Former KC radio co-host of Whitlock is killed, Lee's Summit festival ends: Top stories

From the cancellation of Lee’s Summit Downtown Days to the Kansas City Current’s bid for $235 million in stadium expansion funding, 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:

• Former Kansas City radio and TV personality James Dodds, known as “Uncle Jimmy,” died Monday after being shot Sunday in Kansas City, Kansas, and three 18-year-old men face first-degree murder charges in connection with his death, police said. Dodds was a former radio co-host to Jason Whitlock and appeared on the Fox Sports program “Speak for Yourself.”
• Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street announced Tuesday that the 2026 Downtown Days festival will be its last, citing safety concerns after fights, assaults and property damage marred Saturday evening’s event. Police responded to disruptions involving bear spray and recovered a gun after chasing a youth through the festival, which has drawn as many as 80,000 people over three days.
• The Kansas City Current is seeking up to $235 million in bonds through a new Tax Increment Financing district to expand CPKC Stadium from 11,500 to 18,000 seats. The total project cost is estimated at $1.4 billion and includes the stadium expansion, Current Landing development and a parking garage on the Berkley Riverfront.
• Taylor Swift turned heads at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, wearing a “Stevie Knicks” shirt to Game 4 of the NBA Finals alongside friends Este and Alana Haim. Swift has long credited Stevie Nicks as a major musical influence and name-dropped her in the song “Clara Bow” from “The Tortured Poets Department” album.
• Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Fest is drawing criticism for its concession prices after a soft launch Tuesday revealed $18 to $19 beers, $7 bottled sodas and $28 double shots, none of which include tax. While some defended the pricing as comparable to other major events, Reddit commenters called the prices “hilarious” and “just sad,” noting the menu excludes local favorites like Boulevard.

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.