Author: KMIZ

Jazsmin Halliburton

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Southern Boone County R-I School District Board of Education will make its decision Monday on a possible four-day school week.

The district has been discussing a potential shift to a four-day school week, starting with the 2026–27 academic year.

Under the proposal, students would attend school 7:50 a.m.-3:25 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, extending each day by 30-40 minutes. The district would eliminate the current early-release Wednesdays, and one Monday each month would be set aside for staff professional development. Remaining Mondays would function as off-days, allowing families to schedule appointments without students missing class.

In a community forum held by the district last month, people raised concerns about how parents would handle childcare for younger students on Mondays. Other concerns raised during the forum included whether students would be overwhelmed by longer school days and how those involved in extracurricular activities would manage homework if practices and sporting events pushed them home later in the evening.

The school board claims the biggest reason for a potential switch would be to help recruit and retain quality teachers as it tries to compete with larger districts like Columbia Public Schools. 

A final proposal will be presented to the board before the formal vote, according to the district’s website. The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at the district building, 5275 West Red Tail Drive.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A local substance use prevention group is asking the City of Columbia to reject extended alcohol service hours during next year’s FIFA World Cup.

The City’s Substance Use Prevention Advisory Commission warns that nearly 24-hour alcohol sales could strain service industry workers and first responders, while also posing risks to public safety. On August 28, the state approved a temporary extension allowing licensed bars and restaurants to sell alcohol from 6 a.m. until 5 a.m. the following day during the tournament, which runs from June 11 through July 19, 2026.

However, the commission wants the city to opt out of the state’s allowance.

“We understand that bars, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses may stand to benefitcommercially from looser hours during a major global event like the FIFA World Cup. However,in our view, the public health and safety risks outweigh these financial incentives, especiallygiven the temporary nature of the event and the disproportionately large burden borne by publicservices and community welfare,” the group said in its recommendation letter to the city.

Some local bars are also opposed to the extended hours and said they will stick to their regular operating hours during the World Cup games.

“I don’t think that it’s a good idea to have a 23-hour drinking privilege,” said Yoeun Moeun, General Manager at Southside Pizza & Pub. “Once people are intoxicated, they can’t control it.”

Travis Oakley, Co-Owner of 9th Street Public House added, “We won’t participate. We will operate under our current standards that’s what we are doing now. A hard stop helps us out in the long run,” Oakley said.

Oakley expressed concern that extending alcohol service past the usual 1 a.m. closing time could encourage risky behavior. He said people are accustomed to the standard hours, and allowing bars to stay open later during the World Cup might lead some to take advantage of the extra time. To avoid potential problems, his establishment plans to stick with its normal hours.

9th Street Public House’s current hours are Tuesday through Sunday, from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Southside Pizza & Pub is open Monday and Tuesday for dine-in from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., with carry-out available until 2 a.m. From Wednesday through Sunday, the restaurant opens at 11 a.m., and on weekends, it remains open until 1 a.m.

Dan Rader, owner of MyHouse Sports Bar & Nightclub, said he doesn’t anticipate much of an impact from the World Cup on Columbia bars, but expects Kansas City’s bar scene to benefit significantly.

The Substance Use Prevention Advisory Commission said extended hours could put extra strain on workers and city services. The group also claims that service-industry employees may face longer shifts, fatigue, and safety concerns, while police and other public safety agencies could see an increase in calls.

“Once you get to a certain point, everybody’s tired,” Oakley said. “I want to get them home safely and not fatigued.”

The group cited research showing the potential dangers of extended alcohol sales. A recent U.S. study found that reducing late-night alcohol hours led to significant drops in violent crime. In one Baltimore neighborhood, cutting bar and tavern sales from 20 hours a day to 13 hours was linked to a 51% decrease in homicides in the first month and a 23% annual reduction in overall violent crime.

Similarly, a systematic review of alcohol policies concluded that increasing sales hours by two or more hours leads to significant rises in alcohol-related harms, including violence and excessive drinking, while reducing hours by the same amount effectively lowers those risks. The commission used these findings to argue that allowing near-24-hour alcohol sales during the World Cup could threaten public safety.

The commission also warns of potential increases in public disorder, noise, and early-morning disruptions, along with a higher risk of drunk driving incidents.

“When you’re intoxicated, it’s harder to, I guess cut them off. And if you allow it, then there’s just you’re going to have a lot of people arrested and a lot if DUI.” Moeun said.

The group argues that near-24-hour alcohol sales would conflict with recent safety initiatives downtown, including efforts by the city and the University of Missouri.

