Politics Archives

City, county leaders support Columbia Police getting mental health co-responders

June 23, 2023 2:02 PM Hannah Falcon

Columbia Police Department has sought bids for behavioral health co-responders to help with mental health calls.

How Missouri’s full abortion ban reverberates a year after Roe was overturned

June 22, 2023 4:33 PM Hannah Falcon

The ban was written to go into effect after a decision overturning the precedent.

City of Columbia breaks ground on park on former contaminated site in North Village

June 22, 2023 11:45 AM Isabella Roberts

Columbia city officials will break ground Thursday on the city’s newest park, located in the North Village area of the central city.

Richey announces state senate bid

June 21, 2023 6:44 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) State Rep. Doug Richey (R-Excelsior Springs) announced Tuesday night on his social media that he will run for the 21st District seat in the Missouri Senate. Richey currently represents District 39 in the Missouri House, which is part of Clay County. He was first elected to that seat in 2018. District 21

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have Hunter Biden’s actions influenced your view of his father?

June 21, 2023 2:49 AM ABC 17 News Team

The news broke Monday that Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, will plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Columbia City Council approves design elements for I-70/Highway 63 connector, electric rate increase

June 20, 2023 5:47 AM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council on Tuesday approved the design for a beautification project at the Interstate 70/Highway 63 connector, an electric rate increase and a purchase of land that can be used for a new fire station. The City Council did not nail down a final price tag for the beautification project,

Abortion access initiative one step closer to ballot after Cole County ruling

June 20, 2023 6:31 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri voters could decide whether to restore access to abortion after a Cole County ruling pushed an initiative petition one step closer to getting on the ballot. Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beteem ruled the attorney general must approve the fiscal note on a proposed initiative petition within 24 hours, allowing

COMO Safe Water Coalition asks the city for proactive efforts to prevent water main breaks

June 20, 2023 8:01 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) COMO Safe Water Coalition is asking the City of Columbia to address water line infrastructure to prevent water main breaks. “The problem that we’ve noticed here in the City of Columbia is that they operate very much in a reactive manner instead of a proactive manner,” Co-founder of COMO Safe Water Coalitions

Missouri judge orders end to GOP officials’ standoff over proposed abortion rights ballot measure

June 20, 2023 11:58 AM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A constitutional amendment to restore abortion rights in Missouri will move forward after a judge broke a standoff between two Republican officials that had halted the process. Cole County Presiding Judge Jon Beetem on Tuesday ordered Missouri’s attorney general to approve the state auditor’s cost

Hunter Biden will plead guilty in a deal that likely avoids time behind bars in a tax and gun case

June 20, 2023 9:50 AM Associated Press

President Joe Biden’s son Hunter has reached a deal with federal prosecutors on charges he failed to pay federal income tax and illegally possessed a weapon, according to a letter in U.S. District Court in Delaware, and will plead guilty to tax offenses but likely avoid time behind bars.

Fentanyl a topic at Blinken’s meeting with China president

June 19, 2023 7:11 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with China President Xi Jinping this week, and among the many topics discussed included fentanyl, according to the Associated Press. An Associated Press report states Blinken also pressed leaders to curb the production and export of fentanyl precursors that are fueling the opioid crisis in

Suspension of Columbia residential recycling extended

June 16, 2023 10:12 AM Matthew Sanders

The City of Columbia said Friday that it is extending the suspension of curbside recycling.

Columbia Utilities pledges up to $250,000 to help households make energy efficiency upgrades

June 15, 2023 7:19 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) City of Columbia Utilities has agreed to help fund the Central Missouri Community Action’s (CMCA) Weatherization Assistance Program for Columbia Water & Light electric customers. The city made the announcement in a press release on Wednesday. It says CMCA provides assistance to income-eligible households to make energy efficiency improvements. Columbia has pledged

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Did you watch coverage of Trump’s federal court appearance?

June 14, 2023 2:42 AM ABC 17 News Team

Former president Donald Trump appeared Tuesday afternoon at his first hearing to answer 37 federal counts related to classified documents found at his Florida home.

Columbia Police Chief’s Vehicle Stop Committee reviewed the newest state report

June 13, 2023 5:29 PM Marina Diaz

The Columbia Police Chief’s Vehicle Stop Committee is set to review the 2022 State Annual Vehicle Stops Report on Tuesday.

State to give farmers access to emergency hay, water

June 13, 2023 9:10 PM Katie Greathouse

Governor Mike Parson announced a plan Tuesday to provide farmers with emergency hay and water as drought conditions continue in Missouri.

Callaway County commissioners still support removed sheriff

June 13, 2023 4:19 PM Hannah Falcon

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) Callaway County commissioners said Tuesday morning that they still support the sheriff removed from his office amid allegations of drinking on the job. Clay Chism was removed as Callaway County sheriff after his peace officer license was suspended indefinitely. Callaway County commissioners appointed Chief Deputy Darryl Maylee as the interim sheriff

Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges that he illegally kept classified documents at Florida estate

June 13, 2023 12:23 PM Associated Press

Donald Trump is expected to become Tuesday the first former president to face a judge on federal charges as the city of Miami prepared for possible protests by crowds that officials said could number in the thousands.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will the classified documents indictment hurt Trump’s election chances?

June 12, 2023 2:36 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Justice Department confirmed what former president Donald Trump had been saying last week — that he was being indicted in relation to classified documents found at his Florida home.

Missouri Republicans react to news of Trump indictment

June 9, 2023 12:10 PM Isabella Roberts

Missouri Republicans are sharing reactions to the news of former President Donald Trump’s indictment related to his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.