Posted 9:30 PM 7/24/2014 by Jessica Mensch, KOMU 8 Reporter

COLUMBIA - When Julie Donnelly had her son 45 years ago, she didn't even know what autism was. Now, it is her life's work.

"When he was very young they thought he was retarded. They told me nothing could be done, that he would never lead a functional life. They told me to put him in an (More)

Posted 8:23 PM 7/24/2014 by The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Kansas City Zoo's oldest lion has been euthanized after veterinary staffers were unable to treat him successfully for numerous health issues.

The Kansas City Star reports the lion, named Dumisani, was 18 years old and had lived at the zoo nearly his entire life (More)

Posted 7:56 PM 7/24/2014 by Jessica Mensch, KOMU 8 Reporter

COLUMBIA - The League of Women Voters heard from supporters and opponents of the Aug. 5 ballot measures Thursday at the Columbia Public Library.

Speakers for and against each of the possible amendments gave presentations to approximately 90 people at the meeting.

The meeting covered (More)

Posted 7:53 PM 7/24/2014 by The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) - State utility regulators have indicated they will deny a request by Ameren Missouri's largest customer for a rate decrease of nearly $50 million a year, despite warnings from the company that it could be forced to close without the reduction.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (More)

Posted 6:26 PM 7/24/2014 by The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY (AP) - A northwest Missouri man has been identified as the Missouri Department of Transportation contract worker who fell to his death from a Kansas City bridge this week.

KSHB-TV reports 53-year-old David Craven of Kearney was working on a MoDOT project on a Missouri Highway (More)

Posted 5:29 PM 7/24/2014 by The Associated Press

FLORISSANT (AP) - A 10-year-old boy is hospitalized but expected to survive after being shot while taking out the trash in north St. Louis County.

Police say the shooting happened Wednesday night, at about the same time a man was shot while walking on a nearby street. Police are (More)

Posted 5:19 PM 7/24/2014 by Lee Anne Denyer, KOMU 8 Reporter

COLUMBIA - Housing experts said Thursday it's a good time to buy and to sell in Columbia.

Missouri REALTORS released new data this week indicating more homes sold in June 2014 than June 2013, and the cost of the homes increased, supporting that idea.

The June 2013 Home Sales Result (More)

Posted 5:07 PM 7/24/2014 by Drew Whiteman, KOMU 8 Digital Producer

COLUMBIA - The Supreme Court of the State of Missouri upheld an appealed death penalty sentence for convicted murderer Leon Taylor Thursday afternoon.

Taylor was arrested in connection to a 1994 gas station robbery in Independence, where he shot and (More)

Posted 4:49 PM 7/24/2014 by The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY (AP) - A federal appeals court has upheld the 50-year prison sentence for a former Kansas City priest convicted on child pornography charges.

The Kansas City Star reports that the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld the sentence of 48-year-old Shawn Ratigan (More)

Posted 4:16 PM 7/24/2014 by Alyssa Casares, KOMU Digital Producer

OSAGE COUNTY - The Missouri Department of Public Safety's Administrative Hearing Commission set a date Wednesday for a hearing regarding Osage County Sheriff Michael Dixon's job status. Missouri Attorney Chris Koster filed a complaint that could suspend or revoke Dixon's peace officer's (More)

Posted 4:04 PM 7/24/2014 by Creighton Hayes, KOMU 8 News Reporter

COLUMBIA - The Columbia Police Department unvieled new technology Thursday afternoon. 

CPD officers will now where a body attachable camera. The camera will record every interaction between an officer and a person. 

One of the first officers to test the equipment said he (More)

Posted 3:16 PM 7/24/2014 by Drew Whiteman, KOMU 8 Digital Producer

COLUMBIA - A woman pleaded guilty to property damage and resisting arrest Wednesday after being arrested in an incident involving allegations of felony stalking last November.

An incident report last November said 49-year-old Caroline Lazinger allegedly rammed her car into two vehicles (More)

Posted 2:20 PM 7/24/2014 by The Associated Press

CARUTHERSVILLE (AP) - The Pemiscot County Jail will house prisoners from a neighboring southeast Missouri county, at least for the next six months.

The Sikeston Standard Democrat reports that the New Madrid County Commission has agreed to pay Pemiscot County $30 per prisoner per day.