Category: kmiz-local-news

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Blair Oaks bus driver accused of assaulting a student last week will not face charges, the Cole County prosecuting attorney said Wednesday.

“Just clear after reading reports and viewing the video that criminal charges are not appropriate in this case,” Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson said in a written statement.

Thompson said the video appears to show an incident that should be handled by disciplining the bus driver.

Blair Oaks School District said last week that a school resource officer was called by the district’s superintendent in reference to a bus driver assaulting a student. Cole County deputies responded.

The bus driver was not named, though the sheriff’s office said in the release that they were accused of fourth-degree assault.

A Cole County Sheriff’s Office incident report says that a deputy called the student’s stepfather, who referred the deputy to the juvenile’s mother. The deputy left the mother a message on April 1.

Probable cause statementDownload

A probable cause statement submitted to Thompson’s office says the student told a deputy that he had propped his legs up across the aisle. The driver told the student to move his feet, and then kicked his legs when he didn’t, the statement says.

Surveillance video corroborates the victim’s story.

Durham Transportation Services runs the district’s buses.

A spokesperson with the bus company told ABC 17 News in an email that the driver was put on leave before being fired.

Sheriff John Wheeler said the call was relatively routine, and his deputy submitted the case to the prosecutor for review. He said he was not surprised no charges were filed.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Terminology has been corrected in the headline and story.

MU Health Care’s operating margin for the current fiscal year remains well below budget.

The health care group posted a $56 million budget shortfall between the start of the University of Missouri’s fiscal year from July through February. The report will be presented to the Board of Curators’ Health Affairs Committee on Thursday.

According to numbers in documents created for the UM System’s Board of Curators, finances come in at $45.4 million behind budget in Columbia and $10.8 million behind in Jefferson City.

The Columbia operations saw a profit of $4.3 million, while Jefferson City operations saw a $3.4 million loss.

“MU Health Care, like many health systems nationwide, is feeling financial pressure largely due to higher labor and supply costs, along with the lingering effects of last year’s out‑of‑network period with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield,” MU Health Care Spokesperson Eric Maze said in a statement.

The biggest expenses were seen in “supplies” and “other expenses,” with overall budgets going over by $19.2 million and $33.9 million, respectively.

Maze adds that revenue has been improving and the group developed a financial revenue plan that “focuses on increasing access and patient throughput, reducing labor and supply expenses and strengthening quality and efficiency.”

MU Health Care did not respond to questions about details of the plan or whether workforce cuts are being considered.

Both unions LiUNA and the Missouri Nurses Association both report they have not heard of any layoff discussions involving MU Health Care or between their members.

However, union leaders are making their stance clear. LIUNA Local 955 representative Andrew Hutchinson said “We do not believe there is any fat to trim or corners to cut when it comes to service and maintenance workers at MU Health Care. Our essential workers are already stretched thin as it is.”

According to prior reporting, MU Health Care reported a $45 million operating gain for the first half of fiscal year 2025. Jefferson City operations at Capital Regional Medical Center also turned a profit with a $4.2 million operating gain.

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Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Michelle Rodemeyer, Gretchen Duckworth and Kris Scheperle won the three open spots of the Jefferson City Board of Education on Tuesday over Cierra Griffin, Trent Vallandingham, Ryan Towner and James Kindred Sr.

“I’m excited to get to work,” Rodemeyer said. I’m honored by the trust our community has placed in me and I’m committed to serving the entire district and our teachers and support staff.”

“I just want to thank everyone in Jefferson City and Holt Summit that trusted me with your vote,” Duckworth said. “I’m going to continue to work hard for you, our students, our families and our community.”

Hot topics for the board have included teacher retention, rising expenses and student behavior. Candidates also have varying focuses ranging from AI use in classes to mental health support and student attendance.

April’s election follows the departure of President Erika Leonard in January and outgoing members Brad Bates, Scott Hovis and Suzanne Luther.

ABC 17 News reached out to all the candidates on Tuesday morning. Vallandingham, Towner, and Duckworth reported voting the morning of election day. Griffin and Duckworth cast their ballots during early voting the week prior.

Griffin, Duckworth and Rodemeyer are also hosting watch parties. Griffin’s takes place at Indigo Buffalo, Duckworth’s is at Towne Grill and Rodemeyer is hosting at West Main Pizza.

For more information on the Jefferson City Board of Education race, visit ABC 17’s Voter Guide.

Scheperle was unable to be reached for comment.

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Matthew Sanders

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ELECTION RESULTS

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Voters in the Moberly School District approved an $11.5 million bond issue to improve facilities.

