Category: kmiz-local-news

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley appeared on CNN on Wednesday to discuss his opposition to Medicaid cuts.

Hawley, a Republican, has defied party leadership by opposing Medicaid cuts proposed by President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. The House has been working on the budget plan this week.

“My state is a Medicaid expansion state,” Hawley told CNN host Manu Raju. “Over 20% of Missourians, including hundreds of thousands of children, are on Medicaid, and they’re not on Medicaid because they want to be. They’re on Medicaid because they can’t afford health insurance in the private market.

“These are working people and their children who need health care, and it’s just wrong to go and cut their health care when they’re trying to make ends meet, trying to help their kids, trying to make sure that they’re able to provide for their families. So I hope that the House GOP and the Senate GOP will get the message here.”

Watch the interview in the media player.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man accused of causing a grocery store to go on lockdown last year was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday evening.

John Linzie, 45, was found guilty of second-degree making a terroristic threat and first-degree property damage. He was previously charged with first-degree making a terroristic threat and first-degree property damage.

A sentencing date was not immediately available.

According to a probable cause statement, Linzie allegedly threatened to “grab a shotgun and shoot everyone” at 7:20 a.m. that morning at the Gerbes Supermarket on West Broadway. Court documents say Linzie threw trash cans at the store’s glass door, broke some of the cart corrals and wanted to fight staff.

 According to court documents, a manager at the store had locked down the store to keep Linzie from entering and staff said it would cost at least $1,000 to fix the cart returns.

The jury trial will take place in front of Judge Jacobs.

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Matthew Sanders

The final hours of the 2025 legislative session are ticking down, and a plan to help fund stadium upgrades for Kansas City sports teams is at the center of a power struggle in the General Assembly.

The Missouri House has approved the incentives. However, they’ve been held up in the Senate, where a bipartisan group of senators has taken issue with the House rejecting funding for capital projects, including major items in Columbia and Jefferson City.

State Sen. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) held the floor for hours Tuesday to prevent action on the stadium funding, supported by Senate Appropriations Chair Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield).

Should the Senate approve the stadium deal before the session ends Friday? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Mitchell Kaminski

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ)

Kit Bond, a sixth-generation Missourian with deep family and civic ties to Mexico, has died at the age of 86,  leaving behind a legacy of public service and community impact.

Born in St. Louis, Bond was raised in Mexico and remained closely connected to the Audrain County community throughout his life. His obituary says that after earning his law degree in 1963, he moved to Georgia to work as a law clerk. By 1967, he had returned to his hometown, just a year before launching his campaign for Congress.

Following his passing, Bond’s family requested that donations be made in his memory to organizations and causes he cared deeply about, including the Handi-Shop, a community organization that has operated in Mexico for more than 50 years. The organization provides job opportunities and support for individuals with disabilities, a mission that resonated strongly with Bond.

Bond was also known for his passion for chestnut trees. At one time, he maintained the largest chestnut orchard in the state of Missouri at his home in Mexico, his obituary says. Community groups would often be invited for visits to the home. 

His connection to the community runs even deeper, tied to his family’s role in shaping the city’s industrial past. In 1910, Bond’s grandfather, A.P. Green, invested $85,000 to purchase Mexico Fire and Clay, according to the Missouri State Historical Society. The region was then known for its rich clay deposits, and that investment led to the creation of the A.P. Green Refractories plant—one of the city’s largest employers for decades.

The company’s firebrick products played a crucial role in American manufacturing, particularly during both World Wars, and earned formal recognition from the U.S. military during World War II.

After A.P. Green retired in 1946, the plant changed ownership several times. A failed revival effort in recent years left the City of Mexico saddled with unpaid bonds. In late 2022, the city sold the property.

Though Bond’s life included public service on a national level, his contributions and roots in Mexico remain part of the fabric of the community he called home.

Kit Bond ObituaryDownload

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After the announcement of former Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond’s death on Tuesday, a large number of Missouri public officials from both sides of the aisle shared their condolences.

Bond died in St. Louis early Tuesday, according to a press release from Gov. Kehoe’s office. He served in various roles during his time in the public eye, including as governor from 1973-77 and 1981-85 and was in US senate from 1987-2011.

Once he retired, his seat was won by now-former Sen. Roy Blunt.

“No one understood Missouri better or served our State more effectively than Kit Bond. While he is most often recognized for his ability to bring federal dollars and new opportunities to Missouri, his fellow Senators saw him as a trusted leader on national security, transportation, and education. And I was fortunate to call him friend. Abby and I send our love to his family and will keep them in our thoughts as we remember this great American with fondness and appreciation for his friendship and leadership,” Blunt said in a statement sent to ABC 17 News.

