The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Today at 7:30 AM  President Barack Obama vigorously defended the surveillance programs in a lengthy interview Monday, calling them transparent — even though they are authorized in secret.

Today at 7:23 AM  During jury selection at George Zimmerman's trial for shooting Trayvon Martin, which is continuing for a seventh day Tuesday, Circuit Judge Debra Nelson has been listening to testimony from voice recognition experts.

Thursday, June 13, 2013  A woman from the home told officers 32-year-old Angelo Cockrell had threatened to assault and kill her as she and her 2-and-a-half-year-old were laying in their bed. Cockrell then shot a handgun at the floor within four feet of them.

Thursday, June 13, 2013  The officer said when he got to the home where there were reports of shots fired, 57-year-old Larry Stump ran toward his direction with a handgun. The deputy reported Stump yelled “I'm going to kill you, this is private property,” according to court records.

Thursday, June 13, 2013  Both measures are backed by the Missouri Roundtable for Life and could go on the 2014 ballot if enough registered voters sign the petitions.

Thursday, June 13, 2013  Prosecutors allege that over a two-year period starting in September 2009, Stayton wrote 131 checks totaling nearly $47,000 to herself or her family members on the dealership's account.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013  A Smithville driver whose sneezing fit caused a crash that killed a woman and left her young son paralyzed has been sentenced to probation and 100 hours of community service.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  Intelligence official says US spy program will remain despite backlash at home and abroad

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  A St. Louis County man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in the beating death of his friend.

Monday, June 10, 2013  Authorities said Lynn Marie Herzog yelled at children using coarse language, videotaped and photographed them and walked toward them with a chainsaw to frighten them.

Monday, June 10, 2013  The Sheriff's Department said crews responded to a structure fire in 4500 block of County Road 217 on Monday morning, a little before 6:00.

Monday, June 10, 2013  A Moberly man will spend decades in prison for taking part in the kidnapping and rape of a woman who was then left in a locked freezer.

Monday, June 10, 2013  Holloway admitted that he had been acquiring about 50 pounds of marijuana and one kilogram of cocaine each month for two years from his sources in Kansas City.

Monday, June 10, 2013  Jury selection begins Monday in the Orlando suburb of Sanford, Fla., the scene of massive protests.

Saturday, June 08, 2013  Authorities said Campbell was working as a Merrill Lynch financial adviser from mid-2006 through October 2011 when he diverted more than $1.4 million from client accounts to his own. One client was 86 years old with dementia.