My latest column for the Kansas City Star Editorial Board is a very personal one about a public proposal making its way through the Missouri Legislature. To read the piece, click on the link below or visit www.kansascity.com and #subscribe 🗞 LINK 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...

In 2025, Independence officers conducted 541 vehicle pursuits. Despite Kansas City having a population almost four times higher than Independence, KCPD officers pursued only 137 vehicles last year. Time for IDP to end this madness. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

If Kansas City police commissioners kept track of problem officers who should no longer be on the force, Dylan Pifer has to be at the top of the list. He should be followed out the door by anyone else who has failed to uphold their oath to protect and serve. LINK ⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...

How did a Valentine’s Day dispute over dinner reservations lead to an interracial married couple from Kansas City being banned from the Wandering Vine at The Castle restaurant in Shawnee? LINK 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...

A few thoughts on a proposed bill that would eliminate mandatory vehicle safety inspections in Missouri. LINK 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Anyone concerned about road safety around the state should contact their representative and oppose a bill that could conceivably lead to more road deaths. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

If Terri Golding of Kansas City can prove she’s lived in unhealthy conditions since Day 1, she should be reimbursed. LINK 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...

Anyone with a vested interest in the Kansas City community can file a complaint against Newton with the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Traning program, the agency that handles disciplinary issues involving law enforcement officers and their license. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

A few thoughts on the resignation of former Kansas City Police Officer Blayne Newton, a former cop who fatally shot three people, injured another with gunfire and brutalized two women while in uniform. I will share more thoughts in an upcoming column for The Kansas City Star... #staytuned

Got a phone call from my oldest daughter on Thursday. She's a sophomore at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. Victoria: Dad, something really cool just happened to me. Kamala Harris was on campus today and I shook her hand. Me: Awwwww, baby, that's super dope.

In Missouri, there is no state law that automatically revokes a convicted police officer’s license. That must change. I explain why in my latest column for the Kansas City Star Editorial Board. To read the piece, click on the link below. LINK 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Hanging with the big dogs tonight... Program: COLLIDE Series-Across State Lines: Power, Opportunity, and the Cost of Being a Border City Format: Moderated Panel Date: Thursday, February 12. 2026 Panel: 6:00-7:30 PM Location: Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 6123

Two days in and three pieces already written. To read my musings on recent developments in Missouri and Kansas, click on the links below or visit kansascity.com and #subscribe. 1. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-... 2. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-... 3. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

An ongoing crusade by Missouri Republicans to take over the board that governs high school sports is on hold, for now.

Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway has wasted little time picking up the culture war shtick former AG Andrew Bailey used to raise his profile in the Trump administration.

The discretion to release BWC footage should be left to Overland Park officials and not to others, including Johnson County DA Steve Howe, who failed to bring charges in two high-profile police accountability cases, including the fatal shooting of a teen.

Quick update on a column I recently wrote: The Kansas City Council approved the American Jazz Museum's $3.2 million funding request to revamp the historic venue...

Much needed renovations are coming to the American Jazz Museum — if the Kansas City Council approves the museum’s $3.2 million funding request, that is. In my latest column, I lay out reasons why the Council should approve funding for the renovations. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Local elections matter.... #butfirstcoffee

In light of credible evidence that a KCPD officer brutalized a local resident— we should not ignore the fact the officer's actions were recorded — city prosecutor Linda Miller should reconsider the city’s position and drop the case against altogether. 👇🏾👇🏾 www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

A few thoughts on the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort...

David Hudnalll, my new colleague on the @kansascity.com editorial board penned this beauty. It sizzles.

From The Kansas City Star Opinion team: Kansas City police officer Blayne Newton is a “threat to public safety.” We strongly believe that Newton should no longer be a Kansas City Police Department officer. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/edit...

After seeing what has played out in Minneapolis this month, no one could ever convince me that Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration should be welcomed here in Kansas City.