While some bars said they won’t use the extended hours approved by the state, they do plan to offer special promotions during the World Cup.

The City Council will discuss the issue at a meeting scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m.

Communication from SUPACDownload

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri gears up to celebrate its annual One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive on Wednesday, organizers are reminding mid-Missouri that the season of giving can last beyond the holiday season.

“A lot of the times we see gaps in volunteerism after the holidays, mostly due to school schedules,” Chief communications Officer for the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri Katie Adkins said. “We have a lot of amazing college students that help us get food to the food bank and out the door really quickly so when they’re off, when they’re maybe going home for the holidays, we don’t see as many volunteers.”

Adkins adds that the food bank gets around 10,000 volunteers annually. According to a 2024 annual report, the organization shared over 21 million meals across 32 counties, adding up to around $81.2 million in economic relief.

Volunteer opportunities include sorting and packing food boxes for seniors and veterans in the volunteer room and working at the food bank’s grocery market as a stocker, grocery bagger or greeter.

“Most of our volunteer opportunities are a couple of hours, so really quick,” Adkins said. “Those are all really fun opportunities that give you the chance to connect with some other people in the community or come in as a group.”

Adkins said that working at the food bank’s volunteer room requires no training. People looking to work at the food bank market will be provided with volunteer training.

“We’re incredibly appreciative of that [volunteers], all of that saves us money that we can then put toward food, so we’re able to purchase more food because of the volunteer hours shared,” Adkins said.

Long-time volunteer James Quade told ABC 17 News that volunteer hours are flexible, and that he’s been coming in for group volunteering with his church for several years.

Quade’s group was working in the volunteer room, packing boxes with non-perishable food like cereal, peanut butter and rice. The boxes are loaded up onto palettes in groups of 32 to be sent off to food bank partners across mid-Missouri.

“Someone with a zero skill set, which I had about ten years ago, they’ll put you on the assembly line and you’ll pick it up in about 30 seconds. It is very enjoyable,” Quade said.

Quade adds that volunteering is what makes Columbia a great place to live.

“The needs of Boone County, which has about 25% poverty rate, goes year-round and we all need to do our part, whether you’re receiving or whether you’re giving,” Quade said.

The annual One for One Holiday Food Fund Drive takes place at the Columbia Mall and Buchheit in Jefferson City on Dec. 17 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Donation opportunities can also be found on the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri’s website.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills in the negatives between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

This weather can cause symptoms and signs of frostbite to appear in less than 30 minutes. The extra factor of wind can make the process set in even faster.

Ears, nose, fingers and toes are the most at risk for frostbite, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Signs of frostbite include:

Numbness

Pale or gray skin

Skin feels waxy to the touch

Affected areas ache or are painful

Any tingling or stinging sensations

Missouri DHSS reported 38 people died in 2024 from low body temperatures, caused by prolonged exposure to the cold. 

People experiencing frostbite or frostbite symptoms are encouraged to seek medical attention.

According to Missouri DHSS, those who don’t have medical resources immediately available can try to find a dry, warm area, remove any wet or tight-fitting clothes, or place the affected area into warm water no hotter than 105 degrees.

DHSS also warns to not rub the affected area and to not use artificial heating methods, like heating pads. After warming the area, wrap it in sterile gauze.

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Nia Hinson

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Brumley and Columbia man were injured in a crash in Miller County Friday night.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash occurred on Airport Road– East of Hollar Road– around 8:20 p.m. An 18-year-old Columbia man was driving a 2000 MAZDA B4000, when the vehicle traveled too fast around a curve.

The vehicle then began to skid and crossed the center of the road. The man then overcorrected– the vehicle crossed back over the road– and traveled off the right side of the road. The truck struck a ditch, fence and tree, the report says.

The driver was taken to Lake Regional Hospital with moderate injuries. A passenger in the vehicle– a 20-year-old Brumley man was seriously injured.

According to the report, both men were wearing seatbelts when the crash occurred.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is monitoring dangerously cold temperatures from Saturday into Sunday. The American Red Cross has some tips to keep your home and water pipes safe as the temperatures drop below freezing Saturday.

According to the Red Cross, the pipes most likely to freeze are outside, in unheated areas of the home–like crawl spaces or in cabinets–and inside pipes that are adjacent to outside.

The Red Cross suggests adding insulation to cover pipes in the unheated parts of the home, like in the crawlspace, attic or basement.

For the pipes inside but that are not heated, the Red Cross also recommends getting pipe insulation specific sleeves. Wrapping a quarter inch of newspaper around pipes can also add some protection against the cold.

