Latest news with #QuintonLucas
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City launches innovative food waste recycling program
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced a new partnership Wednesday with Mill to revolutionize food waste disposal in the city. The partnership introduces a device that grinds and dehydrates food scraps, significantly reducing their size and weight by removing 80% of the water content. This initiative aims to make food waste management more efficient and environmentally friendly. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 'We're here because nobody likes food waste, but also no one likes to deal with food waste,' said Lou Pieh, with Mill. 'We want to make it easier for people to keep food scraps out of the landfill.' Missouri Organics will play a crucial role in this initiative by taking the dehydrated food grounds and turning them into finished compost. This process not only reduces landfill waste but also creates a valuable product for gardening and landscaping. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to have a food recycler in every Kansas City household, promoting widespread adoption of sustainable waste management practices. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV This partnership between Kansas City and Mill is expected to transform how residents handle food waste, contributing to a more sustainable future for the city. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WDAF. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WDAF staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
KCMO councilmember ‘neutral' on 2 Missouri Royals sites
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Monday, a councilman in the city made it clear he wants the Royals to stay in Missouri. FOX4 talked to Councilman Nathan Willett and Wes Rogers that afternoon. In late March, Royals CEO John Sherman told reporters he wanted to talk more about the stadium in June or July. In a nearly 15-minute interview with FOX4 Monday, Willett said he was 'Team Missouri' a number of times. He added that he wants whatever works for the Royals. Kansas City man arrested, charged after high-speed boat chase at Lake of the Ozarks Willett said he believes Washington Square Park, just east of Union Station, is an option for the team. FOX4 asked him if he wanted the ballpark in Washington Square Park over a once proposed ballpark for the Royals in North Kansas City at 18th and Fayette. North Kansas City is a separate city from Kansas City, Mo. 'I think it's fair to say I want it in Missouri,' Willett said in response. 'I am neutral between the two sites. I think it's whatever works for the Royals and works for the taxpayers who are going to be asked to help out.' Willett is running for Republican State Senator Tony Luetkemeyer's seat in the Missouri state legislature, so right now, he's not running for re-election on KCMO's city council. FOX4 asked Willett if he's concerned that being 'neutral' to two Missouri stadium locations would make Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas or other Kansas City council members upset with him. 'I think it's Team Missouri,' he responded. 'You don't know what's a legit option or not a legit option. Right now, you have two Missouri options, and I think you have one or two Kansas options. 'At the end of the day, the deal has to make sense for both the taxpayers. You have to have that benefit to it, but we cannot let Kansas continue to grow and Missouri just to sit back. You're seeing a lot of growth happening, more and more south on the other side of state line. I think if a stadium went down there versus whether it be downtown or north of the river, you're going to see the continued concentration of economic development around there.' Late in June, fellow KCMO Councilman Kevin O'Neill told FOX4 that Kansas City's parks department board needed to quickly approve moving rights over to Port KC or the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC). Three weeks later, that special meeting hasn't happened yet. New Port KC Board of Commissioner and fellow KCMO Councilman Wes Rogers was with Willett Monday at Northland Neighborhoods Inc. 'This is a years long project,' Rogers said when asked if he was concerned that that the parks department special meeting hasn't happened yet. 'There's no doubt in my mind that the city will figure out how to do this.' Willett added that if the Royals chose to play in KCMO's city limits, the taxpayers should be able to weigh in on it. Jackson County Executive Frank White pitches Gov. Kehoe adjusted approach to sales tax extension Mayor Quinton Lucas has said the opposite though, that if the Royals built at Washington Square Park, the city's taxpayers may not have to weigh in on it. If the Royals chose Clay County and North Kansas City, that would require a vote of the people of that county to tax themselves via a sales tax. A Kansas ballpark for the Royals would take advantage of Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds. That would not require a vote of taxpayers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royals stadium standoff: Sources slam KC leaders over ‘Lack of vision'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Frustration is mounting behind the scenes as negotiations over the Royals next home continue to stall. Multiple sources close to the situation tell FOX4 they are growing increasingly upset with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Jackson County Executive Frank White, accusing both of failing to lead at a critical moment. KCMO councilmember 'neutral' on 2 Missouri Royals sites FOX4 spoke with four well-placed sources, including individuals at the city and state levels, some directly involved in negotiations with both the Royals and the Chiefs. One source didn't mince words: 'There's been a complete lack of leadership and vision from the beginning. This is all solvable, but nobody is steering the ship. If the Royals leave Kansas City, that is on Quinton Lucas.' Another high-level source who attended a meeting with Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe last Friday added: 'Since local officials have not been able to close the deal with the Royals, one would have to assume that the governor has taken the lead.' When FOX4 asked Mayor Lucas about the criticism and his communication with the governor, he admitted the two haven't had a substantial conversation about the stadium situation in some time. Saying communication for the most part has been just between their staffs. 