Author: KMIZ

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

During a town hall in Harrisburg on Aug. 27, Troy Douglass went to the microphone to address Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO). 

Douglass — a lifelong farmer with farms in Boone, Howard and Randolph counties — was concerned about the future of his business. Missouri ranks seventh in the U.S in soybean production with more than 22,000 farms across the state, the sixth highest in the nation. 

On April 2, President Donald Trump levied a 34% tariff on all Chinese goods. Two days later, China responded with a retaliatory tariff on all US imports. 

The retaliatory tariffs have placed U.S soybean farmers at a 20% disadvantage compared to South American competitors. As a result, China has begun buying soybeans from Brazil, which shipped nearly 16 million tons of soybeans to China in March, its largest monthly volume ever. 

But with the U.S. harvest season approaching, China, once America’s top soybean customer, hasn’t placed a single order.

“This tariff deal really affects my world. I feel like you’re skirting the issue of China. They are the number one buyer of soybeans, number three buyer of corn,” Douglass said at the time. “Trump says two weeks ago he wants to triple China’s buying of soybeans. Well, zero times three is still zero.” 

But that wasn’t the only issue Douglass was concerned about. Tariffs from Trump’s “liberation day” have driven up the cost of fertilizer and farm materials. Douglass argued that most of the fertilizer he purchased comes from Canada, with some of it coming from Russia. However in the last year prices have doubled. 

Douglass pointed to the cost of anhydrous, which is used to help improve nutrients in soil. 

“Usually, you can buy your anhydrous in the fall for about $450 to $650 in the fall. It’s not even fall and it’s $650 today,” Douglass said at the time. “It takes about $850 to plant an acre of soybeans if you do it right. The tariff affects the farmer both ways. You can call it a revenue stream.  You can say that it is passed on or the companies eat it, I’m telling you, fertilizer, chemical, seed, all that stuff is manufactured and grown,  most of it overseas.”

Douglass later added that many tractor suppliers are struggling to buy parts.

Douglass is facing an issue that many farmers across the country are facing. On Aug. 19, Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association, sent a letter to Trump warning U.S soybean farmers were standing at a “trade and financial precipice.”

“Soybean farmers are under extreme financial stress. Prices continue to drop, and at the same time, our farmers are paying significantly more for inputs and equipment. U.S. soybean farmers cannot survive a prolonged trade dispute with our largest customer,” Ragland wrote. 

The issue isn’t new. During the 2018 U.S.–China trade war, American farmers lost an estimated $9.4 billion, according to the USDA.

In Missouri, the concerns come as soybean yield forecasts are projected to drop. A September report from the University of Missouri projects yields averaging 3-to-6 bushels per acre lower than the previous estimate.

According to MU Extension soybean agronomy specialist Andre Reis, this comes despite expecting higher yields than normal early in the growing season. 

“We were expecting to have higher yields than normal. But then in August, August was the second-driest year in Missouri since we started to record weather data,” Reis said. “During August and in early September,  this is the phase when soybeans are  using  the maximum  amount of water per day, the maximum demand and we didn’t have rains, so the drought affected  the soybean crop.” 

According to Reis, two components that decide what the soybean yield will be are the number of seeds per area and seed size. The size of the seeds is usually determined in August. Due to the lack of rains, Reis believes the yields will be lower this year than the historical average. 

“We can all agree that the price commodity is not great at this point. And part of it is because of the trade war with other countries,” Reis explained. “And then when we have the perspective of not having enough yield,   that really puts the farmers in a difficult situation to invest or prepare themselves for the next season. So it’s very hard to tell what’s going to be the impact for the next two seasons. At this point, there is no  clarity  if there will be any impact,  but  it’s going to be  a perfect storm brewing.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two dogs died after a home burned down in Phelps County, according to a Monday social media post from the Doolittle Fire Protection District.

Crews were called to the Sportshaven area at the end of Private Drive at 3:30 p.m., but the two-story home already collapsed by the time crews arrived.

No injuries were reported for any people at the scene.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Sedalia is seeking bids to demolish buildings at 207 and 209 West Main Street.

A press release from the city says bids open on Tuesday and must be submitted to the city clerk’s office by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. The City Council is expected to approve a bid at its Nov. 3 meeting, the release says.

A judge in July ruled the city has the ability to order a building to be demolished within its city limits.

Chief Building Official Bryan Kopp had determined the building at 207 West Main St. needed to be demolished to “protect the public,” court documents say. The building is owned by Dana Melton and Travis Dixon. The city has described the building as being in “a state of collapse.”

The city looked at the nearby 209 West Main St. location last month. The city is looking to preserve other buildings that could be damaged in the event of a collapse, it previously stated.

