Andale Gross
@andalegross.bsky.social
Executive Editor, The Kansas City Star. Everyone has a story; they just need the right storyteller.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Five years after George Floyd's murder sparked a global protest movement for racial justice & police reform, the nation has seen a drastic reversal of support among some for racial equity. But experts say we’ve been here before & advocates remain committed. My latest: www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...
Five years after George Floyd's murder, racial justice push continues
Shareeduh McGee is fighting to keep the memory of her cousin George Floyd alive.
www.reuters.com
May 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Five years after George Floyd's murder sparked a global protest movement for racial justice & police reform, the nation has seen a drastic reversal of support among some for racial equity. But experts say we’ve been here before & advocates remain committed. My latest: www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...
Reposted by Andale Gross
One of two Israeli Embassy staff members killed near the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C. last night was from Overland Park, officials said.
The two victims were shot following an event at the museum. National news reports said the two were on the verge of engagement.
The two victims were shot following an event at the museum. National news reports said the two were on the verge of engagement.
Overland Park woman killed in shooting outside D.C. Jewish museum, officials say
The two victims of the attack, who have been identified as Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were shot following an event at the museum on Wednesday.
www.kansascity.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
One of two Israeli Embassy staff members killed near the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C. last night was from Overland Park, officials said.
The two victims were shot following an event at the museum. National news reports said the two were on the verge of engagement.
The two victims were shot following an event at the museum. National news reports said the two were on the verge of engagement.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Breaking news: Abortion is going back on the ballot in Missouri.
The remarkable decision signifies a retaliatory response from the Republican-controlled General Assembly months after nearly 52% of voters overturned the state’s abortion ban.
The remarkable decision signifies a retaliatory response from the Republican-controlled General Assembly months after nearly 52% of voters overturned the state’s abortion ban.
Abortion will go back on Missouri ballot in Republican effort to reinstate ban
The decision was remarkable, signifying a retaliatory response from the Republican-controlled General Assembly after nearly 52% of voters overturned the state’s abortion ban.
www.kansascity.com
May 14, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Breaking news: Abortion is going back on the ballot in Missouri.
The remarkable decision signifies a retaliatory response from the Republican-controlled General Assembly months after nearly 52% of voters overturned the state’s abortion ban.
The remarkable decision signifies a retaliatory response from the Republican-controlled General Assembly months after nearly 52% of voters overturned the state’s abortion ban.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Missouri rolled out a new plan to pay up to 50% of the costs to keep the Chiefs and Royals in the state.
Lawmakers are expected to debate the sweeping stadium package later today. What to know ⬇️
Lawmakers are expected to debate the sweeping stadium package later today. What to know ⬇️
Missouri governor rolls out plan to keep Chiefs, Royals. Here’s what’s included
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe personally pitched lawmakers on a proposal to keep the teams in the state.
www.kansascity.com
May 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Missouri rolled out a new plan to pay up to 50% of the costs to keep the Chiefs and Royals in the state.
Lawmakers are expected to debate the sweeping stadium package later today. What to know ⬇️
Lawmakers are expected to debate the sweeping stadium package later today. What to know ⬇️
Reposted by Andale Gross
The death of a Kansas City sports reporter who was killed in New Orleans while covering the Super Bowl is now believed to have been a two-person job.
It’s a scheme the pair has pulled before, records allege. Both are now charged with murder and fraud.
It’s a scheme the pair has pulled before, records allege. Both are now charged with murder and fraud.
Alleged accomplice charged with murder in the death of KC sports reporter
Kansas City reporter Adan Manzano’s death has been linked to Xanax, alcohol. Two suspects in Kenner, Louisiana, now face murder and fraud charges.
www.kansascity.com
May 6, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The death of a Kansas City sports reporter who was killed in New Orleans while covering the Super Bowl is now believed to have been a two-person job.
It’s a scheme the pair has pulled before, records allege. Both are now charged with murder and fraud.
It’s a scheme the pair has pulled before, records allege. Both are now charged with murder and fraud.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Head Start programs across the Kansas City region – and the United States – are scrambling to defend themselves amid sudden fears that Trump will seek to cut off funding.
"We need Head Start, we need it to stay,” one local Head Start director said.
"We need Head Start, we need it to stay,” one local Head Start director said.
