Category: kmiz-local-news

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The ACLU of Missouri sued the Missouri Attorney General and Secretary of State on Tuesday, claiming they have evaded the state constitution’s rules on the referendum process.

The group, representing two Kansas City voters, is asking the Cole County courts to suspend House Bill 1, a bill passed during a special session that redrew the state’s congressional map mid-decade. The group argues a law is suspended when a referendum on it starts.

The voters are “concerned, they’re like, ‘I think that I’m in this district, I’m not sure,’ It was hard to find a searchable feature for them to figure out what district they lived in,” Tori Schafer, director of policy and campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri, said Tuesday. “They really want to understand, ‘Who am I? Who am I voting for? What is the primary election going to look like?'”

ACLU – Petition for Declaratory JudgmentDownload

According to court documents,”‘[O]nce a referendum petition has received sufficient signatures to be placed on the general election ballot, the referred measure is placed before the people for their consideration as an original proposition; the prior action by the General Assembly and the Governor on the referred measure is suspended or annulled, and has no further legal effect or consequence.'”

“Previous Secretaries of State and Attorneys General have agreed with the established precedent that referred legislation is suspended upon receipt of the referendum petition,” Schafer said in a statement Tuesday.

The suit comes after the state claimed activist group People Not Politicians inaccurately announced Missouri’s new congressional district map was frozen after sending in more than 305,000 signatures to the Secretary of State Denny Hoskinson for a petition to put the new congressional map to a vote.

According to court documents, “‘Republican Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued a statement saying the new House districts took effect Tuesday and will remain in place unless Hoskins determines the referendum petition is constitutional and contains sufficient signatures.'”

The Attorney General’s office claims the ACLU and People Not Politicians are promoting the false narrative, arguing that the freeze only happens when the signatures are validated by the Secretary of State. The office claims that at this time, it has not been confirmed that enough signatures have been submitted. Referendum petition signatures must equal to five percent of legal voters in each of two-thirds of the congressional districts in the state to pass.

“It does not matter how many total signatures have been submitted. All that matters is how many valid signatures have been submitted in each congressional district,” The office said in a statement Tuesday. “Until the Secretary of State confirms that the proposed referendum has enough valid signatures to qualify, the Missouri First Map will remain in effect.”

The office adds that if legislation is suspended at the receipt of signatures, “anyone [can] freeze duly-enacted state laws by dropping off boxes of unverified signatures.”

If active, the new congressional district map splits Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Fifth District in Kansas City into three. This will merge it with more rural and Republican areas, likely removing Cleaver’s seat and giving the Republican Party a boost in the next election.

The new districts will also affect candidate filing on Feb. 24 for the upcoming 2026 midterm election, with candidates needing a clear map to know what districts to file for and who they are representing.

“What they are doing is trying to eliminate the public from a public forum, what they are saying is, ‘we are the people who operate the state government and we don’t want these pesky citizens of the state of Missouri to cross over what we do when we do it.'” Cleaver said.

Cleaver adds that the uncertainty of the map is leaving voters concerned.

“They don’t know who they’re going to vote for, so they don’t know who to consider, they don’t know what kind of research they would do,” Cleaver said.

Cleaver also questioned the legality of redistricting, with the move falling in the middle of census years. Which was previously argued by a group of voters in a separate Cole County suit. The judge ultimately denied the voters’ arguments.

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raytown) represents District 4, which will also be redrawn in the new map. In a statement on Monday, he reestablished his commitment to Missouri voters.

“Regardless of where the final lines fall, we will win the Fourth District,” Alford said.

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Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A St. Charles man was charged with felony stalking and harassment last week after allegedly threatening Gov. Mike Kehoe and his family on the social media platform Facebook.

Daniel N. Mertz was charged Friday in Cole County with first-degree stalking and first-degree harassment. He was arrested the same day in Daytona Beach, Florida.

A warrant has been issued for his extradition.

Investigators say Mertz posted the threats on Facebook between Dec. 1 and Dec. 18. Mertz posted threats that included pictures of the Kehoe family between Dec. 10 and Dec. 18, according to a probable cause statement.

“I would have snuck up on your families [sic] home and slayed you all with my bare hands … but I promised a veteran I would not get violent, and you sir are about to see just how hard gods [sic] vengeance hits back,” one post read, according to the statement.

The governor’s office thanked law enforcement for its work on a case in a statement to ABC 17 News.

“Violence and harassment, including through social media, are not acceptable,” the statement says. “Threats against elected officials and their families must be taken seriously.”

Mertz was in the Volusia, Florida, County Jail without bond on Tuesday.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mizzou defensive end has countersued the University of Georgia in Boone County after the school sued him for $390,000.

UGA sued Wilson earlier this month in Georgia, alleging he broke his contract for name, image and likeness payments with the Classic City Collective when he transferred to Mizzou before the 2025 season. In a countersuit filed Tuesday, Wilson alleges the contract was signed under duress and that most of it is not legally binding.

