Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who was charged with manslaughter in a fatal crash from November is facing a wrongful death lawsuit in Boone County.

Kyshonda Williams, 30, was arrested last week in Tennessee on a warrant for the Boone County charges. She is charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor reckless driving and misdemeanor failure to yield in the death of Ethan Cash.

Cash, 25, was killed after Williams crashed a Dodge Charger into Cash’s motorcycle on Nov. 2 on South Range Line Street near Kennesaw Ridge Road, court documents say. The probable cause statement says Cash tried to avoid Williams as she turned left, but a collision occurred.

Williams was not listed on the Boone County Jail roster on Tuesday evening and an order extradite her from Shelby County, Tennessee was filed after her arrest by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in Boone County by Cash’s mother and the mother of Cash’s child. The lawsuit accuses Williams of negligence causing a wrongful death.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The three incumbents in the Columbia Board of Education race retained their seats on Tuesday.

April Ferrao (6,537 votes), John Lyman (6,218) and Paul Harper (6,183) kept their seats against challenger Dr. Keary Husain (2,759).

“Paul, April and I have talked every single day, I think, for the last three plus years, so we’ve got a really good relationship,” Lyman told ABC 17 News shortly after the results were finalized. “We still battle and bicker about things. You know, but it’s it’s been a fun ride with him the last three years and looking forward to the next three.”

Columbia Public Schools faces ongoing conversations about school safety, student attendance, and potential funding challenges. All four candidates have pointed to improving how the district tracks and responds to bullying as a key issue, alongside broader efforts to maintain safe learning environments.

Incumbents have largely campaigned on continuing recent progress within the district, citing improvements in attendance and academic performance. 

“I think we just want to keep the momentum we’ve been going the last three years. You know, as you know, I’ve been working on policies, and I want to continue that policy work. I want to make sure that all of our policies are solid and I hope to finish that work in the next year,” Harper said.

In 2023, turnout reached nearly 22%, with more than 26,000 votes cast in a seven-candidate race. That year, Ferrao led all candidates with 43% of the vote, while Lyman received 33%, the lowest among those elected.

“The one difference is I was still doing school board work, so I was putting in a lot of hours at the school board, so I wasn’t able to campaign quite as much this time as last time,” Harper said when asked if there was a difference in his approach to the campaign.

This year, Boone County projected turnout closer to 10%, similar to the 2021 election, when turnout was about 14% and winning candidates needed just over 24% of the vote.

Husain acknowledged the challenge of running against three incumbents.

“It’s an uphill challenge. But I also have been on record saying I’m not running against anyone. I never have been running against anyone this whole time. I’m running for school board because I feel like I belong. And I’ll say that regardless of the results tonight, I’m not going anywhere. I plan on remaining in community service, and if I don’t get elected, I’ll run again,” Husain told ABC 17 News.

Despite falling short, Hasin congratulated all three candidates in a concession letter, but added that he has April, 6, 2027 circled on his calendar, the date of the next municipal election.

“I learned so much during this campaign and met some incredible people along the way at the numerous forums and out in the community. At times it felt like drinking from a fire hose, but the knowledge and understanding I gained was invaluable,” Hussain wrote. “I joked throughout the campaign that I felt like Aaron Burr…I just want to be in the room where it happens, and I look forward to the opportunity to be there in the future.”

April Ferrao

First elected in 2023, Ferrao has emphasized policy development, school safety and community engagement during her time on the board. A former Hickman High School PTA president, she has long been involved in the district through her children, who attended Columbia Public Schools.

Her priorities include improving attendance following pandemic-related declines and continuing updates to the district’s bullying policy to strengthen reporting and support systems. Ferrao has also supported facility upgrades, including security improvements, and has emphasized the importance of community input through listening sessions and district planning efforts.

Paul Harper

Harper’s campaign focused on continuing recent progress, including improvements in teacher pay, working conditions, and academic performance.

He has identified funding as a key issue, pointing to declining federal support and uncertainty in state revenue. Harper said the district is working through long-term planning to address infrastructure needs and potential budget shortfalls. His priorities also include improving attendance, strengthening school safety, and expanding data collection on bullying incidents.

John Lyman

Also elected in 2023, Lyman is a longtime Columbia resident and senior loan officer who has spent about two decades at Veterans United Home Loans. He is a graduate of Columbia Public Schools and the University of Missouri.

