Category: kmiz-local-news

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi said it was his decision to dissolve the university’s multicultural fee at Wednesday’s Faculty Council meeting.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was decided that I needed to protect the institution. So that’s the decision that I made,” Choi said.

The multicultural fee provided funds to a number of identity-based student organizations at MU. The initial announcement came out on Sunday that the university would stop designating funds to the groups including:

The Legion of Black Collegians

The Asian American Association

Association of Latin American Students

Four Front

Filling in the Space

The Queer Liberation Front

The decision also revoked the student government status of LBC. The funding will end July 1 for the affected groups. University officials said the groups will be recategorized as Recognized Student Organizations in the fall and can apply for university funding, but it’s not guaranteed. The organizations will now be wrapped in to MU’s other groups vying for financial support.

Choi said during the meeting that in July 2025, the university received a memo from the Department of Justice that requested all institutions receiving federal funding to abide by Title IX, Title VI and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment.

Choi said the university found a concerning revelation during a review that would have put university funding at risk.

“We are not in compliance with Title VI because we provide specific benefits to student groups based on demographics,” Choi said.

Noah Schnarre, Missouri Student Association President, said Title VI is not being violated by the student groups.

“In terms of Title VI, none of these organizations specifically will not allow white students or any other students of any specific race to not participate,” Schnarre said.

Schnarre called the move by university leadership a logistical nightmare and uneccessary.

“It was not a law passed, it was not an executive order, it was not a Supreme Court case, this was a memo,” Schnarre said. “They can hold some amount of validity, but not enough to be a concern of legality.”

Schnarre said this could temporarily bankrupt the groups effected due to timelines already in place to request RSO funds.

“Even with being recognized in July, the first time that they’re going to be able to get funding is the September meeting,” Schnarre said.

Schnarre said it was implied to him and his colleagues that they could change some of the language in their bylaws, but it wasn’t clear if that would change any possible decisions by the university.

The decision comes nearly two years after MU restructured its diversity division.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A small business owner in Columbia claims a sweeping cannabis bill will put him out of business. 

Ethan Jones dealt with chronic pain issues for six years after going undiagnosed with Lyme disease. Rather than using traditional pain medication, Jones instead turned to CBD products. He now sells those same products to customers seeking alternatives to traditional medications. 

“This is something I’ve been selling for years now, and I mean it’s incredible when it comes to joints swelling, something I deal with myself from having lupus because of my Lyme disease,” Jones said. 

MindRight Wellness — a downtown Columbia business owned and operated by Jones — sells products marketed as therapeutic alternatives for pain, sleep, anxiety, focus and energy. He has owned the business for six years and says CBD products result in more than $4,000 a month in sales. 

“Most of my customers here who are shopping for CBD are a lot of times older folks who are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis issues,  major sleep disorders, or just cannot get to sleep. And they’re looking for some kind of relief because they’ve gone through the whole gamut,  been on a bunch of different medications. Nothing’s really helped them, and they found really great relief with the CBD,” Jones said. 

However, come November, Jones says he will no longer be in business, thanks to House Bill 2641. The bill sponsored by Rep. Dave Hinman (R- St. Charles) is set to head to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk. The measure would tighten regulations on hemp-derived cannabinoid products, effectively requiring many of them to be sold only through the state’s licensed marijuana dispensaries.

As a result, convenience stores, bars and restaurants statewide would be banned from selling THC seltzers and other intoxicating hemp products. 

Supporters of the bill argue it is necessary to regulate a rapidly growing and largely unregulated market. Andrew Mullins, executive director of MoCannTrade, said the measure prioritizes safety and aligns Missouri with federal efforts.

“From Day 1 of this session, Gov. Kehoe and legislative leaders have made protecting the health and public safety of Missourians a clear priority. Law enforcement has long wanted these untested, untaxed, unlicensed, intoxicating products off the shelves,” Mullins said in a statement. “This public safety legislation aligns Missouri law with the new federal law banning these products and providing a crystal clear bright line between what is legitimate hemp and what is in fact marijuana.”

Under HB 2641, many hemp-derived cannabinoid products — including those commonly sold as CBD — would be reclassified as marijuana, if they meet certain criteria. That would place them under Missouri’s existing cannabis regulations, meaning they could only be manufactured and sold by licensed marijuana dispensaries. 

The bill also includes strict enforcement measures. Businesses that continue to sell those products outside the regulated system could face a $5,000 fine per transaction and a potential Class D felony charge.

