Author: KMIZ

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released a new survey Thursday examining the state’s cannabis market over the past year, with the study reporting room for growth.

The study, conducted by New York-based Cannabis Public Policy Consulting LLC, used data from 1,200 cannabis consumers over the past 35 months to observe market dynamics, purchasing behaviors and demand.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, medical cannabis sales have been on a slow decline as recreational use continues to increase. September sales for 2026 were a little over $119 million dollars, around $14 million dollars more than last year.

“Missouri’s success in capturing more than 90% of cannabis spending within the regulated market in just three years is a significant accomplishment,” CPPC Chief Executive Officer Mackenzie Slade said in a statement.

missouri_cannabis_market_study_report_202610Download

According to the study, they found Congressional District 5, which largely covers the Kansas City area, greatly outpaced the state’s other congressional districts annually since 2023 by at least 5 million dollars. The lowest congressional district by the end of 2025 was District 1 at nearly $132 million that year. On average, each district made a little over $189 million in 2025.

The group found that around 93% of consumers participate in the legal marijuana market. The group also found that consumers tend to prioritize price and potency of the cannabis over the legal status of the seller. Medical cannabis patients also tended to spend more than other customers.

In their recommendations for future policy and to increase market competition, the group suggests removing cannabis licensing requirements by population and instead having licenses be given by consumer demand. The group also recommends tracking market concentration by ownership, rather than individual dispensary licenses both actions are meant to increase or better measure competition in an area.

“Increasing competition will continuously be a priority for all cannabis markets where consumers are prioritized, even if the market is effectively meeting demand,” Slade said. “A competitive market benefits consumers by encouraging businesses to continuously improve the products and services they offer.”

The group also recommends that cannabis alternatives like CBD and THCA be monitored. Due to low demand, legislative action isn’t suggested.

The group also suggests grants, tax breaks and faster permitting to encourage cannabis businesses to open in underserved communities. The group adds, however, that the state should be aware of potential negative effects of development on a community’s public health or environment.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A substitute teacher and cross-country coach in the Macks Creek School District who is also the Hickory County treasurer was charged this week in federal court with distributing child sex abuse material.

Kenneth S. Ratliff, 51, appeared Thursday in federal court in Jefferson City on one criminal count. The federal complaint alleges Ratliff was part of a chat group used to trade photos of children, including some men who identified themselves as fathers.

The complaint alleges that Ratliff appeared in the chat as “badad03” and shared a photo of a clothed girl, taken from behind, in the chat with undercover agents. An FFA seal in a classroom in the background of the picture helped investigators identify the school where it was taken as Macks Creek, the complaint states.

Ratliff is accused of sharing a video depicting sex with an 8-year-old girl, according to the complaint.

The complaint says Ratliff also came up in another child sex abuse material investigation.

Macks Creek Superintendent Josh Phillips wrote in an email to ABC 17 News that Ratliff was fired immediately after the district received the information.

“Student safety is our highest priority, and the District does not tolerate the employment of any individual accused of crimes involving minors,” Phillips wrote. “Because this is an ongoing investigation, law enforcement has directed the District to avoid the disclosure of any additional information at this time. The District will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as needed regarding its investigation.”

The Hickory County Treasurer’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for more information.

Ratliff remained in federal custody after his initial hearing on the charge Thursday in Jefferson City. A detention hearing is set for Tuesday.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The fight to end Alzheimer’s disease continues Saturday as Columbia’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s aims to raise $195,000 for research and support for the more than 7 million Americans living with the disease.

Saturday’s walk will be held at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. with the walk to follow.

In Missouri, 122,000 people 65 years old and older are living with the disease, with one-in-three seniors dying from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia across the country, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Missouri Alzheimer’s Association fundraising manager Alaina Ballance says the annual walk brings together families affected by the disease and provides a sense of community as they work toward finding a cure.

“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a great community event that brings people and families together who are battling the disease and looking for a cure,” Ballance said. “it’s a great community building event to see others are in the same situation, is unique community event for people to come together and fight against this horrible disease,”

Each year a goal it set to raise a certain amount of money to help fund research for the disease that kills about 116,022 people annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Ballance said the money raised stays in the Show-Me State.

“A lot of the money stays local which is great, it helps research, a bunch of research comes out of Washington University in St. Louis,” she said. “Then, a lot money also stays local to localized programs in education and support groups for families who may be starting or going through the journey of a loved one of themselves battling the disease of Alzheimer’s or other dementia.”

No cure has been found, but treatments have been made available has research has continued year after year. The Food and Drug Administration has approved treatments that may change the disease’s progression, and drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms.

