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Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys

The Boy Scouts of America threw open its ranks Thursday to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders — a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors. Of the roughly 1,400 voting members of the BSA's National Council who cast ballots, 61 percent supported the proposal. The policy change takes effect Jan. 1.

Chiefs

Husain Abdullah, who gave up football to take Muslim pilgrimage, is back in NFL with the Chiefs

New Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah, a practicing Muslim, elected not to return to the Minnesota Vikings last season and instead took his wife, parents and two older brothers on a monthlong pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia last October. “To get back out here and to have a second chance, not a lot of people get one,” Abdullah said. “So this is a blessing.”

Chow Town

National foodie website picks Oklahoma Joe’s ribs as '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. Do you agree? Vote in our poll for your favorite KC ribs.

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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.

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.”

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.

Barbara Shelly

Kathleen Sebelius and the ‘fourth scandal’

One can envision the hearings. The outraged congressmen and the pompous senators grilling the secretary, with no answer likely to satisfy. The TV lights and live coverage on Fox. A new revelation (or non-revelation) popping up every couple of days. Is it any wonder good people are reluctant to go into public service these days?

FYI Caption Contest

Focus on writing a winning entry

Hmmm. Why does that guy look familiar? And why do all the paparazzi seem so interested in him? Anyway, reality matters not when it comes to the caption contest. You could score a $25 gift card if you write the winning caption.

Business

Sprint suitor addresses cybersecurity concerns

SoftBank Corp. has agreed to appoint a U.S. government-approved “security director” to the wireless phone company’s board to address national security concerns. It made the unusual commitment to several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, as it presses for federal approval of its agreement to buy 70 percent of Sprint for $20.1 billion.