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Missouri redistricting commissions schedule public hearings as 2020 Census data is to be released Thursday

August 12, 2021 10:06 AM Molly Stawinoga

Two governor-appointed committees are starting work to redraw Missouri’s district maps.

Blair Oaks Board of Education takes up return plans

August 10, 2021 10:08 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) ABC 17 News sat down with Superintendent of Blair Oaks R-II School District Jim Jones to talk about the upcoming school year and how it might differ from the last. Jones covered topics including vaccines, COVID-19 precautions, masking and academic changes for the nearly 1,250 students who attend Blair Oaks. The first

Versailles man seriously injured after Wednesday evening wreck in Morgan County

August 11, 2021 11:47 PM Karl Wehmhoener

MORGAN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A man is seriously injured after a wreck on Highway 52 in Morgan County Wednesday night. According to the online crash report, Lucas Hayden, 22, of Versailles, was driving a 2003 Yamaha motorcycle and lost control. The motorcycle left the roadway and then overturned and hit a fence. Hayden was wearing

KATE GROSSMAN, PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE PHYSICIAN AT BOONE HEALTH

‘We’re absolutely in a third wave:’ Front-line ICU doctor calls for mask mandate and vaccine outreach

August 11, 2021 6:27 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Pulmonary and critical care physician Kate Grossman is a front-line ICU doctor working with COVID-19 patients every day at Boone Health in Columbia. She says Columbia’s health care workers are overwhelmed. “It’s incredibly busy and it’s incredibly exhausting,” Grossman said. “Every day in the hospital, we are full, we have nurses caring

Desiree Reed-Francois era begins for Mizzou Athletics

August 11, 2021 6:43 PM Nathalie Jones

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mizzou Athletics welcomed athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois to the department on Wednesday morning. The former UNLV AD is the first woman to ever lead MU Athletics. You can watch the full conversation with Reed-Francois following her introductory press conference in the video player below. https://youtu.be/kZelr8_lWgA Her husband and son, Jackson, accompanied her

Jefferson City man sentenced to 13 years for receiving child porn

August 11, 2021 7:06 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (KMIZ) A U.S. district judge sentenced a Jefferson City man Wednesday to federal prison for receiving child porn over the internet. Dana Paul Cline, 54, was sentenced to 13 years in prison without parole and ordered to pay a total of $31,000 to several of his victims. Cline pleaded guilty in July

Troopers identify woman killed in crash near Centralia

August 11, 2021 12:07 PM Josie Anglin

A ruptured tire caused a fatal crash Tuesday on Highway 22 near Angell School Road in Boone County, authorities say.

Travel expert gives air travel advice amid the recent increase in delayed and canceled flights

August 11, 2021 5:53 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) According to Flight Aware, Southwest Airlines delayed almost 40% of flights in July and canceled three percent while American and United Airlines were both in the 30% range. All of this comes as travel has increased nationwide, Nick Chabarria said AAA shows an eleven percent increase compared to this time in 2019.

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Boone County now tied for the lead in mid-Missouri with 128 coronavirus-related deaths

August 11, 2021 8:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Parson gives update on vaccine incentive program, coronavirus in hospitals

August 11, 2021 1:50 PM Hannah Falcon

Gov. Mike Parson will name a new natural resources director, give an update on the state’s vaccine incentive program and talk about state resources going to hospitals to fight COVID-19 in a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Crisis center in Columbia could be just months from opening

August 11, 2021 1:09 PM Leila Mitchell

A mental health crisis center could begin operating around the clock in Columbia in the next six to nine months, local leaders said Wednesday.

Mizzou introduces new athletic director

August 11, 2021 8:48 AM Andrew Kauffman

Mizzou introduced its new athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois on Wednesday morning.

Mexico Public Schools not requiring masks in buildings, some social distancing measures expected

August 11, 2021 5:27 AM Ben Fein

Mexico Public Schools has released a comprehensive plan ahead of students returning to the classroom for the first day of school Aug 25.

All of Mid-Missouri still in high transmission level of COVID-19

August 11, 2021 6:00 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As the delta variant continues to spread across Missouri, the most recent state profile report shows all but three counties in the “red zone” or high transmission level of COVID-19. Missouri State Profile ReportDownload Currently, 112 counties in Missouri, including all of Mid-Missouri, are in the “red zone.” Two counties, Pemiscot and

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the unvaccinated pay higher insurance premiums?

August 11, 2021 2:00 AM ABC 17 News Team

Speculation is growing that health insurers could decide to charge higher premiums for people who don’t get the coronavirus vaccine.

UM Board of Curators approves contract for new athletic director

August 10, 2021 11:23 AM Andrew Kauffman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The UM System Board of Curators voted unanimously to approve the contract for Mizzou’s new athletic director on Tuesday morning. Desiree Reed-Francois signed a six-year contract with MU. She’ll make $800,000 per year – $550,000 is her base salary and $250,000 is her non-salary compensation for appearances and other marketing activities. Reed-Francois

Audrain County Emergency 911 Center is updating its outdoor warning sirens policy

August 10, 2021 9:30 PM Karl Wehmhoener

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) The Audrain County Emergency 911 Center is updating its’ activation policy concerning the outdoor warning sirens after the National Weather Service changed its severe thunderstorms warnings. The National Weather Service will now issue severe thunderstorm warnings when winds are expected to be 80 miles per hour or more and large, damaging hail

Columbia Public Schools buses lined up as students and teachers return to full time in person classes.

Mid-Missouri school districts have not released mask plans as start of school looms

August 10, 2021 12:56 PM Leila Mitchell

With less than two weeks remaining before many schools start back up, districts throughout Mid-Missouri have not made a decision on mandating masks.

Some senior living communities return to more strict COVID-19 restrictions as others ease guidance

August 10, 2021 6:28 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Senior living communities in mid-Missouri began to loosen restrictions in April and May when the vaccine was accessible and case numbers were low, but now some are becoming more strict. The Terrace Retirement Community updated its restrictions in July limiting visitors to caregivers. The Terrace guidances say, “CDC and local orders recommend

Columbia council members say future health order unlikely without health department blessing

August 10, 2021 2:52 PM Lucas Geisler

Several Columbia City Council members said Tuesday that they may not support further local health restrictions without the recommendation of the city’s health department.