'I do not recall the last time Governor Kehoe and I had the chance to have what I would call a substantial chat about it,' Lucas said. Despite his comments, Mayor Lucas told FOX4 he remains in regular contact with the Royals. 'I have the chance to talk to the Royals all the time. We have a wonderful relationship that has been regular,' he said. World Cup premium tickets now on sale for Kansas City matches Still, all four sources tell FOX4 the Royals are frustrated with both Lucas and White, and that there's a lack of trust in either official. When we reached out to the Royals for comment, a team spokesperson simply stated: 'We don't have anything to say publicly on this.' On the same day these frustrations came to light, FOX4 obtained a letter from County Executive Frank White to Governor Kehoe. In it, White proposes splitting the existing 3/8-cent county sales tax three ways, but notably, none of the proposed allocations include funding for the Royals. White said he intentionally left the team out to 'let the city take the lead' on stadium negotiations. Mayor Lucas said the county executive's plan is unlikely to go anywhere. 'I would expect if I were one of the teams that's probably a non-starter, but they can send what they wish to send,' Lucas said. Though tensions are high, there is consensus on one point: It's time for action. 'My big focus is to say how can we get to finality, and for me finality frankly is something that is more weeks or months as compared to having this chat exist for another year,' Lucas said. He also called this a 'generational decision' that will live on past the people who are currently the stakeholders. Kansas City man arrested, charged after high-speed boat chase at Lake of the Ozarks He emphasized that his role is broader than negotiating with sports franchises. While he declined a one-on-one interview, Frank White issued a statement defending his position: 'First, it's important to remember that these teams are for-profit, multi-billion dollar businesses. They're always going to look for the best deal for themselves and I can't blame them for that. But my job isn't to work for the teams; my job is to get the best deal for the people of Jackson County. 'Out of respect for the City of Kansas City's publicly stated desire to take the lead in conversations with the Royals, much of our engagement has focused on the Chiefs. At the same time, we remain open to discussions with all parties to ensure Jackson County's interests are fully represented. 'Last and most importantly, Jackson County taxpayers have long carried the overwhelming share of public funding for these teams, historically providing more than 90% of the investment, which currently amounts to over $50 million every year. As we look ahead, our priority is to ensure any new agreement is fair, transparent and reflects the significant commitment our residents continue to make.' With trust eroding between key players and no final deal in place, the future of the Royals in Kansas City, Mo. hangs in the balance. What remains clear: The clock is ticking, and frustration is boiling over. Stay with FOX4 for the latest updates on this developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Second KC worker who was doxxed and harassed after Harrison Butker post sues city
Two Kansas City communications staffers feared for their safety after they were falsely accused last year of doxxing Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker on the city's social media account after he made some controversial remarks. The women were subjected to hateful, racist and misogynistic threats and feared they might be harmed by online anonymous thugs. Now both are suing the city, claiming that Mayor Quinton Lucas and other city officials refused to clear their names, which damaged their reputations and allowed the harassment to continue. April Leonard, the city's former social media manager, levied those allegations in a court filing this week. The document amended the employment discrimination lawsuit she filed against the city in March. Leonard, who still works for the city in a different job, alleged in that initial petition for damages that she was the victim of employment discrimination based on the city's failure to fully accommodate her needs as someone who suffers from an autoimmune condition. The second amended petition filed this week includes details about the Butker incident and gives one reason why it was possible for someone to post an unauthorized message on the city's X account. Leonard's petition says the city was lax in granting multiple employees access to its social media accounts. She claims that she repeatedly expressed concerns about that to her bosses, fearing that it made her and a co-worker 'vulnerable, as they were identifiable as social media managers for the City.' Last month, Leonard's co-worker Andrea Watts also alleged