Mike Hendricks
Lenexa
Retired news reporter and lard-butt bicyclist who is pro dog, anti- fascist and pickleball curious. Find me also at Bluesky bit.ly/4aoS3wZ
Articles by Mike Hendricks
Let’s celebrate our dark skies
By Mike Hendricks, Mike McKeag, and Mark Zanmiller Dark skies are spreading throughout the Gorge — or at least a love for them. And that love has now jumped the river and is blooming in both Oregon and Washington. Last year, the Hood River City Council and the Wasco County Commission officially recognized International Dark Sky Week (IDSW) as a time to appreciate and defend our night skies against light pollution.
Kansas City is eyeing this huge park as next up for riverfront transformation
Closed to the public for nearly two decades so that its poisoned soil could be cleansed of toxic chemicals, Kansas City’s long-neglected Riverfront Park could be on the verge of a bright future. The park — which city officials have largely forgotten for the past 22 years — has gained some important advocates in recent months.
Kansas City is eyeing this huge park as next up for riverfront transformation
Closed to the public for nearly two decades so that its poisoned soil could be cleansed of toxic chemicals, Kansas City's long-neglected Riverfront Park could be on the verge of a bright future. The park - which city officials have largely forgotten for the past 22 years - has gained some important advocates in recent months.
New report tells KC to be more transparent with public after whistleblower lawsuit
City government needs to make changes in how it communicates with the public and the news media to ensure greater transparency and build trust within the community, the Kansas City Auditor's Office said in a new report that lays out a three-point plan. Point one: Fill the communications director job that has been sitting empty for three years. Point two: Come up with a communications strategy on how best to provide the public and news media with information, because there isn't one now.
KCFD didn't investigate 2 line of duty deaths despite department guidelines
Firefighters place the casket of Kansas City Fire Department firefighter Graham Hoffman onto a Station 42 fire truck ahead of a funeral procession on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Liberty. Hoffman was stabbed inside an ambulance and later died as a result of his injuries. First responders and community members gathered to honor his life and service.
How a group of KC neighbors convinced the city to build a sidewalk on their street
One morning this month, Chaumiere residents Laurel Shoger-Hall (left), and Olivia Meade (far right) and Kansas City Councilman Crispin Rea showed a Star reporter the new sidewalks and other improvements in their neighborhood. Meade's daughter, Audrey, 5, tagged along. The Kansas City Star Whether it's building a new airport terminal or capping the freeway for a downtown park, big projects coming out of City Hall grab headlines.
Autopsy Shows Kansas City, MO, Firefighter Drowned During '24 Training
Nearly a year after a Kansas City firefighter died during what fire department officials at the time called “a training exercise,” Fire Chief Ross Grundyson issued a statement Friday providing previously withheld details surrounding the swimming accident that killed 33-year-old Kyle Brinker. The explanation comes two days after The Kansas City Star reported for the first time that Brinker had drowned during that exercise at the swimming pool at the Gladstone Community Center last Sept. 17.
Nearly a year after firefighter drowned, KCFD makes details of his death public
Nearly a year after a Kansas City firefighter died during what fire department officials at the time called "a training exercise," Fire Chief Ross Grundyson issued a statement Friday providing previously withheld details surrounding the swimming accident that killed 33-year-old Kyle Brinker. The explanation comes two days after The Kansas City Star reported for the first time that Brinker had drowned during that exercise at the swimming pool at the Gladstone Community Center last Sept. 17.
Kansas City approves $1.1 million workers' comp settlement in firefighter-paramedic's training death
By Mike Hendricks The Kansas City Star KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The wife of the Kansas City Fire Department paramedic who died during a training exercise last year has been awarded just under $1.1 million to resolve a workers’ compensation claim filed against the city. The City Council approved the award to Rebecca Ann Brinker without comment near the end of Thursday’s regular meeting.
