Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A charter school looking to operate in Boone County has refiled its application.

An item on the Missouri Board of Education’s April meeting agenda says Frontier Schools are looking for the state to approve its application for a STEM academy in Columbia. Saint Louis University had pulled its application in January after receiving guidance from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

DESE is recommending that the state’s Board of Education to Authorize Frontier STEM Academy-Elementary to operate for five years, beginning with the 2027-28 school year.

Columbia Public Schools had filed a lawsuit in December, claiming the establishment of charter schools is unconstitutional and had asked the state board to oppose Frontier. The lawsuit was paused after Saint Louis University rescinded its application. An entry of appearance was last filed on Mach 13.   

Previous reporting shows CPS argues the state’s Republican-led legislature purposely targeted Boone County for the expansion of charter schools through Senate Bill 727, which was signed by Gov. Mike Parson in May 2024.

While SB 727 does not specifically name Boone County, a rule in it mentions that charter schools may be operated only in counties “between 150,000 and 200,000 inhabitants.” Census data indicates Boone is the only county matching this description.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia’s Fifth Ward will have a new representative.

Challenger Christina Hartman defeated incumbent Don Waterman in Tuesday’s election 58% to 42%. Hartman brought in 1,332 votes while Waterman got 981 votes, with a total of 2,313 ballots cast.

Waterman expressed his disappointment at the loss, but congratulated Hartman on the win. He said she hopes she can finish the job on a number of important issues to Ward 5 constituents.

“Let’s finish the transmission line, let’s finish the water tower, let’s finish the push for public safety,” Waterman said. “That’s what she said she was interested in doing, so let’s hope that she follows through with it.”

Both candidates previously told ABC 17 News that infrastructure projects would be a top priority if they’re elected. Long-delayed infrastructure projects, including a water tower in southwest Columbia and an electric transmission line have faced setbacks for nearly a decade.

Hartman said the first issue she planned to address once she is sworn in would be infrastructure.

“Looking at those projects and really trying to make progress happen on them, connecting with the voters to just keep them updated and making sure that their priorities are being represented at council,” Hartman said.

Hartman told ABC 17 News Tuesday that more community engagement and education about the proposed projects will help garner community support.

“I think a lot of the backlash cam came before because they felt caught off guard about the design or structure and where things would be,” Hartman said.

Waterman said Tuesday that the transmission line project is finally moving forward again after a years long standstill and that city leaders need to keep their foot on the gas to not lose momentum.

“Basically, the transmission line, we got a report back from utilities, that’s a preferred route. So now it’s just making sure that we just keep keep the pressure on,” Waterman said.

Other hot topics city-wide include how the city should manage its budget and addressing staffing vacancies in the police and fire departments. Waterman supports the passing of a Public Safety Sale Tax, while Hartman wants to take a closer look at the city’s current spending measures.

At Monday’s City Council meeting council members unanimously passed a Downtown Ambassador Program to further support ongoing public safety efforts. Both Waterman and Hartman shared their support for the program.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction, it’s an established program,” Waterman said. “People think that it’s going to be successful and another step in making Columbia a safer place.”

“That real, preventative action is definitely something I want to see the city continue to take,” Hartman said. “I like that they’re going to have a more connectedness to the community and try to build the relationships at an individual level.”

The candidates also share different perspectives on the city’s role in addressing homelessness. Waterman believes private organizations and local nonprofits are more efficient at administering help than the city. Hartman has advocated for individualized assistance to help people reach their next steps.

Waterman won his election race for Ward 5 over Gregg Bush in 2023 by a margin of fewer than 150 votes out of close to 4,000 cast. This is Hartman’s first time running for a City Council seat.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Both Hartman and Waterman said they have cast their ballots. Waterman hosted a watch party at Southside Pizza and Pub, while Hartman held hers at Las Margaritas on Southampton Drive.

Boone County voters can visit the Boone County Clerk‘s website to find voter information and polling locations.

For more information about Boone County ballot issues, the Columbia Board of Education race or the Columbia City Council Ward 5 race, visit ABC 17’s Voter Guide.

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Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed three bills in his office Tuesday afternoon.

Kehoe signed bills that allow a woman to get a divorce or separation while she is pregnant, one that attempts to cut down on child sexual grooming and one that could make it easier for juveniles to be prosecuted as adults.

The legislative session ends next month.

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Haley Swaino

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County expected a low number of voters to cast their ballots in the municipal election, but higher than in some previous April elections.

About 11% of Cole County voters cast their ballots by 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to Cole County Director of Elections Matt Musselman.

“Normally, we’re around a 10% turnout for an April election,” Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer said. “But since the countywide issue with the taxes on there and several races with school board and stuff like that, we kind of pushed it up to 14%.”

