ABC 17 News Saturday morning newscast
ABC 17 News Team
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Watch a special streaming-only version of ABC 17 News.
The program originally streamed at 8 a.m. on July 4.
Storm damage cancels Salute to America concert, but parade and fireworks move forward
Marie Moyer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Salute to America concert scheduled for Saturday night in downtown Jefferson City was canceled after storms damaged the event stage, according to organizers.
Salute to America spokeswoman Taylor Wolz said severe weather caused damage to the stage, making it unsafe to continue with the concert.
Despite the cancellation, the rest of the evening’s festivities continued as planned.
Dangerous heat prompted Jefferson City officials to move the city’s Fourth of July opening ceremony indoors Saturday, as much of Mid-Missouri remained under an extreme heat warning.
The opening ceremony had originally been planned for the north side of the Missouri State Capitol, but organizers decided to relocate the event indoors to protect attendees from the heat.
According to a Salute to America Facebook post earlier this week, the 10 a.m. ceremony will honor Missouri veterans and include a performance by the 135th Army Band.
The National Weather Service warned that multiple communities across Mid-Missouri could see heat index values as high as 105 degrees. Forecasters said the combination of high temperatures and humidity significantly increased the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for people spending extended periods outdoors.
The National Weather Service encouraged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
“We were gonna do outside because of the river and all the beauty,” Vice Chair of America 250 Missouri Commission Pat Thomas said. “But as we looked at the heat, we just wanted to make sure that we were more than safe and keeping people comfortable.”
To help people beat the heat, the city made cooling stations, water refill locations and shaded areas available throughout downtown.
Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater said public safety was the city’s top priority while people gathered downtown for the Independence Day celebration.
“There’s a lot of shade downtown,” Fitzwater said. “It’ll be a bit spotty because we anticipate large crowds. But stay hydrated, try to find a place to sit.”
Other events will be taking place throughout the day, both downtown and on the Capitol lawn:
Coca-Cola Food Court – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the corner of Jefferson and E High Street
Ameren Marketplace – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on East High Street
Avenues of History – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Madison Street and the Southeast Lawn
Missouri Farm Bureau’s Kid Zone – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Broadway Street
Stars, Stripes and Surprises Scavenger Hunt – Noon to 5 p.m. Check-in on E High Street
Remembering Missouri’s Fallen – Noon to 5 p.m. in the Selinger Center
Socket Classic Cars Cruise – Noon to 5 p.m. North side of the Capitol
135th Army Band performance – 2 p.m. in St. Peter’s Church
Beer Garden – 5 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on E High Street
Red, White and Boom Fireworks – 9:45 p.m. North side of the Capitol
Yard games and historical reenactors will also be around the festival area. Cooling stations are located on Broadway Street and E High Street. Water refill stations are also on W Capitol Ave.
Restrooms will be located on Broadway Street, E High Street and Madison Street.
The Main stage is located on the Capitol steps and will feature concert performances and festival announcements.
Courtesy: Salute to America
A parade and military flyover are set for 6 p.m. The parade will move through E Miller Street, Jefferson Street, E High Street, Monroe Street and E McCarty Street.
According to a press release from the Jefferson City Police Department, roads near the Capitol grounds and around the festival will be blocked off from 5 a.m. on July 4 to 2 a.m. on July 5. JCPD reminds drivers to be mindful of pedestrians in the area and plan for extra travel time.
Fitzwater said all roads will be back open Saturday night after the fireworks show.
The extreme heat warning is in effect until 8 p.m..
29-year-old woman dies in Phelps County crash
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A 29-year-old woman from Pacifica, California, was killed in a crash Friday morning on Interstate 44 in Phelps County, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The report says the woman failed to stop her 2010 Honda Odyssey at a stop sign on the outer road and went into the westbound lane of I-44.
That led to a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia – driven by a 37-year-old man from El Paso, Texas – to hit the Honda, the report says.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by the Phelps County coroner, the report says.
Both drivers wore seatbelts. The El Paso man had no reported injuries. The woman’s body was brought to the mortuary by the coroner, the report says.
MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.
18-year-old seriously injured in jet ski accident
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
An 18-year-old man from House Springs, Missouri, was seriously injured in a jet ski accident on Friday afternoon at the Lake of the Ozarks, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol boat crash report.
The incident occurred at the 28-mile marker of the Lake of the Ozarks in Camden County, according to the report.
The report says the man road a 2012 Yamaha Waverunner northbound “in the wake of a cruiser, rider jumped the wake and impacted his head on the personal water craft and got ejected.”
