Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State High school Activities Association in a Wednesday press release says it does not discriminate.

The release comes after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said in Tuesday press release that it would investigate MSHSAA after claims of racial and sex discrimination. A person described as a whistleblower alleged in emails that they were denied a position on MSHSHAA’s board of directors because they are a white male.

An article in MSHSHAA’s constitution “does not serve as a blanket disqualification preventing administrators from running for or serving on the Board of Directors. Rather, the eligibility requirements are tied to specific seats, and by design they ensure balanced representation across both geographic regions and demographic groups.”

MSHSAA’s response on Wednesday says the provision was put in place more than 20 years ago.

“This provision adapts to the Board’s changing composition, ensuring that perspectives which may be missing at a given time can be included. The provision expands access rather than restricts it. All qualified individuals remain fully eligible to serve through the eight geographically elected seats that make up the majority of the Board. The at-large positions simply provide another avenue for service within a longstanding, member-driven governance structure,” the release says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman accused of embezzling nearly $50,000 from a Boonville nonprofit has now been charged with a similar crime in Boone County.

Jennifer Waibel, 52, of Boonville, was charged last week in Cooper County with stealing more than $50,000. Her bond in that case was reduced and she is no longer listed on the Cooper County Jail’s online roster. A hearing in that case is set for 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

She was charged on Wednesday in Boone County with stealing more than $750 and two counts of fraudulently using credit cards. A motion to file a $13,650 cash only bond was filed on Wednesday.

The probable cause statement from the new case alleges she spent $13,650 on gift cards while using 10 company credit cards from Impact Support Services, located on Chapel Hill Road in Columbia.

The statement says she spent that amount from March 15-31. When Waibel was interviewed about the charges, the statement says she allegedly said “Can I just pay you back?”

Waibel worked as the chief program officer for Impact Support Services from March 2024-April 2025, according to Chief Operating Officer Julie Allen.

“We immediately reported the theft to CPD and asked them to investigate and press charges. We are cooperating with the prosecutors office,” an email from Allen says.

Waibel earlier this month was accused of stealing roughly $50,000 from Unlimited Opportunities Inc.

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Olivia Hayes

PARIS, Mo. (KMIZ)

The state has requested more time for evidence discovery in its case against Patty and Lois Armour.

Lois Armour, 78, and Patty Armour, 51, both of Paris, are charged with second-degree murder and hindering a felony prosecution.

The state was expected to present its case against Lois Armour on Wednesday in a preliminary hearing in front of a Monroe County judge. Patty Armour was set for a bond hearing. Both women have been held in the Randolph County jail on no bond since their arrests.

The two women will now face a judge at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 for a preliminary hearing.

Monroe County does not have a grand jury, so the preliminary hearing is done to make the state establish probable cause to move to a jury trial. The state will present evidence, and witnesses are expected to take the stand. The defense can also cross-examine during the hearing.

Lois and Patty Armour are accused of hiding Charles Armour’s from law enforcement officers on a day he got into a shootout with law enforcement.

Charles Armour, 57, was killed in a shootout last month with law enforcement after he was identified as a person of interest in a Ralls County homicide investigation.

Charles Armour is accused of killing Jonathan Floyd, 55, of Perry, Missouri.

A Randolph County deputy was hit by gunfire and flown to a hospital. Boggs wrote that the deputy is expected to make a full recovery after several surgeries.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team is getting ready for a Wednesday night home tipoff.

The Tigers will host South Dakota at 7 p.m. at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers remain undefeated as they continue through the easiest part of the schedule.

Watch Coach Dennis Gates take questions about the preparation in the media player.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri ranks 37 out of 52, which includes the 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, for preterm birth rate, according to the 2025 March of Dimes report.

Missouri had an 11% preterm rate in 2024, which is the same as in 2023.

St. Louis had the highest preterm birth rate at 12.8%, according to the report. The March of Dimes calls this an “F” rating, although St. Louis did improve from the previous year.

Jackson and St. Charles counties both worsened, standing at a “D” rating, according to the report. Jackson County was at 11.1% and St. Charles County was 10.9%.

