Category: kmiz-local-news

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri closed its bid portal on Friday for companies looking to shoot their shot at enhancing game day experiences.

The university has laid out three zones with eight properties on university land as potential commercial development sites.

There will be three development zones:

Development Zone No. 1: North Campus/Central Business District

Fifth and Locust Street North

Fifth and Locust Street South

10th and Locust Street

Hitt and Paquin Street

University Avenue

Development Zone No. 2: Campus Core

Flat Branch Creek

Stadium Boulevard and Tiger Avenue

Stadium Boulevard and College Avenue

Development Zone No. 3: Athletic Sports Complex

Hearnes Complex

Gustin Golf Course

A map provided by the University of Missouri shows proposed development zones.

According to university bid documents, MU would consider selling the sites included in Zone 1. Zones 2 and 3 would be offered as lease agreements.

The university will prioritize projects that generate significant revenue, either through upfront funds or over time through ongoing payments. It’s also looking for something that could work as a year-round commercial development for university and community members.

Projects proposed within the MU Athletics Sports Complex should look to elevate MU Athletics above other schools.

The university does not want any of its own money to be committed to the projects or any projects that require the use of bonds and stipends.

Developers will have to consider building removal or redevelopment on some sites. However, in Zone 3, the university has made it a requirement that the Hearnes Center should be considered a central part of any development plans for that site and that its current functions must not be impacted.

The university also wants developers to assume no connection to campus utilities and plan for independent utility use. Developers will also have to provide information on potential traffic impacts as well as parking impacts if their proposal falls into a zone that could alter MU’s parking portfolio.

University officials will narrow down their list of bids by Feb. 6 and start an interview process. The final selection will be made around March or April.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Department of Justice is asking Missouri and nine other states to sign an agreement that would require the state to remove registered voters from the rolls within 45 days of the DOJ’s request, according to the Democratic National Committee.

The DNC sent a letter Friday morning to the Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, informing him that the agreement potentially violates voter rights laws.

The Secretary’s office said in an email to ABC 17 News that it has not received the letter as of 11 a.m. on Friday, and that Missouri does not have an agreement with the DOJ.

missouri dnc letterDownload

DNC Litigation Director Dan Freeman wrote in the letter that the DOJ’s proposal is illegal under the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act because it shortens the amount of time voters have to be notified of removal from the voter registration roll, and it allows the DOJ access to sensitive, personal information.

Under law, county election authorities verify voter addresses every other year by sending mail to the registered address, according to Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon. If that mail comes back, it’s an indication that the voter has moved.

From there, the county follows up with the voter to find their new address, Lennon said. If the voter doesn’t respond to that, the voter is then considered “inactive.”

The voter would remain inactive until they update their information and can vote after doing so, Lennon said. If the voter has two federal elections to do so, which is about four years.

The DOJ’s proposal would shorten that four-year window to 45 days.

“The real issue here is that federal law prohibits that type of immediate removal without safeguards for the voters to make sure, you know–database matches make mistakes and make sure that people don’t lose their rights,” Freeman told ABC 17 News.

Freeman also argues that signing the agreement could cause issues as primary and general election days inch closer because voting laws restrict voter removal to, at the latest, 90 days before either election.

Missouri’s primary election is slated for Aug. 5, with the general election following on Nov. 4.

Freeman said Friday afternoon that he hasn’t received any indication that Hoskins has received his letter.

“We’re hoping through this letter that we’ll explain to some secretaries that they shouldn’t sign this MOU under these particular requirements because they’re just running straight at a violation of federal law,” Freeman said.

The DNC received a copy of the Department of Justice’s memorandum of understanding, the agreement, from Colorado, and is assuming the DOJ sent similar versions to other states like Missouri.

Freeman said he doesn’t know why the department wants voter rolls and the power to control which voters stay eligible. He also said it could be used to manipulate who gets to vote because Democrats tend to move and change addresses more often than Republicans.

“If you are undermining the protections for people who move around and just knocking them off the rolls, you’re probably taking eligible U.S. citizens, and you’re denying their voting rights, and you’re helping Republicans to win elections by not letting Democrats vote,” he said.

“As part of their big government power grab, Donald Trump and Pam Bondi want to force states to hand over their voter files so that the Trump administration can create a national database with sensitive personal information like driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, and party affiliation, opening the door to privacy concerns and further political retribution,” DNC Chair Ken Martin wrote in a statement.

The DNC has requested the agreement and names of voters who were removed under the proposed agreement from the Secretary’s Office.

Freeman said these documents and information could help the DNC in any lawsuits they pursue against states that violate voting rights.

“We’re also letting them (secretaries of state) that if they start purging voters illegally, we have their eyes on them,” Freeman said. “We’re asking them for the information that we would need to bring a lawsuit, and we will be ready if they start violating voter rights.”

The DNC also sent letters to nine other states that are in similar discussions with the DOJ.

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Matthew Sanders

The United States this week has found itself suffering from two violent encounters between civilians and federal agents.

In the first, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot dead a 37-year-old woman (with ties to Kansas City) in Minneapolis on Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, two people were shot in Portland, Oregon, by Customs and Border Protection agents.