The man was brought to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries, the report says.
MSHP reports do not name those involved in accidents.
Company at center of canceled fireworks displays says refunds can be ‘handled through proper legal process’
Euphenie Andre
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (KMIZ)
Several Mid-Missouri communities will be without their traditional Fourth of July fireworks displays this year after their fireworks vendor filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The City of Osage Beach, the Mexico Noon Lions Club and Lake Valley Golf Club in Camdenton were all affected. The Lions Club and Lake Valley Golf Club had to cancel its displays, while Osage Beach moved its whole July 4 celebration to July 11.
All three parties had contracts with fireworks supplier AM Pyrotechnics. Arkansas communities were also affected.
The Mexico Noon Lions Club announced its cancellation on Thursday, saying it had worked with AM Pyrotechnics for many years before learning the company would be unable to fulfill its contract. The Lions Club treasurer told ABC 17 News on Thursday that she did not know if or when the club would be refunded.
AM Pyrotechnics said in a statement that it is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after a November accident at one of its facilities severely disrupted its operations.
CEO and owner Aaron Mayfield wrote in a Friday statement that the accident affected manufacturing, inventory, staffing and its ability to complete every scheduled fireworks display. Mayfield claimed in his statement that the company worked to save as many Fourth of July shows as possible, but ultimately canceled some events when it determined they could not be completed safely.
In a statement, the company apologized for the late notice, saying organizers were notified as soon as final decisions were made. It added that payment, refund and other financial matters related to canceled shows are now being handled through the bankruptcy process.
“The reason for the timing is that we continued working in good faith to save as many displays as possible until it became clear that certain shows could not be completed safely and professionally,” Mayfield wrote. “Once those final determinations were made, affected clients were notified and my Chapter 11 counsel was copied so payment, refund, claim, and bankruptcy-related issues could be handled through the proper legal process.”
Visitors in Osage Beach on Friday shared their dismay with ABC 17 News.
“It’s really a bummer because I was really looking forward to that, and who doesn’t love fireworks in America?” visitor Messiah Williams said. “I love that loud boom.”
Though Osage Beach is having a later celebration, some visitors on Fridau said celebrating after the holiday won’t feel the same.
“You schedule it for next week, it’s not going to hit the same,” visitor Derick Maldonado said. “People aren’t going to have days off. It’s not going to be appreciated as much as it would be for July 4.”
AM Pyrotechnics claims it has completed other fireworks displays this season and continues to operate regional shows.
Troop F traffic fatalities nearly double, and water drowning incidents see an increase
Melissa Houston
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Online traffic crash reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol show that traffic fatalities in Troop F have nearly doubled so far this year compared to the same time period in 2025.
MSHP Troop F — which covers much of Mid-Missouri, including Boone and Cole counties –has reported 35 deadly crashes in 2026, marking an 84% increase from the 19 fatalities reported by this time last year.
This year initially began with fewer traffic deaths until February, when numbers started to level out before gradually surpassing last year’s numbers. MSHP Sgt. Kyle Green said traffic fatalities usually run in waves.
“If you look at the overall fatalities in Troop F, we were up for this time last year,” Green said. “But if you were to look at it just a couple of months ago, you would have saw that we were down 40-something percent.”
Green said there are no specific driving patterns contributing to the spike, but just like most fatalities it can be caused by preventable driving behaviors.
“It’s inattention. It’s speeding, it’s people, you know, operating their vehicle while impaired,” Green said.
State traffic crash maps show that Highway 54 has been the deadliest stretch of road in Troop F’s coverage area this year, with eight fatalities. Interstate 70 followed with four deaths, and Highway 63 had two deaths. In comparison, at this time in 2025, four deaths occurred on Highway 63, two on Highway 54, and none on I-70.
The majority of the crashes from this year have occurred during the daytime with clear road visibility, according to the state traffic crash map. However, Green said the installation of construction zones is a contributing factor.
“We’ve got an increase in construction zones along I-70, and so that has led to some additional crashes and other incidents,” Green said.
He also recommends that people leave early for their destinations, slow down in construction zones and remain attentive to prevent further deadly crashes.
Despite the rise in traffic deaths, Green said in comparison to statewide statistics, Troop F is lower than the state average by 3%.
In addition to traffic fatalities, the MSHP online boat/drowning incident report shows that drowning deaths within Troop F have also seen an increase compared to last year’s numbers.
So far in 2026, five drownings have been reported, compared to the two during the same time in 2025. Three of this year’s drownings occurred at Lake of the Ozarks.
