Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInKANSAS CITY (KCTV) - Drivers heading toward downtown may need to allow some extra time for the next three years Crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation closed Interstate 70 just before 23rd Street over the weekend to demolish the 23rd Street bridge A detour for traffic on 23rd Street will direct traffic north to 18th Street using Indiana Ave The new bridge is expected to open sometime in November Traffic on I-70 is also impacted because of the construction drivers will be forced to take the 23rd Street exit and then get back onto I-70 The configuration will change again around 5 a.m The construction is part of the $237 million “Improve I-70 KC” project The project is a five-mile stretch of I-70 from The Paseo Blvd Crews will work on a total of 26 bridges and 12 interchanges in the area before the project is complete in December 2028 MoDOT said that section of the interstate was built in the early 1960s As many as 120,000 vehicles drive through that stretch of kansas City every day More information about the project and detours that are coming is available through MoDOT Editor's Note: On Monday, May 5, two of the victims were identified as high school students from the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area. You can read more here The Kansas Highway Patrol and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatality crash Sunday just east of U.S KHP said two vehicles collided head-on and were engulfed in flames and one person was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries The two-lane highway was closed for several hours The investigation into the crash remains ongoing This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available Report a typo Homer madness: Royals blast franchise-record 7 long balls to power series winMay 4th BALTIMORE -- When it rains, it pours. Thankfully for the Royals, it was raining home runs on Sunday at Camden Yards, rather than the predicted precipitation, propelling Kansas City to a 11-6 series-winning victory over the Orioles “That's fun for us,” said hit our seven home runs for the first time in franchise [history] “It was definitely the first game like that we've had all year,” manager Matt Quatraro said we've made so much out of how we've struggled offensively And we keep talking about [how] 'We'll break out of it,' and the guys continue to work and believe and trust each other and trust the hitting guys who recorded the first multihomer game of his career with a big fly to lead off the second inning before adding another leadoff blast in the sixth He’s been one of the most consistent Royals this season It wasn’t those home runs he was most proud of but rather a ninth-inning groundout that moved the runner from first to second That’s the hitting that Garcia makes his career on “I know I hit two homers early in the game run bases and just move the [baserunner] so the guy behind me can bring in the run." There were more firsts to be had, though, as Jonathan India launched his first long ball of the season to lead off the fifth. India, who was acquired via trade from the Reds over the offseason for starter Brady Singer had been waiting for his first home run for 31 games and I just stayed through and hit a good line drive And thank God they have a short fence out there -- I thought it was just a ball in the gap Next to join the home run fun was Bobby Witt Jr who hit back-to-back homers with one out in the seventh -- the Royals’ first back-to-back blasts since the pair did so last August recently called up Luke Maile -- who arrived in Baltimore on Friday while Salvador Perez rested his sore left hip -- launched a solo homer of his own in the eighth the Royals’ sixth of the game to tie the franchise record Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. That didn’t last long, though, as Michael Massey followed suit with his own first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the ninth inning to set the franchise record. “For me, it's -- we won, and that’s the biggest thing,” Massey said. “Especially in this ballpark where we were in the postseason last year, and you just kind of have those feelings of -- it's a good reminder of how bad you want to get back there." Kansas City entered the series with 15 homers, the fewest in the Majors. The Royals’ 25 long balls by the end of the series moved Kansas City into 29th, just past the Blue Jays (23). A game like Sunday’s is big for this Royals (19-16) team, which knows it has the ability to pick up the usually dominant pitching, even if the results haven’t quite been there to start the season. Now, sitting at a season-best three games over .500, there is proof that their work is paying off -- and it’s only onward from here. “[A game like that] just feels like everyone's -- there's a fight at the bat rack,” Witt said, “so everyone wants to get up there. Everyone wants to kind of go up there and just get an at-bat, and so those are the games that you need. Those are the things that just kind of sparks the lineup, sparks things going, gives guys confidence. And then sky’s the limit from there.” Kansas City Chiefs hold a rookie mini camp practice on Saturday May 3, 2025. Kansas City Chiefs players during rookie mini camp, May 3, 2025. Kansas City Chiefs hold a rookie mini camp practice on Sunday May 4, 2025 A collection of photos from the phone call to arriving at 1 Arrowhead Dr with Kansas City Chiefs first-round draft pick Josh Simmons. Kansas City Chiefs Season Ticket Member Draft Fest on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at Chicken N Pickle. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Southern Methodist University running back Brashard Smith in the 7th Round (Pick 228) of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Kansas City Chiefs held their annual rookie minicamp this weekend for the 2025 draft class It was the first opportunity for head coach Andy Reid and the rest of the Chiefs’ coaching staff to get an up-close look at this year’s rookie after taking them in the NFL draft One of the rookies fans can’t wait to see is offensive tackle Josh Simmons The Chiefs took Simmons in the first round out of Ohio State After seeing the offensive line get beat up in Super Bowl 59 Kansas City needed to address the trenches and find young talent Kansas City hopes Simmons could be the left tackle of the future despite the signing of Jaylon Moore in free agency Reid spoke with the media on Sunday about how Simmons looked at his first minicamp practice According to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star Reid was surprised to see how well the former Ohio State standout moved around in his first practice Andy Reid said he’s surprised at how well Josh Simmons moved around on his first day at rookie minicamp Reid also told reporters that Simmons is participating in individual drills and moving around well as he progresses in the offseason training program per Chiefs senior team reporter Matt McMullen Josh Simmons is taking part in individual drills at rookie minicamp per Coach Reid.Coach added that he’s moving around well and it’s just a matter of getting a feel for where he is physically as the offseason training program moves forward Simmons is still rehabbing from an Achilles tendon injury that cut short his last year with the Buckeyes it's expected that he’ll be ready for the start of the 2025 season The Chiefs would love to have Moore handling the left tackle spot and potentially Simmons pushing for the right tackle job the right tackle spot is a mess with Jawaan Taylor and Wanya Morris and is tough to beat when he gets his hands inside © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"6b","src":"6c","url":"6d"},{"type":"6a","value":"6e"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"6h","url":"6i"},{"type":"6g","value":"6j"},"All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands with a big focus on providing quality news coverage to fans articleId }) {\n let data = {\n application: \"uds-library\",\n module: \"internal-o&o\",\n target: \"events\",\n version: 'internal-o&o',\n type: \"stats\",\n event: \"internalPageView\",\n domain: window.location.host.replace('www.' ''),\n sessionid: sessionId,\n articleId: articleId,\n };\n\n try {\n fetch(TRACKING_URL_BULK {\n method: 'POST',\n body: JSON.stringify({ events: [heartbeatData] }),\n headers: {\n 'Content-Type': 'application/json',\n },\n });\n } catch (e) {\n console.error(e);\n }\n\n count++;\n } The Chiefs head coach was surprised by first-round pick Josh Simmons during rookie minicamp MLS history was made during Matchday 11's edition of Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire Sporting Kansas City earned a 1-0 victory over defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy at Children's Mercy Park without registering a single shot – either on or off target Instead, SKC earned all three points after LA center back Maya Yoshida redirected home a 13th-minute own goal off Dániel Sallói's low cross "I know we've made the record books today in terms of not getting a shot and still winning the game and certainly that wasn't drawn up that way and we don't expect ever to win a game like that again," SKC interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin said postgame a commitment and an emotional feeling that you bring to the game LA dominated possession (64.5% to 35.5%) and passes (703 to 266), plus had 11 shots and 12 corner kicks. But they couldn't beat SKC goalkeeper John Pulskamp "That's a defender's game; that's what I like to do," rookie center back Jansen Miller told MLS Season Pass sideline reporter Andrew Wiebe post-game With their 1-0 win tonight, @SportingKC became the first team in @MLS history to win a game without attempting a single shot in the contest. pic.twitter.com/LqAXFc6nO2 SKC have won three of five games since mutually parting ways with longtime manager Peter Vermes in late March Meanwhile, the Galaxy dropped to 0W-8L-3D and became the fourth team in league history to go winless through their first 11 matches to begin a season. They joined 2007 Real Salt Lake, 2019 Colorado Rapids and 2025 CF Montréal Additionally, DP wingers Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil left early with second-half injuries Sporting Kansas City vs LA Galaxy Match Thread Match Preview: Sporting KC Hosts Struggling Champion LA Galaxy Amidst Early Season Questions Sporting Kansas City at FC Cincinnati Match Thread Current drops second straight in 1-0 loss at Seattle KC Current suffer defeat in North Carolina Kansas City Current at North Carolina Courage Match Thread The Blue Turf: Comets have two big games ahead The Blue Turf: Three straight wins but the Sockers are next The Blue Turf: Comets take huge win over Chihuahua Des Moines Menance Defeat Sporting KC II via Two Penalty Kicks Feilhaber Brings a Team of MLS Retirees to Des Moines to face Sporting KC II Benny Feilhaber and Des Moines Menace to Play Against Sporting KC II Sporting KC II to Play in 2025 US Open Cup Sporting Kansas City are back home for