Columbia Missourian • 06/09/2023

Keith Comfort pleads guilty to strangling his wife in their Columbia apartment

Three days before his jury trial was set to begin, Keith Comfort pleaded guilty to strangling his wife in 2006 and tossing her body into a dumpster behind their apartment building. He was sentenced to 26 years in prison — 22 years for second-degree murder and four for abandonment of a corpse. Comfort was arrested in 2019 after confessing to police that he murdered his wife, Megan Shultz.

Columbia Missourian • 06/09/2023

City Council, staff conclude retreat displaying stronger bonds

I covered the annual Columbia City Council retreat, where new rules on communication were established and bonds grew. It was very interesting seeing City Council members from a new perspective and being able to bring that into my reporting.

Columbia Missourian • 06/08/2023

Council, city staff discuss communication issues

At their annual City Council retreat, 31 council members and city staff participated in a series of activities to strengthen bonds with each other. Several council members noted that they struggled with some communication from city staff, specifically when they are surprised with new information briefly before council meetings.

Columbia Missourian • 03/07/2023

Columbia faces mechanic shortage, taxpayers pay the price

The City of Columbia is experiencing a mechanic shortage. Because of this, taxpayers are spending more money on outsourcing jobs each year. I spent almost two months compiling the data, interviews and details for this investigative piece. It took many cold calls, data requests and late nights to get this published.

Columbia Missourian • 01/30/2023

City labor union protests transit cuts, drug tests, low wages

After attending a pre-council work session midway through January, I spoke with Andrew Hutchinson, LiUNA Local 955 representative. He explained to me the reasoning behind the union's dissatisfaction with Columbia City Council and invited me to their protest against pay cuts.

Columbia Missourian • 10/30/2022

New names and numbers mark congressional, statehouse contests

Through my newsroom course, I was able to report on the redistricting which split through Columbia. I learned how to use infographic software, as well as use different databases to collect information on the boundaries between districts. It was picked up by the Columbia Missourian and published on the front page of their Oct. 30-31 issue.

Columbia Missourian • 04/17/2023

Local union fights to end pre-employment drug testing

LiUNA Local 955 members are fighting to end pre-employment drug testing. I spoke with members of the union, the city and other comparable cities on this issue, as well as gathered data pertaining to the topic.

Columbia Missourian • 05/07/2023

Columbia Police officers under criminal investigation for use of force

Multiple Columbia Police officers will face a criminal investigation after a video circulated social media showing the officers' use of force. Footage shows two officers restraining a person on the ground, while one strikes the individual in the face repeatedly and appears to use pepper spray and a stun gun. I spoke with the Columbia Police Department and included the information they were able to release at the time.

Columbia Missourian • 04/17/2023

Wildcat Materials employees strike over working conditions

Wildcat Materials employees are on strike in effort to get higher wages, better insurance and adjusted overtime policies. I interviewed some of the strikers at 7 a.m., then wrote this story in the newsroom directly after.

Columbia Missourian • 04/21/2023

Wildcat Materials employees rally after five-day strike

I followed up on a previous story I wrote about Wildcat Materials employees striking for higher wages, more comprehensive insurance and better overtime scheduling.

Columbia Missourian • 04/27/2023

Wildcat Materials ratifies new contract, strike concludes

Wildcat Materials agreed on a 10% raise for employees in 2023, followed by additional 3% raises in 2024 and 2025. I continuously covered this strike and concluded my coverage with this story.

Columbia Missourian • 05/15/2023

City Council talks consolidated bus routes, new homelessness job

I covered my first City Council meeting, where American Rescue Plan Act applications were motioned to be publicized and more. I also live tweeted the meeting, which allowed me to gain more experience on quick reporting.

Columbia Missourian • 05/05/2023

Short-term rental regulations survey receives backlash

The survey asked a series of questions over respondents' views on short-term rental regulations. Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission don't believe the results of the survey are accurate, with AI technology being one of the reasons why they may not be trustworthy. I attended the commission's work session and compiled information from that meeting with previous reporting done over the past five years.

Columbia Missourian • 06/05/2023

Council approves wage increases, but only to certain unions

Three labor organizations appealed to Columbia City Council after experiencing frustrations in contract negotiations with city management. After hearing their presentations, council members voted to approve across the board wage increases by 4% for unrepresented permanent employees, not including these organizations.

Columbia Missourian • 06/03/2023

Unions accuse city of negotiating in bad faith, allowing rampant crime

Local unions called on supporters to attend a City Council meeting in response to management "not bargaining in good faith" and council members "allowing rampant, violent crime." My lasting relationship with sources at LiUNA Local 955 allowed me to report in-depth on this prior to the council meeting.

Columbia Missourian • 04/15/2023

City plans for block grant, HOME money up for discussion

I wrote my first city council advance for the April 17, 2023 meeting. I had to shift through many documents, including financial plans for tax propositions and the delegation of other funds. It was published within a few hours of beginning research.

Columbia Missourian • 04/29/2023

City Council to vote on marijuana tax, administrative delays and more

The Columbia City Council will address marijuana taxes, Whitegate Park, a proposed Crosscreek hotel and building and demolition delays at its Monday meeting. I analyzed the 15-page agenda, as well as its subsequent documents and wrote a brief on the most pressing issues.

Columbia Missourian • 04/04/2023

LIVE RESULTS: Get updates on Columbia's 2023 municipal election

I updated the Election Day results live from the Columbia Missourian's newsroom, providing readers with timely information under very tight deadlines.

Columbia Missourian • 04/21/2023

Giving back: MU football team builds houses with Habitat for Humanity

Nearly 150 volunteers from the Missouri football team partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help build houses for low-income families. I shadowed the volunteers and asked players what this act of service meant to them.

Columbia Missourian • 03/04/2023

March March parade brightens downtown Columbia for True/False Film Fest

Covering the March March was such an unique opportunity. I learned to balance live tweeting and reporting in a fast-paced setting. It was such a great learning experience and I had a great time at my first True/False Film Fest event.