While it targets high-THC hemp products, its definitions could also affect full-spectrum CBD products that contain trace amounts of THC. As a result, the bill could impact an estimated 40,000 businesses statewide, including small, independent retailers like Jones.

“This will cut into over about 20% of my sales, and eventually this will lead me to having to close my doors. I help a lot of the older folks here in their community. These are products that don’t make people high, this is 100% for relief,” Jones said. “They’re making it 100% illegal for any small store to sell any type of cannabis product and funneling all of those sales directly to dispensaries who are typically owned and operated from out of state.” 

If signed into law, the changes would take effect in November 2026, giving businesses time to adjust. But Jones said that may not be enough.

“We’re on a huge email call campaign. I have stacks of letters, handwritten letters from my customers urging to veto this bill, because, again, let me reiterate that this is something that has already gone through the Senate. This is on Mike Kehoe’s desk. If we do not get this bill vetoed, this will make it illegal for us to sell CBD products,” he said.

Beyond his own business, Jones said the ripple effects would be felt across communities that rely on accessible, lower-cost alternatives to dispensary products.

“I understand there are people selling products that are super questionable in places that are already super questionable.  So, for legitimate operators like myself who sell legitimate products that are not being advertised to kids, because that’s the story always being spun,  it makes no sense,” Jones said. “I won’t even be able to sell my grandma a muscle rub because again, that would be a felony.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A couple who was charged in the accidental shooting death of an 11-year-old Moberly child earlier this year were given a bond.

Jo and Michael Timmons were each charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

A warrant with a $5,000 bond was issued to Michael Timmons on Tuesday and court records show he posted bond on Wednesday. Jo Timmons was previously held without bond, but was assigned a $25,000 bond on Wednesday. She is no longer listed on the Randolph County Jail’s online roster.

An arraignment is scheduled for Micahel Timmons at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 11; while a preliminary hearing for Jo Timmons is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 20.

Court documents in previous reporting note poor living conditions for multiple children, as well as easily accessible guns being around the house while both adults were out. Jo Timmons allegedly left the children alone that day and Michael Timmons is home a few weeks or months at a time, court documents allege.

Jo Timmons’ court documents say she left three children alone in January while one of them was killed in an accidental shooting.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Local brewery Logboat Brewing Company announced on its social media on Wednesday that it plans to build a taproom on the south side of Columbia.

Logboat wrote in a post that the Logboat Midtown Taproom is expected to open in the spring of 2027 near Nifong Boulevard and State Farm Parkway. Logboat’s brewery is located on Fay Street in central Columbia, which is just off of the intersection of North College Avenue and Paris Road.

The location is expected to have a restaurant and brewing equipment “dedicated to small-batch releases on-site,” the post says. Capacity is expected to be 70 people.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was accused and charged in an alleged road-rage incident in September is once again employed with the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Harry Adrian IV, of Tuscumbia, pleaded guilty on Jan. 6 to misdemeanor reckless driving. He was originally charged with unlawful use of a weapon, but the charge was reduced in December, according to previous reporting. He was sentenced to a year of probation.

Adrian was the state safety coordinator for MoDOT when he was accused of pulling out a gun during a September incident in Cole County. Adrian had disputed the allegations, claiming he held a cellphone during the incident, though deputies wrote in court documents that a gun was found in his vehicle.

MoDOT had told ABC 17 News on Jan. 6 that he was no longer employed with them.

However, MoDOT spokeswoman Marcia Johnson confirmed in a Wednesday email that Adrian is once again employed with them as a senior safety specialist. Johnson could not confirm the date of his new employment on Wednesday.

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Haley Swaino

Haley Swaino, weekend morning anchor and reporter at KMIZ, is finding ways to help you cut back on monthly bills and giving other money-saving suggestions. This time, she looks at ways to save on gas.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Drive slower. Don’t brake hard. Turn off the A/C and roll your windows down.

As drivers are faced with rising gas prices amid the conflict in the Middle East, common fuel-saving tips like these often surface. However, experts warn that some widely accepted pieces of advice are mere myths.

According to GasBuddy, as of Monday, the average cost of gas was $3.60 a gallon, up about 16 cents from the week before and 61 cents more than in March.

I sat down for a virtual chat with Patrick De Haan, an analyst at GasBuddy, to see what’s a money saver and what’s a mere myth.

Gas is cheaper to buy on certain days of the week.