Musselman told ABC 17 News on Monday that there had been 511 total absentee ballots cast so far, with 269 voting in person and 242 occurring by mail. There are 54,498 registered voters in the county.

After making rounds to multiple cities’ polling locations Tuesday morning, Korsmeyer said he was hopeful the county would meet or slightly exceed 14% votership.

Election Day also started smoothly. Only one technical issue was reported across the county.

“I think we had one polling location that the date came up wrong on the machine, so we had to do an override on it. But other than that, it’s been really, really nice,” Korsmeyer said.

He expected another wave of people to vote in the evening, after work hours. He said a chillier start to the morning could also factor in to more voters choosing to head to the polls later in the day.

Cole County voter Carol Roberson said she always votes because it’s important to.

“That’s [voting] the only reason that we have any control over our government,” Roberson said. “And if you complain about the government and don’t go vote, then that’s your fault.”

Seven candidates are battling it out for three spots on the Jefferson City School Board. Roberson said that was something on the ballot she was proud to vote for in this election.

“We need a strong school system here [in Jefferson City]. And the school board is very important,” Roberson said.

Besides some specific city council and school board races, every voter in Cole County had a chance to help decide whether to extend the county’s half-cent sales tax for capital improvements.

The tax money goes to fund work on roads and bridges, including construction, repairs and updates. The county sales tax rate, including the half-cent that was approved in 2021, is 5.6%.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. A list of polling locations and a sample ballot can be found on the county’s website.

Stay tuned to ABC 17 News Tuesday night for live election coverage and results.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County is seeing low voter turnout on Tuesday for the municipal elections.

Voter turnout is about 8% for in-person ballots, which is expected to rise a little more as election officials count the remaining ballots and absentee ballots as well, Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said in an interview Tuesday, about an hour before polls closed.

Tuesday morning, Lennon predicted about 12% of voters would cast ballots. She said there a couple reasons why the actual number didn’t meet expectations.

“I think every April election is a little unique because of the local races that are going to be on it,” Lennon said. “For this particular one, there’s just fewer items on the ballot, it’s not drawing as much attention, I think, for voters, and so it’s hard to kind of break through everything else.”

Lennon posted on X at 10 a.m. that voter turnout was 2.5% for the first four hours the polls were open. Lennon later updated the post, noting voter turnout was 4.3% around 1 p.m.

She updated voter turnout numbers again at 4 p.m. About 6.3% of registered voters have cast a ballot with only a few hours left until polls close at 7 p.m.

Lennon told ABC 17 News on Monday that she expected about 12% of registered voters to turn out for the local election, which includes school board and city council races. She said there are about 121,000 Boone County voters registered for the April election, although one part of the county doesn’t have an election.

Tuesday morning, Lennon said her office had received fewer than 1,000 absentee ballots, which laid the groundwork for turnout on Election Day.

As of 4pm, turnout in Boone County is now at 6.3% (including Election Day voters and in-person absentee voters). Polls are open until 7pm 🗳️ https://t.co/RtnGg1vo2n

— Boone County Clerk (@voteboonemo) April 7, 2026

The April 2024 election saw 16.37% voter turnout, and the April 2025 mayoral election had 25.23% voter turnout. Some Boone County and Columbia voters will decide who gets to sit on the City Council.

Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman is running for reelection, and newcomer Christina Hartman is running against him.

“I hope Christina wins for the Fifth Ward,” voter Traci Wilson-Kleekamp said. “I think she’s forward thinking, and a critical thinker and is engaged in the idea that we need change.”

Voter William Bliss said he likes the incumbent, Waterman.

“I think our incumbent alderman has been doing pretty well, so I don’t have any issues there,” Bliss said.

Another Boone County voter Becky Ulm chose not to share how she voted, but she said local elections are vital.

“Well, every election is important,” Ulm said. “It helps run our community and decides what is going to happen next.”

Some Columbia voters will also get to decide who will sit on the Columbia Board of Education, and Ulm said her vote directly affects her grandson.

“His future depends on what happens in the school system,” Ulm said. “School education is what is important to these kids’ future and the community.”

Boone County voters can visit the Boone County Clerk‘s website to find voter information and polling locations.

For more information about Boone County ballot issues, the Columbia Board of Education race or the Columbia City Council Ward 5 race, visit ABC 17’s Voter Guide.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

It is Election Day in Missouri, and Missourians are preparing to vote on local council and school board races, propositions, and bond issues across the state

Polling locations across the state are open until 7 p.m. Tuesday. To check your local polling location or to see if it has changed, go to your county clerk’s website.

When you arrive at your polling location, you must have a valid ID, which includes:

A non-expired Missouri driver licenses

A Missouri Nondriver’s license that is not expired or does not have an expiration date.

U.S. passport

Military ID

Federal or state-issued document with your photograph and name.