Leaving cabinet doors in the kitchen or in bathrooms open can also help, according to the Red Cross because it allows warmer to circulate inside the cabinet.

Putting the faucet on a drip could also prevent pipes from freezing because running water doesn’t easily freeze, according to the Red Cross.

People who have holiday travel plans or won’t be home for long periods of time should leave the heat on and set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Red Cross.

If pipes do freeze, the water stream from the faucet likely won’t be strong. The Red Cross suggests leaving the water running while trying to heat the pipe with a heating pad, hair dryer, a space heater or hot towels. The Red Cross also said not to use anything with an open flame, like a blow torch.

People should also check other areas of the home to make sure other pipes aren’t frozen. If a pipe isn’t defrosting, a plumber should be able to get it fixed.

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Euphenie Andre

AUDRAIN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

With temperatures dropping to dangerous levels, Room at the Inn in Audrain County is extending its hours to make sure no one is left out in the cold. The shelter will now remain open during the day as extremely cold conditions are expected through Sunday.

The shelter is open daily from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. until renovations are expected to begin in February. If freezing temperatures continue throughout the day, the shelter may extend its hours and remain open all day, as it did Saturday.

“Not every time but every time that we can,” Executive Director Ravae Moore said.

The organization has also seen a surge in volunteer support. For the past two years, Room at the Inn had only six volunteers. This year, more than 40 trained volunteers are stepping up to help meet the growing need.

“On Dec. 3, we had a volunteer training and I was out in the hallway dealing with something and when I walked back in, there were like 30 people in the room.” Moore said. “I was speechless to see that many people that are willing and eager to come here and help,”

Catina Blackburn, one of the shelter’s consistent volunteers, said she’s happy to be doing more.

“I’ve done some things in the past like bringing in food or dropping off blankets, but I’ve always had a desire to do more,” Blackburn said.

It’s not just the volunteer base that’s expanding. The shelter itself is preparing for a major transformation.

Moore said Room at the Inn is about 1,500 square feet and has three bedrooms for guests. The shelter includes one room with 10 cots, an overflow room that fits 4 more, and a separate space with a queen size mattress reserved for families or sick guest.

The shelter received 15 mattresses and bed frames from Slumberland, along with a donation from the Mexico Jaycees that provided new sheets for each bed Saturday morning. All of the beds will be used for transitional housing.

The organization received a $350,000 grant from the Department of Economic Development in late 2024, to renovate the shelter. Moore said the project is still in its early stages.

“We haven’t gone out for bids yet, so it’s still really brand new, but we have to have it all done and completed by the end of August,” she said.

The overflow room is planned to be converted into a large bathroom with laundry facilities. Blackburn added that this addition is vital, as the shelter currently relies on the transitional housing utilities, which only a limited number of guests can access. One volunteer comes a few times a week to escort guests to transitional housing for showers and to the laundromat.

Blackburn said the improvements will make it easier for volunteers to meet the needs of guests.

“It’ll be much easier for a lot of people to provide the needs that the guests need when they come in,” Blackburn said.

Moore said that about 75 people in Audrain County are currently experiencing homelessness, but the shelter only has the capacity to serve 16. Moore adds that there is no public transportation available, meaning all guests must walk to the shelter. For those coming from the heart of the city near West Jackson Street, that walk can take about 25 minutes.

“The walk, the distance to the shelter, that’s no joke. That’s serious, and sometimes that can be a serious problem for them,’ Blackburn said.” “By the time they get here, they’re cold, they’re hungry and we’re here to just provide a safe place,”

Organizers said children are less likely to stay at the shelter compared to those in transitional housing, where the organization consistently serves several families with children.

“Some people would be surprised at the difference of ages. Literally, I think transitional right now they have everything from unborn to 70 years old,” Blackburn said.

According to Moore, the organizations helped house over 25 guest from last year.

“We work with them as much as we can. If they’re ready to get their lives stable, we’re ready to help them,” she said.

The shelter does not enforce many strict requirements to participate in the program. Staff said the primary expectations are that guests respect all staff members and refrain from bringing alcohol or drugs into the facility. If a guest does have alcohol or drugs, staff will confiscate the items. There is no co-ed sleeping arrangements, and guests are not required to undergo drug testing in order to stay.

Guests are allowed to arrive at the shelter beginning at 5 p.m. and may leave as they choose, as long as they return by 10 p.m. Staff noted, however, that some individuals work until 11 p.m., so accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.

Moore hopes the renovations will allow the shelter to help even more people next year.

