Kansas City Star: Breaking News

Eisenhower Library seeks quilts

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:58 CST

ABILENE, Kan.| The Dwight Eisenhower Library and Museum wants to make wounded soldiers more comfortable.

Barry County reports first H1N1 virus death

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:52 CST

CASSVILLE, Mo. | A 7-year-old girl has become the first Barry County resident to die of swine flu.

K-State posts 82-50 victory over Western Illinois

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:52 CST

MANHATTAN -- For the second straight game, Kansas State meticulously blew out a mid-major nonconference opponent at Bramlage Coliseum.

K-State leads Western Illinois at the half

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:04 CST

MANHATTAN, Kan. | It's halftime at Bramlage Coliseum, and the Kansas State basketball team leads Western Illinois 31-20.

Two charged in KCK shooting death

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:05 CST

Two men were charged today in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man Friday near 18th Street and Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kan.

Jet hits birds, forced to turn back to KCI

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:25 CST

Airport officials in Kansas City say a passenger jet struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff and returned to land safely.

Kansas schools: Lawsuit better than cuts

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Schools are gearing up for a legal battle against state legislators — a battle that lawmakers say Kansans can't afford. A coalition of 57 districts met last week to discuss suing the state because of cuts to education funding that they said could leave schools short on money for years to come.

Demonstrators protest what they call Power & Light District discrimination

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:51 CST

Kansas City's Power & Light District drew a crowd Saturday — across the street. A couple hundred people gathered to protest what they view as the entertainment district's discriminatory policies, specifically a dress code that some see as a means to keep out minorities.

Trial date set for former Leavenworth booster club treasurer

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:08 CST

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. | A Dec. 10 trial date has been scheduled for a woman accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the Leavenworth High School Football Booster Club.

Tractor-trailer collides with cart pulled by oxen in northwest Kansas

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:04 CST

COLBY, Kan. | An 86-year-old man has been injured after his ox-drawn cart collided with a tractor-trailer in northwest Kansas.

Firefighter injured in KCK fire

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:49 CST

A Kansas City, Kan., firefighter suffered burns to his wrist today while fighting a fire in the 2800 block of South 28th Street. He was treated at the scene, then transported to a hospital. Firefighters were hampered by an accumulation of household goods and other items in the structure, officials said.

Manhattan woman held in death of 70-year-old man

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:34 CST

MANHATTAN, Kan. | A Manhattan woman has been arrested in the shooting death of a 70-year-old man.

Ford says union concerns are resolved at its Claycomo plant

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:00 CST

Ford Motor Co. said Saturday that union concerns over working conditions at its Kansas City assembly plant have been resolved even as workers moved ahead with a planned strike authorization vote.

No decision on Kansas school funding litigation

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

NEWTON — Leaders from about 60 school districts made no decision Friday about whether to sue the state over education funding.

One dead, one critical in KCK shooting

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:40 CST

One man died and another suffered critical injuries tonight in a Kansas City, Kan. shooting.

Missouri Mavericks win before a sellout crowd of 5,760

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:18 CST

The Mavericks, an expansion team in the Central Hockey League, christened the new Independence Events Center with a 3-2 shootout win Friday over the Wichita Thunder in front of a sellout crowd of 5,760.

Kansas man claims $97 million Powerball prize

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:00 CST

TOPEKA, Kan. | Donald Damon was surprised when his daughter told him he had won the lottery. He was even more surprised when lottery officials told him how much.

I-29 ramp will be closed on Saturday

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:49 CST

The ramp from southbound Interstate 29 to northbound U.S. 169 in the Northland will be closed from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday as highway crews work to widen the ramp at the top.

Two charged with KCK murder

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:29 CST

Wyandotte County prosecutors have charged two men with first degree-murder and other crimes related to a fatal shooting. Lavert Braswell, 20 and Artis Johnson, 18, also face charges of attempted robbery, burglary and aggravated battery in the Oct. 19 killing. The victim, Dennis Moore, was shot dead at a home in Kansas City, Kan.