Lyman has campaigned on maintaining what he describes as positive momentum in the district, including gains in teacher pay and student performance. He has highlighted financial challenges, particularly deferred maintenance costs, as a major issue. His priorities include responsible budgeting, improving attendance and continuing efforts to increase transparency and community engagement.

Keary Husain

Husain is the only non-incumbent in the race. A Columbia native and graduate of Columbia Public Schools, he is a trauma surgeon by training who spent about two decades working in St. Louis before returning to the area.

He has three children in the district and said his campaign is driven by a desire to give back to the community.

Husain has focused on investing in teachers, improving transparency and strengthening communication between the district and the public. He has also emphasized school safety, equity and the need for better data collection on issues such as bullying.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

President Donald Trump wrote on his social media website on Tuesday afternoon that a ceasefire is imminent with Iran.

Trump had stated earlier in the day on Truth Social that “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

Trump was met with immediate backlash on social media after his morning announcement.

Last week during his address to the nation, Trump had claimed the war with Iran was nearing its end, giving it a two or three-week period.

Trump’s latest post at 5:32 p.m. says a two-week ceasefire with Iran is in the works, pending if Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the strait has been cited as a reason for rising gas prices around the nation and world.

“his will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East. We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate,” Trump wrote online.

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A charter school looking to operate in Boone County has refiled its application.

An item on the Missouri Board of Education’s April meeting agenda says Frontier Schools are looking for the state to approve its application for a STEM academy in Columbia. Saint Louis University had pulled its application in January after receiving guidance from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

DESE is recommending that the state’s Board of Education to Authorize Frontier STEM Academy-Elementary to operate for five years, beginning with the 2027-28 school year.

Columbia Public Schools had filed a lawsuit in December, claiming the establishment of charter schools is unconstitutional and had asked the state board to oppose Frontier. The lawsuit was paused after Saint Louis University rescinded its application. An entry of appearance was last filed on Mach 13.   

Previous reporting shows CPS argues the state’s Republican-led legislature purposely targeted Boone County for the expansion of charter schools through Senate Bill 727, which was signed by Gov. Mike Parson in May 2024.

While SB 727 does not specifically name Boone County, a rule in it mentions that charter schools may be operated only in counties “between 150,000 and 200,000 inhabitants.” Census data indicates Boone is the only county matching this description.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia’s Fifth Ward will have a new representative.

Challenger Christina Hartman defeated incumbent Don Waterman in Tuesday’s election 58% to 42%. Hartman brought in 1,332 votes while Waterman got 981 votes, with a total of 2,313 ballots cast.

Waterman expressed his disappointment at the loss, but congratulated Hartman on the win. He said she hopes she can finish the job on a number of important issues to Ward 5 constituents.

“Let’s finish the transmission line, let’s finish the water tower, let’s finish the push for public safety,” Waterman said. “That’s what she said she was interested in doing, so let’s hope that she follows through with it.”

Both candidates previously told ABC 17 News that infrastructure projects would be a top priority if they’re elected. Long-delayed infrastructure projects, including a water tower in southwest Columbia and an electric transmission line have faced setbacks for nearly a decade.

Hartman said the first issue she planned to address once she is sworn in would be infrastructure.

“Looking at those projects and really trying to make progress happen on them, connecting with the voters to just keep them updated and making sure that their priorities are being represented at council,” Hartman said.

Hartman told ABC 17 News Tuesday that more community engagement and education about the proposed projects will help garner community support.

“I think a lot of the backlash cam came before because they felt caught off guard about the design or structure and where things would be,” Hartman said.

Waterman said Tuesday that the transmission line project is finally moving forward again after a years long standstill and that city leaders need to keep their foot on the gas to not lose momentum.

“Basically, the transmission line, we got a report back from utilities, that’s a preferred route. So now it’s just making sure that we just keep keep the pressure on,” Waterman said.

Other hot topics city-wide include how the city should manage its budget and addressing staffing vacancies in the police and fire departments. Waterman supports the passing of a Public Safety Sale Tax, while Hartman wants to take a closer look at the city’s current spending measures.

At Monday’s City Council meeting council members unanimously passed a Downtown Ambassador Program to further support ongoing public safety efforts. Both Waterman and Hartman shared their support for the program.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction, it’s an established program,” Waterman said. “People think that it’s going to be successful and another step in making Columbia a safer place.”