Sunday Night Soccer hoping to pick up all three points against the last place Galaxy Availability Report: OUT-  Joaquin Fernandez- Hamstring QUESTIONABLE- Khiry Shelton- Abductor And that honestly has always been the case when he plays on the left I remember when PV had him in the midfield they had to move him to the right central midfield because he was getting Salloi’s space although he is more effective on the right he just isn’t more effective than Shapi is so no reason to start him I think he’s best coming off the bench against tired legs and running at people It’s a massive reason he has 2 goals and 2 assists on the season I really like Brody’s positioning at right back I will give SKC credit that defense has bent but not broken They have been absolutely up against it all half long It’s the kind of ridiculousness that they would have been on the other end of under PV I don’t think he ever included “How to clear balls from your penalty area” in his training plan they seem to be getting more comfortable playing in tight spaces with the ball They don’t quite have enough quality to finish off moves but at least they don’t recycle balls constantly to the centerbacks when they have it in the final third I’ll take the 3 points and hope they add some quality up front and at CB in the next window We were the first to win a match having never taken a shot They definitely outperformed their xG number sign up to get all of our posts sent directly to your inbox Copyright © 2024 Kansas City Soccer Journal / The Blue Testament This story was first published in KCUR's Adventure newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox every Tuesday. or just shopping on a weekend morning: Kansas City’s many farmers markets are reopening for the season You probably know of the big one at City Market But across the metro area are other markets where you’ll find true treasure troves of local farms artists and artisans — grab a loaf of fresh baked bread some spring greens and some cool outfits all in one place A few of these markets offer online order pickup. Many also accept food assistance programs – and check out the Double Up Food Bucks network which matches SNAP and EBT dollars at Kansas and Missouri farmers markets Here are some must-visit farmers markets around Kansas City The City Market Farmers Market located in the heart of the historic River Market is a Kansas City staple that is open throughout the year The 2025 summer/fall season started on April 5 and runs through October on weekends from 8 a.m Find mushroom farmers and produce of all varieties gourmet sauces and distilled spirits — plus a whole lot more Two additional markets are open every Sunday River Market Fleas provides one-of-a-kind vintage goodies Find info on accepted payment options here Overland Park Farmers’ Market kicked off its 2025 season on April 19 Although the market originally anticipated completing renovation and expansion at Clock Tower Landing the project is taking longer than expected That said, this year’s Overland Park Farmers’ Market is staying at the Matt Ross Community Center The market opens on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m with additional Wednesday markets from 7:30 a.m As one of the largest and longest-standing farmers’ markets in the region (and once voted America’s “favorite”) the Overland Park market always has a wide variety of vendors selling produces All vendors accept cash and you can also get tokens or pay with SNAP / EBT benefits Ivanhoe Farmers Market will return this year in May The market is open every second Saturday from 9 a.m Organized by the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council the market features a wide variety of local growers This year’s vendors are being finalized and will soon be announced If you are looking for a solid farmer’s market in eastern Jackson County, add Independence Farmers Market to your list Located in the historic Uptown Market on Truman Road The summer market runs from May through October in the covered The market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m with additional Wednesday markets from 8 a.m the winter market opens at the indoor pavilion on the first Saturdays from 9 a.m The city says it’s working to finalize registration with the USDA to accept SNAP/EBT benefits While you're in Independence, check out KCUR's guide to the city for more fun things to do Brookside Farmers’ Market is another year-round market located at the HJ’s Community Center and moving indoors once the weather gets cold while the cold-weather hours shift to 9 a.m and hand-crafted items — all sourced from within 125 miles of Kansas City There are also local musicians and family-fun activities at every market The Kansas City, Kansas, Farmers Market runs from mid-May to mid-October each year The 2025 market is located at Merc Co+Op on the corner of N The market opens every Saturday from 8:00 a.m This farmer’s market is a longtime supporter of civic agriculture in Wyandotte County and partners with organizations and farmers to ensure food accessibility and security The market accepts food assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps) and Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) there are more markets in Kansas City’s many suburbs and surrounding towns You can also choose to buy directly from the many urban farms and community gardens throughout Kansas City. Some farms will have their own mini-markets on select days, such as Urbavore Urban Farm and Young Family Farm May 4 | Police said Toni and Jalen were located safely Police Department is searching for Toni and Jalen Wilson The KCPD Missing Persons Unit says the pair has been missing since 7 a.m They were last seen near 37th and Garfield Avenue 10 inches tall and weighs around 190 pounds Police said she was last seen wearing red leggings and a colorful hoodie Jalen is a 5-year-old boy with black hair and brown eyes He was wearing a white Puma hoodie and grey sweatpants If you know where Toni and Jalen Wilson are you are encouraged to call 911 or contact the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043 O's tie record for most solo HRs in MLB historyMay 4th BALTIMORE -- When the humidity settles in and a slight breeze picks up, Camden Yards has the potential to become a haven for home run hitters. Even more so this year, now that the left-field dimensions at the ballpark are no longer as cavernous. Sunday afternoon's seesaw slugfest between the Royals and the Orioles became simply ridiculous The two teams combined for 11 home runs -- a franchise-record seven for Kansas City and four from Baltimore -- before the Royals eventually held on for an 11-6 victory to take the set a rematch from last year’s American League Wild Card Series The ball was flying all day through the Baltimore air in a game that featured five lead changes and turned into a home run heavyweight fight "It was kind of like everyone was throwing punches," said O’s second baseman Jackson Holliday The result was a game unlike most have seen despite baseball’s long history "Certainly not often," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said "I don't want to say I never have Camden Yards historyEven when the left-field porch was closer to home plate Camden Yards rarely hosted contests like this The 11 home runs matched the most hit in a game in the history of the ballpark The two previous times that number was reached was a 16-7 Twins win on April 20, 2019, and a 14-7 O’s victory over the Angels on July 1, 1994 both teams squaring balls up like that -- it was a fun game in some respects Royals recordThe most surprising aspect of Kansas City hitting more homers than it has in any previous game is the fact that the club didn’t have many this year When the Royals arrived in Baltimore on Friday "That's fun for us," Garcia said hit our seven home runs for the first time in the franchise .. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball Two for the first timeGarcia and Holliday each recorded a multihomer game in the big leagues for the first time No Kansas City player had hit multiple homers this season. Garcia became the first since Salvador Perez had two on Aug. 26, 2024 Holliday’s home runs were the eighth and ninth of his young 88-game MLB career He also matched the career high of his dad (former All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday) who had 22 two-homer games over 15 seasons but just trying to put good swings on it," Holliday said "However I feel when I’m feeling smooth and free to deliver a good swing is kind of how I’ve been going about it." Nearly a unicornThere’s never been a game with 10 or more home runs in which all were solo shots Massey hit a two-run blast off Matt Bowman in the ninth to prevent an historical oddity "The vibe in the dugout today was good "I don't think any of us tried to go up there and hit home runs it's just a byproduct of getting a good pitch to hit and being on time." Kelce is considered to be one of the best tight ends in football with the thought she is the most popular musician on the planet right now Put those two together, and a media frenzy happens, just like the Super Bowl this past season which saw the couple experience some negative comments for the first time since they began dating in 2023 the couple have stayed out of the public eye and have only been seen together a handful of times “[She and Kelce] like to go out with friends but as of late they find themselves wanting to be at home together a lot," the source said “They are most comfortable when not swarmed by people and can be themselves." Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce The word is that Kelce has been in New York this week … a hint that the couple might show up at the Met Gala And then comes OTAs action for Kelce as he enters what might be his final pro season The pressures that come with simply going out to dinner for Kelce and Swift are huge given fans want to catch a glimpse of the pair and chat when the couple just wants to have a nice meal together away from the limelight and the public comments and it seems to have been the best course of action for the couple going out in public isn't high on the celebrity couple's wishlist we discuss how Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes benefits from this year's NFL draft class For a partial transcript of head coach Andy Reid's comments on Josh Simmons Reid: "He'll definitely be ready for training camp," Reid said "He'll be able to do some stuff up until then." Q: How important was the visit that he had here Reid: "We had a chance to bring him here We brought him up here for one of the 30 visits Had a zoom visit with him a couple of times just to make sure we we're doing our homework." Q: What did you really see lacking in the lineman area that makes you think that Josh Simmons could really close the gap there and be a good fit for the team if he's able to get healthy Reid: What you heard from the guys announcing this is true It's a position we could use some good players at we felt like he was a true left tackle." Q: What about his style and traits that fit that you like to do in the offensive line Be sure to follow us on X (Twitter) @KCChiefsOnSI and @Domminchella to never miss another breaking news story again Click here to let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates The Kansas City Royals host the Chicago White Sox on May 5 First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 7:40 p.m ET; the game will be broadcast on FDSKC and MLB.TV The Royals enter as -245 favorites with the over/under sitting at 8 Find my White Sox vs Royals prediction and MLB picks below including a three-inning stinker against Colorado that saw him depart with a groin injury He missed one start but didn't go on the IL I'm going to assume he's healthy with his "worst" mark being a 2.57 xFIP He's currently running a .338 BABIP despite average contact and batted-ball numbers The Rule 5 pick has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all but one start in 2025 Smith's fastball/changeup/slider combo has graded out well in terms of run value The changeup is an obscene 90-mph weapon with three extra inches of vertical drop compared to average It's a Pitching Ninja darling and a formidable swing-and-miss pitch. Smith's ERA estimators are around 4.00, but the skills are solid. The Royals have been battling the Rockies for the worst offense in the league against right-handed pitchers. They are slowly waking up, though facing Baltimore's pitching staff certainly helped. The White Sox are 25th or worse in OPS, wOBA and wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. If we trust the larger sample from the Royals, these are two underwhelming offenses. Like the moneyline, I don't see value on either run line here. My best bet for this matchup is for the game to stay under the F5 total. I trust these pitchers to shut the opposing offenses down, and I want to avoid the uncertainty of the bullpens. Copyright 2025 © Action Network Inc, All Rights Reserved.Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | AdChoices DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting This site contains commercial content. Disclosure Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler — The Chiefs made room for a 16-player class of undrafted free agents Saturday by releasing linebacker Blake Lynch and waiving defensive end B.J who is expected to revert to the club’s roster this weekend Thompson went into cardiac arrest after suffering a seizure during a team meeting on June 6 He spent the season on the non-football illness list as he underwent rehab following the episode Placing Thompson on waivers with a failed physical designation means that if no other NFL team submits a claim for him by 3 p.m Thompson will return to the Chiefs on injured reserve He will not count toward the team’s 90-player roster limit but he will remain under the care of the team’s physicians athletic trainers and physical therapists as he continues his rehab The Chiefs remain committed to helping Thompson fully recovery from his cardiac arrest and seizure regardless of whether he returns to football The Chiefs selected Thompson in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the No The 26-year-old Thompson spent two seasons at Baylor and four seasons at Stephen F where he was twice first-team All-Western Athletic Conference Thompson was a part of Kansas City’s 2023 Super Bowl championship He saw his only action that season in the Week 18 season finale at the Los Angeles Chargers where he made two tackles while playing 28 snaps on defense and 16 special teams snaps this was his second stint with the Chiefs after signing a free agent contract on March 3 He initially signed with the club’s practice squad Dec and was elevated to the active roster to play in the Week 18 season finale at Denver only six days later He picked up six combined tackles in the game while playing 25 defensive snaps and 22 special teams snaps The Chiefs released him from the practice squad Jan It’s possible Lynch could return to the Chiefs upon the completion of the rookie minicamp on Monday depending on how many of the undrafted free agents the club opts to keep on the 90-player roster As an NFL veteran with three years of experience Lynch becomes a free agent immediately and does not need to pass through waivers He’s free to sign immediately with any NFL team Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer and publisher of Chiefs Digest He joined Chiefs Digest in 2013 and became lead beat writer in 2016 Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker Hundreds of people gathered Saturday at Bethany Park in Kansas City for the Central Avenue Betterment Assocation’s annual Cinco De Mayo celebration the event has been a chance for Mexican residents of the Kansas City metro to celebrate their culture and share it with others outside their communities Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials among the area’s Latino population making many afraid of attending public events executive director of the local organization said those fears led to a significant drop in vendor applications for this year’s event the group decided to expand this year’s celebration in a different way “We are suffering because our families are being separated because our loved ones are being arrested,” Galicia said most importantly we want to show ourselves In addition to its live music and dance performances the celebration also included a two-hour rally including immigration attorneys and advocates all of whom had strong ties to the KCK Latino community “We wanted to invest time in bringing a message to the community of hope “Understanding our strengths will give us the opportunity to continue working on ourselves and invest in ourselves.” The speakers largely focused on the resilience of the area’s large Mexican-American community in the face of a more hostile political climate but many also brought their own individual messages to those gathered a Latino community advocate and small-business owner focused her message on a popular saying in American Latino communities: “No soy de aquí ni soy de allá.” It means “I’m not from here and I’m not from there.” She said the phrase has resonated with many of the people she’s met during her time working for groups like the Guadalupe Centers It's also a saying she believes needs reframing to help those who identify with it remember the power and joy that can be found in their heritage “I think we've slightly forgotten that because of the fear that this new presidential cycle has brought upon us.” Palacios also had a message for those who do not have this shared cultural heritage they are the people best able to help those gripped by fear “It’s important that people outside of our communities who enjoy our food who enjoy the essence that we bring,” Palacios said “remember that they also have a part to play in ensuring that we can live and grow in the same space and benefit one another.” The rally’s keynote speaker was Earl Watson Jr., a KCK native, former NBA player and first Hispanic head coach in the history of the NBA the person he credits with instilling in him the pride he has in his heritage “I've been on stages in these types of environments my entire life,” Watson said “My mom used to make me go on stage when I was in grade school to dance To have an opportunity to come back and actually reflect on my culture the representation of my family… I think it’s a beautiful moment.” Watson focused much of his personal message on the need for Latinos in all spaces to recapture the national narrative about themselves in this moment that the demonization of Latinos and immigrants is not new “We can't let others capture our narrative and put it on a platform with no response,” Watson said “I especially want to encourage all elected leaders who have Latinos in their staff or in their workplace to uplift these Latino soldiers We have to represent all and not just the elite.” As the region’s Latino population continues to grow organizers with CABA hope these events continue to grow with it that hope is still heavily mixed with fears for what the future under the current presidential administration holds for her community she finds comfort in events like Saturday’s rally – if only because they remind her she and her family are not alone Mexican-heritage individuals in this country than there ever have been,” Palacios said then it behooves us to remind ourselves of how many we are Shea Giagnorio and her colleagues in Kansas City were let go in the latest mass firing ordered by President Donald Trump’s administration The Richard Bolling federal building is seen at right among other downtown landmarks Shea Giagnorio packs belongings in her apartment days after getting fired from her job with the Administration for Children and Families talks to a recruiter at a job fair on the day she was laid off from her job at the Administration for Children and Families takes a phone call while at a job fair on the day she was laid off from her job at the Administration for Children and Families IRS customer service representative Shannon Ellis goes to work at the processing center where hundreds of her colleagues have taken buyouts and others face potential layoffs stands outside a processing center where hundreds of her colleagues have taken buyouts and others face potential layoffs Rosei Warren hauls compost to a garden plot in preparation for planting vegetables at the Ivanhoe neighborhood community garden A pedestrian walks past the The Richard Bolling federal building Volunteers weed garden plots in preparation for planting vegetables at the Ivanhoe neighborhood community garden People collect food staples at the Bishop Sullivan Center food pantry A client picks up staples at the Bishop Sullivan Center food pantry Pantry director Christopher Lowrance looks for items requested by Beth Anne Mollett A man collects food staples at the Bishop Sullivan Center food pantry Lee Roos packs bags for people to pick up at the Bishop Sullivan Center food pantry Laboratory technician Asfaw Ayana examines a sample at the Kansas City Department of Public Health talks about federal grant cuts to the Kansas City Health department Demonstrators protest against Elon Musk and Department of Government Efficiency cuts outside a Tesla dealership (AP) — In her 28 years working for the federal government Shea Giagnorio provided day care for the children of U.S training for employees and oversight for safety net programs Public service took her from Germany to Alaska to Kansas City where she moved last year for a long-sought promotion but all these peoples’ lives are turned upside down,” Giagnorio said the federal government is the largest employer in the region One longtime Kansas City economic researcher said he believes the region could lose 6,000 good-paying federal jobs which in turn would wipe out thousands of others in service industries An IRS worker said thousands of her coworkers fear they will lose their jobs even as they put in overtime processing tax refunds in a building so crowded that they struggle to find desks hundreds more