Category: kmiz-local-news

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Highway 63 near Clark was closed for hours Thursday because of a police response, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Thursday.

The northbound driving lane and both sounthbound lanes had reopened by about 4 p.m., and traffic was moving slowly through the scene.

A Boone County Sheriff’s deputy said the scene was connected to another one near Columbia. A sheriff’s office spokesman said the suspect is dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The suspect allegedly shot two people on Douglas Drive before the chase and fired a shot at a trooper while on the run, Brian Leer of the sheriff’s office says.

“Multiple law enforcement agencies are responding to a police incident on U.S. 63, at Route P / Route B, near Clark (just north of the Boone / Randolph County line. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route,” the patrol wrote in a social media post.

The Patrol later said the chase ended when a trooper used a pit maneuver to stop the suspect’s Ford Bronco. Patrol spokesman Sgt. Kyle Green said the suspect fired at officers after losing control of the Bronco, but no officers fired back.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

🚨U.S. 63 Closed in Randolph County🚨

Multiple law enforcement agencies are responding to a police incident on U.S. 63, at Route P / Route B, near Clark (just north of the Boone / Randolph County line.

Please avoid the area and use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/XuQnkjHgb2

— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) May 7, 2026

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A suspect in a shooting and chase is dead after suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a Boone County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Columbia Police Department officers were sent to an “incident” northeast of the city Thursday afternoon and asked drivers to avoid the area.

Columbia officers were responding to an incident near the 5100 block of North Douglas Drive, outside the Columbia city limits. Boone County sheriff’s deputies were at the scene, which remained an active investigation at about 2 p.m.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office later wrote in a social media post that Steven A. Swanson, 32, had shot and killed a 35-year-old man and seriously injured a 65-year-old woman.

Swanson is related to the victims and drove off after the shooting before taking his own life, the sheriff’s office says.

A chase ensued and the suspect shot at trooper and hit the trooper’s car, Leer said. The suspect’s vehicle went into a ditch and the suspect killed themselves with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Leer said.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the trooper used a pit maneuver to stop the suspect’s Ford Bronco. Patrol Troop F spokesman Sgt. Kyle Green said the suspect began firing as his Bronco lost control, but no one returned fire.

The response to the crash led to Highway 63 being shut down in southern Randolph County.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death of Swanson.

The woman is in serious condition at an area hospital, the Sheriff’s Office post says.

Prior cases

Previous reporting shows Swanson was accused of stabbing his brother in the leg in October 2025.  He pleaded guilty in that case on Dec. 22 to third-degree assault. He was ordered to serve five years of probation and completed a shock program of 120 days with the Department of Corrections.

He also pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic assault in December.  

Check back for updates to this developing story,

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Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe is asking for federal assistance to help the state recover from storms that hit in late April, including several Mid-Missouri counties.

Kehoe is asking FEMA to take part in damage assessments of public infrastructure for 11 counties, including Chariton, Howard, Monroe, Randolph and Saline, his office said Thursday in a news release. Assessments for assistance for individuals are being requested in Randolph and Saline counties.

Nearly 200 uninsured homes and businesses were damaged by the storms that rolled through the state from April 23 to April 28.

The storm outbreak dropped twisters in Randolph, Chariton, Howard, Saline and Monroe counties.

Kehoe’s office said in a news release that the assessment request is the first step toward a federal disaster declaration.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County’s prosecutor’s office has dropped charges against a freshman Mizzou linebacker, who allegedly tried to evade police who were pulling him over.

Jaden Jacobi “J.J.” Bush, 18, of Theodore, Alabama, was charged earlier this week with aggravated fleeing — a felony — and misdemeanor reckless driving after he was arrested and booked into jail and posted bond.

A probable cause statement says a Columbia police officer saw a white 2024 Ford Mustang speeding near East Broadway and Old Highway 63 on Monday night. Bush turned west onto East Broadway, and the officer turned on his lights for a traffic stop, but Bush kept driving for 24 seconds, the officer wrote in the statement.

Bush had a 19-year-old passenger in his vehicle when he was stopped at East Broadway and Old Highway 63 south, the statement says.

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson said charges will be refiled.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday to celebrate the start of construction from Rocheport to Columbia for the next phase of the Improve I-70 Project.

