Local Politics Archives

Centralia residents want more transparency after police chief resigns

September 29, 2021 6:57 PM Zach Boetto

Centralia residents are asking the city for more transparency after the police chief on Friday submitted his letter of resignation.

Boone County Commission to hear public input on courthouse murals

September 27, 2021 3:29 PM ABC 17 News Team

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the commission chambers at the Boone County Government Center.

State representative criticizes Columbia Public Schools over music video use in class

September 21, 2021 12:25 PM Lucas Geisler

State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) said parents complained to him about a U.S. studies course using the video for “This is America” by Childish Gambino in class. Basye said the video features “gun violence, murder, inappropriate use of firearms and drug use.” Basye said superintendent Brian Yearwood and CPS had not done enough to address concerns he’s heard from parents.

Boone County auditor retiring after 32 years

September 21, 2021 4:33 PM Matthew Sanders

Auditor June Pitchford said in a news release that her current term, which expires Dec. 31, 2022, will be her last. Pitchford, a Democrat, was first elected in 1990 and has served eight terms without a challenge to her office.

Attorney general seeks to add more schools to mask lawsuit against CPS

September 17, 2021 4:33 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt wants to add more schools to the lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools and its mask policy.

Columbia Mayor Brian Treece announces he won’t run for reelection

September 17, 2021 2:35 PM Zach Boetto

City of Columbia Mayor Brian Treece announced Friday afternoon he will not run for reelection in 2022.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should murals be removed from the Boone County Courthouse?

September 16, 2021 2:08 AM ABC 17 News Team

The lawyers object to violent and racist depictions, including a man being whipped for a crime, slave labor and a Native American with a gun pointed at him. But another lawyer told ABC 17 News that while those images might be offensive, that’s the point — to depict life as it was, including the brutality.

Lawmakers, witnesses say Biden’s vaccine plan will harm industry

September 15, 2021 3:57 AM Ben Fein

The Missouri House Judiciary Committee heard testimony Wednesday from witnesses representing prominent industries who lamented the harm they say President Joe Biden’s vaccine plan will cause employers.

Missouri Rep. Sara Walsh resumes campaign for Missouri’s 4th Congressional District after catching COVID

September 1, 2021 10:53 PM Karl Wehmhoener

EDITOR’S NOTE: A reference to Ed Emery filing for election has been removed. Emery died in August. ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Rep. Sara Walsh (R-Ashland) says she will resume her campaign for Missouri’s 4th Congressional District after the passing of her husband from the coronavirus. My full statement below. I am resuming my campaign for

Boone County presiding commissioner won’t seek reelection; Democrat runs for seat

September 1, 2021 3:51 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill said Wednesday that he will not seek another term, the same day a fellow Democrat announced his campaign for Atwill’s seat. “I am proud to have been a small part of the progress Boone County has made in the past 10 years and I hope to

New laws set to go into place in Missouri to limit health orders, allow college athletes to be compensated

August 28, 2021 3:50 AM Ben Fein

ultiple new laws are set to take effect on Saturday, including compensation for student athletes, limits on health orders, multiple relating to law enforcement and others.

Missouri’s U.S. senators and representatives react to attacks outside Kabul Airport

August 26, 2021 3:46 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Missouri’s U.S. Senators and several congressional members have spoken out about the Thursday morning attacks outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Rep. Hartzler responds to CPS mask mandate lawsuit

August 25, 2021 7:26 PM Karl Wehmhoener

CENTRALIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler made an appearance in Centralia talking with agricultural group leaders to discuss water regulations. During her appearance, Hartzler spoke about Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s lawsuit against mask mandates in schools districts. Hartzler says she believes the parents of students should have the power to determine if their child

Columbia and Boone County leaders to give COVID-19 update at Columbia City Hall.

Columbia police and fire department leaders ask city for federal funding

August 19, 2021 9:39 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Fire Department and Police Department chiefs met with the city council Thursday to discuss getting a share of federal funding. Both departments are looking to get money for staffing. They’re trying to get money from the American Rescue Plan from which the city is expected to get $25 million. CPD

Husband of state representative dies after battling COVID-19

August 19, 2021 8:35 AM Josie Anglin

State Rep. Sara Walsh (R-Ashland) said in a tweet that her husband Steve Walsh had passed away.

Missouri politicians release comments on the situation in Afghanistan

August 16, 2021 6:53 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several state and local politicians have expressed their opinions on the situation in Afghanistan. Gov. Mike Parson (R) Like many Missourians, I am concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The gross negligence demonstrated by the Biden Administration for the safety and security of our service members and our nation’s committed

2020 Census data shows Boone County population growth

August 12, 2021 9:38 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The 2020 once-in-a-decade Census data shows Boone County growing in population and becoming more diverse. The federal data dropped on Thursday for states to begin redistricting efforts. The new numbers show Missouri added 165,986 residents in the last ten years. Boone County is one of the only mid-Missouri counties which significantly grew

Missouri redistricting commissions schedule public hearings as 2020 Census data is to be released Thursday

August 12, 2021 10:06 AM Molly Stawinoga

Two governor-appointed committees are starting work to redraw Missouri’s district maps.

Crisis center in Columbia could be just months from opening

August 11, 2021 1:09 PM Leila Mitchell

A mental health crisis center could begin operating around the clock in Columbia in the next six to nine months, local leaders said Wednesday.

Columbia council members say future health order unlikely without health department blessing

August 10, 2021 2:52 PM Lucas Geisler

Several Columbia City Council members said Tuesday that they may not support further local health restrictions without the recommendation of the city’s health department.