Local News Archives

While Osage County health officials encourage masks, school districts split on mandates

August 18, 2021 8:48 AM Zola Crowder

The three districts in Osage County all have different plans when it comes to face coverings.

Southern Boone School District to hold public meetings over return plans

August 18, 2021 4:46 AM Meghan Drakas

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) ABC 17 News sat down with the Superintendent of Southern Boone School District Christopher Felmlee to talk about the upcoming school year and how it might differ from the last. Felmlee covered topics including vaccines, COVID-19 precautions, masking and academic changes for the approximately 1,900 students who attend Southern Boone. The first day

MU freshman move-in starts Wednesday as student cases remain low

August 18, 2021 5:48 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Freshmen at the University of Missouri are preparing to move in to the dorms Wednesday and Thursday, and compared to this time last year, MU student COVID-19 cases have decreased significantly. On Aug. 28, 2020 there were 228 student cases. According to the latest data from Monday, there were only 18 student

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you get a coronavirus booster shot?

August 18, 2021 2:14 AM ABC 17 News Team

The move to OK a third shot could come as early as this week. Federal regulators last week authorized a third shot for people with weakened immune systems.

Army veterans living in Columbia share concerns over Taliban takeover in Afghanistan

August 17, 2021 9:52 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Local U.S. Army veterans in Columbia shared their concerns Tuesday regarding the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of the country. “I honestly think we kind of need to be there, personally, but then again, it’s also a battle kind of like Vietnam was, you know you can’t win

TUESDAY UPDATES: Missouri remains in the red zone; state profile report shows new cases down 21%

August 17, 2021 9:20 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Body recovered after Sunday incident at Lake of the Ozarks

August 17, 2021 7:15 PM Karl Wehmhoener

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ) A Kansas City man’s body was recovered Tuesday afternoon after he went missing in the Lake of the Ozarks Sunday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s drowning report, James Jensen, 55, was last seen Sunday and his body was found floating Tuesday. According to the report, this is the second

Jefferson City Schools parents feel strongly about mask mandate

August 17, 2021 2:57 PM Chanel Porter

The Jefferson City Board of Education will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. — its first since the district made the decision.

Gamma, delta and lambda: What are they and are they cause for concern?

August 17, 2021 12:49 PM Leila Mitchell

Genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that caused the coronavirus pandemic — have been emerging and circulating around the world. The World Health Organization classifies variant viruses as “variants of interest” and “variants of concern.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, variants of concern can spread more quickly and cause more serious COVID-19 illness.

Rescue crews searching along Gasconade River for missing Fort Leonard Wood soldier

August 17, 2021 10:02 AM Molly Stawinoga

Authorities could not confirm when Morrison was last seen.

WATCH: State teachers association discusses pandemic effects on education

August 17, 2021 3:29 AM Molly Stawinoga

Watch the full interview here.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Did the Biden administration bungle the U.S. withdrawal?

August 17, 2021 1:13 AM ABC 17 News Team

Critics are hammering the Biden administration for the chaos unfolding in Kabul, where thousands of Afghans are scrambling to get out of the country and away from the Taliban. Biden defended the withdrawal but admitted that the country fell faster than officials expected.

MONDAY UPDATES: Missouri adds 86 coronavirus related deaths after analyzing death certificates

August 16, 2021 7:47 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Columbia City Council votes to reject the prospective Cherry Street Hotel parking plan

August 16, 2021 9:51 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council voted unanimously Monday to reject the prospective Cherry Street Hotel parking plan. The hotel developers wanted 99 spots in the 10th and Cherry Street Parking Garage but council denied the proposal. Council originally approved the plat for the hotel but the parking was a concern for local residents.

Jefferson City School District students and staff will be required to wear masks to begin the school year

August 16, 2021 7:01 PM Chanel Porter

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Jefferson City Public Schools made the announcement Monday that the district will require students and staff to wear masks when social distancing isn’t possible as the school year is set to begin in one week on Aug. 23. Effective Tuesday, this approach was recommended by the Cole County Health Department and

Missouri politicians release comments on the situation in Afghanistan

August 16, 2021 6:53 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several state and local politicians have expressed their opinions on the situation in Afghanistan. Gov. Mike Parson (R) Like many Missourians, I am concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The gross negligence demonstrated by the Biden Administration for the safety and security of our service members and our nation’s committed

Lewis and Clark Middle School in Jefferson City returns to in-person classes after Thanksgiving break.

Jefferson City School District to require masks where distancing isn’t possible

August 16, 2021 11:59 AM Leila Mitchell

Jefferson City Schools announced the decision Monday afternoon. The district released its back-to-school plans amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic earlier this month but said at the time a decision on masks would come Monday.

One charged after shots fired Sunday evening in Jefferson City

August 16, 2021 3:44 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City man is charged after a weapons offense investigation on Sunday evening in the 1700 block of East Miller St. According to court documents, according to witnesses and victims, Eric Perkinson, 49, allegedly threatened with a handgun and fired it during the incident. Officials report that Perkinson tried to

Columbia man arrested after Lake Ozark chase

August 16, 2021 11:43 AM Matthew Sanders

Kenneth Rybolt, 26, of Columbia, is charged in Camden County with burglary, vehicle theft, property damage and stealing and in Miller County with first-degree assault and resisting arrest.

Police say home damaged when shots fired in Columbia

August 16, 2021 10:31 AM ABC 17 News Team

Officers were sent at about 3:20 a.m. on a report of shots heard in the 4400 block of Rice Road, the Columbia Police Department said in a news release. No one was injured, police said.