MoDOT contractor Emery Sapp and Sons will begin strengthening the interstate’s shoulder from Route BB to Midway starting Monday with nightly lane closures. MoDOT is also demolishing the Providence Road overpass at the end of May, and that process will be similar to the St. Charles Road overpass.

Rocheport to Columbia Project Director Spencer Robsinson said MoDOT is considering the weekend of May 29 to close the highway underneath the bridge while demolition happens.

Gov. Mike Kehoe, U.S. Rep. Mark Alford and Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, among several others, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The Rocheport to Columbia project is the fourth major construction segment in the agency’s statewide expansion program. The project includes adding a third lane in each direction on Interstate 70 from the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport to near Highway 63 in Columbia, using new 11-inch full-depth concrete pavement.

This portion of the Improve I-70 Project will stretch nearly 14 miles and will be approximately $441 million, according to MoDOT.

MoDOT’s team’s plan includes improvements to interchanges at Route J/O, Midway (Highway 40), Stadium Boulevard, Business Loop 70, Providence Road, Range Line Street and Highway 63. 

The project will also require some bridges to be demolished so that a total of six lanes can fit underneath, Robinson said. Some bridges will also need to be built so that it connects outer roads.

This is happening while the St. Charles Road overpass is being rebuilt. While the bridge work and construction might create some traffic backup, Robinbson said it would take about 10 years for each bridge to have its own construction cycle.

“I know there’s a lot of closures all at once right now through town, but very quickly, later this fall, a lot of these improvements will start to open up to traffic again,” Robinson said. “You’ll really be able to see the improvements take shape.”

The St. Charles Bridge and the Highway 63 and I-70 interchange will both reopen in the fall.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded Emery Sapp and Sons and Parsons Transportation Group as contractors for the project in December.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Senate moved forward with house budget bills on Wednesday.

After a roughly two-hour debate, senators voted 20-13 in favor of House Bill 2002, which relates to education funding within the state. Finalized general revenue money comes in around $4.7 billion, just fewer than $1.5 billion from federal and about $2.2 billion from “other.”

The education budget bill also met heavy debate in the Missouri House earlier in the day.

Debate began at 3:25 p.m. on the higher education bill, and wasn’t resolved until after a recess and a vote around 5:25 p.m. That bill passed in a landslide 28-5 favor.

The higher education bill includes $1.2 billion in general revenue, about $62 million from federal and $130 million “other.” The University of Missouri is receiving around $247 million from the general revenue fund and $46 million from the lottery proceeds.

Lincoln University is receiving nearly $22 million from general revenue and $1.8 million in lottery proceeds.

The public safety spending bill quickly passed with a 32-1 vote, with $11.1 million of general revenue going to the National Guard and $172.2 million of general revenue going to the Department of Public Safety. Missouri Task Force 1 is expected to receive $400,000.

The Department of Corrections is expected to receive $967.6 million from general revenue, with Jefferson City Correctional Center getting $25.5 million and Algoa Correctional Center obtaining $14.2 million. That vote passed 31-2.

House Bill 2010, which sees funding for the Department of Mental Health, Department of Health and Senior Services and Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee, was passed 27-5. The DMH is getting about $1.7 billion in general revenue, while the DHSS is getting about $614 million from general revenue.

State-operated inpatient psychiatric hospitals and treatment facilities, which includes a number of facilities including Fulton State Hospital, is expected to receive $203 million from general revenue.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri held a media event on Wednesday that showed off its new headquarters that is being built in southern Columbia.

The new facility will be located in the 4600 block of Stellar Drive in southern Columbia. It will be able to support 300 staff and volunteers and will have a space to train volunteers and be able to collect thousands of units of blood.

This chapter of the Red Cross serves 27 counties in Missouri. It is expected to hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony in July.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An 18-year-old Columbia woman was charged with a felony and a misdemeanor after she was involved in a chase with a Boone County deputy on Tuesday night.

Jacquelynn Pruitt was charged on Wednesday with aggravated fleeing and reckless driving. She is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.

An arraignment was held on Wednesday and Pruitt appeared without counsel. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 and a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 17.

The probable cause statement says the deputy saw Pruitt speeding in a silver Chevrolet Impala on Scott Boulevard near Millbrook Drive. The deputy tried to pull the vehicle over, but Pruitt continued to drive and speed allegedly reached 100 miles per hour, the statement says.