“That real, preventative action is definitely something I want to see the city continue to take,” Hartman said. “I like that they’re going to have a more connectedness to the community and try to build the relationships at an individual level.”

The candidates also share different perspectives on the city’s role in addressing homelessness. Waterman believes private organizations and local nonprofits are more efficient at administering help than the city. Hartman has advocated for individualized assistance to help people reach their next steps.

Waterman won his election race for Ward 5 over Gregg Bush in 2023 by a margin of fewer than 150 votes out of close to 4,000 cast. This is Hartman’s first time running for a City Council seat.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Both Hartman and Waterman said they have cast their ballots. Waterman hosted a watch party at Southside Pizza and Pub, while Hartman held hers at Las Margaritas on Southampton Drive.

Boone County voters can visit the Boone County Clerk‘s website to find voter information and polling locations.

For more information about Boone County ballot issues, the Columbia Board of Education race or the Columbia City Council Ward 5 race, visit ABC 17’s Voter Guide.

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Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed three bills in his office Tuesday afternoon.

Kehoe signed bills that allow a woman to get a divorce or separation while she is pregnant, one that attempts to cut down on child sexual grooming and one that could make it easier for juveniles to be prosecuted as adults.

The legislative session ends next month.

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Haley Swaino

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County expected a low number of voters to cast their ballots in the municipal election, but higher than in some previous April elections.

About 11% of Cole County voters cast their ballots by 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to Cole County Director of Elections Matt Musselman.

“Normally, we’re around a 10% turnout for an April election,” Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer said. “But since the countywide issue with the taxes on there and several races with school board and stuff like that, we kind of pushed it up to 14%.”

Musselman told ABC 17 News on Monday that there had been 511 total absentee ballots cast so far, with 269 voting in person and 242 occurring by mail. There are 54,498 registered voters in the county.

After making rounds to multiple cities’ polling locations Tuesday morning, Korsmeyer said he was hopeful the county would meet or slightly exceed 14% votership.

Election Day also started smoothly. Only one technical issue was reported across the county.

“I think we had one polling location that the date came up wrong on the machine, so we had to do an override on it. But other than that, it’s been really, really nice,” Korsmeyer said.

He expected another wave of people to vote in the evening, after work hours. He said a chillier start to the morning could also factor in to more voters choosing to head to the polls later in the day.

Cole County voter Carol Roberson said she always votes because it’s important to.

“That’s [voting] the only reason that we have any control over our government,” Roberson said. “And if you complain about the government and don’t go vote, then that’s your fault.”

Seven candidates are battling it out for three spots on the Jefferson City School Board. Roberson said that was something on the ballot she was proud to vote for in this election.

“We need a strong school system here [in Jefferson City]. And the school board is very important,” Roberson said.

Besides some specific city council and school board races, every voter in Cole County had a chance to help decide whether to extend the county’s half-cent sales tax for capital improvements.

The tax money goes to fund work on roads and bridges, including construction, repairs and updates. The county sales tax rate, including the half-cent that was approved in 2021, is 5.6%.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. A list of polling locations and a sample ballot can be found on the county’s website.

Stay tuned to ABC 17 News Tuesday night for live election coverage and results.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County is seeing low voter turnout on Tuesday for the municipal elections.

Voter turnout is about 8% for in-person ballots, which is expected to rise a little more as election officials count the remaining ballots and absentee ballots as well, Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said in an interview Tuesday, about an hour before polls closed.

Tuesday morning, Lennon predicted about 12% of voters would cast ballots. She said there a couple reasons why the actual number didn’t meet expectations.

“I think every April election is a little unique because of the local races that are going to be on it,” Lennon said. “For this particular one, there’s just fewer items on the ballot, it’s not drawing as much attention, I think, for voters, and so it’s hard to kind of break through everything else.”

Lennon posted on X at 10 a.m. that voter turnout was 2.5% for the first four hours the polls were open. Lennon later updated the post, noting voter turnout was 4.3% around 1 p.m.

She updated voter turnout numbers again at 4 p.m. About 6.3% of registered voters have cast a ballot with only a few hours left until polls close at 7 p.m.

