Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Louisville Courier Journal filed a complaint on Friday against a Kentucky school board that hired former Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood.

Jefferson County Public Schools said in a social media post on Thursday that the Board of Education voted 5-2 on Thursday to offer a contract, though it did not initially announce who it would hire. A state representative in Kentucky had congratulated Yearwood in a social media post, which local media including WDRB indicated was a sign for the hire.

The school district on Friday eventually named Yearwood in a social media post of its own, stating that it was in contract negotiations with him.

The complaint filed by the Courier Journal claims the district violated Kentucky’s Open Meetings Act by voting in a closed session, holding a “sham vote in open session to ratify a decision made during a closed session,” and refusing to disclose in a public meeting which candidate it hired.

JCBOE OMA Complaint Letter(1354673.1)Download

Yearwood’s Columbia departure

Yearwood stepped down from his position as CPS superintendent in November and was paid $667,268.90 in a contract buyout. Yearwood was hired by CPS in 2021. He was under contract through June 2027, making about $260,000 per year. Chris Belcher was named the district’s interim superintendent before Jeff Klein was hired.

CPS announced in November that Yearwood would step down immediately “to spend time with family in Texas,” previous reporting indicates. Yearwood announced in August that he had been diagnosed with cancer. That diagnosis was not mentioned in his resignation letter.

Yearwood’s separation agreement with CPS states that he agreed to the mutual public statement between the two parties and cannot make any further public statements.

In an interview with ABC affiliate WHAS11 last week, Yearwood stated, “”I did nothing unethical, I did nothing immoral and I did nothing illegal. I’m a man of faith and I would do nothing to dishonor my family. I would do nothing to dishonor myself. And there are times where there are differences of opinion and things like this do happen. But I assure you, it was nothing that touched on any of those.”

Yearwood was also a finalist for a superintendent position in Kansas and Delaware.

At a community forum held by the Garden City, Kansas, school district in January, Yearwood was asked what his most-vocal critic would say about him as a school leader.

“They would say he doesn’t have much patience for red tape that slows down the process of getting things done to benefit scholars. I’ve had to sort of temper because there, there, there are rules you must follow,” he said in a video. “And again, I’m not talking about circumventing rules or doing anything. That’s not it. But sometimes, when we know something is great for a scholar or scholars or school, sometimes the process gets bogged down.”

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Gold Star Memorial Day Parade was front and center on Broadway in Downtown Columbia on Memorial Day after a six-year hiatus.

Hundreds gathered along Broadway on Monday morning to honor and remember military heroes and their families.

The title “Gold Star” is reserved for families of military members who died in the line of duty. It is meant to honor the service member’s ultimate sacrifice while acknowledging their family’s loss, grief and continued healing.

Anna Johnson attended the parade and had numerous family members who had served in the military. She said Memorial Day is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by service members.

‘I appreciate the fact they are willing to do what some of us are not and that they have the courage and are willing to fight for our country, could never thank them enough,” Johnson said.

Former Boone County Commissioner Linda Vogt is a Gold Star family member and lost her brother, Ralph R. Quick, during the Vietnam War in 1970. He left for Vietnam on Dec. 5, 1969, and lost his life on March 23, 1970.

“He died the day before his 23rd birthday in Vietnam,” Vogt said. “It was very difficult for our family. We’re proud he served, he wanted to serve. He wanted to be a helicopter pilot, and so he did get to do that, killed him, but he got to do that.”

Vogt said her brother fought tirelessly to join the military, despite medical issues that initially kept him out.

“He broke his neck trying to get into the service because he had problems with sinuses, and they wouldn’t take him,” she said.

Quick left behind a wife and a 2-year-old daughter, Vogt said.

“She had to grow up fatherless. But with all that being said, we still had a lot of pride in the fact that he wanted to serve our country,” Vogt said. “In all honesty, my family is kind of a family of public service.”

