Kansas
What is next for City Manager Brian Platt after suspension by Kansas City Mayor, Council
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – On Thursday, Kansas City City Manager Brian Platt was suspended with pay by Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council. Questions now remain about Platt’s future in the City of Fountains.
Mayor Lucus and the 12-member City Council released a letter announcing Platt’s suspension. That letter came just one day after a jury ruled in favor of a former city employee who claimed in a whistleblower lawsuit that Platt had suggested the staff lie to the media.
The city must pay former communications director, Chris Hernandez, $700,000.
Whistleblower awarded $700K after forced out by City Manager
On Friday, Mayor Lucas told KCTV5 that “it certainly isn’t accidental” that Platt’s suspension came after the jury’s verdict.
“I have never been in a meeting where anyone has said or told someone to lie to the media, that is not something that we support,” said Lucas. He added, “I have not heard that from the City Manager, I have not heard that from others in the communications realm, I myself have never said that.”
Nevertheless, Lucas said, “This is a chance to see where we wish to go forward going into the future.”
During the trial, Lucas testified that he supported the removal of Hernandez from the City’s Communications Department.
When asked on Friday if he still supported City Manager Platt, the Mayor didn’t answer directly but shared he supports employers having the choice to keep or remove employees.
“This is a chance to see where we wish to go forward going into the future so I don’t have an answer to that for you today,” said Lucas.
Mayor Lucas said it has been a productive few years, including the time with Platt as City Manager, but said it is important the people of Kansas City have confidence in all the city’s employees.
“These situations are never easy, but our duty is always to the people of Kansas City ensuring that they can trust us (and) that they can believe what is coming out of city hall,” said Lucas.
KCTV5 reached out to Brian Platt for comment on his suspension but did not receive a response.
KCTV5 also contacted all 12 City Council members, most didn’t respond, and some said no comment. Councilman Kevin O’Neill shared a statement:
I am of the opinion we probably need to move on, however that is a decision that will be made by the entire council and Mayor at our next meeting March 20th.
I published a labor newspaper for over 30 years. I am a huge supporter of our labor force. Respecting employees is so important in any office environment. There is or should be a process when you are unhappy with an employee’s performance. It appears, based on the court verdict and other lawsuits facing the city, the City Manager fell short in that area.
A decision on Platt’s future will be made on Thursday, March 20 by the City Council and the Mayor.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Kansas City man sentenced for cocaine trafficking, possession of illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of an illegal firearm.
According to the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 22-year-old Antoine R. Gillum was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
His sentencing stems from a June 2024 incident in a metro gas station. KCPD investigators contacted Gillum inside and found that he had discarded a 9 mm pistol in an aisle between the merchandise. He also discarded a pill bottle containing multiple illegal substances: cocaine base, oxycodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone.
Officers searched the vehicle Gillum had arrived in and found approximately 32 grams of cocaine base.
On May 6, 2025, Gillum pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It’s a part of ‘Operation Take Back America,’ a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Deadly 4-car crash kills 2 people, injures others in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A crash near a busy highway killed two people and injured two others.
Emergency crews responded to the crash at U.S. 71 Highway and Meyer Boulevard around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
When crews arrived they determined four cars were involved in the crash.
Police are investigating how the crash happened.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Homegrown Jayhawk stars ready to shine at Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – As Kansas women’s basketball prepares to enter the postseason at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, they’ll be led by two Overland Park natives who have been two of the most electrifying players to watch in the country this year.
Junior guard S’Mya Nichols and freshman forward Jaliya Davis have played integral roles in the recent growth of the program. Both cite the desire to help grow the Jayhawks into something special as reasons for committing there.
“Where we wanted to take Kansas women’s basketball, I wanted to be a part of that growing evolution,” Nichols told KCTV5.
“We [my family] were also really big Jayhawk fans. We came to a lot of games,” Davis said about her childhood.
The two were both 5-star recruits in high school, and their commitments marked historic recruiting victories for the KU women’s basketball program.
First came Nichols in the Class of 2023, picking KU over Tennessee and Oklahoma.
“I genuinely wanted to go to Kansas,” she said.
Then Davis became the highest-rated player to ever commit to KU as part of the Class of 2025.
“When you go back to S’Mya Nichols being a local, Kansas City, Overland Park product, a nationally respected player, Jaliya was really the next one that was very important for the Jayhawks to keep home,” said head coach Brandon Schneider.
Now as a junior, Nichols has established herself as one of the most consistent scorers and physical guards in the nation.
But it’s the Shawnee Mission West’s alum’s leadership that defines her legacy in Lawrence.
“The team leader, the quarterback,” Coach Schneider described Nichols. “I think oftentimes the player that everybody looks up to off the court.”
“I mean it means everything. Knowing that I’m important to the team, and that they see me as that as well,” said Nichols with a smile.
Both Nichols and Davis were recruited by the Jayhawks for years, going all the way back to seventh grade.
“Well, we offered her in middle school,’ Coach Schneider said with a laugh about Davis.
“Oh he put in a lot of work,” laughed Davis. “I mean, obviously, seventh grade, that’s a long time.”
It was that dedication from Coach Schneider that led her to choose the Jayhawks over Texas, South Carolina, Baylor, and Oklahoma – where he dad played ball.
“I think it really was the relationship we had and grew. He was always there, every single one of my games,” Davis said about Schneider.
After just one practice as teammates, Nichols voiced a big belief about Davis into existence – and it’s probably going to come true.
“I saw her first practice, and I sent her a text, and I’m like ‘I think you can win Freshman of the Year’, and I still stand by that,”
Davis is averaging 21.0 points per game, and has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for eight weeks in a row. That sets a power conference all-time record.
“I think it’s really cool. I mean obviously it’s a team effort, they’re always looking for me,” Davis said about her historic accomplishment.
“Just a phenomenal stretch of basketball for her, and so well deserving,” said Coach Schneider.
Now these two homegrown stars are at the forefront of a late-season push to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Right now, CBS Sports bracketology has them as a ‘First Four Out’ team.
But a few wins in the Big 12 Tournament could certainly help seal their invite to the big dance.
“Obviously we’re not in the position that we were hoping to be in, but I think we can make the most out of it, and get to where we want to be,” Davis said about the opportunity at hand in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
The Overland Park kids are especially fired up about starting the postseason in their own backyard.
“I have a big support system. So I bet my family will take a big chunk of that area during that tournament,” Davis laughed.
“I remember being younger, and the College Basketball Experience is right next door. So I felt like at one moment that was the big stage, when I got to play my little AAU tournaments in there. And then all of a sudden I’m literally in T-Mobile Center on the actual big stage, so it’s pretty cool,” said Nichols.
The Jayhawks are the 11-seed in the Big 12 Tournament, and will face 14-seed UCF in the first round on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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