Local Politics Archives

Tyson Smith plans to prefile legislation on dog-breeding facilities; woman appears in court for Columbia animal abuse care

November 20, 2025 4:36 PM Ryan Shiner, Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A representative for Columbia in Missouri’s state house plans on prefiling legislation about dog-breeding facilities. Democratic State Rep. David Tyson Smith wrote on his social media on Thursday that he plans on prefiling a bill that would require regular inspections at dog-breeding facilities. The announcement comes after Melissa Sanders, 26, of Columbia,

Boone County budget focuses on public safety upgrades, job retention

November 18, 2025 1:12 PM Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County plans to spend more than $20 million in its 2026 budget for upgrades to equipment, vehicles, and radio systems for first responders. The Boone County Commission introduced its proposed budget for 2026 at its Tuesday commission meeting. Total spending for the budget adds up to $143,956,629, a 3% increase over

Columbia median ordinance tabled to Feb. 2 City Council meeting

November 17, 2025 4:00 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia City Council members did not vote on a median ordinance as scheduled on Monday night. Ward 3 Councilwoman Jacque Sample and Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman told ABC 17 News on Monday afternoon that many council members were seeking more information from commissions. Council members on Monday night voted 6-1 to

Missouri hemp businesses face uphill battle amid new THC regulations

November 17, 2025 6:53 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A deal to end the federal government shutdown included a provision that limits how much THC can be legally contained in hemp-derived products. Under the new rule, hemp products could contain no more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. Experts note that hemp generally has much lower levels of THC

CPOA asks to remove Citizens Police Review Board member over social media comment on group’s president

November 12, 2025 4:46 PM Ryan Shiner

EDITOR’S NOTE: Doug Hunt’s full comments to the board have been added to the story. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Officers’ Association is asking the Citizens Police Review Board to remove one of its members over a social media comment that appeared to criticize the CPOA’s president. The CPRB plans to discuss the issue

Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen to vote on Osage Nation Casino at Wednesday meeting

November 11, 2025 5:32 PM Olivia Hayes

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ) Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen on Wednesday night will determine whether to approve or deny a deal with Osage Casinos. The new property is part of a new entertainment district in Missouri announced last fall by the Osage Nation. The proposed site is at 3501 Bagnell Damn Blvd. and is expected

Jefferson City councilman plans run for Cole County Clerk in 2026

November 10, 2025 3:40 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City council member said he plans to run for Cole County’s top election official next year. Jeff Ahlers filed paperwork on Nov. 3 with the Missouri Ethics Commission to run for Cole County Clerk in 2026. Ahlers said he plans to run for the Republican nomination in August’s primary to

Final answer as to whether Missouri’s new congressional map is legal could come in January

November 8, 2025 7:32 PM Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Gov. Mike Kehoe’s “Missouri First” map is facing five lawsuits and one referendum seeking to overturn it. An attorney working on two of those lawsuits said the earliest decision on the legality of this map could come in January. Chuck Hatfield is representing two groups that filed different lawsuits against redistricting. Hatfield

Financial strain mounts for federal workers amid prolonged shutdown

November 3, 2025 6:41 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thousands of federal workers are feeling the financial strain as the government shutdown stretches past a month, leaving many furloughed or working without pay in what is expected to become the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown began Oct. 1 as lawmakers in Washington D.C. are in a stalemate over a

Redistricting lawsuit delayed after judge falls ill

November 3, 2025 9:42 AM Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A group backing a referendum petition to put the “Missouri First” map on the November 2026 ballot will have to wait to argue before a judge. A Monday bench trial in a lawsuit the group People Not Politicians filed against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins was delayed after Judge Daniel Green

2025 November election: Big questions on the ballot in Hallsville, Jefferson City

November 3, 2025 12:02 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A November ballot in an odd-numbered year is usually pretty thin. But this year, if you live in Hallsville, you have the chance to decide on three big questions: The first is whether the Hallsville School District should continue its four-day week for another 10 years. The district has used the abbreviated

Boone County, Columbia redirect funds, revive CoMoHelps to address food insecurity

October 31, 2025 7:25 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thousands of Mid-Missourians could soon face food insecurity as the federal government halts SNAP benefits on Nov. 1. In response, Boone County and the City of Columbia are redirecting money and reactivating CoMoHelps, an emergency relief portal created to coordinate community aid. The effort is led by Boone County, the City of

Cole County Salary Commission approves raise for elected officials

October 29, 2025 10:06 PM Dan Kite

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Elected officials in Cole County will take home more money in the coming years, after a vote for a 5% raise was narrowly passed at the Tuesday meeting of the Cole County Salary Commission. The vote came after a debate between members about whether to note that elected officials have not

Columbia secures additional parking for NCAA cross country championships in November

October 20, 2025 8:42 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council on Monday unanimously approved an agreement with two businesses to provide parking for the NCAA cross country championships that will occur next month. The championships will occur Saturday, Nov. 22 and is expected to bring 3,000-5,000 spectators, in addition to the 32 men’s and women’s teams who will

Jefferson City Council approves appointment of law firm to fill in for attorney

October 20, 2025 8:31 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Council on Monday approved an agreement to hire Lauber Municipal Law to serve an interim role after City Attorney Ryan Moelman stepped down. Moelman was recognized by the council at Monday’s meeting for his service. He will serve in the role until Friday. The city announced the appointment of

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you agree with the message of the ‘No Kings’ protests?

October 20, 2025 4:01 AM Matthew Sanders

Protesters were out again in force across the country this weekend under the banner of No Kings. Events in Columbia and Jefferson City drew large crowds of people who gathered to speak their disapproval of the Trump administration. Photos and videos from major cities showed giant crowds at their protests. President Donald Trump and his

Hallsville schools staff members resign after month on leave for Charlie Kirk posts

October 16, 2025 11:41 AM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – Two Hallsville School District staff members have resigned from the district after a month of paid leave over posts they shared about Charlie Kirk’s death. Anthony Plogger and Kayla Lewis were suspended with pay for sharing posts about Kirk from a page called “So Informed.” The post expressed a lack of

Group seeking to overturn new Missouri congressional map responds to AG lawsuit

October 16, 2025 12:06 PM Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) People Not Politicians’ lawyer claims a referendum on the new congressional map passed by the Missouri legislature is protected under state law. This comes after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a lawsuit in a federal court on Wednesday to block the referendum from getting on the November 2026 ballot. The new

Jefferson City Council approves 2026 budget; police, fire see increases while capital projects decrease

October 8, 2025 2:58 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Council on Monday night approved its $86,836,166budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Revenue for the city is expected to match expenditures. The total budget decreased by nearly $10 million from the 2025 “actual” budget, though it’s a very similar number to the adopted 2025 budget, according to information from

Columbia police chief calls number of legal guns being carried downtown ‘shocking’

October 7, 2025 8:02 PM Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude called the number of legal guns being carried downtown “shocking” in her statement to Columbia city leaders at Monday night’s council meeting. “Two of my assistant chiefs worked downtown over the weekend, and the remark that they made to me after the first night was they were