'Massive failure'
Kansas City firefighter and paramedic Kyle Brinker, 33, died Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency during a training exercise. How is it that a Kansas City firefighter drowned during a water rescue training exercise surrounded by other firefighters at a swimming pool in Gladstone, and the public never knew about it until now? Answer: The Kansas City Fire Department has kept the circumstances of 33-year-old Kyle Brinker's death a secret for the past 11 months.
KCFD kept secret that firefighter drowned at training last year: ‘Massive failure’
Kansas City firefighter and paramedic Kyle Brinker, 33, died last fall during a training exercise. Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter.
Jackson County judge sets date for Frank White recall election after lawsuits
Jackson County voters will decide on Sept. 30 whether to retain or oust County Executive Frank White Jr. from office, unless further litigation postpones or cancels the vote. On Monday, a county circuit court judge set the date in a 18-page ruling. Judge Marty W. Seaton heard arguments last week from parties that wanted the vote conducted at the end of this month, and election officials who said that did not give them enough time to meet all the statuatory deadline for holding an election.
Kansas City will pay $1M to widow of firefighter who died during training event
Kansas City firefighter and paramedic Kyle Brinker, 33, died last fall after suffering a medical emergency during a training exercise. The wife of the Kansas City Fire Department paramedic who died during a training exercise last year has been awarded just under $1.1 million to resolve a workers' compensation claim filed against the city. The City Council approved the award to Rebecca Ann Brinker without comment near the end of Thursday's regular meeting.
Another former top KC official gets nearly $1M to settle discrimination lawsuit
Former Kansas City Assistant City Manager Kerrie Tyndall recently agreed to settle her lawsuit against the city. She is now executive director of the Westport Regional Business League. WEstport Entertainment District. A former Kansas City assistant city manager who provided key trial testimony this spring in a whistleblower lawsuit that cost taxpayers $1.4 million has now reached her own settlement with the city.
KC is short 64,000 units of affordable housing. Will new city plan make a dent?
The ativist group KC Tenants rallied in 2023 when tenants of an apartment buildings in the 100 block of North Lawn Avenue were facing displacement. Kansas City is joining a parade of cities that have launched efforts to help residents from being priced out of their neighborhoods by gentrification.
Second KC worker who was doxxed and harassed after Harrison Butker post sues city
Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker arrives before the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. ecuriel@kcstar.com 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 online threats and feared for their safety.
Potential prison time looms over new season of Missouri farmers' reality TV show Original
Dad's not coming back for season 2. But Steve McBee's impending prison sentence and the family's potential financial ruin still hover ominously above the McBee farm like that helicopter Steven Jr. flew above the waving grain in last season's opening sequence of The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys.
KCFD will consider veteran Black applicant for chief after he threatens to sue
A high-ranking Black officer at the Kansas City Fire Department with nearly four decades of experience recently threatened to sue the city, if he was not allowed to compete for the department's top job. Ten days after Deputy Chief James Dean emailed his threat to seek a court injunction pausing the selection process, city officials reversed course.
Secret KCFD audit found 'alarming' lack of compliance with heart attack protocols
An internal audit found that Kansas City Fire Department paramedics and emergency medical technicians often failed to follow all the protocols in treating chest pain.. The Kansas City Star The Kansas City Fire Department's paramedics and emergency medical technicians failed to follow the approved protocols for treating chest pain 87% of the time they were called to an emergency, according to an internal audit obtained by The Star through an open records request.
Manny Abarca's wife says he 'threw her to the ground.' He denies in court document
Jackson County Legislator Manuel "Manny" Abarca IV threw his wife to the ground during an argument in Shawnee that led to her asking a judge to impose a restraining order against him, according to court filing made public on Monday. He was later charged with domestic battery. In the lightly redacted charging affidavit, Abarca denies throwing his wife to the ground in Shawnee last month.