When Memorial Day comes around, Vogt says it is a painful reminder that her brother is no longer here.

“I try to avoid it to tell you the truth because you know it is a little painful,” Vogt said, “Absolutely heartbroken, it took two years to get my heart back in shape after that. It was a terrible loss to our family,”

Vogt says her family was the only way she was able to cope with the loss of her baby brother. She said taking care of her children helped her get through the grief.

Meredith Black also attended the parade and was glad to see it return after several years. Her father was a captain in the Marine Corps during World War II.

“They have made the ultimate scarify and their families have lost someone who was very near and dear to them and just seeing the cars go by today of the Gold Star families and the little children who were part of it, it’s heartbreaking but it makes us realize how grateful we need to be for those who have sacrificed so much,” Black said.

“My husband’s great, great, great uncle, he was 19 years old in World War I in France, and he was killed in action, but he was returned home to the United States and is buried near his mother in Oklahoma,” Black added.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday will announce special session details for the Missouri legislature, according to a Monday news release from his office.

Kehoe is expected to make the announcement at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Capitol. The governor had floated the idea at the end of the regular session earlier this month to pass the “Show Me Sports Investment Act,” which would give the state’s professional sports teams access to state funding for stadium projects.

House Speaker Jon Patterson (R-Lee’s Summit) has told his caucus that the session will take place June 2-13, said state Rep. Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City). The House is likely to work on its legislation starting June 9, Griffith said, though that date is subject to change.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals have made some public statements about moving across state lines after Jackson County voters said “no” to a proposal in 2024 to extend a sales tax to help finance a downtown baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium.

Previous reporting indicates that to qualify, the project must cost at least $500 million and involve stadiums with more than 30,000 seats. The state could cover up to 50% of the total cost, and eligible teams could also access a tax credit worth up to 10% of their investment. 

“I really believe that the Clark family wants to stay in Missouri and I think this is a gesture on our part to show both the Chiefs and the Royals that we want them to stay,” Griffith said.

The bill had passed the Missouri House, but did not make it through the Senate before the session ended.

Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) said he would like to keep the Chiefs within Missouri, but also said he believes there has to be thought about whether or not tax payers should have to pay for that.

Smith said it’s hard to tell if the act will be approved, given the Senate’s decision to repeal voter-approved sick leave requirements.

“There was so much chaos at the end. It may not pass again. I mean some people in the senate are very mad about the repeal of Prop A,” Smith said. “The senate is very upset about that, and so they may purposefully kill the stadium project to send a message.”

Some lawmakers have also expressed interest in including capital projects in the special session. The House failed to pass a capital improvements budget, HB 19, that included money for projects in Mid-Missouri, such as a Jefferson City conference center and the University of Missouri’s NextGen Research Reactor.

Griffith said house lawmakers did not take it up because add-ons from the Senate exceeded their expectations but is hopeful conversations can be had and work can be done during the special session.

The school announced it was working with Hyundai and MPR Associates to begin designing the billion-dollar NextGen reactor in south Columbia. An expansion is also underway at the school’s current reactor on Providence Road. 

Smith said he’s hopeful the governor will bring that back on the table, which would help with cancer research.

“I mean, we’re treating people who are sick and dying. MURR is one of the most unique facilities we have in America, not only in Missouri,” Smith said. “Promises were made and those promises need to be honored so we can have that money.”

Griffith said he’s pushing for money for a new juvenile center to be built in Cole County. The project has been in the works and would build the new center on St. Mary’s Blvd. but funding for it was left uncertain after the house failed to pass the bill.

Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler told ABC 17 News previously the new center would help with safety, as well as cut down on transportation expenses.

“Our detention center was built in 1973 and it’s really out used, it’s outgrown its use. There’s not enough places for us to put the juvenile offenders,” Griffith said. “And $4 million is really a small amount for us to be able to lead that project.”

Griffith said he’s also hopeful improvements to a new conference center in Jefferson City will be approved.