In both cases, federal authorities and the Trump administration are at odds with local and state officials — governors and mayors have said they don’t trust what they’re hearing from Washington, D.C.

Some blame the violence on the left interfering with law enforcement. Others say the violence is caused by the invasion of local communities by federal agents, who are meant more to intimidate than to protect.

Either way, do you think more violence involving federal agents is coming? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Montgomery County Commission has approved tax breaks for the upcoming Amazon data center.

Presiding Commissioner Ryan Poston said on Thursday that the breaks were unanimously approved last week by the commission.  

“As this process continues, we’re encouraged by the meaningful benefits this project could deliver, including new construction and long-term technology jobs, expanded opportunities for local contractors and small businesses, and sustainable tax revenue that supports schools, public safety, and essential community services,” an Amazon spokesman wrote in a Thursday statement.

A pair of data centers have been proposed in the county have seen strong pushback from residents, who have gathered at multiple public meetings to voice concerns on the environmental affects and more. Most questions during a Dec. 8 town hall were left unanswered.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two people have been injured in a shooting in Portland, Oregon, that involved Customs and Border Patrol agents, the FBI’s Portland office announced in a Thursday evening social media post.

The FBI office wrote that its agency is investigating an agent who was involved in the shooting near the 10000 block of Main Street in Portland. The shooting occurred at 2:15 p.m. local time, or 4:15 p.m. central time. The FBI has since deleted the tweet.

ABC News reported that two people were shot “by federal agents.” Public media in Portland reported that a City Council session was interrupted for a security concern. The meeting’s interruption can be found on the city’s YouTube page.

A City Councilman in Portland wrote on Blue Sky that “Everyone is okay at City Hall right now. More will be shared asap.”

The City of Portland shared on its social media that a man and a woman were found with gunshot wounds and that their conditions are currently unknown. Local police were not involved in the shooting and officers used a tourniquet. Both people were brought to a hospital.

The city says the patients were found about eight miles from the site of the shooting.

“Officers have determined the two people were injured in the shooting involving federal agents,” the post says.

The shooting comes a day after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests have occurred throughout the country since Wednesday’s shooting.

“We are still in the early stages of this incident,” Portland Police Chief Bob Day was quoted in the city’s release. “We understand the heightened emotion and tension many are feeling in the wake of the shooting in Minneapolis, but I am asking the community to remain calm as we work to learn more.”

The Department of Homeland Security alleged in a social media post that the victims in the shooting are undocumented immigrants from Venezuela and accused them of being affiliated with a gang. DHS claims the driver of the vehicle tried to hit the agents with their vehicle and agents fired in self-defense, a similar claim DHS made in the Minnesota shooting, which has been disputed by legal experts.

“I’m familiar with the statement [made by DHS]. I cannot say if that is the case,” Day said at a Thursday evening press conference. “I don’t have any information that would link that [ a Venezuelan gang operating in the city] at this time.”

A spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau said during a press conference that it is not known if the shooting was “an immigration-related event.” The FBI is leading the investigation.

“Portland is not a training ground for militarized agents.” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said. “There was a time we could take them [the federal government] at their word,” but he claimed “that is no longer the case.”

Wilson called on ICE to leave the city, a sentiment shared by Minneapolis’ mayor a day before. Wilson then called on ICE agents to be “fully investigated.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said the shooting was “instigated by the Trump administration” and claimed agents at the DHS are “shattering trust.”

Kotek said no one died and that no one else was injured in the shooting.

“The priority right now is a full, completed investigation, not more detentions,” Kotek said.

At 2:19 PST, US Border Patrol agents were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in Portland, Oregon. The passenger of the vehicle and target is a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and involved in a recent shooting in…

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 9, 2026

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia woman who was charged with 29 counts of animal abuse has been denied her requests for a change of venue and a bond.

Melissa Sanders, 26, on Dec. 29 had asked a judge to give her a bond and to change the venue of her case. Judge Joshua Devine declined both requests on Wednesday. Sanders has a hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20. She is being held at the Phelps County Jail.

Sanders ran Magnum Opus German Shepherds and a number of dead dogs, including a dozen dog skulls, were found at the property of the business when law enforcement served a search warrant, according to court documents in previous reporting. Several malnourished dogs were also found at the property.

Court documents say at least two living dogs that were found were on the brink of death.

The living dogs were turned over to the Central Missouri Humane Society after Sanders was arrested. A number of the dogs have been returned to their owners, while others are being fostered.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an extension of expired Affordable Care Act subsidies Thursday — the same subsidies that led to the longest-ever government shutdown last year.

The House passed the legislation 230-196, with many Republican members defecting to join Democrats to approve the bill. Not among them was Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raytown), who represents parts of Mid-Missouri, including areas of Columbia and Boone County.

“Extending this broken system without reforms would cost taxpayers more than $90 billion while hiding the true cost of Obamacare at a time when the U.S. government already spends more per capita on health care than any other developed nation,” Alford wrote in a statement posted on social media. “Instead of continuing to enrich insurance companies at the expense of patient care, we should fix what’s broken and lowering care costs instead of expanding wasteful government spending.”

