Tony's Kansas City
CHECK KANSAS CITY TAX FIGHTERS CALLING FOUL ON THE NEW DOWNTOWN CONVENTION HOTEL TEAM AMID THE RECENT SWITCHEROO.
Burke’s Convention Motel
Many in Kansas City continue to scratch their heads as to why the Hyatt Hotel Corporation would spend so much time, effort and money teaching Mike Burke, Troy Schulte and the Mayor all about how the hotel convention business works only to quickly and quietly leave, without anything to show for it, in the end. Mike Burke’s response about the Hyatt Corporation not wanting to be apart of the deal any longer just does not fly. Then out of nowhere- Loews Hotels -a small to mid-sized hotel chain that has never built a convention hotel nor operates any is now building the convention hotel.
What is exactly going on?
The convention hotel business is an extremely tough and competitive business and to be successful one needs to know what it is that they are doing and have the wherewithal to do it. Unlike Hyatt, Loews (Burke, Schulte and James for that matter) has no experience running a convention hotel nor do they have the required sales force to market a convention hotel. In the end, this will only steal room nights from existing hotels than drive the business and development originally promised.
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Kansas City Conservatives Sue Missouri Politicos Over Sunshine Law
Local newsmaker legal action.
“We are disappointed that Auditor Galloway and Senator Schaaf have not produced the public records that MAF (Missouri Alliance for Freedom) requested,” said Eddie Greim of the Kansas City-based Graves Garrett law firm. “We always prefer to avoid litigation if possible, but we are confident that MAF will succeed and its right to review the requested public documents will be vindicated.”
The Kansas City-based group says it favors limited government, which means citizens must be able to access public documents to oversee what the government is doing.
JEFFERSON CITY * A Republican-leaning nonprofit is suing Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway and a senator from St. Joseph over alleged violations of the state's open records law. In two lawsuits filed in Cole County Circuit Court, Missouri Alliance for Freedom is alleging that Galloway, a Democrat, has not turned over emails that are public records under the Sunshine Law.
KCPD CAPTURE CARJACKING SUSPECT.
Update on this street shutdown and Kansas City's finest apprehending a morning runaround suspect. Checkit:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Two carjacking suspects have been taken into custody after leading police on a chase through Kansas City, Mo. Wednesday morning. Police say it was around 7:48 a.m. when they were dispatched to 36th and Chestnut upon a report of a carjacking.
Authorities Promise I-435 Speeder Crackdown After EPIC Highway Crash Inferno
The Golden Ghetto commute just got slower in order to save the lives of our friends who have to commute to JoCo jobs. Checkit:
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Overland Park police and the Kansas Highway Patrol plan to ramp up their presence along the construction zone on I-435 involved in a crash earlier this week. Clarkson Construction, the company in charge of the project, is also urging motorists to slow down in the wake of the wreck.
Kansas City Afternoon News Link Layout
Right now we celebrate Tiffany Toth and her promo body of work as we gather some of the most important local news links of the moment. Checkit:
Celebrate Local Wonder Women Of Tech
This coming weekend, Kansas City will host over 100 women coders from around the Midwest for an immersive, two-day workshop. The second annual workshop Django Girls is an international non-profit organization that is organized locally by Kansas City Women in Technology.
Fear Kansas City Homecoming
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Police in Kansas City are searching for the person who stole a truck and crashed it into a home near 102nd and Blue Ridge Wednesday morning. FOX 4's John Pepitone spoke with a resident who was in his bedroom when the truck crashed into his living room.
Cooling centers will open their doors across the Kansas City metro area to help people escape the brunt of the heat wave that is targeting the region the rest of the week. With the Kansas City area under an excessive heat warning through Saturday evening, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City announced that all of its locations are available to those needing to cool down.
Cruel Summer For JoCo Wedding Season
SHAWNEE, Kan. -- Police are investigating an overnight break-in along Shawnee Mission Parkway. This is now the third area break-in police responded to within the last two weeks. The most recent happened at Laura's Couture Collection around 3 a.m. Police arrived to find the back door forced open.