Pruitt allegedly drove the vehicle the wrong way through the roundabout at Vawter School Road and Country Woods Road before turning north, the statement says. She eventually crashed the car into a mailbox and drove through the yards of two residences, the statement says.

Pruitt allegedly told law enforcement that she did not pull over initially because she did not want to go to jail, court documents say.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone Health will have its new cardiology clinical practice open and operating starting Monday.

Boone Health announced the split with Missouri Heart Center at the end of March and filed a lawsuit alleging breaches of contract, misuse of confidential information and plans to engage in unlawful competition.

Roughly 20,000 patients are expected to be affected by the transition, according to previous reporting, but Boone Health officials claim there will be little interruption. All of the Missouri Heart records will be transferred to the Boone Health system and the location of the clinics will remain the same.

In Columbia, cardiology patients will be seen at 1605 East Broadway, Broadway Medical Plaza Building 2, Suite 300. Clinics in Mexico, Macon and Moberly will continue operations in their same locations, as well. Boone Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lana Zerrer claims connecting with patients will now also be easier because Boone will be the singular point of contact.

“I think once we’re up and operational, there’s one place to call which is Boone Health Cardiology Clinic. So I think it’ll be much smoother,” Zerrer said.

Due to the quick turnaround, Boone’s Cardiology clinic will only have about half of the staff Missouri Heart Center had at the start. However, Zerrer claims it will still be actively hiring for the next year and a half to eventually have more care providers than the Missouri Heart Center.

“We’ve already hired five physicians and four advanced practice nurses. Missouri Heart Center had 12 physicians and they had six advanced practice nurses,” Zerrer said.

Zerrer wants the cardiology clinic to eventually have 14-16 physicians on staff.

Two physicians from the Columbia area will be staying with Boone cardiology – Dr. Jerry Kennett, Dr. John Boyer. Four advanced practice nurses – Kathi Lutz, Lauren Lenauer, Hillary Burks and Patti Kean – who were formerly with the Missouri Heart group also will join the Columbia location. Dr. Charles Tillman will also remain at the Mexico clinic.

Two additional cardiologists, Dr. John Best and Dr. Rai Shahjehan, will be joining the clinic in the coming weeks. Boone Health officials said they have several offers out to cardiologists who have applied from across the country.

If patients don’t hear from Boone Health or need prescription refills, they are encouraged to call the clinic at 573-815-LOVE (5683).

Zerrer said all services offered will remain the same for patients.

“If patients have a heart attack or chest pain or any kind of rhythm disturbance they can still come to the hospital and get full care. We still have full imaging capabilities for echocardiogram, nuclear medicine studies, any kind of EKG or Holter monitoring,” Zerrer said. “In the clinic, we will have providers and physicians there to see patients and also to do testing.”

Zerrer also touched on the financial impact to Boone Health amid taking over operations.

“We have bought furniture and equipment from Missouri Heart Center so that all stays in the space. We are paying some money for the medical record transition and then we’re hiring people, which always cost money, but those are good investments,” Zerrer said.

As for the lawsuit between the two corporations, a jury trial has been requested. Boone Health is asking a judge to rule the noncompete agreements that MO Heart signed are valid, as well as having MO Heart return or destroy confidential information, and delay starting a competing practice until May 2027. 

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has picked a contractor for the Improve I-70: Truck Parking project, according to a Wednesday press release from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

KCI construction Team was picked for the projects in Concordia, Boonville, Mineola and Wright City, the release says. The truck parking project is a part of the Improve I-70 Project, which aims to make the interstate a three-lane highway on both sides across the state.

 About $33 million of the project in grant funding is to be used for expand truck parking along Interstate 70, the release says. MoDOT claims all of the public truck parking areas along I-70 are over capacity and 75% of private truck stops are also over capacity.

According to the release, the proposal for the contractor includes:

Pavement improvements and parking expansion at existing Concordia, Boonville, Mineola, and Wright City rest areas.

255 additionaltruck parking stalls, totaling 506 available public truck parking stalls across the I-70 corridor.

195 car parking stalls and five RV parking stalls.

Bathroom remodels at the Wright City and Concordia locations.

Lighting upgrades at all locations.

17 acres of pollinator habitat planting spread across multiple sites

The project is expected to be completed by Dec. 1, 2028, the release says.

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