The lawsuit claims that Wilson received one $30,000 payment from Classic City Collective. Three weeks later, the company demanded that Wilson pay them $390,000 for breaking the contract, the lawsuit states.

“This strong-arm tactic began a coordinated effort … to punish Wilson for entering the [transfer] portal, interfere with his ability to transfer, and prevent him from realizing the benefits of free and open competition for his athletic services and NIL licensing,” the lawsuit states.

Wilson v UGAADownload

The lawsuit also claims that UGA continued to harass Wilson during the 2025 season and “impair his on-field performance for a conference rival.” Georgia staff also called other coaches, telling them that Wilson had a buyout in an attempt to discourage them from accepting his transfer, according to the lawsuit.

UGA asked in its lawsuit for a judge to force Wilson into arbitration. Wilson asks in his Missouri lawsuit that the judge declare the contract with Classic City Collective invalid and award him damages.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia police officer suffered minor injuries after they were involved in a crash in their patrol car.

The officer was taken to an area hospital, according to Columbia Police Department Sgt. Anthony Bowne. The crash occurred near Range Line Street and Kennesaw Ridge Road in northern Columbia and was called in to first responders at 10:21 p.m.

The other person involved in the crash refused to go to a hospital, according to Bowne.

The crash led to the northbound lanes of Range Line Street being closed. At least a dozen first responders were on the scene.

Debris was seen in the middle of the road as first responders worked.

The road was reopened by 11:06 p.m.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Chesterfield woman has been charged with a pair of felonies after she led law enforcement on a chase Saturday on Highway 63 in Randolph County.

Fredreika Davis, 34, was charged with aggravated fleeing and third-degree assault of a special victim. She is being held at the Randolph County Jail on a $30,000 bond. An arraignment was held on Monday and a bond review hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29.

The probable cause statement says law enforcement was told about a reckless driver heading northbound on Highway 63 around 4:35 p.m. that day. The trooper saw the Chevrolet Spark with expired plates weaving in-and-out of traffic from the shoulder near County Road 2710, the statement says.

Davis then allegedly made a U-turn and stated heading southbound in the northbound lanes, the statement says. She allegedly made eye contact with the trooper as she passed him while heading in the other direction, court documents say.

Davis then made another U-turn and started hearing northbound in the correct lane before heading westbound in the eastbound lanes of Highway 24, the statement says. She drove through a red light and drove to a dead end, the statement says. She allegedly refused to unlock her door and a deputy had to break out a window to bring her into custody, the statement says.

She then allegedly spit in a trooper’s eye while she was being detained, court documents claim.

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Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

State lawmakers are voicing disappointment and criticism Monday following the announcement of the Kansas City Chiefs’ move to Kansas in 2031.

“They [The Chiefs] think a dome stadium and and landing a Super Bowl would be really big for the organization and I believe that that’s the piece that they were most interested in,” Kehoe said in a press conference Monday. “They thought new and shiny was better than old and reliable and that’s the decision apparently they’re making.”

With the decision also came criticism from several Democratic state lawmakers, who claim Kehoe’s recent initiative to eliminate the state’s income tax hurt Missouri’s offer.

In Missouri’s final stadium bill, the proposal included agreements for Missouri to cover 50% of total construction costs. The deal would have also given up to a 50% tax credit to professional sports entertainment facility construction and eligible teams could also access a tax credit worth up to 10% of their investment.

“There are no winners in a border war, just losses on both sides. Companies moving back and forth across the state line to reap massive tax breaks,” state Sen. Patty Lewis (D-Kansas City) said in an X post. “Missouri’s Governor has no plan to grow our economy besides doubling down on the same failed tax plans that brought us here.”

Here’s my statement on today’s announcement: pic.twitter.com/P2esEnZB3W

— Patty4MO (@Patty4MO) December 22, 2025

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) also voiced disappointment, but praised Kehoe’s leadership through deal negotiations.

“I know Governor Mike Kehoe did everything in his power to get them to stay,” Alford said in a statement. “With this behind us, it’s time to move forward. We must deliver real prosperity, job opportunities, and economic development by thoughtfully eliminating the state income tax.”

“That’s a major policy piece that needs to be done,” Kehoe said Monday. “Our current tax code was written in the 1930s and it’s about time for Missourians to be able to keep more of their money in their pocket.”

Other lawmakers voiced concern at potential economic losses due to the Chiefs’ move.

“These are jobs that people go to even when they don’t have games, they still have events there, so it is jobs that will be affected, it is businesses that will be affected, that goes back to families as well,” state Rep. Tiffany Price (D-Kansas City) said.

“The Chiefs generate nearly $500 million annually in economic activity and support approximately 4,600 jobs in our region,” Rep. Mark Sharp (D-Kansas City) said in a statement. “This team is woven into the economic, cultural and civic identity of our city.”

