Lisa Rodriguez
News DirectorSlow news days are a thing of the past. As KCUR’s news director, I want to cut through the noise, provide context to the headlines, and give you news you can use in your daily life – information that will empower you to make informed decisions about your neighborhood, your city and the region.
Email me at lisa@kcur.org.
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Research shows that Kansas City's lowest-income neighborhoods are nearly 10 times more likely to be located near a tobacco retailer than its highest-income ones and that flavored products are disproportionately marketed to Black communities.
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The vote, which fell largely along racial lines, comes after a 13-month hiring process, capped off by a bumpy final week.
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Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says he's confident the council will vote to approve Brian Platt of Jersey City, New Jersey as the next city manager.
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The story, which has since been taken down, said Jersey City city manager Brian Platt had been offered — and accepted — the top job in Kansas City.
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The board abruptly went into closed session after some clergy members called for a vote on Smith’s termination. Civil rights groups have been calling for Smith’s termination since his handling of protests against police brutality in June.
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Despite a distinct fundraising disadvantage and a lack of statewide name recognition, the former Kansas City Council member has been active on the campaign trail, participating in hundreds of virtual events to level the playing field.
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Deja Stallings says her unborn daughter is the latest victim of police brutality. Both the Kansas City Police Department and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office say they’re reviewing the incident.
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Lucas’ comments set up a showdown with organizers, who vow to remain camped at City Hall until Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith is fired and the police department’s budget is cut by 50%.
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Kansas City officials are deliberating who will become the next city manager, overseeing everything from snow removal to the annual budget.
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Lucas says planning for the violence prevention framework has been in the works for nearly a year, but some neighborhood groups say the announcement took them by surprise.