Month: September 2026

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Supreme Court handed down its opinions on three cases it heard arguments from on Wednesday.

In the highly debated saga that had challenged the “Missouri First” congressional map that was signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe last year, the court ruled that People Not Politicians successfully made their arguments and will let Missouri voters decide on the map in November.

The congressional map created in 2022 would be in force for the upcoming November election.

The 2025 map, which broke up Congressional District 5 into three districts, was met with criticism with claim that it was gerrymandered in favor of Republicans ahead of the midterms.

A second case revolving around the number of signatures that were gathered for that petition was dismissed as a moot case because it was certified as sufficient.

“It [the ruling] simply reaffirms what we have said all along. We have the right to do a referendum and the law cannot go into effect until the people decide,” People Not Politicians Executive Director Richard von Glahn said.

According to the Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion, House Bill 1 or the “Missouri First” map was, “not the law and has never been the law.”

The court additionally pushed back against the state’s arguments that switching maps between the primary and general election would confuse voters, instead pointing a finger at Hoskins himself.

“These arguments are particularly misplaced given the secretary’s delay created the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties of which he complains,” according to the Supreme Court’s opinion.

Additionally, the court also unanimously agreed with Respect Missouri Voters to put Amendment 6 on the ballot. If approved, the amendment would strengthen Missouri’s initiative petition process and would increase the 50% requirement to at least 80% approval from the general assembly to overturn or change a voter-approved law.

The judges claimed Secretary of State Denny Hoskins did not have the authority to reject the group’s petition.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon told ABC 17 News in a text message that she expects an appeal to happen.

“I expect that they will appeal to the federal courts, but I don’t know that that will have any impact. The interpretation of the cases is pretty clear – Amendment 6 and Proposition 1 will appear on the ballot. We will use the old maps,” she wrote.

Shortly after, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced her intent to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

“Never before in American history has a court overturned a congressional map after a primary and before a general election. This unprecedented decision clearly violates federal law and has thrust our state into a full‑fledged constitutional crisis,” Hanaway was quoted in a statement. “Our office will move immediately to seek relief from SCOTUS. We are confident that the federal courts will not allow every Missouri voter to be disenfranchised—which is what today’s decision does.

Hoskins said that he will not be “intimidated” by the decision.

“Today’s Missouri Supreme Court rulings ignite nothing short of a Constitutional crisis. No court has ever rejected a congressional map that had already been used in an election, as the Missouri First Map was in the August primary,” Hoskins said in a statement. “We may have lost the battle today, but the war to preserve our constitutional republic is far from over. As I’ve said throughout this process, I will not be intimidated, I will not be deterred, I remain steadfast in my fight to defend the United States and Missouri Constitutions. As a fifth-generation Missourian, I will proudly fall on my sword to save this great state from out-of-state special interests and their out-of-state sugar daddies. Missouri will not become another New York City or Los Angeles on my watch.”

People Not Politicians encouraged voters to vote against Proposition A.

“We had over 305,000 people sign this in just three months,” von Glahn said. “We’re going to do the work of continuing to go out and knock on doors and make phone calls and do the pieces that we need to do, but it has been very clear, I think, from day one, where the people of this state are.”

“This is what democracy looks like, the people of Missouri demanded a voice, and the court just confirmed what we’ve been saying all along. People, not politicians, will have the final say,” Richard von Glahn, Executive Director of People Not Politicians Missouri, said in a statement. “This victory reaches beyond Missouri. In a year when map-drawing has become a national weapon, courts across the country are watching what happens here. A Missouri win for the referendum is a signal that the people still hold the power.”

A number of Missouri politicians shared their thoughts on the decisions, with Republicans being against the decisions and Democrats supporting it.

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe wrote on his social media that he was “disappointed” with the decision.

“Nearly one year ago, the General Assembly, duly elected by the people of Missouri, convened in an extraordinary session to draw a new congressional map that better represents Missouri and the commonsense values that define our state,” he wrote. “We are extremely disappointed in today’s decision by unelected judges and their lack of respect for the legislative process. Holding a primary election under one congressional map and a general election under another is unprecedented and creates uncertainty for Missouri voters.”

Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin — who is the Republican candidate in the race in the disputed Fifth District – accused of Missouri Supreme court of having a liberal bias.

