Missouri

Here’s what you need to know: Thursday, May 9

Published

2 years ago

May 9, 2024

Here’s what you need to know: Thursday, May 9

Randolph County loses local radio news coverage after broadcasters lose jobs

Residents in Randolph County and communities in northern Missouri lost a major source for local news, sports and weather radio coverage after all broadcasting staff at KWIX/KRES/KIRK/KTCM radio stations were reportedly let go Tuesday.

The stations are owned by Alpha Media Group, which operates 207 radio stations across 44 regional markets.

All Alpha Media stations in Missouri will have the same fate with the cutting of local newsroom staff, according to social media posts from former employees. KOMU 8 reached out to Alpha Media for comment multiple times but has not received a response.

Groups advocate for prevention efforts as fentanyl deaths among Missouri toddlers spikes

As fentanyl deaths rise in Missouri, specifically among kids, groups in Columbia and throughout Missouri are advocating for change.

This week, the Missouri Department of Social Services released a report detailing a recent surge in fentanyl deaths in babies, toddlers and teens. According to the data, the number of adolescents who died from the drug nearly doubled in 2022, with 43 kids killed. Among these, 20 were under the age of 5, marking a staggering 500% increase.

Research shows fentanyl is one of the most dangerous opioids. It is nearly 50 times more potent than heroin or other substances.

Forecast: Exiting Wednesday afternoon storms will leave mid-MO with sunshine on Thursday

The First Alert Weather Team will be able to send the all clear for severe weather by this evening at the latest. We will send that out on the First Alert Weather App and on social media.

Once these storm move east, out of the KOMU 8 viewing area, we will look forward to some much calmer weather for the rest of the week and weekend.

Educators fear new education overhaul could have unintended budget consequences

A bill fundamentally changing education in Missouri was signed into law Tuesday, leaving some educators afraid that the state’s overhaul could have unintended consequences.

Senate Bill 727 is a massive piece of legislature that holds more than 160 pages, dealing with over 20 sections of state statutes on education.

The bill allows charter schools to operate in Boone County, raises teacher baseline pay from $25,000 to $40,000, and increases the annual funding for Missouri Empowerment Scholarships, among other promises, according to previous KOMU 8 reporting.

New city of Columbia programs aim to help homeless population

Members of the Columbia Police Department (CPD) and city officials held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the city’s new programs, DIVERT and the Homelessness Outreach Team.

The city says it started working on the development of these programs before the pandemic, but the DIVERT program launched back in January 2023 and the HOT team has been operating for about two months now.

However, this is the first time the city has released information about the programs to the public.

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Missouri

Missouri lawmakers take hard look at regulating AI

Published

11 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

Missouri lawmakers take hard look at regulating AI

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri lawmakers are taking a hard look at regulating artificial intelligence, focusing on images and videos created without consent.

The House Emerging Issues Committee held a public hearing on Monday to examine a series of bills that would expand criminal and civil penalties for nonconsensual AI-generated content.

Lawmakers emphasized the rapid growth of AI technology has outpaced existing laws, creating gaps in protections for individuals and raising the need to hold creators and platforms accountable.

Committee members also noted more than 30 states already have laws addressing AI-generated images — which comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in December limiting states enforcing their own regulations — and discussed a possible “sunset” provision to test whether definitions hold up over time.

The bills under consideration cover a range of issues:

Rep. Sheri Gallick (R-Bates County), HB 2350 – Expands Missouri’s criminal definitions of child pornography and explicit sexual material to include “artificially generated visual depictions” of minors.
Rep. Jeff Farnum (R-Atchison County), HB 2035 – Makes it illegal to use AI to replicate or alter a person’s image or voice to create sexual material without written consent. Victims could sue for damages and attorney’s fees, and the Missouri Attorney General could investigate violations.
Rep. Bill Lucas (R-Jefferson County), HB 2321 – Establishes the “AI-Generated Content Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2026,” making it a crime to knowingly publish or distribute AI-generated content depicting someone without consent. Penalties range from fines up to $110,000 and prison terms up to five years, with exceptions for satire, art, journalism and research.
Rep. Melissa Schmidt (R-Wright County), HB 2361 – Creates a class C felony for creating, soliciting, promoting, or possessing nonconsensual altered sexual depictions. Online platforms would be required to remove reported content within 48 hours. Civil lawsuits would also be allowed for damages, injunctions and attorney’s fees.
Rep. Cecelie Williams (R-Jefferson County), HB 1913 – Allows victims to sue if an “intimate digital depiction” is shared without consent and creates criminal penalties for knowingly or recklessly disclosing such material. Disclaimers are not a defense, and internet and telecommunications providers are shielded from liability.
Rep. Wendy Hausman (R-St. Charles), HB 1887 (“The Taylor Swift Act”) – Permits individuals, including minors, to sue if digital depictions are shared without consent and imposes criminal penalties for reckless or intentional disclosure, including Class E and Class C felonies for repeat offenses.
Rep. Dave Dolan (R-Scott), HB 2862 – Targets digital impersonation, allowing Missouri residents to seek declaratory relief, injunctions, and damages if images or recordings misrepresent them, including cases tied to paid advertisements. Parents or guardians may act on behalf of minors or incapacitated individuals.

