Kansas City Star: Politics

Republicans line up to vie for Moore's congressional seat

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Health wasn’t the reason. Neither were politics and the tough votes he’d cast lately. Instead, U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore said his unexpected decision not to seek re-election next year was all part of an earlier plan to serve for about 12 years.

Cauthen may not be the only one exiting City Hall

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

The political fallout from Thursday’s bloodletting at City Hall? A whole host of possibilities loom. Let’s rack ’em up:

Budget ax will slash deeper in Kansas

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

TOPEKA | Gov. Mark Parkinson says Kansans can expect larger school classes, more potholes and an increasingly anemic state government after another round of budget reductions that could represent the unkindest cuts yet.

Former Kline aide faces ethics charge

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

TOPEKA | A former top assistant to Phill Kline faces a legal ethics complaint alleging he made misleading comments before the Kansas Supreme Court. Eric Rucker was Kline’s chief of staff when Kline was attorney general and later worked as chief deputy for Kline when he was appointed Johnson County district attorney.

Governor faces 37 charges he broke state ethics laws

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

COLUMBIA, S.C. | Gov. Mark Sanford is accused of breaking 37 ethics laws regarding campaign finances and travel, including using taxpayer money for high-priced airplane tickets that took him around the world and to Argentina for a rendezvous with the woman he once called his “soul mate.” The governor’s attorney said he looked forward to answering the “technical questions” regarding Sanford’s travel and finances at a State Ethics Commission hearing next year.

Thanks to GINA, your genes can't affect your job

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Some people say it’s the most significant civil rights law of the new century. But you’re excused if the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which went into full effect over the weekend, isn’t on your radar screen.

GAO report raises red flags at Kansas City Plant

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

The Kansas City nuclear weapons plant should do more to ensure that sensitive parts made by outside suppliers don’t fall into the wrong hands, a federal watchdog agency says. The report released Monday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office also suggested it may have been less expensive for the government to have owned the planned replacement facility for the Kansas City Plant, now at the Bannister Federal Complex, rather than enter a 20-year leasing deal.

Health bill faces a rough road in Senate

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

WASHINGTON | Senate Democrats sparred Sunday over how to fix the health care system, with moderates threatening to scuttle legislation if their demands aren’t met and more liberal members warning party leaders not to bend. The dispute foretells of a rowdy floor debate beginning next week on legislation that would extend health care coverage to roughly 31 million more Americans. Republicans have already made clear they aren’t supporting the bill.

Mayor-manager system makes problems for KC, observers say

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

From virtually his first day in office, Mayor Mark Funkhouser wanted City Manager Wayne Cauthen gone. They bickered. They disagreed. They ignored each other as the city’s budget deficit ballooned and citizens decried City Hall.

Rhode Island bishop asks congressman Patrick Kennedy to avoid Communion

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. | A month of harsh words between U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin escalated Sunday when the bishop acknowledged asking Kennedy not to receive Holy Communion. Tobin said his reasoning was because of the Democratic lawmaker’s support for abortion rights.

U.S. slow to commit to emissions reduction plan

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

WASHINGTON | With a little more than two weeks before climate negotiations in Denmark, the U.S. has yet to decide whether it can meet international expectations. The success or failure of the talks in Copenhagen could hinge on whether the United States offers a concrete plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a certain amount in the next decade.

General answers questions about stealth bomber mission

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

KNOB NOSTER, Mo. | Brig. Gen. Robert Wheeler remembers exactly what he was doing the day in August 2007 when he got a call about a monumental misdelivery. Dressed in his most tuxedo-like uniform and giving a speech to senior sergeants in an Air Force hangar on Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, the then-colonel left his audience in an instant.

Guests on Sunday's TV news shows

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Guests on today’s TV news shows: •ABC’s “This Week,” 9:30 a.m. — Guests: Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican; Sen. Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat; Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat.

Senate clears important hurdle in health care overhaul

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

WASHINGTON | Invoking the name of Edward M. Kennedy, Democrats united Saturday night to push historic health care legislation past a key Senate hurdle over the opposition of Republicans. There was not a vote to spare.

Obama trumpets Asia trip as a boost to the U.S. economy

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

WASHINGTON | President Barack Obama’s eight-day trip to Asia produced no tangible wins for the U.S., though he is citing talks with Asian allies that he says could help create thousands of jobs and open new markets for American goods. Citing progress on a trip that took him from Tokyo to Seoul, Obama noted that “Asia is a region where we now buy more goods and do more trade with than any other place in the world — commerce that supports millions of jobs back home.”