““I’m not surprised that a liberal activist majority on the Missouri Supreme Court has handed Democrats a decision they desperately needed in their effort to help national Democrats retake the US House of Representatives, while also effectively invalidating a primary election that was held in accordance with a legal decision these same judges handed down,” he said in a statement to media.

Emanuel Cleaver, the incumbent Democratic representative of the Fifth District, supported the decision.

“The people of the great State of Missouri won today with the Missouri Supreme Court ruling that Missourians will vote this November on whether to reject the mid-decade redistricting of congressional maps dictated by the White House,” he wrote in a statement. “I applaud this decision by the Court in affirming the Missouri constitutional right of citizens to hold our government in check reflected by the more than 305,000 Missourians who joined the citizens’ led referendum petition.” 

U.S. Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO) shared Hanaway’s reaction on social media and agreed with his colleagues

“The Missouri Supreme Court decision, overturning a congressional map between a primary in which voters chose candidates, and a general election, defies common sense and the rule of law,” Onder wrote.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) supported the high court’s decision.

“Today’s ruling affirms what we’ve been saying all along: voters should pick their representatives, not the other way around,” he wrote on social media. “Now, Missourians will finally get to have their say at the ballot in November on rejecting these partisan and unconstitutional maps. I’m proud of all of the folks who organized, called and lobbied their elected officials, and made their voices heard.”

President Donald Trump weighed in with a post on Truth Social, where he chastised the state’s Supreme Court.

“The Missouri Supreme Court just ridiculously ruled in favor of changing the maps back to what they were a long time ago. It’s called, Ancient History! The problem is, according to Legal Scholars, that not only was the ruling horrible, ridiculous, and unConstitutional, but there won’t be enough time to change the map back with the Election coming up in a very short period of time,” Trump wrote.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 60,000 fans are expected to attend the Mizzou football team’s season opener Thursday, but getting to and from Memorial Stadium could take some extra time as construction around the stadium creates traffic impacts.

That traffic could be magnified with more people expected to be inside Memorial Stadium throughout the season. The stadium’s newly completed north end zone project increased its capacity to approximately 65,000 fans. The No. 25-ranked Tigers will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m.

Currently, six construction projects are underway along Interstate 70, and the Missouri Department of Transportation is warning drivers to expect delays as they travel through active work zones.

“Motorists should prepare to leave early and allow for extra time when traveling on I-70 during game days. Increased game day traffic this football season is expected to cause additional delays both before and after games,” MoDOT said in a news release. “Work zones often include narrow lanes, changing and atypical lane configurations, and reduced speeds.”

The projects are part of a broader effort to improve the I-70 corridor across the state. For drivers in Central Missouri, that includes work along stretches of the interstate between Rocheport and Boonville, as well as between Columbia and Kingdom City.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is also warning fans to expect increased traffic in Columbia, particularly leading up to kickoff, which coincides with the evening rush hour as many residents leave work.

“Fans and motorists should also be aware of increased traffic inside Columbia, MO, due to both end-of-work-day commuters and game day traffic. The Patrol urges motorists and fans to limit distracted driving and be aware of crosswalks,” Capt. Eric Brown said in a statement. “After arriving at Memorial Stadium, all gates will be open for entry, including the north endzone addition. The Patrol, University of Missouri Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement officers will be available to assist fans.” 

The increased traffic and ongoing construction are also factors emergency crews have to consider when planning for game day.

Columbia Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said construction throughout the city can affect the routes crews take when responding to emergencies, making it important for the department to continually update its response plans.

“That’s one thing that is definitely steady is construction regardless of regardless of location in the city. We face it day in, day out. That’s just part of being an urban center,” Schaeffer said. “So when those changes in the routing on roads, whether they’re temporary or are fairly permanent during construction season, those are all put into our computer-aided dispatch, which equates to the computer picking the closest unit and then offering the best routing around those.”

Boone County Emergency Management spokesperson Beth Kennedy also reminds fans to prepare for delays and detours around Columbia.

MoDOT’s traveler information map shows fans should expect delays on northbound Route PP, westbound I-70 entering Boone County and near the northbound Highway 63 on-ramp due to new pavement construction.

“I know the city has put out their information reminding people of the traffic delays and the detours that we have around the city of Columbia and around the county on I-70 in and out of Columbia,” Kennedy said. “Just allow yourself more time, be patient, take it slow. Just make sure that, again, situational awareness, you’re aware of your surroundings, and you’re just taking it a little slow.”

