Author: KMIZ

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge heard arguments Wednesday on the first redistricting lawsuit in a string of legal challenges.

A group of voters is suing Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, arguing that redistricting can occur only after a census, as the state constitution and the state supreme court have ruled, according to pretrial briefs.

Attorney Chuck Hatfield, who is representing the voters in this case, said there’s specific language in the Missouri Constitution surrounding congressional redistricting that doesn’t allow for wiggle room.

Hatfield gave this example:

“When the number of representatives to which the state is entitled in the House of the Congress of the United States under census of 1950 and each census thereafter is certified to the governor,” this quote comes unedited from a slide show Hatfield presented at Wednesday’s trial, and it comes from the Missouri Constitution.

Hatfield said he bolded the words that have the most meaning during interpretation. He argues the law prohibits lawmakers from redistricting more than once during a decade.

Hoskins and the Missouri Republican State Committee, as an interested party, argue that the constitution doesn’t prohibit mid-decade redistricting, according to pretrial briefs. The pretrial brief cites the U.S. Constitution as well, arguing the power to redistrict is protected there.

Hoskins’ attorney Louis Capozzi argues that lawmakers can redistrict because the state constitution doesn’t explicitly prohibit it.

“The General Assembly has the power to act,” Capozzi said. “Until that power is taken away.”

Capozzi also said this lawsuit is about politics.

“This is a political question, it’s a political case,” Capozzi said. “The plaintiffs obviously disagree with the General Assembly’s political and policy gains in adopting the new congressional map.”

After the trial, Hatfield said politics is what started this.

“The state today said that this was a political issue, and I found it a little rich,” Hatfield said. “I think we all remember how this started, which is that the president of the United States told the Missouri General Assembly to redistrict.”

Governor Mike Kehoe signed the congressional map into law in late September. The map could cut out Democrat Emanuel Cleaver’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, opening up District 5 to a Republican.

Judge Christopher Limbaugh granted the Missouri Republican Party’s motion to intervene in this case because of the group’s interest in getting Republicans in office, including in the House of Representatives, according to the motion.

If the map is upheld by the courts, then it will go into effect on the November 2026 ballot, when U.S. Representatives in Missouri run for their seats again.

Hatfield said the earliest answer on the map could be in January, but it’s likely the lawsuits will end up in the Missouri Supreme Court.

Hatfield is also representing People Not Politicians in the lawsuit filed against Hoskins, which a different Cole County Judge will hear Thursday, and he is representing the group in a federal court case that Hoskins filed against the group.

Click here to follow the original article.

Madison Stuerman

EDITOR’S NOTE: The headline and role of the airman have been corrected.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Warrensburg man has died after he was shot on Wednesday morning.

Whiteman Air Force Base said on social media that the 509th Bomb Wing is aware of the shooting involving one of its off-duty, off-base airmen that resulted in a death.

“The Wing is fully cooperating with their efforts,” the post states, “In respect of the ongoing investigation and those affected, no further information will be released at this time.”

Warrensburg Police said dispatch received two calls at 7:20 a.m. about a domestic disturbance on Cedar Drive. The suspect was reported to be armed with a weapon and running towards Hale Lake Road. Warrensburg Police said the suspect fired the gun in the direction on officers as they arrived on scene.

In a release, the department said prior to the officer’s arrival a bystander, Tony Barron, attempted to intervene in the domestic disturbance and was shot and killed by the suspect.

The suspect was found dead in a nearby wooded area with what officials believe to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 8:36 a.m., according to WPD.

No first responders were hurt at the scene and officers did not return gunfire at the suspect. The female victim in the domestic disturbance was treated and released from Western Missouri Medical Center.

WPD says the investigation is still ongoing.

Due to Military regulations, the suspect’s identity cannot be released until 24 hours after their family has been notified.

Warrensburg Superintendent Steve Ritter said in an email to parents that the district was notified of gunshots fired nearby.