Top-ranking woman firefighter sues KCFD alleging discrimination in chief's hiring
Two and a half years after he was picked to temporarily lead the Kansas City Fire Department, interim Chief Ross Grundyson wants to stay on another two years, according to a new court filing. And Mario Vasquez, Kansas City's new city manager, is not ruling it out. Were Vasquez to have Grundyson oversee the department through 2027, it would be the second time that the interim chief's temporary stay will have been extended since former Chief Donna Lake's retirement in January 2023.
Kansas City forces out another official who was named in whistleblower lawsuit
Former Kansas City Manager Brian Platt's closest aide during most of his four years in the role is now also out of a job. More than 10 weeks after he was fired, Melissa Kozakiewicz has been forced out of the assistant city manager position that paid her $190,000 a year. The circumstances of her termination were not announced. The city's press secretary, Sherae Honeycutt, said she cannot comment on personnel matters.
KC's new city manager says Royals should move downtown & he knows just the spot
Washington Square Park, 100 E. Pershing Rd. is 5-acre park located east of Union Station and north of Crown Center. The location is being discussed as a possible site for the Kansas City Royals downtown stadium. 082024. Tljungblad@kcstar.com Kansas City's new city manager says there is no question in his mind where the Royals should build their new ballpark should Missouri legislators approve a stadium incentive plan to help make it possible.
Manny Abarca issues statement after his arrest on domestic violence charge
Hours after he was arrested and booked on domestic violence charges, Jackson County Legislator Manuel "Manny" Abarca IV issued his first public statement on the situation that put him on the missing persons list for several days. "This is a matter of current litigation, so, unfortunately, there is not much I can say about this case at this time," Abarca wrote in an email sent to the news media shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday.
She got death threats after Harrison Butker post she didn't write. She's suing KC
A Kansas City communications staffer says her superiors ignored her requests when she asked that they clear her name after she was falsely accused of sending out a social media post last year that allegedly doxxed Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and then faced online harassment, vitriol and racist death threats. After she complained about their inaction, Andrea Watts said she was subjected to increasingly critical treatment at work in City Hall.
KC legislator Manny Abarca served restraining order before going missing with son
Jackson County Legislator Manuel "Manny" Abarca IV was served late Friday afternoon with a protection order that his wife sought through circuit court earlier in the day, court documents show. An "adult abuse hearing" is set for next Monday morning before Judge Mary F. Weir in a courtroom five floors above the legislative chamber where later that afternoon Abarca is set to cast votes on county matters as a member of the county's chief governing body.
Mom 'desperate' to know where Manny Abarca and toddler son are, if they're safe
Screenshot of photo Alexis Garcia shared publicly on Facebook on Sunday, June 1 of herself and her son Luca, who she says has been missing for five days. Five days after she last saw her 2-year-old son, the wife of Jackson County legislator Manuel "Manny" Abarca IV pleaded for evidence that he was safe and would be coming home soon. "I am just desperate for my son," Alexis Garcia Abarca said in a text message to The Star Monday evening.
KC legislator Manny Abarca dismisses wife's report that he and son went missing
Jackson County legislator Manuel "Manny" Abarca IV was reported missing over the weekend along with his youngest child. Abarca's wife, Alexis Garcia, wrote on Facebook Sunday night that her husband and 2-year-old son Manuel Abarca V were missing and that she had not seen the child, known as Luca, since Wednesday evening. Garcia wrote that Luca was sick and did not have access to medication. She also described herself as the "preferred and primary caregiver" for both children she shares with Abarca.
Mo. FD begins formal driver training after fire truck crash killed 3 in 2021
By Mike Hendricks The Kansas City Star KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Three and a half years after a young, inexperienced fire truck driver killed three people in a crash in Westport, and weeks after the city refused a payout for him, the Kansas City Fire Department has initiated a formal driver training program.