The session is expected to start in the Senate, according to Griffith.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

As millions of Americans return from their holiday travels, delays are expected in airports across the country.

According to AAA, the 2025 Memorial Day weekend is expected to have at least 45.1 million travelers, 1.4 million more than last year and setting a new record.

Monday’s trip home also came with harsh weather, specifically at Dallas-Fort Worth International airport, with the FAA announcing that general passengers should expect at least a 15-minute delay due to weather and thunderstorms.

Columbia Regional Airport was affected by the delay, with the 11:41 a.m. American Airlines arrival from Dallas-Fort Worth delayed for around half an hour.

“Dallas-Fort Worth was pretty busy. We had about a half-hour delay on our flight due to weather, which turned out to be a blessing because it gave us a little extra time to get through customs and get a bite to eat,” passenger John Whiting said.

One couple who had a connecting flight from Florida said that the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport was busy with long security lines.

A University of Missouri student traveling from Louisiana also reported that airports were busy, with one of her flights being grounded for two hours due to weather, causing her to almost miss her connector.

Columbia Regional Airport’s flights to and from Dallas-Fort Worth for 5:58 p.m. departure and 5:28 p.m. arrival have been delayed.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The 98th annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony was held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Boone County Courthouse Plaza, honoring veterans who have died in the line of duty.

The General Omar N. Bradley Mid-Missouri chapter of the Military Officers Association of America sponsored the 40-minute ceremony. There were several veteran organizations in attendance and music by the Columbia Community Band, Boone County Fire Protection District pipes and drums and a military firearms salute by the American Legion’s Post 202 Honor Guard.

There was also an additional wreath laying for Gold Star Families following a parade to honor Boone County heroes who served following the Sep. 11, 2001, attacks in New York City. That ceremony will feature a flag ceremony and a 21-gun salute.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After a six-year absence, the Gold Star Memorial Parade will return to the City of Columboa on Memorial Day, bringing with it a renewed sense of unity and remembrance.

The parade– which honors fallen service members– is set to begin at 10:00 a.m., traveling down Broadway from Hitt Street to Fourth Street.

The day’s events will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at 9:00 a.m. at the Boone County Courthouse. Following the parade, Gold Star families will return to the courthouse for a brief ceremony and the opportunity to lay wreaths for their loved ones.

Sherry Wyatt, the parade’s founder and a Gold Star mother, has been instrumental in reviving the event.

Wyatt lost her son, Sterling Wyatt, who was killed at the age of 21, when a vehicle he was driving in was struck by an IED in Afghanistan. She views the parade as a meaningful tribute to those who served and sacrificed.

“They died for the ideal of America and Americana,” Wyatt said. “That’s what I hope to bring tomorrow—everyone, regardless of who you are, coming together as a community.”

Wyatt, along with Sabrina McDonnell and several other parade captains, gathered Sunday afternoon at First Baptist Church to discuss logistical preparations for the event. Topics included safety measures, such as distributing radios and vests to ensure clear communication among parade staff. Wyatt said the Columbia Police Department and Columbia Public Works will also assist during the parade.

“They have been very, very helpful. We have our public works people that are going to be putting up barricades. We’re just trying to keep everybody safe.” Wyatt said.

Wyatt initially reached out to McDonnell in November 2024 with the idea to bring back the parade. The board officially submitted its application to the city in January 2025, leading to months of planning and community coordination.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard over four months,” McDonnell said. “But, no one harder than Sherry and Randy.”

The event will feature 91 entries and is expected to last about an hour. Organizers are encouraging residents to attend and participate in the symbolic day of remembrance.

All downtown parking will be free for the holiday, although drivers are advised not to park where meter signs indicate “No Parking.”

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Nia Hinson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Those looking to lay out by the pool on Memorial Day Monday in Columbia and Jefferson City may run into some trouble.

