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Columbia Board of Education narrowly approves superintendent’s contract extension

January 10, 2023 1:59 PM Matthew Sanders

The Columbia Board of Education narrowly approved Monday an extension of the district superintendent’s contract after his first year on the job.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you use public transportation?

January 10, 2023 2:42 AM ABC 17 News Team

The City of Columbia’s public transit, the bus system known as Go COMO, has been struggling with a lack of drivers for several years.

Gas odor detected near Phillips 66 storage terminal in Jefferson City

January 9, 2023 9:50 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFEFSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A rave alert was issued Monday evening for Jefferson City and part of Cole County. “JeffCity/ColeCounty: PHILLIPS PIPELINE RT C/IDLEWOOD RD HAS SPILLED A LARGE AMT OF GAS ODORANT CREATING A LOT OF CONCERN. THIS IS NOT A GAS LEAK, JUST THE ODOR,” an email stated. A Phillips 66 spokesman confirmed

Man charged after allegedly punching cop and trying to grab gun

January 9, 2023 9:04 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man was charged after he allegedly punched a police officer last week and tried to take his gun. Charles Nichols, 24, was charged with attempting to disarm a peace officer while on duty, fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest. On Friday, Columbia police allegedly received a report of a suicidal person

Basye gives deadline for CPS response, lawsuit could follow Wednesday

January 9, 2023 8:17 PM Abby Landwehr

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to say Basye could file a lawsuit on Wednesday. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A potential lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools now has a countdown. Former Missouri State Rep. Chuck Basye told ABC 17 News that he plans to file a lawsuit against the district as soon as Wednesday if

Central Missouri Human Society suspends intake of dogs for at least two weeks amid outbreak

January 9, 2023 7:46 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Central Missouri Humane Society announced in a press release that it is struggling with an outbreak of canine upper respiratory infections. Canine pneumovirus is contagious for dogs, but is not transferable to humans or cats, according to the press release. Signs of the virus may include coughing, discharge from the eyes or

MU will not take action over racist social media message

January 9, 2023 3:22 PM Matthew Sanders

The head of the University of Missouri said Monday that the school will not take any disciplinary action against a student whose racist social media message to a friend was shared online.

City of Columbia discusses how to add staff for Go COMO

January 9, 2023 7:50 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia met for a work session Monday inside the City Council chambers at city hall. The council discussed staffing within the city’s transit system. After seeing staffing shortages over a long period of time, the city is considering condensing its Go COMO bus routes. Go COMO says to keep

1984 Columbia rape suspect asks for change of judge

January 9, 2023 6:45 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A North Carolina man accused of a 1984 rape in Columbia asked for a change of judge on Monday. James F. Wilson, 59, is charged with rape and first-degree assault. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Columbia police say prosecutor’s death a suicide

January 8, 2023 6:54 PM Lucas Geisler

(The following story discusses suicide and depression. If you or someone you know is in need of help, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.) COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – Police believe former Boone County prosecutor Dan Knight died by suicide, according to the department’s death investigation. ABC 17 News obtained the Columbia Police Department’s

More than 300 human trafficking victims reported in Missouri in 2021

January 9, 2023 11:21 AM Ethan Heinz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Hundreds of people have been forced or coerced into human trafficking over the past few years in Missouri, including nearly 330 of them confirmed in 2021. According to data collected from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 240 cases of human trafficking in 2021. Of those cases, 327 victims were involved.

Holts Summit man faces nine charges following Sunday standoff

January 9, 2023 2:36 PM Ryan Shiner

HOLTS SUMMIT, Mo. (KMIZ) A Holts Summit man faces several charges after a stand off with law enforcement took place on Sunday. Maurice Burkhead, 60, is charged with fourth-degree domestic assault, third-degree kidnapping, third-degree domestic assault, two charges of unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree property damage, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of

Classified documents from Biden’s time as VP discovered in private office

January 9, 2023 4:52 PM CNN Newsource

By Jamie Gangel, Marshall Cohen, Evan Perez and Phil Mattingly, CNN Several classified documents from President Joe Biden’s time as vice president were discovered last fall in a private office, Biden’s attorneys acknowledged Monday. Attorney General Merrick Garland has asked the US attorney in Chicago to investigate the matter, a source familiar with the matter

Man charged with terroristic threat on MU’s campus

January 9, 2023 4:27 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man was charged Monday with making a terroristic threat against the University of Missouri on a social media website in November. Chase Linhares, 21, was charged with making a terroristic threat. An initial court appearance is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Boone County Courthouse. The probable cause statement says

Jeremy Maclin named to 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class

January 9, 2023 3:49 PM Nathalie Jones

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The National Football Foundation announced that former Mizzou wide receiver Jeremy Maclin will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023. He is the eighth Tiger football alum to enter the Hall. Maclin will be joining the Hall of Fame just one year after his former coach, Gary Pinkel,

Second teen charged in October shooting near Indian Hills Park

January 9, 2023 3:24 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A second teenager has been charged in relation to a shooting that occurred Oct. 12 near Indian Hills Park in Columbia. Tyler Lopinto, 17, of Columbia, is charged with first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, armed-criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.

Democrat Webber announces run to flip Missouri Senate seat

January 9, 2023 11:09 AM Matthew Sanders

Democrat Stephen Webber, who represented parts of Columbia and Boone County for four years in the state House, said Monday that he will attempt another run for Senate.

Child, driver hurt in School of the Osage bus crash

January 9, 2023 12:43 PM ABC 17 News Team

The driver of a School of the Osage bus and the one child on board were taken to a hospital by ambulance after a crash early Monday.

Man convicted of murdering Columbia Daily Tribune Sports Editor released on parole

January 9, 2023 7:38 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man convicted of killing a Columbia Daily Tribune Sports Editor in 2001 was released from prison on Monday at 8 a.m. according to Missouri’s Department of Corrections. Charles Erickson was originally sentenced to 25 years behind bars after confessing to the murder of Kent Heitholt and is set to be released

One person flown to hospital after Johnson County crash

January 9, 2023 8:42 AM Kennedy Miller

JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) One person was seriously injured in a crash in Johnson County on Sunday afternoon. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, it happened around 3:00 p.m. on Route ZZ at Southwest 1100 Rd. Troopers say the crash happened when a UTV driven by 27-year-old Thomas Shelton, of Garden City,