Schaffer said planning ahead is particularly important Thursday because of the expected heat and the amount of time fans may spend traveling to the stadium and walking to their seats.

“For the people that are coming and visiting I would definitely add in extra time if you know where those construction projects are, or if you know that on your route into the game that you’re going to face that,” Schaeffer said. “Definitely add enough time because it’s going to be extremely hot. You shouldn’t have to run to get to the game. You don’t want to exhaust a lot of energy or the water that you may be carrying and bringing it. A little patience will go a long way, and patience equates with planning.”

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The McDonald’s on South Providence Road in Columbia that caught fire last month has reopened its drive-thru.

A spokeswoman for Bergman Communications – which represents McDonald’s – confirmed in an email that the drive-thru reopened on Thursday and the lobby for that location is expected to reopen at 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

ABC 17 News saw customers using the drive-thru on Thursday afternoon.

The location, which is Columbia’s newest McDonad’s, closed after a fire occurred on Aug. 4, prompting the restaurant to be evacuated and leading to two firefighters having to be treated for heat-related illness.

The Columbia Fire Department announced on Aug. 6 that the fire was caused by “improperly discarded smoking materials.”

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The men accused of stealing $1.28 million from the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville earlier this year have been indicted by a federal grand jury, the Department of Justice announced in a Thursday press release.

Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles, 22, of Columbia, was charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interfering with commerce by committing a robbery and pulling out a gun during a violent crime. He is being held at the Cooper County Jail on a $1 million cash or surety bond or a $250,000 cash bond.

Hollis Cortez Vanleer, 20, is charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interfering with commerce by committing a robbery, pulling out a gun during a violent crime and being a felon with a gun.

The pair, who were carrying guns when they entered the casino on March 25, allegedly took about $1.28 million from the main money drawer and that a patron had tackled one of the men, previous reporting from court documents shows. Vanleer hit the patron before the pair got away in a Ford Taurus, court documents in previous reporting say.

The Ford was later abandoned in Howard County. Law enforcement found a receipt in the vehicle and were able to determine a card used in the purchase belonged to Charles, who was also determined to be an employee at the casino, the statement says. He was arrested the day after the robbery.

Vanleer was eventually detained his hometown of Bloomington, Illinois, on June 24 during a traffic stop, according to previous reporting.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley has expanded his investigation into the Flock camera network to include three other companies that operate camera networks.

Hawley on Tuesday sent letters to Motorola Solutions, Verkada and Axon, giving them until Sept. 16 to provide certain documents and information for his investigation. Hawley, a Missouri Republican, chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism

Hawley’s office announced the subcommittee’s investigation into Flock on Aug. 26. Hawley says he’s demanding answers about how companies that operate public surveillance camera networks will protect Americans’ personal information, such as their license plates.

ABC 17 News uses cameras on the Verkada network for its live weather cameras.

Numerous local governments have canceled their Flock contracts, including the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. A movement has also formed in Columbia to call for the termination of the city’s Flock contract.

In his letter, Hawley references multiple cases where police officers misused or abused the information provided by the Flock license plate reader camera system.

“To be sure, I want law enforcement to have tools to catch offenders and keep the public safe,” Hawley wrote. “But the surveillance network your company has constructed raises legitimate concerns about how little-known corporations possess intimate knowledge of Americans’ lives, fueled by invasive artificial intelligence algorithms.”

No hearings have been set.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man is in custody after authorities claim he repeatedly assaulted a baby.

Noah J. Humphus, 23, was charged on Thursday in Cole County with first-degree domestic assault and child abuse. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond and has not had a court date scheduled.

The probable cause statement says police were called to Capital Region Medical Center after a 4-month-old baby reportedly had several broken bones and needed to be transferred to University Hospital in Columbia.

The baby allegedly had broken ribs from being shaken by someone along with having fractures throughout their leg, the statement says.

The mother of the child allegedly told authorities that she had seen Humphus shake the baby on more than one occasion. The statement says Humphus allegedly told the mother he shook the baby in order to “toughen” them up.

Humphus allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he shook the child at least 10 different times and showed how he injured the child’s leg on a doll that was provided during the interview, court documents say.

“The defendant then demonstrated swinging the victim upside down by her legs,” the probable cause statement says.