Production crews from “Dateline NBC” have been in Columbia and mid-Missouri for the past few months, filming scenes and interviews for tonight’s brand-new episode of the Lynlee Renick case.

The two-hour special airs at 8 pm. Lynlee Renick is the Columbia spa owner convicted of killing her husband Ben in 2017 near New Florence, 50 miles east of Columbia. The victim’s brother Sam tells “Dateline” that the murder should have been prevented.

“Anyone could have stopped this murder by calling 911, but they did not,” he tells Dateline NBC. He’s referring to others who knew about the murder plot but did not contact authorities.

Dateline’s Andrea Canning traveled to Jefferson City for an excusive interview with Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Devin Foust, who’s the lead investigator in the case. The victim was shot at least eight times, according to testimony during the trial.

The Missouri attorney general’s office says Lynlee Renick killed her husband for sex, money and freedom. She says she’s innocent, and that Michael Humphrey of Jefferson City killed her husband. Humphrey is serving a life prison sentence.

Lynlee Renick’s first parole hearing is set for 2034.

You have an opportunity this weekend for no-excuse absentee voting in Boone County.

County clerk Brianna Lennon says the Boone County Government Center will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm. Counselor Lennon notes you’ll need to bring a photo ID with you, which can include a Missouri driver’s license, a passport or a military ID. That’s due to a state law.

The Roger Wilson Government Center is located at the corner of 9^th and Ash in downtown Columbia.

You can also vote tomorrow from 10 am to 1 pm at the Centralia Public Library and on Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm at Columbia Mall.

A high-profile mid-Missouri murder case that’s received national media coverage will be featured in a brand-new episode tomorrow night on “Dateline NBC.” It will air from 8-10 pm central time.

It’s the Lynlee Renick case. Dateline correspondent Andrea Canning has an exclusive interview with Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Devin Foust, who’s the lead investigator in the case.

Convicted killer Lynlee Renick, the former owner of Ascensia spa in Columbia’s Cherry Hill, also speaks on-camera from prison. She’s serving a 16-year prison sentence in Chillicothe for the gruesome murder of her husband Ben in his New Florence snake barn. New Florence is a small town about 50 miles east of Columbia.

The victim was shot at least once in the back of the head, once through the jaw and several times in the back. The murder scene was so gruesome that authorities originally thought a 500-pound anaconda had attacked him.

The case has ties to Columbia, Jefferson City and New Florence. Lynlee is serving a 16-year prison sentence for second degree murder and armed criminal action. She has maintained her innocence, saying Michael Humphrey of Jefferson City killed her husband. Lynlee’s attorney told the jury that Michael Humphrey had used meth on the day of the murder.

But Humphrey testified for the prosecution at Lynlee Renick’s trial, telling the jury that she is the one who shot and killed her husband. Both admit they were at the scene, and they blame each other for the murder. Both Lynlee Renick and Michael Humphrey have been convicted of murder and are incarcerated. He’s serving a life sentence for second degree murder and will be eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of 30 years. Lynlee Renick’s first parole hearing is set for 2034.

Click here to watch “Dateline NBC’s” trailer of the new episode.

Columbia’s Thompson Center for Autism is now known as the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment at the University of Missouri.

The UM Board of Curators approved the name change, which pleases Thompson Center executive director Dr. Stephen Sheinkopf.

“Well that means that we want to emphasize that not only are we serving individuals with a formal diagnosis of autism, but also neurodiversity in general in helping support people, adults and children, who have challenges in broad areas of development,” Dr. Sheinkopf says.

Dr. Sheinkopf tells 939 the Eagle that the center serves about 4,500 unique individuals each year. The center’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Meantime, construction is underway in east Columbia on a $55-million new building for the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment at the University of Missouri. It’s an exciting time for Dr. Sheinkopf, who tells 939 the Eagle that the project is expanding the scope of what the center is doing now.

“Well really in terms of our three pillars of our activities. Clinical service for patients and families that we serve. Training the next generation of clinicians and clinical scientists, and also pursuing research to help identify causes, treatments and supports for people with differences in neurodevelopment,” says Dr. Sheinkopf.

The UM Board of Curators approved the project. The $55-million project is being funded by a $27.5-million state appropriation, $15-million in gifts and $12.5 million in university funds.

“The new building will consolidate our services and allow for groups of people who work day-to-day to be really adjacent and embedded with each other. It’s going to really foster a collaboration in the service of the work we do,” Dr. Sheinkopf says.

The Thompson Center opened in 2005. He says the new facility will provide about 74,000 square feet of space to house all aspects of the center under one roof. He also says the facility receives 14,000 patient visits each year.