News A drive to unify area transit Today, no fewer than five transit agencies operate in the Kansas City area: the recently created Kansas City streetcar authority and four bus systems run by Independence, Johnson County and both Kansas Citys. On Wednesday, Area Transportation Authority chairman Robbie Makinen and Johnson County Commissioner Steve Klika will present a plan to make the ATA “the regional transit authority it was meant to be.”
News KC terrorist supported plan to bomb New York Stock Exchange, FBI tells Congress Federal investigators used secret surveillance warrants to identify Khalid Ouazzani, who awaits sentencing in Missouri next month on terrorism-related charges, as part of the scheme, Deputy FBI Director Sean Joyce told the House intelligence committee.
UMKC UMKC’s Courtney Frerichs wins Summit League track and field award UMKC sophomore Courtney Frerichs won the Summit League’s women’s outdoor track and field athlete of the year award Wednesday.
Motorsports Despite recent short-track criticism, Lakeside Speedway racers say danger is minimized Short tracks have come under criticism for lack of safety measures in the wake of Jason Leffler’s death last week while competing in the faster, open-wheel sprint-cars. But those who race in the Modified, Grand National and Factory Stock divisions on Friday nights at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., believe the danger is minimized.
Business Men's Wearhouse ousts founder, pitchman Zimmer Apparently, Men's Wearhouse doesn't like the way its founder looks. In a terse release issued Wednesday, Men's Wearhouse said it has fired the face of the company and its executive chairman, George Zimmer, who appeared in its TV commercials with the slogan "You're going to like the way you look. I guarantee it."
Business Fed foresees lower US unemployment rate The Federal Reserve expects the U.S. unemployment rate to fall faster this year and next than it did in March.
Dollars & Sense Doctors call for limits on ads for energy drinks A group representing 225,000 U.S. doctors called for a ban on marketing energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster to youths. On Tuesday the American Medical Association, in a vote at its annual policy meeting in Chicago, endorsed a policy that called for limiting how the caffeinated beverages are sold to those younger than 18.
Business Taco Bell jumps on protein craze with menu test Taco Bell plans to test a "Power Protein" menu that it's hoping will eventually be hit with its core audience - young men. The menu represents the first products to stem from Taco Bell's announcement in April that it would work to provide more balanced options. Fast-food chains across the industry have been touting healthy new eats in hopes of losing their junk food image.
Entertainment Cher credits luck for her lengthy career Cher is no stranger to tabloid fodder. The 67-year-old singer who has spent most of her life in the spotlight offered this advice to young artists on navigating the world of paparazzi attention: "You're screwed."
Stargazing Lil Wayne: I'm not stepping on US flag in video Lil Wayne says he wasn't intentionally stepping on the American flag when shooting his latest video. In the video for the song "God Bless Amerika," he appears to be stepping on top of the American flag. But he said in a Facebook post Tuesday the flag on the ground will not appear in the clip.
Editorial Resolve the reassessment debacle in Jackson County Its disturbing that Jackson Countys poor performance in fulfilling one of its major obligations to taxpayers has made such a review necessary. Widespread problems like these erode public trust in government.
As I See It Kansas taxes are now flatter and fairer Kansans will pay significantly less in taxes in 2013 than they did in 2012, and the savings will grow from there, even as the state spends billions annually on core responsibilities such as education, roads and Medicaid, writes Nick Jordan, secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue.