Missouri Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you already made your Thanksgiving plans?

November 14, 2023 2:18 AM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thanksgiving is a little more than a week away. Have you already made your Thanksgiving plans? Let us know in the poll and in the comments.

Nurse practitioners want restrictions lifted more even after new law

November 13, 2023 11:34 AM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Nurse practitioners continue to advocate for less restrictions, even after a new law lifted some this year. Missouri’s governor is honoring nurse practitioners as new law eases restrictions on their practice. Gov. Mike Parson on Monday proclaimed this week, Nov. 12 through 18, as Nurse Practitioners Week in Missouri. A new

Man wanted in Johnson County homicide investigation arrested

November 11, 2023 6:15 PM Ryan Shiner

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (KMIZ) A man who law enforcement had been searching for — for an alleged connection with a homicide investigation in Warrensburg — has been arrested, according to a Saturday social media post by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Jonathan Goodwin Jr. was arrested on Saturday near the intersection of Franklin and Maguire streets

297 Missourians in jail await mental health evaluations

November 10, 2023 6:46 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Mental Health is experiencing an increase in individuals in jail awaiting a mental health evaluation. According to Jeanette Simmons, the deputy director for the Division of Behavioral Health, 297 people in Missouri jails are currently waiting for a mental-health evaluation before they can go to trial. Those people

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office searching for person of interest in homicide investigation

November 9, 2023 10:07 PM Ryan Shiner

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a person of interest in a homicide investigation that is being conducted in Warrensburg, according to a Facebook post.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you, or a family member, a veteran?

November 10, 2023 2:15 AM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Veterans Day is Saturday and events are expected to take place across the state for those who served. Are you a veteran? Or has anyone in your family served in the military? Let us know in the poll and in the comments.

Parson signs executive order to close state offices day after Thanksgiving

November 9, 2023 6:37 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) State offices will be closed Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving this year after Gov. Mike Parson signed an executive order on Thursday, according to a press release from his office. Parson also signed an executive order last year that closed state offices the day after the holiday. “Friends, family, and

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library launches in Missouri

November 8, 2023 7:39 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of Childhood launched the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on Wednesday. Missouri parents can now register their child to get a free book every month from birth to 5 years old. Missouri is the 14th state to commit to a statewide program, and the

Missouri children won’t lose Medicaid coverage despite parents’ status change beginning Jan. 1

November 8, 2023 11:56 AM Morgan Buresh

Also in September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent a letter to state health officials explaining all states need to provide one year of continuous coverage for children starting on Jan. 1.

Trial set for 2026 for man accused of killing Hermann police sergeant

November 7, 2023 2:23 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A jury trial has been set for 2026 for the man accused of shooting and killing a Hermann police sergeant in March. Kenneth Lee Simpson, 35, of Steelville, was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed-criminal action, first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful gun possession, unlawful possession of an illegal weapon,

Columbia City Council to amend budget to include ARPA funds

November 5, 2023 7:54 PM Grace Pankey

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council will meet on Monday at 7 p.m. to amend the fiscal year 2024 annual budget to appropriate the $25.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The city received these funds in September to address the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. Upon approval of the

Ashcroft appeal to move abortion ballot summary case to state Supreme Court denied

November 3, 2023 8:30 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s appeal to move a case involving the ballot summary on abortion to the Missouri Supreme Court was overruled and denied. Last month, Cole County Judge Jon Beteem rewrote the ballot summary language. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Attorney General Andrew Bailey sought the Appeals Court to overrule

DOC deputy director announces retirement

November 2, 2023 6:55 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Department of Corrections Deputy Director Matt Sturm will be retiring this month, according to an email from a DOC spokesperson. Sturm has served in the deputy director role since 2017 and has been with the DOC for nearly 30 years. Sturm isn’t the only immediate retiree in the department. DOC Director

Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation removes almost 15,000 marijuana products from recall list

November 2, 2023 9:22 AM Madison Stuerman

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation has removed almost 15,000 products originally recalled over the summer as of an updated list on October 20th.

Missouri Department of Corrections Director retiring after seven years

November 1, 2023 1:40 PM Hannah Falcon, Nia Hinson

Missouri Department of Corrections Director Anne Precythe’s last day will be Dec. 5. An interim director will be announced after her retirement.

State marks fifth transfer of funds from medical marijuana program

November 1, 2023 11:30 AM David Kitchin

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has transferred $13 million from the state’s medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission, according to a news release.

New Food Bank Market opens, providing multiple services for the community

November 1, 2023 4:07 AM Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The new location for The Food Bank Market is opening its doors Wednesday at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., providing more than just food for the community. The Food Bank Market, part of the The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, will provide food and services for community members in need

‘Cold Weather Rule’ goes into effect Wednesday

October 31, 2023 7:49 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule will go into effect Wednesday for gas and electric utilities across Missouri. Under the rule, natural gas and electric utilities are prohibited from disconnecting any heat-related services when the temperature is predicted to drop below 32 degrees during the following 24 hours. The rule

New food pantry opens as Missouri experiences increased food insecurity

October 31, 2023 1:06 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri is one of eight states that experiences food insecurity more than the national average, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Food Bank of Central & Northeast Missouri’s new food pantry, the Food Bank Market opens to the public on Wednesday and aims to help with

Missouri Appeals Court rejects Ashcroft’s plea on ballot language on abortion question

October 31, 2023 3:41 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Western District Appeals Court sided with a recent circuit judge’s decision to reword a ballot summary about a petition that could increase abortion access in the state. Last month, Cole County Judge Jon Beteem rewrote the ballot summary language. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Attorney General Andrew Bailey sought the