Downtown street to close Saturday

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:29 CST

A Downtown street – Locust from 11th and 12th streets – will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday. City officials announced today that the street should reopen Monday at 6 a.m. City water crews are repairing and replacing 30 feet of an 18-inch clay sewer line, which has been obstructed.

Ground broken for KC Ballet's new home

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:49 CST

“Future Home of the Kansas City Ballet” proclaimed the sign posted just above a window with several broken panes. Friday marked the groundbreaking to remake a red-brick building at 500 W. Pershing Road, west of Union Station, into the new 60,000-square-foot home of Kansas City’s professional ballet company.

NBC Action Weather | Cloudy with rain developing Saturday, high 65

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:43 CST

KSHB meteorologist Gary Lezak says a storm is developing and it could affect us for five or six days. Clouds will thicken up, and it will cool off Saturday, and then rain is likely later on Sunday.

KU hoops recruit chooses Roy Williams (on Skype)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:35 CST

Harrison Barnes, one of the most highly rated recruits in the class of 2010, announced this afternoon that he will sign a letter of intent to play basketball for North Carolina, choosing the Tar Heels over Duke, Kansas, Oklahoma, UCLA and Iowa State.

KC man sentenced to 18 years for unprovoked attack

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:06 CST

A Kansas City man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for a home invasion attack on a woman last year. Demetrius C. Nelson, 23, was convicted in Jackson County Circuit Court of punching, choking and attempting to sodomize the woman in September 2008 after kicking in the door of her residence in the 6700 block of Holmes Road.

Suspect caught, charged in Thursday hold up in KC

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:06 CST

A teenager was charged today with holding up a man at gunpoint Thursday at a south-central Kansas City apartment complex. Jackson County prosecutors charged Donnell J. Mondaine, 18, with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. A $250,000 bond was requested.

Inmate from KC admits 2003 killing

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:51 CST

A Kansas City man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison today for fatally shooting a man in 2003, when the killer was just 14. Terry L. Hutton, 21, already is serving a 30-year prison sentence for shooting two girls, ages 15 and 2, also in 2003. Both of those victims survived, but the toddler suffered permanent brain injury.

No criminal charges in public fights between KU athletes

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:47 CST

No charges will be filed against Kansas basketball and football players relating to the series of public fights that broke out between the teams in September, Lawrence city prosecutor Jerry Little said this afternoon.

Northbound I-35 in Olathe reopens after wreck

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:46 CST

Northbound Interstate 35 in Olathe has been reopened after three vehicles collided near College Boulevard about noon. The interstate was closed for more than an hour while crews worked to clear the scene. Kansas Highway Patrol dispatchers confirmed that two cars and one semi-tractor trailer were involved in the crash. Traffic was detoured off the road at 119th Street during the closure.

FBI says it received a warning about Scott Roeder a month before George Tiller's killing

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:49 CST

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says that more than a month before Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed, it received a letter warning them about the man now charged in the case.

Can one man steal two vehicles at the same time? Not today

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:31 CST

Things went badly this morning for an overachieving thief, police said. The man, driving a stolen pickup truck and towing a stolen car, was captured after the two vehicles collided, Shawnee police said.

Giving to KU athletics outpaces non-athletic gifts

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:00 CST

LAWRENCE | While the University of Kansas' private giving levels continue to remain strong, the pace of giving to athletics has increased more dramatically than giving to academics.

Faulty thermostat ruins 1,800 swine flu vaccines

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:57 CST

BALLWIN, Mo. — A faulty thermostat in a refrigerator is being blamed for the loss of 1,800 doses of swine flu vaccinations in the Rockwood School District in suburban St. Louis. School officials told KSDK the doses were lost last month. About 2,500 new doses of the flu mist were expected to arrive today.

Ceiling fire forces brief evacuation at Summit Technology Campus

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:34 CST

A building at Summit Technology Campus was evacuated after fire broke out in the ceiling of the cafeteria Thursday night. Lee’s Summit firefighters responded to the building shortly before 7 p.m., after a building employee noticed an odor, heard a popping sound then saw fire coming from the ceiling, according to a Lee’s Summit Fire Department statement.

NBC Action Weather | Mild and windy today

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:05 CST

One more mild & breezy day ahead of a strong cold front that brings big changes for the weekend.