Summit Transitional Housing is inviting the public to an open house Christmas party on Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees will be able to tour the facility, meet staff, and hear stories from individuals and families who have experienced the program. The shelter is also asking for monetary donations and supplies to support its guests.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

According to a Missouri Hospital Association report, Missouri hospitals saw a 4% drop in vacancies in 2024; however, overall turnover has remained steady.

2025_WF_Report (1)Download

Based on 2024 data, the report found that the overall turnover rate for Missouri hospitals has been above pre-pandemic levels at 22.2%, compared to 21.5% in 2020. Vacancies have dropped to 9.7% from 11.1% in 2020.

“While the turnover rate has slightly declined, it remains relatively high, suggesting ongoing workforce instability,” the report says. “The steady and more significant [vacancy] decline indicates improved staffing or more success in filling open roles.”

The report also found that staff positions with high rates of vacancy and turnover included practical nurses, registered nurses and nursing assistants.

The staff turnover rate for registered nurses in 2025 was 16.1%, down 2% from 2020. The registered nurse vacancy rate was also at 10.1%, below 12% in 2020.

In 2025, the University of Missouri had over 351 completed nursing degrees. Columbia College had more than 20 nursing graduates at its Nurses Pinning Ceremony on Friday.

According to Nursing Solutions Inc., hospital turnover nationally was at 18.3% in 2024.

To increase staffing and retention, the MHA recommends providing more options for students to enter the workforce through financial support and training opportunities. They add that improved equipment, onboarding and employee benefits would help current staff.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) 

 The City of Columbia on Friday held its first legislative priorities session, bringing together local leaders and state lawmakers at City Hall to align ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

Columbia Mayor Barbra Buffaloe said the session was about ensuring Columbia’s priorities are heard in Jefferson City.

“There’s a lot of priorities a lot of institutions have. I’m really thankful for our representatives coming together with us because I believe they carry the voice of Columbia, that is the fourth largest city in the state of Missouri, and so I think that voice should be heard.”

The meeting marked a new process for the city and included Democratic Reps. Adrian Plank, Kathy Steinhoff and Gregg Bush, Republican Rep. John Martin, along with a representative from state Sen. Stephen Webber’s office.

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said the idea for the session came after conversations with other Missouri cities.

“The idea first came about in talking to our peers cities. So the city of Springfield did something similar last year when we had a new governor coming in. I met together with the mayors from Springfield, Kansas City, and Saint Louis, and we talked about how we as cities can come together to help advocate with the new governor what our priorities are,” Buffaloe said. “Then I realized, so many other agencies and institutions do this. They advocate for themselves. They come up with what their priorities are. And so I approached the staff with doing that. And so we got together over the summer with city council and put together our priority list.”

Bush said the session helped unify lawmakers across party lines.

“This has been a really great experience tonight, making sure that all of us, irrespective of partisanship, we can all be rowing in the same direction because we don’t represent Columbia for our own sake. We represent Columbia because we love Columbia, just like everybody else that was in this room tonight,” Bush told ABC 17 News.

Bush also emphasized the importance of staying connected to the community.

“I’m in constant contact with folks from the City of Columbia. I’m in constant contact with my family, with my neighbors, with parts of my community. Really fortunate about that. Plus, that proximity means they can come down and talk with us and share certain things that they see that maybe aren’t on our radar,” Bush said. 

However, Bush says that he expects the upcoming legislative session to be challenging.

“We’re expecting probably a little bit of a volatile session this time. We’ve got a lot of challenges ahead of us. There’s going to be some budget issues. There are going to be things with respect to the federal government as well. There’s the whole issue with maps right now as well,” Bush said. “I’m really going to focus on being, again, the only nurse in the statehouse. I’m really going to focus on people’s access to health care and what it’s like to work in a health care setting.”

Martin said the session provided valuable insight into the city’s priorities.

“A good crowd today, a number of the state reps are here. And so, to be able to kind of at least be informed of what the city is looking at and then the things that are involved in the state legislature, whether it be infrastructure. MODOT, economic growth, things like that, things that we can be a part of on the state level to help Columbia be successful,” Martin said. 

City officials outlined both general and specific legislative priorities they hope to advance at the state level.

Priorities listed focus on retaining local control, public safety and fiscal stability.

The city opposes state legislation that would limit municipal authority, including oversight of short-term rentals and local revenue sources. Columbia supports measures to reduce violent crime, expand community mental health services and strengthen emergency response agencies, including reporting requirements for lost or stolen guns. 

