http://www.kansascity.com/274/index.xml News, sports and entertainment from The Kansas City Star en-us Copyright 2012Kansas City Star Yael T. Abouhalkah 60 Fri, 25 May 2012 03:01:03 CDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys 1.1.fi feedback@kansascity.com (Feedback) http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/23/3624124/why-the-mayor-shelved-his-big.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/23/3624124/why-the-mayor-shelved-his-big.html#storylink=rss Wed, 23 May 2012 05:00 CDT What happens when mighty Superman turns into mild-mannered Clark Kent? 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/16/3614071/when-thugs-declare-open-season.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/16/3614071/when-thugs-declare-open-season.html#storylink=rss Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00 CDT Harry Stone was jogging early Sunday morning when he was shot and killed in Raytown. Police say all evidence so far shows it was a senseless and random act of violence. It could have happened to anyone. Want something equally chilling? By its very definition, this kind of random violence will happen again. 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/09/3603413/picking-taxpayers-pockets-for.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/09/3603413/picking-taxpayers-pockets-for.html#storylink=rss Wed, 09 May 2012 05:00 CDT Kansas City area taxpayers often are run over when it comes to economic development deals. 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/02/3589448/mayors-first-year-brings-big-changes.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/02/3589448/mayors-first-year-brings-big-changes.html#storylink=rss Wed, 02 May 2012 05:00 CDT When it comes to Kansas City government, change is good. Indeed, the pace of positive job replacements and progress on key issues for taxpayers have been almost breathtaking over the last year. 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/25/3576204/kc-style-water-torture-comes-in.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/25/3576204/kc-style-water-torture-comes-in.html#storylink=rss Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:00 CDT Passing a tax increase could slightly reduce water and sewer charges on Kansas Citians. But it also would boost the local sales tax. Either way, Kansas Citians are going to be paying a lot more to water their lawns, take their showers and flush their toilets in the future. 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/11/3549113/strong-leaders-spur-progress-on.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/11/3549113/strong-leaders-spur-progress-on.html#storylink=rss Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:00 CDT A long recession has reduced Kansas City's tax base. Years of cutbacks of other city agencies made it obvious the Fire Department needed trimming, too. Finally, bolder leaders at City Hall came along. 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/04/3536024/why-do-so-many-local-taxes-have.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/04/3536024/why-do-so-many-local-taxes-have.html#storylink=rss Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:00 CDT How does a tax die in Kansas City? Consider that just 53 percent of voters in 2005 approved the property tax increase for health-related expenses, thanks to overwhelming support south of the river. But voters crushed in the Northland, and that's where population has been growing. Any attempt to renew the extra health levy will be a tough battle. 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/28/3520409/kc-mayor-seeks-crucial-victory.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/28/3520409/kc-mayor-seeks-crucial-victory.html#storylink=rss Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:00 CDT Over the last 20 years, three previous Kansas City mayors have faced watershed moments early in their first terms. All stumbled badly and damaged their effectiveness as leaders for a long time. 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/21/3505032/pending-budget-includes-wise-trims.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/21/3505032/pending-budget-includes-wise-trims.html#storylink=rss Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:00 CDT The City Council next Thursday will approve the 2012-13 budget that is likely to cut Fire Department and restrict raises to police. Both would be excellent steps toward showing that times are changing at City Hall -- even for agencies long dominated by white males who are used to bullying city leaders into submission. 90557 http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/14/3490640/how-kc-stacks-up-against-competing.html http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/14/3490640/how-kc-stacks-up-against-competing.html#storylink=rss Wed, 14 Mar 2012 05:00 CDT Kansas City constantly competes with other large, Midwestern cities to woo young people and new jobs. So it matters a great deal how the city looks stacked up against its peers. 90557