Flawlessly produced 'Wicked' hits the jackpot

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:48 CST

The road company that set up "Wicked" at the Music Hall this week executes the material flawlessly, magnifying the show's best qualities and gamely forging ahead when the music fails them.

Blaze erupts in vacant apartment building

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:37 CST

An apartment building in northeast Kansas City became engulfed in flames tonight. The apartments at 528 Bellefontaine Ave. appeared to be vacant, as boards had to be pulled off windows to fight the flames, according to Battalion Chief Joe Vitale. Crews fought the flames defensively from the outside.

KC offering H1N1 flu vaccine clinic on Friday

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:28 CST

The Kansas City Health Department will hold a swine flu vaccination clinic from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at its headquarters, 2400 Troost Ave. And beginning Monday, vaccinations will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m. at the Health Department.

Western Kansas man dies in grain elevator accident

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:35 CST

AMY, Kan. | An accident at a grain elevator has taken the life of a western Kansas man.

Missouri state lawmaker owes $20,000 for missed taxes

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:24 CST

WARRENSBURG, Mo. | A western Missouri lawmaker has said a rental property company he owns with his brother has not paid local taxes from 2008 and now owes more than $20,000.

Missouri officials to review what led to hostage report

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:18 CST

JEFFERSON CITY | Missouri officials said Thursday that the investigation is ongoing into what led to an unfounded report of a hostage situation in an office building near the governor's mansion.

Obama arrives in China for first-ever visit

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:05 CST

President Barack Obama is in Shanghai, launching a three-day visit to an important global U.S. partner and his first travels ever in China.

Apology for kids shipped from Britain to colonies

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:00 CST

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologized Monday to thousands of impoverished British children shipped to Australia in past centuries with the promise of a better life, only to suffer abuse and neglect thousands of miles from home.

Milwaukee mayor hailed as hero to run for governor

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:55 CST

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was hailed as a hero this summer for confronting a metal-bar wielding man, is running for governor.

Mass. immigrant tuition bill to get new push

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:15 CST

It seemed like a given that Mario Rodas would go to college.

Excerpts from rulings in Guantanamo Bay cases

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:20 CST

Case summaries and excerpts from the opinions by U.S. District Court judges for the 30 terrorism detainees ordered released from the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison and the eight denied release since late 2008:

Palin's way of talkin' dissected, you betcha

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:10 CST

When Sarah Palin burst onto the national political stage there was a lot of talk about her distinctive way of talkin', you betcha.

In first visit to China, Obama walks a tightrope

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:40 CST

President Barack Obama is walking a tightrope on his first trip to China, seeking to enlist help in tackling urgent global problems while weighing when and how - or if - he should raise traditional human rights concerns.

'You lie!' poll: Half of Southern Democrats upset

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:55 CST

About half of Southern Democrats responding to a poll say they were opposed or outraged by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's shout of "You lie!" when President Barack Obama addressed Congress.

Fla. suspect in Mo. child sex case 'devastated'

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:00 CST

A sixth member of a family facing multiple child sex abuse charges in western Missouri said he is "devastated" and had "no idea" about the rape allegations against him.

Fed's in Congress' crosshairs, but many experts say hold fire

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:00 CST

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd's sweeping new financial overhaul legislation, which proposes to strip the Federal Reserve of its authority to regulate banks, threatens the central bank's time-honored independence and its premier international standing, experts warn.

Mourners grieve for soldiers killed at Fort Hood

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:05 CST

Hundreds of people lining the main street of an Indiana town on Saturday fell solemnly silent as the white hearse passed. Mourners waited for hours outside a Wisconsin gymnasium to say goodbye to a soldier who once promised to take down Osama bin Laden.

Clinton welcomes 9/11 trials in New York City

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:10 CST

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she has no problem with Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to try in New York City five alleged terrorists involved in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Clinton says she's not running for NY governor

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:55 CST

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is waving off rumors that she is considering a run for governor of New York. And former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani says he hasn't decided whether he'll run.

Clinton: Specific demands will accompany US help

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:15 CST

The United States is limiting its goals in Afghanistan and demanding better accountability from that country's underperforming leader, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday, and she tied additional U.S. civilian help to results from Kabul.