According to a social media post from Jefferson City Parks and Rec, the city will not open the Memorial Aquatic Center and Ellis-Porter Riverside Pools until Wednesday, May 28, weather permitting.

The post says the delay is due to low air and water temperatures expected within the next few days.

JC Parks and Rec had previously delayed the opening date of pools to allow last-minute adjustments at the centers after recent repairs, along with training for its staff.

The Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center in Columbia also will not open until after Memorial Day.

A Sunday social media post from Parks and Rec says the city plans to open all three outdoor pools for the season at noon on Friday, May 30, weather permitting.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 12-year-old boy from Climax Springs was seriously injured in an ATV crash in Camden County on Saturday evening.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the crash happened on Dodds Camp Road at Prospect Place at 5:30 p.m.

According to the online crash report, the crash happened when the 12-year-old was driving a 2002 Suzuki ATV southbound and drove off the left side of the road, crossed a private drive, and then went into a creek bed and struck a tree.

The boy was taken to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. A 17-year-old boy from Higginsville was also riding on the ATV and went to Lake Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

The 12-year-old was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and the 17-year-old was not, the report states.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With students away on break, the University of Missouri turns its gaze to the many summer renovation and maintenance projects around campus.

Minor projects include general maintenance, like repainting and repairing the exterior of Jesse Hall’s dome and HVAC system and underground infrastructure renovations around Memorial Union.

Several projects are set to be completed by winter 2025.

Conley Avenue Garage – Maintenance and repairs, to be completed July 31.

Stanley Hall project – Renovates the Child Development Laboratory playground and adds new classrooms, to be completed Sept. 16.

Medical Science Building improvements – Renovates multiple floors and adds an advanced research hub, to be completed Nov. 1.

Other projects are expected to be finished in 2026.

Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Learning Laboratory – New meat processing and research facility, costs around $35 million, to be completed July 2026.

Memorial Stadium Centennial Project – Adds premium seating like box seats and suites as well as an interior section of Memorial Stadium, costs around $250 million, to be completed for the 2026 football season.

University of Missouri Research Reactor – Adds new production lines for radiotherapies, to be completed Oct. 2026.

Dr. Dan Brown Building – Adds new teaching and research areas and a data and biosecurity center, costs around $73 million, to be completed Nov. 2026.

Construction progress can be tracked on MU’s Campus Construction Impact Dashboard.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools celebrated day two of graduation ceremonies on Saturday, as hundreds of students crossed the stage at Mizzou Arena. The morning began with Rock Bridge High School, followed by Hickman High School in the evening.

More than 64% of students from Columbia Public Schools pursue college or postsecondary programs, according to the district.

While celebrations continue in Columbia, data from the University of Missouri Board of Curators highlights significant enrollment challenges across the state’s higher education system.

A report released in April 2025 found that 11 of Missouri’s 13 public universities have experienced enrollment declines between 2019 and 2024. The University of Missouri and Northwest Missouri State University were the only two institutions to maintain or increase student enrollment during that time.

In contrast, institutions such as Missouri Western State University, Truman State University, and Harris-Stowe State University have reported enrollment drops nearing 40% in the past five years. The decline has been largely attributed to a shrinking number of high school graduates in Missouri and across the Midwest, a trend that is projected to continue through the end of the decade.

To address these demographic challenges, the University of Missouri System plans to expand its recruitment efforts into the Southeastern states, where projections indicate a continued increase in high school graduates.

Mara Woody, a Rock Bridge High School parent and professional in the field of education, said the current landscape places more pressure on institutions to demonstrate their value to prospective students.

“I think it’s really contingent that post-secondary education and colleges prove the value of education as students see its value today,” Woody said. “It’s really just important for us as educators to understand that, and to really start doing those things that we need to do to meet our learners where they are and make sure they’re getting that education they need.” 

Woody’s daughter will be attending the University of Central Missouri this fall to study interior design.

Nearly 500 students were expected to graduate from Rock Bridge and Hickman High School.

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