A few thoughts on the Kansas high school basketball official accused of flopping. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Officiating sports is a tough gig. This is especially true at the high school and youth sports level. In my latest column, I write: One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch. To read the piece, click on the link below. 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

I would hate to be in the predicament facing the Hickman Mills School District Board of Education and Superintendent Dennis Carpenter. A major reorganization that includes a school closure and the loss of jobs is imminent. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

A proposal that would gut the Missouri State High School Activities Association was referred to the state Senate’s education committee for further discussion. Anyone concerned about this potential development — I know I am — should take note. LINK 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Anyone concerned about this potential development — I know I am — take note: Just this week, a proposal that would gut the Missouri State High School Activities Association was referred to the state Senate’s education committee for further discussion.

If the ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good was so terrified of being struck by the slow moving vehicle he should have exercised better judgment and simply moved out of harm’s way. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Independence police should limit its high-speed pursuits. An external audit agrees. Is 2026 finally the year? www.kansascity.com/opinion/edit...

Chiefs fans, I feel your pain. As a native of St. Louis, I’ve lost two NFL franchises to other states. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Not to put the cart before the horse here, but any talk of former Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith being considered as a candidate for U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Missouri should be a non-starter.

Lee’s Summit quietly paid a $2 million settlement with its former chief prosecutor yet no one at City Hall thought it was a good idea to inform taxpayers they were on the hook for a multimillion dollar payout? Read more here: 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

The right to vote is an essential one — even for those who may not speak fluent English.

A few thoughts on Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes' ACL injury...

Lee’s Summit quietly paid out $2 million to a former city prosecutor who says she was retaliated against. The public deserves to know more. My latest column for KC Star Opinion.

Wyandotte County Commissioner Phil Lopez denied he made light of racist graffiti found on a sign at Grace Tabernacle Family Life Outreach Center in KCK. Frankly, I have a hard time believing Lopez. I explain why in my latest column for KC Star Opinion. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Claims of discrimination being made here were somewhat puzzling — 70% percent of directors were white men, according to MSHSAA. And its own bylaws allow two at-large seats to be filled by underrepresented groups — mainly minorities and women up until this point. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Marcus Walker told me that he died. “Died, died,” one of the greatest scorers in Kansas City high school basketball history said, with emphasis. A link to my latest can be found below or visit www.kansascity.com and #subscribe. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

A Missouri lawmaker (pictured below) has prefiled a bill that would split Kansas City and Jackson County, if approved by voters. In my latest column for The Star, I lay out a few reasons why this divorce would be a bad idea. A link can be found below. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

She was just 16 when she was fatally shot inside her family’s Independence home. More than four years after Mariah Franklin was gunned down in her own bedroom, the suspect charged in her death remains at large.

In January, a group of law students at the University of California at Santa Cruz and one from Georgetown University will take a deep dive into Ken Middleton's claims of innocence. The review is part of Georgetown Law’s Making an Exoneree program.

To me, perhaps the funniest line of “Stateline” is when Kevin quips to Mitchell: “I ain’t really got no beef with KCK, I just hate the way it smells.” I love my folks in The Dotte, but that line was pure comedic genius...

Who has the best BBQ, KCMO or KCK? Short film "Stateline" explores this very question and in the process checks our biases between the two cities. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

I cracked open Michael Watson's book on Myron Piggie book this week and couldn’t put it down. I spent the better part of Monday zipping through the first few chapters of the 326-page book with ease — I only stopped to write this column.

Here's a clip from my one-on-one interview with Kansas City native Funny Marco, a podcaster and comedian doing his thing on a national level. In this clip, Marco talks about the cancelled show last year in his hometown due to low ticket sales... Link is here. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

A border patrol officer testified that the sandwich 'exploded all over' his chest and claimed he could smell mustard and onion.🥪🥪🥪 www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/dc-sandwich-guy-verdict-rcna242142

Funny Marco is a comedian and podcast host from Kansas City. Despite a burgeoning entertainment career, Marco’s stop last year at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City was canceled due to low ticket sales. Tap in (link⬇️⬇️) to see how the KC native handled the setback. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Tuesday’s election results in Independence should serve as a reminder: Local school district matters should be left to duly elected school board members and their patrons.