Flames seen coming from home near Business Loop 70

KMIZ on September 4, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Firefighters responded to a call for a house fire near the Business Loop in Columbia on Thursday night.

Flames were seen coming from a home in the 1100 block of Pannell Street. Firefighters were using water from a hydrant from the corner of Smith Street.

High flames were seen coming from the second floor of the home and firefighters were heard using chainsaws to get into a portion of the building.

At least five firetrucks were seen on the Smith Street side of the scene.

Assistant Fire Chief Lester Shewmake told ABC 17 News at the scene that firefighters believe no one was in the home at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire was out by 11:06 p.m.

ABC 17 News is working to learn more information. Please check back for updates.

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Mizzou dominates in season opener behind stellar offensive play

KMIZ on September 4, 2026

Collin Anderson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Tigers picked apart Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the first game of the 2026-27 season 54-14.

You can watch extended highlights of the win in the video player below.

There were plenty of questions heading into the week one for Mizzou. An nearly entirely new cast on both sides of the ball, and a slew of new coaches had fans wondering if head coach Eli Drinkwitz’ vision would come to pass.

Within the first 15 minutes, those questions were answered.

You can watch the full postgame press conference with head coach Eli Drinkwitz, recapping the game, in the video player below.

Transfer quarterback Austin Simmons made his debut in the black and gold, and looked like he had been playing in this system for years. A perfect 7-7 on his first drive that went 60 yards and ended with Sean Terry II getting into the end zone for the first touchdown of the year.

The senior quarterback continued his hot streak on the next possession, finding Donovan Olugbode for a touchdown towards the end of the first quarter.

In the second, Mizzou’s offense was even better. Jamal Roberts broke in for six points at the start of the quarter, before Simmons put two more scores across with a second touchdown to Olugbode, and a 47 yard connection to his former Ole Miss teammate Cayden Lee, which put the Tigers ahead 37-0. A field goal from Blake Craig made it a 40-point game heading into the half as the clock hit zeros.

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Olugbode in the video player below.

Quarters three and four were slower for the Tigers as the starters did not return with their helmets, signifying the end of their night. Mizzou broke in for another two touchdowns, but also allowed the Golden Lions to score twice for themselves, making the final score 54-14.

Simmons finished his day 17-19 with 252 yards and four touchdowns. Olugbode was the top target with eight catches for 116 and a pair of scores.

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Simmons in the video player below.

Defensively, linebacker Jeremiah Beasley paved the way for ‘Death Row Defense,’ leading that unit with seven total tackles and two solo stops.

You can watch the full postgame press conference with linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr., as well as safety Elijah Dotson, as they talk about the defensive performance, in the video players below.

Up Next – Mizzou will head to Lawrence, Kans. for the Boarder War in week two. Kick off is set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11.

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LiUNA Local 955 calls for restoration of MU Health Care benefits, higher wages during campus rally

KMIZ on September 4, 2026

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Members and supporters of Laborers’ Local 955 marched through the University of Missouri’s campus on Thursday and called for “livable wages” outside of the school’s new $250 million north end zone renovations.

It was the opening game for the Mizzou Tigers’ season, and the first with the new upgrades to Memorial Stadium. It was a project many of the union members helped to build, but those same folks say they are struggling to make ends meet.

“A lot of our members make less than $19 an hour,” LiUNA Local 955 spokesman Andrew Hutchinson said. “Many of them work second jobs or have to commute from outside of Columbia just to have a cheaper rent, cheaper cost of living.”

LiUNA Local 955 has three requests for the university:

A minimum wage of $19 per hour.

Cost-of-living and market adjustments made to employees who make more than $19 per hour.

The reversal of recent benefit changes made at MU Health Care.

The board of curators announced at the end of August that it had approved reducing total paid time off days for healthcare workers by three days, a reduction in retirement pension matching and the elimination of holiday pay, except on Veterans Day.

Hutchinson said the decision was made outside of the union and university’s normal negotiation period.

“I think MU Health Care and MU campus and UMKC have been taking steps to see ‘What is the least amount we can pay?’ and ‘What is the least amount we can provide in benefits?” Hutchinson said.