The seat was eventually won by Sen. Eric Schmitt in 2022 after Blunt’s retirement.

“Today, I was saddened to hear of the passing of legendary Missouri Senator Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond. Kit proudly served our state as governor and then in the U.S. Senate for 24 years, with his trademark sense of humor and dedication to making Missouri the best state in our union. He helped to improve the lives of generations of Missourians across the Show Me State. Please join me in praying for Kit, his wife Linda, his son Sam, the entire Bond family, and all those who loved him,” Schmitt said in a statement.

Fellow Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley shared grief in a social media post.

“Erin and I were saddened to hear of the death of our friend, Kit Bond. What a champion for Missouri. He served his state and his nation with the utmost distinction for decades – and he was above all a fine man. He & Linda have been such good friends to Erin and me. We are thankful for them, and are praying now that the Lord would comfort Linda and their family,” Hawley wrote.

Erin and I were saddened to hear of the death of our friend, Kit Bond. What a champion for Missouri. He served his state and his nation with the utmost distinction for decades – and he was above all a fine man. He & Linda have been such good friends to Erin and me. We are…

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) May 13, 2025

Kehoe gave high praise to Bond during an interview on Tuesday.

“You could never be around Kit Bond and not smile, and you could never be around Kit Bond without knowing that his heart was with Missouri. He might have had a lighthearted approach to tackling some of the toughest solutions, but both as Missouri governor and Missouri senator, he was a leader,” he said.

Missouri Democrats also shared condolences and acknowledged Bond’s influence on Missouri politics.

“Kit’s service to Missouri was defined by his deep commitment to improving the lives of our citizens, whether through securing vital infrastructure projects or supporting critical economic initiatives. He was a man of principle, integrity, and, above all, love for the people of Missouri. His leadership set a high bar for future generations, and he leaves behind a powerful example of dedication and resilience,” Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan said in a statement.

Former Sen. Claire McCaskill shared sympathies on social media.

“My sympathies to the Bond family. I am proud that Kit and I were friends. He cared deeply and always about Missouri. #RIPSenatorKitBond,” she wrote.

My sympathies to the Bond family. I am proud that Kit and I were friends. He cared deeply and always about Missouri. #RIPSenatorKitBond

— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) May 13, 2025

Former Gov. Jay Nixon showed his appreciation for Bond on his social media.

“Missouri lost a leader for the ages, smart, tough, and fun. Kit’s counsel and help to me personally as Governor was deeply appreciated,” he wrote.

Missouri lost a leader for the ages, smart, tough, and fun.Kit’s counsel and help to me personally as Governor was deeply appreciated.

— Governor Jay Nixon (@GovJayNixon) May 13, 2025

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce wrote about his influence.

“The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry mourns the passing of former Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond – a dedicated public servant and champion for Missouri,” a social media post from the chamber reads. “Gov. Bond’s leadership helped lay the groundwork for economic growth and opportunity across our state. We are grateful for his decades of service, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Leaders from the University of Missouri – where a building at the Columbia campus is named after Bond — also shared their condolences.

“Senator Bond was a tremendous champion for Missourians and the University of Missouri,” UM System President Mun Choi said in a statement. “His incredible commitment to groundbreaking research in life sciences, agriculture and other critical areas impacted the state and secured our role as a world-class institution. We are grateful for his decades of support and proud to carry on his legacy of service.”

“The state of Missouri and the University of Missouri System have both tremendously benefitted from Senator Bond’s leadership,” UM Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves said in a statement. “His tenure of dedicated public service continues to positively influence Missouri today, and we value his tireless advocacy and support throughout his long and distinguished career.”

US Republican Rep. Mark Alford shared similar sentiments.

“It’s with deep sadness that I rise today to honor the life and legacy of former Christopher S. ‘Kit’ Bond. Leslie and I join the Bond family, the Show Me State, and a grateful nation in mourning the loss of one of Missouri’s favorite sons,” Alford said in a statement. “Kit was a true statesman and a mentor to many, including myself. He represented the highest ideal of public service.”

Kehoe announced in a Tuesday afternoon press release that a memorial service will be held for Bond at the Capitol Rotunda at noon Tuesday, May 20. The public is invited to attend and the former senator’s body will be at the Capitol Rotunda for 24 hours following the service.

Flags around the state will be lowered to half-staff until after Bond’s funeral on Thursday, May 22

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Education on Monday night approved two people for leadership positions within the district, a Tuesday press release says.