Money saver, though volatility from Middle East tensions has made timing less predictable. De Haan said that gas prices can be lower on certain days. Typically, Sundays tend to have lower prices because energy markets are closed, giving stations flexibility to discount fuel and attract customers on a slower day. He said Thursdays are often more expensive due to midweek energy reports and rising prices as markets are active during the week.

But in the current environment, with prices climbing rapidly, De Haan said buying gas sooner rather than later may be the better option.

Filling up in certain weather conditions can give drivers more bang for their buck.

Myth. Weather doesn’t make much difference when it comes to saving money at the pump, De Haan said. While colder temperatures can slightly increase fuel density, the benefit is minimal. Many stations also adjust for temperature — especially in warmer weather — by correcting fuel volume. Overall, there’s no specific weather or time that reliably gives drivers significantly more gas for their money.

It’s cheaper to buy gas with cash than with a card.

Possible money saver. Paying cash for gas can sometimes be cheaper than using a credit card because some stations offer cash discounts or charge a higher price for credit. De Haan said using a credit card may still be worthwhile if it offers rewards or rebates that exceed any cash discount. Loyalty programs can also lower prices by 5 to 10 cents per gallon. Ultimately, he said the best option depends on the station’s pricing, available discounts, and the benefits of your credit card.

Tire pressure plays a role in gas costs.

Money saver. Proper tire pressure has a direct impact on gas mileage. De Haan said underinflated tires create more friction and rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and reducing fuel efficiency. If the tire pressure warning light is on, at least one tire may be too low. Keeping tires properly inflated—typically around 35 PSI — helps reduce resistance and improve fuel efficiency.

LINK: Find current, local fuel prices on the ABC 17 Fuel Finder page

Having a clean air filter will get you better gas mileage.

Myth. De Haan said having a clean air filter has only a minor impact on gas mileage, making it somewhat of a myth. While a severely clogged air filter can cause problems and slightly reduce fuel efficiency, routine replacements don’t significantly improve gas mileage. Despite frequent upselling at service shops, De Haan said air filters usually just need to be replaced every one to two years, not at every oil change.

Rolling the windows down is better than running the A/C.

Money saver, depending on speed. De Haan said that at low speeds or in stop-and-go traffic, running the air conditioner makes the engine work harder, so rolling the windows down can save gas. At highway speeds, however, using the A/C has little impact on fuel efficiency because the engine is already working hard, and open windows can actually increase drag. Prolonged idling with the A/C on should be avoided, as it significantly reduces fuel efficiency.

Taking extra weight off your car can improve your fuel economy.

Money saver. Removing extra weight from your vehicle can improve fuel economy. Every additional 100 pounds can lower fuel efficiency by about 1 to 2 miles per gallon, De Haan said. Items like bike racks, cargo boxes, or large objects on the roof create drag, forcing the engine to work harder and use more fuel. He said roof racks and cargo carriers are especially harmful because they increase wind resistance and disrupt a vehicle’s aerodynamics, potentially cutting fuel efficiency by 20–25%.

Avoiding idling while not driving helps to save fuel.

Money saver. Idling delivers 0 miles per gallon and wastes gas. If you expect to be stopped for more than about a minute, De Haan said, turning the engine off can save fuel. That is why many newer vehicles use start-stop technology to automatically shut the engine off when the car isn’t moving.

Putting the pump in all the way ensures you get as much gasoline as possible, avoiding vapors.

Myth. Inserting the nozzle further does not help you get more gasoline. De Haan said gas stations use vapor recovery systems, and gas vapors don’t affect how much usable fuel you receive. What matters is the liquid fuel, not the vapors.

While no money-saving tips will likely make up for the significant price hikes the U.S. is facing amid the conflict in the Middle East, some could save you a few bucks at the pump and add up to measurable savings.

AAA has multiple Mid-Missouri stations on its list for the best gas rewards programs.

Its top pick is the Shell Fuel Rewards Program. New members who join by Apr. 30 can save 35 cents a gallon on their first fill-up at participating locations. Outside of the limited-time offer, new members would save 30 cents a gallon on their third fill-up. After that, regular gold status saves drivers 5 cents a gallon. Frequent drivers can reach platinum status and save 10 cents a gallon.

Shopping with a Hy-Vee PERKS card can stack savings with a Shell Fuel Rewards card.

Savings can also be found with popular apps like Upside. Users just need to download the free app, claim a discounted gas offer, and scan their receipt for cash back. According to Upside, on average, users save up to 25 cents per gallon and nearly $300 a year. Scanning that same receipt on the Fetch app can earn drivers points towards gift cards.

