Author: KMIZ

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mom’s Demand Action Missouri and Powerhouse Community Development led a joint effort against gun violence Friday night.

In light of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the groups gathered with and for survivors of gun violence at Douglass Park in Columbia. Attendees wore orange in solidarity.

Two of those in attendance included Kimberly Jordan-Sheeley and her mother Karen Jordan. The Jordan family has lost at least five of its own family members in Columbia shootings: James Hickem, Antonio Houston, Demetrius Ware, Sam Baldwin and Corey Jordan.

Corey Jordan, Kimberly’s brother and Karen’s son, was shot and killed in the same park Friday night’s event was held at.

“The security here in Douglass Park, I think we need to take a look at that,” Jordan-Sheeley said.

Jordan-Sheeley called for more community collaboration as one way to combat the issue of gun violence.

“Everybody has to come together from the First Ward to the Fifth Ward. One or two people just can’t do it, one or two agencies can’t do it. We all have to come together, it’s a community problem,” Jordan-Sheeley said.

Jordan said stricter gun laws could have changed the outcome in her son’s case, and others facing the same thing.

“A gun was owned by someone else and was given to the person, or it was allowed in an area where that person easily got it and committed that crime,” Jordan said.

Columbia’s state representatives echoed Jordan’s sentiments, but detailed a number of roadblocks to get there.

“There’s all these political talking points. Politicians blame this group, the city blames this group, some people say it’s a family issue, but we need to figure it out,” state Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) said.

“You’ve got teenagers out in the middle of the night and they have guns on them and there’s nothing the police can do to take those guns away,” state Rep. Kathy Steinhoff (D-Columbia).

Steinhoff ad Tyson Smith also called on parents to take action in hopes of curbing the issue of youth gun violence.

“Kids today, even young adults today, they have grown up playing video games that have massive violence involved with incidents,” Steinhoff said.

“Parents need to step up, put a lock on your kids. Don’t let your kids out in the middle of the night,” Tyson Smith said.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 66-year-old Versailles man was killed in a crash on Friday afternoon on Route W in Morgan County near Old Marvin Cutoff Road, a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says.

The report says the man drove a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado southbound and it went off the left side of the road after he failed to negotiate a turn. He hit two highway signs and hit a creek bed, which led to the vehicle overturning, the report says.

The man was pronounced dead at University Hospital and his body was brought to Kidwell Garber Funeral Home in Versailles, the report says. He did not wear a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the report.

The Silverado was totaled. MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Fayette announced on its social media on Friday that another lake will be closed until further notice.

D.C. Rogers Lake closed at 4 p.m. Friday because of “recent storm impacts, elevated water levels, as well as ongoing work associated with the D.C. Rogers Wing Wall construction project,” the city wrote.

This is the second lake to close this week in the city.

Peters Lake closed on Wednesday because the spillway washed out, the city wrote.  

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Western District Court of Appeals on Friday rewrote the language of a ballot measure that seeks to eliminate Missouri’s income tax and expand sales taxes.

The court heard the case after a Cole County judge ruled against a challenge to the ballot measure on Monday.

The appeals court on Friday rejected a request to take the measure off the ballot, but stated in its order that the language needed work to be “fair and sufficient.” The court stated in the decision that its rewrite cleared up that a “no” vote would still allow for future changes to the tax system.

The court also changed the ballot summary to note that the amendment would require local tax rate cuts without reducing school funding if sales tax revenue increases.

Am 5 appeals decisionDownload

Amendment 5 would allow the state to phase out the current income tax, while increasing sales taxes to make up for the loss, and was a major priority of the Republican majority in Jefferson City this past legislative session. Gov. Mike Kehoe decided in May to put the measure on the August primary election ballot. Other ballot issues were certified last week.

Owens, in a lawsuit filed after the General Assembly approved the ballot measure in April, claimed the ballot measure dealt with too many subjects and that the ballot language was improperly written. A Cole County judge ruled against Owens on Monday, prompting the appeal.

Supporters tout economic growth, opponents warn of funding impacts

Lawmakers and political activists gathered Friday in Columbia to discuss the efforts to phase out Missouri’s state income tax.

The event, hosted by Americans for Prosperity in partnership with MO Tax Relief Now, was held at the southside Shakespeare’s Pizza location in Columbia and featured state Rep. John Martin (R-Boone County) and Rep. Bishop Davidson (R-Greene County).

Both lawmakers declined to comment on Friday’s court ruling, saying they had not yet reviewed the decision.

Davidson sponsored House Joint Resolution 173 to eliminate the income tax and allow voters to decide the issue in August. The measure cleared the House by a 95-59 vote in April.

Supporters say eliminating the income tax would leave more money in the pockets of Missourians while making the state more attractive to businesses and economic investment.

“I think it’s a good idea because it puts more money back into the pockets of Missourians,” Davidson said. “But in addition to putting more money in the pockets of Missourians, it allows for our future Missourians, even those who are unborn right now to make more money in their future as well. Missouri has been dying as an economy for a long time. I think there’s a lot of reasons for that. But maybe the biggest is our tax policy here in the state, and we’d like to supercharge our growth. And I think this is the path to doing it.”

