Local Politics Archives

Columbia business owner, former city council candidate to run for mayor

October 25, 2021 10:43 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A former Columbia’s sixth ward seat candidate is running for mayor.

Mizzou professor announces plan to run for mayor

October 25, 2021 8:36 AM Josie Anglin

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A University of Missouri adjunct instructor has announced her plan to run for mayor of Columbia. Tanya Heath is expected to file for candidacy in next year’s election. According to a press release from her campaign, Heath is a Hickman High School and University of Missouri graduate. The press release said she

Columbia Board of Education member announces candidacy for mayor

October 21, 2021 8:31 AM Josie Anglin

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A member of the Columbia Schools Board of Education has announced his plans to run for mayor of Columbia. David Seamon released Thursday morning he expects to run for the position in next year’s election. He was elected to the board of education in June 2020. According to a press release from

Confusion amounts surrounding Columbia park sales tax vote

October 20, 2021 11:43 AM Hannah Falcon

Some Columbia residents expressed confusion toward the language on the special election ballot, so ABC 17 reached out to the Parks and Recreation Department for an explanation on the vote.

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

Columbia City Council to review new neighborhood and expansion of Logboat Brewing Company

October 18, 2021 4:28 AM Meghan Drakas

The Columbia City Council is set to vote on the approval of a new neighborhood in East Columbia that would add 168 homes to the area.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is it time to end most mask mandates?

October 18, 2021 2:17 AM ABC 17 News Team

The University of Missouri’s mandate ended last week and the City of Columbia says masks won’t be required in most city buildings starting this week. Yet mandates remain in Columbia Public Schools, at MU Health Care and in some other public settings.

Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid funding threatened by Missouri’s new emergency regulation

October 13, 2021 10:13 PM Hannah Falcon

An emergency regulation in Missouri goes into effect Wednesday which requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to turn over all its inspection reports on abortion providers. As the only abortion provider in Missouri, Planned Parenthood said this is a political attack on its Medicaid funding.

Former executive director of Voluntary Action Center to run for Fourth Ward City Council seat

October 13, 2021 8:31 PM Karl Wehmhoener

The recently retired executive director of the Voluntary Action Center announced he will run for the Fourth Ward seat on the City of Columbia’s city council.

Columbia business owner running for Ward 4 council seat

October 12, 2021 9:04 AM Molly Stawinoga

Erica Pefferman, the owner of COMO Magazine and the Columbia Marketing Group, announced her candidacy for Columbia’s Ward 4 council seat.

Centralia Mayor Chris Cox sits in the council chambers ahead of a Monday night Board of Aldermen meeting.

City of Centralia appoints interim police chief

October 11, 2021 4:11 PM Zach Boetto

CENTRALIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Centralia Board of Alderman appointed a new interim police chief and approved a law firm to serve as a special legal counsel. The board appointed Corporal Nat Stoebe to take over as interim police chief until the city finds a more long term solution. “My whole objective, moving forward from here

Columbia state rep will not seek reelection

October 11, 2021 10:07 AM Matthew Sanders

Democratic state Rep. Martha Stevens announced her decision via news release. She is ending her third term in office and was first elected in 2016 and would have been term-limited after another term. Her district includes parts of south and west Columbia.

Former Columbia city official running for mayor

October 11, 2021 11:35 AM Matthew Sanders

Barbara Buffaloe announced her intent to run in the April election in a Facebook post on a new campaign page. Buffaloe is entering a race with no incumbent after Mayor Brian Treece said last month that he will not seek reelection. Treece is the only person with a campaign committee for the mayor’s race registered with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Boone County working to find new home for Sidney Larson murals

October 8, 2021 3:54 PM Joushua Blount

The commission’s order requires the murals to be moved to a secure location where the art can be cared for appropriately. The murals, for now, are still hanging in the courthouse.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Did the Boone County Commission make the right decision about courthouse murals?

October 8, 2021 2:04 AM ABC 17 News Team

Several lawyers and judges asked for the removal of the murals painted in 1994, citing their depictions of violence and slavery. But others defended the murals, saying they showed local history, which has its ugly side.

Lt. Gov. Chief of Staff to run for Jefferson City School District Board of Education

October 1, 2021 11:11 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A Jefferson City High School Alum and US Naval Academy graduate will seek one of two openings for the Jefferson City School District Board of Education.

State ethics commission orders Columbia mayor to end campaign committee

October 1, 2021 3:42 PM Lucas Geisler

The Missouri Ethics Commission told Mayor Brian Treece to dissolve his campaign committee in a Friday order. Once dissolved, the commission promised to take no further action against him.

Former Centralia police officer speaks out amid fallout between city and police department

September 30, 2021 12:00 PM Zach Boetto

A petition to reinstate a fired officer to the Centralia Police Department has gained more than 300 signatures amid fallout from the resignation of two other members of the small department.