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
Nearly half of Cole County's CARES Act funds went to county government
With most of the federal COVID-19 relief funds Cole County received now distributed, the largest portion of the money went to internal county government requests.
Jan. 16 2021 @ 10:51pm
Mild winter storm moves through Jefferson City
Friday's winter weather played out much as forecasters expected it would, having 1 inch of snow in Central Missouri.
Jan. 15 2021 @ 11:25pm
Snow forecast through Friday evening across Mid-Missouri
The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a Winter Weather Advisory until 9 p.m. and predicted 1-3 inches of snowfall in Central Missouri, with winds gusting up to 35 mph. Today's high temperature is expected be at 33 degrees, but wind chill values could reach as low as 17 degrees.
Jan. 15 2021 @ 5:05am
Socket looks to expand broadband projects in Central Missouri
Socket Telecom officials plan to work on future broadband upgrades in Central Missouri after completing projects in St. Martins thanks to state money dedicated for broadband expansion.
Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:05am
Local health officials hail news of vaccine expansion
Local health care providers welcomed the news from the state Thursday that Missouri will move into the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations next week.
Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:00am
Cole County sets goals for half-cent sales tax campaign
The Cole County Commission has approved figures that will be used by the committee asking voters to approve a renewal of the county's half-cent capital improvement sales tax April 6.
Jan. 13 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County Commission to upgrade emergency operations center with CARES funds
The Cole County Commission on Tuesday approved using federal COVID-19 relief funds to upgrade the county's mobile emergency operations center.
Jan. 13 2021 @ 12:05am
Sheriff to look at potential growth at Cole County Jail
The Cole County Commission agreed Tuesday that Sheriff John Wheeler should look into the possibility of expanding areas at the Cole County Jail.
Jan. 12 2021 @ 11:46pm
Work progressing on new fiber-optic network in Wardsville
If the mild winter weather continues, the first subscriber to a new fiber-optic network in Wardsville could be hooked up by the end of the month, according to officials with Callabyte Technology, a subsidiary of Callaway Electric Cooperative, which started work on the project in October.
Jan. 12 2021 @ 12:05am
Public administrator serves as guardian of last resort
While he took office under unusual circumstances, Cole County Public Administrator Ralph Jobe said he knew what he was getting into when he took on the role.
Jan. 10 2021 @ 12:05am
City given extension to move temporary Amtrak station
Jefferson City has received a six-month extension from the state of Missouri to move the temporary Amtrak site in the parking lot of the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site.
Jan. 9 2021 @ 12:05am
Grand Auglaize Bridge closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic
A Miller County bridge on the National Register of Historic Places has been closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Jan. 8 2021 @ 1:30pm
Cole County Commission discusses cooperative projects with Jefferson City
This week's decision by the Jefferson City Council to reject a bill relating to property purchases for a planned roundabout at Clark Avenue and Dunklin Street is starting conversations among city and Cole County officials about what should be done with money both governments had earmarked for the project from their half-cent capital improvement sales taxes.
Jan. 8 2021 @ 12:05am
New positions added in Cole County's 2021 budget
Five new positions and some pay raises are part of the 2021 budget approved Thursday by the Cole County Commission.
Jan. 8 2021 @ 12:05am
Rally at Missouri State Capitol shows support for President Trump
A large crowd gathered Wednesday on the south side of the Missouri State Capitol to support President Donald Trump at the same time a larger rally for Trump was taking place in Washington, D.C.
Jan. 6 2021 @ 4:45pm
COVID-19 supply boxes still coming to Cole County homes
COVID-19 supply boxes are expected to be shipped next week, Cole County Health Department Director Kristi Campbell said Tuesday.
Jan. 6 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County Commission approves spending remaining federal COVID-19 relief funds
The Cole County Commission on Tuesday approved spending the county's remaining Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds for eligible costs for internal county government needs.
Jan. 6 2021 @ 12:05am
COVID-19 vaccinations moving slowly but steadily in Cole County
Cole County health officials are asking residents to be patient as they work through the COVID-19 vaccination process, which continues to be developed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Jan. 5 2021 @ 4:05pm
Veteran Cole County firefighter honored
Firefighters and first responders paid honor Monday to the man who started the Cole County Fire Protection District Honor Guard in 1998.
Jan. 5 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County judges preparing for new court
Cole County voters chose a second associate circuit judge in 2020, electing Republican Brian Stumpe to the new position that gives the county five judges.
Jan. 4 2021 @ 12:05am
