Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who was sentenced to probation in 2024 in an infant’s 2019 death had her probation revoked on Friday.

Lavosha Daniels, 34, pleaded guilty on Dec. 16, 2024, to abandoning a corpse and first-degree involuntary manslaughter. She will now serve seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. She is currently being held at District 6 Probation and Parole, according to DOC records.

The baby died after allegedly being strangled by Staffone Fountain, who was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Police arrested Fountain and Daniels in 2022 after someone found a note from Daniels addressed to police in a different hotel describing what happened. Prosecutors claimed  Fountain may have struck the child and placed her in an unsafe sleeping position when he put the child in a car seat and placed her in the bathtub.

The state tried to revoke Daniels bond after she allegedly stole multiple “slushi” machines from a Columbia Sam’s Club on Jan. 14. She is charged with felony stealing and misdemeanor stealing in that case and has an arraignment set for 8:30 a.m. Monday, June 22.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The family of former Mizzou defensive lineman Aldon Smith has hired multiple civil rights attorneys after his death was announced on Saturday, according to a Tuesday press release from Wukela Communications

Smith played for the Tigers from 2009-10 and eventually became a top-10 draft pick in 2011 and earned All-Pro honors in the NFL. He died Saturday at 36 years old.

Tuesday’s press release says Smith’s family hired Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers and Wayne Kendall for their attorneys.

The cause of Smith’s death has not been released, though the release says the family’s attorneys are “investigating all of the aspects of this tragedy including the potential role CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) might have played given the numerous concussions Smith suffered throughout his career.” 

“As with anyone who dies so suddenly at such a young age, we understand that there is a great deal of interest in and speculation about Aldon Smith’s passing and we intend to get to the bottom of it. To that end, we have taken a number of steps including sending his brain to Boston where medical experts will examine it for CTE as well as other damage caused by years of concussions and additional trauma,” a statement included in the press release says.

Mizzou Football and the San Francisco 49ers each honored Smith on social media after his death was announced.

Click here to follow the original article.

Erika McGuire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

As Kansas City prepares to host six FIFA World Cup matches, officials are expanding public transit and launching shuttle services to help move hundreds of thousands of expected visitors throughout the region.

Argentina and Algeria will play the first match at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Arrowhead Stadium, which is being called Kansas City Stadium for the World Cup.

ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct

For fans attending matches, ConnectKC26 has a direct bus service to Arrowhead Stadium on match days from the FIFA fan festival, the Plaza or designated park-and-ride locations.

Park-and-ride locations include North Kansas City, Independence Center, Graceway and Oak Park Mall.

$15 per rider, per match (round-trip)

Service begins 3 hours before kickoff and runs 2 hours after a match ends

A valid ConnectKC26 pass and valid match-day ticket are required

Exploring the Kansas City Metro area

To explore attractions, dining and shopping in the Kansas City area, ConnectKC26 is also offering visitors a “Region Direct” service. The service offers rides to 15 major attractions throughout the city, including:

North Kansas City

Boardwalk Square

Liberty

Worlds of Fun

Independence Square

Independence Center

Lee’s Summit

3-Trails Transit Center

KC Zoo & Starlight Theatre

Mission

Oak Park Mall

Overland Park Convention Center

Lenexa City Center

Lawerence

The Legends

Rides will run about every 20 minutes, with the Lawrence stop running approximately every 30 minutes, according to ConnectKC26.

1-Day Pass per rider: $5

7-Day Pass per rider: $25

Full Tournament Pass per rider: $50 June 11-July 13

Weekday hours are from Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

KC StreetCar

Kansas City’s free two-mile route through Kansas City is also a way of getting around the city.

The streetcar provides level boarding and priority seating with several routes running from the River Market to the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The streetcar connects to the River Market, Power and Light District, Union Station and the Country Club Plaza neighborhoods.