Warrensburg High School was put on a full lockdown, according to Ritter. Other buildings went on limited lockdown procedures.

“Later in the morning, Maple Grove Elementary was identified as an area of concern as law enforcement continued their response,” Ritter said in the statement. “Some buses were temporarily redirected from Maple Grove to Martin Warren; those students have now returned or are returning to Maple Grove.”

Ritter added that all students and staff members are safe.

An alert was sent to students at the University of Central Missouri when the threat ended.

“Urgent Advisory: The active shooter situation in southeast Warrensburg has been contained. There is no ongoing threat and no need to shelter in place.”

Johnson County Emergency Management Agency said East Hale Lake Rd, Ridgeview Drive and Mitchell Street were closed but have been reopened.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, University of Central Missouri Department of Public Safety, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County EMA, Ambulance District and Warrensburg Fire Department assisted.

This is a developing story

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Northern Lights can be seen throughout a decent portion of the country on Tuesday evening.

Some ABC 17 News viewers took photos showing the views from their homes.

Do you want to share what you see with us? Let us know on our Facebook page or on the share page of our website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

A section of Business Loop 70 between Hathman Place and Eastland Circle will be closed from Nov. 12-26 as construction on a new roundabout begins.

The roundabout is part of the larger Improve I-70 project, with the addition connecting eastbound I-70 traffic to the Business Loop.

“We’re going to really attack this aggressively with a lot of crews and get in here and do the work as quickly as possible, so you’ll see concrete being poured as early as next Monday,” Eric Kopinski, the Central Office Improve I-70 Program Director, said.

Drivers in the area should expect to see detour signs, with the main route taking drivers through Trimble Road and East Broadway.

Kopinski said the Missouri Department of Transportation proposed longer closures over the summer, ultimately settling on the fall plans.

“‘Do we close this for having just one lane going through for three or four months, or do we just close it for a 14-day period?'” Kopinski said. “We determined it was safer, and we could build it to a higher quality to get in here and do it really in a 14 day period.”

Kopinski adds that all businesses on the construction zone will remain accessible. ABC 17 News spoke with Close to Home Adult Day Center, Tyree Parts & Hardware and Big O Tires who all plan to remain open during the construction. On Plumb Supply Company’s website, they ask customers to use the building’s east entrance.

Charlie Alexander, Big O Tires’ Vice President of Operations, voiced concern about the closure, with the fall being a busy season for the company as drivers prepare their cars for the winter. However, he understands MoDOT’s construction process.

“We’re leveraged a little bit there, we have to do what we have to do to be there for our customers, but again, we’re excited to see the project move forward,” Alexander said. “It’s just timing-wise of the closure, it is what it is.”

Alexander adds that customers should continue contacting staff and making appointments.

Construction on the roundabout is expected to be complete on Nov. 26. The roundabout will not be connected to I-70 until late 2027.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

HOLTS SUMMIT, Mo. (KMIZ)

No injuries were reported after a house caught fire on Tuesday evening in Holts Summit.

Firefighters responded to a home that caught fire on Callaway County Road 394 at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to Holts Summit Assistant Fire Chief Allen Wehmeyer.

Wehmeyer said the fire started in the back of the home and fire was seen coming through the roof when personnel arrived.

It took firefighters roughly a half hour to put out the fire, according to Wehmeyer.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some SNAP recipients are expected to start seeing some benefits return as early as today, according to an email from the Missouri Department of Social Services.

SNAP benefits had not been delivered this month because of political battles surrounding ongoing government shutdown.

“The United State Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services (USDA-FNS) updated guidance on November 8, 2025, directing states to issue partial November SNAP benefits based on recent developments,” an email from Missouri DSS spokesperson Baylee Watts says. “The Department’s EBT vendor has been notified and confirmed that they are prepared to receive and process Missouri’s SNAP file. Participants will have their partial benefits available starting Tuesday, November 11, and will be able to access and use them at that time.”

