Kansas City Star: Breaking News

Arrests made in case of stolen Haitian donation jar

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:40 CST

North Kansas City Police arrested two suspects late Tuesday in the theft of Haitian earthquake donations from an area restaurant last month.

Ex-Royal Mike Jacobs appears to be headed back to Mets

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:48 CST

First baseman Mike Jacobs, cut loose last December by the Royals, is poised to return to the New York Mets in an attempt to resurrect his career.

Bomb threat at Wyandotte County Court annex was unfounded

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:41 CST

An afternoon bomb threat at a Wyandotte County court building proved unfounded.

KC driver charged after allegedly tangling with police car

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:25 CST

A Kansas City woman was charged this afternoon with driving under the influence of PCP when her car — with three children inside — collided with a parked police car. Jackson County prosecutors charged Sarah L. Norris, 32, with resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an accident, three counts of child endangerment, driving while intoxicated and driving with a revoked license.

Indictment accuses Lee's Summit man in USDA thefts

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:55 CST

A federal grand jury indicted a Lee’s Summit man today for allegedly stealing $650,000 worth of computer equipment from the Agriculture Department and selling it for more than $166,000. Gragg R. Vaill, 48, worked as a contract employee for the department and, between January 2006 and August 2009, purportedly stole computer switches and routing equipment. Prosecutors also alleged that he sold the equipment online, offering some of the material on the eBay auction site.

NBC Action Weather | Cold tonight, warmer on Wednesday

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:18 CST

A slow warming trend will begin Wednesday with some sunshine!

Mayor sees ‘rays of hope' for Wyandotte County

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:16 CST

Wyandotte County’s Unified Government Mayor Joe Reardon was one of the few politicians with massive economic projects to brag about during his annual state of the government speech today. Construction has started on the new Wizards stadium — part of a $400 million development plan that also includes 4,000 new Cerner jobs. The county approved a $386 million destination casino that will bring a second NASCAR race to town. General Motors went from nearly collapsing to starting up the first third-shift in the plant’s history.

K-State's Clemente wins national honor

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:57 CST

Kansas State guard Denis Clemente was named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week today.

Missouri considers youth concussion legislation

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:09 CST

Young Missouri athletes who suffer concussions could not return to practice or games without approval from a licensed health worker under a House bill.

Displaced manhole cover snarls rush-hour traffic on I-35

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:57 CST

A missing manhole cover on southbound Interstate 35 caused some delays during the morning rush hour, authorities said. It happened just northeast of the downtown loop. Officials believe that large trucks might have caused the cover to come loose when they cleaned the road. A spokesman for Clarkson Construction said workers had replaced the cover by 7:15 this morning.

Prosecutor: Charges in Carthage infant's death could be weeks away

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:35 CST

Jasper County's prosecutor says it could be two weeks before he decides whether to charge a southwest Missouri man with killing his baby.

Independence firefighter hurt battling blaze

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:26 CST

An Independence fire captain suffered minor injuries this morning when he fell down some stairs while fighting a fire. The captain was taken to a hospital as a precaution, said Independence Assistant Fire Chief Mark Carrick. The captain is expected to be released to full duty later today.

Missouri court overturns $2.1 million verdict in KC judgeship case

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:11 CST

An appeals court today threw out a $2.1 million verdict that jurors had awarded a Northland lawyer who contended that she was unfairly bypassed for a judgeship. Melissa Howard won the award in 2008, after contending that the Kansas City Council did not choose her for a municipal judgeship because it wanted a racial minority candidate for the job.

Semi-tractor trailers hauling soda, milk crash on I-29 near Dearborn

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:26 CST

All lanes of Interstate 29 near Dearborn have reopened after an early morning crash involving two semi-tractor trailers, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. One semi spilled its load of soda on the interstate. The other truck, carrying milk, careened down an embankment, coming to rest in a creek bed about 50 feet off the roadway, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Kansas City woman loses home to fire

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:41 CST

A woman said a fuse blew in her kitchen Monday night, sparking a fire that destroyed her home.

NBC Action Weather | Cold

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:39 CST

An upper low will spin by today, keeping things cold with a chance of snow showers.