agreed this week to retire early or take a buyout Department of Agriculture grant revocation disrupted a historically Black neighborhood’s plan to expand its program growing fresh produce in a food desert A nearby pantry reduced its monthly grocery allotment for those in need after federal cuts left food banks shorthanded The withdrawal of federal funding for new lab equipment and vaccines means the city may be less prepared for the next pandemic A landlord may have to sell an office building for a loss after his federal tenants were among several that abruptly canceled local leases adding a glut of real estate to the market And the city’s Tesla showroom has become a spot of weekly protest Activists are seeking to have it closed by pushing a referendum intended to drive Musk’s electric car company out of Missouri The nation’s health department is slashing its full-time national workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 Among them were Giagnorio and her colleagues in her agency’s 10 regional offices around the country that helped deliver services through programs such as Head Start and emergency assistance for low-income families “The poor will become even more poor now,” Giagnorio said If we’re not helping homeless people anymore Department of Defense civilian employee at bases in Germany and Alaska is on paid leave until her June 2 termination She wasted no time looking for another position after being locked out of her office visiting a job fair hours later that Kansas City hosted for displaced federal workers But she doubts she will be able to find a public sector salary anywhere near the $117,000 she made and doesn’t know how her skills translate to the private sector She worries about losing the health insurance that covers her family and having to pull her daughter out of Maastricht University in the Netherlands after her first year she can’t get any answers from the agency to basic questions about her financial future Does she still qualify for an early retirement buyout offer that had been extended The days leading up to the April 15 tax filing deadline were always going to be busy for workers at the IRS processing center near Union Station The IRS is considering a downsizing that could cut as many as 20,000 employees The roughly 6,000 employees in Kansas City faced agonizing choices: decide whether to accept resignation or early retirement offers by April 14 or risk losing their jobs later “It’s a kick in the stomach to people that are doing everything they can to meet what’s required of them,” said Shannon Ellis a longtime IRS customer service representative and president of the union representing local workers at least 238 Kansas City workers had taken the buyout offers and were expected to leave the agency in coming weeks Ellis noted many of those same workers had been told they were essential and required to work overtime during tax season Their building has been overcrowded since the IRS ordered remote employees back to the office in March Workers sometimes struggle to find open desks Some have to bring their own ink pens and share date stamps to perform basic job functions after budget cuts have depleted supplies Ellis said IRS workers share the public’s disdain for taxes but understand that collecting them is necessary to support important programs like Social Security She said she’s decided to take a “roll of the dice” and stay in her job “I’m not going to let the bully force me out.” Urban farmer Rosie Warren grew 2,500 pounds of fruits and vegetables last year in community gardens to help feed the Ivanhoe neighborhood where many Black families were concentrated under housing segregation policies of much of the 20th century potatoes and watermelons as part of an effort to address food insecurity and health concerns in a neighborhood challenged by blight She was ecstatic last fall when the USDA awarded the neighborhood council a three-year $130,000 grant to expand the gardens and farmers’ market serving the area Plans called for hiring an assistant to help Warren with growing more food and to add another market day aimed at serving more low-income older adults the council received a notice terminating the grant The USDA had determined the award “no longer effectuates agency priorities regarding diversity Warren took a break from preparing the soil for planting to ponder the USDA’s decision “What do you do if you don’t support providing access to food to people who don’t have it Wouldn’t this make your job easier?” she said Other food aid in the neighborhood has taken a hit at a time when demand is rising hundreds of low-income families are getting fewer groceries in their monthly pickups after USDA halted $500 million worth of deliveries to food banks That included a planned order for 41,000 cases of meat dairy and other commodities to a bank serving Kansas City “It just means giving families less food,” said pantry director Christopher Lowrance who said he’s able to provide less chicken and other meat products The Kansas City Health Department’s laboratory is badly in need of an upgrade with equipment dating to when the building opened in the 1990s One basement space is water damaged and rarely used Another has equipment that is so inadequate that the city has to ship samples to a state laboratory 150 miles away agonizing waits for results and delayed response times made it a top priority to modernize the labs this year after studying their response to the COVID-19 pandemic Her agency planned to use federal funding to purchase new microscopes and testing equipment “That early disease detection allows you to do more rapid intervention But the funding for lab upgrades was abruptly eliminated last month as part of the Trump administration’s $11.4 billion cancellation of federal grants to states for public health That news “crushed” the department’s carefully laid plans $3 million and counting for her department mean the city will also have fewer vaccines to administer to low-income residents “It would be a sad shame for us to be in a worse position than we were before the pandemic,” she said “We had processed all of our lessons learned Amir Minoofar was surprised when two federal agencies notified him that they planned to vacate the office building he’s owned for a decade in Overland Park Minoofar said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had recently agreed to extend its lease until 2029 the government is moving to cancel 10 leases totaling 219,000 square feet that cost more than $4 million in annual rent according to DOGE’s online “Wall of Receipts.” Minoofar said he was more recently told the agencies will likely have to stay past August and their departure date is now unclear which has an appraised value of $2.9 million and take a loss because of the difficult office market But he said he understands why the government would unload the space which he said has often been sparsely used since the rise of telework during the pandemic it makes sense for government to cut costs,” he said “A lot of people are going to be unhappy but it’s a huge gigantic family and they need to take care of it With liberal anger growing at Musk’s role in the government protesters have gathered Saturdays outside his Tesla dealership in Kansas City to denounce the cuts State records show Tesla sales there have dropped amid calls for a boycott enough voter anger could even force the business to close Organizers of a newly launched “Unplug Musk” initiative are seeking to use democracy to strike at the world’s richest man by changing state law to ban car manufacturers from selling directly to consumers They say they plan to soon begin gathering the 111,000 signatures of registered voters that they would need to put the change on the statewide ballot in November 2026 it would force the closure of the Tesla showrooms in Kansas City and St sponsored a 2014 bill when he was a state senator aimed at requiring manufacturers like Tesla to sell through local dealers The bill passed the Senate but died in the House after Tesla lobbied against it “There’s not a soul in this country who’s against trying to weed out government inefficiency but just taking a chain saw to people’s lives and their health care is a ridiculous way to achieve that And it is going to cause some devastating impacts,” said organizer Brad Ketcher a prominent Democrat and lawyer who helped draft the state’s 2022 marijuana legalization referendum An HHS spokesperson said the agency’s downsizing including cutting jobs and consolidating divisions would save money and make the organization more efficient As for the $11.4 billion in grant funding cuts “HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a nonexistent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago.” The IRS has offered a similar rationale for its downsizing saying it is making process improvements that will ultimately more efficiently serve the public Musk said last year that Trump’s budget cuts would cause a “temporary hardship” that would soon put the economy on stronger footing One local economic researcher said it remained unclear just how deep that hardship will be in Kansas City including whether it will just slow growth or cause population losses “It’s a big burden that’s being placed on a narrow group of people,” said Frank Lenk director of the Office of Economic Development at the Mid-America Regional Council a nonprofit of city and county governments in the Kansas City region “It will definitely take some of the steam out of the local economy.” Trump has credited DOGE with helping end “the flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars,” saving billions to help improve the nation’s finances The White House didn’t respond to questions about Kansas City But Trump said recently he would invite the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House to make up for a 2020 Super Bowl victory celebration that was canceled during the pandemic Associated Press writer Heather Hollingsworth contributed to this report (KCTV) - The woman accused of stabbing a Kansas City Fire Department paramedic who was trying to help her has been charged with murder The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Sunday evening that Shanetta Bossell has been charged with murder in the first degree and armed criminal action as a result The Kansas City Police Department says that just after 12:30 a.m emergency crews were called to the area of 152 Highway and North Oak Trafficway with reports of a woman Responding officers said they located Bossell and ultimately requested EMS for further treatment. Transport to Saint Luke’s Hospital was started; however she stabbed KCFD Firefighter/Paramedic Graham Hoffman First responders said the ambulance was stopped on 152 Highway near Platte Purchase Rd as officers and additional firefighters took Bossell into custody Additional crews transported Hoffman to North Kansas City Hospital The knife was recovered from the ambulance Unfortunately, the Kansas City Fire Department indicated that the knife pierced Hoffman’s heart He succumbed to his injuries in the