Local News Archives

More Missouri schools using safety app as 2023-24 year begins

August 22, 2023 3:46 PM Hannah Falcon

Hundreds of Missouri schools have signed up for a new tool they hope will increase campus safety — an app meant to improve the response to school safety threats.

Coaches, athletes make adjustments during heat wave

August 22, 2023 3:43 PM Mitchell Kaminski

HALLSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ) The recent heat wave has forced high school athletic programs to move practice times to early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce the risk of heat-related illness. This week, temperatures in Mid-Missouri are expected to reach high 90s and low 100s between Tuesday and Thursday, with heat indexes

Man charged with statutory rape in Callaway County arrested

August 22, 2023 9:17 PM Ryan Shiner

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) An Audrain County man charged with statutory rape in July was arrested and booked into the Callaway County Jail on Monday. Jaylen Scott Fendrick, 19, of Laddonia, was charged with first-degree statutory rape and furnishing pornographic material to a minor. He is being held at the Callaway County Jail without bond. An

Columbia College moves up move-in time due to high heat

August 22, 2023 7:38 PM Morgan Buresh

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) It’s already dangerous to be outside in the extreme heat Mid-Missouri is seeing, which is why Columbia College is letting students move in earlier in the day on Wednesday to avoid moving during the hottest part of the day. Columbia College spokesperson Sam Fleury said students are now able to move in

Attendance at cooling centers increases as heat persists

August 22, 2023 2:00 PM Avery Roehler

A Columbia day shelter for homeless people said Tuesday that it sees a major increase in people using its services during extreme heat like the temperatures blanketing Mid-Missouri this week.

LiUNA 955 approves contract with City of Columbia

August 22, 2023 4:29 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) LiUNA Local 955 announced in a Tuesday press release that it has ratified its contract with the City of Columbia on Sunday night. According to the press release, the agreement includes: Ending pre-employment marijuana drug testing for all new hires who do not have to maintain a Commercial Driver’s License.Wage increases, which

Grand jury indicts Columbia man accused of killing pregnant woman on first-degree murder

August 22, 2023 4:06 PM David Kitchin

A Columbia murder suspect is now charged with first-degree murder after his grand jury indictment in Boone County.

CPS enrollment eclipses 19,000 students on first day of classes

August 22, 2023 3:20 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Tuesday was the first day of classes at Columbia Public Schools, and unofficial enrollment numbers from the district show an increase in students attending school. According to a press release from CPS, the total first-day enrollment is 19,157. That total is up by 357 students from last year’s official enrollment number. The

Columbia Public School students battle heat on first day of school

August 22, 2023 5:44 AM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Tuesday, students in the Columbia Public Schools District went back to school and began the 2023-2024 school year. The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team issued a weather alert day that extended through Thursday for extreme temperatures that were expected in the area. Chief Communications Officer Michelle Baumstark said the district took

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you happy that school is back in session?

August 22, 2023 2:13 AM ABC 17 News Team

The first day of the year in the Jefferson City School District was Monday and Columbia Public Schools’ first day is Tuesday.

Community members rally against animal waste lagoon in Randolph County

August 21, 2023 5:29 PM Mitchell Kaminski

Some Randolph County residents are trying to stop an animal waste lagoon from being constructed in Cairo.

Columbia City Council amendments to budget increase it by $5 million

August 21, 2023 7:29 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Amendment discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting led to a tentative $5 million increase to the city budget. The council met on Monday to discuss several topics, includiding a hotel tax, hear from the public regarding the city’s upcoming budget, and review the Columbia Police Department’s contract with the Columbia Public Schools.

Why Missouri educators are leaving the profession and what’s being done to stop it

August 21, 2023 3:11 PM Hannah Falcon

More than 60% of Missouri teachers leave the profession in their first five years on the job, education officials say.

Mental evaluation ordered for man accused in 2021 Lazy Gators shooting death

August 21, 2023 9:09 PM Ryan Shiner

CAMDENTON, Mo. (KMIZ) A mental examination was ordered for a Jefferson City man accused of a 2021 Memorial Day weekend shooting at Lazy Gators. Chad Tariq Brewer, 31, was charged with first-degree murder, delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Camden County Jail without bond.

Windsor man found guilty of first-degree murder in Pettis County

August 21, 2023 8:28 PM Ryan Shiner

SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Windsor, Missouri, man was found guilty by a Pettis County jury on Thursday for murder and several other felonies. Mark A. Fielder, 65, was found guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, second-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. A sentencing hearing is set

Columbia man arrested, charged after allegedly shooting at person in front of house

August 21, 2023 7:38 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man was arrested and charged after he was accused of shooting at another person in front of a house on Saturday in eastern Columbia. Aaron McCann, 36, was charged with first-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. He is being held without bond at the

Columbia Public Schools moves outdoor activities inside as classes start amid extreme heat

August 21, 2023 12:02 PM Morgan Buresh

This week is not only the first week of school for many area school districts, it’s also a week of high temperatures.

Lohman woman seriously injured in Cole County crash

August 21, 2023 6:27 PM Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to say the driver of the dump truck did not leave the scene of the crash on August 22. RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ) A Lohman woman suffered a serious injury in three-vehicle crash on Monday where Route C meets Route V, just south of Russellville High School, according to

Mothers of children killed in Columbia apartment fire sue property owners

August 21, 2023 5:53 PM Matthew Sanders, Lucas Geisler

The mothers of two children killed last December in a Columbia apartment fire have sued the owners of the apartment complex where they died.

Columbia man charged with 13 child sex crimes

August 21, 2023 4:18 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man faces more than a dozen charges for child sex crimes. David Walter Nacarato, 39, was charged on Thursday with five counts of first-degree child molestation, three counts of statutory rape, first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, two counts of statutory sodomy of a victim and possession of child pornography. All charges