Author: KMIZ

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Results from a trial run of expanded rideshare parking spaces in downtown Columbia last year showed promise in making the area safer.

On Tuesday night, the Columbia City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will block off 32 more parking spaces to designate for taxis and rideshare services in downtown, making 66 spots total.

The start time for the rideshare stands also moved to 9 p.m., two hours earlier than the previous 11 p.m. start time. The stands will continue operating until 2 a.m.

The designated areas would include parking spaces along Broadway, Cherry, Ninth, Tenth and Walnut streets.

When asked if the changes could help to curb crimes motivated by loitering and tailgating, city spokesman Christopher Ave said it could be “a possibility.” Ave went on to write in a statement that the city would welcome the development, but only time will tell.

City documents show that Columbia Police reported an increase in overnight traffic congestion connected to rideshare operators and customers violating traffic laws in August 2025. The city said those problems stemmed from a lack of designated places for operators and customers to use rideshare services.

In response, the Columbia Police Department ramped up enforcement of misdemeanor offenses downtown like jaywalking. Between Aug. 15-17, 2025, CPD handed out 21 citations as part of the new enforcement strategy. This included eight tickets for jaywalking or disobeying traffic signals. Eleven were for parking violations, while the other two included indecent exposure and an uninsured driver.

The city tested a rideshare pull-off zone last September by temporarily blocking metered parking. In October 2025, after the shooting death of Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams, metered parking was temporarily blocked off again to test designated pickup/drop off zones with Uber and Lyft.

CPD reported that the results of both of these pilot weekends saw a dramatic reduction in traffic violations and an overall improvement in pedestrian safety. Rideshare drivers also reported that the designated zones felt safer.

A request from the Downtown Community Improvement District on Aug. 18 asked for parking meters to be bagged Aug. 21-22 between Eighth and Tenth streets.

The request asked that the meters be closed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in an effort to address large crowds and loitering.

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi has called the area a “danger zone” in a series of emails to city leaders in light of multiple large scenes during the summer months. One incident was a brawl that led to seven arrests on July 26, and another was a shots-fired incident at the beginning of August that led to felony charges.

Emails show Choi put his backing behind request from the District on Aug. 19.

In his response to Choi, City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said the issue needs to be studied across downtown before the city acts on a single street.

“To determine how widespread the problem is, we would like to sit down with you, The District and CPD to discuss all instances of overnight tailgating downtown and exchange ideas on how best to address the issue,” Seewood wrote.

Choi called Seewood’s response “continued inaction” and described it as deeply concerning. He also addressed Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.

“We do not need additional studies. De’Carlon and his team should have been evaluating and addressing this issue since the first instance of violence in this section of Walnut Street,” Choi wrote. “If there are legitimate public safety concerns associated with overnight tailgating and activities that contribute to violence, then address them. This is precisely why the public has become so frustrated with city leaders. Problems that call for action result in further study and delay.”

Ave said city code does not allow the city to ban parking for the reason given in the request. Ave said CPD also advised that no “emergency” exists that would legally allow the suspension of parking in the requested area as the basis for the city’s denial.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced in a Wednesday press release that a Missouri resident who contracted measles boarded a train in Sedalia on Aug. 27.  

The release says the resident is not from Pettis County “and was only traveling through the Sedalia train station enroute to their intended destination.”

Train 318 was headed to Chicago. Details about the possible measles exposure are limited, per the release.

The DHSS says those who may have been exposed should look for symptoms for 21 days from the date of exposure. People who think they may have measles should contact their healthcare provider.

Click here to follow the original article.

Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Forum Boulevard Improvement Project was supposed to take place years ago, but faced delays due to the cost and size of the project.

The project was first proposed in August 2015 and was supposed to start in the summer of 2026. However, the project has been pushed back to the summer or spring of 2027.

Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan said the city is currently working to secure easements needed for the project. Once easements are acquired and the bidding process is complete, Ogan said the city will be able to determine when construction can begin.