ICU at NKC Hospital Bossell could be sentenced to spend the rest of her life behind bars she remains behind bars on a $1 million bond Bossell was arrested last Wednesday, April 23, after she allegedly bit a Platte City Police Department officer during a separate arrest She was previously charged with assault and resisting arrest Judge Louis Angles reviewed the circumstances in the previous case and Bossell’s bond had been set at $10,000 She posted that bond before Saturday and was released “Despite the efforts of first responders and medical teams at North Kansas City Hospital Firefighter Hoffman succumbed to his injuries He was 29 and had served with the Kansas City Fire Department since 2022,” KCFD stated Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas released the following statement on X adding in additional tweets that the suspect has been identified Mayor Lucas said he expects her to face “serious charges matching the grievous harm she caused to someone working to provide her emergency medical care.” a Kansas City firefighter was critically injured after being stabbed by a passenger in ambulance transport in Kansas City’s Northland He is alive thanks to the swift response by his fellow KCFD paramedics Kansas City leaders gathered on Sunday afternoon to discuss next steps in the investigation Mayor Quinton Lucas took the time on Sunday to recognize the senseless tragedy someone who had an exceptional life ahead of him and he died doing something that was so impactful and important to all of us serving the community,” Mayor Lucas told members of the media “There will be many steps ahead as we evaluate what happened as we address whatever needs to happen in the future But today I’m focused on grieving for his mother his family and everyone in the KCFD family.” City leaders promised they would stand steadfast next to Hoffman’s family as they prepare to lay the hero to rest “There are a lot of things that have happened since I became mayor a few years ago,” Lucas continued “I never expected a line-of-duty death like this one I never expected a violent criminal incident to bring this amount of pain to a family and community.” KCFD leadership also said they stand alongside the Hoffman family as they grieve Graham’s loss “Graham was a vibrant individual who loved life and loved serving his community,” said KCFD Fire Chief Ross Grundyson He treated his patients with the highest level of skill and compassion “This is a senseless act that has taken a young man from his family friends and coworkers and deprived our city of a dedicated firefighter who only wanted to serve and protect those in his community.” KCFD noted that funeral details will be provided in the coming days The Hoffman family has asked for privacy at this time “We never want to get a call at 2:30 in the morning We know what that could mean,” City Manager Kimiko Gilmore said these firefighters were there for each other they held each other and this is the type of excellence and the type of support that all city employees demonstrate every single day.” The Fire Department noted that grief counseling and support will be offered to all members in need The Department’s thanks were also extended to North Kansas City Hospital and the Kansas City Police Department for their support After charges were filed by the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday Mayor Lucas said he appreciated the swift action I share concern that the defendant had within the past week been arrested and charged by prosecutors with felony assault on a law enforcement officer only to return as a serious threat to the public and first responders only days later I believe in our justice system and will await further information about all that led to this heartbreaking incident and all that could have been done to avoid it and all of our first responders and emergency personnel to ensure we have reviewed our policies and provided every available tool to keep them safe as they protect all in our community The plan will reinstate $2 fares for most people — Kansas City was the first major U.S. city to end fares in 2020 Under KCATA’s proposed “functionally free” fare model low-income riders and people receiving aid from social service agencies The ordinance gives $46.7 million, or about two-thirds of the nearly $78 million the city already budgeted for KCATA this year The rest of the money will be set aside for the transit agency in an escrow account The city’s stopgap funding will prevent the most serious cost-saving measures from KCATA, which had included cutting 13 of its 29 routes But it’s still not enough funding to prevent all service cuts the transit agency said it would reduce frequency on most of its routes and shorten its operating hours “The goal of this ordinance is to ensure accountability right sizing and streamlining processes so that we can create a regional solution that other jurisdictions in this region also want to partner in,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw “Because we know it's not sustainable as it is today.” The agency is supposed to use the next six months to find more sources of funding like getting regional municipalities to participate and securing more money from the state and federal governments The ordinance also gives the city more oversight and control over KCATA the agency has to meet specific performance standards such as adhering to a certain amount of missed trips and prompt invoices and improving its financial structure KCATA will also have to report its progress to the city council every two months and allow complete audits of the agency The city could also end its rideshare service, IRIS, which costs about $7.6 million annually to run, to reduce costs. If it did, that would eliminate more than 100 driver jobs The city and KCATA should approve their contract by May This ordinance will guide the city’s negotiations for the next contract While the six-month funding plan would prevent any weekday route cuts there would still be changes that would most likely go into effect in May limiting operating hours from the previous 3:30 a.m Prospect Max and #24 would run at 15-20 minute headways from 6 a.m Every other route in Kansas City would be reduced to hourly headways A representative for the KCATA was not available to comment on the ordinance by the time of publication IRIS drivers are currently classified as independent contractors, which means they can’t receive severance or unemployment The council amended the ordinance Thursday to require the city to hold a job fair for the drivers if the city does end the rideshare service Bakar Mohamed, an IRIS driver, said the change gives him and his colleagues a safety net if the city ends the program. He said in the meantime they will work to negotiate a union contract that reclassifies them as employees “It was just several weeks ago that the city was contemplating terminating the whole program and what the community has done — the drivers the riders — collectively made a big difference,” he said “Six months is plenty of time for us to be part of that discussion and help the city find solutions other than terminating the program.” Transit activists led by climate group Sunrise Movement KC, low-wage workers organization Stand Up KC and bus drivers represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union have been fighting for months for the city to increase funding to the agency The groups wanted the city council to amend and even hold the ordinance to allow more changes for preserving the zero-fare structure and maintaining current levels of service without any reductions While the city still plans to implement fares council members included a requirement that KCATA has to consult the city before making any service changes About 60 people attended the meeting and more than 85 people submitted public testimony online urging council members to amend the ordinance urged the council to provide adequate funding to KCATA and called budget cuts unfair Fray Patton wrote about being unable to use many of the lines nearby because of how slow the headways already are even before any possible service reductions it took Patton two hours to get to the health department — a trip that was around five miles “I use the bus lines to socialize with friends “This ordinance would make situations like that increasingly more common or worse for people who just want to live in the KC Metro and don't have access to a car.” tried to ensure the city has a plan for how to fund the KCATA after October including giving more money to the agency than is budgeted if it still needed it after making all the changes That change was struck down by the rest of the council “Bus service is critical for our residents,” Robinson said I do think it's important that we let the KCATA and bus riders know that we expect to fully fund this with the changes that they're implementing.” Sunrise Movement KC said the six-month plan was the result of massive pressure from their organization and other transit activists The group criticized the city’s decision to bring back bus fares and said the KCATA and city have yet to create a long-term plan “This did not happen because the council made transit a priority,” the statement said “This happened because thousands of people came out to defend a critical public service while our leaders were asleep at the wheel City and KCATA officials have floundered with no long-term vision for transit Bus riders and young people have a vision for a robust transit system because our livelihoods and futures depend on it.” Who's standing out so far down on the Royals' farm?May 5th We’re around a month into the Minor League Baseball season and there have already been performances and trends to keep watching down in Kansas City’s farm system MLB.com caught up with Royals director of player development Mitch Maier on a few of those performances: signaling that Kansas City wants to increase his versatility as it starts to think about his fit on the roster Maier said the plan was to have Caglianone settle in at first base during Spring Training and the first couple of weeks with Double-A Northwest Arkansas Caglianone was shagging during BP in the spring and continued that with the Naturals but he began working with special assistant and longtime outfield coach Rusty Kuntz on the finer details of outfield work before making his debut out there you could tell he reads the ball well off the bat,” Maier said There will certainly be things to work on as the game exposes him to different things but the initial look -- the reads off the bat the way he charges ground balls -- it’s all been good to see.” Maier added that Caglianone will play a few games per week in the outfield with the rest of his reps coming at first base Caglianone has a .938 OPS through 27 games in Double-A and hit two more homers this past weekend An early promotion for WilsonAfter two full seasons in Double-A, infielder went back to the level again to begin 2025 -- and quickly showed the Royals he was done with it Wilson slashed .392/.505/.689 and stole eight bases in 19 