A release from the city says the owners of the buildings claimed an engineer determined the buildings are not in danger of collaposing and the visibly damaged wall is not the “main support wall.” The release also says the building’s owners accused the city of damaging the building during sidewalk repairs that occurred three years ago.  

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man from Warsaw, Missouri, was charged with multiple felonies this weekend after he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase in Pettis County on Sept. 16.

Michael Muldoon, 31, was charged in Pettis County on Saturday with first-degree tampering with a vehicle, drug possession, tampering with evidence and resisting arrest. An arraignment was held on Monday and a counsel status hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says a deputy on Sept. 16 tried to stop a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Henry County. Muldoon then sped away in the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria at 100 miles per hour on Highway 50 and began driving into oncoming traffic, the statement says.

Muldoon allegedly crashed the car in a field and was arrested after trying to run away, the statement says.

Muldoon allegedly told law enforcement that he threw methamphetamine into a field during the chase and that he used a stolen vehicle to transport meth from Kansas City to Pettis County, the statement says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man was charged with several felonies after authorities say he raped a woman and pointed a gun at her head on Friday night.

Danny Eugene Miles, 53, was charged in Morgan County with first-degree rape, two counts of armed criminal action and a single count of first-degree domestic assault. He is being held at the Morgan County Jail on a $250,000 bond. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Morgan County Courthouse.

The probable cause statement says the victim contacted law enforcement on Saturday morning about a sexual assault that allegedly occurred the night before.

The victim allegedly told law enforcement that Miles first threw an ashtray at her and the victim had bruising all around her body, the statement says. He then allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened to kill the victim before raping her, the statement says. He then allegedly threatened to kill her again if she went to law enforcement, court documents say.

The victim told law enforcement that a gun would be in the bedroom of Miles’ residence. Deputies asked if Miles had a gun when they arrived to his residence, he allegedly said “no” and deputies found the gun in the bedroom, the statement says.

Miles allegedly claimed the intercourse was consensual, but gave conflicting details leading up to the alleged sexual assault, including claiming the victim pointed the gun at him, the statement says.  

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Trump Administration on Monday linked the use of acetaminophen among pregnant women may be linked to an increased risk of autism.

Tylenol is a popular form of acetaminophen, and has been the only pain medicine recommended for pregnant women. The medicine can be used to reduce fevers. Critics have made a number of unfounded claims over the years over what directly leads to autism in children, as diagnoses have risen over the past several decades.

“Effective immediately, the FDA will be notifying physicians that the use of acetaminophen can be associated with a very increased risk of autism,” Trump said during a televised news conference.. “For this reason, they are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol used during pregnancy unless medically necessary.”

The Illinois Kids Development Study found about 70% of pregnant women take Tylenol at least once during their pregnancy.

During Monday’s press conference, Trump and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said they have been working to link the root cause of autism for 20 years.

However, studies done over the years have shown there is no direct link between autism and acetaminophen.

A study done by JAMA in April 2024, found the active ingredient in Tylenol during pregnancy was not associated with the increased risk of autism, ADHA or intellectual disability in children.

Dr. Steven Fleischman with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists pushed back against the administration’s claims online.

“Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy,” Fleischman said.

Kennedy said during the conference that the FDA will begin the process of updating the Tylenol label to include warnings about potential increased risks of autism.

Data from the Missouri Autism and Development Monitoring, collected in 2022 found one-and-31 8-year-olds have autism in Missouri. The data was collected in the St. Louis area.

MADM found IQ data for nearly 65% of 8-year-old children identified with autism, of those children 32.5% had an intellectual disability.

By race, the amount 8-year-olds, it found 55% of Pacific Island children and 35% of black children in the study were more likely to be identified with autism compared to 28% of white children in the same age group.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man has been charged with a felony in connection with a stabbing that occurred on Sunday in the 400 block of Brewer Drive in west Columbia.  

Edward Rosson, 54, of Columbia, was charged on Monday with second-degree assault. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond and an initial court appearance was held on Monday.

The probable cause statement says police were called for a report of a stabbing on Sunday morning. Rosson allegedly told police that he “did not think he stabbed” the victim, but claimed he got into an argument over rent and was hit in the head with a cellphone before the victim ran at him with a pole saw, the statement says.

The victim allegedly told police that an argument occurred and Rosson stabbed him in the back of his left leg with a knife, the statement says. While the victim tried to get away, he threw a phone and grabbed a saw to defend himself, the probable cause statement says.

Police at the scene determined Rosson to be the aggressor, the statement says.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jimmy Kimmel is returning to the ABC late-night lineup this week.

The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, released a statement Monday about the decision.

