Meet the 67 Kansas City Star journalists working to provide you the news you need
Eric Adler
eadler@kcstar.comEric, a reporter, started at The Star in 1985. He focuses on in-depth stories about people at both the center and on the fringes of the news. His work has received dozens of national and regional awards.
Jennifer Babichjbabich@kcstar.comJennifer, a breaking news editor, started at The Star in 2022. She previously worked as a newspaper reporter in Tennessee and a TV news producer in North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
J.M. Banksjbanks@kcstar.comJ.M., the culture and identity reporter, started at The Star in 2021. He grew up in the KC area and has worked in various community-based media outlets including The Pitch and the Urban Alchemy Podcast.
Laura Bauerlbauer@kcstar.comLaura, an investigative reporter, started at The Star in 2005. In her 30-year career, she has won numerous national awards for coverage of human trafficking, child welfare, crime and government secrecy.
Kacen Baylesskbayless@kcstar.comKacen, a reporter, started at The Star in 2022. He’s a St. Louis native and MU grad who covers Missouri government and politics. He previously covered projects and investigations in coastal South Carolina.
Gary Bedoregbedore@kcstar.comGary, a sports reporter, started at The Star in 2016. He covers KU basketball and has written about the Jayhawks since 1978, spanning the Ted Owens, Larry Brown, Roy Williams and Bill Self eras.
Katie Bernardcbernard@kcstar.comKatie, a reporter, started at The Star in 2019. She’s a KU grad who covers Kansas politics and government. Katie was part of The Star team that won the 2023 National Headliner Award for political coverage.
Chandler Boesecboese@kcstar.comChandler, our senior audience growth and engagement producer, started at The Star in 2022. She works to deliver impactful journalism and build reader relationships through social media, newsletters and more.
Alison Boothabooth@kcstar.comAlison, an audience growth producer, started at The Star in 2022. She works to connect local audiences to our journalism. She grew up in Shawnee and graduated from Northeastern University.
Scott Chasenschasen@kcstar.comScott Chasen, the assistant sports editor, started at The Star in 2022. He has previously reported on the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Royals and has lived in the KC area since 2012.
Robert A. Cronkletonbcronkleton@kcstar.comBob, a breaking news reporter, started at The Star in 1987. He covers crime, courts, transportation, weather and climate. His skills include multimedia and data reporting and video and audio editing.
Ian Cummingsicummings@kcstar.comIan, the assistant managing editor for breaking news, started at The Star in 2015. He previously was a reporter covering crime and justice. He is a Kansas City native who graduated from KU in 2012.
Emily Curielecuriel@kcstar.comEmily, a visual journalist, started at The Star in 2021. She specializes in photography and videography. She’s a first-generation college graduate – from San Francisco State University – and a native of Los Angeles.
Monty Davismadavis@kcstar.comMonty, a video producer, started at The Star in 2003. Prior to that he was a photo editor for The Wichita Eagle. He specializes in telling human interest video stories using mobile gear such as his iPhone 13 Pro.
Daniel Desrochersddesrochers@kcstar.comDaniel, a reporter, started at The Star in 2021. He’s the Washington correspondent, covering Congress and the White House with a focus on policy and politics important to Kansas and Missouri.
Allison Dikanovicadikanovic@kcstar.comAllison, an editor working with our enterprise reporting teams, started at The Star in 2021. She previously led our service journalism team and continues to champion coverage that answers our readers’ biggest questions
Derek Donovanddonovan@kcstar.comDerek, deputy opinion editor and a member of the editorial board, started at The Star in 1995. He writes editorials and edits guest commentaries and letters to the editor. He was previously the longtime public editor.
Greg Farmergfarmer@kcstar.comGreg, the executive editor, started at The Star in 1997. He was born and raised in KC, graduated from both KU and UMKC and feels very fortunate to be part of this extraordinary newsroom in his hometown.
Todd Feebacktfeeback@kcstar.comTodd, the assistant visuals editor, rejoined The Star in 2015. He has been with The Star and McClatchy for 18 total years. He also directs the McClatchy Drone Program, with over 40 pilots across the country.
Matti Gellmanmgellman@kcstar.comMatti, a breaking news reporter, started at The Star in 2021. She covers criminal justice topics, with an emphasis on illuminating inequities related to race, gender and class across the metro area.
Pete Grathoffpgrathoff@kcstar.comPete, a reporter covering trending sports topics, started at The Star in 1997. He has covered stories spanning everything from Super Bowl and World Series champions to Final Fours and World Cups.
Vahe Gregorianvgregorian@kcstar.comVahe, a sports columnist, started at The Star in 2013. Among his many credits: Covering 10 Olympics. He was an English major at the University of Pennsylvania and earned his master’s at Mizzou.
