Archives: August 2023

Politics

Journalism organization offers $20,000 to defend Kansas newspaper in wake of police raid, seizures

Marion County Record may sue; requests pending for affidavit tied to search warrant.
Tim Carpenter,

The Society of Professional Journalists offered $20,000 to legal defense of the Marion County Record, which was raided by local law enforcement Friday based on allegations the newspaper engaged in identity theft to secure information about a local merchant’s drunken driving conviction. The newspaper says the information was legally obtained and the police search was illegal. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA…

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Politics

20 Missouri school districts seek ‘innovation waivers’ to move away from state tests

The schools want to shift to multiple tests throughout the year to access real-time results and support personalized, competency-based learning.
Lauren Wagner,

Photo by Andre from Pixabay A network of 20 Missouri school districts is asking the state to implement a more responsive assessment system in order to personalize student learning. The state Board of Education is considering the districts’ proposal to change testing at its Aug. 15 meeting. If approved, it would be the inception of a shift in Missouri’s education…

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Theater

Variety show Nellie & Elise’s Clown Closet unpacks the awkward hilarity of Y2K girlhood August 19 at The Black Box

Nellie Maple and Elise Poehling give the opportunity for adults to laugh, cry, or recoil while reflecting on their childhoods.
Belle Yennie,

Nellie & Elise’s Clown Closet // courtesy Nellie Maple and Elise Poehling Comedians Nellie Maple and Elise Poehling invite guests to laugh and cry in their goofy, Y2K variety show Nellie & Elise’s Clown Closet on August 19. Hosted by The Black Box, the production highlights the quirky and awkward experiences of girlhood in adult humor. The onstage closet props…
News

Police defend raid on Kansas newspaper amid backlash over ‘brazen violation of press freedom’

Marion County Record reports publisher’s mother died from stress of raid at their home.
Sherman Smith,

Police raided the Marion County Record office Aug. 11, 2023, with a search warrant that free press attorneys and advocates say violated federal law. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Marion police on Saturday defended their unprecedented raid on a newspaper office and the publisher’s home by pointing to a loophole in federal law that protects journalists from searches and seizures….

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Music

Photos: Dead On Collision, Sarkatha, and Death Pig at Replay Lounge

Maura Dayton,

Dead On Collision // Sarkatha // Death Pig Replay Lounge August 10, 2023 Sarkatha and Death Pig are bands from Lawrence and Dead on Collision is from KCMO. They brought a rollicking good time to the Replay in LFK last night. Our photographer Maura Dayton (@twistedmauraphotos), was there to capture the experience. Dead On Collision Sarkatha Death Pig Categories: Music…

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Politics

Police stage ‘chilling’ raid on Marion County newspaper, seizing computers, records and cellphones

Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, said the police raid is unprecedented in Kansas.
Sherman Smith, Tim Carpenter, Rachel Mipro, Sam Bailey,

Eric Meyer, publisher of the Marion County Record, answers questions in his newspaper office Friday after police seized computers, servers, cellphones and other items. He says he doesn’t know how they will get the newspaper out on Tuesday, but, “We will publish something.” (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) MARION — In an unprecedented raid Friday, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and…

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Food & Drink

Eat This Now: The Mayor “Q” 39 at Q39

Raymart Dinglas,

The Mayor “Q” 39 at Q39. // Photo by Raymart Dinglas Mayor Quinton Lucas has been in the spotlight as Kansas City’s leader since 2019. To celebrate his 39th birthday, Q39 released a sandwich in his honor. The Mayor “Q” 39 is a smoked brisket and pimento grilled cheese. Quite cheeky! This is a full-grown adult grilled cheese. The buttery…

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Music

Photos: Red Clay Strays at Knuckleheads

Mike Dotson,

Red Clay Strays. // photo by Mike Dotson Red Clay Strays Knuckleheads Thursday, August 10 Alabama rockabilly country act Red Clay Strays took to the outdoor stage at Knuckleheads on Thursday night for one hell of a killer show. Our photographer Mike Dotson was there to capture the experience. Categories: Music Tags: knuckleheads, photo gallery, red clay strays

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Music

Photos: Mudvayne rocked the Dotte on Thursday night

Mudvayne with support Coal Chamber, Nonpoint, Gwar, and Butcher Babies.
Barry Meitler,

Mudvayne. // photo by Barry Meitler Mudvayne with Coal Chamber, Nonpoint, Gwar, and Butcher Babies Azura Amphitheater Thursday, August 10 On a hot, sweaty Thursday evening, 98.9 The Rock presented a Rock The Dotte concert event as nu-metal stalwarts Mudvaybe brought their The Psychotherapy Sessions tour to Bonner Springs. Barry Meitler (find him on Instagram and Facebook) was there to capture it all….

