falcon

Missouri lawyers are questioning the attorney general’s interpretation of a Cole County ruling being used to justify his investigation into Columbia Public Schools.

Boone County Commission approves tax break for food processing facility

December 9, 2021 5:17 PM Matthew Sanders

The commission approved an agreement for Chapter 100 bonds for Swift Prepared Foods, which plans to build a $200 million facility that will create more than 250 jobs. Officials announced the project in November.

Union workers and elected officials gather to hear Biden remarks on infrastructure law in Kansas City

December 8, 2021 12:47 PM Chanel Porter

Biden boarded Air Force One for Kansas City at 10:28 a.m. Wednesday. Biden is expected to arrive in Kansas City around 1 p.m. before giving remarks to assembled union workers and elected officials, including Gov. Mike Parson, at the Kansas City Transportation Authority at 2:30 p.m.

The Biden administration announced a new strategy to counter corruption and illicit finance

President Biden to speak on $1 trillion infrastructure bill Wednesday in Kansas City

December 7, 2021 9:36 PM Chanel Porter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) President Joe Biden will travel to Kansas City Wednesday to deliver remarks on a new infrastructure bill and how it will impact the state of Missouri. The President will land at Kansas City International Airport around 1 p.m. tomorrow before heading to the Kansas City Transportation Authority to give remarks at

April 6 election registration ends Wednesday.

Candidates file local school boards

December 7, 2021 9:14 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) In Columbia, Suzette Waters has filed to run for the Columbia Board of Education in the April 2022 election. “A quality education means stretching each student to reach beyond what they are doing to find out what they can do,” she said. She has been an active volunteer in her kids’ classrooms

Missouri attorney general warns schools, local health agencies that continue to enforce health mandates

December 7, 2021 1:21 PM Hannah Falcon

The letters follow a Nov. 22 Cole County judge’s ruling in Robinson v. Department of Health and Senior Services. Judge Daniel Green ruled non-elected officials cannot issue and enforce public health orders in Missouri. Schmitt told ABC 17 News that his office took time to interpret how the ruling will affect the rest of Missouri before crafting the letters.

Missouri state officials dispute reports of mask mandate study

December 2, 2021 1:33 PM Hannah Falcon

By comparing the seven-day averages of Missouri counties with and without mask mandates in place, DHSS found that both case and death numbers were lower during the peak of the delta variant in counties that enforced mask-wearing.

City of Centralia appoints new police chief Monday night

November 22, 2021 2:57 PM Zach Boetto

The Centralia city government appointed Harlan Hatton as the new police chief during its board of aldermen meeting Monday night.

Centralia Police Department is expecting to have a new chief Monday night.

Centralia city government narrows police chief search

November 17, 2021 12:03 PM Joushua Blount

The Centralia Board of Aldermen will have a closed-door meeting at 6 pm. Wednesday to discuss details regarding personnel.

Missouri State Senator Rick Brattin to run for 4th congressional district seat

November 15, 2021 11:17 AM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri State Senator Rick Brattin is running for the Republican nomination in the Fourth Congressional District. “I am running for Congress because I believe we need to elect conservatives who will stand up and put America First. We need to secure our border, hold China accountable for dishonest trade practices – including

Former state representative announces run for Boone County Commissioner

November 10, 2021 4:45 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Kip Kendrick announced he is running for Boone County Commissioner. Kendrick is currently the chief of staff for a state senator but has also held administrative positions with Boone County family resources, Columbia College, and the MU School of Journalism. Kendrick represented House District 45 from 2015-2020, including a large portion of

Columbia woman announces bid for Missouri House of Representatives

November 9, 2021 7:34 AM Zachary Farwell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia woman has announced her candidacy for the Missouri House of Representatives. According to a press release, Chimene Schwach will run as a Democrat for the House District 46 seat. Chimene Schwach, of Columbia, announced plans this week to run for the Missouri House of Representatives. Schwach will challenge for the

Columbia Board of Education member will seek re-election

November 9, 2021 9:02 AM Josie Anglin

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia Board of Education member plans to run for re-election. According to a press release from the campaign for Blake Willoughby, he will seek a second term on the board of education. “I am committed to the value of community and this will be a campaign focused on how we can