Author: KMIZ

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boone County dog breeder pleaded not guilty Monday to dozens of counts of animal abuse charges after a grand jury indictment.

Melissa Sanders, 26, is facing 29 counts of felony animal abuse after she was previously charged with three felonies and 15 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse.

Sanders’ new attorney, Andrew Russek of the Combs Waterkotte law firm, told ABC 17 News on Sunday that Sanders would enter a plea of not guilty on the new charges. He also said he plans to request an evidentiary hearing on a continued request for bond.

Sanders’ next hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Jan 6. Judge Joshua Devine will also consider her bond request during that hearing.

Sanders remains in the Phelps County jail on no bond.

Sanders ran Magnum Opus German Shepherds, a breeding, training and boarding facility in Boone County. In November, law enforcement found several malnourished dogs and several dead dogs during a search of Sanders’ property. Nearly a dozen dog skulls and countless other dog remains were also found in the search.

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Matthew Sanders

Americans don’t seem to feel very good about the economy these days.

A Gallup poll on the country’s economic confidence at the start of December showed its worst numbers since the inflation-heavy Biden presidency. Affordability has come to dominate politics, with concerns about lagging poll numbers sending President Donald Trump on the road to talk about his economic policies.

Meanwhile, the economy continues to show red flags, such as increasing unemployment and continuing inflation.

How are you feeling about the economy going into 2026? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Minimum wage workers across Missouri will soon see a boost in their paychecks.

In November 2024, voters approved Proposition A, a ballot measure designed to raise the state’s minimum wage and provide earned paid sick leave for certain workers. As part of that measure, Missouri’s minimum wage will increase from $13.75 to $15 an hour in 2026.

The increase was initially set to begin annually starting in 2027, but that was repealed over the summer along with the earned paid sick leave requirement, through House Bill 567.

Several workers told ABC 17 News the increase will still make a meaningful difference.

Julian Horton, who recently started working at a Jimmy John’s, said the pay cut compared to his previous jobs has been difficult.

“It definitely needs to go up,” Horton said. “We’ve been stuck at $13 for a while, and I think a lot of people here aren’t making enough money.”

By 2026, Missouri’s minimum wage will have increased by $7.35 over the past 11 years.

Missouri Minimum Wage History:

2015: $7.65

2016: $7.65

2017: $7.70

2018: $7.85

2019: $8.60

2020: $9.45

2021: $10.30

2022: $11.15

2023: $12.00

2024: $12.30

2025: $13.75

2026: $15.00

However, not all employers are required to follow the state’s minimum wage law. According to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, small retail or service businesses earning less than $500,000 annually are exempt and may pay workers below the state minimum wage.

“Some companies don’t make enough money to afford that,” Mike Emfinger, employee for Rally House Sports. “But for the ones that do, they should absolutely be paying employees for the hard work they do every day.”

According to the Department of Labor, an employer is allowed to lower an employee’s pay under the law. However, employers covered by Missouri’s Minimum Wage Law or the federal Fair Labor Standards Act cannot reduce wages below the state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher.

Missouri law also requires employers to give workers written notice at least 30 days before any pay cut takes effect. If an employer fails to provide that notice, it must pay each affected employee $50. Employees can recover that money by filing a private lawsuit if the employer does not pay voluntarily.

Kabul Market, a family-owned Afghan market in downtown Columbia, opened four months ago. Workers there said while the wage increase may not affect them, they support higher pay for employees.

Meanwhile, Missouri continues to rank among the lowest cost-of-living states in the country, placing sixth lowest nationwide, behind Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, and Kansas.

Costs vary widely across Missouri, with Joplin ranking among the least expensive cities, while Springfield ranks as the most expensive. Joplin falls below the state’s overall cost-of-living index, while St. Louis, Columbia, and Springfield are among the highest-cost cities in the state.

According to the latest state data, Missouri’s cost of living index for Q3 2025 was 89.0, with housing costs significantly lower than the national average of 100.

Even with the low living costs being reported, some workers said that there is still a daily struggle.

“I know a lot of people are barely getting by,” Horton said. “Food prices keep going up, and that’s hitting people really hard.”