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Politics

Push for tax hikes to fund public libraries face mixed results this year in Missouri

With libraries in the political cross hairs in Missouri for much of the last year, local voters headed to the polls this week in two counties to weigh increased funding.
Annelise Hanshaw,

The Missouri House Budget Committee working through the revisions proposed by Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, to the fiscal 2024 state budget (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent) Ballot measures seeking to fund local libraries had mixed results Tuesday, with Cole County voters striking down a 15-cent tax increase and Taney County residents narrowly approving an 18-cent levy to create a public library. The…

Kc Sipps
Food & Drink

KC Sipps: Three openings, two closings, and an 816 Day deal

Your Kansas City dining guide.
Sarah Sipple,

Art by Cassondra Jones Looking for delicious plans? Whether you want to impress a date, show your fam the best of KC, or just get out of the house, we’ve got you covered… all while supporting (mostly) local.  Here is your weekly roundup of the best food and drink offerings around Kansas City. Cheers! Something New Privēe Restaurant + Lounge:…
Movies

Rare Exports: The Last Voyage of the Demeter is hearty meat-and-potatoes horror

Abby Olcese,

Courtesy Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment Some movies are based on fanfiction—Fifty Shades of Grey, that bizarre After series that’s apparently still going on—and other movies are fanfiction by their very nature. The Last Voyage of the Demeter is the latter, speculating on a single chapter from Bram Stoker’s Dracula to imagine the experience of the doomed crew that unwittingly…

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Movies

Trader is a unique beast in its dramatic delights and pacing

Adrian Torres,

Trader. // Courtesy XYZ Films Originality is hard to come by anymore. Instead, the onus is often on filmmakers and creatives to either refresh existing stories or find new ways of exploring familiar subjects. Often, independent films are particularly successful in this arena, putting old tales in a new light.  By that metric, Trader is the platonic ideal of an…

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Culture

Creature Feature: Max is one in a million

Scott Poore,

Max the Dutch Shepherd. // Courtesy Scott Poore Max Meet Max, a 7-year-old Dutch Shepherd. His owner recently passed away, and he is in need of a new forever family with patience and compassion. Max is terrified and confused in the shelter environment, and it’s heartbreaking.  While he must first meet all kids, pets, and family members, it won’t be…

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Music

John McEuen on the lasting influence of Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Nick Spacek,

John McEuen. // photo by Alan Nahigian Singer, songwriter, and banjo player John McEuen’s work with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band resulted in many of the ’70s roots revivalists’ greatest musical accomplishments, but none has had the lasting impression so much as the 1972 album, Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Featuring the band collaborating with many early Grand Ole Opry…

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Culture

Keep Them Coming: Beyond routine

Kristen Thomas,

Keep Them Coming with Kristen Thomas. // Photo by Nicole Bissey It’s not uncommon for couples to look at each another one day and realize they are in a bit of a dry spell, sexually speaking. Perhaps they haven’t been touching as much, schedules have been hectic, or a medical issue arose that put a pause on all sorts of…

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Culture

KC Cares: War Horses for Veterans

Beth Lipoff,

A participant in a War Horses for Veterans program tries out some cowboys skills at the horse farm in Stilwell. // Photo by Beth Lipoff Most of the people who come to the War Horses for Veterans farm in Stilwell, KS, don’t have any experience with horses, but by the time they leave, they know everything from how to groom…
News

STL’s Hope Creates makes art accessible to teens in sobriety, looks to KC expansion

Jacqulyn Seyferth,

Hope Creates is a St. Louis-based non-profit dedicated to encouraging artistic expression in young people recovering from alcoholism and substance abuse. Hope Creates offers monthly community creation events, art exhibitions, and a program called “Make Your M.A.R.C.” The founder of Hope Creates is Katherine Thomas-Dietz, who was inspired by her daughter’s experience with substance abuse disorder. Thomas-Dietz leaned on her…
Politics

Energy secretary stops short of endorsing atomic waste victims fund in Missouri visit

Allison Kite,

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, left, and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, to her right, take questions from reporters during the secretary’s visit to St. Louis. Granholm would not commit to supporting federal legislation to offer compensation to St. Louis-area residents exposed to radioactive waste. (Allison Kite/Missouri Independent) ST. LOUIS — Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in a visit to Missouri on…