KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne covers issues surrounding government accountability and solutions. Share your story with Isabella.
Big changes are coming to the regulations covering towing businesses in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council unanimously voted to crack down on predatory towing at Thursday afternoon’s meeting.
“It’s a new day,” Councilman Darrell Curls said.
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Curls is the sponsor behind the proposed new towing ordinances.
Jack McCormick
Among the changes are a vehicle owner bill of rights, creating an electronic reporting system to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), and enforcing fines for violators.
The penalty for a first violation is a fine between $250 and $500 and/or 30 days in jail. A second violation could mean a fine of $500 to $750 and/or 90 days in jail. A third violation will mean a fine of $750 o $1,000 and/or 180 days in jail.
“A lot of times, what happens is people don’t know their rights when it comes to towing,” Councilman Curls said. “The ones that are affected are always the ones that can least afford it.”
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The city council swiftly passed the ordinance after dozens of people shared their voice on how they suffered at the hands of illegal towing.
Councilman Curls said he started work on the legislation six months ago.
“I think that this is something that’s been long overdue,” Councilman Curls said. “This came from my constituents, my family members, as well as some of my colleagues expressing concerns about towing fees that affect everybody in the city.”
Tow truck drivers also shared their voice at Tuesday’s committee meeting on the ordinance.
Isabella Ledonne
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“I’m all for regulation, I think all of us are here for that,” Josh Baker, Jackson County Tow Service, said. “The problem is nobody here [on council] tows.”
Drivers cited problems with the Kansas City Police Department’s communication and the city taking a large profit from public tows.
Isabella Ledonne
“Underneath the guise of public protection, you guys [the city] are profiting $143 off of every single tow that we bring down, and you own no tow trucks,” Junior Johnson with Empire Tow Service said.
Councilman Curls responded to their concerns by explaining that the police department is confident in their enforcement, and any profit problems within the city will be addressed.
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“I know the director of public works is looking into that [profiting] and I think there will be some changes in regards to that if it hasn’t already been made,” Councilman Curls said. “We’ve had KCPD at the table for these discussions, and they were very confident that they would be able to enforce this ordinance.”
Now it’s up to Jackson County to pass legislation requiring all tow truck drivers to have a license.
According to Councilman Curls, Jackson County is the only county in the area that does not require licensure.
“Clay, Platte, and Cass County had something,” Councilman Curls said. “Jackson County was the only one that didn’t.”
The legislature is expected to take up the ordinance on Monday, May 5.
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At Thursday’s meeting, the City Council also decided to dedicate funding to keep buses and IRIS micro transit running.
Two ordinances that would provide $2.75 million for the transit buses and an additional $3.25 million for KCATA and IRIS will be discussed May 6th in the council’s Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee meeting.
The Ride Share program was supposed to end on Thursday, but council members pledged an additional $500,000 on Wednesday afternoon to keep it running.
It’s unclear how long that funding will last, but the KCATA stated it costs about $500,000 a month to keep IRIS in service.
Jack McCormick
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“I would love to see some more definition to [the funding], but I feel confident that we have the opportunity to work with council and help define what this looks like and find an opportunity to fund both sides of the services more long term,” Tyler Means, KCATA chief mobility and strategy officer, said.
According to the KCATA, IRIS helps more than 300 people get to work every day. Councilman Wes Rogers said they still need to find a long-term solution for public transit.
Jack McCormick
“We figured out how to keep the buses running, we figured out how to keep IRIS going,” Councilman Rogers said. “At least in the short term, everything’s going okay. I saw Bobby Witt hit a home run today. This is not a home run, it’s an infield single, but it’s a positive.”
IRIS rideshare will continue at least throughout the next week.
Some mid-Missouri stores and restaurants will have adjusted hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. KOMU 8 News has compiled a list of what’s open on Christmas in 2025.
If you don’t see your establishment listed, please email news@komu.com with your operating hours.
Stores
Walgreens – East Broadway, Columbia
Christmas Eve: Store open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Store open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., pharmacy closed
Walmart
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Target – Columbia
Target – Jefferson City
Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Aldi
Christmas Eve: Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Dollar General
Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Dollar Tree
Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Gerbes
Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Hy-Vee
Christmas Eve: Store open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pharmacy open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Moser’s Food
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Sam’s Club
Christmas Eve: Store and pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Schnuck’s
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Restaurants and Coffee Shops
IHOP
Christmas Eve: Open 12 a.m. to 7p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed, opens next day at 5 a.m.
Waffle House
7Brew
Christmas Eve: Open 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Scooter’s
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Starbucks – Broadway & Fairview in Columbia
Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Starbucks – Missouri Boulevard & U.S. 50 in Jefferson City
Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Starbucks – Nifong & Buttonwood in Columbia
Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Starbucks – West Truman & Country Club in Jefferson City
You can get in on Missouri sports betting with a BetMGM welcome offer for college basketball on Thursday.
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Mizzou is a 22.5-point favorite over Alabama State. The Tigers step back onto its home floor looking to reset after road losses to Notre Dame and Kansas. Alabama State has struggled mightily against high-major opponents.
BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500
The BetMGM Bonus Code NYPDM1500 can be used for any sport and market offered at BetMGM. That includes Missouri State vs. Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl.
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If bettors wanted to snag the maximum value of the offer, they would have to deposit $7,500. Otherwise, they get 20 percent of whatever they deposit, i.e., deposit $100, get $20.
New users must be physically present in Missouri when signing up at BetMGM to take advantage of this welcome offer.
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Select your bonus offer.
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What our Post expert thinks about Missouri vs. Alabama State
Alabama State has already dropped its two power-conference tests by an average of 32.5 points, and its defensive profile hasn’t suggested much resistance.
The Hornets bring two of the SWAC’s top scorers in Asjon Anderson and Micah Simpson, they are giving up 81.4 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45.3 percent from the floor.
Missouri’s rebounding edge should matter — the Tigers pull nearly 40 boards per game while Alabama State is giving up 37.4 a night and just surrendered 18 offensive rebounds to UT Martin.
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Road construction on Springfield’s northside is affecting access to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society.
MoDOT is realigning the intersection of Norton and Melville Road as part of the I-44 overpass project. The bridge work and intersection project are both impacting the animal shelter.
The shelter sits on Norton Road just west of where the work is happening. Visitors can only reach the shelter by taking the long way up West Bypass to Westgate Avenue, then onto Norton Road.
MoDOT says the intersection at Norton and Melville is supposed to be closed for two weeks. The bridge project, as a whole, is supposed to be completed by the end of the year.
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