Missouri’s job market is continuing to grow with private industries, like fast food and retail, adding 4,400 jobs. Government employment also increased by 13,900 jobs. Overall, the state added nearly 49,000 jobs over in past year, with the biggest gains in education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and government jobs.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

A 22-year-old Elkand woman was seriously injured in a crash Friday evening, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

At around 11:05 p.m., a woman, driving with a 27-year-old Pleasant Hope man, was going westbound on I-44 near mile 152 in a 2004 Ford Expedition.

The pair drove into the other lane and hit the driver’s side of a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 62-year-old woman from O’Fallon, Illinois. The Ford then veered left off the road, flipping and hitting the barrier.

The 22-year-old was driven to Mercy Hospital in Lebanon with serious injures; she was not wearing a seatbelt.

The Ford was totaled while the Chevrolet had moderate damage.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

At least three lawsuits ask Missouri judges to quickly decide on redistricting cases ahead of the candidate filing date of Feb. 24.

This follows some confusion as to which congressional map is currently in effect. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins said the new congressional map took effect on Dec. 11.

However, a couple of days earlier, a group backing a referendum to get the new map on the 2026 ballot turned in signatures and claimed the new map is suspended until either Hoskins denies the validity of the referendum or voters decide on it.

The new congressional map is likely to flip U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver’s (D-Kansas City) district to Republican.

At least three lawsuits filed in separate circuit courts argue that a judge needs to clear up the confusion so that there’s clarity for candidates running for congressional districts and voters in those districts.

Two lawsuits were filed in Jackson County. One argues that the new map is unconstitutional because it places one precinct in two districts, and the other argues that the new map isn’t compact.

These lawsuits are set for a four-day trial starting Jan. 26, according to a court document. Both parties have requested a decision before the filing period opens.

The third lawsuit was filed by a group of four voters across the state, with all but one voter landing in a different district under the new map.

The voters argue redistricting mid-decade is unconstitutional, and a Cole County judge ruled in favor of the state, saying the Missouri Constitution doesn’t expressly prohibit mid-decade redistricting.

The voters are appealing that decision, and asking a Missouri Supreme Court judge to decide on the case so that voters and candidates know which district they’re in, according to a court document.

A spokesperson from the Secretary of State’s Office told ABC 17 News on Thursday that the new map is in effect, and the office is waiting on map data from the Missouri Office of Administration.

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Keriana Gamboa

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mexico man gave away more than 170 bikes on Saturday to kids in the community with the hope of spreading holiday cheer.

“I wanted to give 20 bikes away for Christmas, and it just blew up,” said Richard Mahoney. “I’m at 175 right now.”

Over just six weeks Richard Mahoney collected the bikes, many of them used, and personally refurbished them. As word spread, community members joined in, donating bike seats, tassels, and decorations to make each bike feel brand new.

Amy Jackson, Mahoney’s daughter, drove up from Texas for Christmas but also stepped in to lend a hand.

“I knew he was going to be overwhelmed,” Jackson said. “It was going to be a little more than just a few bikes and a few kids, so I wanted to make sure I could be here to guide him along,” Jackson said. 

Mahoney explained his idea all stemmed from one act of kindness. It was a simple gesture when he bought a bike for a little girl he noticed at Walmart. He told her he was going to buy a bike for his granddaughter and needed her help. 

“We rode three bikes in Walmart and I bent down on my knee and I said I want to thank you for helping me I’m going to buy this bike for my granddaughter. Then I turned around and told her mom and said I’m going to also buy it for your daughter,” Mahoney said. The girl’s mother then shared the moment on Facebook and the post quickly went viral.

Next year, Mahoney said he hopes to fill the entire Mexico Elks Lodge room with bikes, aiming to give away 500 bikes to local children. A local radio station will also help set up a bank account to accept donations, according to Mahoney.

Mahoney and his daughter are also encouraging families to bring back bikes their children have outgrown so they can be refurbished and passed along to other kids. Kids that recieved bikes tell ABC 17 News they were full of excitement.

“I like the bike, it has really cute designs,” Rhylynn Couch said. 

“I love how the hearts and the words come together because they’re so cute,” Lelani Burton said. 