The Lake of the Ozarks is expected to see an increase in boat traffic over the weekend due to Independence Day celebrations, and Green said he is hoping that everyone is making safety their priority anytime they are near the water.
“You can be the greatest swimmer out there, but if you enter that water where you’re injured or some type of medical emergency and you’re not conscious, obviously you’re not gonna be able to swim,” Green said. “Or it’s gonna be extremely difficult to.”
Green is recommends adults and children wear life jackets any time they are near the water.
World Cup fans weigh in on Kansas City’s heat, FIFA hydration breaks
Mitchell Kaminski
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Triple-digit heat indexes and temperatures in the 90s have become one of the defining storylines of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but fans gathering in Kansas City for Friday night’s knockout-round match between Colombia and Ghana said the sweltering conditions in the afternoon have done little to dampen the experience.
With extreme heat expected to last until 8 p.m., just before kickoff of Colombia and Ghana, thousands of supporters flocked to the FIFA Fan Fest, where organizers installed hydration stations, cooling fans and misting areas to help visitors stay cool throughout the day.
For many Colombian supporters, the weather was nothing out of the ordinary.
“We live in Florida; we are pretty much used to this. There is a nice breeze right now, which feels nice. Anyone coming from anywhere else, probably not used to this,” said Nico, of Naples, Florida.
Hector Lozardo, a Colombian native who traveled from Orlando, said summer tournaments have always brought hot conditions.
“These are always played on in summer and it is always hot pretty much everywhere. So I’m really kind of accustomed to that. So I don’t mind, plus, the water, the hydration stations and the fans and the shade, I think that helps,” Lozardo said.
The heat hasn’t just been felt by fans it has also changed what they see on the pitch.
For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA has implemented mandatory three-minute hydration stoppages around the 22nd minute of each half to help players cope with the extreme temperatures.
While FIFA officials have said it is for player safety, many have been skeptical of the true intentions behind the change. Many fans online argue that FIFA is just trying to fit in more commercial breaks.
Coaches have also argued the stoppages give teams an unearned opportunity to make tactical adjustments mid-match, potentially shifting momentum. U.S Men’s Natioanl Team coach Mauricio Pochettino, was one of several coaches who have spoken out against the change, saying that “it is unnecessary.”
While some fans ABC 17 News spoke with generally understood the reasoning behind the change, several said they were not sold on its affect on the game.
“As a long-standing soccer fan, it does interrupt the flow. So we don’t like it, but I guess we accept it,” Lozardo said.
Despite the heat and the debate surrounding the new hydration breaks, fans said the atmosphere in Kansas City has exceeded expectations. Lozardo, who has attended multiple World Cup events, called this year’s tournament experience in Kansas City a step forward.
“This is definetly an upgrade like America!” Lozardo said. “This is wonderful. The Fan Fest, it’s much bigger. There are a lot more attractions and the atmosphere is amazing.”
Road closures scheduled in Columbia begin next week
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The City of Columbia on Wednesday announced a number of road closures that will occur next week.
Beginning on Monday, West Sexton Road will be closed at the intersections of Jefferson Street and McBaine Avenue for a storm water improvement project, according to a release sfrom the city.
The closure is expected to last 90 days. The Jefferson Street intersection will be completed first, the release says. The Go COMO Gold Route will detour around the Sexton Road closure.
Affected bus stops include:
West Sexton Road and Oak Street
West Worley Street and Oak Street (westbound)
Chip seal pavement maintenance
Beginning on Tuesday, Public Works crews will start chip seal pavement maintenance on several Columbia roads, according to a second press release from the city.
Crews will work 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday until the project is complete. Orange “No Parking” signs will be placed on streets 24 hours in advance.
