ICE protest firing, Missouri map chaos, fan falls into Royals dugout: Top KC stories
A contested firing at a private school, confusion from the Missouri Supreme Court ruling, the loss of a beloved Kansas City clothier and more — here’s a roundup of what’s making news in the Kansas City region. These are the top stories from The Kansas City Star.
Barstow School dean fired after helping students organize ICE protest
David Muhammad, dean of student affairs and co-director of inclusion and diversity at The Barstow School, was dismissed three days after helping about 30 high school students stage a nonviolent protest on May 5 against ICE. The school’s vice president of communications told The Star’s Eric Adler that the firing was not based solely on the protest and pointed to prior incidents in his personnel file, while more than 200 parents and students have signed a petition asking for his reinstatement.
Missouri Supreme Court upholds gerrymandered congressional map, but uncertainty looms
The state’s highest court ruled Tuesday that the map carving Kansas City into three GOP-leaning districts stands, but said it is “impossible to say” whether the map is in effect until Secretary of State Denny Hoskins decides whether to certify a referendum campaign for the November ballot. Hoskins has until Aug. 4 to rule, and at least one county clerk has said she will not change maps until he does.
Goodbye to Rick Brehm, one of Kansas City’s last true haberdashers
Brehm, who ran one of the last independently owned Polo Ralph Lauren stores in America on the Country Club Plaza from 1982 to 2004, died last Thursday at age 71 after suffering a stroke. He later opened Hudson and Jane with his wife Flo Ann at Crestwood Shops, where he served as an informal mentor on tailored clothing and refined style to a generation of Kansas City lawyers, executives and country club members. The Star’s David Hudnall shares a tribute to this Kansas City icon.
Town Topic ends 24-hour service at Crossroads location after fatal shooting
The beloved Kansas City diner announced Tuesday it will close its 2021 Broadway Blvd. location at 8 p.m. rather than operate around the clock, citing safety concerns tied to an April 26 shooting in a nearby parking lot that killed a 21-year-old man. Town Topic said it has “exhausted all of our resources” trying to secure the area and blamed inadequate support from police and an out-of-state company that owns the adjacent lot.
Fan falls into Royals’ bullpen during Chicago White Sox game
A fan tumbled at least 10 feet from a short railing in the right-field stands into the Royals’ bullpen during the fourth inning of Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox after apparently jumping up to celebrate a sacrifice fly. The fan was taken to a hospital on a stretcher and was reportedly in much better condition upon arrival. Royals relief pitcher Nick Mears said the team’s priority was creating space for medical personnel after the incident.
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.