Some companies are rolling out additional savings.

Uber is significantly expanding discounts through Upside and Shell. Drivers and couriers can save up to $1 off per gallon using Upside, up from a maximum of 25 cents. And Shell users are now offered up to 21 cents off per gallon, up from a maximum of 7 cents.

On Friday, Amazon Prime announced members can save 20 cents per gallon at BP, Amoco and participating ampm and Thorntons locations, every Friday through May 29. To claim the offer, Prime members just have to connect their Amazon accounts to the free Earnify app.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Eldon man accused of being in a standoff with law enforcement last year in Miller County was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday.

Lawrance J. Giddens, 44, is now charged in federal court with being a felon with a gun and having an unregistered gun. Charges still appear in Miller County for four counts of illegal gun possession and single counts of unlawfully having an illegal weapon and resisting arrest. He is charged in another case with drug possession. He is being held at the Miller County Jail.

Previous reporting indicates Giddens was involved in a standoff with law enforcement on June 30, 2025, at a home in the 100 block of Witt Road.

Officers were serving a failure-to-appear warrant and Giddens refused to come out of his home, court documents in previous reporting says. Someone who talked to law enforcement allegedly told them Giddens had multiple guns and was willing to fire.

Giddens came out of the home after law enforcement sent a gas canister into the home, previous reporting says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was accused of using a gun to threaten several people at the Madison Street Dollar General in Jefferson City has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Willie Banks, 28, of Jefferson City, is now charged in federal court with being a felon with a gun on Dec. 21. Information on Casenet shows he pleaded guilty on March 3 in Cole County to unlawful use of a weapon and illegal gun possession. He is being held at the Cole County Jail. An entry of appearance and withdrawal of counsel was filed by the state on Wednesday.

Police were called at 11:35 a.m. Dec. 21, 2025, after Banks allegedly pointed a gun at several people, court documents in previous reporting say. 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.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was shot by Jefferson City police officers in February was indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday.

Joey Hampton, 40, of Jefferson City, is charged with two counts of first-degree assault and single counts of shooting at a vehicle, armed criminal action and illegal gun possession. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.

Court documents in previous reporting say Jefferson City police officers were trying to contact Hampton “in relation to reports that had received that Hampton was involved in the sale and use of illegal drugs, was in possession of a stolen firearm, and had brandished a firearm and/or threatened person(s) with a firearm.”

Hampton allegedly fired shots at the officers, hit a patrol vehicle and officers returned fire. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating.

The names of the officers involved in the shooting have not been released.

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Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some Missouri voters approved a ballot measure on Tuesday that would freeze or cap property taxes — a measure lawmakers included in legislation to keep the Kansas City Chiefs in Missouri.

Missouri Association of Counties Executive Director Steve Hobbs said that 73 counties had the property tax reform measure on the ballot, and 61 counties passed it.

Some counties weren’t eligible to put this measure on the ballot, like Boone County. A handful of counties were able to freeze property taxes so that they don’t increase, while others capped property taxes, so that the rate can’t go up more than 5% every year.

For example, Pettis County voted to cap property taxes so that it grows at a slower rate.

Sedalia School District 200 Superintendent Todd Fraley said this could limit how much money his district receives over time.

“It doesn’t necessarily take away from what we’re currently receiving, but it can take away an unpredictable amount,” Fraley said.

This piece of legislation is facing legal challenges from over 40 counties, Hobbs said.

“Our Constitution also says that all taxpayers will be treated fairly and equitably, and as you can see, we have counties where we may be treated one way and right across the county line, it’s a different way,” Hobbs said.

An attorney for the people suing the state, Jim Layton, told ABC 17 News over email that a trial is expected in June.

Below is a list of mid-Missouri counties according to the Missouri Association of Counties that are exempt or for which property tax reform the county is eligible for and if voters passed the measure.

Exempt:

Boone

Cole

Camden

Maries

Miller

Monitaeu

Morgan

Howard

Pulaski

Phelps

Property tax freeze:

Gasconade, passed

Johnson, failed

Osage, passed

Property tax rate 5%:

Audrain, passed

Benton, passed

Cooper, not on ballot

Callaway, not on ballot

Chariton, passed

Monroe, passed

Montgomery, passed

Pettis, passed

Randolph, passed

Saline, passed

Check back for updates.

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