KC-area parents, providers warn of ‘devastating impact’ if children’s program ends
Kansas City-area children and families will suffer if Congress votes to cut Head Start funding, program supporters warn.
www.kansascity.com
April 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Head Start programs across the Kansas City region – and the United States – are scrambling to defend themselves amid sudden fears that Trump will seek to cut off funding.
"We need Head Start, we need it to stay,” one local Head Start director said.
"We need Head Start, we need it to stay,” one local Head Start director said.
Reposted by Andale Gross
A photo of Patrick Mahomes' cracked Chiefs helmet, captured by The Star's Emily Curiel, was picked as the world’s best sports image of 2024.
KC Star photo of Patrick Mahomes picked as world’s best sports image of 2024
Picture of Patrick Mahomes wins international competition.
www.kansascity.com
April 21, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A photo of Patrick Mahomes' cracked Chiefs helmet, captured by The Star's Emily Curiel, was picked as the world’s best sports image of 2024.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Roughly 20 KC families put down at least $50,000 for a local couple’s ambitious plan to revive an East Side neighborhood. But the new homes never materialized — and no one ever got a refund.
Now, the couple is seeking 1,000 times that amount for an even bigger project.
Now, the couple is seeking 1,000 times that amount for an even bigger project.
KC developer kept deposits for homes he never built. Now he wants $50M more
A failed housing project left potential homebuyers out thousands of dollars in lost down payments. Now the developer is trying again, and seeking millions from investors.
www.kansascity.com
April 18, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Roughly 20 KC families put down at least $50,000 for a local couple’s ambitious plan to revive an East Side neighborhood. But the new homes never materialized — and no one ever got a refund.
Now, the couple is seeking 1,000 times that amount for an even bigger project.
Now, the couple is seeking 1,000 times that amount for an even bigger project.
Reposted by Andale Gross
The Royals are once again exploring the potential of building a stadium in North KC — a site that had once been a top contender before the team reversed course and put a Crossroads location on the ballot — two sources told The Star.
Royals are again evaluating North Kansas City as possible stadium site: sources
Could this stadium spot north of the river be back on the table for the Royals?
www.kansascity.com
April 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The Royals are once again exploring the potential of building a stadium in North KC — a site that had once been a top contender before the team reversed course and put a Crossroads location on the ballot — two sources told The Star.
Reposted by Andale Gross
It took Sandra Hemme 43 years to clear her name in Missouri, a state where legal & political systems often resist admitting error even in the face of overwhelming evidence.
“I felt so light that it was hard to explain,” she said of her release.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/04/03/m...
“I felt so light that it was hard to explain,” she said of her release.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/04/03/m...
Woman’s Case Spotlights Missouri’s Resistance to Innocence Claims
Even after a judge declared her innocent and ordered her freed, the Missouri attorney general tried to send her back.
www.themarshallproject.org
April 4, 2025 at 2:34 PM
It took Sandra Hemme 43 years to clear her name in Missouri, a state where legal & political systems often resist admitting error even in the face of overwhelming evidence.
“I felt so light that it was hard to explain,” she said of her release.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/04/03/m...
“I felt so light that it was hard to explain,” she said of her release.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/04/03/m...
Reposted by Andale Gross
NEW - Kansas City-area seniors & those who care for them are steeling themselves as the Trump administration moves forward w/ changes to Social Security
Phone service reductions are especially concerning, and fear exists benefits will be put at risk
My report —>
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Phone service reductions are especially concerning, and fear exists benefits will be put at risk
My report —>
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
KC seniors on Social Security brace for Trump changes: ‘You better not touch my check’
Kansas City-area seniors and those who care for them are worried by looming changes to Social Security. Countless seniors depend on their monthly benefits.
www.kansascity.com
March 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
NEW - Kansas City-area seniors & those who care for them are steeling themselves as the Trump administration moves forward w/ changes to Social Security
Phone service reductions are especially concerning, and fear exists benefits will be put at risk
My report —>
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Phone service reductions are especially concerning, and fear exists benefits will be put at risk
My report —>
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Andale Gross
New: IHOPKC sexual abuse survivors enter political arena, push for Missouri lawmakers to change state law.
The latest in Jefferson City from Judy Thomas & me. #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
The latest in Jefferson City from Judy Thomas & me. #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
IHOPKC survivors enter political arena, push for Missouri lawmakers to make this change
Alleged survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of the founder of the International House of Prayer-Kansas City shared their stories at the Missouri Capitol. Here’s what they said.
www.kansascity.com
March 26, 2025 at 9:48 PM
New: IHOPKC sexual abuse survivors enter political arena, push for Missouri lawmakers to change state law.