If you do not bring these types of identification with you to the polls, you can still vote by casting a blue provisional ballot. Your vote will be counted if you return to the same polling place before closing with your valid ID or a signature that matches your voter registration.

The county clerks of Mid-Missouri’s two largest counties are expecting low voter turnout on Tuesday.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon told ABC 17 News that she expects 12% of voters to turn out for the election. Boone County has had 1,400 absentee voters, with 900 occurring in person and 500 by mail, Lennon said.

The Cole County Director of Elections, Matt Musselman, told ABC 17 News the county is expecting a 14% turnout. Musselman said there have been 511 total absentee ballots cast so far, with 269 voting in person and 242 occurring by mail.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council on Monday passed several projects to improve Columbia Regional Airport.

The city approved roughly $13.1 million in projects around the airport, with federal funding covering a large portion.

The first of which includes renovations to its northern parking lot, which includes paving the existing lot and adding about 250 more spaces. The city previously stated it expects for the additional parking to be available before head of Allegiant Airlines starting services to Florida in June.

That project will cost $3.2 million, with all of the funding coming from the transportation sales tax, according to city documents.

Another approved project is the construction of a fourth terminal boarding bridge. It will cost $1.8 million, with 90% coming from the Federal Aviation Administration. It will cost the city $60,000 for the design and the 10% match for construction, meeting documents show. The project will take roughly two years to complete.

The city also approved a deicing pad and containment facility project. Meeting documents show 90% of the $4.7 million needed for the project will come from federal funds.

“This system will capture excess deicing fluid (glycol) applied to aircrafts during inclement winter weather, that currently flows into the stormwater system,” document say.

Construction for that project is expected to be done by this winter or spring 2027.

The council also approved the reconstruction of the terminal building loop road from the terminal to Airport Drive. Documents say 90% of the $859,381 needed will come from the FAA.

The city will pay for all of the $828,176 needed for the airport’s new kitchen. Funding will come from the terminal project account.

The city will also spend $1.7 million to rebuild 1.3 miles of Airport Drive. Funding will come from the transportation sales tax.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude told ABC 17 News in an interview before Monday’s City Council meeting that the department will not have the staff to reestablish a standalone downtown unit in May.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had several retirements and we have quite a few people that are out either military or injured, so we’re gonna have to push that back a little bit,” Schlude said.

Schlude introduced the idea of bringing the unit back in an October interview, following the death of a Stephens College student in downtown Columbia at the end of September

Schlude had previously stated in October that May would be the earliest in which CPD could have had its downtown unit up and running, following recruits graduating from the academy. She had also listed June as a possible target date.

Police Lt. Clint Sinclair told ABC 17 News in February that new officers would be ready to go solo by the middle of May.

Schlude did not give a clear timeline on Monday night for when the unit could potentially launch. However, during the City Council meeting, she said it could be revisited for the fall. CPD wants to have “at least six officers and a supervisor” in the downtown unit, Schlude said during the meeting.

However, Schlude said before the meeting that CPD has found an alternative to help meet the downtown safety needs in the meantime.

“The good news is the patrol commander has figured out a way to up-staff downtown by adding extra officers in the downtown beat during bar time,” Schlude said. “So we’re going to try to find a little bit of a stopgap.”

The Columbia City Council will also make a final decision Monday to implement a Downtown Ambassadors Program. Schlude believes the extra visibility will complement CPD efforts.

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Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a new 10-year contract with Republic Services for its trash pickup.

The current deal ends on May 31. Rates are expected to increase at a similar rate of the current contract, which meeting documents say are “based off of Water/Sewer/Trash index.”

Tables shown in meeting documents say expected rates “are based on the maximum of a 6% increase each year.

In the short term, rates for single family residential curbside pickup will rise by 29 cents for 35-gallon pickup, 41 cents for 65-gallons and 53 cents for 95-gallon pickup.

Current rates, per the Jefferson City website

Residential rates in the first year are listed a $17.55 for 35 gallons, $19.52 for 65 gallons and $22.03 for 95 gallons and have the chance to raise as high as $29.64, $32.99 and $37.22, respectively, by the 10th year of the contract.

All possible changes to rates can be viewed in the images below.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Friday night house fire in south Columbia was determined to be accidental.

Columbia Fire Department spokeswoman Skyler Clark told an ABC 17 News reporter on Monday that the fire was accidental.

CFD wrote in a Saturday post that crews were called to the 200 block of West Old Plank Road for a report of a house fire.

Crews found heavy flames and “dense smoke” in the garage and the fire went into the home’s attic, the release says. It took about 20 minutes for the fire to be put out.

No injuries were reported and firefighters saved four kittens from the basement of the home, the release says.

Significant damage was seen in the garage and siding when an ABC 17 News reporter was at the scene.

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