Republican Gov. Eric Greitens' nonprofit has donated $250,000 to a political action committee created to help stave off efforts by labor unions to repeal Missouri's right-to-work law. The source of the money given Monday to Missourians for Worker Freedom is unknown, The Kansas City Star reported.
A Lesson In Golden Ghetto Money
If you weren't paying really close attention to the oral arguments in the Gannon v. Kansas school funding case before the Kansas Supreme Court on Tuesday, you probably missed a little question from Justice Dan Biles about a provision of the new school funding formula that exclusively benefits two Johnson County districts.
Kansas City Doggie Park Party
Downtown KC is about to become the home of Kansas City's newest off-leash dog park at West Terrace Park, 750 Pennsylvania, and you are invited to join in the fun! You are and your pup(s) are invited to join KC Parks for grand opening Yappy Hour beginning at 4 p.m.
And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Kansas City Jazz Fest Stays Losing Money
Money deets on bounced check for this old & busted district that still can't stay afloat after $7 million in City Hall cash recently approved and $100 million in subsidy over a generation:
American Jazz Museum officials said Wednesday that they still owe vendors $150,000 for the jazz festival held in May, but they are working hard to raise the money to pay those bills. "We will correct the mistakes made from the festival and continue forward with this important programming for Kansas City," museum executive director Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner told the City Council's Finance and Government Committee.
TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS. KANSAS CITY INSIDER: BURNS & MAC BUYING NEW SINGLE-TERMINAL AIRPORT BACKING SUCCEEDS DESPITE VOTER SKEPTICISM OVER NO-BID REVENUE GRAB.
Like it or not, Burns & Mac is making progress in an EPIC revenue grab as they move the dial in favor of the biggest public works project Kansas City has seen in the modern era.
A KANSAS CITY INSIDER WAS FORCED TO ADMIT THAT BURNS & MAC PROMISING BIG BUCKS TO NEARLY EVERY BIG COMPANY IN TOWN HAS CREATED A BIZ COMMUNITY GROUNDSWELL FOR NEW AIRPORT MONEY.
Here's the word from a recent conversation on the topic:
KC INSIDER: "Talboy & company heard that all of the firms in town were pissed and making calls to Council about being left out. So what did they do? They signed up dozens of contractors along with all of the usual suspects who back their jobs. Why they didn't do this in the beginning is strange but I guess we have to give them credit for adapting. There's no telling if this will make a difference to voters but the tactic has at least silenced the most vocal critics among the construction set."
Still, the fact is that most locals still don't understand the deal.
Let's make it simple:
BURNS & MAC WANTS TO HIJACK AIRPORT REVENUE IN RETURN FOR BUILDING A NEW SINGLE-TERMINAL THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE BETTER AND CERTAINLY WON'T BE AS CONVENIENT AS MCI.
Here's how the new KCI pitch is moving along so far.
Kansas City Unions Don't Care About The CORPORATE AIRPORT Revenue Grab As Long As They're First In Line To Get Paid
Unions were first on board but their support didn't win Hillary the White House and it might not work here given their bullying tactics have routinely turned away more voters than they've rallied. The days of organized labor dominance in local politics are over and while the pitch might still resonate among their membership, it's certainly no guarantee of victory.
East Side Support Is Easily Purchased Given Desperation For Jobs And Typical Exclusion From Kansas City Developments
We can't blame the urban core for not wanting to miss out on this high flying scheme. Never mind that KCMO rarely meets participation goals despite a litany of promises.
The Kansas City Consultant Twitter Mob Supports The Corporate Airport Money Grab Via The Social Media Echo Chamber
These locals got in on the ground floor but social media popularity rarely translates to voting success. Still, these tech, creative class denizens have a good scam going as long at they're constantly retweeting and praising every move by the Mayor.
Now here's what's really important.
SO FAR, THERE IS NO WELL-FUNDED ORGANIZED OPPOSITION AGAINST THE UPCOMING KANSAS CITY CORPORATE AIRPORT NO-BID REVENUE GRAB.
