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
Port authority looking at potential designs for Missouri River port
The Heartland Port Authority is looking at what it would cost to get a port open and operating along the Missouri River near Jefferson City.
Sep. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm
Lawyers for protesters ask for cases to be dismissed
Lawyers representing eight people who were charged after a protest over Gov. Mike Parson's agenda for the July 2020 legislative special session are asking a Cole County judge to dismiss the charges.
Sep. 16 2021 @ 11:05pm
New Cole County emergency management director named
Although there are differences from where he currently serves, the new emergency management director for Cole County/Jefferson City said having to be prepared and well-supported in a disaster situation doesn't change, no matter where you are.
Sep. 16 2021 @ 11:05pm
Probation given in connection with 2020 Cole County drug bust
A Cole County man charged in connection with an April 2020 drug bust in Wardsville was placed on five years supervised probation for pleading guilty to accessory to second-degree drug trafficking.
Sep. 15 2021 @ 11:55pm
Missouri Capitol rally calls for special session on vaccine mandate
Residents from across Missouri went to the state Capitol on Wednesday, hoping to convince Gov. Mike Parson to call a special session to pass legislation that would keep Missourians from having to comply with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate announced last week by President Joe Biden.
Sep. 15 2021 @ 11:20pm
Mid-Missouri officials gearing up for this weekend's bicentennial celebration
Saturday's events to honor Missouri's Bicentennial have been in the planning stages for several months, and Gov. Mike Parson said he hopes people will take advantage and come out for the once-in-a-lifetime event.
Sep. 15 2021 @ 11:05pm
Cole County Commission told cooperative project with Jefferson City in 'holding pattern'
A cooperative capital project involving the redevelopment of the Missouri State Penitentiary is in a "holding pattern" as the state, city and developer continue negotiations, members of the Cole County Commission were told Tuesday.
Sep. 14 2021 @ 11:56pm
Re-entry plan update on school board's agenda
An update on how the Jefferson City School District is doing with its COVID-19 re-entry plan will be the highlight of this week's school board meeting.
Sep. 12 2021 @ 11:25pm
Mid-Missouri shows support for first responders on 9/11 anniversary
Planning has been going on for more than a year and Saturday was the culmination of what organizers called Missouri Patriot Day.
Sep. 11 2021 @ 11:05pm
Jefferson City rededicates memorial plaza to honor ultimate sacrifices made
Honoring those who serve to protect citizens every day has always been front and center on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and even more so this year on the 20th anniversary.
Sep. 11 2021 @ 11:05pm
Deputy clerk takes care of well-being of inmates at Cole County Jail
Debbie Carel never expected she would be working in law enforcement after retiring as a procurement officer with the Missouri Department of Social Services.
Sep. 11 2021 @ 11:05pm
9/11 attacks heightened awareness of public safety, homeland security
There have been many changes in how homeland security is handled in Missouri in the 20 years since 9/11.
Sep. 10 2021 @ 11:05pm
9/11 survivor talks to local students about the events of 20 years ago
One of the main reasons Lt. Joe Torrillo came to Jefferson City for the 20th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11 was to speak to students about the events of that day.
Sep. 9 2021 @ 11:05pm
Four law officers recognized as Life Savers
On April 29, four local law enforcement officers helped save the life of an individual using CPR.
Sep. 9 2021 @ 9:20pm
9/11 memorial comes to Jefferson City with patriotic escort
Mid-Missourians began their remembrances of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on Wednesday night with a patriotic motorcade bringing in what one person called, "precious cargo.
Sep. 8 2021 @ 11:30pm
Jefferson City firefighters return from helping respond to Hurricane Ida
Jefferson City firefighters were among the first wave of the emergency response to Hurricane Ida, and the information they gathered as part of Missouri Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team is being used to help with continued recovery efforts in Louisiana.
Sep. 8 2021 @ 11:25pm
Fulton native will never forget 9/11 attack on Pentagon
Twenty years later, the memories of that day are still vivid for the retired U.S. Army major general, who grew up in Fulton and who had two of his staff members killed in the attack.
Sep. 6 2021 @ 11:05pm
Jefferson City to mark 20th anniversary of 9/11 with multiple events
Whether you were at work, school, home or in the car, if you were alive on Sept. 11, 2001, you'll always remember where you were when the announcement came about the terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Sep. 6 2021 @ 11:05pm
JCPD officers honored with public safety medals
Two members of the Jefferson City Police Department were among the 15 first responders and seven civilians awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals on Wednesday for heroic and life-saving actions during 2020.
Sep. 1 2021 @ 11:05pm
Cole County COVID numbers appear to be declining
Positive COVID-19 cases are on a downward trend, the Cole County health director told county commissioners Tuesday.
Sep. 1 2021 @ 12:45am