List of streets
Burrwood Drive from Oakhaven Drive to the cul-de-sac
Crestwood Lane from Larail Drive to Forum Boulevard
Larail Drive from Burrwood Drive to Crestwood Lane
Lakepoint Drive from Larail Drive to the cul-de-sac
Green Meadows Road from Forum Boulevard to Bethel Street
Juniper Drive from South Rock Quarry Road to the cul-de-sac
Juniper Place from Juniper Drive to the concrete section
Telluride Lane from Rock Quarry Road to the cul-de-sac
Access Road from Old 63 to the cul-de-sac
East Point Drive from Stadium Boulevard to the cul-de-sac
Ray Young Drive from East Point Drive to the cul-de-sac
Old Mill Creek Road from County Line Road to Vawter School Road
Jake Lane from Bray Avenue to Cunningham Road
Longwell Drive from Bray Avenue to the cul-de-sac
English Street from Cunningham Road to Jake Lane
Alsup Drive from Talent Drive to Bradshaw Avenue
Wallace Street from Chapel Hill Road to Alsup Drive
Barkley Drive from Alsup Drive to Kohler Circle
Talent Drive from Chapel Hill Road to Kohler Circle
Kohler Circle from Talent Drive to the bulb
Rollins Road from Fairview Road to Scott Boulevard
Rollins Road from Fairview Road to Stadium Boulevard
Manor Drive from Rollins Road to Broadway
Westridge Drive from Rollins Road to Broadway
North Circle Drive from Maplewood Drive to Westridge Drive
Panorama Lane from North Providence Road to Aspen Ridge Lane
Aspen Ridge Lane from Snow Mass Drive to Snow Peak Court
Bear Creek Drive from Texas Avenue to the dead end
Hickman Avenue from North Eighth Street to North Fifth Street
Derby Ridge Drive from Brown School Road to the dead end
Hatteras Drive from Tidewater Drive to Derby Ridge Drive
Sandering Drive from Tidewater Drive to Hatteras Drive
Carolina Drive from Tidewater Drive to Hatteras Drive
Tidewater Drive from Carolina Drive to Derby Ridge Drive
Buxton Drive from Carolina Drive to Tidewater Drive
Chesapeake Drive from Carolina Drive to Tidewater Drive
Piedmont Place from the cul-de-sac to Carolina Drive
Thornberry Drive from North Oakland Gravel Road to Savannah Court
Thornberry Drive from Culpeper Drive to Savannah Court
Northland Drive from Parker Street to Blue Ridge Road
Isherwood Drive from Pioneer Drive to Mexico Gravel Road
Isherwood Circle from the cul-de-sac to Isherwood Drive
Martha Drive from Pioneer Drive to Fairhaven Road
East and West Henley Street from Mexico Gravel Road to Mexico Gravel Road
Burbank Loop from Bullhead Lane to Bullhead Lane
Bullhead Lane from Burbank Loop to Black Hills Drive
Black Hills Drive from Woodshire Drive to Mexico Gravel Road
Woodshire Drive from Wood Lake Court to the cul-de-sac
Opal Drive from Amethyst Drive to North Wyatt Lane
Coral Drive from the cul-de-sac to Opal Drive
Granite Drive from Coral Drive to the end of the street
Two counties sue state over ‘unconstitutional’ law on deputy pay
Matthew Sanders
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two Mid-Missouri counties have sued the Missouri Attorney General, alleging that a state law that allows judges to set salaries for deputies and jailers in some counties is unconstitutional.
Audrain County and Montgomery County filed the lawsuit Thursday in Cole County. The county commissioners in each county are asking a judge to strike down the law, which lets panels of judges in Third and Fourth Class counties decide staffing levels for the sheriff’s department and pay rates for its employees.
Instead, that power should be vested in county commissions, per the Missouri Constitution, according to the lawsuit.
“No provision in the Missouri Constitution expressly directs or permits the judiciary to manage the business and fiscal affairs of counties,” the lawsuit states.
The suit claims that the Audrain County sheriff requested $1.37 million for deputy salaries in fiscal 2026, but the circuit court fixed salaries for deputies at $1.795 million. The sheriff requested $1.185 million for jailers, and the court decided to appropriate $982,000.
In Montgomery County, the sheriff requested about $1.2 million for jail salaries and $1.18 million for non-jail salaries, but judges ordered appropriations of about $1.322 million for jail salaries and $1.26 milion for non-jail salaries.
No hearings have been set.
Jefferson City man charged after high-speed chase in Callaway County
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Jefferson City man was charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor after he was involved in a high-speed chase with law enforcement Wednesday in Callaway County.
Carl Anderson Jr., 34, was charged with second-degree drug trafficking, aggravated fleeing, misdemeanor reckless driving and tampering with evidence. He is being held at the Callaway County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.
The probable cause statement says a deputy pulled over Anderson near the intersection of Highway 54 and Route HH. Anderson sped off when the deputy asked him to get out of the vehicle, the statement says.
The chase went south on Highway 54 and Anderson topped 120 miles per hour, the statement says. Deputies unsuccessfully used spike strips. Anderson eventually crashed his vehicle in a ditch near Highway 54 and South Summit Drive, the statement says.
Police allegedly found a pound of methamphetamine next to the passenger side of the vehicle.