Tax fighters do the best that they can but when we're talking about a REAL campaign with TV commercials, an office, yard signs and a ground game. There is no opposition against the hostile corporate airport takeover.
YET even with the support of every big biz in town, the Mayor and a majority of the council. This scheme must overcome widespread KCMO voter skepticism that rightfully questions the merits of a project that has provided few details among so many promises.
Local slice of life worth a read as the American economy is more fragile than most local developers realize. Checkit:
HUTCHINSON - The seat of his combine is a good place for Tom Giessel to reflect and ponder. He is cutting a bumper stand of wheat on the outskirts of Larned - a unique "sweet spot" in Kansas, he calls it.
Reactionary Vendetta Against Mizzou Racial Protest Drama Responsible For Closing Medical Research Institute.
Another REAL WORLD example of unproductive culture war politics hurting a Show-Me State institution as the effort to smack down Mizzou for COMPLETELY FUMBLING student protest encounters more serious consequences. Here's push back that is no longer "conservative" but now represents online trolling taking a horrific and irresponsible toll on the State's education with very few leaders willing to stand up for SCIENCE OVER POLITICS. Checkit:
The University of Missouri System has closed its $10 million medical research institute as part of an effort to cut costs. University spokesperson Christian Basi tells the Columbia Missourian that the decision to close the International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine will affect 17 full-time and part-time employees through layoffs and contract non-renewals.
The Kansas City Midweek Early Look
Right now we celebrate the legacy of classic Candice and start the early morning with a peek at some of the most important Kansas City news links. Take a look:
Kansas City Digital Divide Hype
Kansas City, Mo. digital inclusion nonprofits now have the opportunity to win free blazing-fast Google Fiber. On Monday, Kansas City Mayor Sly James launched the Google Fiber Community Connections Challenge, which will reward selected local non-profit who seeks to close the digital divide.
Kansas City Fanboys Lose Hope
After clawing their way to 44-40 on July 5, the Kansas City Royals have now lost seven of their last eight games. Tonight's 9-3 loss against the Detroit Tigers was the seventh. The game wasn't all terrible, as the Royals didn't waste any time striking against Tigers starter Matthew Boyd.
Inner Suburban Runaround Report
Smashed cars and broken street signs mark the trail of destruction left after a police pursuit through Raytown.
Help Police Find Sleaze Summit Suspect
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. -- Lee's Summit police hope you can help them find a man who's been going through cars. Police say a number of those thefts from vehicles have happened in the Eagle Creek community. A video has some folks there a little disgusted.
Another Budget Battle Lesson
Lawmakers added about $300 Million to the budget for schools, but the State Board of Education said nearly $900 Million would be necessary.
Local Reax To FD Cancer Fear
Hide Transcript Show Transcript WEBVTT NT CENTERS ALLACROSS KANSAS CITY.HALEY: HEAT AND FLAMES, NOT THEONLY THING PUTTING FIREFIGHTERS'LIVES ON THE LINE TONIGHT.THE HIDDEN DANGER IS CANCER.NOW A KANSAS CITY WOMAN ISHOPING TO REDUCE THAT THREAT FORTHE KANSAS CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT.TAISHA WALKER IS LIVE WITH THEALERT OUTSIDE THE FIRE STATIONON 9TH
Kansas City Booze News
Sam Calagione, the charismatic founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware, visited Bier Station (120 E. Gregory Blvd.) last week. He was in town to celebrate the distribution of his brewery's beers in Kansas City and to raise funds for the son of Skylar Wallace at a special event hosted by Bier Station.
Prince Royce - Ganas Locas is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS. KANSAS CITY MAYORAL RACE HEATS UP WITH LATEST CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT.
The contest for Kansas City Mayor is already underway given that election and reelection fundraising behind the scenes now dominates every City Council decision.
HERE'S THE FIRST LOOK AT THE BIG MONEY NUMBERS FOR KANSAS CITY MAYORAL CONTENDERS COMPETING FOR CASH THIS SUMMER.
Yes, 2019 might seem far away but remember that every election in Kansas City is decided long before a single vote is cast. The early money game determines the tone of the contest far better than all of the lame polling and endorsements that will follow.
