Local Politics Archives

Voting event held for quarantined Boone County residents

November 1, 2020 10:32 AM Ben Fein

The County Clerk’s Office held a drive-thru voting event for those in Boone who had tested positive for COVID-19 or had to quarantine due to the virus.

Three file for city council bids on first day

October 28, 2020 8:26 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Three people returned petitions to run for Columbia City Council on the first day allowed. City clerk Sheela Amin said all three petitions are for candidates in Second Ward. Andrea Waner, Bill Weitkemper and Jim Meyer all returned petitions with 50 signatures by Wednesday morning. Amin said she still must verify the

Boone County clerk and post office team up for election event

October 23, 2020 1:08 PM Ben Fein

The clerk said over 17,000 people have already cast their ballot in Boone County.

Boone County commissioners ‘disavow’ fellow commissioner’s comments on health department

October 22, 2020 8:40 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two Boone County commissioners rebuked their fellow official on Thursday over comments he made about the county’s health department director. A letter from Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill and District 2 Commissioner Janet Thompson to Columbia city manager John Glascock criticized District 1 Commissioner Fred Parry’s reaction to the ownership change at the

Two hopefuls plan run for Columbia City Council

October 20, 2020 8:38 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two people have signaled a run for spots on the Columbia City Council next April. Andrea Waner and Philip Merriman have filed paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission to run for the Second and Sixth Ward seats respectively in 2021. Neither have run for public office before this. Waner has experience with

Columbia City Council to discuss COVID-19 relief

October 18, 2020 5:20 AM Ben Fein

The council is scheduled to meet Monday at 7 p.m. to discuss, among other topics, COVID-19 relief and a growth impact study group.

Boone County CARES Act funding thus far; commission approves utility assistance program funding

October 9, 2020 1:56 PM Riane Cleveland

The Boone County Commission has awarded about $2.9 million in CARES Act funding for COVID-19 relief since the pandemic started.

Former senator accuses Rowden of ‘lying’ in attack ad against Baker

October 8, 2020 3:50 PM Matthew Sanders

Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill accused state Sen. Caleb Rowden of lying in an attack ad against his election opponent Thursday.

Jefferson City mayor encourages safe COVID-19 practices as Halloween approaches

October 6, 2020 11:54 AM Zach Boetto

The mayor of Jefferson City is encouraging residents to practice safe COVID-19 habits as Halloween approaches.

Boone County considers CARES Act money for utility help

October 6, 2020 12:06 PM Riane Cleveland

The Boone County Commission discussed CARES Act funding for a utility assistance program on Tuesday.

County clerks check-in as absentee in-person voting kicks off

September 22, 2020 10:49 AM Zach Boetto

County clerks across Mid-Missouri said as of 10 a.m., voters were already lined up to cast their ballots.

Columbia City Council approves increase in pay for some sanitation workers

September 22, 2020 11:56 AM Zola Crowder

Some Columbia sanitation workers are getting a raise with the passage of the city’s fiscal 2021 budget.

TRUTH ALERT: Pro-Parson ad ties Galloway to federal health care policies

September 14, 2020 5:01 PM Lucas Geisler

An ad running in support of Republican Gov. Mike Parson ties Nicole Galloway to federal health care ideas, but not necessarily ones that the Democratic state auditor holds.

Columbia City Council scheduled to vote on ratifying health order

September 6, 2020 7:35 AM Ben Fein

City Council will meet on Tuesday to discuss ratifying the city’s current health order, as it’s set to expire September 17th.

State senator calls on Boone County Commission to quicken stimulus spending

September 4, 2020 8:22 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Missouri state senator is calling on the Boone County Commission to work faster to spend federal stimulus dollars. State Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) said the commission needed to get money from the CARES Act into the hands of people and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The county received $21.3 million

Boone County Commission defends approach to giving out CARES Act funding

August 14, 2020 4:24 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The three members of the Boone County Commission signed a letter Friday defending the county’s holding of most of the $21 million in CARES Act funding it received in the spring. The county was awarded $21 million in funding in May. It’s up to the county commission to determine how to award

ELECTION NIGHT UPDATES: Missouri approves Medicaid expansion

August 4, 2020 7:59 PM ABC 17 News Team

Check back throughout the night for updated election results.

Columbia voters split on expanding Missouri’s Medicaid program

August 4, 2020 8:07 PM Sydney Olsen

Columbia residents voted on Missouri Amendment 2 on Tuesday which would expand Medicaid in Missouri.

Masks encouraged for voting in Boone County election

August 4, 2020 5:14 AM Zach Boetto

BOONE COUNTY Mo. (KMIZ) Polling places are expected to open up at 6 Tuesday morning for the August primary election, and voters are asked to bring a valid form of ID and a mask. This year’s ballot features Amendment 2 which would expand Medicaid if approved and races for party nominations for Boone County, U.S.

Fulton City Council agrees to draft mask ordinance

July 30, 2020 12:32 PM Zola Crowder

Tuesday the Fulton City Council voted to begin drafting a mask ordinance in case COVID-19 cases spike.