Andale Grossagross@kcstar.comAndale started as The Star’s managing editor in July. He oversees day-to-day news coverage. He’s an MU grad who previously worked at The Associated Press leading national reporting on racial issues.
Lisa Gutierrezlgutierrez@kcstar.comLisa, a reporter, started at The Star in 2000. She writes about pop culture, local celebrities, trends and life in the metro through its people. Oh, and dogs. She graduated from KU.
Maddie Hartleymhartley@kcstar.comMaddie, a digital layout editor working on the Morning Sports Edition, will start at The Star this month. She’s a KU student originally from Baxter Springs, Kansas. She moved to the KC area in 2021.
Mike Hendricksmhendricks@kcstar.comMike, an investigative reporter, started at The Star in 1985. He covers KCMO and Jackson County government. For 14 years he wrote a column three times a week. Honors include two Gerald Loeb awards.
Melinda Hennebergermhenneberger@kcstar.comMelinda, columnist and editorial board member, returned to The Star in April. She won a Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2022 for her work at The Star after being a finalist the three previous years.
Joseph Hernandezjhernandez@kcstar.comJoseph, a reporter, joined The Star’s service journalism team in 2021. He graduated from KC’s Cristo Rey High School and Mizzou. He now answers readers’ questions and shares things to do across the metro.
Sharon Hoffmannshoffmann@kcstar.comSharon Hoffmann, an enterprise editor, started at The Star in 1999. She grew up in the KC area, graduated from KU and promptly moved away. After she married and had kids, she just had to come back.
Chick Howlandchowland@kcstar.comChick, an accountability and investigations editor, started at The Star in 1997. He graduated from KU. Previously he worked as a metro editor at The News-Leader in Springfield, Missouri.
David Hudnalldhudnall@kcstar.comDavid, a reporter, started at The Star in 2021. He writes about food, restaurants and retail. He is a KC native and a graduate of MU. He was previously the editor of The Pitch and Phoenix New Times.
Dan Kellydkelly@kcstar.comDan has been covering entertainment news at The Star since 2009. He has written two books, recently “The Girl with the Agate Eyes: The Untold Story of Mattie Howard, Kansas City’s Queen of the Underworld.”
Blair Kerkhoffbkerkhoff@kcstar.comBlair, a Chiefs reporter, started at The Star in 1989. He has spent the past three-plus decades writing about college and pro sports of all types. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame this year.
Andrea Klickaklick@kcstar.comAndrea, a breaking news reporter, started at The Star in 2022. She studied journalism and political science at the University of Southern California and grew up near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Shreyas Laddhasladdha@kcstar.comShreyas, a sports reporter, started at The Star in 2022. He writes on KU basketball and football. He’s a Georgia native, University of Georgia grad and previously covered UConn for the Hartford Courant.
Zachary Linhareszlinhares@kcstar.comZach, a visual journalist, started at The Star this year as a summer intern and s staying on at least into the fall. He’s an MU grad and has worked previously for the Columbia Missourian and the Kansas City Beacon.
Tammy Ljungbladtljungblad@kcstar.comTammy, a visual journalist, started at The Star in 1989. She produces videos and storytelling photographs covering a wide range of topics including the Chiefs and breaking news. She is also a drone pilot.
Bryan Lowryblowry@kcstar.comBryan, the politics editor, returned to The Star in 2022. He works from Washington, D.C., and has reported from the Kansas statehouse, Congress and the White House since 2014 for McClatchy, The Star’s owner.
Lisa Lopezllopez@kcstar.comLisa, the executive administrative assistant to the editor, started at The Star in 1981. She grew up in KC and takes pride in keeping the newsroom going and happy. She often connects readers and journalists.
Bill Lukitschblukitsch@kcstar.comBill has covered nighttime breaking news for The Star since 2021, focusing on crime, courts and police accountability. He previously reported on government and politics for The Quad-City Times in Iowa.
Maria Martinmmartin@kcstar.comMaria, the suburban editor, started at The Star in 2015. She’s written and edited arts and entertainment stories on both coasts of Florida. Before moving to KC, she was the Rocky Mountain News’ lifestyle editor.
Randy Masonrmason@kcstar.comRandy, a multimedia producer, started at The Star in 2022. He spent over 30 years as a public TV producer and host, receiving 19 regional Emmy Awards for his work and a national Emmy for Best Documentary.
Sam McDowellsmcdowell@kcstar.comSam, a sports columnist, started at The Star in 2012. He is a KC native and has covered the Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, KU and MU. He has won multiple national awards for columns, features and enterprise work.
Katie Moorekamoore@kcstar.comKatie, an enterprise and accountability reporter, started at The Star in 2019. She writes about justice issues, including policing, prison conditions and the death penalty. She’s a KU grad from Topeka.
Neil Nakahodonnakahodo@kcstar.comNeil, a graphic artist, started at The Star in 1998. He specializes in illustrations, graphics and videos, including 3D and motion designs. His illustrations frequent our front page and Sports cover.