Jeff Hoffman is a university maintenance worker that attended Thursday’s rally. He said the cuts make him feel forgotten.

“It makes me feel like they’re more concerned about money than they are their employees. And they forget that the employees are what makes the hospital just as much as the building,” Hoffman said.

Some students were also walking alongside the group in support. Alice Carter and Charlie Almandinger expressed the importance university workers.

“Supporting the new workers is very important,” MU senior Charlie Almandinger said. “They are essential, we cannot run without them.”

The changes at MU Health Care would not go into effect until Jan. 1. Hutchinson said LiUNA Local 955 is in negotiations with the university for their requests.

Hutchinson said he wants an agreement by the end of the year, but is not sure when one would be finalized. He said he is confident a deal will be reached.

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New Business: Make your own silver and gemstone ring

KTVZ on September 4, 2026

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new business in Bend is offering customers the opportunity to craft their own silver jewelry. Wild Ring Co, located just off Northeast Division, provides appointments where participants design and construct custom gemstone rings.

Rather than a typical “make-your-own” jewelry experience, the workshops are closer to an introductory class in silversmithing. Participants learn technical skills, including how to solder metal and set gemstones, before taking home a finished piece.

Jacob Rogers, owner of Wild Ring Co, said the process is part of the fun, but in the end, you have something you can keep forever. “And that’s one of the best parts about it. It’s really popular for date nights and anniversaries because it’s a piece. It’s not just another stamped, you know, mass-produced piece of jewelry. It’s something you made with your hands, with your friend or with your spouse and it makes it that much more meaningful,” Rogers said.

Participants can select from a wide variety of gemstones, including multiple types of turquoise. The business also provides design options for the ring’s style and finish, allowing the silver to look bright and new or feature a classic aged patina.

Workshop appointments start at $95 per seat, plus the cost of the selected stone. In the end, the average customer pays between $115 and $175 total, with appointments booking up fast. Bookings are available on Wild Ring Co’s website.

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Two local organizations to host dine and donate fundraising event

KYMA on September 4, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Buckin’ for Bridget and Silver Spur Rodeo, Inc. are holding a dine and donate fundraising event later this month.

The event is taking place at Texas Roadhouse, located at 594 E. 16th Street, Thursday, September 17, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This is to support Buckin’ for Bridget, and those who attend must present the flyer to Texas Roadhouse, where they will donate 10% of customers’ food purchases to the organization.

In addition, there is a raffle where those who attend can win a ride-on truck and trailer.

For more information about the upcoming event, call Tina McCash at 928-920-6299, or Michael Leifeste at 928-210-3395.

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Gila Mountain United Methodist Church Blood Drive happening soon

KYMA on September 4, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Gila Mountain United Methodist Church Blood Drive is happening later this month.

The blood drive is taking place at Callaway Hall, located at 12716 N. Frontage Road, Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For those who donate between September 11 and September 30, Vitalant will give donors a Halloween T-shirt, as well as entering to win one of two $10,000 gift cards.

To schedule the appointment, click here, enter Blood Drive Code: Gilamntn, or scan the QR code on the post.

For more information on the blood drive, call the church’s office at 928-342-0345.

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MU signs $900k contract with real estate developer

KMIZ on September 4, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri is entering a $900,000 contract with a real estate developer.

Documents obtained by ABC 17 News on Thursday show that the university has entered an agreement with Reith Jones Advisors.

“Following a competitive process in January 2026, RJA was engaged by MU to support MU’s evaluation of developer RFI submissions,” the contract states. “Through this prior engagement, RJA has already devoted substantial effort to understanding MU’s objectives, development zones, governance environment, campus master planning framework, athletic development priorities, and guiding principles.”

An MU spokesman confirmed that the university has paid RJA $229,958.26 for services through July and was invoiced $49,654.03 in August.

Rieth Jones Advisors contractDownload

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Fifth-wheel trailer fire damages commercial building in Burns

KTVZ on September 4, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A commercial building in Burns was damaged after a fifth-wheel trailer caught fire yesterday morning.