Lennon told ABC 17 News on Monday that she expected about 12% of registered voters to turn out for the local election, which includes school board and city council races. She said there are about 121,000 Boone County voters registered for the April election, although one part of the county doesn’t have an election.

Tuesday morning, Lennon said her office had received fewer than 1,000 absentee ballots, which laid the groundwork for turnout on Election Day.

As of 4pm, turnout in Boone County is now at 6.3% (including Election Day voters and in-person absentee voters). Polls are open until 7pm 🗳️ https://t.co/RtnGg1vo2n

— Boone County Clerk (@voteboonemo) April 7, 2026

The April 2024 election saw 16.37% voter turnout, and the April 2025 mayoral election had 25.23% voter turnout. Some Boone County and Columbia voters will decide who gets to sit on the City Council.

Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman is running for reelection, and newcomer Christina Hartman is running against him.

“I hope Christina wins for the Fifth Ward,” voter Traci Wilson-Kleekamp said. “I think she’s forward thinking, and a critical thinker and is engaged in the idea that we need change.”

Voter William Bliss said he likes the incumbent, Waterman.

“I think our incumbent alderman has been doing pretty well, so I don’t have any issues there,” Bliss said.

Another Boone County voter Becky Ulm chose not to share how she voted, but she said local elections are vital.

“Well, every election is important,” Ulm said. “It helps run our community and decides what is going to happen next.”

Some Columbia voters will also get to decide who will sit on the Columbia Board of Education, and Ulm said her vote directly affects her grandson.

“His future depends on what happens in the school system,” Ulm said. “School education is what is important to these kids’ future and the community.”

Boone County voters can visit the Boone County Clerk‘s website to find voter information and polling locations.

For more information about Boone County ballot issues, the Columbia Board of Education race or the Columbia City Council Ward 5 race, visit ABC 17’s Voter Guide.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

It is Election Day in Missouri, and Missourians are preparing to vote on local council and school board races, propositions, and bond issues across the state

Polling locations across the state are open until 7 p.m. Tuesday. To check your local polling location or to see if it has changed, go to your county clerk’s website.

When you arrive at your polling location, you must have a valid ID, which includes:

A non-expired Missouri driver licenses

A Missouri Nondriver’s license that is not expired or does not have an expiration date.

U.S. passport

Military ID

Federal or state-issued document with your photograph and name.

If you do not bring these types of identification with you to the polls, you can still vote by casting a blue provisional ballot. Your vote will be counted if you return to the same polling place before closing with your valid ID or a signature that matches your voter registration.

The county clerks of Mid-Missouri’s two largest counties are expecting low voter turnout on Tuesday.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon told ABC 17 News that she expects 12% of voters to turn out for the election. Boone County has had 1,400 absentee voters, with 900 occurring in person and 500 by mail, Lennon said.

The Cole County Director of Elections, Matt Musselman, told ABC 17 News the county is expecting a 14% turnout. Musselman said there have been 511 total absentee ballots cast so far, with 269 voting in person and 242 occurring by mail.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council on Monday passed several projects to improve Columbia Regional Airport.

The city approved roughly $13.1 million in projects around the airport, with federal funding covering a large portion.

The first of which includes renovations to its northern parking lot, which includes paving the existing lot and adding about 250 more spaces. The city previously stated it expects for the additional parking to be available before head of Allegiant Airlines starting services to Florida in June.

That project will cost $3.2 million, with all of the funding coming from the transportation sales tax, according to city documents.

Another approved project is the construction of a fourth terminal boarding bridge. It will cost $1.8 million, with 90% coming from the Federal Aviation Administration. It will cost the city $60,000 for the design and the 10% match for construction, meeting documents show. The project will take roughly two years to complete.

The city also approved a deicing pad and containment facility project. Meeting documents show 90% of the $4.7 million needed for the project will come from federal funds.

“This system will capture excess deicing fluid (glycol) applied to aircrafts during inclement winter weather, that currently flows into the stormwater system,” document say.

Construction for that project is expected to be done by this winter or spring 2027.

The council also approved the reconstruction of the terminal building loop road from the terminal to Airport Drive. Documents say 90% of the $859,381 needed will come from the FAA.

The city will pay for all of the $828,176 needed for the airport’s new kitchen. Funding will come from the terminal project account.

The city will also spend $1.7 million to rebuild 1.3 miles of Airport Drive. Funding will come from the transportation sales tax.

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