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Olivia Hayes

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 36-year-old man from O’Fallon, MO is dead after drowning in the Lake of the Ozarks, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The MSHP drowning report, said the man was last seen on a dock at the 40.1 mile marker of the Osage at the lake. He is believed to have entered the water by an unknown means and then later reported missing.

The man’s body was recovered by state troopers around 8:30 Saturday morning in the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

MSHP does not release the name of the victim in their reports.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The national unemployment rate is at its highest point in nearly four years at 4.6% recorded last month, and hiring trends are slowing as thousands of college graduates prepare to enter the workforce.

The U.S. unemployment rate has ticked up since hitting a 54-year low of 3.4% in April 2023, reflecting a modest slowing in the labor market. In September, the rate rose to 4.4%, while the number of Americans working or actively seeking work increased by 323,000, according to AP.

Officials said October data isn’t available due to the federal shutdown, leaving the full picture for last month unclear.

The University of Missouri will celebrate more than 1,800 graduates over the weekend, awarding 1,339 bachelor’s degrees, 380 master’s degrees and 99 doctoral degrees, according to a university press release.

Reports show more than 100,000 jobs were lost in October, many of those losses are connected to the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history that was happening around that same time. While the country added 64,000 jobs last month, experts said the overall labor market is losing momentum. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said hiring hasn’t been as strong as the numbers suggest, noting the labor market is slowing and could appear weaker in the months ahead.

Several students who graduated Saturday from the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources told ABC 17 News they don’t have jobs lined up yet and are still figuring out their next steps.

Anna Fairchild said she hasn’t secured a position yet but plans to apply for exercise physiologist jobs in cardiac rehab at hospitals. A few years down the line, she hopes to return to school for her Master’s in Public Health. Fairchild plans to take about a year and a half break before pursuing that path.

“I want to take a gap year to figure it out, make sure that’s really what I want to do, and then find the right school and make sure I’m on the right path,” Fairchild said.

She described the current job market as “scary,” a sentiment shared by fellow graduate Rhiannon Brune.

“I definitely think it’s very tough,” Brune said. “Having a master’s degree necessarily isn’t enough anymore to get an entry-level position.”

Around 162,000 government employees left their positions at the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, contributing to the decline.

Since March, monthly job growth has averaged just 35,000 jobs. However, that’s half the pace that was reported earlier this year, when monthly gains averaged 71,000 per month.

Economists point to ongoing uncertainty with President Donald Trump’s tariffs, along with the lingering effects of high interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve in 2022 and 2023. These factors are believed to be making employers more hesitant to hire.

As the job market cools, new graduates are adjusting their plans.

“I have an insurance job lined up, but I’m focusing on opening up my own personal training business,” said Rhiannon Brune, a graduate.

Another graduate, Norah Piurc, said she has secured work in the Midwest.

“I’ll be working as a research and development scientist at Good Foods Group in Wisconsin,” Piurc said.

Other graduates, including Katherine Reiter and Alayna Burke, plan to continue their education. Reiter will begin her doctorate at Logan University in January. Burke said she will attend physical therapy school at Washington State University.

Health care drove job growth in November, with employers adding more than 46,000 jobs, making up over two-thirds of all private-sector created last month. Construction followed with 28,000 new positions, while manufacturing continued to struggle, losing 5,000 jobs for the seventh consecutive month.

“I really liked my exercise physiology courses and kinesiology, and that kind of sparked my interest to work with patients and work with human movement,” Burke said.

Officials said the growing use of AI and other technologies is adding to the uncertainty by potentially cutting the need for workers.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri is set to award more than 1,800 degrees as students walk across the stage during the winter commencement ceremonies.

Commencement started Friday with five ceremonies, and it will wrap up Saturday with another five.

This is the schedule for Saturday:

8:30 a.m. Sinclair School of Nursing, Jesse Auditorium

11 a.m. Missouri School of Journalism, Jesse Auditorium

12 p.m. College of Engineering, Hearnes Center

3 p.m. College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Hearnes Center

4 p.m. College of Education & Human Development, Jesse Auditorium

The university is awarding 1,339 bachelor’s degrees, 380 master’s degrees and 99 doctoral degrees, according to a university press release. Some students are receiving more than one degree.

