News

More people are overdosing and dying from abusing prescription opioid drugs and heroin. In this special report, ABC 17’s Marissa Hollowed examines what kind of strain it’s putting on families, law enforcement and first responders in mid-Missouri. “You get addicted to heroin very easily. There aren’t casual heroin users,” said Laura Thurman, program director at

TODAY: Rain will be ongoing through 1PM today, leaving dry time mid afternoon and evening. Temperatures will reach the mid to upper 60s under a cloudy sky today with an easterly breeze up to 15 mph. TONIGHT: Heavy Rain and storms will increase by 2AM. Storms could produce large hail 1″ in diameter and wind

TODAY: Most locations will see primarily rain this morning, while some locations could see a few thunderstorms. Those south of I-70 and west of US 63 could see moderate rain near Sedalia and Boonville by 6AM. The best chance for rain this morning is north of I-70. The rain chance looks to end by 1PM-2PM

Joanthony Johnson said the sex he had with four women that landed him in the Boone County Jail was consensual. Johnson, 28, took the stand today in his own defense in the rape and sodomy trial against him. Columbia police believe Johnson drugged several women at his apartment in 2015 and 2016, brought them into

Residents in northeast and northwest Columbia had the opportunity to meet with police Thursday to discuss neighborhood improvements. Columbia Police beats 30 and 40 are in charge of the northeast side of town. Nearly a dozen residents showed up to discuss the recent shooting on Greensboro Drive, drug activity, and ways to reduce recent motor-vehicle

University of Missouri Tiger football player Charles Harris was selected in the first round of the 2017 National Football League Draft Thursday night. The Miami Dolphins selected the junior defensive end as the 22nd pick overall in the draft. The Kansas City native skipped his final year of eligibility to enter the draft. Harris is

A Randolph County man is awaiting formal charges after he was arrested on Interstate 70 in Callaway County. According the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, David Leonard, 52, of Mexico, Missouri, was taken into custody near mile marker 142, just west of Kingdom City. Investigators said it started after a Callaway County deputy spotted a suspicious

One person is hurt after a single car crash Thursday west of the Columbia Regional Airport. It happened in the 4200 block of Minor Hill Road west of Highway 63 just after 9:30 p.m. The driver of the car missed a curve in the road and his car went into the ditch, hitting a tree,

At least two cars were been broken into Thursday afternoon at Twin Lakes Dog Park. ABC 17 News reporter Kelsey Kerwin found the vehicles broken into while visiting the park and called police. Both cars had their windows smashed in. “I think it’s unfortunate that security at the park is that people can just drive

A 2.1 percent tuition increase for Missouri undergraduate students will likely be approved for fiscal year 2018. Interim Vice President for Finance Ryan Rapp presented the proposal at Thursday’s UM Board of Curators meeting held at Missouri S&T in Rolla. For MU students, the proposal means the per credit hour rate would increase by $5.80.

Social media has become woven into the fabric of society and is often a necessary part of everyday life. But communications experts at the University of Missouri explained that increased and constant Internet and social media use can impact adults and adolescents in unhealthy ways. “We develop a media dependency and we may call that

UPDATE: Columbia Police confirm officers responded to the 1400 block of Greensboro Drive Wednesday to a 17 year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the hand. Police said the preliminary investigation revealed the victim and another teenager were outside a home in the area when a dark colored SUV pulled up. According to officers,

The Callaway Bank at the Lake of the Woods exit in Columbia was robbed at gunpoint Thursday afternoon, police said. Lt. Geoff Jones with the Columbia Police Department said two men armed with at least one gun went into the bank and demanded money. They then fled the scene in a silver car. Shortly after,

TONIGHT: Clouds will increase this evening with increasing chances of showers after 10 PM. Temperatures will be in the low 50s with winds becoming easterly under 10 mph. FRIDAY: Rain will likely be ongoing on Friday morning, especially for those north of I-70 through noon. Rain amounts will range from .10″ to .50″. Rain moves

Three people have been arrested Thursday after a stolen RV, camper and pickup truck were recovered from Boone and Montgomery County. Darren E. Crites, 51, was arrested for three counts of felony stealing and has a $500 bond on a charge of driving under suspension. Andrea L. Martin, 41, and her daughter, Tracey L. Martin,

Flooding is the number one weather related killer each year in the US and across the world, not only in loss of life, but in property. Since 1978, Missouri ranks eleventh in the amount of flood insurance loss due to numerous devastating floods. Each year 200 Americans are killed by flood waters and a lot

A Columbia woman pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to embezzling $231,600 from Shelter Insurance Federal Credit Union. Debra L. Wenger, 62, worked as an administrative assistant, giving her all accounting responsibilities. She also worked as a teller. An external auditor discovered the misappropriation of funds in Feb. 2016. Auditors found a discrepancy when

After days of debate, the Missouri state Senate approved a $27.8 billion operating budget and sent it back to the House on Thursday. With only two weeks left in the 2017 legislative session, there is yet one step before before the budget is sent to Gov. Eric Greitens for final approval. The Senate still needs

TODAY: This afternoon clouds are still holding steady across a good part of Mid-Missouri, but we are seeing some clearing along and west of 63. This is allowing temperatures to warm to near 50 degrees as you head out for lunch. As clouds continue to clear and sunshine prevails, temperatures will climb into the lower

TODAY: Overcast through 9AM with clouds breaking. Look for a partly sunny afternoon with a high of 63. TONIGHT: Clouds increase with rain returning after midnight; 50. FRIDAY: Rain chance through 12PM along and north of I-70. SATURDAY: Heavy rain increasing near the Lake of the Ozarks after 4AM, and Columbia and Jefferson City after