“An easement is part of the process the city takes in order to acquire part of the city property in order to provide infrastructure along that route,” Ward 5 Councilwoman Christina Hartman said. “It’s the city’s way of asking for additional space in order to provide that public transit area.”

The improvement project runs through both Wards 4 and 5. Hartman said the project is an opportunity to improve infrastructure as well as the safety of the area.

“What they’re going to be doing is improving the traffic flow and reducing some of the issues that occur along that road, along with widening the road and making it safer for not only cars but pedestrians as well,” said Hartman.

Ogan said several things can delay the start date even further; those include changes to the original plan, delays in securing easements, or delays in the bidding process.

Once the project starts it is estimated to take roughly one year to complete. The project’s estimated cost has also increased to $13.5 million; data from July 2026 previously estimated it at $12.3 million.

According to a city memo citing July 2026 data, the project will make the road a four-lane section, with lanes in both directions. Construction will take place for a new bridge over Hinkson Creek. Two roundabouts will be added at Katy Lane and Woodrail/Crestwood. Bike lanes and sidewalks will also be added.

The city’s website does state that medians will be added to locations of the roads that experience higher accident rates. Ogan said that because the project features are still in the preliminary phase, he could not confirm any specific features that will be added.

Hartman said potential features of the project would help keep drivers of that area as safe as possible.

“The goal is to reduce that potential for collision as much as possible,” Hartman said.

This project runs through the 2900 block of Forum Boulevard, near Wilson’s Fitness Center, where a fatal crash occurred Aug. 22.

ABC 17 News obtained a crash report on Wednesday through a prior records request.

The report shows 46-year-old Darrin Stokes, of Columbia, died in the crash. The report says Stokes was traveling north in his 2010 Chevrolet Malibu when he crossed the center line and hit a 2012 Chevrolet Impala head-on.

Stokes was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver – Mary Schlenk, 78, of Columbia, — had serious injuries and was brought to an area hospital, the report says. The report claims neither driver wore a seatbelt.

On that specific stretch of Forum Boulevard, this improvement project would potentially add a raised median.

Hartman said community members she has spoken to have expressed their concerns for the road and the safety of it.

“The people that I spoke to along Forum, they are definitely want this project to go through,” Hartman said. “They have had concerns for this area for quite some time. And so, having that project come to fruition is going to be really important for the community.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who is accused of demanding money from a victim during an armed robbery on Monday has been arrested and charged.

Wayneshia Woods, 34, of Columbia, was charged on Wednesday in Boone County with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of armed criminal action, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree drug trafficking and drug possession.

She was booked into the Boone County Jail on Tuesday night and is being held without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

She’s accused along with Royce Kemp in the robbery. Kemp was charged on Tuesday with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree assault and first-degree kidnapping. He is not listed on a jail roster and a no-bond warrant was ordered.

The probable cause statement claims Kemp went to the victim’s residence, was let in by the victim and then left. He then allegedly returned with Woods minutes later and Woods asked the victim change for $50, the statement says.

Kemp allegedly then hit the victim in the back of their head with a gun and took roughly $1,800, the statement says. He then allegedly pointed the barrel to the back of the victim’s head while they were on the ground, the statement says.

A second probable cause statement says police served a search warrant at Woods’ residence on Tuesday afternoon and allegedly found fentanyl, cocaine and a gun. Woods allegedly arrived at the residence while police were searching it, the statement says.

Click here to follow the original article.

Demetra Alarcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Contractors for the Missouri Department of Transportation start setting girders Friday on the new flyover ramp connecting northbound Highway 63 to westbound Interstate 70.

Work will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, just as the University of Missouri football team kicks off at Kansas.

Westbound I-70 will narrow to one lane, and no active traffic will flow under the new ramp while the girders are set. Traffic will be directed up and over ramps at the connector, exit 128.

There will be no access over I-70 through the I-70 and Highway 63 connector; there will also be no access to or from westbound I-70 from the south end of the connector, and no access to or from eastbound I-70 from the north end of the connector.

Eastbound I-70 will not be affected.

In a media event Wednesday morning, MoDOT officials said they have coordinated with emergency services ahead of the weekend.