Katie Goodlet works in the Boone Health hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit as a physical therapist with premature and ill babies.

She said parents have to leave their baby in the NICU, and it can be overwhelming for some.

“You’re giving your baby to someone else, and you’re trusting somebody else to make the right decisions for your baby,” Goodlet said.

A premature baby is born before 37 weeks and hasn’t had the time to develop the skills needed to be out of the womb.

“That impacts everything, like how you’re developing, because if you’re supposed to be nice and tucked and then you’re developing out here and gravity’s not being your friend, it makes it harder,” Goodlet said.

Goodlet said premature babies need help with feeding cues and motor development.

She said this is a stressful, but empowering time for parents.

“The mom’s been here all this time, and now they’re getting ready to go home,” Goodlet said. “They have watched their baby develop outside of the womb, and they’re excellent parents.”

According to the report, smoking, hypertension, unhealthy weight and diabetes in pregnancy can contribute to a preterm birth.

The report also says paid family leave and mental health checks are crucial to improving maternal and infant health in Missouri; however, the report indicates that the state does not have these policies.

The report also cites Medicaid extension and expansion, doula care reimbursement and maternal mortality review as programs or policies in Missouri that are improving maternal and infant care.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A truck full of food donations from America250 arrived in Mid-Missouri on Wednesday morning, carrying 40,000 pounds of food.

The thousands of pounds of food was delivered to The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri on Vandiver Drive with 40,000 pounds of food will be donated to Mid-Missouri communities.

The President and CEO of the food bank, Lindsay Lopez, told ABC 17 News that the food bank serves 32 counties and will work with partners to help distribute the food across Mid-Missouri. “We provide food to distribution partners, partner agencies in those 32 counties, 145 partner agencies that we work with, and 200 schools,” said Lopez. “So this food that is very nutritious will be utilized here in Boone County. And, potentially to partners outside of Boone County as well.”

Missouri is one of the first five states to receive the truckloads of food, along with Oregon, Michigan, Arkansas and Texas.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a food donation campaign with 250 truckloads of food that will be delivered to communities across all 50 states.

The LDS initiated the national humanitarian initiative to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

According to the LDS website, each truck will include canned fruits, vegetables, meats, pasta, flour, pancake mix and dried milk. Most of the food provided is produced by the church or funded by members.

Harvey James of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told ABC 17 that the church produces most of the food. “(The church) has an extensive food production operation,” said James. “It has farms that can feed enough other facilities.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be delivering the 250 trucks to all 50 states between November and July 4.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The driver of a Sunderland Truck involved in a deadly crash on Business Loop 70 in Columbia last month claims he was on the phone at the time of the crash, but used Bluetooth.

The Columbia Police Department said Roger Bone, 56, of Jefferson City was killed in the crash on Oct. 20 at the intersection of Business Loop 70 and Range Line Street. Police said he was riding his bike, when he was hit. He died at the scene.

A police report detailing what led up to crash says the driver– listed as Conner McMillan– told police he was driving west on Business Loop 70, when he began to turn north onto Range Line Street. McMillan allegedly said he “felt something” and looked into his mirror as he turned north.

The report states McMillan told police he saw Bone and his bike laying in the middle of the road, pulled over and ran back to the man. The dump truck pulled over near a motel on Range Line Street, according to previous reporting.

The report lists Sunderland Trucking as the truck involved in the crash.

McMillan allegedly told police he was on the phone with his wife, but said he was using the Bluetooth connected to the truck and claims the phone was in the cupholder at the time.

According to the report, police spoke to at least two witnesses on scene. One witness allegedly told police he saw McMillan turn right from Business Loop 70 onto Range Line Street. The witness claims as the truck was turning, Bone’s bicycle collided with the side of it and Bone ended up underneath the truck.

The witness claimed they did not see McMillan use his turn signal.

A second witness allegedly told police that they did not see Bone before the crash happened, but saw Bone collide with the middle of the truck while the truck was halfway into turning. The witness also told police he saw the rear wheels of the truck run Bone over, the report says.

Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson told ABC 17 News via email on Tuesday afternoon that his office had not received any referrals.

Jason Norris said he recently became homeless and walks the area near where the crash happened roughly five to 10 times per day. He said while he didn’t personally know Bone or the specific details of what happened in the crash, he knows from walking the road just how dangerous it can be.

Norris said the road can be scary to walk on, and thinks the intersection should be made a priority and the city could benefit from putting more sidewalks in the area.

“You know how the DMV says the bikers got the right of way and they push that to the limit sometimes, and it can be deadly or very harmful?” Norris said. “You got drivers that come through here just hauling butt, trying to beat something and somebody gets hit it can be very dangerous.”

Bone’s daughter Alexis Hurst previously told ABC 17 News that she is hoping to raise awareness about the need for safety improvements along Business Loop 70 after the deadly crash. Bone told ABC 17 News via text message on Tuesday that she had spoken with a witness after the crash who told her they did not see McMillan use his turn signal during the crash.

Hurst said she was told by police that they could not obtain anything off of the black box in the truck because the impact occurred on the side of the truck and did not detect a crash.

She said her goal remains on bringing justice for her father and pushing for improvements to the road.

“I understand accidents happen but this was avoidable, absolutely avoidable between the lack of safety measures and whatever was going on with the truck driver. My dad’s loss of life was unneccassary. I wouldn’t wish this grief and pain onto anyone. Everyone I have spoken to has said kind things about my dad and I just want justice,” Hurst wrote.

The City of Columbia conducted an audit for safety improvements to Business Loop 70. The final audit is expected to be completed by Spring 2026.

ABC 17 News reached out to Sunderland Trucking.

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Mitchell Kaminski

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) 

The Southern Boone School District held a community forum at Southern Boone High School on Tuesday night to discuss a possible shift to a four-day school week beginning with the 2026–27 academic year.

More than 50 people attended the event, where school board members responded to pre-submitted questions from community members, followed by a live discussion at the end. 

“That’s really the intent of this is to really get the community feedback. We did try to attempt to do the Q&A in order to keep a structured component,  but that is really what we were trying to dispel,” Board President Amy Begemann told ABC 17 News. “The gentleman brought up how it seems like a decision has already been made when, in all essence, it has not.” 

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.

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. 

“Having the most appropriate and most qualified teachers, obviously has a greater impact on the student learning,” Begemann said. “So, really student first, but what are the components that are impacting that? Of course, one being that more qualified teachers and retaining those folks.” 

District leaders added the four-day schedule could boost attendance, increase instructional time and offer families and students more flexibility. However, several questions arose about how parents would handle child care for younger students on Mondays. 

School Board member Heather Brown said during the meeting that the district could look to increase work with other childcare providers, such as the YMCA, with whom they are already partnered. However, Brown added it will ultimately be up to parents to figure it out. 

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 Southern Boone School District achieved a 95.9% on the Annual Performance Report conducted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, placing the district 10th in the state overall. 

One parent said the quality schools in Ashland were one of the reasons they moved to the area, but added they would not have moved here if there were a four-day school week in place. Another parent said her child wanted to change districts if Southern Boone changed the schedule. 

Begemann said nothing has been decided at this point and no options are off the table. 

If the proposal is not approved, the district is looking at several other options to help attract and retain teachers. One option the Southern Boone finance committee discussed was scheduled salaries for teachers. Two other ideas the district floated were raising taxes or increasing class sizes; however, officials noted that both ideas would be unpopular. 

Conversations about a schedule change began in May. A survey was distributed to parents and staff in June, and a committee formed to study the issue held its first meeting in August.

The results of the survey are expected later this week. However, Brown acknowledged during the meeting that some of the survey questions were poorly worded and did not produce the intended feedback, adding the process has been a learning experience for everyone involved.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office and Auditor’s Office are investigating the state’s governing body for high school sports after claims of sex and racial discrimination were made.

