Columbia City Council rejects mask mandate
Dozens of protestors against the mask mandate gathered in front of city hall before pouring into the council chambers.
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Mid-Missouri counties with higher COVID-19 rates than Boone remain without masks as Columbia discussed new mandate
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several counties in Mid-Missouri counties have higher COVID-19 case rates than Boone County but don’t seem to have a mask mandate discussion. The City of Columbia met Monday night to vote on bringing a mask mandate back to the area. The council voted 3-3 and the emergency ordinance did not pass. Cases
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Columbia City Council members give insight on options for mask mandate
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council will discuss an emergency ordinance on Monday which could mandate masks throughout the city. The mandate would go into effect at the decision of the council and would last 30 days unless “extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by later adopted ordinances.” It requires everyone five and
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Columbia parking committee bounces hotel recommendation back to city council
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Parking Advisory Committee says it needs more information on the proposed hotel parking at the intersection of Cherry St. and Hitt St., in order to make a recommendation. Columbia’s city council asked the parking advisory committee to go over the plan at its last meeting. “Our job is to pass
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Local hospitals had to turn away patients because of staffing issues and the rise in occupancy levels
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Local hospitals in Mid-Missouri are being affected by the nationwide nurse shortage, as well as the surge of COVID-19 patients, which has resulted in higher occupancy levels and patients being turned away. Dr. Robin Blount with Boone Health said new nurses join the staff at the hospital every two weeks, but they
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New mask mandate in Columbia could go to vote as soon as Monday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council voted to hold a special meeting to discuss a new mask ordinance. The council came to the vote during its Aug. 2 meeting and plans to hold the special meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 9. It comes as the delta variant powers a surge in COVID-19
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Columbia health department director proposes more masking in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services director asked the Columbia City Council on Monday to consider having masks again in city facilities. “I really believe everybody should be wearing their mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status, because we need to protect our kids, we need to protect people that are
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Jefferson City Council discussed the rise in Covid-19 cases after a hotspot advisory was issued for the county
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Council met Monday at 6 p.m. to give a pandemic update, just three days after the state issued a COVID-19 hot spot advisory for Cole County COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks have increased to 363 in Cole County. Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the state health department,
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Mizzou announces mask requirements and vaccine incentives
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) All Mizzou students, faculty, staff and visitors will have to mask up indoors starting Monday, regardless of vaccination status. “With our in person classes, we know we’re going to have to make these adjustments with the mask requirements, and again we’re asking for everybody’s cooperation,” said Christian Basi, an MU spokesperson. “The
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Columbia city manager says city in ‘fine financial position’ as he unveils budget
City Manager John Glascock will present his version of the Columbia city budget for the 2022 fiscal year at noon on Thursday.
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More people continue to get vaccinated at outreach clinics across Mid-Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Around 20 doses were given out Wednesday at the food truck roundup in Columbia today, and although these are not the numbers that were being vaccinated at former mass vaccination sights, vaccinators say that every dose counts. “Every person counts, that is one less person that can contract Covid,” said Nurse Taylor
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DESE: In-person learning is still a priority in light of new COVID-19 guidance for the upcoming school year
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released reopening and operating guidance for schools as the start of the Fall 2021 semester is just four weeks away. The Covid-19 safety measures that are being recommended, are all in light of safely returning to full in-person instruction as the top priority.
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Missouri Supreme Court sides with Medicaid expansion supporters
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state’s voter-approved Medicaid expansion does not violate the state constitution’s prohibition on voters creating new programs that aren’t funded. The court in its unanimous 14-page decision sent the case back to Cole County circuit court and instructed the judge to enter a judgment
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Missouri to offer cash prizes for coronavirus vaccine; new health director named
The state will offer people 12 and older who have had at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine a chance to enter a drawing for $10,000 starting Aug. 13. Drawings will be held every two weeks through Oct. 8. People under 18 will be entered to win a $10,000 education savings account.
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Boone County fair gains safety approval for carnival rides and food vendors as it returns to Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The State Fire Marshal and the Columbia/Boone County Health Department gave the Boone County Fair the green light to open the carnival rides and food vendors this week at the Boone County Fairgrounds. Gus Guadamuz, Supervisor of Missouri’s Amusement Ride Safety Unit, said all rides have to go through two levels of
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Parents optimistic about Child Tax Credit starting Thursday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan rolls out Thursday and some Columbia parents are looking forward to the extra cash. “I think it’s awesome,” said Joe Billet, a parent of three children. “I think it would help out a lot of people that desperately need it right now.” Those
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Parson signs gas tax increase meant to boost transportation funding
The bill will provide about $500 million more each year to the Missouri Department of Transportation for roads and bridges by increasing the gas tax by 2.5 cents every year for a five-year period.
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Columbia Board of Education met Monday to move forward with additions to virtual learning
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday, the Columbia Board of Education met to approve a template to a new virtual learning option, as well as renew hotspots. During the 2021-22 school year, Columbia Public Schools will offer CPS Virtual Elementary powered by Edgenuity for students in grades K-5. The district will consider offering the template to
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Boone County emergency officials give safety advice ahead of possible severe storms
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Another round of storms are expected to roll through Mid-Missouri Saturday night and emergency officials want to make sure residents are prepared. Before the storms hit, it is best to put together an emergency kit. Sharon Watson with the American Red Cross, said this should include things like a flashlight, battery-operated radio,
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CPS returns to requiring some students to wear masks as COVID-19 cases continue to rise
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools notified families Friday that the district will require students 11-years-old and younger to wear masks inside and on buses during the summer session. This decision comes as the district has continued to monitor Covid-19 cases. The 14-Day Tracker for CPS shows that the district entered back into the red
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