The issue was forced to the floor after members signed a petition to force House Speaker Mike Johnson to put the bill to a vote. It now goes to the Senate.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would increase the country’s deficit by about $80 billion over a decade, but would provide insurance coverage for millions of people.

None of Missouri’s six Republican House members voted for the bill.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Eldon man was charged on Wednesday in Miller County after he allegedly sent revenge porn to his ex-wife.

Brad Hulsey, 51, was charged with nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images. He was arrested on Wednesday and bonded out of jail at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, according to Miller County Jail records. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.

The probable cause statement says the woman went to the Eldon Police Department on Monday and claimed Hulsey was sending her pornographic images from a new phone. Court documents claim Hulsey had threatened to send the images of the woman to members or her family.

The next day, the woman dropped off a thumb drive that had several messages from Hulsey that were allegedly related to him sending the photos, the statement says.

Hulsey was interviewed by police on Wednesday and allegedly claimed that he sent the images because he was mad that he could not see his child, the statement says. Police wrote they had to restrain Hulsey at some point during the interview.

Police then wrote that they have responded to “multiple calls for service in reference” to Hulsey having a dispute with the victim.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged with a felony on Thursday after he led authorities on a chase Wednesday between Columbia and Hallsville, court documents say.

Anthony Orourke, 52, was charged with aggravated fleeing. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond and a court date has not been scheduled.

He was sentenced to five years of probation in 2023 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of felony stealing. A probation violation was reported in December and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The probable cause statement says a Flock camera had detected Orourke’s vehicle near Ballenger Lane and Clark Lane. Orourke stopped at a Casey’s location on Clark Lane and while Orourke went back to his vehicle, police told him to stop, the statement says. Orourke allegedly told the cop he had a gun and the officer tried to pull open the driver’s side door of the vehicle while Orourke was in the driver’s seat, the statement says.

The officer then wrote that he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Orourke while he gave commands, but Orourke drove away, the statement says.

The chase went up to Hallsville and back toward Columbia before Orourke drove into a field, court documents say. The statement says a K-9 bit Orourke before Orourke was taken into custody.

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Euphenie Andre

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Carlos Graham is the newest member of the Jefferson City Board of Education.

Graham was unanimously picked by the board to take the open seat left by former board President Erika Leonard. The board made its decision by a public vote during its Thursday night meeting.

Graham was sworn in immediately following the vote and wasted no time stepping into his new role. Moments after taking the oath, he took his seat at the board table, officially beginning his service.

“I just really want to work with the current board members and see what issues are out there, if any,” Graham said. “And make sure that our students are prepared to go to the next level.”

Leonard retired in December, saying she wanted to dedicate more time to her family and career. Following her resignation, the board opened the application process to fill the vacant seat from Dec. 11 through Jan. 7. Two candidates applied during that period: Graham and Ryan Towner.

Towner congratulated Graham following the decision.

“I’ve worked with Carlos on a couple other city commissions. He’s great. He’ll do a great job, and I congratulate him for winning,” Towner said.

Towner is also running for a seat in the April election.

“I think it is important that Jefferson City is distinguished from other schools. I think it’s important that everybody that grows up here returns and continues to give back, especially those that live here,” Towner said.

Graham has two daughters who graduated from Jefferson City High School. He has worked at Lincoln University in roles that include residential life director and interim chief of staff.

“I think our role is to make sure that our school district is promoting students who are ready to prepare for college,” Graham said. “Our teachers do a great job, and it’s about providing the support they need to help students get to that next level.”

Graham is also involved in local public service organizations and was recently awarded the Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award in 2024.

“I’m just very excited to be a part of this,” Graham said. “I want to thank the school board members for having the faith and confidence in me. I promise to do the best of my ability while serving in this role.”

Although Towner was not selected for the vacant school board seat Thursday, his application showed extensive professional and community experience.

Towner is the owner and the president of Towner Communication Systems Inc. He holds degrees in psychology and philosophy and a master’s degree in business administration. He has been on the city’s Transportation and Traffic Commission and the United Way’s fund allocation committee. He has also spent time of the advisory boards of the Nichols Career Center, State Tech, the Salvation Army and the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce.

“Being a product of public school, I’d like for my kids and other kids to have the same positive experience I did,” Towner wrote in his application. “[Two] of my five kids are new to public school and I want to help educate others about how amazing JC schools are today. I believe the district is moving in the right direction and I want to help further that with all kids. I believe my experience will help me in assisting the district.”

Trent Vallandingham, who is running for the Jefferson City School Board in April, was also in attendance at Thursday night’s meeting. Vallandingham said he is seeking a seat in the spring election because he wants to serve his community.

“I went to Jeff City schools from all the way from elementary through high school.” Vallandingham said. “Both my parents were teachers. My dad was a coach in the district as well under Pete Atkins. So, you know, just really want to get back to the district,”

Graham will serve the rest of Leonard’s term, which runs through April 2027.

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