News Archives

Columbia restaurant owners brace for health order extension

November 14, 2020 3:47 AM Ben Fein

Restaurant owners and managers are preparing for a much different holiday season as the city’s health order was extended.

Missouri State Senate introduces new legislation regarding COVID-19 liability

November 13, 2020 9:22 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. One day after Governor Mike Parson called for a new bill regarding COVID-19 liability, the Missouri State Senate introduced their first bill regarding the proposed legislation. The proposed legislation includes three main provisions regarding liability protection. Liability protection for health care workers who provide care as necessitated by a declared state of

Trump, still not conceding defeat, trumpets vaccine progress

November 13, 2020 8:23 PM Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has offered a rosy update on the race for a vaccine for the resurgent coronavirus, while gliding over significant challenges to come. He spoke publicly Friday for the first time since his defeat by President-elect Joe Biden, but still did not concede the election. Speaking from the Rose Garden,

Wisconsin man charged with assaulting missing Missouri girl

November 13, 2020 7:41 PM Associated Press

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a 19-year-old Wisconsin man with sexually assaulting a Missouri girl who went missing in September. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Friday that Nathan Nehs of Oconomowoc met the girl three years ago through an online gaming platform. He was 17; she was 11. According to a criminal complaint,

Fulton man arrested for child pornography after investigation began in 2019

November 13, 2020 7:36 PM Karl Wehmhoener

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) Fulton Police arrested a man after a year long investigation into child pornography. Officials say a domestic disturbance call came in on Oct. 24, 2019 that began the investigation. According to the Fulton PD release, officials report that Kirk Buffington maybe in possession of child pornography and several electronics were seized. On

Callaway County Health Department closes doors because of staffing shortage

November 13, 2020 11:50 AM Victoria Bragg

The Callaway County Commission could decide Friday if the health department will stay closed for another week.

FRIDAY UPDATES: Callaway and Randolph County each report one new COVID-19 related death

November 13, 2020 8:56 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boone Hospital and MU Health to no longer allow visitors

November 13, 2020 5:11 PM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone Hospital and MU Health Care are suspending visitation within its facilities due to COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increasing in Boone County and Columbia. As of Friday Boone Hospital had 48 inpatients with COVID-19 and MU Hospital had 49 COVID-19 positive patients. The Executive Director of Patient Care with Boone Hospital, Laura

President Trump delivers update on Operation Warp Speed

November 13, 2020 3:23 PM ABC 17 News Team

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KMIZ) President Trump will soon deliver an update on Operation Warp Speed, the program that’s goal is to “produce and deliver 300 million doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.” Watch playback of the news conference in the media player below. Pfizer made an announcement Monday that an early peek at its vaccine

Columbia health order extended for three weeks

November 13, 2020 1:39 PM Ben Fein

Local officials are set to announce a new health order during a community briefing Friday at 3 p.m. Both the City of Columbia and Boone County leaders will attend the event.

Judge finds Missouri parolees treated unconstitutionally

November 13, 2020 3:09 PM Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge says Missouri is still unconstitutionally sending parolees back to prison, despite the state’s claims that it fixed systemic issues. Kansas City’s KCUR-FM on Friday reported the judge is ordering Missouri to take action. At issue is how Missouri’s parole board often sends parolees to prison without informing

CNN projects Biden wins Georgia, Trump wins North Carolina

November 13, 2020 2:08 PM CNN

CNN projects president-elect Joe Biden will win Georgia, and President Donald Trump will win North Carolina.

Georgia hand tally of presidential race gets underway

November 13, 2020 2:00 PM Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) Election officials in Georgia’s 159 counties are undertaking a hand tally of the presidential race that stems from an audit required by state law. The law requires that one race be audited by hand to check that the machines counted the ballots accurately, not because of any suspected problems with the results. Secretary

Thousands in eastern Mid-Missouri without power

November 13, 2020 1:17 PM Matt Ragsdale

Thousands of Ameren customers in the eastern portion of Mid-Missouri were without power Friday afternoon.

Columbia community leader dies, annual Thanksgiving meal to continue

November 13, 2020 11:23 AM ABC 17 News Team

A release from Almeta Crayton Community Programs said Kentrell Minton, 37, passed away Wednesday night from health complications.

Authorities investigating after body found in Missouri lake

November 13, 2020 10:48 AM Associated Press

Authorities are investigating after two fishermen found a body in a Kansas City-area lake.

Governor expands special session to include liability protections

November 13, 2020 6:10 AM Brittany Wiley

The bill would provide protections for health care providers, manufacturers, businesses, schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations against lawsuits related to COVID-19.

Audrain County man arrested after a crash Wednesday afternoon

November 13, 2020 12:04 AM Karl Wehmhoener

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) Mexico Public Safety arrested a man Wednesday after a wreck at the intersection of North Clark and Perry Street. According to the Audrain County probable cause statement, Kimmie Watts was following a vehicle and began rear-ending it causing the victim’s car and his car to crash. According to officers, Watts appeared confused

Jefferson City man arrested and charged after Wednesday incident

November 12, 2020 11:48 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Jefferson City Police arrested a man Wednesday afternoon following a report of kidnapping and harassment. According to court documents, Christopher McCombs is alleged to have held the victim against their will and harrassing the victim because he thought the victim provided information against him. The victim told police that McCombs assault

Traffic stop leads to drug and weapons charges

November 12, 2020 11:13 PM Karl Wehmhoener

MILLER COUNTY, Mo (KMIZ) A Missouri State Highway trooper pulled over a vehicle on Missouri 52 highway leading to one count of drug possession and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. Trooper Fick writes in the probable cause statement that the driver, Brian Rulo, of Rocky Mount, seemed nervous and began sweating during