Lecanemab, marketed under the brand name Leqembi, was approved by the FDA in 2023 to treat early stage Alzheimer’s disease. The antibody treatment targets and reduces beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are associated with the disease, and has been shown to slow cognitive decline in eligible patients.

Donanemab was also approved by the FDA. The treatment is an anti-amyloid antibody intravenous infusion therapy that is given every four weeks. It has received traditional approval from the FDA to treat early Alzheimer’s, including people living with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

“For the first time we have treatments that can change the course of Alzheimer’s, it’s a tremendous step forward. Our work is far from done. There’s not a cure yet, there’s just FDA treatments approved so we won’t rest until we find a cure but there are current treatments in place that people can use if they have been diagnosed.” Ballance said.

The cost of finding a cure is vital as the Alzheimer’s Association says in 2026, Alzheimer’s and other dementias were projected to cost the U.S. $409 billion.

Money raised can also help caretakers and caregivers as there are more than 300,000 caregivers helping people with Alzeheimer’s across the state.

“There’s more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. So that doesn’t just include them, it includes our friends and family and those caretakers and caregivers who step up and help that person navigate through the journey,” Ballance said. “I think something that I would love for all people to know is it’s not just a battle for the person living with the disease but it impacts everyone around them and the community around them,”

The money raised also helps the Alzheimer’s Association provide a free 24/7 hotline (1-800-272-3900), offering resources, support, assistance and information for anyone affected by Alzheimer’s.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Lodging Association has filed an appeal in its case against the city.

The lodging association filed a lawsuit in 2025 against the city, the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It alleges that lodging tax funds collected for the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau violates the Missouri Constitution.

“Therefore, for the reasons stated herein, the Court finds that Rule 74.04 requires the Court to rule on Defendants’ fully briefed summary judgment motion. And because Defendants have shown there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on all counts in Plaintiff’s First Amended Petition, the Court grants summary judgment in favor of Defendants on all counts,” the judgement filed in August says.

The appeal this week argues that ruling “disregards the General Assembly’s own distinction between promoting tourism and building tourism facilities as described” Missouri law.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia Public Works is considering a roundabout at East Green Meadows Road and East Nifong Boulevard in an effort to improve traffic flow and reduce crashes on the city’s south side.

The Public Works Department hosted its first public open house Thursday evening to give residents a look at the proposed project. About five residents signed in at the event.

The project has an estimated budget of $2.1 million, which would be funded through the city’s quarter-cent capital improvement sales tax.

According to the department, 26 crashes involving 53 vehicles and nine injuries were reported in the area from 2021-25.

The proposed project would replace the existing two-way stop-controlled intersection with a roundabout.

Assistant Public Works Director Lee White said the department believes a roundabout is the safest option for the intersection.

“There’s less of the sideswipe collisions. That can be present. More of just your rear end type of collisions are present with the reduced conflict points as well as the efficiency within the intersection,” White said.

The project would also include pavement maintenance, new asphalt and pavement improvements, and sidewalk replacements. The department has completed pavement surface and subsurface investigations.

According to materials provided to residents, construction could begin in summer 2028 if the project is approved by the City Council.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo.  (KMIZ)

Columbia’s public hearing on Flock cameras is expected to be held Monday, Nov. 9, according to city documents.

The City Council’s agenda for Monday shows the council is voting on holding the public hearing. A first read was held last month. The measure is listed on the consent agenda.

The Flock camera system was first approved in October 2024. In August, Pulaski County terminated its contract with Flock after holding a community forum to receive feedback on Flock. Jefferson City renewed its own agreement in August.

This hearing comes as more communities nationwide have been ending their contracts with Flock over concerns of its use. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a bill last month targeting the technology.

FLOCK MEMODownload

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 1,300 City of Columbia electric customers were without power on Thursday evening.

The city’s outage map shows 1,336 customers in southwest Columbia were without power in neighborhoods near Scott Boulevard. An outage was reported near Rainbow Trout Drive at 6:57 p.m., according to the map.

Residents in the neighborhood south of Fairview Elementary School were without power. An ABC 17 News reporter saw power was lost at the Crossroads Shopping Center at Stadium and Broadway.

A neighbor on Kenwood Drive told the reporter they saw branches fall from a tree and hit a transformer. Utilities spokesman Jason West told similar details to ABC 17 News, saying a tree branch fell on a distribution line.

The transformer let out a bright green “explosion” that occurred multiple times, the neighbor said.

Columbia Water and Light wrote on its social media that the outage was caused by “an open circuit due to a transformer that caught on fire.”

A firetruck was on the scene while the reporter was there. The outage map showed power appeared to be restored around 8:15 p.m.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Millions of dollars are being raised and spent in the fight over Missouri’s abortion policy.

