By Steve Bell
Kansas City, MO – A Jackson County circuit judge ruled today that Missouri can not keep a gay couple from becoming foster parents because of sexual orientation. Citing unwritten policy and a state law making sodomy a crime, Missouri had expelled Lisa Johnson and her partner Dawn Roginski from the foster parents training program because Johnson was openly lesbian. Judge Sandra Midkiff ordered the state to allow the couple to re-enter the training program, and if they complete it satisfactorily, to allow them to become foster parents. The Department of Social Services will appeal the decision.
The president of the Missouri Board of Curators says she is not satisfied with the inquiry into the resignation of basketball coach Quin Snyder, and has asked system president Elson Floyd to initiate an independent investigation. Curator Angela Bennett's request of Floyd was informal. He hasn't said whether he will comply with it.
An all-volunteeer selection panel has chosen New York artist Chris Doyle to create a $1.3 million art project outside the new Sprint Arena downtown. Doyle's work will feature native landscaping, water and video screens showing images of Kansas Citians flying.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded to $700,000 grants to train at-risk Kansas City youths to build and renovate homes while earning their GEDs. The checks were presented to Swope Community Builders and the Wyandotte Countyh United Way.