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
School zone safety improvements coming to Pioneer Trail
The Cole County Commission has approved a school zone improvement project near Pioneer Trail Elementary, and it's being done earlier than originally planned.
Oct. 12 2021 @ 11:10pm
Staffing shortages could be biggest obstacle impacting Missouri's highways
Snow has been known to fall in Missouri as early as October. With that in mind, the Missouri Department of Transportation and local public works departments are getting ready for the winter road-clearing duties.
Oct. 11 2021 @ 11:00pm
Grants offer communities ways to combat waste disposal problems
It's not the most flashy thing to talk about, but without grant funding, many communities in Central Missouri would not be able to offer their residents the ability to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.
Oct. 9 2021 @ 11:05pm
New Centertown water tower close to being put into service
A new water tower for Centertown is getting closer to being put into service. Adam Brown, of the Centertown Board of Trustees, said the 60,000-gallon tank was lifted into place at the end of last month and sandblasting and painting are taking place.
Oct. 8 2021 @ 11:45pm
County Commission weighing economic development efforts for 2022
As the year begins to wind down, Cole County commissioners have begun looking at their economic development plan for 2022.
Oct. 8 2021 @ 11:35pm
Cole County explores how to use its share of COVID relief funds
Cole County received its first half of the latest round of COVID-19 relief funds in June. Since then, the County Commission has been fielding suggestions on how the funds should be spent.
Oct. 7 2021 @ 12:20am
Cole County road weight limits approved
By next month, several Cole County roads will have posted road weight limits in an effort to divert heavier traffic from roads not designed for it.
Oct. 5 2021 @ 11:05pm
Cole County Commission explores purchase of new ambulances
The Cole County Commission has begun reviewing potential vendors for the purchase of new ambulances for the county EMS service.
Oct. 5 2021 @ 8:00am
Cole County EMS raising funds
for breast cancer awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the Cole County EMS will honor those who are battling the most common cancer for women in the United States as well as those who have recovered or succumbed to the disease.
Oct. 2 2021 @ 12:20am
Cole County EMS raising funds
for breast cancer awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the Cole County EMS will honor those who are battling the most common cancer for women in the United States as well as those who have recovered or succumbed to the disease.
Oct. 1 2021 @ 11:45pm
Cole County EMS raising funds for breast cancer awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the Cole County EMS will honor those who are battling the most common cancer for women in the United States as well as those who have recovered or succumbed to the disease.
Oct. 1 2021 @ 11:05pm
Supporters of clemency for death row inmate take fight to Missouri Capitol
With only days before he is scheduled to be executed, supporters of a man convicted of a triple killing in Columbia brought petitions to Jefferson City with signatures of people from around the state and country who believe his sentence should be commuted to life in prison without parole.
Sep. 29 2021 @ 11:25pm
West Point Senior Center set to reopen Friday
Friday will mark the first time since April 2020 that the West Point Senior Center on West Main Street will be open to serve Jefferson City seniors.
Sep. 29 2021 @ 11:05pm
Port Authority looking at how to use MoDOT funds
The Heartland Port Authority is exploring how to best use nearly $1 million in state transportation funds to create a Missouri River port near Jefferson City.
Sep. 29 2021 @ 11:05pm
Cole County stormwater ordinance looks to address 'sins of past'
A proposed stormwater ordinance for Cole County would address, as Western District Commissioner Harry Otto said, "the sins of the past.
Sep. 28 2021 @ 11:55pm
Matt Nutt has come full circle in public service
Matt Nutt has been involved in public service all of his life. Being in the Boy Scouts, Nutt, who attained the rank of Eagle Scout, learned what it meant to be a public servant.
Sep. 26 2021 @ 11:05pm
Chief Justice challenges state's legal professionals to recommit to their service
"Get better at showing the pride we feel in what we do and say," Missouri's Supreme Court chief justice challenged his fellow judges and lawyers this week during a gathering of the state's judges and lawyers.
Sep. 24 2021 @ 11:05pm
Cole County's COVID-19 numbers 'trending down'
Cole County health officials said the latest state tracking figures indicate improvement on the number of COVID-19 cases in the county.
Sep. 21 2021 @ 11:40pm
Cole County EMS looking to fill four vacancies
Just like all health care agencies, the Cole County Emergency Medical Service is finding it hard to fill vacancies.
Sep. 21 2021 @ 11:40pm
Judges: Civil trials being pushed into next year due to backlog of cases
With just over three months left in 2021, Cole County judges are working to get potential criminal trials taken care of before the end of the year.
Sep. 20 2021 @ 11:05pm
