Giving kids something to hold: Kansas girls’ blanket project wins national recognition
Children sometimes arrive at their new foster home with nothing. But these girls aim to change that.
Hickman Mills school board stages a coup and ousts its president
Breman Anderson Jr. is removed in a 4-3 vote after one of his allies defects.
Prosecutor declines case over KC check for event that never occurred
The Jackson County prosecutor’s office won’t pursue a case against Ossco Bolton, who has refused to return the $15,000 check. The money was intended to bring Las Vegas boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. to Kansas City for a Dec. 8 youth mentoring event that did not take place.
Lee’s Summit woman charged with $2.8 million fraud against Army
A federal grand jury has charged a Lee’s Summit businesswoman and others with allegedly defrauding the U.S. Army with $2.8 million in bogus computer equipment.
Science City explores alien worlds
The exhibit “Alien Worlds and Androids” at Union Station also looks at artificial intelligence. The interactive display opens Friday and runs through Labor Day.
New federal judge from Lawrence is on a soaring career path
With his Senate confirmation by a 97-0 vote, Sri Srinivasan will become the first South Asian federal appellate judge. And he could be bound for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Falcon chick hatches on webcam
The events are unfolding atop the Commerce Tower downtown.
Winning numbers for Thursday, May 23
Please confirm numbers with state lottery officials.
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.
Independence man is charged with murdering his 10-week-old daughter
Bond for Alex A. Gilbert, 24, was set at $500,000 cash. He has pleaded not guilty, and he is scheduled to appear in Lafayette County Circuit Court on Wednesday. The infant died Monday after suffering broken bones, a fractured skull and brain damage.
Report card shows states have a lot of infrastructure work to do
Bridges in Kansas: D-plus. Dams in Missouri: D-minus. Overall infrastructure across both states: Does C-minus earn anyone a star? Civil engineers are tough graders. A few gathered in Kansas City on Wednesday to deliver a report card that pretty much stank.
With Roberts’ backing, bill to reform pharmacy compounding heads to Senate floor
A Senate committee issued a report showing that poor compounding practices have persisted even since last fall, when a meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated steroid injections killed 55 people and sickened about 700.
KC is set to renew red-light cameras for five years
The City Council’s Public Safety Committee endorsed a renewal of the contract with American Traffic Solutions, the red-light camera vendor. The full council votes on the contract Thursday.
In a 3 a.m. vote, Raytown gives green light to downtown Wal-Mart grocery store
A proposal to relax some downtown design standards to accommodate a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market had sharply divided the city. The Board of Aldermen approved the zoning change 6-4 after a long meeting.
Former D.C. schools chief Michelle Rhee is still a lightning rod in education
A full house crowded into the Plaza Library to debate education reform with Michelle Rhee, author of the new book “Radical.”
Liberty Memorial exhibit looks at the origins of World War I
“Road to War: World Power and Imperialism 1904-1914” includes objects as well as photographs and other materials that shed light on the state of the world in that era. The new display will be open during Memorial Day events.
Proposal for lower Kansas sales tax on groceries rejected
House Republicans turned down a plan from Republican senators that would have set the sales tax on groceries at 5.7 percent while taxing other items at 6.25 percent. The current 6.3 percent tax is scheduled by law to fall to 5.7 percent in July.
Former U.S. attorney Todd Graves files tea party lawsuit against the IRS
The suit by the former U.S. attorney for western Missouri was filed Monday in the district that’s home to the IRS office embroiled in a national controversy for its targeting of conservative political groups for extra scrutiny as they sought tax-exempt status. He said it was the first suit to be filed in connection with the much-criticized handling of applications for 501 (c)(4) status.
Man pleads guilty in botched bank robbery
Would be robber Martron E. Bailey, who pleaded guilty Wednesday, wore an orange construction helmet and left upon learning that someone watching a security monitor wouldn’t open the door to a Kansas City bank.
Lafayette County infant’s death is investigated as a homicide
The 10-week-old baby died in a Kansas City hospital after suffering broken bones, a fractured skull and brain damage.
KC man is charged with murder after friend dies in drive-by shooting
Prosecutors also charged Michael A. Mosley, 23, of Kansas City, with shooting a firearm from a vehicle and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with the May 16 death of his friend, William L. Crawford, 24.
Moran, Roberts cheer decision to make McConnell Air Force Base home for tankers
Kansas Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts on Wednesday cheered the Air Force’s decision to pick McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita as the home for new refueling tankers. The Air Force will make an official announcement later Wednesday morning after it informs the congressional delegations from the states involved of the decisions.
Judge halts closing of Gordon Parks Elementary School
Gordon Parks Elementary School can remain open at least through June. A circuit court judge on Tuesday granted a temporary stay sought by the school after state education officials voted last week to pull the school’s charter.
Hearts open for young victims of Oklahoma tornado
Despite the violent upheaval that Moore, Okla., endured Monday afternoon when a monstrous tornado slashed through the city, many of the people who lost much insist that their worries pale in comparison with the sadness they feel for the innocents whose young lives have come to define the town’s tragedy.
Kansas tax and budget negotiations nudge forward
House and Senate negotiators restarted tax talks on Tuesday. They plan to meet again Wednesday with hopes of reaching a compromise that could bring the legislative session to an end.
Independence man is accused of handcuffing and beating his girlfriend for days
Court records allege that Cornelius Coleman, 32, struck the woman about 12 times with a belt, attempted to choke her with the same belt, hit her about five times with a separate studded belt, burned her with a methamphetamine pipe and placed a gun in her mouth. Coleman also allegedly forced her to urinate on herself.
Raytown paves way for Wal-Mart grocery in 3 a.m. vote
Aldermen pave the way for the store in a 3 a.m. vote after a long meeting that drew a standing-room-only crowd. The key issue was whether the city should relax design requirements in its downtown area.
New civil suits are filed against priest, bishop and KC diocese
They allege that Bishop Robert Finn and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph aided and abetted the Rev. Shawn Ratigan as he sexually abused and engaged in “child pornographic offenses” with two young girls while Ratigan was employed as a priest. Last week the diocese settled a similar case for $600,000.
Kansas lawmakers pass bill on gun lobbying
The Republican-dominated House approved the bill on an 83-28 vote. The GOP-controlled Senate approved it last week. The measure now goes to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
Missouri sentencing law for juveniles draws criticism
U.S. Supreme Court struck down automatic life without parole for young murderers, but Missouri lawmakers failed to find an alternative.