KCFD starts driver training class years after firefighter killed 3 in crash
Three and a half years after a young, inexperienced fire truck driver killed three people in a crash in Westport, and weeks after the city refused a payout for him, the Kansas City Fire Department has initiated a formal driver training program. Like most of his peers over the past couple of decades at least, Dominic Biscari was in the process of learning to drive a 40,000-pound fire truck on the job when he ran a red light at full throttle while behind the wheel of Pumper 19 on Dec. 15, 2021.
Here's what to expect from this week's Kansas City Council meeting -- and how to watch
The full agenda can be found online. Some of the things the council will consider: A change to the loitering ordinance that will make it easier for police to address issues of people blocking access to businesses. A resolution directing the city manager to review how federal tariffs are negatively affecting businesses and to convene a Kansas City Trade and Economic Resilience Summit within 90 days.
Vintage airplane, on display at KC airport for years, will be returned to owner
The Eaglet had landed. The year was 1991. Gene Morris and his son, Ken, took turns at the controls of the vintage, single-engine plane for its final flight from Texas to Kansas City's downtown airport. Gene set down the American Eaglet for its final landing with KC's skyline as the backdrop for what was a homecoming of sorts. Sixty years earlier, the skinny two-seater had rolled off the assembly line across the Missouri River at the former Fairfax Municipal Airport in Kansas City, Kansas.
Kansas City takes step toward possible construction of temporary 'trailer jail'
Kansas City's new jail hasn't been designed yet, much less built. But while its opening date remains a couple of years away at least, crime marches on. So city officials are making plans to possibly open a temporary facility to house people arrested on misdemeanor charges that could be in operation by this fall. The temporary facility would mean the city would no longer need to transport people to leased jail space in other counties many miles away from KC.
KC Council approves $1.4 million settlement to whistleblower, but it's not unanimous
The Kansas City Council approved a $1.4 million settlement on Thursday that puts an end to all proceedings in the whistleblower lawsuit filed by the city's former communications director, Chris Hernandez. Hernandez won in court this spring when a jury determined that former Kansas City Manager Brian Platt sidelined Hernandez for being unwilling to stretch the truth. The jury ordered Kansas City to pay Hernandez $930,000 in damages. But that left two outstanding issues.
KC might build a temporary 'trailer jail' to address city's crime concerns
Kansas City's new jail hasn't been designed yet, much less built. But while its opening date remains a couple of years away at least, crime marches on. So city officials are making plans to possibly open a temporary facility to house people arrested on misdemeanor charges that could be in operation by this fall. The temporary facility would mean the city would no longer need to transport people to leased jail space in other counties many miles away from KC.
Mo. officials reject nearly $1M settlement in fatal fire truck crash
By Mike Hendricks The Kansas City Star KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City won’t pay nearly $1 million to the fire truck driver who killed three people in a 2021 traffic crash in Westport. The city council’s finance committee rejected the proposed $915,000 settlement to firefighter Dominic Biscari Tuesday after an emotional plea from the owner of the restaurant where two of the victims worked.
Kansas City, MO, Won't Pay $915K to Firefighter who Killed Three in Crash
Kansas City won’t pay nearly $1 million to the fire truck driver who killed three people in a 2021 traffic crash in Westport. The city council’s finance committee rejected the proposed $915,000 settlement to firefighter Dominic Biscari Tuesday after an emotional plea from the owner of the restaurant where two of the victims worked.
KC rejects nearly $1M settlement to firefighter who killed 3 in Westport crash
Three people were killed in December 2021 when a fire truck collided with an SUV and struck a building on Broadway just north of Westport Road. rsugg@kcstar.com Kansas City won't pay nearly $1 million to the fire truck driver who killed three people in a 2021 traffic crash in Westport. The city council's finance committee rejected the proposed $915,000 settlement to firefighter Dominic Biscari Tuesday after an emotional plea from the owner of the restaurant where two of the victims worked.
