Month: January 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an extension of expired Affordable Care Act subsidies Thursday — the same subsidies that led to the longest-ever government shutdown last year.

The House passed the legislation 230-196, with many Republican members defecting to join Democrats to approve the bill. Not among them was Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raytown), who represents parts of Mid-Missouri, including areas of Columbia and Boone County.

“Extending this broken system without reforms would cost taxpayers more than $90 billion while hiding the true cost of Obamacare at a time when the U.S. government already spends more per capita on health care than any other developed nation,” Alford wrote in a statement posted on social media. “Instead of continuing to enrich insurance companies at the expense of patient care, we should fix what’s broken and lowering care costs instead of expanding wasteful government spending.”

The issue was forced to the floor after members signed a petition to force House Speaker Mike Johnson to put the bill to a vote. It now goes to the Senate.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would increase the country’s deficit by about $80 billion over a decade, but would provide insurance coverage for millions of people.

None of Missouri’s six Republican House members voted for the bill.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Eldon man was charged on Wednesday in Miller County after he allegedly sent revenge porn to his ex-wife.

Brad Hulsey, 51, was charged with nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images. He was arrested on Wednesday and bonded out of jail at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, according to Miller County Jail records. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.

The probable cause statement says the woman went to the Eldon Police Department on Monday and claimed Hulsey was sending her pornographic images from a new phone. Court documents claim Hulsey had threatened to send the images of the woman to members or her family.

The next day, the woman dropped off a thumb drive that had several messages from Hulsey that were allegedly related to him sending the photos, the statement says.

Hulsey was interviewed by police on Wednesday and allegedly claimed that he sent the images because he was mad that he could not see his child, the statement says. Police wrote they had to restrain Hulsey at some point during the interview.

Police then wrote that they have responded to “multiple calls for service in reference” to Hulsey having a dispute with the victim.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged with a felony on Thursday after he led authorities on a chase Wednesday between Columbia and Hallsville, court documents say.

Anthony Orourke, 52, was charged with aggravated fleeing. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond and a court date has not been scheduled.

He was sentenced to five years of probation in 2023 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of felony stealing. A probation violation was reported in December and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The probable cause statement says a Flock camera had detected Orourke’s vehicle near Ballenger Lane and Clark Lane. Orourke stopped at a Casey’s location on Clark Lane and while Orourke went back to his vehicle, police told him to stop, the statement says. Orourke allegedly told the cop he had a gun and the officer tried to pull open the driver’s side door of the vehicle while Orourke was in the driver’s seat, the statement says.

The officer then wrote that he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Orourke while he gave commands, but Orourke drove away, the statement says.

The chase went up to Hallsville and back toward Columbia before Orourke drove into a field, court documents say. The statement says a K-9 bit Orourke before Orourke was taken into custody.

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Euphenie Andre

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Carlos Graham is the newest member of the Jefferson City Board of Education.

Graham was unanimously picked by the board to take the open seat left by former board President Erika Leonard. The board made its decision by a public vote during its Thursday night meeting.

Graham was sworn in immediately following the vote and wasted no time stepping into his new role. Moments after taking the oath, he took his seat at the board table, officially beginning his service.

“I just really want to work with the current board members and see what issues are out there, if any,” Graham said. “And make sure that our students are prepared to go to the next level.”

Leonard retired in December, saying she wanted to dedicate more time to her family and career. Following her resignation, the board opened the application process to fill the vacant seat from Dec. 11 through Jan. 7. Two candidates applied during that period: Graham and Ryan Towner.

Towner congratulated Graham following the decision.

“I’ve worked with Carlos on a couple other city commissions. He’s great. He’ll do a great job, and I congratulate him for winning,” Towner said.

Towner is also running for a seat in the April election.

“I think it is important that Jefferson City is distinguished from other schools. I think it’s important that everybody that grows up here returns and continues to give back, especially those that live here,” Towner said.

Graham has two daughters who graduated from Jefferson City High School. He has worked at Lincoln University in roles that include residential life director and interim chief of staff.

“I think our role is to make sure that our school district is promoting students who are ready to prepare for college,” Graham said. “Our teachers do a great job, and it’s about providing the support they need to help students get to that next level.”

Graham is also involved in local public service organizations and was recently awarded the Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award in 2024.

“I’m just very excited to be a part of this,” Graham said. “I want to thank the school board members for having the faith and confidence in me. I promise to do the best of my ability while serving in this role.”

Although Towner was not selected for the vacant school board seat Thursday, his application showed extensive professional and community experience.

Towner is the owner and the president of Towner Communication Systems Inc. He holds degrees in psychology and philosophy and a master’s degree in business administration. He has been on the city’s Transportation and Traffic Commission and the United Way’s fund allocation committee. He has also spent time of the advisory boards of the Nichols Career Center, State Tech, the Salvation Army and the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce.

“Being a product of public school, I’d like for my kids and other kids to have the same positive experience I did,” Towner wrote in his application. “[Two] of my five kids are new to public school and I want to help educate others about how amazing JC schools are today. I believe the district is moving in the right direction and I want to help further that with all kids. I believe my experience will help me in assisting the district.”

Trent Vallandingham, who is running for the Jefferson City School Board in April, was also in attendance at Thursday night’s meeting. Vallandingham said he is seeking a seat in the spring election because he wants to serve his community.

“I went to Jeff City schools from all the way from elementary through high school.” Vallandingham said. “Both my parents were teachers. My dad was a coach in the district as well under Pete Atkins. So, you know, just really want to get back to the district,”

Graham will serve the rest of Leonard’s term, which runs through April 2027.

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