KCUR NewsRoom

Council Reacts to Sudden Dismissal of KCMO City Manager Wayne Cauthen

Kansas City , Mo. (2009-11-20) 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

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-19) 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

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-20) 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

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-20) 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

Jefferson City, MO (2009-11-20) 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 Kansas City, MO (2009-11-19) 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

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-19) 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

Topeka, KS (2009-11-19) 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

Kansas City (2009-11-18) 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.

Kansas City Royals' Zack Greinke wins AL Cy Young Award

New York, NY (2009-11-17) Zack Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, beating out Felix Hernandez after a spectacular season short on wins but long on domination. Greinke received 25 first-place votes and three seconds for 134 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Wyandotte County Settles Suit Against Police Kansas City, KS (2009-11-17) Wyandotte County's Unified Government will spend almost $500,000 to settle a lawsuit that alleged police misconduct.

The Chaplain, Capote And Passing of an Era

Kansas City, Kansas (2009-11-14) November 15th, 1959, two former convicts from Kansas State Penitentiary killed the Herbert Clutter family near Holcomb, Kansas in a failed robbery. The story became internationally known through the Truman Capote book, In Cold Blood. Barely a month before the 50th anniversary of the murders, one of the last remaining key characters in those events died. KCUR's Dan Verbeck knew him and recounts some of the life of James E.E. Post.

CDC Director Visits KC

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-17) Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is in Kansas City this week meeting with area health and business leaders. Dr. Frieden was commissioner of the New York City Health Department before going to the CDC this past spring. KCUR's Elana Gordon caught up with him to discuss the current swine flu situation and some of the overall challenges and approaches to disease prevention.

New Community Board will Oversee Dress Codes at P&L

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-16) Officials at the downtown Power and Light district announced today that they will create a new board to oversee the implementation of its controversial dress codes. The board will contract an independent company to hire and train bouncers for the KC Live block.

Zack Greinke Overcomes Social Anxiety Disorder to Win Cy Young Award

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-17) Update: Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals has won the American League Cy Young Award, the highest individual honor for a pitcher. Greinke was the Royals number-1 pick out of high school, but three years ago a social disorder almost ended his career. This year, Greinke had the type of season that had long been predicted.

Kansas Looks at How to Pay for Transportation Plan

Topeka, KS (2009-11-17) Kansas is currently without a transportation improvement plan, after recently wrapping up a 10-year project. Lawmakers are looking at ways of funding a new long-term, statewide plan.

More Charges Against Dad, Son in Sexual Abuse Case Lexington, MO (2009-11-17) Prosecutors in Missouri have filed 15 additional charges against a father and his sons who are all accused of sexually abusing children.

Missourians Warned Against Phone Calls Pitching Investments

Jefferson City, MO (2009-11-17) The Missouri Secretary of State's office is warning the public to beware of phone calls pitching oil and gas investments.

Local Agencies Strategize to Combat Homelessness

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-16) Despite the economic climate, homelessness in the Kansas City area is only up slightly this year, according to new data. But 50% of those surveyed, report being homeless for the first time.

Controversy Continues over Power and Light Dress Code

Kansas City, MO (2009-11-16) On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered at the Power and Light district - not to party, but to protest . . .