Government & Politics

No-bid bidding war? Counterproposal comes in for Kansas City airport

AECOM, a major engineering firm based in Los Angeles, has asked the Kansas City Council to be considered for a new airport terminal deal. Thursday, May 25, 2017

Local

Rockhurst University leader to Homeland Security: Does policy hurt undocumented students?

Rockhurst University President Thomas Curran was the first of 65 university leaders to sign a letter to the Department of Homeland Security seeking details on a policy regarding undocumented students.

Local

Airlines’ role and commitment in KCI single terminal plans scrutinized at hearing

Kansas City’s second public hearing on the proposed plan for Burns & McDonnell to finance, design and build a single terminal at Kansas City International Airport raises several issues, including the participation of the airlines, which have shared little public comment.

Government & Politics

KC Mayor’s Nights program starts Memorial Day weekend

The Kansas City Mayor’s Nights program, which includes summer activities for teens, starts Friday, May 26, 2017, and continues through early August. Young people are encouraged to register for events.

Health Care

Politics and other failures led insurers to abandon Obamacare, former BlueKC CEO says

Former Blue Cross and Blue Shield of KC CEO Tom Bowser, who helped advise creation of the Affordable Care Act, reacts to company leaving the insurance exchange.

Government & Politics

Federal appeals court upholds block of Trump travel ban

The Fourth Circuit on Thursday upheld a nationwide preliminary injunction on President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

Government & Politics

Greitens adviser accuses McCaskill of hypocrisy on dark money issue

A senior adviser to Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens responded to U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s criticism of the governor’s reliance on dark money Wednesday by pointing out the Democrat has also received hefty support from groups with anonymous donors.

Government & Politics

Kansas Houses passes bill requiring women get more information before an abortion

The bill calls for doctors to provide more information at least 24 hours before an abortion. Kansans for Life has strongly advocated for the bill, but Planned Parenthood has been a constant critic of the legislation. May 25, 2017

Government & Politics

Money to fund the Kansas Legislature runs out in days

Lawmakers only have enough money to keep working another week. The top Senate Republican wants to wrap the session by next Friday.

Government & Politics

Kansas House passes school finance plan, but some say funding is still inadequate

House legislators gave final approval to the bill Thursday. It will head to the Senate, where lawmakers have already begun work on a similar version of a new school finance formula.

Government & Politics

Kansas House passes new school spending plan, Democrats warn of problems

Kansas House lawmakers passed a new school finance formula Wednesday. The bill boosts education funding, but it’s unclear if it will be enough to satisfy the court.

Government & Politics

Was the CBO report on GOP health care bill good or bad? Depends on whom you ask.

The Congressional Budget Office releases its analysis of the American Health Care Act, the revised House Republican bill to replace Obamacare, Wednesday, May 24.

Government & Politics

Ben Carson calls poverty ‘a state of mind’

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said that a “certain mindset” contributes to people living in poverty, pointing to habits and a “state of mind” that children take from their parents at a young age.

Local

New Mizzou chancellor pledges commitment to ‘inclusion, diversity and equity’

Alexander Cartwright arrives from the State University of New York as the new chancellor for the University of Missouri’s flagship Columbia campus, which is rebounding from the racial discord of 2015.

Government & Politics

Another probe joins the lengthening line to question ex-Trump adviser Flynn

The House Intelligence Committee will subpoena former Trump adviser Michael Flynn in its probe of Trump ties to Russia, Rep. Adam Schiff said Wednesday, May 24.

Government & Politics

Opinions still sharply divided over new terminal at KCI

It was standing room only Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the Kansas City Airport Marriott, as a crowd discussed Burns & McDonnell’s proposal to build and privately finance a new terminal at the airport.

Local

Airport survey: Out-of-town business travelers least satisfied with KCI

A survey given to travelers at Kansas City International Airport before they can use the free Wi-Fi asks about their satisfaction with the airport. Results show out-of-town business travelers are the least satisfied.

Crime

Kansas records: Several hotline calls and investigations still didn’t save Adrian Jones

Records show social workers in Kansas investigated several calls saying Adrian Jones and his siblings were being abused or neglected. Most calls were unsubstantiated or the family couldn’t be located.

Government & Politics

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens jumps to the defense of dark money

As his nonprofit organization continues to draw criticism from Missouri Republicans and Democrats, Gov. Eric Greitens on Monday spoke out in defense of hiding his donors’ identities by comparing it to the right to cast a secret ballot.

Government & Politics

Congressman Sam Graves warms to Burns & McDonnell’s KCI proposal

Rep. Sam Graves, in the past a critic of city-led proposals for a single-terminal airport in Kansas City, said Tuesday that the Burns & McDonnell idea is a “step in the right direction”