Jesse Newelljnewell@kcstar.comJesse, a sports reporter, started at The Star in 2016. He now covers the Chiefs. His interest in sports analytics comes from his math teacher father, who handed out rulers to trick-or-treaters each year.
Luke Nozickalnozicka@kcstar.comLuke, an investigative reporter, started at The Star in 2019. He covers Wyandotte County and also focuses on criminal justice issues in Missouri and Kansas. Previously he worked for the Des Moines Register.
Chris Ochsnercochsner@kcstar.comChris, the visuals editor, started at The Star in 2002. He leads The Star’s talented staff of photojournalists and video producers. He has led the visuals team in its coverage of three Super Bowls and two World Series.
Cliff Phillipscphillips@kcstar.comCliff, a night editor in Sports, started at The Star in 2009. He helps ensure results and online game coverage get published quickly. He also teaches philosophy at Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods.
Toriano Portertporter@kcstar.comToriano, an opinion writer and editorial board member, started at The Star in 2012. He previously covered nighttime breaking news. He has received multiple state, regional and national honors for his work.
Peter Rasmussenprasmussen@kcstar.comPeter, audience development editor, starts at The Star in October. He will lead the team focused on maximizing journalists’ impact with our readers. He’s been a reporter and editor in Texas for the past 18 years.
Glenn E. Ricegrice@kcstar.comGlenn, an investigative reporter, started at The Star in 1988. He focuses on law enforcement and the legal system. His work includes award-winning investigations of racism in KC’s police and fire departments.
Sarah Rittersritter@kcstar.comSarah, an enterprise and accountability reporter, started at The Star in 2019. She covers Johnson County, focusing on local governments and schools. Previously she was a Quad-City Times business reporter.
Kellis Robinettkrobinett@wichitaeagle.comKellis, a sports reporter, started at The Star and its sister publication, The Wichita Eagle, in 2009. He covers Kansas State athletics. He has won more than a dozen national writing awards and lives in Manhattan.
Jeff Rosenjrosen@kcstar.comJeff, the sports editor, started at The Star in 2010. He leads sports coverage for both KC and our sister publication, The Wichita Eagle. A native of Washington state, Jeff also worked for the Houston Chronicle.
Jonathan Shormanjshorman@kcstar.comJonathan, the lead political reporter covering both Kansas and Missouri, started at The Star in 2020. For three years prior, the KU grad covered the Kansas statehouse for The Wichita Eagle and The Star.
Anna Spoerreaspoerre@kcstar.comAnna, a breaking news reporter, started at The Star in 2020. Before coming to KC, she covered crime and courts for the Des Moines Register. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Judy L. Thomasjthomas@kcstar.comJudy, an investigative reporter, started at The Star in 1995. Over three decades, she has covered domestic terrorism, clergy sex abuse and government accountability. Her work has earned numerous national honors.
Jaylon Thompsonjathompson@kcstar.comJaylon, a sports reporter, started at The Star in May. He covers the Royals. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil. Jaylon is a University of Georgia grad.
Jenna Thompsonjthompson@kcstar.comJenna, a reporter, started at The Star in 2022. She covers restaurant and retail as well as breaking news. A graduate of the University of Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star.
Nick Wagnernwagner@kcstar.comNick, a visual journalist, started at The Star in 2022. He specializes in storytelling photography and videography. Prior stops include the Austin American-Statesman and San Antonio Report in Texas.
Yvette Walkerywalker@kcstar.comYvette, opinion editor and editorial board leader, returned to The Star in June. Credits include features editor, news editor, readers’ representative and journalism dean. She’s in the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.
Natalie Wallingtonnwallington@kcstar.comNatalie, a reporter, joined The Star’s service journalism team in 2021. She answers readers’ questions about the cost of living, environmental issues, local utilities, LGBTQ+ rights and more.
Mará Rose Williamsmdwilliams@kcstar.comMará, the assistant managing editor for race and equity issues, started at The Star in 1998. Previously she was a columnist and editorial board member. She received the 2021 Eleanor McClatchy Award.
Hannah Wisehwise@kcstar.comHannah, the assistant managing editor for engagement and experimentation, started at The Star in 2021. She leads digital strategy. Previously she worked at The New York Times and Dallas Morning News.
Daniel Zeilstradzeilstra@kcstar.comDaniel, a night editor in Sports, started at The Star in 2007. He gathers Sports On the Air, game results and statistics and works to ensure they are published in a timely way both online and in the newspaper.
Irvin Zhangizhang@kcstar.comIrvin, newsletter writer, started at The Star in 2021. He leads newsletter strategy in addition to being the primary writer for our flagship morning and afternoon sends. He’s a Northeastern University graduate.
This story was originally published September 10, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Meet the 67 Kansas City Star journalists working to provide you the news you need."