The Burns Fire Department was called to South Date Street around 6:26 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find the fire had spread into a nearby commercial building.

Crews from Hines Fire also responded to help with water and fire suppression.

Because the building was too dangerous to enter, firefighters used Burns Fire’s new aerial ladder to attack the fire from above. No injuries were reported.

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Tobias Read visits Bend to discuss election security and ballot safety

KTVZ on September 4, 2026

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read met with Central Oregon residents during an hourlong event hosted by the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County to discuss election security, voting options and ballot handling. The presentation took place as the upcoming election approaches, approximately 61 days away.

The Bend gathering was part of a series of stops Read is making across the state to answer voter questions and explain election procedures.

Oregon Secretary of State Read emphasized the state’s commitment to maintaining election integrity and protecting voter access. “Oregonians get to have their voices heard and hold politicians and government accountable. We run safe, accurate and fair elections in Oregon. We’re going to continue to do that, defend our authority to do it and make sure that every legal vote is counted accurately,” Read said.

During a question-and-answer period, community members asked Read about ballot delivery through the U.S. Postal Service. Read noted that mail concerns stem from internal state mail distribution processes rather than federal operations, advising residents to submit their ballots using local drop boxes rather than mailing them.

Anne Goldner serves as the First Thursday coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County. She noted that Read directly addressed her questions regarding ballot handling. “And he said, okay, use the box. Don’t put them in the mail only because of the uncertainty with the Post Office right now and what who they’re going to follow. So I think that’ll be quite easy, to be honest with you. And in Deschutes County, there’s boxes easily assessed and that’s what I’m going to do,” Goldner said.

Read stressed the importance of engaging directly with voters across Oregon during election season. “Be connected with people in person really matters. And to hear those concerns, to hear that enthusiasm, to hear the real commitment that exists here and everywhere to vote. You know, too many people sacrificed and fought and died to give us this ability and we should not take that lightly, especially in a year when there is so much to be decided,” Read said.

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Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino agrees to move major races, events to Texas by 2027

KVIA on September 4, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. (KVIA) — Some of Ruidoso Downs Race Track’s events will move to a track near Dallas, according to a news release.

Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino said the following events will move to Grand Prairie, Texas: Quarter Horse Racing Triple Crown Series, the All-American Super Select Sale and the Ruidoso Downs Hall of Fame.

The Triple Crown Series includes the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity, the $1 million Rainbow Futurity and the $3 million All-American Futurity.

Ruidoso Downs Race Track owners Johnny and Jana Trotter agreed on a framework with Global Gaming Solutions to move the events. Both are expected to finalize the agreement in the coming weeks, the news release said.

The events will move to the Lone Star Park race track starting in 2027.

On July 22, the New Mexico Gaming Control Board unanimously voted to approve the temporary closure of the race track. Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino announced it would temporarily close due to a flood-damaged culvert.

The race track’s general manager, Rick Baugh, issued the following statement about the races moving to Grand Prairie:

“For generations, Ruidoso Downs has been the home of the Quarter Horse Racing Triple Crown Series. The Triple Crown Series, the Super Select Sale and the Hall of Fame have a treasured history among the breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys and racing fans who built them. That history belongs to those people, and it travels with these institutions.

Following the fires and floods of recent years, we have taken a hard look at what comes next and evaluated every realistic path forward. Our responsibility has always been to protect not just a place but a legacy.

On behalf of Johnny and Jana Trotter, I am announcing that we have agreed on a framework with Global Gaming Solutions to move the Quarter Horse Racing Triple Crown Series, the All-American Super Select Sale and the Ruidoso Downs Hall of Fame to Lone Star Park. We expect the agreement to be finalized within the next few weeks.

This was not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one. Lone Star Park has the leadership, the facilities and the visibility to ensure these institutions continue to grow, thrive and reach new racing fans for generations to come.

The address will change, but what the horsemen in this industry have built will not change. To every breeder, owner, trainer, jockey and groom who made the Triple Crown what it is and to the fans who filled these stands, thank you. We are grateful to have been part of it, and we are confident that these traditions will continue to grow at Lone Star Park.”

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