The latest in Jefferson City from Judy Thomas & me. #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
The latest in Jefferson City from Judy Thomas & me. #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Andale Gross
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt is out.
The City Council voted unanimously Thursday morning to fire Platt after a jury ruled in favor of a whistleblower who said Platt lied to the media.
The City Council voted unanimously Thursday morning to fire Platt after a jury ruled in favor of a whistleblower who said Platt lied to the media.
City Manager Brian Platt fired in unanimous vote by KC council after whistleblower suit
The vote comes after Mayor Quinton Lucas suspended Platt following a jury ruling in favor of a former employee who said Platt lied to the media.
www.kansascity.com
March 27, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt is out.
The City Council voted unanimously Thursday morning to fire Platt after a jury ruled in favor of a whistleblower who said Platt lied to the media.
The City Council voted unanimously Thursday morning to fire Platt after a jury ruled in favor of a whistleblower who said Platt lied to the media.
Reposted by Andale Gross
The Independence police officer who shot and killed a mother and her baby in November was “terminated” from his previous policing job in Idaho for not meeting standards after less than a year of employment.
KC-area officer who fatally shot mom, baby was ‘terminated’ from past policing job
Independence Officer Jordan White was hired by Nampa police in Idaho in 2019 but was “involuntarily terminated” before his probationary period ended.
www.kansascity.com
March 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The Independence police officer who shot and killed a mother and her baby in November was “terminated” from his previous policing job in Idaho for not meeting standards after less than a year of employment.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Just in: An Independence police officer who shot and killed a mother and her baby during a domestic disturbance call in November will not face criminal charges from the Jackson County prosecutor’s office.
Independence police officer who shot, killed mother and baby will not be charged
“The facts support that (the officer’s) actions were responsive and defensive in nature,” the Jackson County prosecutor said, “and, therefore, under these circumstances the State cannot disprove the S...
www.kansascity.com
March 14, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Just in: An Independence police officer who shot and killed a mother and her baby during a domestic disturbance call in November will not face criminal charges from the Jackson County prosecutor’s office.
Reposted by Andale Gross
If the suspended city manager is ousted from his job, Brian Platt will have served one of the shortest tenures as Kansas City manager in six decades.
Could Brian Platt be fired as KC’s city manager? Rising lawsuit costs give us a clue
If he is ousted from his job, Brian Platt will have served one of the shortest tenures as Kansas City manager in six decades.
www.kansascity.com
March 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
If the suspended city manager is ousted from his job, Brian Platt will have served one of the shortest tenures as Kansas City manager in six decades.
Reposted by Andale Gross
City Manager Brian Platt has been suspended from his role, Mayor Quinton Lucas said last night.
This comes one day after a jury ruled in favor of a former city employee who alleged that he was demoted after refusing to follow Platt’s directives to lie to local news outlets.
This comes one day after a jury ruled in favor of a former city employee who alleged that he was demoted after refusing to follow Platt’s directives to lie to local news outlets.
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt suspended after $900K verdict in whistleblower lawsuit
The news comes one day after a Kansas City jury ruled in favor of a former city employee who alleged that he was demoted after refusing to follow Platt’s directives to lie to news media.
www.kansascity.com
March 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
City Manager Brian Platt has been suspended from his role, Mayor Quinton Lucas said last night.
This comes one day after a jury ruled in favor of a former city employee who alleged that he was demoted after refusing to follow Platt’s directives to lie to local news outlets.
This comes one day after a jury ruled in favor of a former city employee who alleged that he was demoted after refusing to follow Platt’s directives to lie to local news outlets.
Reposted by Andale Gross
The former director of communications for Kansas City government won a whistleblower lawsuit alleging he was forced out of his job because he resisted City Manager Brian Platt’s suggestions that it would be ok for city officials to lie to the news media.
Jury orders KC pay more than $900K to whistleblower who accused officials of lying to media
In a unanimous verdict, jurors recommended on Wednesday evening that former communications director Chris Hernandez receive a total of $928,829 in damages.
www.kansascity.com
March 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The former director of communications for Kansas City government won a whistleblower lawsuit alleging he was forced out of his job because he resisted City Manager Brian Platt’s suggestions that it would be ok for city officials to lie to the news media.