Firefighter injured in Independence house fire

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:46 CST

An Independence firefighter fell down a flight of stairs while fighting a house fire early Tuesday morning, authorities say. The flames broke out around 2 a.m. at the house at South Mills Street and East Heyward Avenue.

Emergency crews responding to injury crash involving a school bus

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:21 CST

Emergency crews are responding to an injury crash involving a school bus near Longview Lake. The crash occurred about 7:45 a.m. in the 8700 Block of Longview Road.

Missouri student leader touts live tiger mascot at football games

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:10 CST

Missouri Students Association President Tim Noce says having a live tiger at Faurot Field would increase school spirit and draw attention to Missouri athletics.

School bus, multiple cars involved in non-injury crash in KCK

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:51 CST

A school bus with children on board and at least three vehicles were involved in a crash early this morning in Kansas City, Kan. There were no reports of injuries in the crash that occurred about 7:25 a.m. near North 57th Street and Parallel Avenue.

Person critically injured in crash in Eudora

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:01 CST

Emergency crews are on the scene of a crash this morning that critically injured at least one person in Eudora. The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. in the 300 Block of East 20th Street.

2 young girls killed in Mulvane house fire

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:06 CST

MULVANE, Kan. | Two young girls have been found dead following a house fire in the south-central Kansas town of Mulvane.

Liberty man killed, child injured in head-on wreck

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:31 CST

A 45-year-old Liberty man was killed today when his vehicle was struck in a head-on collision along Missouri 152 near Green Hills Road in Kansas City, North, authorities said. The name of the victim has not been released. A 5-month-old child who was in the vehicle was rushed to Children’s Mercy Hospital. The child’s condition was not available.

Four killed in St. Joseph duplex fire, including two infants

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:56 CST

The bodies of two infants have been recovered from the scene of a duplex fire that also killed two other people in northwest Missouri.

Credit card purchase ties Platte City man to child porn

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:26 CST

Giving your credit card number to a web site that sells child pornography could never come back to bite you, right? Wrong, a Platte City man learned today.

4 sentenced for fake federal diplomat scheme

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:54 CST

Three men who were convicted of selling fake diplomatic credentials have been sentenced to federal prison, while a fourth who pleaded guilty has gotten probation.

McCaskill: Missouri politicians posturing on stimulus

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:00 CST

WASHINGTON | Sen. Claire McCaskill accused Missouri officials of political dishonesty Monday for bashing big spending by Washington while using federal stimulus money to help balance the state budget.

Governor names Missouri Highway Patrol superintendent

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:04 CST

JEFFERSON CITY | Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon on Monday named a new head of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Missouri legislation would let cities publish information online

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:56 CST

JEFFERSON CITY | Lawmakers considered a bill on Monday that would give small Missouri cities the authority to publish government information only online instead of in print newspapers.

Chamber endorses KC earnings tax

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:31 CST

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement endorsing the 1 percent Kansas City earnings tax. A petition drive is under way that could lead to a citywide vote on repealing the levy.

NBC Action Weather | Frigid overnight, some more snow Tuesday

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:06 CST

The rest of tonight will be windy and very cold with wind chills near to below zero. Tuesday will see snow showers, wind and cold, high 23.

Overland Park police ask drivers in non-injury accidents tonight to report it later

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:51 CST

Overland Park police are asking drivers who get into a non-injury crash to report it to the police department at a later time because officers have so many accidents to respond to this evening. Drivers should exchange information such as insurance, drivers’ license numbers, license plate numbers, and names of those involved in the crash.

Merriam police ID hit-and-run victim, suspect

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:36 CST

Merriam police have identified the man killed in a hit-and-run crash Sunday as well as a suspect. The man killed was identified as Jack D. Canada, 59, of Merriam, police said.

Attorneys seek new trial for Roeder

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:31 CST

Attorneys for Scott Roeder, the man convicted of murdering a prominent Kansas abortion provider, have asked for a new trial or an order of acquittal for their client.

Kansas No. 1, K-State No. 9 in latest college basketball polls

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:07 CST

The Jayhawks, who play at No. 14 Texas tonight, are spending a second straight week at the top after being ranked first for most of the first two months of the season. The No. 9 ranking for the Wildcats is the program's highest since 1973.

