Local News Archives

MU Health doc warns flu activity still rising, peak not reached

January 15, 2026 12:40 PM Madison Stuerman

Missouri is experiencing a high level of seasonal influenza activity, with 33,681 cases reported so far this season.

DHS confirms another federal agent shooting in Minneapolis

January 14, 2026 9:03 PM Ryan Shiner, Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Department of Homeland Security confirmed in a social media post that a federal agent has again shot someone in the city if Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents were conducting a “targeted traffic stop” when the man, a Venezuelan national, was shot in the leg after he began

Police chase preceded crash on Brickton Road; 2 injured

January 14, 2026 7:23 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A vehicle involved in a crash Wednesday night at a Brickton Road intersection was first involved in a chase with police, according to Columbia Police Department Lt. Anthony Bowne. The intersection of Brickton Road and Conley Road was blocked off on Wednesday night after a vehicle had flipped on its side after

Boone County prosecutor weighs in on Kehoe’s proposal on juvenile crime

January 14, 2026 7:47 PM Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Missouri House and Senate bill are being considered in legislative committees with goals of curbing juvenile crime. This comes after Gov. Mike Kehoe gave his State of the State address Tuesday, which highlighted plans for state income tax, budget and public safety. “Violent crime committed by juveniles has reached a concerning

Route B study indicates new crossroad, signal could help with increased traffic as businesses expect significant growth

January 14, 2026 7:28 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A traffic study provided by the Regional Economic Development Inc. along a portion of Route B indicates a new road could be built to help with expected traffic needs as businesses expect significant growrth. An access study on Route B was conducted in 2025, with a report dated Dec. 10. It specifically

Columbia man charged with felonies after standoff with police

January 14, 2026 10:09 AM Matthew Sanders, Olivia Hayes, Ryan Shiner

UPDATE: The charges in which Peterson is facing have been corrected. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man who was arrested on Wednesday after an hours-long standoff has been charged with multiple felonies. Travis Peterson, 44, was charged with first-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree harassment and resisting arrest. A

Man with out-of-state warrant accused of firing gun in Columbia apartment

January 14, 2026 6:10 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man with a warrant from North Dakota was charged in Boone County after he allegedly a fired a gun through a wall of a Columbia apartment on Monday. Jah’ree Walker, 24, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of illegal gun possession, one count of armed criminal action and a count

Deputies arrest Columbia man that fled into woods after chase that ended near Veterans United

January 14, 2026 5:24 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Law enforcement arrested a Columbia man who allegedly had a gun following a chase that ended near Veterans United’s southern Columbia campus on Wednesday. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Wednesday evening press release that Devin Taylor, 25, of Columbia, was eventually found and detained. Taylor was brought to an

Columbia woman charged with 29 counts of animal abuse sued by dog owners nationwide, abroad

January 14, 2026 3:34 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia woman who was charged with 29 counts of animal abuse has now been sued by more than a dozen dog owners from across the United States and abroad. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Boone County, names Magnum Opus German Shepherds LLC and its owner, Melissa Sanders, 26, and alleges

Man charged with statutory rape now faces 10 counts of child porn possession

January 14, 2026 4:06 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man who is set to go to trial in the spring for rape and other sex crimes is now facing 10 counts of child porn possession in Morgan County. Tristian Dale Washia-Mayhew, 23, was charged in 2024 with first-degree rape, second-degree statutory rape and fourth-degree child molestation. A jury trial is

Maries County deputy charged with felony, accused of assaulting elderly veteran at his home

January 14, 2026 3:28 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Maries County deputy has been charged with a felony for an act that allegedly occurred when he was a member of the Belle Marshal’s office. Erican Blake Sugg, of Vienna, was charged in Maries County with third-degree assault and second-degree property damage. A criminal summons was issued on Wednesday and an

MoDOT meets with Columbia leaders to discuss beautifying Interstate 70

January 14, 2026 11:56 AM Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Transportation met with Boone County stakeholders to discuss what local funding can do to improve Interstate 70 as a lane is added to each side of the highway. Improve I-70 Program Director Eric Kopinski said the goal of Wednesday’s meeting with Boone County commissioners, Columbia Chamber of Commerce

First court appearance set for Jefferson City man suspected of killing his wife

January 14, 2026 11:08 AM Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City man accused of killing his wife during an argument over marital infidelity will appear in court for the first time Friday. Malang J. Akbari, 46, was charged Tuesday with murdering his wife, Manhaz Akbari, by stabbing her to death in their home on East McCarty Street. Court documents

Boone County trailer fire extinguished

January 14, 2026 9:32 AM Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A trailer northwest of Columbia was the scene of a fire investigation early Wednesday. The Boone County Fire Protection District was called to the 5800 block of North Oneal Road at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday after a trailer was set on fire over a dispute, Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said. Boone County firefighters,

Neighbors shocked by Jefferson City homicide Monday

January 13, 2026 11:22 AM Matthew Sanders, Marie Moyer

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been corrected to specify the death was a stabbing. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife. Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson wrote in a news release that Malang J. Akbari, 46, is charged with first-degree murder,

No injuries reported in Boone County trailer fire

January 14, 2026 7:21 AM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) No one was hurt after a trailer caught fire in Boone County Wednesday morning. Boone County Fire Protection District crews were called to a fire at North Oneal Road and West Fenton Road around 5:45 a.m. The road was temporarily closed, but has since reopened. Boone County Assistant Fire Chief Gale Blomenkamp

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you think Kehoe is leading the state in the right direction?

January 14, 2026 4:03 AM Matthew Sanders

Gov. Mike Kehoe gave his second State of the State Address before a combined session of the Missouri General Assembly on Tuesday. Among the priorities stated by the Republican governor are budget cuts of about $600 million, along with a move toward ending Missouri’s income tax. Kehoe also issued several executive orders, including one that

Family identifies victim in deadly shooting in Jefferson City; man charged with murder, other felonies

January 13, 2026 2:03 PM Madison Stuerman, Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City man accused of killing another person is now in custody. The Jefferson City Police Department said in a Tuesday afternoon press release that Malcolm Mayes turned himself in on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Police were searching for Mayes after he allegedly shot and killed a person on Friday. He

Stormwater project to close part of South Rock Quarry Road at end of month

January 13, 2026 9:24 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An underground stormwater project will require the City of Columbia to close a portion of South Rock Quarry Road at the end of the month. A Tuesday press release from the city says the road will close between its intersection with East Nifong Boulevard and Telluride Lane to replace a failed stormwater

Fulton mom accused of putting meth in her child’s backpack

January 13, 2026 9:04 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Fulton mom has been charged with a felony and a misdemeanor after she allegedly put methamphetamine in her child’s backpack on Monday. Alexus Peppers-Wright, 28, was charged on Tuesday in Callaway County with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and misdemeanor illegally possessing drug paraphernalia. She is being held at