Takeaways: BBQ recommendations for World Cup, Green Duck fire and jail woes | Walker

The Kansas City Star Opinion team this week tackled everything from World Cup barbecue recommendations to a historic East Side fire and ongoing disputes at the new county jail. Here’s a rundown of what our columnists are talking about.

BBQ World Cup tour

Opinion Editor Yvette Walker and columnist Mará Rose Williams traded barbecue recommendations for World Cup 2026 visitors, with Walker championing LC’s Bar-B-Q ribs and beans while Williams crowned Q39’s burnt ends the city’s best.

Green Duck fire

The Green Duck Tavern at 26th and Prospect fire is a mystery, and so is its legacy. The historic meeting place, largely destroyed by fire, is part of a decade-long fight. David Hudnall tells the twisty tale.

Jackson County Detention Center

Jackson County Legislature Chairman Manny Abarca and Sheriff Darryl Forte are feuding over a proposed detainee bill of rights, with columnist Toriano Porter arguing the two officials should hash out their differences rather than trade barbs.

Jail problems

Sheriff Forte also detailed a long list of problems at the new $300 million Jackson County Detention Center. Porter reveals the biggest issues.

Stories of patriotism

Williams asks Missourians and Kansans to share their personal stories of patriotism for a special July 4 edition marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, noting the president’s Freedom 250 operates separately from the bipartisan America250 committee.

KC Mini Con

KC Mini Con drew local comic creators, who reported selling more books than at bigger Planet Comicon events. Williams talked to the “Blerds.” What’s that?

Meet your Opinion team

Join me as I continue to tell you how Star Opinion is expanding our community’s conversations with new voices and ideas.

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.