Like it or not, the fundraising fight totals are the only objective measure of influence and support.
Check this list FIRST on TKC.
6th District At-Large Councilman
Money On Hand - $353,394.81
A litany of $500 donations from power players throughout the metro comprise the bulk of his support.
RIGHT NOW COUNCILMAN SCOTT TAYLOR LEADS THE CASH CONTEST BY A HUGE MARGIN.
Conservative polling data has been working diligently against this politico because of his many Democratic Party connections including his former Council Lady wife who led the local Hillary team. However, there's no denying that he keeps piling up money while his detractors bristle.
3rd District Councilman Jermaine Reed:
Money On Hand - $49,084.00
The bulk of this money came from a 30k transfer from Reed For City Council Committee. Still, this is a good first showing for the urban core Councilman who targeted Prez Trump in his debut campaign commercials .
Mayor Pro-Tem And 1st District At-Large Councilman Scott Wagner
Money on Hand - $28,655.04
Unions & PAC money comprise most of his donations for now. The low cash total might concern some of his strident supporters and cause lament for many locals who believe that the next Mayor should represent that rapidly growing Northland.
WHO DO YOU THINK LEADS THE EARLY KANSAS CITY MAYORAL CONTEST.
And while we're just starting the silly season, the perceptions of these candidates will determine the reality of the next KCMO Mayoral election and will certainly inspire other contenders to join the race.
Another sign of the consumer economy slowing and local workers paying the price first and foremost.
Harley-Davidson Inc. plans to lay off 180 people at its plants in Milwaukee and Kansas City, according to union officials.
Harley-Davidson employs more than 600 people at its 400,000-square-foot plant at 11401 Congress Ave. near Kansas City International Airport. The plant produces the Sportster, Dyna, Street and V-Rod families of motorcycles. It's unclear how many of the 180 affected positions will be in Kansas City.
Burns & Mac Buying More Kansas City Support For New Single-Terminal Revenue Grab.
Newsies claim this is a 4-way competition but this local company has always had the inside track at City Hall and now they attempt to cut the rest of Kansas City in on the deal that will garner the company millions. Here's today's press event that's mostly unquestioned by local newsies:
From the "KC Built. KC Pride." banners to the backdrop of the downtown skyline to the sprinkle of reps wearing Love KC shirts, Burns & McDonnell portrayed itself as the true hometown team during its KCI announcement Tuesday morning. The firm revealed 20 locally owned and operated businesses that it will take on as partners for its single-terminal KCI proposal.
The latest legal move in an ongoing litany of lawsuits that's threatening to bust the courthouse budget:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Additional charges have been filed against two corrections officers at the Jackson County Detention Center and three others were indicted by a federal grand jury related to conspiracies to smuggle contraband to inmates, according to a news release from Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Holly & Lacy hotness inspires this quick look at all the important Kansas City mainstream media links for this Tuesday evening comprised mostly of car crashes and local guv propaganda. Dive right in.
Kansas City Highway Fire Redux
Flames erupted once again on a Kansas City-area interstate. It started exactly one week ago when a semi caught on fire at Interstate 435 and Quivira Road. Then later that day, a crash involving two semis and several cars killed five people near Bonner Springs.
Kansas City Crash Double Trouble
A total of five vehicles were involved in that crash.
City Hall Exit Interview
Editor's note: Kate Garman is the KCMO innovation analyst but will be departing this week for a new opportunity in Seattle. She wrote the following piece reflecting on her time with the city. I've had a desk at Kansas City Hall now for three years.
Sound Of KCMO Summer Reflection
Summer Podcast Review; KC Podcast 'Iconoclast Of Things'
Police Want To Talk To These Beautiful Ladies Amid Investigation Of Ugly Crime Spree
OPPD asking for help to identify suspects in two beauty store theft cases Authorities believed the same two women hit both the Overland Park location and the St. Joseph, Mo. location. The Overland Park Police Department is asking for help to identify two women suspected of stealing from two beauty stores in two separate cities.