games with the Naturals He was promoted to Triple-A Omaha on April 28 “We always knew there was a little bit more in there from a consistency standpoint,” Maier said … He needs to be a multidimensional player who can help the team win in a lot of different ways He’s a solid defender at second base who can move to the outfield when needed and he’s a speedy player who understands small ball He’s also a switch-hitter and much stronger than his 5-foot-9 He might be an interesting weapon for the Royals later on in the season or next year if he continues to show what he did in Double-A “Peyton is an extremely high-twitch player So without losing that aggressiveness and what is an elite tool because he is so twitchy and strong we just needed to fine-tune the consistency of it How many stolen bases?31 stolen bases in 25 games Royals No. 23 prospect has been running wild with Single-A Columbia so far this season showcasing his elite speed and bat-to-ball skills that the Royals have known about since Gonzalez signed with them during the 2023 international period The 19-year-old turned some heads in Rookie ball last season and he is one of the Royals’ top center-field prospects and best baserunners but now he’s doing it with a full-season affiliate Gonzalez is slashing .404/.513/.436 through games on Saturday He also has more walks (14) than strikeouts (10) “The first thing with him is that he just gets on base,” Maier said just hit the ball hard and use the middle of the field That’s a big piece of allowing him to get on base understanding who he is and what he’s trying to accomplish He has a good feel and understanding for when he can go Single-A can be an aggressive level for baserunning with so many young players getting their first taste of pro ball The Royals love to create chaos on the bases it changes guys a little bit too -- you’re getting under the lights in front of fans and you’re seeing him rise to the environment and showcase his tools,” Maier said The Kansas City Chiefs will host dozens of rookies at the team facility this weekend for a three-day "minicamp," or series of practices ahead of the full-team Organized Team Activities (OTAs) that will begin later this month Those in attendance will include the Chiefs' seven draftees but also a handful of undrafted rookies looking to earn their shot in the NFL Some of those players are already under contract after signing with Kansas City immediately following the draft while numerous others will participate purely on a tryout basis If the latter individuals impress over the course of this weekend's practices they could very well earn themselves a contract Here’s the Chiefs’ roster for this weekend’s rookie minicamp:🟡 Current Player🔴 Draft Pick🔵 UDFA 🟢 Rookie Tryout🟠Veteran Tryout pic.twitter.com/MRDZYrB9SV In the meantime, here's a look at every member of the Chiefs' undrafted free agent class who is currently under contract with the team: The leading receiver for Arizona State in both 2022 and 2023, Badger transferred to Florida ahead of last season and picked up right where he left off, leading the Gators with 806 receiving yards. He was one of just five FBS receivers to average more than 20 yards-per-reception in 2024, and he didn't record a single drop on 61 targets. Badger, who checks in at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, also showed off good speed at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.43 40-yard dash. Additionally, 82.5% of his receptions last season resulted in either a first down or a touchdown. A prototypical "move" tight end during his time at Clemson, the 6-foot-5, 241-pound Briningstool lined up in the slot on 59.3% of his snaps over the last two seasons. He tallied 99 receptions for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns in that time, and overall, his 127 career receptions were the most in school history by a tight end. Briningstool was the No. 10 tight end and a projected fifth-round pick on Dane Brugler's big board for The Athletic. The Volunteers' co-leader in interceptions last season with four, Brooks certainly made the most of his only primary season as a starter in 2024 with two pick-sixes. He lined up as a free safety on 300 of his 588 defensive snaps last year. The 6-foot-5, 326-pound Cooper started 36 games at left tackle for Texas State from 2020 through 2022 before transferring to Oklahoma State ahead of the 2023 campaign. He went on to record 19 starts at left tackle for the Cowboys over the next two seasons, and looking at last year specifically, Cooper didn't yield a single sack on 285 pass-blocking snaps. Here's a bit more from Dane Brugler's draft guide: "Overall, Cooper is a cerebral, coordinated blocker, with the spatial awareness and play strength to get the job done. NFL scouts believe he can play tackle or guard." A big corner at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds with 32-inch arms, Covington tallied 345 of his 385 defensive snaps as an outside cornerback in 2024. He recorded three passes defensed and forced fumble last season. The recipient of the Ray Guy Award in 2024 as the nation's top punter, Czaplicki averaged 47.8 yards-per-punt last season. He dropped 25 of his 43 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line (a ratio that led the FBS) as the catalyst of a punting unit that led the nation in net-punting (45.4). Dalena, who stands at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, paid his dues as a special-teamer for much of his career at Fresno State before compiling a breakout season in 2024 with 64 catches for 1,065 yards and eight touchdowns. He was one of just seven FBS receivers with at least five catches of 50+ yards in 2024, and for his career, Dalena was responsible for just four drops on 178 total targets. His special teams experience, which included 17 tackles and a blocked punt across 605 career snaps, will likely come in handy as he aims to make the Chiefs' roster. George, who recorded 717 defensive snaps last season, tallied 80 tackles, 26 pressures, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and a pass defensed in 2024. He put together an impressive performance at his pro day, too, logging a 42.5-inch vertical jump at 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds. The 6-foot-2, 298-pound Izzard recorded 78 tackles, 17.5 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 51 career games (with seven starts) over his five seasons at Penn State. His 4.85 40-yard dash (which took place at his pro day) would have ranked second among all defensive tackles at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his 10-yard split (at 1.56) would have ranked first. Additionally, his 33.5-inch vertical jump would have ranked fourth. Those are all indicators of an explosive athlete. A starter at nickelback for the Seminoles in 2024, Knowles tallied 32 tackles, four pass-breakups, two tackles-for-loss and a sack in 12 games last season. It's also worth mentioning that the 5-foot-10, 189-pound Knowles recorded a 41-inch vertical jump at his pro day that would have led all cornerbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine. Lockhart, who stands at 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, caught 53 passes for 983 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. His 18.5 yards-per-catch average led the Mountain West. A 6-foot-3, 207-pound safety who primarily lined up over the slot last season, Miller recorded 39 tackles, three interceptions and three tackles-for-loss in 2024. It was a strong exclamation point on a career that included seven total picks over the last two seasons. He put together a great pro day, too, recording a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump that would have ranked fourth among all safeties at the NFL Scouting Combine. Pole, who didn't start playing organized football until 2021, was Washington State's left tackle in each of the last two seasons. He allowed just nine total pressures (and zero sacks) on 498 pass-blocking snaps last year, earning the eighth-best "pass-blocking grade" among all tackles in the 2025 class according to Pro Football Focus. A four-year starter at Southern Arkansas, Smith racked up 168 tackles, 46 passes defensed, nine interceptions and 6.5 tackles-for-loss in 45 career games. He was particularly productive over the course of his final two years in school, which included 35 passes defensed and nine picks in just 23 games. Additionally, Smith – who ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day – routinely demonstrated his speed during his career with a 100-yard pick-six in 2023, and a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 2024. Watson transferred to Texas A&M ahead of the 2024 campaign after three seasons at Fresno State. He went on to catch 21 passes for 280 yards and one touchdown during his lone season in College Station. The 6-foot-4, 247-pound Watson was utilized primarily as an in-line tight end during his one year with the Aggies. The 5-foot-9, 197-pound Young spent the first three years of his career at Missouri before transferring to Western Kentucky prior to the 2023 campaign. It turned out to be a wise decision, too, as Young led the Hilltoppers in rushing during both of his seasons there, tallying 1,357 yards on the ground. Young, who ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at his pro day, was also a productive receiving option during his two years at Western Kentucky, recording 67 grabs for 631 yards and five scores. The Chiefs earned some high praise for their draft haul The Chiefs selected Smith with the No. 228 overall pick on Saturday The Chiefs selected Bassa with the No. 156 overall pick on Saturday The Chiefs selected Royals with the No. 133 overall pick on Saturday completely changing the roster in a bid to keep this dynastic run going The Kansas City Chiefs have had an eventful offseason thus far following the bitterly disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl One of the biggest changes from the 2025 roster to last year's will be in the secondary who spent the last three years in Kansas City before signing with the New Orleans Saints this offseason was a respected veteran leader and beloved voice in the locker room Recent draft picks Bryan Cook and Jaden Hicks will now be the starting safeties might be the single biggest winner of the Chiefs' offseason as he now has an opportunity to become a star One of the most exciting things about Jaden Hicks is his anticipation! 👀🔥He reads routes before they develop and flies to the ball. 🚀His closing speed and tackling are ELITE! 💪🛡️Can’t believe he fell to Round 4… steal of the draft! 