A Jefferson City couple are accused of getting thousands of dollars in food stamps that they weren’t entitled to. Aaron and Susan Birdsong are charged with accessing over $30,000 worth of benefits. They’re accused of not listing each other and children in the home on their applications for assistance.

Jefferson City Ward 2 Councilman Mike Lester says he’ll run for re-election. A victory in April would be Lester’s third term. Councilmen serve two year terms.

Is next year the year a Parents Bill of Rights makes into law? State Senator Andrew Koenig carried the bill before. He’d like to see public schools be required to share curriculum planning with parents … Koenig, who announced he’s running for State Treasurer, expects lawmakers will revisit initiative petition …

Columbia city leaders promote from within the department for the new police chief. Assistant Chief Jill Schlude is tabbed for the job. She’s been Columbia’s Assistant Chief since 2019 and has been with the department for almost 20 – years. She beat out three other candidates. Chief Geoff Jones retired …

A man from Fulton faces charges of fighting with Columbia police officers during an arrest. 30 – year old Cody Donelson was allegedly drunk and got into a fight Saturday at the American Legion Hall. Police say he fought with the officers after refusing to leave the club.

Cole County’s ambulance service is looking at expanding its footprint out in the county. Cole County EMS Chief Eric Hoy says they are now in a facility housed in the Osage Fire District’s station in Wardsville … Construction is underway on a new ambulance base across the street from the Cole County …

The special prosecutor has not been asked to file any charges yet against Ashland’s embattled police chief. Gabe Edwards was put on leave in July and has now sued the city over the action. Callaway County Prosecutor Ben Miller is the special prosecutor in the case. He says they continue …

Ol’ Mizzou has been pretty much flush with cash over the past few years. Lawmakers have been generous with funding for the University system. But M-U Curator Todd Graves says the artificially high education budget won’t always be there … Missouri’s colleges and universities got a 7% increase in funding …

A Columbia woman faces charges of child abuse. Investigators say 31 – year old Taylor Oringderff was picked up after being accused of hitting a child. Our news partner ABC – 17 says the charging statement claims Oringderff allegedly hit the child with a high chair because she suspected the …

Do you think Jefferson City is finally going to get the long – rumored conference center? New City Administrator Brian Crane is no stranger to the debate. He remembers discussing it when he was a councilman (here) years ago … The city is now looking for a developer to build …