Operating hours

Monday-Thursday: 5 a.m. to midnight

Friday-Saturday: 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday: 5 a.m. to midnight

No passes are required.

RideKC Bus

A public bus service that runs throughout the Kansas City metro area is another option available for those wanting to experience World Cup 2026 festivities and matches.

Fares start at $2 for a single ride, with daily and weekly passes available.

RideKC Bus runs daily from 5 a.m. to midnight.

For detailed routes, RideKC recommends downloading the RideKC mobile app or visit the transit app.

One of two RiverRunner rides from Jefferson City to Kansas City is sold out on Tuesday, according to Amtrak.

Fans descended into Kansas City Tuesday to attend the match between Argentina and Algeria with some fans spending $1,000 on a ticket.

But for fan Juana Benito, the journey from Nebraska was worth it after she secured tickets through a World Cup ticket lottery.

Benito said she hoped she would be selected for an Argentina match and that being in Kansas City to watch the defending champions play made the experience even more special.

“Growing up, I have always been a Messi fan and the fact that we got selected to see one of their matches was like I was like please be an Argentina game please and since they won four years ago and obviously that is a very happy experience for me,” Benito said

Other fans came from Mexico, San Francisco and Argentina said they came all the way to the states to see Lionel Messi play.

Many compare the World Cup to the Super Bowl, but fans say the tournament is on another level.

“I feel like the World Cup brings a lot more people together from all over the countries, I feel like football is just here in the U.S. and I feel like more people watch it worldwide,” Benito said.

While Kansas City has expanded transportation options for the tournament, including shuttle services and public transit, many fans said they chose to rent cars or use rideshare services to get around the city.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jazsmin Halliburton

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The FIFA World Cup kicks into high gear Tuesday in Kansas City as the reigning world champions, Argentina, face off against Algeria.

The FIFA Fan Fest will be open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday for fans to enjoy World Cup matches and other festivities.

The festival, located at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, serves as the official fan hub for Kansas City’s six World Cup matches and can accommodate up to 25,000 people per day.

If you plan on attending the FIFA Fan Fest, there are some rules in place.

Your pass must be digital to enter the venue.

Clear bags only that are 12” x 6” x 12” or small non-clear bags 4.5” x 6.5” are permitted.

Stay hydrated. Clear plastic water bottles will be allowed and water stations will be set up around the venue.

The FIFA Fan Festival is free, though admission is subject to capacity limits. Organizers are encouraging fans to reserve passes in advance.

The Connect K26 shuttle service will be available for fans at GEHA Stadium and Fan Fest.

Connect KC26 shuttles will be available from 10 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and people must have their KC26 shuttle pass. Shuttles will run approximately every 20 minutes; shuttles from the Lawrence, Kansas stop will run approximately every 30 minutes.

Below is a map of the Connect KC26 shuttle stops

Courtesy of Connect KC26

Argentina will face Algeria at 8 p.m. Tuesday at GEHA Stadium and will air on Fox KQFX.

FIFA Fan Fest will air the two matches ahead of Argentina vs Algeria. France will take on Senegal at 2 p.m., followed by Iraq vs Senegal at 5 p.m.

All World Cup matches will be aired at the FIFA Fan Fest throughout the tournament.

Click here to follow the original article.

Matthew Sanders

Jefferson City has a minibike issue.

Council members say that residents of every ward have complained about vehicles such as minibikes, dirt bikes and other motorized, two-wheeled machines on city streets. At Monday’s meeting, the council passed an ordinance to explicitly bar them from city streets.

Do you agree that minibikes shouldn’t be street-legal? Let us know by voting in the poll.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A three-vehicle crash led to the eastbound lane of Interstate 70 to close down on Monday evening near the St. Charles Road exit in Columbia.

Boone County Joint Communications sent a notification at 8:32 p.m. stating that the road was closed at the 133.4-mile marker because of a crash. Traffic appeared to be moving at 9:30 p.m.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed three vehicles were involved in an 8:57 p.m. social media post.