in a court filing that city officials did too little to clear her name after she was misidentified as being responsible for an unsigned May 14, 2024 posting on X that said Butker lives in Lee's Summit. The person who wrote it was trying in a sarcastic way to distance Kansas City from the comments Butker made at a college graduation ceremony that some found offensive. Neither woman had anything to do with the post. Another person with access to the city's X account was found to be responsible and fired. City officials deleted and apologized for the message about Butker 40 minutes after it was posted. The city's account was inundated with angry comments accusing the city of putting Butker in peril by noting the name of the Kansas City suburb where he lives. That's not the strict definition of doxxing because the post did not give Butker's address. Lee's Summit had 106,000 residents as of a year ago, according the Census Bureau. But the two women were doxxed in a true sense . Critics of the Butker post searched for and posted the women's names, where they lived and other personal information, supposing they were responsible based solely on them having social media responsibilities in the city's communications department. According to the lawsuits, they got death threats and were denounced with ugly slurs. Both women are Black and were vilified based on their race and gender. 'There is no hole deep enough, no woods deep enough for you to hide in,' one post read, according to the lawsuit Watts filed. Another pictured a Black woman hanging from a tree in front of a photograph of the apartment building where Watts lived along with her full name and address. Leonard was called a 'ghetto rat' and the N word, her lawsuit said. Someone called Savage Ravage said Butker should sue city officials and 'I hope everyone involved in running this account d!es of AIDS and ass cancer. And that's the least of what you deserve.' Leonard was terrified, the suit says. She called the police after seeing two men watching her house. The city agreed to put her up in a hotel for two nights, but refused to cover her meals. And both she and Watts say the city never made the public statement they requested stating clearly that they were not the people responsible for the Butker post. Instead, Mayor Quinton Lucas pleaded with the public to stop harassing the women, but he never named them. 'Over the past 24 hours, some seeking to harass, bully, and intimidate have sent slurs and threats to and shared photos of women employees with no involvement with recent City posts,' he said on X. 'Honestly, please just stop, be decent. The buck stops with me. Please leave them alone.' Lucas, a Democrat, later accused Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, of keeping the furor going by appearing on TV and demanding an investigation. 'I was disheartened when the City failed to support me and a colleague regarding the Butker tweet, leading to ongoing and undue public scrutiny, harassment, and a hostile work environment,' Leonard said in a news release issued by her attorney Heather Schlozman. 'We pleaded for help and our safety, asking for the City to clear our names immediately. That stress exacerbated my autoimmune condition and ultimately led to hospitalizations.' The lawsuits seek monetary damages and any relief a court sees fit. The city does not comment on pending litigation or personnel matters, city spokeswoman Sherae Honeycutt said.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kansas City celebrates new outdoor pool at Tony Aguirre Community Center
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City's Westside celebrated a new $4.3 million neighborhood upgrade Monday afternoon – an outdoor pool and water area. Many people were in attendance Monday to celebrate the opening of the new outdoor pool, as a place not only to cool off, but to connect. Family members of the community center's namesake, Tony Aguirre, were also in attendance. Second person dies in Independence farmhouse fire that killed 13-year-old girl 'We are driving by every day, and the kids are like 'when does it open?,'' Monique Ortiz, a parent who lives nearby, shared with FOX4 Monday. 'We usually have to drive pretty far to go to a pool, so we don't have to do that anymore.' The city said it features a deep-water pool with a diving board, climbing wall, zero-entry pool, water slide and a waterplay structure. 'This project highlights the Parks Department's commitment to creating accessible and recreational spaces for our community,' the city said. The multi-million-dollar amenity was funded by GO (general obligation) bonds. 'Back in 2022, we were running around the city, and saying 'hey, there is this important question about parks on the ballot.'' Mayor Quinton Lucas shared Monday. 'The people of Kansas City, by a vote of 71 percent to 29 percent, voted yes for Parks—yes for our communities and yes for our kids.' Councilman Crispin Rea said Monday that this place will also provide an opportunity for many to learn life-saving skills, like swimming. 'We know what the drowning rates are for Black and brown kids in neighborhoods that don't have access to pools,' Rea shared. Aquatics Manager Donald Strother said the pool is replacing the Jarboe Pool that closed right before the COVID-19 pandemic. 'I hope they enjoy it,' he said. 'I hope they are able to say the city is able to deliver on some of their asks of the citizens, and we are here to fill voids.' The outdoor pool will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for those under the age of 18 and $3 for senior citizens. The Tony Aguirre Community Center is located at 2050 West Pennway. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
