Author: KMIZ

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man charged with a violent robbery in downtown Columbia was set to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon.

Michael L. Langston, 44, is charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree assault for allegedly beating a victim at the Zephyr gas station on Providence Road on Friday morning.

A probable cause statement says Langston approached the victim and demanded money. Langston punched the man in the face, knocked him to the ground and stole money from his pockets, the statement says.

The victim was treated for a broken nose and fractured eye socket and had skinned knees and bruises, according to the statement.

Police obtained video of the assault, and investigators shared photos of the suspect. A detective pulled over a vehicle early Friday afternoon, and Langston came out of a house at 202 Hickman Ave. before going back inside, the statement says.

Langston took off his clothes once inside, but police arrested him and found the clothes in the house, according to the statement.

He remained in jail Monday afternoon without bond. A hearing was set for 1 p.m.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As negotiations remain at a standstill, officials from MU Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will testify before a Missouri Senate Committee Monday afternoon.

Since April 1, over 90,000 patients previously covered by Anthem have been in limbo, with many struggling to pay for care out-of-network.

Troubles started after a steep request by MU Health Care for an 11-13% increase to cover inflation costs, while Anthem offered a 1-2% increase. MU Health Care reported that they lowered their proposal, but Anthem claimed their offer was still not doable. Anthem also said it offered MU multiple offers, including annual rate increases above the Consumer Price Index which MU Health Care declined.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan will also testify at the hearing. The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. in the Senate Lounge.

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Matthew Sanders

After weeks of work behind the scenes, the U.S. Senate voted this weekend to start debate and amendments to the “one big, beautiful bill,” President Donald Trump’s signature piece of legislation.

Debate over the bill has been fierce, particularly over provisions that will cut Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding while delivering large tax cuts. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has said he will not vote for a bill with Medicaid cuts but was among the slight Republican majority that voted to begin debate on the bill.

The Senate is working toward a swift vote on the full bill. If approved, it will have to return to the House for a vote. Trump says he wants the legislation on his desk for a July 4 signing.

Do you think Missouri’s senators should support the bill? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ)

A St. Louis woman was seriously injured Saturday at the Lake of the Ozarks after being thrown from a tube.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the incident happened near the 45 mile marker just before 6 p.m. A 2001 Lowe Pontoon was towing a tube that the 30-year-old woman was in.

The boat was turning and the woman was ejected from the tube, the report says.

She was taken to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.

The driver of the boat– a 74-year-old man from Gravois Mills– was not injured.

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Keriana Gamboa

Columbia Mo. (KMIZ)

Today, the Guiding Light Missionary Baptist Church held a Juneteenth celebration in collaboration with the NAACP Fulton Chapter and the City of Fulton Human Rights Commission.

The celebration featured live entertainment, inspirational speakers, and face painting for children.

Attendees gathered to hear respected community leaders emphasize the importance of honoring the holiday.

One of the speakers, D-Markus Thomas-Brown, Administrator for the City of Columbia’s Office of Violence Prevention, shared that Juneteenth is not just a time for remembrance; it’s a call to action within our own communities.

“Just to remind people that there’s work to do this there’s work that we can do in our neighborhoods and in the places we live, work, learn and play to bring a better Columbia and Fulton,  for that matter. And that time into the history of Juneteenth,” Thomas-Brown said.

Several individuals were honored at the event for their outstanding contributions to the community.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Traffic is backed up on portions of Interstate 70 in Callaway County Sunday morning as state troopers respond to multiple crashes and assist stranded drivers, according to a post from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Rain covered the roadway eastbound and westbound in the construction zone, the post says.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw one single-vehicle crash on I-70 East near mile marker 135 around 11 a.m. on Sunday. The vehicle appeared to have hit the median and Callaway County EMS and multiple sheriff vehicles were seen responding to the crash.

ABC 17 News saw traffic backed up to at least mile marker 128 past Interstate 70 Drive. Many drivers were seen leaving the congested highway and taking I-70 Drive.

A Boone County Joint Communications alert said that another crash at mile marker 131 on I-70 was blocking the left lane of traffic eastbound around noon.