Cleaver's idea for a complaint-free day draws lots of griping

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

WASHINGTON | Rep. Emanuel Cleaver just wanted people to stop complaining for a day and count their blessings. What did he get for his troubles? Just more complaints.

The Buzz | C notes

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

C notes The famous row house on C Street Southeast where South Carolina’s disgraced governor, Mark Sanford, sought counseling after his affair — as did Sen. John Ensign of Nevada after his affair — has begun paying D.C. real estate taxes.

KC's acting city manager viewed as easygoing, collaborative

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Troy Schulte once was city manager of the town of Marengo, Iowa, population 2,500. Now he finds himself in a much hotter seat in a much bigger city.

Ouster of Wayne Cauthen shakes up city

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

Thursday’s surprise ouster of Wayne Cauthen as city manager could well rattle Kansas City far beyond his office on the 29th floor of City Hall. The removal was so messy, critics said Friday, it could complicate the city’s budget crisis, create further tension on the council and damage the city’s tarnished image.

Senate plans a Saturday night vote to open health care debate

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:15 CST

WASHINGTON | The Senate is poised to approve today the start of a historic debate over health care legislation aimed at making coverage easier, less expensive to obtain and harder to lose. Democrats will need 60 votes to cut off a Republican-led effort to block consideration of the bill, however. A vote is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Central time tonight. Democrats control 60 seats, but two moderates are wavering.

Theater artists enjoy going off on ‘Going Rogue'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:36 CST

Sarah Palin took it on the chin. That’s hardly unusual for a political figure who attracts equally fervent admirers and detractors. But at a small downtown performance space Thursday night, the weapon of choice for a group of gleeful Palin bashers was the former Alaska governor’s new book, “Going Rogue: An American Life.” (Heard about it?)

Ill. Democrats: Keeping Obama Senate seat not easy

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:54 CST

The White House and Illinois Democrats said Tuesday that their bid to hold on to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat won't be easy and their difficulties aren't just because of the scandal that engulfed ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Feds: Phila. plot to buy weapons for Hezbollah

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:33 CST

A grand jury in Philadelphia indicted four men Tuesday for an alleged plot to support the Lebanon-based terror group Hezbollah through illegal schemes, including buying the group more than a thousand machine guns.

Obama state dinner guest list touched by Hollywood

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:28 CST

Hollywood A-listers are coming out in force for President Barack Obama's state dinner for India.

Obama to unveil plan to add troops in Afghanistan

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:19 CST

War-weary Americans will support more fighting in Afghanistan once they understand the perils of losing, President Barack Obama declared Tuesday, announcing he was ready to spell out war plans virtually sure to include tens of thousands more U.S. troops.

Feds: Phila. plot to buy weapons for Hezbollah

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:29 CST

EPA proposes sulfur dioxide limits for first time since 1971

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:00 CST

The Environmental Protection Agency is continuing its crackdown on coal pollution with a new plan to cut sulfur dioxide - a move that would clean up the air for millions of Americans and bring some relief to people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Obamas welcome guests with curry at state dinner

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:29 CST

Guests at President Barack Obama's first state dinner were being treated to an eye-catching scheme of green and purple, from the green curry surrounding the prawns to the purple floral arrangements paying homage to the peacock, India's national bird.

Eligible people receiving food stamps by state

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:29 CST

Estimated participation rates of citizens eligible for food stamps by state.

GOP opens probe into climate science e-mails

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:53 CST

Congressional Republicans are investigating e-mails stolen from a British climate change research center that they say show scientists attempting to suppress data that does not support man-made global warming.

Conservative concedes a 2nd time in NY House race

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00 CST

The Conservative Party candidate conceded a race in upstate New York for a U.S. House of Representatives seat for the second time Tuesday, saying he doesn't have enough votes.

Obama administration will not sign land mine ban

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00 CST

The Obama administration has decided not to sign an international convention banning land mines.

Guest chef raids White House garden for big dinner

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:38 CST

On a damp, chilly Tuesday, guest chef Marcus Samuelsson was still out tromping around the White House garden picking herbs for that evening's state dinner at the White House.