Lawmakers respond to rally shooting plea deals, KCK restaurant to close: Top stories
From a potential overhaul of Missouri’s “stand your ground” law to a beloved Kansas City restaurant closing after more than 60 years, here’s a roundup of what’s making news in the Kansas City region. These are the top stories from The Kansas City Star.
Here are the key takeaways:
Missouri self-defense law
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson dropped murder charges against two individuals in the 2024 Chiefs Super Bowl rally shooting, citing Missouri’s broad self-defense law as a barrier to prosecution. House Speaker Jonathan Patterson signaled openness to discussing changes to the self-defense law, though most Republicans, including Gov. Mike Kehoe, rejected calls for revisions.
Kansas bathroom bill
The Kansas Attorney General’s office has not prosecuted anyone for violating Senate Bill 244, the new restroom restriction law targeting transgender people, since it took effect in late February. Acts of civil disobedience, including a March 31 incident at the Kansas Statehouse, have so far resulted in no arrests or charges.
KidsTLC lawsuit
A Johnson County woman is suing Olathe-based KidsTLC Inc. for negligence, alleging the residential treatment facility’s failure to train staff and supervise residents allowed her to be raped and sexually assaulted by male patients when she was a minor. The lawsuit claims facility leadership attempted to cover up the incidents and dismissed staff concerns about unsafe supervision.
Jalisco’s in Kansas City, Kansas
Jalisco’s, a Mexican restaurant in Kansas City, Kansas, that has operated since 1965, will close at the end of May. Owner José Hernandez, 85, said staffing challenges in the kitchen left the family with no choice, though he hopes to one day reopen in the original Argentine neighborhood location.
Hawaiian Bros changes “Plates for Plates”
Hawaiian Bros has modified its “Plates for Plates” promotion with the Kansas City Royals from free meals to a buy-one-get-one offer after serving more than 42,000 free meals and adding over 24,000 rewards members. The Royals have scored six or more runs in eight of their first 19 home games, triggering the deal repeatedly and overwhelming the chain’s 27 locations.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
