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
Bushman to run again for Cole County Presiding Commissioner
The election for Cole County presiding commissioner may be next year, but one person has already announced his intention to run.
Apr. 11 2021 @ 12:05am
Book reveals side of Russellville veteran many never knew
Roger Buchta grew up on his family's farm in Lohman, went on to college and graduated looking to become an educator.
Apr. 11 2021 @ 12:05am
Patterns emerge in municipal elections
Turnout for last week's municipal election managed to exceed predictions, though broken down by ward and precinct, clear patterns emerge.
Apr. 11 2021 @ 12:05am
Incumbent wins St. Martins alderman seat as a write-in
An incumbent St. Martins alderman's name may not have been on Tuesday's ballot, but voters put him back in the seat with sufficient write-in numbers at the polls.
Apr. 8 2021 @ 12:05am
Missouri Supreme Court sends Freeburg woman's medical lawsuit back to appeals court
A Freeburg woman is among eight people who will have their medical lawsuits against the University of Missouri sent back to the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals after a decision announced Tuesday by the Missouri Supreme Court.
Apr. 7 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County Commission approves spending $164,814 in CARES Act funds
After nearly a year, the Cole County Commission is nearing the end of allocating the first round of federal funds to help with costs and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apr. 7 2021 @ 12:05am
Baker, Swain win school boards seats in Osage County
Osage County voters decided school board and board of alderman races in several communities Tuesday.
Apr. 6 2021 @ 9:30pm
Cole County voters approve renewing half-cent sales tax
Once again, Cole County voters approved renewing the county's half-cent sales tax for capital projects for another five years.
Apr. 6 2021 @ 8:50pm
Dealership driven to get back home
The logos and signs went up Monday as work progresses on getting Riley, Buick, GMC and Cadillac reopened in its permanent location.
Apr. 6 2021 @ 12:05am
79-year-old's life centered on caring for people
Most of Barbara Black's life has been spent giving care to people.One of 16 children, Black is originally from Fulton and spent 50 years as a nurse.
Apr. 5 2021 @ 12:05am
Heartland Port Authority chooses engineering firm
This week, the Heartland Port Authority approved entering into a contract with an engineering firm to look at what is needed for a Missouri River port to be placed in Jefferson City.
Apr. 3 2021 @ 12:05am
Time to get trains chugging, lawmakers told
"If you run 'em, we'll ride 'em," a railroad advocacy group proclaimed in a rally Thursday at the Capitol, calling upon state lawmakers to restore daily cross-state passenger service to its pre-COVID-19 levels.
Apr. 2 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County COVID-19 cases continue to decline
With more people getting vaccinated, local health officials report the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to decrease.
Apr. 1 2021 @ 12:05am
Area hunters could see more young turkeys this spring
Missouri turkey hunters can expect this spring season to be about as challenging as the past few spring seasons, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Apr. 1 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County signs lease for COVID vaccination site
The Cole County Commission has signed documents to lease a site that will act as a permanent COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
Mar. 30 2021 @ 12:49pm
Missouri Supreme Court revises COVID-19 rules for courts
Given increased accessibility to approved COVID-19 vaccines, the Missouri Supreme Court has revised its operational directives to further guide courts statewide in remaining open while ensuring the safety of their employees and the public.
Mar. 30 2021 @ 12:05am
Cole County jury hands down split decision in murder trial
After nearly six hours of deliberation, a Cole County jury found a Jefferson City man not guilty of second-degree murder, but guilty of first-degree assault and second-degree assault in connection with a May 2017 shooting that left one man dead.
Mar. 26 2021 @ 8:15pm
Jury told argument over sister ended in fatal shooting
The defendant charged in a May 2017 murder testified an argument over his sister's safety escalated into a chaotic scene that ended in the shooting death of her ex-boyfriend.
Mar. 26 2021 @ 12:05am
Inmates testify defendant spoke of fatal shooting
Fellow inmates with the defendant in a Cole County murder case testified Wednesday he had told them he had chased the victim through an alley and shot him.
Mar. 25 2021 @ 12:05am
Witnesses: Extended fight preceded fatal shooting
A Cole County jury spent Tuesday listening to testimony from numerous witnesses in the second day of a 2017 murder case trial.
Mar. 24 2021 @ 12:05am
