Big payment in police shooting, World Cup impact in JoCo & Taylor Swift: Top KC stories
From a multimillion-dollar settlement in a deadly Independence police shooting to England’s World Cup base camp in Prairie Village, 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:
Police killed mother and baby
The family of Maria Pike and her 2-month-old daughter, Destinii, who were killed by Independence police in November 2024, has reached a settlement of nearly $6 million. The lawsuit alleged officers escalated the situation without waiting for a mental health professional, despite knowing Pike was mentally ill.
Prairie Village World Cup restrictions
Prairie Village will implement parking restrictions and close the sidewalk north of the Inn at Meadowbrook, where England’s national soccer team will base camp during the 2026 World Cup. Public roadways will remain open, and a no-fly zone for drones will be in effect at Meadowbrook Park.
Leader of JE Dunn dies at 102
William H. “Bill” Dunn, Sr., who led JE Dunn Construction for 73 years and grew his father’s residential contracting business into one of America’s largest general contractors, died Sunday at age 102. The company now has 26 offices across 17 states and roughly 5,000 employees.
‘Taylor Swift: The Symphony Era’
The Kansas City Symphony will perform Steve Hackman’s “Taylor Swift: The Symphony Era” on June 11 and 12 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The two-night event pairs a live band, vocalist and full orchestra performing both Swift’s hits and deep cuts, with tickets ranging from $80 to $135.
Show Pony closed to public
Show Pony, the upscale restaurant attached to Origin Hotel, is closed to the public through July 19 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina’s national team, defending its 2022 title, is staying at the Origin and training at Sporting Kansas City’s Compass Minerals National Performance Center.
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.