“We recognize this is a major impact in preparation for this work. We’ve held coordination meetings with local police, fire, and EMS agencies,” said Nicole Samern, director for the Columbia to Kingdom City Improve I-70 project. “These first responders have been critical partners throughout the course of the project and are ready to respond in the event of an incident.”

Two girders will be placed over the weekend, impacting traffic, with one remaining that will not impact traffic.

Courtesy of MODOT Courtesy of MODOT

Construction is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Monday.

After the girders are set, the next step will be to start forming the deck. MoDOT says the ramp should be open to traffic by the end of the year.

MODOT advises drivers to expect delays of up to an hour and to be cautious when driving through the area. Drivers are asked to follow the construction speed limit and watch out for crews.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man from Texas who is charged in Boone County with child sex crimes was booked into the Boone County Jail on Tuesday.

Michael Moya, 33, of Austin, Texas, was charged on Aug. 26 with child enticement, misrepresenting his age while soliciting a minor, sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15 years old and misdemeanor giving pornographic material to a minor.

He is being held without bond. An arraignment was held on Wednesday and a public defender was appointed. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday and a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The probable cause statement says Moya presented himself on Xbox Live chat as a 15-year-old and he had allegedly posted an open message asking for people of certain ages to message him.

Moya and the young victim allegedly exchanged illicit images and videos repeatedly from Feb. 9-March 17, the statement says.

Law enforcement wrote that more than 3,000 messages were sent between Moya and the victim during that time period and more than a hundred of videos and images sent. The messages were sexual in nature, according to court documents.

Click here to follow the original article.

Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 100 World Trade Center first responders and survivors in Missouri are enrolled in a program that offers health care for problems related to the 9/11 terror attack and its aftermath.

Since the attacks, several programs and research initiatives have been established to monitor, treat and comprehend the long-term health effects the toxic and hazardous materials had on first responders.

One of the most significant is the World Trade Center Health Program that was established 10 years later on Jan. 2, 2011, when former President Barack Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 into law.

The program offers free medical monitoring, treatment and mental health services to first responders and survivors who were in the disaster area on 9/11 or in the months following, for the duration of their lives.

The program is authorized and funded through October 1, 2090, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

More than 95,000 first responders were enrolled in the program as of June 30, up from about 56,000 when the program was created in 2011.

As of July 2025, 117 first responders and survivors were enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program in Missouri.

Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The World Trade Center Health Program reports that it has identified 68 different forms of cancer linked to 9/11.

The top 15 most common are:

Non-melanoma skin cancer Prostate cancer Melanoma Lymphoma Thyroid cancer Kidney cancer Lung/bronchus cancer Leukemia Bladder cancer Colon cancer Female breast cancer Myeloma Oropharynx cancer Rectal cancer Neuroendocrine cancer

Researchers who studied the toxins released into the air on 9/11 have identified over 70 different deadly carcinogens, according to the World Trade Center Health Program. Some cancers caused by 9/11-related asbestos exposure can take 20 years to develop.

The organization says the dust and smoke from when the buildings collapsed contained jet fuel, lead, soot, concrete, metals, glass fibers and more.

As of June 30, responders and survivors accounted for 42,372 certifications for chronic rhinosinusitis, 39,190 for gastroesophageal reflux disease, 23,137 for asthma and 18,321 for post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

Since the attacks, the World Trade Center Health Program has recorded 57,044 WTC-related cancer certifications among responders and survivors, according to program data through June 30. The total includes 28,131 certifications among responders and 28,913 among survivors.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo.  (KMIZ)

A Columbia businesswoman who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and not paying payroll taxes was sentenced on Wednesday to 18 months in federal prison.

Kathryn L. Cunningham pleaded guilty in May 2025 and was previously charged with 38 felonies.

Cunningham is the former owner and CEO of payroll company Moresource, which had about 140 clients when it closed in 2020, according to previous reporting.

Cunningham was accused of embezzling from the payroll account that was held for the company’s clients. Cunningham stole about $1.5 million for her personal benefit and to run her company, previous reporting indicates.