Committee members emphasized that the bills are too important to rush and suggested consolidating the proposals into a single package before a vote, ensuring that Missouri has clear and enforceable protections as AI technology continues to evolve.

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Missouri

What’s open and closed on Presidents Day in Missouri? What to know

Published

23 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

What’s open and closed on Presidents Day in Missouri? What to know

Some Americans have an extra day off to look forward to this week.

Now seen as a day to honor every person who has held the United States’ high office, Presidents Day was created to celebrate George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22. It became a federal holiday in 1879, but was later moved to the third Monday of February to create a long weekend under the Uniform Holidays Act of 1968.

Here’s a guide to what’s open and closed on Presidents Day.

When is Presidents Day 2026?

This year, Presidents Day is on Monday, Feb. 16.

Are federal or Missouri state offices open on Presidents Day?

Given that Presidents Day is a federal holiday, non-essential federal offices and most banks will be closed, and there will be no U.S. mail delivery.

In Missouri, it’s also a state holiday, so all local governments and state offices will also be closed.

Will stores, restaurants be open on Presidents Day?

Most major retailers, grocery stores and restaurants should be open on Presidents Day, but you may want to check with your local stores to confirm business hours.

Are Costco or Sam’s Club open on Presidents Day?

Both Costco and Sam’s Club will be open during normal business hours on Presidents Day.

Are Walgreens or CVS open on Presidents Day?

CVS and Walgreens will be open on Presidents Day, but store hours may vary.

Is the post office open on Presidents Day? Will mail be delivered?

All post offices will be closed, and mail will not be delivered on Presidents Day, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s website.

FedEx will offer modified services, mostly entailing early pickups, and most offices will be open. UPS will operate as usual, and its stores will be open.

Are banks open on Presidents Day?

Most banks will be closed on Presidents Day, as most follow the Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule.

Is the stock market open on Presidents Day?

Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed on Presidents Day.

Will there be trash pickup on Presidents Day?

Trash pickup on Presidents Day can vary city to city, so it’s best to check with your local waste management service to see if they observe the holiday. Trash pickup is typically delayed by one day if the scheduled pickup falls on a federal holiday.

Are libraries and DMV offices open on Presidents Day?

Holiday hours can vary among Missouri’s libraries and DMV offices, so it’s best to check whether the ones in your area will be open on Presidents Day.

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Missouri

3 Takeaways From Texas’s Momentum-Rolling Win Over Missouri

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

3 Takeaways From Texas’s Momentum-Rolling Win Over Missouri

The Texas Longhorns have found a roll throughout the back half of the season, as the Longhorns have now won four straight games after their return to the court saw the Longhorns take care of the Missouri Tigers 85-68 on the road on Saturday night.

The Longhorns are now rolling with consecutive wins over rivals Oklahoma, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and, most recently, Missouri. Like many of the games this season, Texas started slowly but regained its footing and took control against the Tigers, securing its fourth straight victory.

The Longhorns will not get back home and take the floor of the Moody Center when they return to the court to take on the LSU Tigers on Monday, Feb. 17, as they’ll look to keep their momentum rolling. Taking a closer focus on Texas’ win against Missouri, here are three takeaways from the matchup.

Texas Erases Early Shooting Woes

Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher celebrates after scoring against the Missouri Tigers. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Longhorns have gotten accustomed to a very slow start to begin ballgames, and on Saturday night, it was no different as Texas started the game shooting 6 of 23 from the field and one of six from beyond the arc.

Despite those struggles, the Longhorns were able to find a solid close to the first half, shooting 13 of 35 from the field and two of nine from three-point range, taking a two-point lead into the locker room, a lead that they would never give back.

Dailyn Swain Regains His Groove

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain goes up for a shot as Missouri Tigers guard T.O. Barrett. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Forward Dailyn Swain has been rolling throughout SEC play for the Longhorns; however, against Ole Miss, the forward had an uncharacteristic game, ending the night with just seven points and shooting two of five from the field.

And against Missouri, Swain was back to his usual self, ending the game with a game-high 25 points, shooting 9 of 16 from the field and three of six from three. The second half was where Swain was at is best, scoring 18 points, shooting six of seven from the field and two of three from beyond the arc.

Nic Codie Turns in Valuable Minutes

Missouri Tigers forward Mark Mitchell dunks the ball as Texas Longhorns forward Nic Codie defends. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Longhorns headed into this game with a big question mark, with forward Lassina Traore being ruled out for the game against Missouri. The Longhorns were going to have to find a quick replacement for a player who provides key minutes when center Matas Vokietaitis is not on the floor.

Stepping up with the opportunity at hand was forward Nic Codie, who turned in a solid performance in 15 minutes, recording nine points, shooting four of five from the field, while also adding six rebounds and a block against Missouri.

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