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Kansas City makes hate crime penalties more severe with new ordinance

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Kansas City makes hate crime penalties more severe with new ordinance


People who commit some city offenses could serve an additional 60 days on top of their sentence after the Kansas City Council added an enhanced penalty for hate-motivated city violations Thursday.

The hate crimes ordinance passed unanimously and is the council’s first major legislative action this year.

If the city prosecutor proves a municipal offense was knowingly motivated by bias against the victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, a judge can add jail time to their original sentence.

Sixth District At-Large Council member Andrea Bough championed the ordinance after recognizing the need for a municipal hate crime policy.

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“It’s something that I think is very important that we ensure that those offenses that might fall through the cracks are met with the seriousness of the offense,” Bough said.

In a letter of support for the ordinance, Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ Commission, which helped develop the legislation, said the ordinance would add “an additional tool to protect victims of hate crimes” in Kansas City.

“Members of our community should be protected from fear, intimidation, harassment, and physical harm in the City of Kansas City,” the group wrote in its public testimony letter.

Bough developed the policy with the help of the commission, the City Prosecutor’s Office and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department. Council members Eric Bunch, Crispin Rea, Jonathan Duncan, Lindsey French and Wes Rodgers co-sponsored the ordinance.

This ordinance does not affect state or federal crimes, which already have hate crime enhancements. Kansas City’s municipal courts handle minor criminal cases that violate City ordinances.

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Missouri passed a statute raising the punishments for hate crimes in 2017. However, Missouri disproportionately charges Black people with hate crimes, though white people commit the majority of all hate crimes.

In a 2021 report, the Movement Advancement Project, an independent think tank, found that Missouri was one of 13 states where law enforcement charged Black offenders with hate crimes at a disproportionate rate.

Black people make up about 11% of the population in Missouri, but nearly 33% of law enforcement-reported hate crimes listed Black offenders.

Rea said the city needed to make this statement while it’s under increased scrutiny.

“As we continue to be in the spotlight both on national TV and soon internationally, with the World Cup, it is important for us to continue to reiterate and reaffirm our commitment that this is a safe and welcoming city,” Rea said.

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Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

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Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington said Wednesday that he still loves baseball, but is “done” negotiating with the Royals on a new stadium for the team in the county.

According to Withington, Thursday, Jan. 8, was the deadline for the Royals to appear on the April 2026 ballot in the county.

Withington said the Royals told the county that they were not ready to meet that deadline.

Withington took to Facebook to explain that “the joy has been drained” out of him over the last few years and expressed his dislike towards the business of baseball.

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He called negotiations with the team “a closed chapter” and said that the county is shifting its focus elsewhere.

“It’s time for the Commission to focus fully on priorities we control—either upgrading our existing county jail or building a new one,” Withington wrote.

The Royals’ lease at Kauffman Stadium in the Truman Sports Complex in Jackson County expires in January 2031.

KSHB 41’s political reporter Charlie Keegan reported in May 2025 on efforts by Missouri to keep both the Royals and Chiefs in Missouri.

While the Chiefs announced that they will move to a new stadium site in 2031 in Wyandotte County, the Royals have not announced their next steps to get a new ballpark built.

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A stadium site near 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park has emerged as a possibility for a stadium site for the ball club.

Some residents in that area are not happy about that possibility.

KSHB 41 News reached out to the Royals for comment, but has not heard back.





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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time

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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time


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The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats play against the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 basketball game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

The Arizona squad has played at a high level this season, as it enters this matchup with a 14-0 record. The team is coming off a 97-78 win against the Utah Utes.

In order to win tonight’s game, Arizona will need to rely on its forward Koa Peat. He leads the team in scoring this season, as he averages more than 14 points per game.

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The Kansas State squad enters this matchup with a 9-5 record, but the team is coming off an 83-73 loss against BYU.

In order to bounce back tonight, Kansas State will need a great performance from its guard P.J. Haggerty. He averages 23 points per game, which leads the team.

Fans can watch this Big 12 basketball game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.



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TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime

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TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime


LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Darryn Peterson scored 32 points, including three crucial free throws in regulation to tie the game, and No. 22 Kansas erased a double-digit deficit to outlast TCU 104-100 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Kansas (11-4, 1-1 Big 12) trailed by 16 points midway through the second half, but cut the TCU lead to three with 34 seconds left in regulation.

The Jayhawks’ next trip down the court was fruitless, leading to a foul and two free throws by TCU’s Liutauras Lelevicius. Kansas’ Flory Bidunga cut the lead back to three on a tip in with just over six seconds remaining.

After a turnover on the ensuing TCU inbounds play, the Jayhawks got the ball to Peterson, who drew a foul beyond the arc and knocked down all three free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation.

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Kansas held the lead throughout overtime and ultimately secured the game at the free-throw line, converting 9 of 11. TCU (11-4, 1-1) went 2 for 4 in the same frame. Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. scored nine of his 18 points during overtime.

Lelevicius led the Horned Frogs with a career-high 23 points. He shot 7 for 9 and hit five 3-pointers, another career high. He entered the game averaging just 8.5 points per game and shooting 35.8% from 3-point range.

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Lelevicius outscored sophomore David Punch, who recorded his 10th consecutive double-digit performance with 20 points. He also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Tre White and Bidunga also finished in double figures for the Jayhawks, recording 22 and 16, respectively.

Up next

Kansas: Plays at West Virginia on Saturday.

TCU: Hosts Arizona on Saturday.

Find more TCU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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