A Tuesday press release from both offices alleges that a whistleblower was not eligible for an at-large position on MSHSAA’s board because they are white and male.

In a list of emails provided in the press release, one of the responses from a lawyer representing MSHSAA alleges an article of it Constitution “does not serve as a blanket disqualification preventing administrators from running for or serving on the Board of Directors. Rather, the eligibility requirements are tied to specific seats, and by design they ensure balanced representation across both geographic regions and demographic groups.”

“The individual identified in your correspondence, Mr. Johnson, was not and is presently not precluded from serving on the MSHSAA Board of Directors. Rather, he was unable to run for a particular at-large seat because he did not meet the current qualifications attached to that seat pursuant MSHSAA’s Constitution. Mr. Johnson remains eligible to run for election to a seat representing his own region, where his service as an administrator would qualify him under the governing bylaws,” the email from Natalie Hoernschemeyer reads.

An email to the whistleblower details the article from the MSHSAA Constitution states the man was not eligible.

“The current Board of Directors, after taking out members whose terms are up, has a majority of males. Since you are a male, you do not meet this requirement. The ethnicity of the board has a majority of white, non-Hispanic members. Without knowing your ethnicity or race, we ask for you to respond with the minority ethnicity or race group in which you identify, if you applicable,” the email says.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

When former Cardinals manager Mike Schildt announced his abrupt retirement at the end of the 2025 MLB season, it came as a bit of a shock. 

The 57-year-old had just guided the San Diego Padres to a 90-72 record and was coming off his third consecutive 90-plus win season. While several factors contributed to his retirement, one of the reasons he cited was death threats from sports bettors. 

Schildt is one of countless coaches and players who have been subjected to abusive messages online due to lost bets and busted parlays, as legal sports betting continues to spread across the United States. The abuse isn’t limited to professional athletes and coaches; it has also spread to the college ranks.  

On Dec. 1, sports betting will be up and running in Missouri, and while it is expected to bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue to the state, the University of Missouri is closely monitoring how it will impact student-athletes. 

The NCAA reported that 1-in-3 high-profile athletes receive abusive messages from sports bettors. 

Pam Brunzina, MU’s faculty athletics representative to the NCAA and SEC, said concerns intensified once the NCAA allowed student-athletes to bet on professional sports. According to Brunzina, the NCAA remains highly focused on game integrity, but the dangers extend far beyond point-shaving.

Even though placing prop bets on Missouri collegiate teams is not allowed under state law, Brunzina says there have already been isolated incidents of Mizzou athletes being harassed due to sports wagering.

“The NCAA actually did a study on that the past couple of years, looking at harassment of student athletes, particularly around the basketball tournaments, and it can be pretty ugly,” Brunzina said. “I think it’s important for all of us to remember that when we are watching the student athletes compete, that they are young people out there doing their best. Even if we have a bet that’s dependent on their performance, we need to remember that they are trying their hardest and to have some perspective.”

The NCAA rolled out a video campaign during the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in March, urging fans to curb harassment and calling on states to ban prop bets tied to student-athletes. 

The NCAA also partnered with Venmo over the summer to curb abusive or unwanted interactions on the platform after some bettors sent student-athletes harassing payment requests tied to lost wagers.

The 2025 study marked the second year the NCAA commissioned a study on online harassment targeting college athletes, coaches and officials. The review, conducted by Signify Group, examined seven championship events and tracked social media activity connected to 5,555 athletes, 625 coaches, 466 teams and 26 official NCAA accounts during the 2024-25 academic year.

Signify found that 31 individuals were responsible for the most severe cases of abuse, with eight of them tied to sports betting, according to the NCAA. The study also determined that seven messages rose to the level of being forwarded to law enforcement.

Brunzina added that because athletes are receiving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money, many view them as fair game to be targeted online.

“I do think that for some people there is maybe just a shift in mentality of viewing them, the student athletes, more as professional athletes and maybe having a little bit different attitude or expectation of them and forgetting that they are college students, performing at a really high level,” Brunzina said.  “But they aren’t really professionals.”

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