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School districts say safety is top priority when deciding on closings

January 8, 2024 11:58 AM Morgan Buresh

As people across the state prepare for snowfall this week, local school districts will make decisions about whether to cancel classes.

New details: Drinkwitz’s recent contract extension comes with a raise

January 8, 2024 4:07 PM Nathalie Jones

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mizzou football’s historic, 11-win 2023 season paid off for head coach Eli Drinkwitz. On Dec. 31, just days after No. 9 MU’s Cotton Bowl win over No. 7 Ohio State, the Mizzou Athletic Department extended Coach Eli’s contract through 2028. Through details obtained by ABC 17 in an open records request, Drinkwitz

Woman who pleaded guilty in Callaway murder case sentenced to 4 years in prison

January 8, 2024 3:50 PM Ryan Shiner

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) An Indiana woman who pleaded guilty in October to hindering the prosecution in a murder has been sentenced. Emily Ricketts, 27, of Indianapolis, was sentenced on Monday to four years in prison and was given credit for six months served. According to previous reporting, she was previously charged in 2019 with accessory

Campfire ignites Mexico storage building

January 8, 2024 9:48 AM Matthew Sanders

A fire made by someone camping in a Mexico, Missouri, storage building to cook and keep warm led to a blaze that destroyed the building Saturday, authorities say.

SEMA’s advice on car preparations ahead of winter weather

January 8, 2024 6:19 AM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri States Emergency Management Agency lists items to keep in your car and driving tips ahead of winter weather heading towards Mid-Missouri. SEMA says there is nothing more important for your safety and the safety of others than the decisions you make about driving. This includes avoiding non-essential trips during snow

QUESTION OF THE DAY: How much snow would you like to get this week?

January 8, 2024 2:18 AM ABC 17 News Team

There’s basically no longer any doubt that Mid-Missouri will be blanketed in snow this week.

Columbia homeless shelters prepare for winter weather

January 7, 2024 7:14 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Winter weather in expected to hit Missouri next week and local shelters that cater to the homeless are preparing to be full. The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team issued a Weather Alert Day for Monday and Tuesday for the potential of accumulating snow, strong winds and road impacts early next week. Columbia

Mid-Missourians prepare for expected snow storm

January 7, 2024 5:17 PM Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia residents are preparing for the approaching snowstorm that is expected this week. ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team issued a Weather Alert Day for Monday and Tuesday for the possibility of accumulating snow with road impacts. ABC 17 visited local grocery stores and spoke to customers about how they’re preparing. “When I

Jefferson City temporary waste drop-off site to close for the season Sunday

January 7, 2024 5:12 AM Gabrielle Teiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The temporary yard waste drop-off site in Jefferson City will be closing its gates on Sunday, and planning for the future is on their minds. The site will be open Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon for city residents only at 708 Ellis Blvd. At a meeting Tuesday, Jefferson City Public

Missouri one of three states experiencing moderate flu levels

January 6, 2024 4:24 PM Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The holiday festivities may be over, but the flu continues to linger in Missouri. This flu season Missouri has seen a total of 13,675 reported cases, with 63% attributed to Influenza A. Between December 24th and December 30th alone, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services recorded 1,741 cases, with 64%

Columbia Public Works crew to respond Saturday night for potentially slick roads

January 6, 2024 7:33 PM abc17news-Newsroom

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia is preparing crews to treat roads overnight. An eight-person crew will report for duty at 11 p.m., monitoring roads overnight and preparing to respond to any slick spots along priority routes, the city announced in a social media post. Columbia Public Works expects the road temperatures to fall below freezing in

Boone County man accused of murder after allegedly assaulting woman on Christmas

January 5, 2024 3:30 PM Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: The age of the victim was updated after the press release from law enforcement was updated. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Boone County man was charged on Friday with murder and other felonies after he allegedly assaulted a woman on Christmas. Jeffrey Edward Skaggs, 38, of Columbia, was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree domestic

Trial dates set for case over Missouri law banning gender-affirming care for minors

January 5, 2024 10:44 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A bench trial has been scheduled for a case surrounding a Missouri law that bans gender-affirming care for minors and some adults. The 10-day trial schedule was decided on Thursday and is set to begin Sept. 23, according to Casenet. The ACLU had announced the lawsuit on July 25 after Gov. Mike

Mizzou defensive coordinator accepts job at LSU

January 5, 2024 9:31 PM Nathalie Jones

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Just weeks after signing a contract extension with Mizzou, defensive coordinator Blake Baker is headed to LSU. He will serve, once again, as a defensive coordinator for a Tiger team, after two years in Columbia. It is LSU head coach Brian Kelly’s first move since firing his entire defensive staff at the

Bond motion denied for man accused in Dove Drive shooting

January 5, 2024 8:17 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A motion to reduce the bond for a Columbia man accused in a June homicide on Dove Drive was denied on Friday. Ja’Shaun Barney, 18, was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon in relation to the shooting death of Deshon Joseph Houston, 33, who was found dead

Cost holding up water filter updates after forever chemicals found in Columbia well water

January 5, 2024 11:55 AM Morgan Buresh

The City of Columbia found traces of so-called “forever chemicals” in its water after testing the city well field for the first time.

Callaway County still paying suspended sheriff after DWI plea

January 5, 2024 4:27 PM Lucas Geisler

Suspended Callaway County sheriff Clay Chism continues to collect pay from the county weeks after admitting to driving while intoxicated.

St. James man dies in Phelps County crash

January 5, 2024 2:54 PM Ryan Shiner

PHELPS COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A St. James man died in a single-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday morning on County Road 1160 in Phelps County, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. Ryan Curtis was pronounced dead at the scene by the Phelps County coroner. He was 33. The crash report states that he

Two men accused of two separate killings head to court Friday

January 5, 2024 4:23 AM Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two Columbia men accused of murder in two separate cases are heading to the Boone County courthouse Friday to face a judge for their hearings. The first man set to appear is Sevance Brewer, who is multiple felony charges after allegedly killing a pregnant woman in north Columbia. Brewer is facing charges

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Can Blaine Gabbert lead the Chiefs to a win this weekend?

January 5, 2024 2:16 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to play the final game of the regular season on Sunday.