Davidson also pushed back on concerns that the proposal would disproportionately impact lower- and middle-income residents.

“The big missing piece to that puzzle is that it supercharges the economic growth and economic opportunities in Missouri,” Davidson said. “What I’d ask someone who is concerned about that is, would you rather someone make $20,000 and pay 0% tax or $25,000 and pay 5% tax? Really? At the end of the day, it’s about take-home pay.”

Martin said he supports the proposal because it shifts taxation away from income and toward consumption.

“I like it as a general concept from the standpoint of not taxing people, what they earn and on what they own. And so it moves us in that direction,” Martin said. “As a business owner, I want to be a part of a state that’s growing.” 

If approved, Missouri would join nine states that do not levy a state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

Davidson added that he did not have a preference on the governor’s decision to place the measure on the August ballot rather than November.

“I wanted to work on policy that was pro-growth and help to the people in Missouri universally.  And so that’s kind of where my mindset is. When it got put on August,  well, shoot, counting down, the days began,” Davidson said. “Had it been in November, we would have had a little more time. But now that it’s August, I’m eager to see what the Missouri and say.”

Meanwhile Martin said he supported holding the vote in August.

“I did support the standpoint of let’s get it in August,” Martin said. “That way, hopefully the state will pass it and then it does give us, as lawmakers, time as far as throughout the fall to be looking at that and looking at the different changes that are coming.”

MO Tax Relief Now argues Missouri’s individual income tax currently generates roughly $8.5 billion annually, accounting for about 64% of the state’s general revenue. The state’s top individual income tax rate is currently 4.7%.

They also claim Missouri’s proposal differs from a failed Kansas tax-cut experiment because the plan gradually phases out the income tax, ties reductions to replacement revenue, broadens the sales tax base and allows future adjustments. They also say a worker earning $60,000 annually could keep approximately $2,600 more each year under the proposal.

Critics, however, argue the proposal would shift more of the state’s tax burden onto lower-income residents and could jeopardize funding for public services.

Outside Friday’s event, Columbia resident Alice Turner was one of three protesters holding signs opposing Amendment 5.

“Getting rid of the income tax in Missouri would be horrible for our economy,” Turner said. “Our schools, our medical facilities, libraries would all lose funding.”

Turner also expressed concerns about future sales tax increases.

“They will have any amount they want to increase the sales tax,” Turner said. “This is a tax that helps the wealthy and hurts the working Americans.”

She also criticized the decision to place the measure on the August ballot.

“You don’t realize what you’re voting for,” Turner said. “They also put it on the August ballot because typically, with kids not in school, on vacation, the turnout is lower. We really have to get people to the polls.”

Some business groups have also voiced opposition because the proposal would expand sales taxes to services that are currently exempt, including medical visits and real estate transactions.

If approved by voters, the measure would represent Missouri’s most significant income tax overhaul since 2014, when the state’s top rate was reduced from 6% to 4.7%.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou football Coach Eli Drinkwitz was at the scene of a crash that slowed traffic on Providence Road in Columbia on Friday morning, and could be seen checking on the people involved.

Drinkwitz was not involved in the crash, but appeared to arrive before first responders. The crash happened at the edge of the University of Missouri campus at Providence and Turner Avenue.

Information about injuries was not available.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A registered sex offender in Fulton has been charged with a child sex crime.

James Dale Courtney, 63, has been charged in Callaway County with statutory sodomy of a person younger than 12 years old. He is being held at the Callaway County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

The child victim spoke with authorities on Monday and stated they were sexually abused by Courtney in 2022 when the youth was 8 years old.

A deputy went to Courtney’s home on Thursday after Courtney allegedly told authorities that he would turn himself in the day before.

“Upon pulling into his driveway he was standing outside with a plastic bag in hand which contained underwear, socks, money, and his medications. Courtney began crying and making comments that he made a mistake and touched [the victim],” the statement says.

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Erika McGuire

Editor’s note: The launch date has been corrected.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Social Services announced Friday that it is extending the date of the Healthy SNAP initiative, which eliminates many sugary food and drinks from purchases.

The initiative was originally set to launch on Oct. 1 of this year, but will now take effect Feb. 15, 2027.

DSS stated in a release that the decision to extend the implementation by four months is to ensure a smooth launch and access, while incorporating feedback from local grocers, agricultural partners and community stakeholders.

“This intentional extension ensures that DSS can continue to collaborate with stakeholders and retail partners to deliver an effective and sustainable program from day one,” DSS said in a release Friday afternoon.

“It’s really all about being intentional and making sure that we are setting up an initiative and policy that really works for all of us whether that is a stakeholder, retailer, or a Missouri citizen,” Baylee Watts DSS Media Director said.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-30 on Sept. 29, 2025, which adjusted the SNAP program to exclude items like sodas, candy, packaged and prepared desserts, and juice with less than 50% of vegetable or fruit juice.

“Healthy SNAP is a critical investment in the future of Missouri families, and our administration is committed to a smooth rollout that ensures SNAP benefits are being used to purchase healthy, nutritious foods,” Kehoe said. “Extending this timeline to February 2027 ensures that when the program refocus launches, it will have a well-supported network of local retailers fully prepared to deliver widespread support to our communities.”

