Top Stories Archives

Lewis and Clark Middle School in Jefferson City returns to in-person classes after Thanksgiving break.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should schools still require students to wear masks?

June 11, 2021 2:00 AM ABC 17 News Team

More school districts in Mid-Missouri are making masks optional as coronavirus cases go down and vaccinations go up.

THURSDAY UPDATES: Jefferson City School District and Lincoln University lift mask requirements

June 10, 2021 4:50 PM Karl Wehmhoener

The Jefferson City School District and Lincoln University are changing their mask wearing protocols for the upcoming school year. Lincoln University will not require mask wearing on campus beginning Monday, June 14, 2021. The campus has been under a mask wearing protocol since the campus reopened in May 2020. Masks are still recommended for anyone

Missouri GOP Rep. Hartzler officially joins Senate race

June 10, 2021 11:27 AM Associated Press

Republican Rep. Vicky Hartzler, who represents a very conservative and mostly rural area of central and western Missouri in Congress, has officially entered the state’s crowded Senate race.

Ashland encounter adds to list of Mid-Missouri bear sightings

June 10, 2021 3:41 PM Leila Mitchell

Multiple residents reported seeing the bear passing through their neighborhood at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday. Robert Hemmelgarn with the Missouri Department of Conservation said it’s the latest of several bear sightings in Mid-Missouri in the past three weeks.

DEFENDERS: Protecting yourself against ransomware attacks

June 10, 2021 5:36 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After several major companies were hit with ransomware attacks, the White House gave a stern warning this week to companies to beef up it’s security systems. It’s not just big corporations that are at risk, cybersecurity experts worry about small businesses and individuals who are also targets. “I worry for these small

Columbia wins almost $54 million in judgment against CenturyLink

June 10, 2021 6:05 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia has won a nearly $54 million judgment in a case against telecommunication company CenturyLink for unpaid taxes. A St. Louis County judge issued the ruling last week in the case brought by Columbia and Joplin in 2014. Courts had previously found that CenturyLink and its related companies had

Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission votes in favor of a new downtown hotel

June 10, 2021 5:40 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-4 Thursday in favor of a new six-story hotel near the corner of Cherry Street and Hitt Street. In January of 2020, the commission voted 6-1 to approve the potential new hotel called the Cherry Street Hotel. The hotel would sit at 1005 Cherry Street

Woman settles years-long lawsuit with special Columbia taxing district

June 10, 2021 4:58 PM Lucas Geisler

Each side agreed Tuesday to drop the lawsuit that Jennifer Henderson brought against the Business Loop 70 Community Improvement District in 2016.

Jefferson City crash sends pedestrian to hospital; second crash blocks traffic on Missouri Blvd. ramp

June 10, 2021 3:27 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A pedestrian is injured after he tried to cross the 1600 block of Jefferson St. Thursday morning at 9:38 in Jefferson City while trying to fix a flat. According to the Jefferson City police, Everett Pruitt was changing a flat tire when he tried to cross the highway to get to

Columbia city manager to retire in January

June 10, 2021 3:12 PM Matthew Sanders

John Glascock will retire on Jan. 14, 2022, the city said in a news release.

Show-Me State Games bring post-pandemic hope to Columbia residents, city leaders

June 10, 2021 2:38 PM Ben Fein

Columbia city leaders, residents, participants and vendors say they are thrilled to see large-scale events like the Show-Me State Games and Missouri State Senior Games return to Columbia.

Boone County deputies searching for vehicle and driver after chase

June 10, 2021 10:04 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office said a man is on the run after leading deputies on a chase Wednesday night.

Emergency crews respond to the intersection of Worley Street and Providence Road in Columbia after a crash.

Car causes little damage after crashing into Columbia home

June 10, 2021 8:06 AM Molly Stawinoga

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Part of Worley Street in Columbia was closed off Thursday after a car crashed into a home around 7:30 a.m. Officials with the Columbia Police Department told ABC 17 News crews at the scene that two cars were involved in a fender bender at the intersection with Providence Road. One car crashed

Syringe being filled with coronavirus vaccine

Missouri receives more coronavirus vaccines this week than past two combined

June 10, 2021 5:19 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) According to state data, Missouri received more vaccines this week than the past two weeks combined. This week, the state received 7,540 doses of the Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna vaccineS. The prior week of June 1-6, the state received a fraction of the current weeks order, with 1,670 doses. The

The Show-Me State Games’ return expected to benefit Columbia economy

June 10, 2021 6:15 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Show-Me-State Games are coming back to Columbia. This return will impact hospitality businesses that benefit from large events bringing people into the city. Back in 2019, the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau reported more than 20,000 athletes were involved, bringing a total

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should hospitals require employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus?

June 10, 2021 12:19 AM ABC 17 News Team

Some nurses at a Houston hospital have made headlines for suing their employer and staging a walkout over a requirement that they get the coronavirus vaccine.

City of Fulton reaches loan agreement after natural gas price increase caused by frozen wells in February

June 9, 2021 11:09 PM ABC 17 News Team

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) The Fulton City Council approved a $3.4 million dollar loan agreement with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This is to finance a large hike in gas prices after an increase in rates from February 10th through the 20th of this year. The Fulton mayor said in February the city has had

Columbia pool opens after staffing shortages cause delay

June 9, 2021 9:13 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia pool is back open after a delay due to staffing shortages. The Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center opened Wednesday and will be open Wednesdays through Sundays. Each day there are two sessions, noon to 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The City of Columbia’s Parks and Rec Department says

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Boone Health to host Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic on June 19

June 9, 2021 4:32 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Boone Health will be hosting a Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic on June 19th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Boone Hospital and it is open to anyone 18 and older. Boone Health also hosts a vaccination site located at the Columbia Mall where you can receive the Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson

Boone County Fire Protection District and the City of Columbia agree to an alternative emergency route

June 9, 2021 7:32 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Fire Protection District and the City of Columbia agreed on an alternative emergency route for first responders during construction for a new roundabout at Sinclair, Old Plank and Route K. Construction on the roundabout first started on Monday. At that time the Fire Protection District did not have an