Jeff Haldiman reports on Cole County government, including the County Commission and the county's 16 offices. He also covers public safety agencies, including the Jefferson City police and fire departments, Cole County Sheriff's Department and Missouri Highway Patrol, as well as the Cole County associate and circuit courts.
Haldiman began his career at the Jefferson City News Tribune in April 2006, covering crime and the courts. Since then he also has reported on city, county and state government issues as well as school-related and personal stories about Mid-Missouri residents and their families. The Missouri Press Association, Associated Press and Kansas City Press Club have recognized Haldiman for his work at the News Tribune.
Haldiman began his career in journalism in 1993 at KDKD Radio in Clinton, Missouri, after graduating with a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg in 1992. Working at a small, one-man newsroom meant he covered everything from local school board meetings to the arrival of the first B-2 Stealth Bomber at nearby Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster in December 1993. Haldiman began working in Missouri's Capital City in 1996 with a seven-year stay at KLIK/KATI/KFRU radio, where, working in another small newsroom, Haldiman again covered a range of stories from fundraising for local organizations to the tragic death and national funeral of Gov. Mel Carnahan in 1999. During this time Haldiman first earned awards for his work from The Associated Press and the Missouri Broadcasters Association, as well from the Missouri State Teachers Association and other organizations. In 2003, Haldiman accepted an offer to work at Mid-Missouri CBS-TV affiliate KRCG as assignment editor and assistant news director. When a position opened at the News Tribune newsroom opening came up, Haldiman took the opportunity to return to reporting.
When not working, Haldiman has found great joy in the world of sports. His work in journalism has allowed him to stay close to sports and to see several of his favorite teams and players.
Recent stories by Jeff Haldiman
Business 50 work on tap at St. Martins
If all goes as planned, St. Martins city officials hope to begin improvements on Business 50 next month.
Aug. 13 2020 @ 12:05am
Cole County seeking bids for temporary courtroom
The Cole County Commission has asked county staff to seek bids to make a temporary courtroom available for the new associate circuit judge scheduled to start hearing cases in January at the Cole County Courthouse.
Aug. 12 2020 @ 10:57pm
Cole County Commission to set tax levy rates
The Cole County Commission could approve the 2020 tax levy next week.The commission sets two tax levy rates each year — general revenue and public works.
Aug. 12 2020 @ 12:05am
Cole County to accept applications for CARES Act funding
The Cole County Commission is preparing to distribute federal funds to local entities to help them pay for expenditures incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aug. 12 2020 @ 12:05am
$3M earmarked for internet upgrades
Sixteen broadband projects from eight providers will receive more than $3 million through the state's Emergency Broadband Investment Program and connect almost 2,000 Missouri households, Gov. Parson announced Tuesday.
Aug. 11 2020 @ 11:32pm
10 achieve citizenship on anniversary of Missouri's statehood
On the anniversary of Missouri's statehood — Aug. 10, 1821 — the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in Jefferson City held a naturalization ceremony for 10 new citizens coming from eight different countries.
Aug. 10 2020 @ 11:02pm
Organization of educators protest school reopening
Before state lawmakers met to talk this week about reopening plans of school districts during the COVID-19 pandemic, a newly formed organization of educators came to Jefferson City on Monday evening, saying the state should not allow in-person classes to begin later this month.
Aug. 10 2020 @ 8:42pm
Absentee ballot requests increase in 2020
Missouri voters were able to cast a vote by mail for the first time in Tuesday's primary election, and they'll be able to do so again for the Nov. 3 general election.
Aug. 8 2020 @ 11:06pm
Clean Missouri supporters, state make cases over Amendment 3 ballot language
Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce said she will work to make a decision as soon as possible in a lawsuit filed by proponents of a Missouri constitutional amendment passed in 2018 who believe a new proposed amendment would do away with what Missouri voters approved.
Aug. 7 2020 @ 3:50pm
About 70 peacefully protest at Capitol over crime bill
A group protesting Gov. Mike Parson's legislative agenda for the special session came back to Jefferson City on Thursday afternoon. But unlike last week when eight people were arrested for peace disturbance or interfering with an arrest, no arrests occurred during the second visit.
Aug. 6 2020 @ 11:13pm
Protesters converge on Missouri Capitol to view crime bill debate
About 50-70 protesters entered the Capitol today to continue their protest of Gov. Mike Parson's agenda for the special legislative session underway to address violent crime, especially violent crime in Missouri's largest cities.
Aug. 6 2020 @ 2:25pm
Second protest tied to special session set today
A group of Jefferson City residents has sent a letter to city leaders expressing their concern about the Jefferson City Police Department's response to a recent protest in the downtown area, as another event is planned in Jefferson City today.
Aug. 6 2020 @ 12:05am
MR340 racers glide down Missouri on foggy morning
Just a few minutes after 7 a.m. Wednesday, a three-man boat broke through the fog on the Missouri River — the first boat to come through Jefferson City during the 15th annual Missouri American MR340 race.
Aug. 5 2020 @ 11:51pm
Green, Walker elected Cole County judges; Stumpe gets Republican nomination
Cole County voters decided three local judge races in Tuesday's primary election.
Aug. 4 2020 @ 9:45pm
Osage County reports its first COVID-19-related death
Osage County Health Administrator Susan Long said the person was hospitalized for several days before succumbing to the disease.
Aug. 4 2020 @ 12:04pm
'Steady' stream of voters reported in Cole County
View the Cole County sample ballot here; Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer reported there had been no problems at polling locations for the primary election as of late Tuesday morning.
Aug. 4 2020 @ 11:15am
MR340 race to arrive at Noren Access Wednesday
Competitors in the 15th annual Missouri American Water MR340 race are expected to be in Jefferson City around daybreak Wednesday.
Aug. 3 2020 @ 11:53pm
35% voter turnout forecast for Tuesday primary
Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer predicts local voter turnout for the Aug. 4 primary election will match the numbers seen in 2016.
Aug. 1 2020 @ 11:27pm
Donations help shop owners repair windows
Several acts of kindness have helped repair damage at a Jefferson City business that occurred after rallies for racial justice in June — and some of the help came from the rallies' organizers.
Jul. 31 2020 @ 11:31pm
4-H public speaking contest teaches life skills
It's always among the top things people say they dread doing — speaking in public.
Jul. 30 2020 @ 11:29pm