😤🏆 pic.twitter.com/TyUlcqhEl7 Similar to the reaction fans had when Jalen Royals fell to Kansas City in the fourth round, everyone was fairly stunned that the Chiefs landed Hicks with the 133rd selection of the 2024 NFL Draft The former Washington State star has the kind of skill set that could keep him with the organization for years and he'll now step into a starting role with heightened pressure Despite playing only 31% of the defensive snaps last season, Hicks was 12th in the league in interceptions (3) and ranked 35th out of 171 qualified safeties at Pro Football Focus It felt like defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was grooming him for a larger role and with Reid gone On top of his impressive physicality as a tackler He surrendered a mere 59.2 passer rating when targeted during his rookie campaign and there aren't any obvious flaws in his game who had previously given contracts to both Reid and Tyrann Mathieu didn't heavily invest in the position suggests they believe that Hicks can be a premier starter though it's admittedly a gamble to rely on two recent picks to help carry the secondary and it'll be fascinating to watch how he develops ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"66","src":"67","url":"68"},{"type":"65","value":"69"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"6c","url":"6d"},{"type":"6b","value":"6e"},"All Rights Reserved Joe obtained a Political Science degree from Stanford University before falling in love with sports media and entertainment He's enjoyed many diverse experiences in media and betting since starting sports-related work in 2016 When he's not showering his amazing Pit Bull/Dachshund mix with affection Joe is an avid fan of live music and all things Kansas City One of the most exciting things about Jaden Hicks is his anticipation! 👀🔥He reads routes before they develop and flies to the ball. 🚀His closing speed and tackling are ELITE! 💪🛡️Can’t believe he fell to Round 4… steal of the draft! 😤🏆 pic.twitter.com/TyUlcqhEl7 Similar to the reaction fans had when Jalen Royals fell to Kansas City in the fourth round, everyone was fairly stunned that the Chiefs landed Hicks with the 133rd selection of the 2024 NFL Draft Despite playing only 31% of the defensive snaps last season, Hicks was 12th in the league in interceptions (3) and ranked 35th out of 171 qualified safeties at Pro Football Focus (KCTV) - Two teenagers were injured after erratic driving led to a late-night crash on I-635 near a Kansas City rail yard over the weekend The Kansas Highway Patrol indicates that just before 11 p.m emergency crews were called to the area of I-635 and Kansas Ave. had been driving a 2007 Infiniti G35 erratically when he lost control of the vehicle Troopers indicated that the Infiniti crashed into the right barrier wall and came to rest in the right lane Parks was taken to the University of Kansas Medical Center with suspected minor injuries was also minorly injured but was not taken to a hospital Investigators noted that two other passengers Barajas had been the only individual involved who had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash (KCTV) - Investigators in Kansas City have found a woman and child who were previously reported missing The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department announced on Saturday that it has asked the community to help find Toni Both were last seen in the area of 37th and Garfield Ave KCPD noted that the pair was found just before 8 p.m FNBO is the 16th-largest bank by market share in Kansas City First National Bank of Omaha will buy $2.2 billion-asset CCB Financial Corp. this year expanding deeper into the Midwest’s sixth biggest market a subsidiary of First National Bank of Nebraska Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed we know that long-term relationships are the cornerstone of community growth and we were inspired by Country Club Bank's shared commitment to that ideal,” said FNBO Chairman and President Clark Lauritzen in a prepared statement “This is an exciting opportunity to bring together the best of both FNBO and Country Club Bank expertise and commitment to customer service to create a stronger more innovative financial partner for not only the Kansas City area Lauritzen is the sixth generation of his family to run the bank and its parent company FNNI, according to a speech he gave last year at the Kansas City Fed FNNI is controlled by the Lauritzen family and a limited number of shares are held by unrelated parties was founded as Ward Parkway Bank in 1953 and has grown to an institution with $1.8 billion in deposits and $2.8 billion in assets under management Since 1985, CCB has been led by the Thompson family then by Kansas City entrepreneur Byron Thompson and since then by his second- and third-generation descendants Thompson said bank leadership is “confident FNBO is the right partner to maintain this legacy and take it even further into the future.” The deal will add 20 locations in the greater Kansas City area – in both Missouri and Kansas – to FNBO’s current 100-branch network in Kansas FNBO already operates 10 locations in and around Kansas City it’s the 16th-largest bank in the Kansas City area based on deposit share and the acquisition will bump its rank to 9th-largest by deposit share Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts Regulators have terminated 11 consent orders against Wells since 2019 The lender de-banked some 300 Trump Organization accounts because it believed “the political tide at the moment favored doing so,” a lawsuit contends Eric Trump has suggested more big banks may be targeted The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines After a 1-0 win over reigning MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy at Children's Mercy Park Sporting Kansas City will return to the road to take on the Portland Timbers at 9:30 p.m CT on Saturday at Providence Park in the first of three away matches in an eight-day span $5 wells and 50% off chicken nachos for fans in SKC gear starting at 7:30 p.m.​​​​​​ A new episode of The Sporting KC Show will air at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday on Sports Radio 810 WHB with co-hosts Jon Kempin and Blake Aerni The Sporting KC Show provides supporters with an opportunity to catch up on club storylines FREE SHIPPING AT MLSSTORE.COM ENDS WEDNESDAY Fans can take advantage of free shipping on orders over $49 at MLSstore.com until 10:59 p.m CT on Tuesday with the code MLS49 (terms and exclusions apply) including Sporting Kansas City's new adidas One Planet pre-match jersey as well as other spring styles ONE-DAY CAMP AT CHILDREN'S MERCY PARK ON FRIDAY Sporting KC Youth Soccer will host a special one-day camp from 5:30-8 p.m on Friday at Children's Mercy Park for boys and girls players of all skill levels between the ages of 5-14 years old Participants will enjoy an exclusive locker room tour and the opportunity to practice where the pros play REGISTER BY FRIDAY FOR SPORTING KC 5v5 FEST Friday is the last day to register for the Sporting KC 5v5 Fest benefiting The Victory Project The one-day five-aside festival for boys and girls will be held on Saturday May 24 at Central Bank Sporting Complex in Kansas City Missouri and is open to 1st-4th grade recreational teams as well as U8-U13 competitive teams LA Galaxy next travel to face New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday 2025) – Continuing their 2025 MLS Regular Season campaign the LA Galaxy fell 1-0 on the road to Sporting Kansas City before 17,902 fans at Children's Mercy Park on Sunday night Sunday’s match marked the 82nd meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City with LA leading the all-time series 33-30-19 LA holds a 28-26-18 record in league play and a 5-3-1 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs In 38 all-time matches played on the road against Kansas City in league play LA's loss snapped a five-game unbeaten run (2-1-3; 11 GF 9 GA) against Sporting dating back to Sept 13th minute: A low cross into the box from Daniel Salloi was deflected off Maya Yoshida and the ball redirected into the goal the LA Galaxy travel to face the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday LA Galaxy (0-8-3; 3 pts) at Sporting Kansas City (3-7-1; 10 pts) Substitutes Not Used: GK Novak Mićović; D Zanka 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 12; SAVES: 0 SKC: GK John Pulskamp; D Andrew Brody (Jake Davis 1); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 1 All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial a lot of things came from the flanks because they defend in a 4-3-3 and their three central midfielders they stay pretty central and clog up the middle of the field it's harder to come through the middle when the defensive midfielder is just sitting there kind of near the center backs and the two other central midfielders are there So just there's not a lot of space to penetrate them through the middle trying to play combinations off the sides to get back to the middle There are a couple occasions where Miki [Yamane] tries to slip Marco [Reus] through the middle once and overhits it So there's a couple moments that we missed I think when a team defends with the midfield that's overloaded in the middle defensively then sometimes you have to work off the outsides the issue wasn't that we had to go to the outsides we've got to fight hard to get to good spots in the box - whether that's to be physical to bump and to just win little windows of space to be able to redirect things on goal and sometimes even more physical in other ways to try to give our crossers who also need to connect with our finishers We couldn't have been in more good spots probably through the course 90 minutes Just we didn't connect many times on the final action I think sometimes that's what's presenting itself to us We are a team that doesn't mind going through the middle But I felt like that was the opportunity that existed for us and we got to some really good attacking positions.” On the decision-making from the team when getting into good positions: "We spend a lot of time and energy on working for the last -- and we've been talking about the last ten yards -- to get deeper And we certainly got deeper today and we forced them to have to defend really low syncing up the action in front of goal along with the crosser and being a little more precise and being a little better with our timing But that's where -- those areas where we are getting to is where the vast majority of goals come from in the game We just weren't connecting the final action is incentivized to really sit in a lower block and really protect themselves and they don't ever have to extend themselves So we are trying to create chances against a team that doesn't have an incentive to really open themselves up too much and yet we are still creating good moments We found another way to get something into the back of our goal We lose the ball on the left side in an action that's building where we just check out of the action for a second and play a pass and they nick it and then it's in a transition we lost a game where we gave up zero shots We needed to make the goalkeeper make more saves get goals out of all the opportunities we've had we had a lot of control of the game in the attacking half of the field and I hate to say it because it's not good enough for results And we find a way to give up a goal and we don't do enough to put things in the back of the net.” we switched the sides because a lot of the actions