Other priorities include expanding affordable housing, protecting municipal taxing authority, investing in transportation and infrastructure,  including I-70 expansion and transit funding, and supporting economic growth, workforce development, and environmental initiatives such as a post-consumer paint recycling program.

However, Buffaloe said public safety remains a top priority. 

“It’s something that we’ve heard from both our law enforcement, but then also local representatives,” Buffaloe told ABC 17 News. 

The city supports amending state law to match federal law regarding handgun possession by minors, requiring lost or stolen firearms to be reported to law enforcement within 72 hours of discovery, and increasing support for state emergency response agencies.

SB 922, filed by Webber, reflects those discussions. Webber’s bill would make it a class A misdemeanor if a minor is caught with a gun. 

Buffaloe was among four Missouri mayors last year to sign a letter that asked Gov. Mike Kehoe for help banning youths from possessing guns.

“Part of it was because of our discussions around minors in possession of guns and not following federal law. We just want that clarification. That’s coming from me, that’s coming from our police department, and so appreciative to Senator Webber. State Representative Kathy Steinhoff also has a similar bill in the House filed,” Buffaloe said. 

While Bush, the only nurse in the state house, says his legislative agenda revolves mostly around health care, he believes that gun safety is something that needs to be addressed. 

“Public safety is going to be an issue as well. I want to make sure that we free up physicians to do the work that they have, particularly around firearms,” Bush said. “I know there’s a physician gag order, so let’s make sure that there’s at every opportunity, there’s an opportunity to educate people about safe firearm storage and handling. I want to make sure that you can do all of those things.”

Martin said community safety and infrastructure remain his key concerns.

“One of the things that’s important to myself as a state legislator, our governor, would be the aspect of community safety,” Martin said. “The University of Missouri, City of Columbia, obviously vital to our state, and so we want to promote and see good safety, public safety for our city and also for the University of Missouri.”

Despite dedicating a significant portion of the city’s 2026 fiscal budget to public safety and forming multiple task forces aimed at addressing violence and crime, many residents still perceive public safety in Columbia negatively, a concern Mayor Barbara Buffaloe addressed.

“I honestly do believe that there are some of those who are writing the narration. They’re writing their own narrative. They’re putting it out there. I think you saw the press release this week from Chief Schlude, which is talking about how an AI-generated sort of like shots-fired system, started creating this chaos for people who thought that there had been a shooting downtown and a homicide with a teen, and that was just not true,” Buffaloe told ABC 17 News. “To me, it’s understanding media literacy, following truth to places I took your information from, rather than relying on social media.”

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As winter approaches, the Boone County Fire Protection District’s fire chief is reminding residents to check their safety devices.

Scott Olsen said now is the time to make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working to give families the early warning they need.

“Fires burn a lot quicker, a lot faster now and are deadlier. You don’t have much time anymore to get out of a structure that’s on fire,” Olsen said.

The U.S Fire Administration warn that today’s house fires move much faster than in the past. Modern furniture and home materials, often made from synthetic products, burn hotter and quicker.

From the start of this month, firefighters have responded to multiple fires across Mid-Missouri, some of them causing significant damage to homes. Officials said these incidents highlight how quickly fires can escalate from a small blaze to a life-threatening situation, leaving very little time to escape.

The U.S. Fire Administration notes the growing number of lithium-ion batteries in homes is another factor contributing to faster fires. These batteries are found in phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes and other household devices.

“Back when I first started this business, a fire could take 15-to-20 minutes to really get going because of the types of products in our homes,” Olsen said. “Nowadays, it’s less than 5 minutes. You don’t have much time to get out, so you need every warning you can get. We encourage our citizens to take smoke detectors and CO detectors very seriously.”

Lithium-ion batteries can reach thermal runaway in as little as 15 seconds after the first sign of smoke, sometimes causing explosions.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued warnings and recalls for several household items over the past year. EVERCROSS EV5 hoverboards have been flagged for fire risks, and consumers are urged to stop using them and safely remove the lithium-ion battery packs, though the company has not issued a recall or offered a remedy.

Elide brand fire-extinguishing balls may fail to put out fires, creating serious burn and inhalation hazards, and the company has also not issued a recall. Honeywell recalled about 29,000 fire alarms and strobe units due to malfunctioning sounders and strobes that could prevent them from alerting users in a fire.

Additionally, Best Buy has recalled more than 187,400 Insignia air fryers and air fryer ovens, which can overheat, melt handles, or shatter glass, posing fire, burn, and laceration hazards.

You can learn more about product recalls and safety alerts here.

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