Gale Blomenkamp, of the Boone County Fire Protection District, told ABC 17 News that no injuries were reported in the crash.

🚨Multiple Vehicle Crash on I-70🚨

Troopers are investigating a three vehicle crash on eastbound I-70, at the 133 mile marker, in Boone County.

The roadway is blocked and traffic is backing up. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/VhtrYLHij4

— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) June 16, 2026

Check back for updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Board of Education has appointed Stacey Preis as its interim commissioner of education, according to a Monday press release.

The release says she has 18 years in educational leadership, student achievement initiatives and statewide education policy. She was the deputy commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and served as the executive director of the joint committee on education for six years, the release says.

Additional information from the Boone County Family Resources website says she has three degrees from the University of Missouri, including a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis.

“Missouri students, parents, and educators expect a department that is responsive, supportive, and relentlessly focused on excellence,” Preis is quoted in the release. “I am honored to serve and will work closely with the State Board, the dedicated team at DESE, and our partners to drive innovation, strengthen outcomes, and continue the progress for Missouri’s children.”

The state board of education “is assembling an advisory committee to lead a national search to identify a permanent commissioner of education,” the release says.

Click here to follow the original article.

Olivia Hayes

BUTLER, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Butler Police Department said Monday that North Business 49 at the Butler Memorial Airport will be closed as officials investigate a deadly plane crash from Sunday that killed 12 people.

Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board arrived on Monday. According to the FAA, the plane — which was flown by one pilot and carried 11 skydivers — crashed while leaving the airport just after 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The plane was unable to get visual altitude, made a sharp left turn and crashed about 300 yards from the runway.

At the time of the crash, the FAA was not providing air traffic control services. National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Michael Graham said this is common for smaller airports.

“They probably would not contact center until maybe 3-or 4,000 feet on the climb up to their jump altitude,” Graham said. “We’re not sure at this point if the airport has any recordings of the common traffic frequency or not, but that’s something we will look into.”

“The NTSB analyzes a wide range of evidence as part of an accident investigation,” Graham said. “Beyond just the accident wreckage, including radar video footage, witness statements, audio recordings and more.”

The NTSB reported the plane involved in the crash is not required to have a cockpit voice recorder or “black box.” The NTSB does not yet know if a black box was in the plane. Graham said crews will also collect electronic devices of those on board, such as cellphones or smartwatches, for additional data.

Sunday’s crash has raised questions about the FAA’s standards for skydiving and touring flight companies.

Activity flights companies or “Revenue Passenger-Carrying Operations” are regulated by the FAA’s “Part 91” rules, which are much looser compared to general travel flights.

This includes no requirements for initial or repeated pilot training and inconsistent vehicle maintenance inspections, according to the Robb and Robb law firm in Kansas City, which specializes in aviation accidents. In 2021, the NTSB requested the FAA establish tighter regulations for activity flight companies. However, no changes have been made.

“It’s always frustrating when we see things that maybe the FAA hasn’t acted on with some of our recommendations, and then we continue to see accidents in those arenas,” Graham said.

Gov. Mike Kehoe said on Sunday that members of SEMA’s Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team were activated to assist. MO MORT-1 is a specialized team with skilled forensics in victim identification that can help local authorities during mass fatality incidents. The Missouri Department of Mental Health Behavioral Health Strike Team also has members deployed for grief counseling and supporting surviving family members.

The wreckage will also be removed on Tuesday and taken to a secure site for further examination.

On May 25, 2024, the airport saw another small airplane crash nearby. A pilot and six passengers on the skydiving flight were able to jump from the plane before the wreck, and no one was killed. The plane was a total loss.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) 

The Jefferson City Council on Monday passed two proposed ordinances to crack down on illegal street takeovers and the use of minibikes on public roads.

However, the council voted to amend the street takeover ordinance before it was unanimously approved. 