KC wrecks critically injure two

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:29 CST

Separate Kansas City traffic crashes critically injured two men over the weekend. The first crash occurred about 2:50 a.m. Sunday at 46th and Main streets when two northbound vehicles collided and veered into the southbound lanes, striking a third vehicle. The 23-year-old driver of the third vehicle suffered potential life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Design concepts for Kansas Speedway casino released

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:03 CST

Casino developers in Wyandotte County released the first design concepts this afternoon for the $386 million Hollywood Casino, which is set to open in 2012.

KC man reports being sexually assaulted outside nightclub

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:56 CST

A 35-year-old Kansas City man told police Saturday that he was sexually assaulted by another man outside a midtown nightclub. The alleged victim told officers that he was waiting for a cab outside a bar at 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway about 6:30 p.m. Saturday when a man he didn’t know grabbed him and forcibly sodomized him. The suspect, who appeared to be intoxicated, ran away to the north.

Bean bag helps KC police subdue suicidal woman

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:56 CST

This kind of dangerous confrontation often ends badly. But on Saturday, when Kansas City police confronted a suicidal, knife-wielding woman, a well-placed shot from a bean bag shotgun disarmed her and allowed police to take her into custody safely.

Kansas secretary of state Thornburgh to step down this month

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:14 CST

Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh will step down Feb. 15, about a year early, he announced this morning. Thornburgh, a Republican, will be taking a job in Olathe.

UN forecasts 'stable' Afghan opium crop

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:35 CST

After a major drop over the past two years, Afghanistan's opium cultivation is unlikely to rise or fall dramatically in 2010, a U.N. report said Wednesday.

Gov't fitness efforts haven't stemmed kid obesity

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:15 CST

First lady Michelle Obama isn't the first national leader to try to get America's kids off the couch. President Dwight D. Eisenhower tried more than 50 years ago, and it's been a losing battle since.

Ex-Ill. gov. to answer revised corruption charges

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:05 CST

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich heads to court Wednesday to answer a revised batch of charges that he schemed to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old Senate seat and swap official favors for campaign money.

Coroner confirms 2 Mexican children died in rains

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:20 CST

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has identified two bodies found near the border with Mexico as siblings who drowned when their vehicle was swept away in Tijuana by last month's torrential rains.

Obama, Palin trade telling jibes over crib sheets

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:15 CST

The jokes about Barack Obama's close relationship with his teleprompter have been constant since he became president.

Obama to meet with black leaders on the economy

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:40 CST

It's a light public day for President Barack Obama as Washington deals with its second snowstorm in less than a week.

PROMISES, PROMISES: War widows' futile fight

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:10 CST

For a decade, war widows in matching yellow suit jackets and hats quietly and persistently have knocked on Capitol Hill doors seeking an end to the "widows' tax," a government policy that deprives them of benefits from their husbands' military service.

Storm dumps rain, hail, snow in S. California

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:35 CST

The latest Pacific storm that brought heavy rain, hail and snow to Southern California is heading east, but the mudslide threat is not over for communities below wildfire-scarred mountains.

Conn. worker cites gas smell an hour before blast

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:51 CST

A worker who was in a Connecticut power plant when it exploded on Sunday tells The Associated Press there was a smell of natural gas in the plant less than an hour before the blast.

Massachusetts mother found guilty of murder in 4-year-old daughter's fatal overdose

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:22 CST

A Massachusetts woman was convicted of second-degree murder Tuesday in the fatal prescription drug overdose of her 4-year-old daughter.

Snowstorms force US House to scrap work week

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:16 CST

Mother Nature's wrath has forced the U.S. House to scrap its work week.

Despite all the nice talk, partisanship reigns

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:01 CST

Partisanship is reaching new heights in Washington, even as President Barack Obama makes almost daily pleas to get along. He's scheduled a bipartisan health care summit, and just Tuesday he hosted GOP leaders at the White House for the first time in two months.

Obama calls on Senate to stop blocking nominees

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:46 CST

President Barack Obama is calling on lawmakers to stop blocking the confirmation of government appointees in the Senate by raising objections not related to their qualifications.

Police debate use of family DNA to ID suspects

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:26 CST

Police in at least two states are increasingly using a DNA crime-solving technique that some legal experts say amounts to guilt by association: If your brother, father, uncle or son has been in trouble with the law and is in a DNA database because of it, you, too, could fall under suspicion.

