Traffic impacts expected as Columbia hosts Juneteenth parade
The public is invited to line East Broadway Saturday morning for Columbia’s annual Juneteenth parade at 9 a.m
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Community members release balloons in honor of slain teen
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Dozens of people gathered Friday night at Cosmo Park in Columbia to honor a teenager who died in a shooting this past weekend. Zarian Simpson died in a shooting on Sunday, June 15 during an armed robbery. Two juveniles were arrested, along with Steven Paden, 34. Friends and family started gathering
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Missouri leads nation in fireworks spending, but safety remains a concern
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As Independence Day approaches, Missourians are lighting up the sky — and the nation’s spending charts. Fireworks sales at seasonal retailers began on Friday, marking the start of one of the busiest and most-explosive stretches of the year. According to U.S. trade data from Lending Tree, Missouri imported $85.7 million worth of
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2 juveniles accused in shooting death appear in court
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The two juveniles detained after a Columbia homicide will continue to be held in a juvenile center. The suspects are 15 and 13 years old. They’re accused of being involved in the armed robbery and fatal shooting of 18-year-old Zarian Simpson on Sunday. They were detained along with 34-year-old Steven Paden earlier this week.
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Over 50 foster families sign up to take in dogs after CMHS wrote space-based euthanasia was possible
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Central Missouri Humane Society in Columbia wrote that it could kill dogs for space reasons for the first time in more than 10 years. CMHS wrote on its social media that it started Friday with no kennels available “and desperately need dogs to leave in order to avoid making space-based euthanasia
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39 Columbia streets to be treated for two months beginning Monday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Beginning Monday, June 23, a contractor is scheduled to start treating the first of 39 residential streets, according to a Friday press release from the City of Columbia. Work begins at 7 a.m. Monday and will continue on weekdays through July until all street have been treated with Reclamite, an asphalt rejuvenating
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Ryan Ferguson attorney seeking $1.3 million more in historic lawsuit judgment
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) An attorney for Ryan Ferguson hopes to get $1 million more in his eight-figure lawsuit against an insurance company. Attorney Michael Berry asked Cole County Judge Cotton Walker on Friday to add at least $1.3 million to the $43.8 million judgment he awarded on Monday. Berry said Walker did not properly
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Columbia faces risk of government clawbacks because of DEI
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Trump administration could declare the City of Columbia in violation of a federal executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, city leaders say. Such a determination could result in the suspension of federal funding, termination of existing contracts and demands for repayment of previously awarded federal funds. Fifth Ward Councilman
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Suspect in Columbia infant death apparently released from custody
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Fayette woman charged with second-degree murder in the 2021 death of an 8-month-old girl is the subject of an active arrest warrant. But two days after the warrant was issued, court and prison records indicate she still isn’t in custody. Jennifer Johnson was scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m.
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‘Eyes in the sky’: Task Force 1’s drones prove effectiveness for agencies across the state
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson will never forget May 16, 2025. It was a Friday around 3:15 p.m., meaning major roads in the city were already packed with traffic as rush hour approached. That would lead to even more issues down the road. It was the day an EF-3 tornado struck
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Multiple Juneteenth celebrations held in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Multiple family-friendly events took place across Columbia on Thursday to celebrate Juneteenth, which is considered the longest-running African American holiday. “They Were Always There” Tribute to Black Veterans was held at 11 a.m. at the Boone County War Memorial Plaza. This event, hosted by the U.S. Exercise Tiger Foundation, featured a wreath-laying
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North Callaway firefighters describe struggles with I-70 road construction
CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) North Callaway Fire Protection District tells ABC 17 News that accessibility and clean up continue to be an issue for them when responding to accidents near construction zones on Interstate 70. “What we usually end up having to do is kind of park and walk. We’re doing a lot of climbing over
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Columbia to reduce downtown meter time limit option
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia is simplifying the time limits on on-street parking meters downtown by making operational changes. Starting the week after July 4, the city will reduce the number of time-limit options from six to four. The goal is to simplify payment, reduce confusion and increase parking turnover. Currently, drivers choose
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Four vehicles involved in I-70 crash near Millersburg
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Four vehicles were involved in a crash Thursday morning on Interstate 70 near Millersburg, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The report says the crash occurred as a 2015 Mazda CX5, 2021 Ford Explorer and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado were slowing down in the eastbound lane for congested
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Car crashes into building in central Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Police are searching for a driver who crashed into a building near Downtown Columbia late Wednesday night. The crash happened just after 10:30 p.m. at Broadway and Second Street at the Monarch Title building. Sgt. Shawn Claypool told ABC 17 News on scene that the driver that hit the building and another
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MU seeks funding for advanced EMS program to cut crash response times
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri Department of Emergency Medicine is seeking funding to launch a new safety initiative aimed at improving emergency response times and outcomes for crash victims in Mid-Missouri. The proposed initiative, called the Advanced Critical EMS Response Program, would temporarily equip a local emergency response vehicle with advanced care tools;
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Columbia community members feel weight of political tension heading into Juneteenth celebrations
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several Columbia community members on Wednesday gathered at Rose Music Hall in Columbia, soaking in the time to celebrate, before rain brought the celebration to an early end. “It’s just very important for us to recognize how much people have to go through for us to be free and give people in
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Room At The Inn homeless shelter to be open every Saturday through winter
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Room At The Inn overnight homeless shelter in Columbia is extending its services by adding Saturday operations to fill service gaps in the community. Starting July 5th, the shelter will be open all day every Saturday to the homeless community. Executive Director at Room At The Inn John Trapp says the
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Teen’s family speaks out after this weekend’s fatal shooting
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The family of Zarian Simpson is speaking out after one of people accused in the robbery and killing of Simpson appeared in court on Wednesday. Simpson was killed on Sunday night at a Columbia apartment complex. Steven Padden, 34, of Columbia is charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and second-degree felony
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Columbia expects to continue to receive federal grants after voting to keep equity statement intact
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council on Monday night voted 5-1 to keep its current mission and vision statements after months of proposed change. President Donald Trump on Jan. 21 signed an executive order that targets the language surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion — commonly referred to as DEI. — alleging it promotes discrimination. There
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