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Tax dollars pay for most legal settlements in Kansas City, Missouri

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Tax dollars pay for most legal settlements in Kansas City, Missouri


KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan covers politics on both sides of the state line. If you have a story idea to share, you can send Charlie an email at charlie.keegan@kshb.com.

When the city of Kansas City, Missouri, has to pay a judgment after losing a lawsuit or reaching a settlement, the money generally comes from tax dollars.

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Tax dollars pay for most legal settlements in Kansas City, Missouri

The city places tax dollars in its legal expense fund every year. This account pays for claims in whistleblower, discrimination and other lawsuits involving employees and the public.

“I mean, the taxpayer already got it hard. Got to pay everything,” said Gregory Spikes, taxpayer.

Charlie Keegan/KSHB

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Gregory Spikes speaks with a reporter.

At a meeting earlier this month, the city’s finance director explained the city has insurance policies for properties, cybersecurity and workers comp.

The city does not buy insurance or self-insure for all possibilities. The legal expense fund handles claims outside of its covered areas.

“How are we responsible for the mistakes y’all are making? That’s another thing that’s wrong with the system,” said Christian Fly, who lives and works in Kansas City.

Christian Fly.jpg

Charlie Keegan/KSHB

Christian Fly questions how Kansas City, Missouri, spends his tax dollars.

The most recent lawsuit Kansas City lost involved former City Communications Director Chris Hernandez. He said the city manager told him to lie to the media.

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A jury awarded Hernandez $700,000 for emotional distress, more than $200,000 in back or lost wages, and the city must pay his lawyer fees.

The city council suspended City Manager Brian Platt the next day.

Hernandez’s attorneys said these lawsuits are about changing the culture in city hall.

“I felt a lot of pressure for this case because I felt like we were fighting for truth, for how our city was going to be run in the future,” said Erin Vernon, of Bratcher Gockel Law.

Erin Vernon.jpg

Charlie Keegan/KSHB

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Erin Vernon of Bratcher Gockel Law.

The city has hired a risk manager and revised policies to avoid lawsuits. That way, tax dollars can go where taxpayers want them spent.

“It’s important to have transparency on where those tax dollars are going so that we feel good about the use of our taxpayer money,” said Zane Champie, Kansas Citian.

Zane Champie.jpg

Charlie Keegan/KSHB

Zane Champie would like more transparency in how Kansas City, Missouri, spends his tax dollars.





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Missouri

Missouri City police bust chop shop operation, discovering at least 10 stolen cars, officials say

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Missouri City police bust chop shop operation, discovering at least 10 stolen cars, officials say


MISSOURI CITY, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities say police officers busted a major automotive chop shop operation in Missouri City on Tuesday, discovering multiple stolen vehicles and parts.

According to the Missouri City Police Department, officers responded to a “suspicious vehicle call” at a local business on Tuesday at 12:04 p.m., where a neighbor reported that a box truck without license plates dropped off car parts.

Officers said they arrived at the scene and saw the box truck leaving the property located at 2105 Brown St. Authorities said that officers conducted a traffic stop on the truck, and the driver of the vehicle, Francisco Tivar Reyes, was arrested on a warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen vehicle parts.

Officials said that patrol officers spoke with the business owner and asked about the recent delivery of car parts. Investigators said they did a check of a VIN number on a pickup truck on the property and confirmed that it was stolen.

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A total of six vehicles on the property were confirmed to be stolen, according to officials. The owner of the business, Mohammed Fattoe, was arrested for possession of stolen property, police said.

Investigators said they returned to the site on Wednesday to resume the investigation. With the assistance of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, a search warrant was obtained, and the business property was searched for additional stolen property, investigators said, adding that a total of ten vehicles and vehicle parts were confirmed by multiple agencies.

SkyEye13 flew above the scene on Wednesday morning, capturing images of authorities investigating the property and the multiple vehicles and car parts.

SkyEye13 was over the scene in Missouri City on Wednesday morning, with authorities investigating the “major auto chop shop operation.”

Missouri City police said the investigation is still ongoing, with search warrants on the property being executed to identify additional stolen vehicles and parts.

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Authorities added that multiple agencies are working together on the investigation, including the Houston Police Department, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for April 28, 2026

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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 28 drawing

14-36-41-47-66, Mega Ball: 15

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 28 drawing

Midday: 4-4-6

Midday Wild: 3

Evening: 7-9-1

Evening Wild: 2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 28 drawing

Midday: 3-6-2-6

Midday Wild: 9

Evening: 4-3-5-9

Evening Wild: 0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 28 drawing

Early Bird: 02

Morning: 09

Matinee: 07

Prime Time: 04

Night Owl: 04

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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from April 28 drawing

03-09-12-17-23

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

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To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

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For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
  • Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
  • Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
  • Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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PHOTOS: Semi truck and train collide south of Loch Lloyd

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PHOTOS: Semi truck and train collide south of Loch Lloyd


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Emergency crews responded to a crash after a semi truck collided with a train Tuesday morning, south of Loch Lloyd in Belton.

According to the Belton Fire Department, units were called to the area of 187th Street and Holmes Road for a collision between a train and an 18-wheeler.

The intersection is currently blocked as crews work the scene.

No injuries were reported.

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