Advice For The End Of The World
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The eclipse is coming! Parts of Missouri and Kansas are in the direct path of the phenomenon, and it's causing quite a boom in tourism. Hotels along the route are already selling out as people gear up to watch the first eclipse to pass over the state of Missouri in 148 years.
Royals Fanboy Frustration Grows
From 2013-2015, the Kansas City Royals were one of the best teams in the American League and averaged 90 wins a season. With many of the same core players since 2016, the Royals are averaging 81 wins per season. 81 wins certainly isn't terrible!
And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Her EPIC cutie mugshot grin says a lot but mostly that she did the right thing. Take a peek:
After searching for several days, authorities say a woman who stole a vehicle with a three-year-old girl inside, has turned herself in. Karri Reich turned herself in to authorities in Wyandotte County, KS about 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday. Reich, 29, has been charged with kidnapping, aggravated endangering of a child and theft.
Johnson County Golden Ghetto Revenge Porn Suspect Confronts Felony Charge
Follow-up and important first person testimony. Take a peek:
JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. -- A Merriam man is charged with breach of privacy after allegedly posting revenge porn of a woman on the internet, who now hopes that her story prevents this from happening to anyone else. The victim spoke to FOX 4's Melissa Stern on Monday.
Here's How To Fly With Guns In Kansas City
A by the book teaching moment and recent demonstration.
Kansas City, MO - Officials with the Transportation Security Administration are issuing a strong warning for those who want to fly with firearms - follow the rules. Nationwide, according to the TSA, there were nearly 3,400 incidents at US airports of improperly stowed or checked-in firearms. The numbers also inclde those who tried to pass through security checkpoints while carrying.
The Kansas City Tuesday News Midday
Hottie Tessa and her amazing body of Internets work inspires this midday news look at all of the relevant links. Take a peek:
Crash Site Still Mostly Closed
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Two lanes of eastbound I-435 are still closed Tuesday as crews work to remove burned butter from the interstate after Monday's fiery crash that seriously injured one. Crews believe they'll have all the eastbound lanes open by 10 a.m.
More KCPS Comeback Deets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A meeting on Monday night with parents and neighbors continued to explore the possibility of reopening Lincoln Middle School to address increasing enrollment at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy. The meeting was held at Troost Elementary School.
Show-Me Prez Trump Key To Victory
WASHINGTON * President Donald Trump used the presidential bully pulpit to promote "Made in America" products on Monday. There was everything from Vermont maple syrup to firetrucks. For Missouri, it was hinges, made by the more than-a-century old Beehler Corporation in Mountain Grove, about 180 miles southwest of St. Louis.
Rock Chalk Education Debate Cont'd
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Attorneys for Kansas face an often skeptical state Supreme Court as they prepare to argue that legislators boosted spending on public schools enough this year to provide a suitable education to all children.
Kansas City Old School Lady Crash
Martin Augustine/KMBC SOURCE: Martin Augustine/KMBC Serious injuries were reported in a crash Tuesday morning on 63rd Street near Hardesty Avenue. Kansas City police said both drivers were heading west on 63rd Street about 8:45 a.m. when the driver of the car pulled in front of the truck, colliding with it.
Local Radio Talks Family Life
Balancing work and raising children has always been a challenge for mothers, but family obligations can be especially taxing for people in who are caring for their aging parents along with their own brood. Our ongoing series on KMBZ this week is "The Sandwich Generation -- Caught in the Middle."
Kansas City Losing Prize
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association has announced that Kansas City Royals First Baseman Eric Hosmer has won the 2017 Heart and Hustle award. The honor is given to one player on each MLB team and recognizes them for their passion for the sport and their embodiment of the values, spirit and traditions of the game.
Local Foodie Returns In Triumph
The James Beard Foundation's Taste America tour is back for a second helping of Kansas City. The national culinary tour headed to Kansas City for the first time last year and highlighted local chefs, such as Michael Corvino, who recently launched the Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room at Corrigan Station; Colby Garrelts of Kansas City's Bluestem; and Howard Hanna of The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange.
And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.