Dark money in Missouri, historic mansion saved in KC & Olathe townhomes: Top stories
From a mysterious $1.9 million donation shaping Missouri’s tax future to the rescue of a 113-year-old Kansas City mansion, 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 key takeaways:
Missouri income tax amendment
A Delaware-based nonprofit called Missouri Promise Inc. poured $1.9 million into the campaign backing Amendment 5, which would replace Missouri’s income tax with expanded sales taxes on the Aug. 4 ballot. The donor’s funding source cannot be traced beyond a registered agent and a St. Louis mailbox, leaving voters with no way to know who is bankrolling the overhaul, a key priority for Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Historic mansion in Kansas City
The Kansas City Art Institute has purchased the historic George B. Richards House at 4526 Warwick Blvd., ending a three-year fight over the 113-year-old mansion the Vawter brothers had sought to demolish. The institute plans to repurpose the property as a cultural hub, with possible uses including artists’ residences, event spaces and historic archive management.
Murder charge in boy’s death
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and the Linn County Attorney’s Office have filed a second-degree murder charge against Damon B. Leonard, 47, whose dogs allegedly mauled 13-year-old Airen Andula to death on Dec. 21, 2025. Leonard previously pleaded guilty to abandonment of a corpse for dumping the boy’s body in Bates County, Missouri, and was sentenced to four years, though the new case records have not been made available on the Kansas Judicial Branch public database.
Olathe townhomes clear vote
The Olathe City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to overturn the planning commission’s denial of rezoning 7.7 acres at 119th Street and S. Lone Elm Road from commercial to residential. Developer New Bedford Land Development revised its townhome proposal to reduce density from 71 to 64 units, though some council members worried about losing commercial development opportunities.
AR’s Breakfast and Brunch
AR’s Breakfast and Brunch, a Mexican-style brunch restaurant, is opening a new Leawood location at Park Place, taking over the former Mother Clucker chicken restaurant. Owner Oscar Romero aims to open by the end of the month, adding to existing spots in downtown Overland Park and Westport.
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.