A social media post from Feeding Missouri says, “It’s important to note that a new federal formula will determine benefit amounts. As a result, some households will receive ONLY PART of their usual benefit, and some MAY NOT RECEIVE a payment this round.”

Reporting from CNN shows the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday extended a short-term order that allows President Donald Trump’s administration to withhold full Food Stamp payments this month. The U.S. Senate agreed on a bill on Monday evening that would reopen the government, which is going to the House this week.

Click here to follow the original article.

Olivia Hayes

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ)

Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen on Wednesday night will determine whether to approve or deny a deal with Osage Casinos.

The new property is part of a new entertainment district in Missouri announced last fall by the Osage Nation. The proposed site is at 3501 Bagnell Damn Blvd. and is expected to be completed in multiple phases, with an estimated $60 million investment in the region.

Osage Casinos said the location will bring new jobs, tourism and revenue for the Lake of the Ozarks community. The planned property includes a casino, hotel, meeting space and event center.

The Osage Nation will pay the city 2.5% of the money it brings it from gambling activities each year in quarterly installments. It will also collect a 1% resort fee on hotel room transactions and pay that to the city as well in quarterly installments annually. This money will go to help fund the local government agencies and departments in Lake Ozark.

Phase 1 of the process includes construction of a casino, sports bar, restaurant and meeting space. Additionally, it also includes a hotel, which will have general hotel rooms, suites, a fitness and exercise facility, a pool, hot tub and a pool bar. Phase 1 construction is expected to start upon approval from the Department of Interior.

Future amenities include more casino space, additional food and beverage options, meeting space and an event center.

According to the proposal documents, the Osage Nation will transfer the land within the corporate limits of the City of Lake Ozark into a Federal Trust. In return the city will service the property with municipal services like water, sewer and policing.

The Lake Ozark Police Department will provide officers to work around the clock seven days a week.

The Osage Nation in return will pay $100,000 annually in quarterly installments. However, the Osage Nation Police Department will retain command and control of the area unless it gives another responding agency approve to takeover.

The City of Lake Ozark will be responsible for any road or traffic improvements to the surrounding streets unless a project is otherwise agreed upon by both parties. However, Osage is responsible for any improvements to infrastructure located within the Osage Property boundaries along with providing its own holding tank for water needed in emergency responses.

The council will vote on the agreement at its meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at city hall.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

The former executive director of Unlimited Opportunities Inc. has been charged with a felony after she was accused embezzling nearly $50,000.

Jennifer Waibel, of Boonville, was charged on Monday in Cooper County with stealing more than $50,000. A warrant was issued for her arrest on Monday and a $10,000 bond was set. She was not listed on the Cooper County Jail’s online roster on Tuesday afternoon.

The probable cause statement says the Cooper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office received an anonymous complaint in 2024 about an employee being fired from Unlimited Opportunities for embezzlement.

Unlimited Opportunities provides services for those who have disabilities and is partially funded by taxpayer money through the Cooper County Board of Sheltered Services.

The statement says an investigation initially indicated there was “no indication of fraud or corruption,” in the monetary transactions between UOI and CCBSS,” but UIO funds and credit cards were not reviewed at the time.

An employee counseling statement from 2023 allegedly indicated that Waibel was “excessively” spending money on the group’s credit card, the statement says.

Transactions listed in the probable cause statement showed Waibel allegedly spent $49,661.36 on several transactions from June 16-Aug. 31, 2023, which included several multi-thousand-dollar purchases at Walmart locations in Boonville, Columbia and in Madison, Georgia.

According to documents, Waibel was suspended with pay on Sept. 6, 2023 while UOI conducted their investigation. 20 days later on the 26, Waibel was sent a letter, informing her that she had been fired, effective Sept. 29 2023.

Court documents say a mutual settlement agreement signed by Waibel and Unlimited Opportunities on Dec. 5, 2023, stated Waibel had to pay back $50,000 to the group by Jan. 8, 2024. A paragraph in the agreement allegedly stated Waibel’s separation would be considered a “voluntary resignation,” the statement says.