Exactly how the system will function remains unclear, according to Watts.

“I cannot say for certain how that will all kind of work out. That is kind of a part of our decision making that’s going to be coming up real soon is: How do we integrate out policy with those point of sale systems that are within the grocers?” Watts said. “How will that work with their systems and making sure that we’re kind of combating that confusion?”

As of March of this year, more than 300,000 families in Missouri rely on SNAP benefits, according to DSS.

Several states, including Florida, Colorado and Indiana, implemented restrictions on SNAP benefits earlier this year, while Arkansas is set to implement restrictions beginning July 1, according to Healthy Eating Research.

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Sutton Parker

COLUMBIA MO. (KMIZ)

Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center reopened to the public Friday after being closed for four days due to issues with its filtration system.

Columbia Aquatic Recreation Supervisor Sydney Philpot said the repairs have been completed along with the pool being vacuumed to clear up the water.

Philpot said the reason for the pool being closed the past three days was not a repair issues, but one that had to do with swimmer safety.

“The reason we decided to close was not because the water was unsafe to swim in, it was because if something happened our lifeguards were unable to see the bottom of the pool,” she said. “If a lifeguard can’t see someone struggling underneath the water, then we are unable to go in and save them.”

While the filtration issues are resolved, area parks are recreations departments are still navigating another major summer hurdle: Seasonal staffing.

Philpot said right now there are around 60 lifeguards on staff and another 12 currently in the hiring process.

“Ideally we would like to be closer to 100 lifeguards; but scheduling wise, we will be able to manage the schedule with the 75 guards we do have,” she said.

Philpot said the staffing levels will not affect normal operating hours, and all city pools are expected to remain open as scheduled.

“We are able to do all normal hours and be staffed at the pools, It just means that when lifeguards go on vacation or if they have summer school or sports, I just have to shuffle around the schedule a little better,” She said.

As for Jefferson City, all pools are currently operating during normal hours. Phil Stiles with the city’s parks and recreation department said it has hired around 100 aquatic staff for the summer, which includes pool managers, lifeguards, swim instructors, attendants and concessional staff.

The volume of visitors keeps pool staff busy over the summer months.

Data from the City of Columbia shows from May 2025 through August 2025, lifeguards made 72 rescues across five pools. With that in mind, aquatics staff are reminding visitors if key safety practices to keep in mind while at the pool.

Philpot said that the first thing she recommends is parents remain in arms reach of their children while in the water.

“A parent is kind of the first person to notice something because you know your child. They might notice their kid struggling potentially even before a lifeguard,” she said.

Additionally Philpot said the best way you can protect young swimmers at the pool is always having them wear a lifejacket.

“There is no area of the pool that is unseen. We will always have lifeguards on stand so that way everywhere can be seen by all of our lifeguards,” She said.

Cristi Brown, a swimmer at the West Broadway Swim Club in Columbia, said she believes the best way to stay safe at the pool is to take swim lessons.

“Any kind of pool training for your children, especially safety issues,” Brown said. “We have got a lot of waterways in Missouri so it is just a life saving lesson.”

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Allegiant Airlines started two new service lines from the Columbia Regional Airport to Destin and Orlando, Florida, earlier this week. The new destinations were made possible through a $1 million revenue guarantee that the Columbia City Council approved in May.

The city has doled out $82,000 from the transportation sales tax as part of the revenue agreement, with $918,000 being made up through public and private contributions, according to council documents. The city’s contract with Allegiant will last for two years, ending in June 2028.

The city will also waive landing fees and facility rents during the two-year contract.

Mike Parks, the airport manager, told city council members that the airport is expecting to make $800,000 in revenue through passenger facility fees, entitlement fees and others during the contract period.

Jason DePrima, a Columbia resident, was one of the first to fly to Orlando.

“Getting through security and everything like that is usually a breeze, and everything’s the same this time. You know, with the Allegiant staff, they were great. They were very welcoming and excited about the new routes from Columbia to Florida,” DePrima said.

Florida resident Alicia Schneider said she flies home to Columbia one or twice a year because flights from Flordia tend to have long layovers or an added two-hour drive to get to her hometown from the Kansas City airport. Now that there are direct flights from Florida to Columbia, she said she’s considering going home more often.

“Prior to direct flights, I would come home probably once or twice a year, so just enough to make holidays or visits,” Schneider said. “Now that there are direct flights, I plan to come home every three to four months.”

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Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Allegiant Airlines’ first flight from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport has touched down at the Columbia Regional Airport.

The flight was set to arrive at Columbia Regional Airport around 9:06 a.m. Friday, but ended up arriving around 8:50 a.m. The flight to Destin will depart around 9:56 a.m.

According to FlightAware, Allegiant Airlines’ flight 1441 took off at 6:50 a.m.

This flight makes it the second travel destination coming to and from COU this week with Allegiant Airlines. On Wednesday, the first Allegiant flight arrived from Orlando.

Orlando flights will run on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Destin flights will run on Mondays and Fridays.

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