KCUR News

Clergy, Brooks Protest Cauthen Firing

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:40:04 GMT

A group of African American clergy including Wallace Hartzfield, Emanuel Cleaver III and Michael Brooks (pictured) have held a news conference calling the way the firing city manager Wayne Cauthen was handled "immoral and mean spirited." Funkhousr's opponent in the last election, Alvin Brooks, agreed, saying in 30 years in city government he has never seen the dismissal of a city manager handled so callously. KCUR's Steve Bell reports.

Moore Retirement Has Parties Scurrying

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:01:34 GMT

The retirement of 3rd District Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore has party officials working earlier than expected on next years race.

$24-Million Federal Grant Powers Smart Grid Plan

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:06:58 GMT

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and officials of Kansas City Power and Light announced a $24 million federal grant for the Green Impact Zone on Tuesday. The money will be used to develop a state-of-the-art "smart grid" electrical power system in the central east-side district. KCUR's Steve Bell reports.

Moore Gives His Reason: Twelve Years is Enough

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:47:17 GMT

Congressman Dennis Moore confirmed his intent to retire on Monday. On Tuesday, he met with reporters to talk about his reasons for not running again and his thoughts on the future of Kansas' 3rd District Congressional seat. KCUR's Laura Ziegler was there.

As Moore Announces Retirement ; Voices From His Political Career

cranesj@umkc.edu — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:15:12 GMT

br>Saying "it is time for a new generation of leadership to step forward," Congressman Dennis Moore announced this afternoon he would retire after 6 terms representing the 3rd Congressional District of Kansas. We'll hear from people who've been part of the Congressman's political life. People from campaigns, constituents and community leaders. Some were supporters, some were not.

StoryCorps in KC: Horace Washington and Garland Smith

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:03:19 GMT

The day after Thanksgiving, Americans will be encouraged to sit down to record a conversation with a loved one. It's part of a project by NPR's StoryCorps called National Day of Listening. KCUR is playing stories recorded 3 years ago when StoryCorps visited Kansas City.

KU Professor Discusses U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore's Decision Not to Seek Re-Election

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:15:42 GMT

This morning's Kansas City Star reports that Democratic U.S. Congressman Dennis Moore of Kansas' 3rd District will not seek re-election in 2010.

Congressman Moore Won't Seek Re-Election in 2010

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:55:14 GMT

Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore won't seek re-election next year. Moore, a Democrat who represented Johnson, Wyandotte and a portion of Douglas counties for six terms, is expected to finish out his term, which ends in January 2011.

StoryCorps in KC: Laurie Avery and Elizabeth Avery

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:03 GMT

New Competition for Panhandlers on Downtown Street Corners

cranesj@umkc.edu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:01:57 GMT

There are a few street corners in Kansas City where you almost always see someone with a sign asking passers-by for money or food. But if you've driven by any of those typical spots in downtown during the past few months, you may have noticed that, instead of panhandlers, the corner is occupied by a cheery worker in a yellow windbreaker waving a sign that reads "Have a Great Day."

Modern Disease Discovered in Mummies

cranesj@umkc.edu — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:29:17 GMT

Cardiovascular diseases affect about one in three adults. The high prevalence, especially in places like the Midwest, is largely attributed to modern diets and lifestyles. But turns out, Egyptians also suffered from heart problems more than 3,000 years ago. Local Cardiologist Randall Thompson discovered this when he and his colleagues ran several mummies through a cat scan in Cairo earlier this year.

Council Reacts to Sudden Dismissal of KCMO City Manager Wayne Cauthen

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:05:06 GMT

Steve Kraske talks with Kansas City Star City Hall reporter Lynn Horsley, Council members Bill Skaggs and Ed Ford as well as attorney and former City Council member Dan Cofran about the sudden suspension of KC City Manager Wayne Cauthen.

KC City Council Fires City Manager Wayne Cauthen

cranesj@umkc.edu — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:07:03 GMT

It was bitter and contentious at City Hall when the council fired City Manager Wayne Cauthen, pictured at right in video shot by KMBC, TV-9. Six council members said they were shocked by the unexpected last-minute move by the mayor. Some called it an "ambush."

Council Talks Tough to Power and Light District

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:09:33 GMT

On the day the fissure between factions on the council widened over the city manager issue, the mayor and council took one of their strongest united stands. The group voted not to participate in the proposed Power and Light District dress code committee and opted to continue monitoring compliance with the public accommodations law with the caveat: "Violations will be prosecuted." Councilman John Sharp said he had already declined a seat on the Cordish committee. KCUR's Steve Bell reports.

K-State Audit Prompts Policy Changes

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:37:27 GMT

Kansas State University's president says university officials are working on new policies in response to an audit that found almost $900,000 in questionable payments.

Missouri's State Retirement System Looking to Cut Bonuses

cranesj@umkc.edu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:42:24 GMT

The board that oversees Missouri's State Employees Retirement System, or MOSERS, is crafting a proposal that would bar employees from receiving bonuses during years when the pension fund loses money.

City and ATA Plagued by Larger Shortfall Forecasts

cranesj@umkc.edu — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:55:23 GMT

Both the city council finance and audit committee and the ATA board grappled with budget shortfalls newly predicted over the next 18 months. At city hall, a predicted 60 to 65-million-dollar budget gap for 2010 left finance chair Deb Hermann frustrated. A forecast of a 6.3 million dollar shortfall for the bus system caused its board to postpone action on a new budget. KCUR's Steve Bell reports.

University Of Missouri President Gary Forsee Explains Budget Cuts

cranesj@umkc.edu — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:37:08 GMT

The University of Missouri-Kansas City will have to make due with about $4 million less from the state next year.

Kansas Secretary of Revenue Calls for Examining Tax Exemptions

cranesj@umkc.edu — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:38:57 GMT

The Kansas secretary of revenue is calling for lawmakers to look closely at many of the tax exemptions in the state, because she believes they are hurting the state's revenue picture.

Taking Stock: The Animal Health Corridor Is Moving Forward

cranesj@umkc.edu — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:02:59 GMT

Officials broke ground in Olathe last week for the first building to be part of the Animal Health Corridor. The Corridor is the region from Kansas City to Manhattan to Columbia that already creates a third of the sales from the 19 billion dollar animal health industry. The idea for the Corridor is to capitalize on these assets to bring more companies, more research and more jobs to the region.