Party bus was operating illegally at time of fatal fall

The owners of the party bus didn't get the required U.S. Department of Transportation number. That registration would have required inspection and repairs on the bus on which the “door ajar” warning system wasn't working. When the bus hit a bump, the doors popped open and a woman tumbled to her death on Interstate 35.

Leawood man killed in Douglas County wreck

The Kansas Highway Patrol says a 21-year-old Leawood man died Friday night after running a stop sign in Douglas County. The man’s vehicle collided with another car and rolled over. The driver of the other vehicle was injured.

Commerce Bank on the Plaza robbed

The FBI is investigating a robbery this afternoon at the Commerce Bank. Authorities say a man entered the bank, demanded cash and then fled.

Shadows of dishonor cast on the U.S. military

The military, ranked as America's most trusted institution by its citizens but strained by 11 years of war, faces a troubling confluence: acts of mayhem, a growing sexual abuse scandal, a flurry of other misconduct cases. “We’re seeing a strain on an institution,” one expert says.

Slain UMKC vocalist is honored at commencement

Aaron Markarian was killed this spring before he got a chance to walk with his graduating class at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. On Saturday, the school named a scholarship in his honor.

Hearts broken over girl killed in Cass County wreck

One day after Savannah Nash celebrated her 16th birthday on May 8, she picked up her Missouri driver’s license. One week later, she died in a traffic accident. The Harrisonville High School freshman, an honor roll student and Future Farmers of America competitor, was driving alone on Thursday afternoon, only 100 yards from her house.

Kansas bill gags all gun lobbying

Kansas state government could be barred from lobbying for or against gun control in Washington by a gag rule designed to prevent local governments from lobbying in favor of gun control at the Statehouse.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is busy behind the scenes

Jay Nixon is a hands-off governor. That’s the word in the statehouse. He’s out of sight, disconnected, a distant presence rather than a dominating force, Republicans and more than a few Democrats say. But six hours spent with the two-term governor just two days before final adjournment revealed a chief executive anything but disengaged.