The probable cause statement also claimed that employees were threatened with retaliation if they spoke out about the situation.

Executive Director of Cooper County Board of Sheltered Services Madison Dollens sent a statement to ABC 17 News Tuesday night, stating the board is cooperating with authorities. According to Dollens, a report found no indication of fraud or embezzlement from the CCBSS.

“CCBSS remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of public funds for the good of the Cooper County community,” Dollens wrote. “At this time, however, CCBSS will not be providing additional comment while we continue to work with law enforcement and investigators.”

ABC 17 News reached out to OUI, who declined to comment.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former Benton County official has an arraignment scheduled in his child sex crime case.

Richard Lenno, of Lincoln, Missouri, waived his preliminary hearing on Monday when he appeared in court. He is charged with child enticement of a youth younger than 15 years old and sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15 years old.

The probable cause statement says Renno used the dating application Grindr in August to speak to a child younger than 15 years old. A witness allegedly gave a screenshot to law enforcement of Renno’s face and a nude photograph he sent through Grindr, court documents say.

A family member was able to identify Renno to law enforcement, the statement says.

Renno resigned from his position as Benton County treasurer in July.

Click here to follow the original article.

Erika McGuire

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The family of Erik Spencer II, who was shot and killed in the parking lot near the Old Navy on Missouri Boulevard, held a balloon release Tuesday afternoon to honor his life as they continue to call for justice.

Spencer was killed on the evening of Nov. 1, and his family says they are still searching for answers.

The ceremony was held at McClug Park near Lincoln University’s campus. It began at 4:44 p.m. The family said those chose that number for the significance of angel numbers. Dozens of friends and family of Spencer’s attended the ceremony, with dozens of balloons in red, green and yellow. Many were wearing “Justice for Erik” t-shirts.

One family member said the release of the balloons let’s Spencer know his loved ones are still here and love him.

ABC 17 News obtained the incident report from that evening. The report begins with a call to 911 at 7:52 p.m.. The caller told dispatch they witnessed a male assaulting a female in a red car. The caller and operator noted they were able to hear screaming coming from the car. The report then says the caller saw the woman try to leave the car while the screaming continued.

At 7:54 p.m., a gunshot is listed in the report, with the caller yelling “gun.” Seconds later, the caller tells the dispatcher a man had been shot and that the windows of the Old Navy store had also been shot out.

The report says the gunshot victim, later confirmed to be Spencer, was still breathing at 7:57 p.m. and that a licensed nurse was on scene trying to help. At 7:58 p.m., EMS arrived, and law enforcement secured a gun at the scene. At 8:02 p.m., CPR was in progress, and EMS was evaluating life-saving measures. Spencer’s time of death was not listed in the report, but police said he died at the scene.

Spencer’s father, Erik Spencer Sr. came to the ceremony with dozens of red, heart-shaped balloons in a UHaul truck. He started off the ceremony with a brief speech, remembering the legacy of his son.

“He was the best thing that could happen to a father, he was my spitting imagine and my other son is my spitting image Erik wa just cool, calm, collective, kind passionate, I can’t say nothing bad about my son,” Spencer Sr. said. “This is a devastating loss to our family, he lit up a room, loved everyone,”

Another family member spoke at the ceremony, highlighting the affect Spencer had at the Boys and Girls Club.

“All the little boys at the boys and girls club he took under his wing, we have to suspend these kids for the dumbest reasons in the world and Erik tried to save them every single time, life gone too soon but job well done,” the family member said during a speech.

ABC 17 News has confirmed that a state employee was questioned by police regarding the incident and released. That person is currently on administrative leave and has not been detained.

No charges have been filed in the case.

ABC 17 News reached out to Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson Tuesday afternoon for any updates regarding the case. Thompson said “I have no updates at this time.”

Spencer will be laid to rest Wednesday.

Click here to follow the original article.