Sincerely, The Star dispatch: Inside KC’s little-known deal with ICE
Editor’s note: The following is from this week’s Sincerely, The Star newsletter, published weekly on Wednesdays. You can sign up here to get them delivered to your inbox.
Good afternoon, subscribers!
Welcome back to The Star’s subscriber-exclusive newsletter: Sincerely, The Star.
I’m Rachel Adamson, your guide through all of The Star’s biggest headlines.
This week, we’re taking a look at an under-the-radar agreement between ICE and Kansas City.
Plus, find out which KC-area restaurants and chefs are up for the prestigious James Beard Awards and one of the big challenges for Patrick Mahomes in his rehab so far.
Let’s get into it.
This week’s top story
Over the past two years, Kansas City has received $42,000 from ICE as part of a little-noticed agreement between the city and the federal immigration agency.
The agreement, revealed in federal government spending records reviewed by The Star, runs from September 2024 to May 2026. The payments, which have been obligated, allow the Department of Homeland Security and ICE access to a multi-agency law enforcement radio network known as the Metropolitan Area Regional Radio System, called MARRS for short, according to a city spokesperson.
Multiple city officials, including Mayor Quinton Lucas, said they were unaware of the payments until contacted by The Star this week.
Centralized communications systems are common among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and Lucas downplayed the agreement when informed about it.
Revelations about the agreement have sparked concern from at least one law enforcement accountability advocate. A series of high-profile arrests and rumors of a potential detention facility have thrust KC into a national fight over the Trump administration’s sweeping crackdown on American cities.
The Star’s Kacen Bayless takes a closer look at what the agreement allows DHS and ICE to access in KC.
Door-to-door in KC? Rumors swirled of ICE knocking on doors in the Northland over the weekend — but local law enforcement say the photo is fake.
‘Not right’: Over reports that a mega ICE detention center has its eye on a south KC warehouse, neighbors say they don’t want a facility in their backyards or near their school.
‘Negotiations are complete’: Despite KC officials passing a five-year ban on detention centers, the company tied to the rumored ICE facility says the papers have already been signed.
ICE fleet at WoF: ICE decals were seen on dozens of vehicles parked near Worlds of Fun, prompting fear and questions. But a local official says they aren’t for enforcement operations.
Bites, brews and barbecue
🏆 These six restaurants and chefs in the KC metro were nominated for the James Beard Awards — including a couple who are set to open a new concept in the old Happy Gillis.
🍗 Closed for months to repair flood damage, one of KC’s favorite barbecue joints has reopened its doors to welcome back a steady stream of burnt ends enthusiasts.
🌴 When Star readers named Palm Tree Club KC’s best new restaurant of 2025, it surprised a few. So, we had to find out: Is the beach-themed lounge with rooftop views worth the hype?
✉️ Stay up to date on what’s new to eat and drink in KC with our weekly Let’s Dish newsletter.
Reality Check
🏟 After luring the Chiefs, Kansas still hasn’t revealed key details of how it’ll repay a record $2.8 billion bond with a shaky reputation. Will the math add up — and who’s at fault if it doesn’t?
⚖️ The Northland man accused of fatally shooting his neighbor 13 times in the middle of the street following a years-long dispute may seek a “stand your ground” defense, his attorney said.
✉️ Sign up for our weekly Reality Check newsletter to dive deeper into KC’s biggest news stories.
Eric Bieniemy’s return
☝️ At a time when the Chiefs are in dire need of new voices, Andy Reid appears to be turning to a familiar face in Eric Bieniemy instead of embracing change. It’s worked for him in the past. Will it now? Star columnist Vahe Gregorian has some serious questions.
🐐 Patrick Mahomes revealed one of his greatest challenges in healing from his devastating ACL & LCL tear.
✉️ Get our latest analysis of the Chiefs in our twice-weekly Chiefs Extra newsletter.
Through our lens
Hundreds of protesters flooded the Missouri Capitol yesterday, decrying the Republican-controlled legislature’s recent attacks on direct democracy.
“The politicians need to realize that they are working for us,” said LaTonya Sullivan, a Kansas City-based nurse.
See the lively scene, captured by The Star’s Dominick Williams.
Winter storm watch
☃️ How much snow will KC get this weekend? A major storm has shifted north, putting the metro under a winter storm watch. Meteorologists are now predicting 5 to 7 inches of snow.
Perspectives
🏁 The viral video of a Kansas referee seemingly flopping during a high school girl’s basketball game is a bad look. But here’s why we shouldn’t rush to judge, writes The Star’s Toriano Porter.
✉️ Get fresh perspectives on the biggest headlines in KC, delivered weekly, with the Star Opinion newsletter.
Meet The Star
I’m excited to introduce y’all to our newest reporter, Jenna Ebbers, who joins us from the Lincoln Journal Star where the two of us used to work together! Jenna graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has been covering education for the Journal Star for the last two years.
At The KC Star, she’s already hit the ground running as our Northland reporter. In her latest piece, she got the lowdown on what happened to a KC mainstay after a pickup truck crashed into the iconic restaurant earlier this week, forcing it to close and seriously injuring the owner.
Follow Jenna on X and Bluesky.
As always, thank you for subscribing to The Star and supporting our high-quality, local journalism.
If you have questions about anything we’re doing at The Star, feel free to send me an email at radamson@kcstar.com.
See you next week!
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This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 3:36 PM.