Mold Remediation in Kansas City, KS

Kansas City, KS (November 4, 2024) – A serious accident involving a semi-truck occurred early Sunday morning on Interstate 670, resulting in life-threatening injuries to the driver. The incident was reported just after 5:40 a.m. on November 3, near the intersection of westbound I-670 and 7th Street.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the driver, identified as James C. Grimes, 50, from Smithville, Missouri, was operating a 2021 International semi-truck without a trailer when he encountered a driver traveling in the wrong direction on the interstate. In an attempt to avoid a collision, Grimes veered off the roadway to the right and struck the barrier wall, which caused the cab of the truck to flip over.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Grimes, who was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was promptly transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center for urgent medical treatment.

Our thoughts are with Mr. Grimes and his family during this challenging time.

Truck Accidents in Kansas

Truck accidents, particularly those involving large vehicles like semi-trucks, can lead to devastating consequences. In Kansas, these types of accidents are often exacerbated by factors such as adverse weather conditions, driver error, and, as in this case, reckless driving behavior from other motorists. The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks make them particularly dangerous when involved in collisions, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities for drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles.

According to data from the Kansas Department of Transportation, truck accidents account for a significant percentage of traffic-related injuries and fatalities each year. It is crucial for all drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic laws, especially when sharing the road with large commercial vehicles.

In light of the increasing number of truck accidents, it is essential for drivers to take extra precautions, such as maintaining a safe following distance, avoiding distractions, and being aware of their surroundings. Additionally, truck drivers must ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained and that they adhere to regulations regarding rest periods to prevent fatigue-related accidents.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a serious truck accident, it is vital to seek legal guidance to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Local Accident Reports is your trusted resource for post-accident support. We have compiled essential information and resources for accident victims like you. Our comprehensive database provides key details and support options for those affected by accidents. Let us help you understand your options and find the support you require during this difficult time. Contact us today to learn how we can assist in your recovery journey.

Voting is a protected American freedom, and workers are entitled to exercise it even if they’re working on Election Day.

Both Missouri and Kansas have state laws in place requiring employers to give voters time off work to cast their ballots without docking their pay. Employees should notify their bosses in advance that they will need time off to vote on Election Day.

Here’s what Missouri and Kansas laws say about the right to vote during the workday on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Under Missouri law, all employers must provide employees three consecutive hours off work to go and vote on Election Day — with some conditions.

Employees must request this time off to vote in advance of Election Day, and employers can decide which three hours they get off to go vote.

If there are three consecutive hours while the polls are open when you are not scheduled to be at work, your employer doesn’t have to give you this time off. Since polling places in Missouri open at 6 a.m., employees whose work days start at 9 a.m. or later are not guaranteed this time off.

In cases where voters are entitled to this time off work, their employers are not allowed to discipline them or dock their pay for the time they miss. These hours must be paid as if they were part of a normal workday.

If your employer fails to follow these rules, they could be committing a class four election offense. You can contact the nationwide Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 with questions about your voting rights.

Under Kansas law, all employers must give employees two consecutive hours to go vote on Election Day.

If the polls open less than two hours before your shift or close less than two hours after your shift, your employer must give you enough time off work — with pay — that you have a total of two hours to vote.

Kansas law also specifies that your employer cannot count your usual lunch break toward these two hours. Otherwise, they can decide when in your shift these two hours occur.

If there are two consecutive hours on Election Day when the polls are open but you are not required to work, your employer does not have to give you time off for voting.

If your employer fails to follow these rules, they could be committing the class A misdemeanor of obstruction of voting privilege. You can contact the nationwide Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 with questions about your voting rights.

Do you have more questions about voting in the 2024 general election? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.

The Kansas City Star

Natalie Wallington is a reporter on The Star’s service journalism team with a focus on government, labor, sustainability and local utilities. Her coverage of the region’s recycling system won a Feature Writing award from the Kansas Press Association in 2024.

Election Day is nearly here, and thousands of residents in the Kansas City metro have already cast their ballots. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, hundreds more polling places will welcome visitors.

In addition to voting in the presidential election for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, Kansas and Missouri voters have many state and local issues on the ballot. Kansas will choose its next legislators, while Missouri’s ballot features the next governor, and the future of abortion and minimum wage.

If you’re planning to vote on Election Day, the polls open early in the morning and stay open after the sun goes down. All voting locations must also let voters cast their ballot as long as they’re in line before the polls close.

Here’s what to know before you vote on Election Day.

All polling places in Kansas are required to be open at least 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, but some begin welcoming voters as early as 6 a.m. or stay open as late as 8 p.m. Johnson County polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., while Wyandotte County polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Missouri, polling places are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., including those in Kansas City and Clay, Jackson and Platte counties.

As in all elections, if you’re in line when the polls close in the evening, you still have a right to vote, so stay in line until you’re able to cast a ballot.

Missouri voters should check with the state’s voter information search tool at voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov. You can also check directly with your local election board.

Kansas voters should use the state’s VoterView tool at myvoteinfo.voteks.org, or consult with their local election board.

Keep in mind: Some polling locations may have changed, so it’s important to double-check your polling location before heading out to vote on Election Day.

This story was originally published November 4, 2024, 12:42 PM.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Talking to early voters in Clay County, the winds seem to favor a yes vote on Amendment 2. But the reasons to vote for or against legalizing sports gambling in Missouri ran the gamut.