Geeky 'tweeters' to report on space shuttle launch

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:00 CST

Fingers will be flying when space shuttle Atlantis blasts off Monday: About 100 of NASA's geekiest fans will be on hand, pecking away at iPhones, BlackBerrys, laptops and other Twittering gadgets.

DNA evidence in 1998 Yale killing was contaminated

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:25 CST

The family of a Yale student found stabbed to death off campus in 1998 has learned that DNA evidence in the unsolved murder was contaminated by a former forensic lab worker.

Chinese-Americans see Obama's trip in unique light

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:45 CST

As President Barack Obama visits China seeking to balance a seesawing relationship, Chinese-Americans embody the challenges facing the giants of East and West.

AP News in Brief at 5:58 p.m. EST

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:20 CST

Walking a fine line: Obama seeks Chinese help on global problems while supporting human rights

Idaho boy kills bear that wouldn't leave porch

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:05 CST

An 11-year-old Idaho boy fatally shot a black bear on his family's front porch after he said it wouldn't leave.

Clinton: Would look forward to coffee with Palin

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:21 CST

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she would be happy to talk to Sarah Palin over coffee.

Some, but not all, cheer Dodd's consumer proposals

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:00 CST

Consumer advocates love the new consumer protection agency included in the financial industry overhaul that Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., proposed this week.

Dems, GOP split on NY trials of alleged terrorists

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:35 CST

Bringing those accused in the Sept. 11 attacks to New York for trial would increase the security threat to the city and give radical Islamists a platform to propagate their ideology, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Sunday.

Giuliani says a trial in NYC puts people at risk

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:25 CST

The former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, says putting suspected Sept. 11 terrorists on trial in New York City places residents there at unnecessary risk.

Dozens of Gitmo detainees finally get day in court

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:20 CST

In courtrooms barred to the public, dozens of terror suspects are pleading for their freedom from the Guantanamo Bay prison, sometimes even testifying on their own behalf by video from the U.S. naval base in Cuba.

Jackpot: Lawyers earn fees from law they wrote

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:05 CST

Every lawsuit filed or even threatened under a California law aimed at electing more minorities to local offices - and all of the roughly $4.3 million from settlements so far - can be traced to just two people: a pair of attorneys who worked together writing the statute, The Associated Press has found.

Lost war bonds not easy to find

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:05 CST

Holders of lost savings bonds dating back to World War II say its not nearly as easy to track down the lost money as the U.S. Treasury Department claims in an ongoing lawsuit.

A glance at the California Voting Rights Act

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:30 CST

NAME: California Voting Rights Act

Md. attorney plans book on executed DC sniper

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:10 CST

A Baltimore attorney who became a confidant of executed D.C. sniper mastermind John Allen Muhammad is writing a book about him.

Highlights of Obama's trip to Asia

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:20 CST

A day-by-day look at President Barack Obama's trip to Asia:

HI governor's plan would end teacher furlough days

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:05 CST

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has proposed a plan to end the state's hotly disputed teacher furloughs and cancel a planned 10 percent reduction in school days.

Obama urged to take state job program to national level

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:00 CST

As job losses continue to slow the nation's economic recovery, labor experts and economists are urging Congress and the Obama administration to boost funding for a little-known program that 17 states are using to avert layoffs and keep workers in their jobs.

S.C. Senator Jim DeMint forces U.S. change on Honduras stance on elections

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:00 CST

Sen. Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican known for his efforts to block influence domestic immigration and health-care issues, has scored a foreign-policy coup by helping to compel the Obama administration to shift its stance on strife-ridden Honduras.

In Asia, Obama, Medvedev see nuke pact progress

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:50 CST

President Barack Obama said Sunday the United States and Russia would have a replacement treaty on reducing nuclear arms ready for approval by year's end, an announcement designed as an upbeat ending to a summit with Asia-Pacific leaders.

Obama: Hawaii to host Asian-Pacific summit in 2011

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:05 CST

President Barack Obama is steering some tourism trade and international attention to his native Hawaii in a couple of years.