Under the new ordinance, activities such as burnouts, “donuts,” drag racing, drifting, wheelies, and racing on public streets and parking lots would be prohibited. The ordinance would also make it unlawful to participate in a street takeover event.

‘It becomes dangerous for our citizens. I live out on the west side, so I hear them all night long,” Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater told ABC 17 News. “We’re in summer weather, and it’s nice at night. It’s staying light a lot longer, and it’s just become a nuisance to our citizens. So on the public safety side, we’ve got to take action.” 

The ordinance defines a street takeover as “the act of disrupting the regular flow of traffic for the purposes of performing, facilitating, or spectating stunt driving.” Stunt driving is defined as operating “a motor vehicle performing a race, a drag race, a burnout, a donut, a wheelie, or drifting.”

As part of the amendment, the city would broaden language in the ordinance by deleting the line: “Except as otherwise permitted by law, no person shall perform stunt driving in connection with a street takeover…”

And replacing it with: “Except as otherwise permitted by law, no person shall: Perform stunt driving.”

Violations would carry minimum fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $400 for a third or subsequent offense, along with additional penalties for repeat offenders. However, the ordinance would not apply to sanctioned events approved by the city or property owners.

According to the Jefferson City Police Department, some of the activity has involved car “clubs” traveling into Jefferson City from outside the area. Officials also noted the ordinance would extend to parking lots because of concerns about vehicles losing control in crowded areas.

The council also voted 8-1 in favor of prohibiting certain two-wheeled motorized vehicles, or minibikes, from operating on city streets. The lone no vote came from Ward 5 Councilwoman Mackenzie Job. 

The ordinance defines minibikes as vehicles not registered for street use, including dirt bikes, pocket bikes, pit bikes, trail bikes and mini motorcycles.

Under the proposal, first-time offenders would face a minimum $75 fine, while subsequent violations would carry a minimum $150 fine. Police would also be authorized to tow or remove minibikes found operating illegally on public streets.

City officials said they have received complaints about minibikes from residents in every ward.

“It just seemed like it’s getting worse and worse. I think the chief and the police department had tried to be cooperative and tried to look at ways to minimize it, but it just continues to grow,” Fitzwater said when asked about minibike use. 

Fitzwater signed both ordinances on Monday night. However, City Administrator Brian Crane said that it will “probably take a few days to be processed through the department.” Fitzwater also added that the city will need a “little bit of time” to educate the police department on how the ordinances will be enforced. 

“It’ll take us a little while to get our police department educated,” Fitzwater said. “It’s tough sometimes to distinguish between those that are going to comply with, or fall under the guidelines, and e-bikes and other things that really fall outside the scope of it.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner line added more railcars on Monday ahead of the first World Cup games in the state.

The Missouri River Runner line runs from St. Louis to Kansas City and includes stops in Hermann, Jefferson City, Sedalia and Warrensburg. The first World Cup game in Kansas City is at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Arrowhead Stadium (which is being referred to as Kansas City Stadium by FIFA).

Missouri Department of Transportation spokesperson Taylor Brune said the state is seeing increased ridership in Jefferson City “on some of the trains corresponding with matches and activities in Kansas City.” The train’s capacity is increased by 25%.

An April press release says the expansion will last until Sunday, July 12.

Business Class tickets for the early train on Tuesday were sold out in Jefferson City, according to AMTRAK’s website.

The World Cup website for Kansas City shows the city’s game schedule is as followed:

8 p.m. Tuesday, June 16: Argentina vs. Algeria

7 p.m. Saturday, June 20: Ecuador vs. Curacao

6 p.m. Thursday, June 25: Tunisia vs. Netherlands

9 p.m. Saturday, June 27: Algeria vs. Austria

8:30 p.m. Friday, July 3: Round of 32 game

8 p.m. Saturday, July 11: Quarterfinal game

Click here to follow the original article.