Yes[0]. It's unlikely to ever get that far though -
95% of cases settle pre-trial [1] because this kind of stuff is all fun and games until someone has to put their words on the line. Especially when you're the governor and big public losses like these weigh heavily in voters' minds.
We're talking criminal prosecution here, though -- the only pre-trial settlement is a plea bargain or a dropped prosecution, neither of which are likely if the prosecutor really takes this dog to trial. The next steps are going to hinge on whether the Missouri Highway Patrol is a competent and relatively non-political entity, since they just returned their investigation to the prosecutor's office.
Now, even if a jury convicts this is unlikely to stand on appeal just given the bare facts as we know them, but the state can definitely drag the reporter through jail, trial, and possible imprisonment as an example of what happens to anyone the governor takes a dislike to.
Now, even if a jury convicts this is unlikely to stand on appeal just given the bare facts as we know them, but the state can definitely drag the reporter through jail, trial, and possible imprisonment as an example of what happens to anyone the governor takes a dislike to.