“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” the statement says. “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive.  We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was suspended last Wednesday after criticism of Kimmel’s remarks about the death of Charlie Kirk, claiming Kirk’s allies were using his death for political gain. FCC Chair Brendan Carr made statements perceived as threats toward Disney and other broadcasters who run content critical of President Trump.

ABC also faced backlash for the suspension by those claiming the network was stifling free speech.

The show will air on ABC 17 in its normal time slot. Sinclair stations have pledged not to resume the show in markets where the company owns ABC affiliates.

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Marie Moyer

Editor’s note: This article has been clarified to say physicians will be available for consultation at vaccine events.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After a CDC advisory committee vote Friday, only adults 65 and up or those sensitive to COVID-19 can get the vaccine directly. Everyone else must first consult their doctor.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted Friday to require patients under age 65 to consult a health care provider before getting the shot. The committee stopped short of requiring a prescription for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The consultation is meant for patients to understand the risk factors of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, with patients signing off on a consent form before getting the shot.

“We’re back to a place from like last year and beyond,” Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services spokesperson Austin Krohn said. “We’ve always given the risks and benefits of vaccines to our patients, they fill out paperwork, sign paperwork so they know what they’re getting into.”

MU Health Care, Boone Health and the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services do not expect the new rule to affect operations, with all providers having the option for a patient to consult with a doctor the same day during vaccination appointments. However, patients may need to have a doctor’s note before attending some walk-in clinics or pharmacies.

“If one’s receiving their vaccine at a pharmacy or, you know, opportunistically when they’re at their doctor’s office, that shared decision-making conversation, potentially a prescription for the pharmacy may be needed,” Family Medicine doctor with MU Health Care Margaret Day said.

Boone Health spokesperson Christian Basi adds that patients can consult with doctors regularly for a doctor’s note if needed.

“Patients are always welcome to communicate with their providers electronically via their patient portal or at their in-patient visits (whether virtual or face-to-face),” Basi said in a statement, “Our providers are happy to consult with their patients.”

The CDC however, has not clarified if consultations must be face-to-face for an approved doctor’s note.

Outside of a doctor’s note, people can self-attest that they are at high risk of getting sick from COVID-19 and get a shot. According to the CDC, conditions that would make someone at high risk for COVID-19 include diabetes, heart conditions and a history of smoking.

Eric Maze with MU Health Care said Monday that at MU’s upcoming flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine events this fall, clinicians will be available to provide consultations with patients looking to get a COVID-19 booster.

“This typically is the time of year when respiratory illnesses do tend to crop up, so it’s a good time to consider getting your COVID and flu vaccines,” Day said.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also considered requiring a prescription for the COVID-19 vaccine, but ultimately voted against it in a tiebreaking vote by committee chair Dr. Martin Kulldorff.

MU Health Care’s first fall vaccine drive-thru event will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon inside the Madison Street Medical Building in Jefferson City.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A shooting led to Morgan County R-II schools in Versailles being placed on lockdown Monday morning, even though students were not in class, and left a woman in critical condition.

The district posted about the lockdown on its Facebook page, referencing a “shooting that occurred in town” earlier Monday in a statement written by Superintendent Bryan Pettengill. Students were not in class on Monday, but employees were in the buildings, which were locked down out of precaution.

Scheduled practices were canceled.

Versailles police said in a news release that they found an unconscious woman with a head wound when they responded to a shooting at about 7:30 a.m. in the 100 block of South Burke Street. Police say they don’t think there’s any danger to the public but the suspect is still not in custody.

Police say the shooter was wearing a pink hooded sweatshirt, gloves, mask and sunglasses. The victim is in critical condition.

Farrell and Marjorie Thompson, residents in the nearby neighborhood, said they heard commotion around 7:30 a.m., but were not sure what it was. The Thompsons described the area as typically quiet.

Another nearby resident, Shannon Teeple, said she was outside letting her dog out when she heard what she thought sounded like a gunshot. She knew something bad had happened when first responders arrived on the scene, but no one came around to tell people in the neighborhood what happened, or that the suspect was still not in custody. Teeple also said she plans to purchase cameras for her home after this incident.

Some local business owners in downtown Versailles, about one block away from where the shooting took place, also said police did not communicate with them that a shooting had happened.

The Lake of the Ozarks Major Case Squad is helping with the investigation.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw a GMC Terrain towed away from the scene just after 1:15 p.m. Monday. The area was cleared, and the surrounding streets were back open by 1:30 p.m.

Vocational and technical school students will continue classes as scheduled later Monday. Students will be escorted into the building after they get off the bus, the message states.

Details about the shooting were not immediately available.

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