Court documents also claim she gambled away payroll deposits at Isle of Capri Casino.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ellyse Edwards

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri President Mun Choi called on Columbia city leaders to take action Wednesday on safety concerns in downtown Columbia.

Choi made the comments during a presentation at a Columbia Chamber of Commerce quarterly breakfast event Wednesday morning. His presentation focused in part on violence downtown, particularly around East Walnut Street, and called for greater accountability from city leaders.

One slide in Choi’s presentation stated, “Violent Crimes and Homeless Crimes in Downtown Columbia are major issues.”

The slide continued, “It’s affecting your business and mine,” and called for “action and accountability from city leaders.”

Choi also showed attendees a timeline titled “Timeline of Recent Violence on Walnut Street.” The presentation listed several incidents between April and September that Choi characterized as violent fights or shots fired outside bars.

The slides reference “violent fights outside bars” on April 11, June 27, July 16, Aug. 9 and Sept. 5. The slide stated shots were fired outside bars on Aug. 9 and Sept. 5.

Another slide encouraged Chamber members to speak up and said silence could be viewed as indifference. It also encouraged attendees to contact city leaders and “demand results.”

Choi also focused on what he believes should be the city’s responsibility in addressing public safety.

The presentation said city leaders “must not divert attention and accountability through Violence Prevention and forming Task Forces to ‘study the problem.’”

The slide also said input and recommendations from Columbia Police Department leaders are essential, adding, “lives are on the line.”

Choi additionally told attendees, “We need to all take action moving forward, and if you look at where all this is happening, it’s East Walnut Street.”

Choi has pressured city leaders for months over downtown crime and the presence of homeless people around the MU campus. His campaign has included warning students away from a particular section of downtown at night.

City spokesman Christopher Ave said in a statement on behalf of Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and Columbia City Council members that the city shares Choi’s concerns.

“We share President Choi’s concerns. That’s why we continue to work collaboratively and legally to ensure that downtown—and the entire Columbia community—is safe for all,” Ave said.

Ave said the city, Columbia Police Department, the University of Missouri, The District, downtown businesses and other community partners continue to work together on issues related to public safety, traffic and pedestrian safety and the overall downtown environment.

Choi has not yet responded to follow-up questions, and the Columbia Police Department has not responded to a request for comment.

Click here to follow the original article.

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A group wanting to bar the state from using a 2025 congressional map says it has appealed a federal appeals court decision denying its case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday turned down People Not Politicians’ appeal meant to overrule a federal district judge’s decision ordering Missouri officials to use the 2025 map in the November election.

People Not Politicians said about an hour later that he had submitted an appeal of that decision to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh later ordered for defendants in the case, including U.S. Rep. Bob Onder to respond to PNP’s filing by 9 a.m. Thursday.

People Not Politicians had filed an emergency appeal late Tuesday with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse an order by Eastern District of Missouri Judge Stephen Clark requiring the use of the 2025 map.

The court specifically stated Hoskins is not allowed to use “any congressional district map other than the HB 1 map for the November 3, 2026 general election.”

“The motion for a stay pending appeal is denied because we either lack jurisdiction over the appeal or, based on the briefing we have so far, the stay factors have not been met,” the appeals court wrote. The appeal was filed in a case brought by U.S. Rep. Bob Onder after a Missouri Supreme Court decision last week striking down the map.

The order went on to say that the court normally lacks jurisdiction to hear an appeal of a temporary restraining order, like that granted by the lower court ordering the new map’s use.

Clark granted a temporary restraining order Tuesday to Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in a lawsuit brought by candidates, preventing Hoskins from using any map except for the “Missouri First” map for the November election. Clark ruled that the primary election is integral to the voting process and that switching maps before the general election would cancel primary votes.

Hoskins later announced plans to follow Clark’s order, despite also being ordered not to use the “Missouri First” map by the Missouri Supreme Court.

PNP 8th circuit appealDownload

People Not Politicians argues Clark was wrong and that the 2022 congressional map is the status quo.