Adam Taylor was picked as Columbia Public Schools’ chief academic officer for the 2025-26 school year, while Allison Chostner was chosen as Benton STEM Elementary School’s next principal, the release says.

Taylor is currently the executive director of secondary education and will replace Jeff Klein, who was recently announced the district’s next superintendent. The release says Taylor is a CPS graduate who has more than a decade of educational experience, including roles as athletic director, assistant principal and principal at Battle High School.

He also taught personal finance, business law and global business at Hickman High School for five years, the release says.

Chostner is currently the assistant principal at Benton STEM Elementary School and will replace Sarah Sicht, who is becoming the principal at Eagle Bluffs Elementary School, the release says.

Chostner has 17 years of experience in elementary education and has served as Benton STEM’s assistant principal since 2020, the release says. She has also served as an assistant principal at Bush Elementary School in Fulton. She began her career as a teacher at Parkade and Midway Heights elementary schools.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia businesswoman accused of fraud and embezzlement pleaded guilty on Thursday to two counts.

Kathryn L. Cunningham pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and not paying payroll taxes. She was originally charged with 38 counts, which included bank fraud, stealing from an organization that receives federal funds and wire fraud.  

Cunningham is the former owner and CEO of payroll company Moresource, which had about 140 clients when it closed in 2020, according to previous reporting.

Cunningham was accused of embezzling from the payroll account that was held in trust for the company’s clients. Cunningham stole about $1.5 million for her personal benefit and to run her company, previous reporting indicates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Macon County, man was charged with a felony and two misdemeanors after authorities allege that he raped a woman on Saturday.

Cameron Hunter, 18, of Bevier, Missouri, was charged Tuesday in Macon County with first-degree rape and two misdemeanors: second-degree sexual abuse and third-degree kidnapping. He is being held at the Macon County Jail without bond, according to a press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. A mugshot was not immediately available.

The probable cause statement says that the victim arrived at Hunter’s residence for a bonfire on Saturday with several people. The alleged victim walked into the residence, didn’t see anyone and went back outside to ask for help finding people at the home, the statement says.

The victim and a man found Hunter laying on his bed and the man left after Hunter told him to sleep on the couch, the statement says. Hunter then allegedly raped the victim while she told him to stop, the statement says.

The victim at one point was able to slip away from Hunter during the assault and contacted someone to get her, the statement says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Ken Rice has thrown his hat in the Second Ward Columbia City Council race.

Rice made the announcement in a Tuesday afternoon press release. The city called for a special election on Aug. 5 after Ward 2 Councilwoman Lisa Meyer announced that she would step down on May 16. Rice wrote in his release that Meyer asked him to run for her seat.

Rice recently ran an unsuccessful bid for a Columbia Board of Education seat in the April election. He made headlines later in the month by asking for community help in paying off school lunch debt.

City Clerk Sheela Amin told ABC 17 News that Rice submitted his election petition on Tuesday morning and the city is in the process of reviewing it to determine if it’s sufficient. Tuesday was the first day candidates could file.

Election packets can be picked up at the city clerk’s office and candidates have until June 3 to file, according to previous reporting.

In his release, Rice wrote that affordable housing and addressing infrastructure and public safety needs would be focuses of his campaign.

“In our city’s council-manager form of government, leadership is about collaboration, accountability, and long-term thinking. The city manager runs the day-to-day operations—but it’s the council that sets the direction, the values, and the policies that shape how our city grows, serves, and thrives. I’m running because I want to be your voice in that process,” Rice wrote in the release. “I’m running because I believe in the power of public service, and I believe in us—the people who make up this city, from every neighborhood and every walk of life.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who is accused of shooting two Pettis County deputies earlier this month is facing additional federal charges.

James Joseph Elsea, 62, of Marshall, was indicted on Tuesday with possessing with intending to distribute methamphetamine, shooting a gun while committing a drug trafficking crime and being a felon with a gun.

He was previously charged on May 2 with being a felon with a gun. He is being held at the Cole County Jail.

According to court documents in previous reporting, deputies served a “no-knock” warrant for a drug investigation on Friday, May 2 at a house in the 27000 block of Route BB. Court documents said that Elsea is “known to be armed.”

The SWAT team began cutting into the door when Elsea fired four shots, the complaint says. One SWAT member returned fire, the complaint says.

One of the injured SWAT members was brought to University Hospital with a shattered femur and was sent to surgery. The other was brought to Bothwell Hospital and was eventually released the same day, the statement says. The identities of the injured SWAT members have not been stated.

A gun was found in the residence.

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