The issue was approved by a vote of 723-270 on Tuesday.

Randolph County voters also approved the extension of a countywide sales tax.

Boone County’s Southern Boone School District also approved a bond issue for construction and improvements.

“Our school district is incredibly grateful for the support of our community,” Superintendent Tim Roth said in a news release. “This vote reflects a shared commitment to maintaining safe, functional and well-maintained facilities for our students, staff and community. We appreciate everyone who took the time to learn about the proposal and participate in the election.”

Incumbents win Columbia Board of Education seats

Three incumbents easily won reelection to the Columbia Board of Education on Tuesday.

April Ferrao led the pack with 6,537 votes, followed by John Lyman with 6,218 and Paul Harper with 6,183.

Incumbent Don Waterman was defeated in the race for Ward 5 on the Columbia City Council by newcomer Christina Hartmann. Hartmann won 1,332 to 981.

Southern Boone School District voters approved a bond issue for construction and other costs 937-281. The three incumbents — Amy Marie Begemann, Chris Felmlee and Karen Kraus Bill, all won reelection to the school board.

Rodemeyer, Duckworth, Scheperle win JC Board of Education seats

A Callaway County woman has won a seat on the Jefferson City Board of Education, along with a former county commissioner and a state employee.

Michelle Rodemeyer of Holts Summit took the most votes in the seven-candidate race, getting 2,932. State employee Gretchen Duckworth came in second place with 2,284 and former commissioner Kris Scheperle received 2,217 votes. He nudged out Cierra Griffin, who had 2,198.

The Callaway County Ambulance District won approval for its use tax.

In the Fulton Board of Education race, Joe Davis, Connie Epperson and Emily Omohundro won seats.

Incumbents enjoy commanding lead in Columbia Board of Education race

The three incumbents running for reelection to the Columbia Board of Education had a commanding lead with nearly half of the county’s precincts counted.

April Ferrao had the most votes with 3,779. John Lyman was second with 3,598 and Paul Harper had 3,576.

The incumbents were also winning in the Southern Boone Board of Education race.

The race for Columbia’s Fifth Ward city council seat shows challenger Christina Hartman with 800 votes over Don Waterman’s 642.

Full Cole County election results posted

A Holts Summit woman will bring Callaway County representation to the Jefferson City Board of Education.

Michelle Rodemeyer enjoyed a 500-vote lead over the next candidate with all of the Cole County precincts counted and only Callaway County precincts remaining. Rodemeyer also took the most votes in Holts Summit, inside and just outside the city limits.

Countywide, voters approved a capital improvement sales tax 4,842-1,391.

Rodemeyer wins Jefferson City Board of Education seat

A Holts Summit candidate has won a seat on the Jefferson City Board of Education with two-thirds of precincts counted,

Michelle Rodemeyer, a first-time candidate from Holts Summit, had 1,970 out of 9,586 cast, with 18 of 24 precincts reporting. The next highest total was Cierra Griffin at 1,536.

The capital improvement sales tax was cruising to passage, 3,173-903, with 20 of 29 precincts counted.

Mackenzie Job held a commanding lead for reelection in Jefferson City’s Ward 5, while Randy Hoselton held on against George Bacon in a tight race in Ward 1 in Jefferson City.

Boone County reports absentee ballot count

Boone County voters cast 1,524 absentee ballots in the April election, for a total of about 1.26% of the county’s total 120,780 voters.

Among those voters, each of the three incumbent Columbia Board of Education members — April Ferrao, John Lyman and Paul Harper — earned more than 900 votes, compared to challenger Keary Husain’s 422.

In the Southern Boone School District, absentee voters were overwhelmingly in favor of a large bond issue, while incumbents also led for the school board’s three seats.

Callaway County, Cole County posts absentee ballot numbers

The Callaway County Clerk’s Office posted absentee vote numbers about 15 minutes after the polls closed Tuesday, followed by Cole County about 15 minutes later.

Nearly 400 absentee ballots were cast, with 438 absentee votes cast in the Fulton Board of Education race. Connie Epperson and Emily Omohundro enjoyed large absentee tallies in that race, along with Joe Davis. Three seats are up for election.

On the county-wide ambulance use tax ballot question, 192 absentee ballots were marked yes compared to 131 “no” votes.

Cole County absentee voters cast 555 ballots out of nearly 55,000 registered voters. Michelle Rodemeyer and Cierra Griffin each received more than 200 votes.

Cole County absentee voters were also in favor of the county capital improvement sales tax.

Check back in for updates throughout the night.

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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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