DHS: The number of illegal immigrants in US fell

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:50 CST

The Homeland Security Department estimates the number of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. fell about 7 percent to 10.8 million in January 2009.

Round 2: Snow slams Mid-Atlantic, points north

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:25 CST

Plows that have been rolling around the clock for days in the nation's capital, Philadelphia and Baltimore won't be heading for the garage any time soon as a second major storm in a week moved into the snowbound region Wednesday.

Alabama senator releases holds on Obama nominees

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:21 CST

Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama will stop blocking Senate confirmation of about 70 government appointees nominated by President Barack Obama, his office said.

Ted Anthony named AP assistant managing editor

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:01 CST

Ted Anthony, a veteran editor and correspondent for The Associated Press who has helped develop social media strategies and new storytelling techniques in AP newsrooms, has been named an assistant managing editor for the news cooperative.

The nation's weather

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:06 CST

Snowy weather was expected to move into the Eastern U.S. from the Plains on Tuesday.

New endangered pronghorn site eyed in Arizona

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:21 CST

Federal wildlife officials plan to move a handful of endangered Sonoran pronghorns to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in western Arizona next winter in hopes of establishing a new population of the rare animals.

First lady: President Obama had 'phenomenal year'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:26 CST

First lady Michelle Obama says President Barack Obama "has done a phenomenal job," but that people have a right to criticize him.

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,375

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:01 CST

As of Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at least 4,375 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Brother now says Ohio doc admitted poisoning wife

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:01 CST

A family member who testified earlier that an Ohio doctor denied poisoning his wife now says the defendant admitted to the killing.

Cops search San Antonio landfill for missing baby

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:56 CST

Police began excavating a landfill Tuesday in search of a body or other evidence in the disappearance of an 8-month-old Arizona boy who was last seen with his mother at a San Antonio hotel on the day after Christmas.

NY expert: Sodomy claims not supported by injuries

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:07 CST

A medical expert says a man claiming he was sodomized by police with a baton did not have severe enough injuries to support his account.

NY governor says he'll step aside only 'in a box'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:41 CST

New York Gov. David Paterson, defying calls from even fellow Democrats to drop out of the race for a full term, said Tuesday that he would leave only if the voters turned him out through the ballot box, or he's carried out "in a box."

Nev. Medicaid cuts could lead to diaper rationing

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:32 CST

Nevada officials on Tuesday outlined drastic cuts to the state's Medicaid program that include plans to ration adult diapers, eliminate denture and hearing-aid programs, and force personal care assistants to buy their own disposable gloves.

Teen arrested in killing of LA anti-gang counselor

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:11 CST

When Ronald "Loony" Barron urged a young graffiti tagger to put away his paint cans, he was doing what he viewed as his mission - steering kids away from crime - but he paid for it with his life.

Murtha to be buried in heart of his Pa. district

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:40 CST

Rep. John Murtha's family says the late congressman will be buried in the heart of the Pennsylvania district he represented for nearly 40 years.

Cross-examination begins for serial murder suspect

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:41 CST

A man representing himself in a serial murder trial in Southern California has finished presenting his case to jurors, culminating with a video clip of himself from an episode of "The Dating Game" that he claims proves his innocence.

Senate vote shows new hurdles for Democrats' union base

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:00 CST

The Senate Tuesday failed to advance President Barack Obama's nomination of a union lawyer to the National Labor Relations Board, as the debate and vote became a test of union clout in Congress.

State: Birth defect rate in CA town not unusual

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:56 CST

State health officials said Tuesday they found nothing unusual about the rate of infant birth defects in an impoverished San Joaquin Valley farm town located next to the West's largest toxic waste dump.

Aide to New York's governor seeks inquiry in New York Times' reporting

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:55 CST

Gov. David Paterson's chief of staff is seeking an internal inquiry into how The New York Times' reporting of a story led to unproven rumors of wild, personal misconduct by Paterson.

White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:26 CST

Even the White House's top spokesman is getting in on the act of mocking former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin for looking to talking points written on her palm during a speech to "tea party" activists.

NYC jail chaplain released in razor blades case

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:05 CST

A grand jury declined Tuesday to indict a Muslim chaplain accused of trying to smuggle razor blades and scissors into a jail, spurring his release without bail while the case continues.