TOPIC 1: FINN TO PEN? Bishop Robert Finn and the local diocese have been charged with failure to report child abuse. TOPIC 2: SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES! After a lengthy absence, Phill Kline is back in the news. A Kansas disciplinary panel has recommended that Kline be indefinitely suspended from practicing law in the state. Kline, a former attorney gene…

TOPIC 1: CHANGING PROSPECTS Councilman Jermaine Reed wants to change the name of Prospect Avenue to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. This, he says, along with economic initiatives can revitalize and rehabilitate the Prospect area, hard hit by crime and violence. TOPIC 2: DE JA VIEW(S) Last week, Woody and Yael had dueling roasts and toasts about …

TOPIC 1: TEEN-FREE ZONE. The new curfew ordinance took effect last weekend and there were no problems on the Country Club Plaza. In fact, the Plaza may well have been the safest public place in the area this past Friday and Saturday. TOPIC 2: ATTACKS ON TAX. Kansas Citians are taxed in a myriad of ways as an excellent Star editorial explained last …

TOPIC 1: IT HAD TO HAPPEN! Last weekend, three teens were shot on the Country Club Plaza. Mayor James and other black leaders were in the area trying to assess the extent of the problem caused by large throngs of teens “hanging out” there. Now, he and they know. The mayor says he is working on solutions. TOPIC 2: DO WE NEED A KINDER, GENTLER (Peter…

TOPIC 1: NOT AS “SLY” AS HIS FATHER. Mayor James’ son, Kyle, made some news because of his involvement with disturbances in the P&L District. Young James refused to pay his restaurant bill, made rude and intemperate remarks to patrons, threatened some bystanders and told one police officer he “would have his job.” The mayor issued an apology for hi…

TOPIC 1: A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCH Writing in the Star, Henry Bloch (H&R Block) calls for a balanced approach to the federal budget and tax policy. Noting that he’s a registered Republican, Bloch defends the idea of raising tax rates on the wealthy. TOPIC 2: A WIDENING GAP New Pew Center research says the gap in wealth between whites and minorities …

TOPIC 1: WHAT TIGHT BUDGET? The Kansas City Council has approved a pay raise for firefighters ranging from 2-18 percent. Firefighters received no raises for the past two years. The Council vote was 11-1. TOPIC 2: WHO’S ON FIRST? Steve Kraske writes that Kansas re-districting might result in the third congressional district becoming part of the firs…

TOPIC 1: THE LIST NARROWS. The Greater Kansas City Chamber has narrowed its list of 182 recommendations for the “Big Five” ideas to improve the metro area to 20. The chamber will select the final five in September. TOPIC 2: DOWNTOWN–COWTOWN? The American Royal Rodeo is moving from Kemper Arena to the Sprint Center. AEG officials say the event draws…

TOPIC 1: DIOCESAN DISPUTE! The Bishop of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese, Robert Finn, has refused to step down, despite intense criticism for his handling of child abuse and sexual misconduct allegations involving priests. Instead, Finn has appointed former U.S. Attorney Todd Graves to review policies and procedures to deal with such concerns. …

TOPIC 1: TROY AGAIN The City Council has finally named Troy Schulte City Manager, eliminating the “acting” from his title. We can discuss what his goals are and what obstacles he will face. TOPIC 2: CHIEF CONCERN Kansas City Police Chief Jim Corwin is retiring. The Star says his legacy is “mixed.” The paper also calls for the Police Board to consid…