Clay County resident Lucas Waldren was among those early voters who checked yes on Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting in Missouri and tax gross gaming revenue at 10%.

The money would be earmarked for education, according to the amendment’s text.

RELATED | Is Amendment 2 a good deal for MO taxpayers?

“Education would be the reason why,” Waldren said in explaining his vote. “Our teachers deserve more money, deserve to be paid better, so I’m going to do what I can to help with that.”

Other Clay County voters simply thought it was time for Missouri to capture tax revenue it’s currently losing to neighboring states.

“I voted yes because I want the money to stay within the state of Missouri and not to go over to Kansas,” LaTasha McBride said.

Seven of Missouri’s eight neighboring states already allow sports gambling, including Kansas. Oklahoma is the lone holdout.

RELATED | KS offers lessons for MO voters ahead of sports-wagering vote

If Amendment 2 passes, Missouri would become the 39th state to legalize sports betting.

“It just made sense that the money from taxes will go to help schools,” said Clay County resident Ryan Ault. “That’s a good thing, and people are going over the border to do it anyway. You might as well keep that money here in the state.”

Of course, not all voters were on board with Amendment 2.

“I just don’t think gambling is the way to get revenue for anything,” said Clay County resident JoAnne Thrap. “There’s a lot of negatives that go with gambling that is not what we want.”

Thrap voted no, but the other non-gamblers — Waldren, McBride and Ault, who said they don’t bet on sports — seemed inclined to support Amendment 2.

“Sports gambling’s not something that I personally care about, so it’s more of the education part of it,” Waldren reiterated.

But if people are going to do it anyway, it might as well benefit Missouri.

“I barely watch sports,” McBride said. “But again, I feel like people were [gambling] illegally anyway in other areas, so why not make it legal all around. Then, you can control it more that way than if you don’t make it legal.”

Ault agreed: “People are going to do it no matter what. I don’t think you can legislate vice, per se. ... If people are going to go to other states, [you] might as well keep that money here that goes back to schools so schools benefit from it.”

A yes vote on Amendment 2 would legalize sports gambling in Missouri, while a no vote would keep things the same.

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KSHB 41 reporter Tod Palmer covers sports business and eastern Jackson County. Share your story idea with Tod.

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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In the years since the Capitol riot, The Star has followed the court proceedings of 47 Missouri and Kansas defendants accused of involvement in the attack, tracking their convictions, sentences and the legal arguments surrounding their cases.

Sentencing varied based on factors such as level of participation and cooperation with law enforcement. One man who blamed former President Donald Trump and Sen. Josh Hawley was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for assaulting officers.

A Missouri man who wore a “Right Wing Death Squad” cap was found guilty of multiple felonies and faces a lengthy prison sentence.

And a Kansas City man who spent 18 seconds in the Capitol received probation and home detention.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists at The Star. All stories below were reported, written and edited by Star journalists.

Prosecutors showed videos of Nicholas Kennedy’s steady march to the Capitol, past two lines of barricades, up the scaffolding put in place to construct the stage for the inauguration and into the building through a fire exit. | Published April 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Desrochers and Judy L. Thomas

“In a claim that strains credulity, he insists that he ‘only entered the Capitol Building to protect property that [he] believed was going to be destroyed by the crowd,’” the Justice Department said of Christopher Kuehne. | Published February 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

After the riot, the FBI received a tip from a relative who gave authorities screenshots taken from Kyle Kumer’s Facebook page that discussed his experience at the Capitol, along with a video of the Lower West Terrace. | Published July 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

“His need to be part of the action, to be one of the many to dare to step foot inside, overcame his better judgment.” | Published January 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

The Raytown man brought a pitchfork and broke into the Capitol multiple times on Jan. 6, 2021. | Published March 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

The government’s sentencing memorandum filed July 2 described Colon as “a first-degree Proud Boy” who “traveled to the capital region as part of a structured group that was prepared for violence.” | Published July 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas and Daniel Desrochers

“I am by no means a harmful or threat to the community or society. I truly hope you can see past my events of that day and see that a human being made a very big mistake…” | Published January 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

John George Todd III was found guilty of six charges in connection with the Capitol breach, including two felonies, and sentenced to five years in prison. | Published June 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

“He was immediately shocked and ashamed of the fact that he was a part of the event on January 6,” Eric Harrower’s attorney wrote in his sentencing document. | Published April 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

Joseph Hicks is one of 37 Capitol riot defendants from Missouri and the 32nd to be convicted. Of those, 26 have been sentenced. | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas and Daniel Desrochers

Chad Suenram, of Wichita, is among 10 Kansas residents charged in connection with the Capitol riot and the ninth to plead guilty. | Published April 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

“I’m ashamed of much of what I did that day, and I’m ashamed of what my daughters have seen me do,” Olathe Proud Boy William Chrestman told the court at his sentencing. | Published January 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas and Daniel Desrochers

“Defendants now recognize that they should have known their participation that day would add to Americans’ collective sense of insecurity, fear, and divisiveness,” their attorney wrote. “Defendants are good people who acted myopically and foolishly.” | Published April 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

Text messages sent by Jared Luther Owens after the Capitol riot showed “that he was willing to engage in future violence,” the government said. | Published April 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas

Rally Runner is the 29th of the 37 Missouri residents charged in Capitol riot cases to be sentenced. Two other Missouri defendants have been convicted and await sentencing, and the cases of another six are pending. | Published August 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Judy L. Thomas