Reposted by Andale Gross
More than a year after police found three men dead outside a home in Kansas City’s Northland, two metro area men have been charged with drug distribution and manslaughter in connection with their deaths, which garnered national attention.
Two men charged in deaths of 3 Chiefs fans at KC Northland home after watch party
Two men were charged with drug distribution and manslaughter in connection with the deaths of three Chiefs fans in a KC Northland home over a year ago, court records show.
www.kansascity.com
March 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
More than a year after police found three men dead outside a home in Kansas City’s Northland, two metro area men have been charged with drug distribution and manslaughter in connection with their deaths, which garnered national attention.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Police shot and killed a man they were calling a “person of interest” in two homicides and the abduction of a 5-year-old child overnight in Kansas City’s Northland, officials said.
Man killed in police shooting was sought for homicides, child abduction in KC’s Northland
Police say officers shot and killed a man being sought in a child abduction and two deadly shootings overnight.
kansascity.com
February 28, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Police shot and killed a man they were calling a “person of interest” in two homicides and the abduction of a 5-year-old child overnight in Kansas City’s Northland, officials said.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Many things led to the death of Maria Pike and her daughter at the hands of Independence, MO police. But it didn’t have to.
Mental health experts and family members, including Pike’s partner and their child’s father, explain how they think systems failed them.
www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Mental health experts and family members, including Pike’s partner and their child’s father, explain how they think systems failed them.
www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
‘Red flags:’ Experts say multiple agencies failed mom, baby killed by KC-area police
Relatives and experts believe Maria Pike was battling postpartum depression and other mental illnesses before she and her baby were shot and killed by Independence police.
www.kansascity.com
February 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Many things led to the death of Maria Pike and her daughter at the hands of Independence, MO police. But it didn’t have to.
Mental health experts and family members, including Pike’s partner and their child’s father, explain how they think systems failed them.
www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Mental health experts and family members, including Pike’s partner and their child’s father, explain how they think systems failed them.
www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Andale Gross
The Kansas City Star is seeking to track federal worker firings and layoffs in the Kansas City area.
If you or someone you know has information or a personal story to share, get in touch here (no personally identifying info will be published w/out consent)
forms.gle/ES295JrXfS4M...
If you or someone you know has information or a personal story to share, get in touch here (no personally identifying info will be published w/out consent)
forms.gle/ES295JrXfS4M...
Tracking federal firings in Kansas City
The federal government is one of the biggest employers in the Kansas City region, with approximately 29,000 workers.
The Kansas City Star is working to get a better sense of how many federal workers ...
forms.gle
February 19, 2025 at 9:23 PM
The Kansas City Star is seeking to track federal worker firings and layoffs in the Kansas City area.
If you or someone you know has information or a personal story to share, get in touch here (no personally identifying info will be published w/out consent)
forms.gle/ES295JrXfS4M...
If you or someone you know has information or a personal story to share, get in touch here (no personally identifying info will be published w/out consent)
forms.gle/ES295JrXfS4M...
Reposted by Andale Gross
Full statement from Ralph Yarl's family reacting to the news of Andrew Lester's death. More here at @thekansascitystar.bsky.social: www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
February 19, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Full statement from Ralph Yarl's family reacting to the news of Andrew Lester's death. More here at @thekansascitystar.bsky.social: www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Andale Gross
Just in: Andrew Lester, the 86-year-old man who pleaded guilty less than a week ago in the high-profile 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, has died, the Clay County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said.
Andrew Lester dies days after guilty plea in Ralph Yarl shooting: Clay County prosecutor
Lester, who pleaded guilty to an assault charge Friday, was scheduled to be sentenced March 7.
www.kansascity.com
February 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Just in: Andrew Lester, the 86-year-old man who pleaded guilty less than a week ago in the high-profile 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, has died, the Clay County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said.
Reposted by Andale Gross
Seven men from Chile have been charged in connection to the October burglaries at the homes of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and teammate Travis Kelce.
Charges filed against seven for burglaries at homes of Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes
Burglaries at the homes of Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes has resulted in federal charges against seven people from Chile.
www.kansascity.com
February 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Seven men from Chile have been charged in connection to the October burglaries at the homes of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and teammate Travis Kelce.