Sharp also put the spotlight on the Chiefs’ organization.

“Kansas City & Jackson County, Missouri deserved leadership that acted early, coordinated effectively and fought relentlessly for our community. Chiefs fans deserved loyalty and transparency. Instead, a combination of local dysfunction, state-level inaction, and organizational indifference brought us to this moment – and our community is being left to pay the price!” Sharp said.

Kehoe voiced confidence in the current job market during Monday’s press conference.

“Missourians that lose their jobs because this move happens will be able to find another job, I’m quite confident in Kansas City, Missouri,” Kehoe said.

Republican State Sen. Joe Nicola, of Kansas City, was not surprised by the decision.

“I expected it, but nonetheless, I’m still saddened over it and disappointed,” Nicola said.

Nicola added Jackson County is currently caught up in property tax negotiations.

“That’s what’s on people’s minds before they’re willing to vote for any kind of a tax increase to help these sports teams,” Nicola said. “I did not vote for that stadium bill, and I said ‘and I won’t until we get some property tax reform for our citizens,’ we didn’t get it, so I didn’t vote for the stadium bill.”

Kehoe added the legislature will “figure out what the lessons learned here are moving forward.”

“We won’t give up. We’ll look for cracks in the armor and find out if there’s a Missouri Show Me solution through our sports act,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe did not mention any specific plans for deals with the Kansas City Royals but said, “They are in the driver’s seat now.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Rolla woman is accused of armed robbery at a convenience store on Friday.

Samantha Feeler, 31, was charged with first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. She is being held at the Phelps County Jail on a $250,000 bond. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says Feeler pulled out a knife at the Sinclair convenience store in the 2000 block of North Bishop Avenue and threatened to kill the clerk if they did not open the cashier drawer.

About 50 minutes later, she allegedly pulled out the same knife and tried to rob a woman who was seated in a car at the Walmart parking lot at 500 South Bishop Avenue, the statement says. Feeler tried to stab the woman through an open, but the woman screamed and rolled up the window, the statement says.

Feeler was then detained inside the Walmart and resisted arrest, according to court documents. While she was being booked at the jail, she allegedly tried to take an officer’s stun gun, court documents claim.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man has been charged with several felonies after he allegedly used a gun to threaten several people Sunday outside a Dollar General on Madison Street in Jefferson City.

Willie Banks, 28, was charged on Monday with unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of armed criminal action, a single count of illegal gun possession and a count of misdemeanor first-degree trespassing. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond.

Police were called at 11:35 a.m. Sunday after Banks allegedly pointed a gun at several people, the statement says. Officers found him while he was running away from the store, the statement says. Two witnesses allegedly told police they saw Banks outside the Dollar General with a gun, the statement says.

Police found a bag and with a 9 millimeter handgun and Banks’ ID, the statement says. Banks allegedly said the gun was a BB gun, police wrote.

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Keriana Gamboa

COLUMBIA MO.

A home in the 100 block of Sexton Road that caught fire about a year ago is now at the center of multiple city complaints surrounding trash and abandoned vehicles.

The home — owned by Carlos Alvino Lee Lawson — has a dumpster and other items outside of it that city officials say pose a health hazard.

Columbia Neighborhood Services Manager Leigh Kottwitz told ABC 17 News the city is familiar with the property and is working to clean it up.

“Notices have been sent from our office, and the court and our staff have talked with the owner in person,” Kottwitz said.

Charges have been filed against Lawson in municipal court, but he has not appeared for a hearing. As a result, a warrant for his arrest was issued earlier this month.

ABC 17 News reached out to the city’s prosecutors’ office, which said they do not have a comment on the case.

The city is also concerned about the condition of the house itself and is working to obtain a warrant to inspect it. Information gathered from the inspection could help determine whether the property needs to be demolished.

Officials are concerned people may be living in the home, though one neighbor told ABC 17 News they have not seeing anyone inside for a few days.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Rolla man was charged in Phelps County after he was accused of pulling out a knife while trying to steal a couple of bags of Tyson chicken from a grocery store on Saturday.

Sean Wildhaber, 23, was charged on Monday with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. He is being held at the Phelps County Jail without bond. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says the manager of the store called police after 8 p.m. Saturday. The manager allegedly saw Wildhaber in the store and tried to confront him by asking for a receipt and Wildhaber started walking away faster, the statement says. Wildhaber allegedly claimed he was hungry and not going to pay for the two bags of chicken he was holding.

The manager allegedly claimed he would pay for the chicken, but Wildhaber pulled out a knife and then dropped it and ran away after a truck driver arrived to help the manager, the statement says. Other people at the store allegedly told police they also saw Wildhaber pull out a knife while holding the bags of chicken.

Wildhaber was arrested at his residence and allegedly told police he dropped the knife in order to “trade” it for the chicken, court documents say. Police wrote that intoxicants were smelled from Wildhaber’s breath.

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