News Archives

WATCH: Columbia superintendent talks about decision to go virtual

September 1, 2020 2:37 AM Molly Stawinoga

Watch the full interviews with Superintendent Peter Stiepleman.

Columbia Board of Education decides to begin year online-only as COVID-19 case surge continues

August 31, 2020 12:57 PM Zach Boetto

The Columbia Board of Education on Monday voted to begin classes Sept. 8 fully online amid fast-rising COVID-19 cases after more than three hours of debate and public comment.

Columbia HR director set to retire

August 31, 2020 9:13 PM Katie Greathouse

Columbia’s Human Resources director is set to retire in January.

The state health department reported a record breaking rise in COVID-19 cases on Saturday.

MONDAY UPDATES: Boone County Courthouse employee tests positive for COVID-19

August 31, 2020 10:51 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Man charged after weekend shooting in downtown Columbia

August 31, 2020 6:57 PM Katie Greathouse

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Prosecutors charged a 30-year-old Columbia man in connection with a shooting that happened downtown over the weekend. Prosecutors charged Chad Thomas with assault, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, kidnapping and resisting arrest. Police said it happened around 12:41 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of

Man accused of firing gun during fight in Jefferson City

August 31, 2020 6:34 PM Katie Greathouse

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Prosecutors charged a Jefferson City man in connection with a weekend shooting. Court documents said that the shooting happened after 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Jefferson Street. According to investigators, Shaheem Bates fired a gun in front of Tiger’s Den during an altercation in a large crowd of

DEFENDERS: Robocalls decrease during early months of pandemic but could soon increase

August 31, 2020 4:06 PM Deborah Kendrick

During the early months of the pandemic, you might have noticed getting pesky robocalls wasn’t happening as much.

Boone County firefighters respond to Monday apartment fire

August 31, 2020 3:45 PM Matt Ragsdale

Boone County firefighters responded to an apartment fire Monday morning north of Columbia.

Man accused in 1991 Cole County murder released on bond

August 31, 2020 3:44 PM ABC 17 News Team

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Fulton man accused in the 1991 killing of a teenager in Cole County was released from jail after posting bond Monday. William “Chris” Niemet posted a $1 million cash-only bond and was released from jail with GPS monitoring and court supervision, Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson said Monday. A

University of Missouri promises daily COVID-19 updates; petitioners call for more data

August 31, 2020 2:58 PM Riane Cleveland

The University of Missouri announced Monday that it will begin updating campus COVID-19 numbers daily moving forward.

Families of special education students eager for more details on Columbia Public Schools fall classes

August 31, 2020 12:46 PM Zola Crowder

Families in Columbia with kids in special education have started an email campaign trying to get information about their children’s education plans.

Woman dead after lying on train tracks in Cole County

August 31, 2020 11:37 AM Matthew Sanders

A 35-year-old Missouri woman died Sunday after she was lying on tracks and was hit by a train in Cole County.

St. Louis officer dies after being shot by gunman

August 31, 2020 10:24 AM Associated Press

Authorities say a St. Louis police officer who was shot in the head while responding to a shooting on the city’s south side has died.

Lake of the Ozarks boat crash leads to BWI arrest

August 31, 2020 9:11 AM Matt Ragsdale

A weekend boat crash at the Lake of the Ozarks resulted in an arrest.

Teachers and parents react to CPS possibly going fully online

August 30, 2020 6:52 PM Zola Crowder

This comes after CPS released the 14-day rate of cases per 10,000 in areas served by Columbia Public Schools hit 66.2 as of August 30th.

SUNDAY UPDATES: Columbia Public Schools COVID-19 rate continues its steady spike, Boone reports 85 new cases

August 30, 2020 2:38 PM Connor Hirsch

UPDATE 6:00 PM: After a record-shattering daily case total on Saturday, Boone County reported 85 new cases of COVID on Sunday, the second-highest day yet. The jump pushes the total confirmed cases in to 2,532 since the pandemic began. Of those, 659 are currently active in the county. New cases of the virus continue to

Two injured after crash in Jefferson City last night

August 30, 2020 5:39 PM Connor Hirsch

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Police Department say two are injured after a crash allegedly involving alcohol and narcotics early Sunday morning. According to police, around 12:40 Sunday morning, officers responded o a crash at the 1100 block of Madison Street. Officers say the investigation revealed a car driven by Clint Ferguson, 29,

CPD investigating fatal four vehicle crash

August 30, 2020 11:24 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) CORRECTION: Reports say Reeves was not wearing a helmet. The original article stated Reeves was wearing a helmet. The Columbia Police Department is investigating a fatal four vehicle crash that happened on I-70 late Saturday night. According to reports, 53-year-old Ricky L. Reeves, of Columbia, was found dead after he crashed his

Crash blocks major central Columbia intersection

August 30, 2020 2:29 PM Connor Hirsch

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A vehicle crash at the intersection of Stadium and Providence in Columbia caused traffic backups Sunday. Boone County Joint Communications tweeted right around 2 p.m. asking drivers to avoid the area. BCJC: Motor Vehicle Collision Stadium Blvd and Providence Rd. Use caution, avoid area if possible.— Boone County Joint Communications (@BCJC911) August

CPS case rate spikes ahead of special session

August 30, 2020 8:41 AM Ben Fein

As The Board of Education for Columbia Public Schools plans on meeting Monday evening, the case rate in the school district is increasing substantially.