Thursday was the quarterly deadline for committees to file with the Missouri Ethics Commission over money raised and spent during the election cycle. Groups involved in the debate over Amendment 3 were among the many groups to file with the state.

Amendment 3 aims to reinstate an abortion ban that voters overturned in 2024. The amendment would also enshrine a ban against gender transition treatments for minors in the state constitution, if approved.

“Stop The Ban,” which opposes the amendment’s passage show in its report that it had $19.8 million this election cycle. The filing shows $8.7 million was spent by the group and it has $9.8 million on-hand heading into Election Day.

The Fairness Project, a group that typically supports progressive causes nationwide, was among the committee’s top donors with $8.3 million in total. Lynn Schusterman donated a total of $3 million and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg contributed $1.25 million.

The ACLU Foundation gave $2.8 million while the Open Society Policy Center of Washington D.C. gave $700,00, PROMO contributed $200,000.

Several donations broke the $5,000 threshold to report within 48 hours to the MEC.

“Protect Freedom And Democracy” is group supporting multiple causes this cycle, including trying to halt Amendment 3. Its filing shows it raised $835,373 this cycle and has $231,617.41 on-hand

Groups for Amendment 3

Her Health, Her Future PAC – which is ran by Missouri first lady Claudia Kehoe – is in support of the amendment’s passage. It has raised $2.9 million this cycle and has $215,206.10 on-hand.

“Her Health Her Future Missouri” put $750,000 into the campaign on Sept. 29. Rick Britton, CEO of DMP in Springfield, Missouri, contributed $250,000; Drury Southwest Inc. contributed $500,000 and St. Louis attorney Christ Archer contributed $100,000. Drury Displays Inc. in St. Louis contributed $141,555

Republican state Rep. John Martin contributed $25,000 to the group, while Doug Russell of the Durham Company gave $10,000. Several donations again nbroke the $5,000 threshold to report within 48 hours to the MEC.

Missouri Students For Life raised $45,616.54 and has no money on-hand.

Former Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a new committee in support of Amendment 3 earlier and did not have to report.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A group supporting a measure to build a new jail in Boone County has raised $46,045.71 this election cycle, according to the October quarterly report to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Proposition L is a proposed 3/8-cent sales tax that would be used to build a new jail, if passed, and will expire Dec. 31, 2042

“Prop L Supporters” has spent $3 so far this election and has $45,047 on hand, according to its report filed on Oct. 5. Quarterly reports were due Thursday.

Some of the biggest contributions to the political action committee in the report includes $25,000 from Brock Bukowsky, of Veterans United; $10,000 from Jim Yankee, of Flat Branch Bank; $5,000 from Parker-Millard Funeral Services; $545.71 by Sheriff Dwayne Carey and $500 from Cumulus Media.  

An opposition group “No on Prop L” has a limited activity report filed, which means it has not raised or spent more than $500. That committee started at the end of September.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Prop L groupDownload

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CNN Newsource

By Emma Tucker and John Miller, CNN

(CNN) — Three children and one adult were killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, according to preliminary information from a law enforcement source.

The shooter was a 16-year-old male, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

The shooter had already been shot and killed inside the school when police arrived at the scene at about 1 p.m., police said. At an earlier news conference, police said there were multiple victims, including children, did not specify a number.

It’s not yet known who killed the shooter, but it “may have been a bystander,” said Sheila Miller, spokesperson for the Bend Police Department.

Medics transported at least two people to the hospital, according to police.

The first 911 call indicated an “unknown man had shot into a car,” moments before multiple calls to police reported a person had entered the school and started shooting, police said.

Silver Rail Elementary School was placed on lockdown, and the Bend Police Department set up a reunification point for student families.

The FBI is on the scene and assisting in the ongoing investigation, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. “We will make every resource they need available,” he said on X.

There have been at least 52 school shootings in the United States so far this year, leaving at least 28 people dead and 48 others injured, according to CNN’s analysis of events reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety. The tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary represents the 36th shooting on K-12 school grounds this year, the data shows.

“We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” said Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook in a statement. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing.”

City officials will hold another news conference about the shooting at 5:30 p.m. local time at the City Council Chamber, according to a city council member.

A large crowd of parents and concerned community members gathered outside the school Thursday afternoon as they waited for updates about the situation. There was a large police and emergency personnel response, including police vehicles, ambulances and a fire truck.

School buses carrying students and staff members later arrived at the reunification center set up at the nearby Journey Church.

Over 400 students are enrolled at Silver Rail Elementary.

In a statement responding to the tragedy, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said: “My heart is with the victims of today’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School and their loved ones now facing the consequences of another school shooting in America.”

“Once again we must ask how many schools must be shot up before Republicans agree to act to curb gun violence,” he continued.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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