Royals

Poll: What is your level of anger with the Royals' recent struggles?

There is a lot of apocalyptic talk from fans, and it all comes from an honest place. The Royals have taken their fans down this path many times before, a free-fall that either turns hope into hopelessness or twists the knife of suck a little bit more. Are you mad? Tell us how mad in our poll.

Chow Town

Oklahoma Joe’s ribs named ‘America’s Best’

Oklahoma Joe’s is smoking out its barbecue competition: The local joint’s ribs were just named America’s Best by The Daily Meal. “In a city renowned for its pork ribs, the ones at Oklahoma Joe’s are simply the best,” proclaims the national foodie website, which gushes about the ribs’ “deeply burnished shade of red” and “picture-postcard-perfect” looks:

Campus Corner

With Andrew Wiggins and Tarik Black on board, what’s in store for KU basketball in 2013-14?

In the aftermath of an NCAA Tournament meltdown, and the loss of five starters from a Sweet 16 team, KU basketball coach Bill Self added the final pieces to what could be considered his finest recruiting class in Lawrence. Here’s what Andrew Wiggins, Tarik Black and the rest of the class bring to the Jayhawks and a stab at a starting lineup for next season.

Nation

Oklahoma couple gave many shelter from the storm

To more than a few grateful residents who live alongside the aging couple on Cottonwood Drive and Whispering Oaks Boulevard in Moore, Okla., Jerry and Linda Woods are true angels. A sign spray-painted on the crumbling bricks of the Woods’ home, in the midst of a devastated landscape of twisted cars and crushed homes, tells why: “Thank You Jerry U Saved My Family Lives.”

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Editor's Picks

Politics

U.S. for first time acknowledges role in deaths of Americans in drone strikes

The Obama administration confirmed for the first time on Wednesday that four Americans have died in U.S. drone strikes since 2009, but it sought to justify the killing of only one – a senior leader of al Qaida’s Yemen-based affiliate – and said nothing about the other three except to acknowledge indirectly that they’d been killed by accident.

Entertainment

Summer events: A day-by-day list of activities

OK, so you have relatives coming in from out of town this summer. You want to show them what a neat place Kansas City is, but there are so many things to do, and you’re not sure how to pick and choose. Save this list, and you’ll have a perfect itinerary no matter when or how long the interlopers stay.

Chiefs

Tamba Hali expects he and Justin Houston will pile up sacks this season

Tamba Hali, who had nine sacks last season, one fewer than Justin Houston, isn’t ready to concede his Chiefs sack title permanently, but didn’t sound confident he would get it back this year, either. “As an athlete, I can’t compete with the kid,” Hali said of Houston. “He’s that much better.’’ But Hali also says the Chiefs as a whole will have more sacks this season.

News

Hope stays afloat for Truman yacht repairs

The former president’s yacht, the USS Williamsburg, has had one tow line in the grave for 20 years, about as long as it has been deteriorating at a shipyard in northern Italy. But hope remains among those who would like to see the 243-foot vessel returned to glory. The price, however, is high, and rust is merciless.

Sam Mellinger

Here’s an eye-opener: Data show the K is a hitter’s park

Belying its reputation as a pitcher’s park, the math shows a trend toward the hitters at Kauffman Stadium. That ought to be good news for the home team, which has labored at the plate for much of this season. The Royals are scoring and allowing slightly fewer runs at home than on the road, but the advanced metrics indicate that Kauffman shouldn’t take the blame, or credit.