Politics Archives

State Senate adds additional $4 billion to budget

April 27, 2023 5:34 PM Ethan Heinz

The Missouri House and Senate must hash out a compromise after the Senate added $4 billion to the state budget that the House passed.

Missouri governor pushes ban on kids’ gender-affirming care

April 27, 2023 4:07 PM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican governor says he’ll force state lawmakers to continue working if they don’t pass bills on transgender issues before session ends in two weeks. A spokeswoman for Gov. Mike Parson confirmed Thursday that he’s ready to call a special session to get the bills

Judge rules against Bailey on transgender healthcare, put on hold until at least Monday

April 26, 2023 11:44 AM Hannah Falcon

Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a motion to move a lawsuit challenging his emergency rule on gender transition treatments to federal court Wednesday, just hours before a hearing in the case.

Rock Bridge High School students walk out, protest transgender medical restrictions

April 26, 2023 11:15 AM Nia Hinson

Rock Bridge High School students are planning to walk out of school Wednesday to protest restrictions that would make it harder for transgender people to get medical treatment.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Did President Biden make the right decision to run for reelection?

April 26, 2023 2:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

President Joe Biden announced Tuesday with the release of a video that he will run for reelection in 2024.

Hearing set for Wednesday in lawsuit against attorney general’s transgender emergency rule

April 25, 2023 11:44 AM Hannah Falcon

The first hearing in a lawsuit challenging the Missouri attorney general’s rule restricting transgender medical treatment is set for Wednesday — a day before the restrictions would take effect.

Biden announces 2024 reelection bid: ‘Let’s finish this job’

April 25, 2023 5:59 AM Associated Press

By ZEKE MILLER AP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday formally announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him more time to “finish this job” and extend the run of America’s oldest president for another four years. Biden, who would be 86 at the

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Does Columbia have enough resources for homeless people?

April 25, 2023 2:34 AM ABC 17 News Team

The camp was cleared after a warning from the state about pollution flowing into nearby Hinkson Creek. After the eviction, it’s unknown where the people living there will end up.

City of Columbia hires first diversity, equity and inclusion officer

April 24, 2023 7:33 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia announced on Monday that it has hired its first diversity, equity and inclusion officer. D’Andre Thompson was selected by Columbia’s City Manager De’Carlon Seewood. According to a news release, Thompson will lead “the development and implementation of DEI initiatives that help support the City’s Strategic Plan.” Thompson has

Columbia homeless camp cleanup ends after one day

April 24, 2023 11:53 AM Matthew Sanders

The City of Columbia began filling dump trucks parked alongside Highway 63 with refuse from a homeless camp Monday morning.

ACLU sues to block Missouri rule on transgender health care

April 24, 2023 5:11 PM Associated Press

The Republican attorney general has marketed the rule as a way to protect minors from what he describes as experimental treatments, although the restrictions also apply to adults.

Distracted driving bill moves closer to governor’s desk

April 24, 2023 6:09 AM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A bill that would ban phone use while driving is now closer than ever to passing. Similar bills have been introduced in the past but never passed either chamber of the Missouri legislature. According to AAA, 84 bills have been introduced on distracted driving in the past 13 years. The bill

Tucker Carlson, Fox News’most popular host, out at network

April 24, 2023 11:17 AM Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News said Monday it has “agreed to part ways” with Tucker Carlson, its popular and controversial host, less than a week after settling a lawsuit over the network’s 2020 election reporting.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you support efforts to remove books from libraries?

April 24, 2023 4:35 AM ABC 17 News Team

Books have become a hot political topic.

Mid-Missouri transgender community considers next steps as emergency rule nears

April 23, 2023 5:39 PM Abby Landwehr

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Just last week, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued the official guidelines of an emergency rule restricting certain types of gender-affirming care unless a list of requirements is met. After filing, the restrictions are set to go into effect Thursday, April 27 and could last through Feb. 6, 2024. The Attorney General’s office

Local union urging City of Columbia to stop drug testing as part of negotiations

April 21, 2023 11:29 AM Mitchell Kaminski

LiUNA Local 995 is urging the city to stop drug testing.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the state budget prohibit spending on diversity, equity, inclusion?

April 20, 2023 2:17 AM ABC 17 News Team

A Missouri Senate committee has stripped language from the state budget that would prohibit spending on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Jefferson City accepting applications for vacant Ward 4 City Council seat

April 19, 2023 7:56 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Jefferson City is seeking a representative for Ward 4. With the election of Mayor Ron Fitzwater – who was the Ward 4 councilman — there is now a vacant seat on the council. The press release quoted the City Charter, “A vacancy in the council shall be filled by the council