News

Columbia officials announced they are offering free breakfast and lunch to every student at certain pre-selected schools, as part of a national test program. The district confirmed the pilot efforts involve seven places: Alpha Hart Lewis, Benton STEM, Blue Ridge, Derby Ridge and West Boulevard elementaries, plus CORE (Center of Responsive Education) and Douglass High

Authorities have now identified the man who died in a crash in Boone County Wednesday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 81-year-old Lawrence Reichert, of Centralia, diedin the crash on Highway HH and Brown Station Road Wednesday morning. Reichert was apparently driving south on Brown Station Road and failed to stop at a stop sign.

More than 600 bills have been filed, and Wednesday House and Senate leadership discussed their expectations for the upcoming session. House Speaker Todd Richardson said there will be a better working relationship between the House and Senate. Both are controlled by Republicans for this general assembly. Lawmakers mentioned their goal to address government oversight issues

ABC 17 News Wednesday obtained a copy of a letter signed by dozens of MU faculty in support of MU Communications professor Melissa Click. The letter was sent to top administrators including Interim Chancellor Hank Foley and Interim System President Mike Middleton. Click came under fire last fall for her actions during the protests that

The Columbia Police Officers’ Association said there are many factors leading up to a low morale problem at the Columbia Police Department Tuesday. Monday, ABC 17 News reported CPD presented a report to Columbia City Council members on 21st Century Policing within the department. The 131 page report cited the 2015 City of Columbia Employee

Missouri lawmakers are set to discuss a range of issues during the upcoming session, including plans to repair roads, ethics reform and laws on abortion. The 2016 legislative session starts around noon on Wednesday. Legislative leaders have said tightening state laws on ethics will be a top priority. Proposals on the table include banning lobbyist

A man was sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after leading troopers on a high speed chase through mid-Missouri. The chase started on Interstate 70 back on October 25, 2015. Authorities said Calyb Musgrave, 23, of St. Charles sped away from Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers for more than 60 miles.

West Boulevard South in Columbia near Rollins Road temporarily closed Tuesday morning after a man hit a light pole and then a house with his car. Jeffrey Cole, 27, was driving a Columbia Public Schools pickup truck before crashing in the 600 block of West Boulevard. ABC 17 News has confirmed Cole was employed as

As the weather gets colder, Jefferson City officials are trying to change some existing ordinances regarding outdoor animal safety. “We’ve been approached by several citizens that are concerned when they see an animal that’s been tied up on a leash outside during inclement or dangerous weather,” said Capt. Eric Wilde, the head of the police

Firefighters investigated reports of a fire at an auto repair business in Columbia Wednesday morning. A fire was reported at Custom Complete Automotive on Providence Road shortly after 6:30 a.m. Fire officials tell ABC 17 News an oil heater started smoking. Someone inside the building then called in a possible fire. The business is back

Jim Hill has watched his classes for concealed carry weapon permits grow each month for the last several years at Targetmasters on North Rangeline Street. Hill said they sometimes see a bump in sales after a politician, mainly President Barack Obama, gives a speech about passing more laws for regulating the sales of guns. While

A wave of low pressure aloft will move across Missouri early Wednesday, bringing moisture into western Missouri by daybreak, spreading east through early afternoon. This moisture will move into sub-freezing air but will also encounter drier air just above the surface causing precipitation to decrease as it moves east. Areas in far western Missouri from

Two armed robbery suspects were arrested in Jefferson City Monday night. Darrin and Danielle Woods are accused of robbing a man in the 1200 block of Wilkes Blvd. in Columbia. The victim said Darrin punched him in the face when he refused to hand over his money. Both are charged with second degree robbery.

Prosecutors announced new charges Tuesday for one man accused of a mid-Missouri girl’s murder more than 30 years ago. One count of capital murder was filed Monday in Miller County against Martin Priest. He is currently serving a life sentence for an unrelated murder case in Kansas. The victim, only identified by her initials ‘T.R.’

President Obama Tuesday called out Missouri for its gun laws, saying homicides are on the rise because the state changed its background check laws years ago. Governor Nixon said the state is planning to do more with regard to mental health this year. At a news conference Tuesday, he said he hadn’t had a chance

A memorial has been planned for five international who were swept away in their car by flood waters in southern Mid-Missouri the day after Christmas. They were heading back to Fort Leonard Wood after a shopping trip in Osage Beach. The men were from Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, and Malaysia. The military said a service will

A Fulton man was arrested on several warrants Tuesday after he led police on a short foot chase. Fulton Police arrested 31-year-old Brandon Byrd, who had 3 active Callaway County warrants for robbery, property damage, and trespassing. Byrd was found in the area of Court St. and 2nd Street. He had marijuana and drug paraphernalia

A boil advisory has been lifted in Moniteau after being in effect for about 5 days. About 1,000 Moniteau County residents were without water for about 24 hours last week while crews fixed a pump in Public Water District #2. Residents north and east of California in the district were under a boil advisory since

Missouri has dropped in its nationwide rank for the average teacher salary. In November, Missouri ranked 40th nationally for average teacher pay. The Missouri State Teacher’s Association just released the 2015-2016 salary schedule and benefits report Monday. It shows Missouri’s rank now stands at 42. The Association said teacher salaries are going up, but are

The Columbia Police Department is looking at ways to reduce crime and build public trust. The police department presented a report to members of the Columbia City Council Monday on 21st Century Policing within the department. In 2014, Pres. Obama commissioned a task force to look at 21st Century Policing. Six members of CPD took