A school funding lawsuit by Shawnee Mission District parents survived a dismissal attempt. Kansas City bought four streetcars. And former Congressman Ike Skelton died. KCUR's Steve Bell recaps those and other top stories of the week on the KCUR Saturday News Review.
Long-time Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton dies
Ike Skelton served 17 terms in the U.S. House before he was defeated by Republican Vicky Hartzler in 2010. Skelton, 81, died of complications from pneumonia. A visitation will be held Sunday afternoon and a funeral service Monday afternoon, both at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington.
City council condemns November neo-Nazi rally
The Kansas City city council went on record as not approving of a National Socialist Movement gathering that will demonstrate against immigration reform in Kansas City on November 9. The resolution condemned the coming rally, but urged citizens not to physically confront its participants.
City buys first four streetcars, lays plans for first route expansion
A planned Kansas City streetcar system passed two mile posts. The city council sent staff shopping for a $10 million loan for advance studies of a proposed phase two. Councilman Russ Johnson said an even bigger step was council approval of the purchase of four streetcars for phase one. The four streetcars will cost a total of $17.9 million.
Area parents Kansas school funding suit lives on
A federal judge denied the state of Kansas' request to dismiss a lawsuit by Shawnee Mission District parents over Kansas school funding. The parents contend that it is unconstitutional to limit the amount local districts can raise through taxes.
Missouri high court upholds denial of same-sex benefits
The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the rejection of survivor benefits for the same-sex partner of a state trooper killed in the line of duty because the two were not married. The court did not actually rule on whether Missouri's ban on same-sex marriages is constitutional.
Chiefs, Royals, Sporting spark KC sports pride
Sporting Kansas City was headed for the playoffs for the third year in a row. But with the Chiefs 9-0 and three Royals players making national headlines for winning Golden Gloves, Sporting Manager Peter Vermes said his team's success was being taken for granted after three banner years.
Open carry suit filed against Prairie Village
Libertarian candidate for Kansas Lt. Gov. Grant Nelson filed suit against the city of Prairie Village, Kan. asserting that the city's refusal to allow him a permit for an open carry picnic violated state law.
No criminal charges filed in party bus death
And the Wyandotte County district attorney chose not to file criminal charges in the death of Jamie Freks, who fell to her death from a party bus. Civil litigation, however, is still ongoing.