Over 480 students are graduating with an Honors Certificate, and more than 420 students are graduating with credits from Mizzou Online, according to the release.

MU live streams of Saturday’s ceremonies and recorded live streams of Friday’s ceremonies are available on the university’s website.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri state lawmaker is pursuing legislation aimed at limiting superintendent payouts and protecting taxpayers, building on a proposal originally put forward by Columbia Public Schools.

State Rep. John Martin (R-Boone County) was in attendance for a November Columbia Board of Education meeting when he first heard that it was a legislative priority for CPS. 

“That was something that interested me. I thought it’s a good concept, especially on saving as far as taxpayer dollars and a good use of taxpayer dollars,” Martin said. 

Martin is now working on legislation that would limit superintendent buyouts to no more than one year’s salary statewide. 

This comes after the Francis Howell School District made a costly private deal to pay former superintendent Mike Dominguez, $229,166.67 to step away. The only problem, Dominguez didn’t work a day for the district and took a job as Oklahoma’s Shawnee Public Schools assistant superintendent. 

“I think there will be some pushback because that’s not the norm right now. Most districts, the norm is a three-year contract, or even in the City of St. Louis, there’s actually a five-year contract,” Martin said. “[Columbia Public Schools] they’re looking for a uniformity to help them in future negotiations as well.”

In October, CPS submitted a proposal at the Missouri School Boards’ Association Fall Delegation Assembly asking to support legislation to limit superintendent payouts upon separation to no more than one year’s salary to protect taxpayers. 

The district said in its proposal that using “taxpayer dollars to give six-figure payouts is not fiscally responsible” and that “boards across the state are faced with difficult decisions every year when negotiating with superintendents who are missing the mark.” The district went on to say that because most superintendent contracts are three-year rolling deals, any attempts to terminate or reach a settlement come with a price tag. 

CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark told ABC 17 News that MSBA passed their proposal as one of its legislative priorities.

“I think the board really felt strongly about what that means for school districts across the state. So you might look at Columbia Public Schools, obviously, with superintendent contracts,” Baumstark said. “When we separated from our previous superintendent,  there were some financial obligations related to that contract. The contract is written according to state law. So there are some requirements. And so this would be changing what current state law requires school districts to do. There were several school districts in the last two years that have been caught in that requirement under state law for payouts to superintendents that they have separated with.”

The proposal comes after a dispute with former Superintendent Brian Yearwood in November 2024. Initially, Yearwood announced in August that he had been diagnosed with cancer. However, months later, the district announced that he was retiring and paid him $667,268.90 in public dollars in a separation agreement. His cancer diagnosis was not mentioned in his resignation letter.

Yearwood then began applying for other jobs and ended up being named the superintendent of a school district in Louisville, Kentucky.

When CPS hired Jeff Klein as its superintendent, it included language in his contract to limit any payouts to twelve months of salary, something it would like to make uniform across the state. 

“I am grateful their current superintendent, Dr. Klein, he’s agreed to, you a one-year buyout if that would happen. So I think that’s good.  They already have that in place and wanting to see that statewide so I’m willing to support that and at least float that legislation out there and debate it down in Jefferson City,” Martin said. 

CPS is now pushing for a change in legislation to that it feels will benefit smaller districts who may not have the resources to limit the financial risk of buying out a superintendent contract. In its proposal to MSBA, the district wrote: 

“Our board discussed that although we are typically in favor of local control in most situations, we could not think of a time that a local board would prefer to pay more money than less to a superintendent upon separation or termination.” 

Martin said his legislation would not cap a superintendent’s salary, but would limit the number of years a buyout can cover. He said he is currently researching what other states have done and began talking to officials across the state to see if the proposed legislation would be doable. 

“I have talked to some lawmakers. I’ve gotten some pros and cons. And so I I’m not saying it is a done deal,  but I think it’s something that’s noteworthy to look into,  especially again, from that standpoint of wise use of money,” Martin said. “Columbia Schools was in a bad spot. There were a lot of obviously taxpayers that were very upset about that type of a buyout from their previous superintendent. So if I can protect those taxpayer dollars and assist schools in that, I think that’s a positive.” 

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