Check back for updates.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

State troopers are investigating a deadly multi-vehicle crash Sunday morning on Highway 54 in Camden County, according to a post from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The crash happened on westbound Highway 54 at Old 54 Road, the post says.

Due to the roadway being blocked, MSHP asked drivers to avoid the area and take a different route.

Check back for updates.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Senate’s Insurance and Banking Committee is set to hear testimony from University of Missouri Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield on Monday, in an effort to break the stalemate in insurance negotiations.

The hearing was scheduled earlier this month by Sen. Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo) at the suggestion of Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina).

Since April 1, over 90,000 patients previously covered by Anthem have been in limbo, with many struggling to pay for care out-of-network.

The negotiations hit a standstill around this time when MU Health Care asked for an 11-13% increase to cover inflation costs, while Anthem offered a 1-2% increase. MU Health Care reported that they lowered their proposal, but Anthem claimed their offer was not doable.

Since the disagreement, MU Health Care released the financial report for the second half of its previous fiscal year, reporting a profit of over $50 million in operations. MU Health Care was covered by Anthem for the majority of the report, only being off-contract for a month.

Both MU Health Care and Anthem have been called to testify on Monday, as well as the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan.

In a statement Thursday, University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves said that MU Health Care plans to stand up to Anthem.

“As Curators, we understand the importance of these negotiations for ensuring the long-term sustainability of our health system and preserving local access to care for rural Missourians,” Graves said.

In a statement Sunday, Anthem claimed to have offered MU multiple offers, including annual rate increases above the Consumer Price Index which MU Health Care declined.

“We have a strong, fact-based story to tell about our efforts to protect affordability, support our members, and reach a fair agreement,” an Anthem spokesperson said. “MU Health Care has made future meetings conditional on Anthem first meeting their terms.”

The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. in the Senate Lounge.

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Keriana Gamboa

Columbia Mo. (KMIZ)

On Saturday, Second Chance celebrated the opening of its new clinic building at an open house event where the public got their first look inside, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony two days ago.

Second Chance unveiled a climate-controlled storage building for pet food and opened an in-house clinic for spay and neuter procedures. They also renovated their adoption building to include emergency dog rooms for dogs not in foster care.

Second Chance executive director, Giulia Hall, says looking ahead, Second Chance plans to use the new building as a food pantry to support community members in need.

“What we would like to do is just to be able to offer supplies and food and you know, even beyond food, if people need things for the community, especially on towards Booneville, because there isn’t a lot out this way,” Hall said.

They have not finalized a timeline for its opening.

“That being available to people who possibly need food for their dogs because they don’t have a home at the moment or they’re just, you know, struggling between paycheck to paycheck, because dog food can get pretty pricey,” Foster Employee, Veronica Buman said.

Second Chance also recently broke ground on a new memorial garden and is still in the early stages of development. They completed the walking path last week, and the next phase will involve adding paw print designs made from river rocks for community members to paint.

Susan Groshong, a foster parent for over a decade, said having an animal rescue nearby matters, especially in communities with limited resources.

“I know I’ve had dogs that were from Eldon or other communities that don’t have shelters, so being here in Boonville makes it easier for people to come here to meet the dogs,” Groshong said.

Since 2022, Second Chance has facilitated more than a thousand adoptions each year. Currently, they have over 200 animals placed in foster homes.

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Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Editor’s note: The Number of fatalities in the 2019 tornado has been corrected.

The United Way of Central Missouri’s Cole County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, or COAD, is set to host the Cole County Ready Festival Saturday afternoon, focused on emergency preparedness and safety.

In partnership with the Cole County Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross, the family-friendly event aims to connect the community with emergency management agencies and provide resources for disaster preparedness.

The county has faced numerous disasters over the years, including flood rescues and a 2024 house explosion. In 2019, a devastating EF-3 tornado that displaced hundreds of residents.

The Cole County Ready Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln University’s Jason Gym. There will be emergency preparedness booths, local emergency response trucks and safety vehicles and food trucks.

“It’s important to be prepared for emergencies, because really, they can strike at any time and knowledge is power,” Cole County COAD Board Member Amber Brondel said. “Just to know what different disasters can impact you or your family and how to respond to them, it’s just so important to make sure that everyone stays safe.”

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