KC rejects nearly $1M settlement to firefighter who killed 3 in Westport crash
Kansas City won’t pay nearly $1 million to the fire truck driver who killed three people in a 2021 traffic crash in Westport. The city council’s finance committee rejected the proposed $915,000 settlement to firefighter Dominic Biscari Tuesday after an emotional plea from the owner of the restaurant where two of the victims worked.
Mo. firefighter behind fatal crash into building could get $915K settlement from city
By Mike Hendricks The Kansas City Star KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City firefighter responsible for the deaths of three people in a December 2021 traffic crash in Westport that cost taxpayers more than $3 million in damages could receive $915,000 from the city to settle a grievance case filed on his behalf by his union.
KC may pay 50% more to settle whistleblower case. Lawyers say it's a bargain
This spring a jury determined that former Kansas City Manager Brian Platt sidelined the city's communications directors for being unwilling to stretch the truth. Now the cost of that decision is about to go up 50%, if the City Council approves a proposed settlement in the Chris Hernandez case. Final price tag for the city's taxpayers: $1.4 million.
Kansas City, MO, Firefighter Responsible for Triple Fatal Crash May Collect Nearly $1M from City
The Kansas City firefighter responsible for the deaths of three people in a December 2021 traffic crash in Westport that cost taxpayers more than $3 million in damages could receive $915,000 from the city to settle a grievance case filed on his behalf by his union.
Immigrant who ‘worked my ass off’ is chosen to lead Kansas City government
Mario Vasquez is Kansas City’s new city manager, overseeing a workforce of more than 4,000 and virtually every city service from the water and fire departments, the city’s convention center, street maintenance and real estate development regulations and planning. Mayor Quinton Lucas announced his choice after an hour-long closed meeting on Thursday. The City Council then approved it by a vote of 11 to 2, awarding Vasquez an annual salary of $265,000.
KC firefighter killed 3 in Westport crash. Now, he could get a nearly $1M payout
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter.
Troost Avenue won't change to Truth
The corner of E. 30th Street and Troost Avenue on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. A measure to rename Troost Avenue to "Truth" Avenue was voted to be placed on hold in a city council meeting on Tuesday. dowilliams@kcstar.com Troost Avenue won't become Truth Avenue anytime soon - if ever.
Troost Avenue won’t change to Truth - maybe ever - as road still divides KC
Troost Avenue won’t become Truth Avenue anytime soon – if ever. Three years after Troost Avenue business owner Chris Goode proposed the name change to rid the 11-mile arterial street of its association to 19th Century slaveholder Benoist Troost, Goode once again left City Hall disappointed on Tuesday.
Kansas City's next city manager? Meet these 3 candidates for the job
Kansas City Mayor Lucas will soon announce who he wants to serve as city manager for the remaining two years and three months he has left before term limits end his stay at City Hall. It will then be up to the rest of the City Council to either ratify that nominee, or start the process all over again. A redo is not likely, as Lucas is a seasoned politician who knows how to count votes before sticking his neck out.
Amazon may bring drone delivery to Kansas City. Here's the plan
Drone deliveries from Amazon could be on the horizon for Kansas City residents as the retail giant pushes to begin offering a service currently available in only two smaller U.S. cities. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to The Star on Tuesday that the company, founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is considering bringing the drone delivery service to Kansas City. The service, launched in 2022 as Prime Air, uses delivery drones to fly packages to customers.
Frank White opponents could have enough signatures for recall vote
Kansas City Monarchs first base coach and Jackson County Executive Frank White observes players during batting practice at Legends Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Kansas City, Kansas. ecuriel@kcstar.com Supporters of an effort to oust Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. feel confident they can get a recall measure on the ballot this summer.
Kansas City Council will audit city’s transparency in response to letter from local media
This story was originally published by The Kansas City Star. KCUR is republishing occasional stories from The Star with permission from the newspaper. Less spin. More transparency. Some members on the Kansas City Council want the city’s communications strategy to reflect that shift in focus now that Brian Platt is no longer city manager.
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