News
Clearing skies today leads to a sunny weekend
THURSDAY: The start of March will be seasonal with high temperatures near 50. Morning clouds will clear to mostly sunny skies as northwesterly winds at 15 mph gust to 25 at times in the afternoon. TONIGHT: Clear skies accompanied by northerly winds will make it a chilly, winter-like night across mid-Missouri as temperatures drop back
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Senators talk lieutenant governor vacancy law amid governors’ indictment
Missouri senators are considering changing how the lieutenant governor’s replacement is chosen amid calls for Republican Gov. Eric Greitens to leave office, which would put Lt. Gov. Mike Parson in charge. Senators on Wednesday debated a proposal to require the governor to call a special election to fill a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office.
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Active shooter simulation held at Stephens College
Multiple law enforcement agencies will be conducting an active shooter event simulation Wednesday, in order to evaluate how they would react to such a call if it were to happen in Columbia. The simulation will take place from 6 to 9 p.m., and road closures in the area will be in place from 5 to
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Falling enrollment, budget challenges cause faculty cuts at MU
UPDATE, 10 p.m.: ABC 17 News spoke with Jim Spain, interim provost, about the decision to notify non-tenure track faculty that their contracts would not be renewed. “They’re people,” Spain said. “They’ve got families, they’ve got careers and this is certainly disruptive, and this is difficult for us.” Spain said the faculty members that received
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ABC 17 News Investigates: Victim of the System
Two years ago, Taylor Hirth, 32, of Kansas City, was raped inside her then-Independence apartment in the middle of the night. “My daughter was sleeping next to me and there was a man standing next to my bed telling me to get on my stomach,” she said. “I have no idea how he broke in
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CPD releases annual internal affairs report
UPDATE 5:00 p.m.: Columbia Police Department’s external complaint numbers have increased by ten percent. ABC 17 spoke to several people today about their thoughts on the CPD and some did not have good things to say. However, they are using new technology to help their image. Sergeant Brian Tate told us, “I encourage the complainant
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Gun bills at the State Capitol
Eight gun bills left some lawmakers pleased and some not as content. The eight bills can be found in our previous coverage, here. House Bill 1936 was one of the eight bills mentioned that passed. Of the eight bills, three did not pass. House Bill 1936 will add colleges and universities to the list of
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Defense rests in Comerzan trial
UPDATE, 7:00 p.m.: The defense rests. For a few hours Wednesday afternoon, defense attorneys called several witnesses. Charlie James questioned Trooper Tolman Hollman about his interviews with Comerzan. Hollman interviewed Comerzan several times over the course of the investigation. Apparently, in the video of a subsequent interview, it sounded like Hollman said “I hope when
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Showers tonight, cooler Thursday
TONIGHT: Showers are possible in the evening and overnight, moving out by daybreak as gusty northwesterly winds up to 25 mph usher in cooler, drier air. Temperatures will drop to near 40 by morning. THURSDAY: The start of March will be seasonal with high temperatures near 50. Morning clouds will clear to mostly sunny skies
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Pulaski County murder suspect caught in Chicago
Pulaski County deputies said a murder suspect has been taken into custody in Chicago. Deputies said Richard Taylor was arrested on Wednesday afternoon. Taylor was previously connected to a shooting in January where two people died. Officers said that had been in close contact with Federal Marshalls after receiving a lead that Taylor was located
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Man arrested after officers find 49 grams of marijuana
Troopers arrested Nathaniel Paige on Tuesday after officers noticed a car speeding on US 63 just south of Prathersville Road. When officers made contact with Paige, they detected a faint odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Officers searched Paige and found a small bag of marijuana. Paige admitted he had more marijuana, which might
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Tuscumbia High School teacher accused of sending nude photos to student via Snapchat
UPDATE 4:30 pm: According to Miller County School District officials, Rice’s employment with the district ended in May. UPDATE 2:25 pm: Rice was arrested and taken to the Camden County Jail. He was later released on bond. ORIGINAL STORY: A teacher at Tuscumbia High School has been charged with sexual misconduct in the second degree
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Man charged with threatening to kill victim’s family members
A man has been charged with violating an order of protection and harassment after he was accused of sending threatening text messages. According to the probable cause statement, two victims received several text messages from Robert Bel saying, “Count the days before I take everything from you” and “Your family is going to die.” Both
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Camden County deputies ask for public’s help in finding missing man
UPDATE 4:05 pm: Deputies report that Hanks was found safe. ORIGINAL STORY: Camden County deputies are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing man. Deputies said Marshall Hanks, 41, was last seen on Monday. Officers believe he was possibly driving to Owensville, Jefferson City or Dallas, Texas. All attempts to contact Hanks have
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Man admits to “shooting up” heroin after officers find him passed out in his vehicle
A man has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, DWI and driving with a revoked license after officers discovered him passed out in his car. According to the probable cause statement, a woman saw a vehicle stopped in the roadway on Green Meadows in front of a roundabout. Nathan Fine was “passed out”
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Jefferson City police arrest man after finding 57 grams of methamphetamine
Jefferson City police arrested Clint Doll on Tuesday after officers conducted a traffic stop with a car that had a registration violation. Officers made contact with Doll who appeared nervous and was shaking and sweating excessively. Police said they found that Doll had limited driving privileges and put him into custody. Officers searched Doll’s car
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Student accused of threatening to shoot up school after becoming angry over seating arrangements
St. James police arrested Tristan Dillard on Tuesday after officers were called to John F. Hodge High School for reports of a terroristic threat. The school principal told police that he had received a message from a student that was concerned about Dillard. Dillard was accused of becoming angry at a substitute teacher because of
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Man charged with making terrorist threat at Waynesville High School
Waynesville police arrested Nickolas Mercado on Monday after he was accused of making a terroristic threat. According to the probable cause statement, Mercado went into a Waynesville High School classroom and said, “I am a school shooter,” and “I am going to shoot you all.” Mercado was accused of making the comments while holding a
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Jefferson City police investigate former state representative’s death
Jefferson City police are investigating the death of former state Rep. Keith English’s death. Police said they responded to a private lot at the intersection of Sue Drive and 179 on Wednesday morning for reports of the death. Officers said they are investigating the incident as an apparent suicide. Stay with this story for the
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