“Secretary Hoskins has already sent the certification to [local election authorities] and directed local election clerks to begin implementing the Missouri Supreme Court’s order using the 2022 Map. The TRO does not preserve the status quo; it disrupts it,” PNP wrote in its appeal.

PNP added that a single judge does not have the authority to decide on congressional districts and that the decision required a three-judge panel.

According to Dave Roland, Senior Legal Advisor at the Freedom Center of Missouri, the orders from the state and federal courts may not technically conflict. However, reading them together could leave Missouri unable to use either congressional map, putting the state in uncharted legal territory.

The secretary of state can, in fact, comply with both orders, if he says, ‘All right, we’re not going to use any district maps,’ but who knows how that’s going to work?” Roland said. “This is a completely unprecedented situation, so everyone is flying by the seat of their pants right now, no one is certain exactly how this situation is going to resolve.

The group’s application with the U.S. Supreme Court states that Clark had no jurisdiction to issue the restraining order, that federal courts shouldn’t intervene in ongoing state litigation and that the state is likely to lose its case.

People Not Politicians v. Onder Emergency Stay ApplicationDownload

Meanwhile, the Missouri Supreme Court has ordered Hoskins to appear by 10 a.m. Thursday to defend himself against PNP’s claims that he is in contempt of court for using the 2025 map.

“Although nothing in that order requires the Secretary to use the HB 1 maps, he [Denny Hoskins] immediately announced that he intends to do so,” PNP’s legal team wrote. “The federal court has no authority to overrule the Missouri Supreme Court’s determination that HB 1 is not and hasnever been the law. Nor does anything in the federal court’s order claim to ‘take precedence over the Missouri Supreme Court’s order.’ “

Hoskins, represented by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office, responded by asking the federal court to issue an order overruling the Missouri Supreme Court’s decision.

“Even if the Missouri Supreme Court does not hold the Secretary in contempt, the ongoing voter confusion and disruption of preparations for the November 3, 2026 general election inflict irreparable harm on the State,” the state wrote. “Defendant respectfully requests that the Court resolve the State’s Motion to Enjoin the Missouri Supreme Court as expeditiously as possible.”

The state and People Not Politicians have entered appearances for both the appeals case and the Missouri Supreme Court’s contempt hearing.

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway then filed a motion with the Eastern District court to prevent the Missouri Supreme Court from finding Hoskins in contempt.

The ACLU filed in the Eastern District case, claiming the district court’s temporary restraining order violates federal law.   

These cases come after an almost year-long legal battle between the state and People Not Politicians, with the Missouri Supreme Court ultimately deciding the 2022 congressional map should be in place for the November election and putting the Missouri First map on the ballot for the voters to decide.

The new map — approved by the Republican majority in the Missouri General Assembly last year — targets Missouri’s Fifth Congressional district. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. The new map would fold the district into three others and that would be stretched across several rural areas of the state, giving Republicans an advantage.

The uncertainty over the “true” Missouri map comes less than two months away from the November election, with all county clerks in counties affected by redistricting ordered to hold off on printing ballots by the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities.

The main concern is whether ballots will be available for Sept. 18, when military and overseas ballots are sent out. Full absentee voting is expected to start on Sept. 22.

“Counties that are affected by the redistricting need a final ruling to determine which district and candidates to include on the ballot. Counties that are not affected can proceed with printing ballots,” MACCEA President and Scott County Allen Seabaugh said in a statement.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon told ABC 17 News that the county is doing what they can, including setting polling locations and training election judges.

Moniteau County Clerk Roberta Elliott also said that her office was prepared to personally receive the completed ballots from their printing vendors instead of getting them shipped to the office by mail.

Callaway County Clerk Ronda Miller added, “Our vendors that print our ballots will be working around the clock to get ballots printed once this is all determined.”

“We’re hoping to be able to have everything finalized because we don’t really want to end up in a situation where the balance changes after absentee voting has started,” Lennon said, “It’s certainly not ideal and I think that it will probably cause some additional heartburn in trying to make up the time.”

Click here to follow the original article.