were and our wingers were getting deep and getting into good spots But there's a number of times where they are getting into good spots and they are on their weaker foot sometimes connecting that last pass may come down to that Just a little more detail when you're on your stronger foot So we flip-flopped to give them a little bit more confidence to get around the outside Maybe even to get a shot from a little bit of a tougher angle but a shot that we could just rip something across the goal and see if we could even get a deflection or get anything I felt like it opened up some really interesting opportunities just to whip some balls early behind the back line and see if we couldn't get on something before they were in and that's kind of the chance that Joe had where a ball gets whipped in with Gab's left foot and behind the line and before they are able to drop in and just protect the goal We were just trying to open up some different looks by getting those guys on their strong sides I don't have any real indication on the severity of things I don't have a great answer for you right now.” “There are parallels to a few points in my career but you get a series of events that when put together we've got to find solutions inside of that It presents new challenges every single year This year has provided plenty of them from the start of after winning the championship and having to clear out some guys to injuries to performance stuff Our job here as a collective group as a team is to find the solutions; even when challenges present themselves We're going to keep fighting for it and keep looking at ways to build our way out of it as we did in 2023 and other years that I was involved in tough years.” process the game and find solutions inside the game That's why he is who he is and has played where he's played I think he was able to unlock a number of these situations for us that we then need to was an excellent pass and it got us going in the right places But sometimes it came down to the final pass and the connection to the runner his awareness of the field and his capacity to hit different types of passes certainly unlocked things through the course of the game it's nice to obviously have that and have him in a physical condition to be able to use him for longer stretches of the game where he can impact the game we've got to do more with the opportunities that he's presenting us with So it's a good piece to have him finally out there Now we have to translate that into what he's out there to do is help us score goals.” On how to address the team through a game like this one postgame: "We've said a lot of things after each game I felt for the group because I thought we played a solid game and a pretty complete game -- when I say that We didn't play a complete game because we didn't put things away and we didn't connect in the final actions it's a group that every little bit of confidence matters in the group because they are doing some good things and not getting anything out of it to show We don't accept that we can play the way we played today and lose the game Doesn't mean that we don't feel bad or we don't feel a certain way and we're angry or all these other things but we don't accept it but we haven't done enough yet to put up three points Goes back to the training field and we work and we're going to continue to work different things to keep finding solutions That is -- it's a character checkpoint right now answering a difficult moment and being able to find solutions in this moment and be stronger when we come out of it On Elijah Wynder’s availability in the past few games: We just [took] a little step back with Elijah to get him -- again a little bit more connected with the game model and things like that and then he'll re-enter back into the group It's been a little bit of choices when you see certain guys they are a little more familiar with some of the game model stuff and just getting him settled in and build him back in because we can use his physicality at times Sometimes he's played high for us and sometimes he's played low Just taken a little step back when he came in it's like we needed them to be ready right away and the reality is they needed a little time to settle in and just be ready to go He's been doing all the work that he needs to do on the training field On his confidence in the Galaxy’s style of play as we approach midseason: My reputation as a coach since I've come into this league is a guy who is tactically flexible I honestly don't really believe that much in just the idea of system and it's more about where spaces are and how to build overloads And we've done a lot of those things over the course of the first 11 games In different phases you've seen two strikers; in different phases you've seen a back five; and in different phases you've seen three midfielders There's been a lot of different variations that have happened and we've rotated players into different areas I think a lot of tactical flexibility is inside of the game And anybody who follows the game and sees the movements of the players they probably would recognize a little bit of tactical flexibility Just because on paper it says 4-3-3 or it says 4-2-3-1 doesn't mean that that's where it lasts the whole game It's things for people to talk about but it has really not a whole lot to do with the grand scheme of the game do you want to defend five in the back if the opposition is only going to play three up high Because then you have two center backs who are doing nothing And then it's hard to get pressure on the ball because then you have two guys in the back who are not really responsible for anything We have sat a little lower; we've pressed a little higher plus 30-something touches inside the opposition's box Creating a game model is about putting players into final actions where they can try to be successful and connect with each other and finish and we're going to keep working on the training field about doing that But we dominated this game in every single way We did different variations and movements inside of the game to try to unlock For those who think that's a tactical shift They go through the game all over the place these are just things for people to kind of talk about But ultimately every single day in our staff locker room we talk about the players we have and the best way to set them up to be successful in every single game I haven't seen a team that's played us off the field in any shape or form I've seen us make mistakes and having a hard time finishing things And those are things we have to keep improving upon." “I'm not here to talk to the world about the character of our group I think our group has gone out there and competed in every single game I think our group has put in a shift and an effort We've played more road games than home games we have not been able to execute and we have given up very soft goals There's times I've wanted the guys to be more positive and push each other and be more emotional in terms of their leadership and guidance and driving each other in a tough time But it's not based off of the fact that we actually played a pretty damn good game for most of it So our emotions sometimes aren't matching up with our performances So I want our group to be more demanding with each other in a positive way and to push each other and to drive each other and to expect a little more from each other; the same way I do with them and for us to be challenging each other in that way and not to go too deep into our heads and create our own constraints and our challenges That's the character piece I want to keep challenging this team with we have not been outplayed in many of these games you can't pick many games that we've been outplayed And we just need to turn that into results and we are on the road for these three games But I want to see our guys push each other and challenge each other and be positive with each other and build confidence and do the best we can inside of the fact that we are not getting results On if this was the team’s best performance so far in terms of chance creation this year: we were into some really good spots and failed to connect the final action sometimes When I say "good spots," it just means that we are not settling from shots from 18 to 25 yards out we're working to use every last yard of the field to drive the opposition deep the majority of goals are scored inside the box and I felt like during large stretches of the season we weren't driving and committing ourselves to get behind the back line and into deep areas it's the connection between the crosser and the finishers It's creating spaces inside the box that we can use the little windows to finish getting ourselves into dangerous positions I thought this was certainly one of our best LA GALAXY DEFENDER AND CAPTAIN MAYA YOSHIDA feel about dominating the game but not getting the desired result: disappointed with what happened that we conceded even that mistakes or individual error can happen in the game and we have to reduce this kind of individual errors and build our confidence and the structure game by game On if he’s ever experienced a game where the opposing team wins without ever taking a shot on goal: striker or defenders and mistakes or someone not scoring surely they want to beat us after what happened last season And our away trip is [not] done after that We don't have time to have head down too much I have to be patient a lot and at least we should get one point Me personally very disappointing but happy to be back on the pitch and appreciate to the medical staff who contribute to me to come back quicker On what he thinks the team is experience that keeps them from winning matches: today I felt much more confidence and about tempo On the tone and mood in the locker room after a game like this one: and I personally spoke with Coach and the general manager to keep our atmosphere better There's nothing wrong in the dressing room On the team being more talented than its record shows: “We try to get away from that kind of chaos but unfortunate results came back to us in the other side and then I try to contribute to the team and unfortunately the result became opposite The DP is huge in MLS and now we don't have a DP Somehow the things going to difficult side and wait for the -- or get back our winning way.” On if he’s experienced a season like this before in his career: we were almost bottom the whole the season But the difference is MLS has no relegation I don't know if it's good or not but this is the rule I'm not saying that that's better but I can feel how hard for that especially me or someone who has experience and try to help the team and the ball -- I think ball came between the legs and tried to create -- the ball and deflected it Again it shouldn't happen in this moment because we are very struggling in the league those kind of mistakes could happen sometimes and we have to accept it -- we shouldn't accept it but the reaction from that is very important Probably for the academy or younger players watching my performance shouldn't affect it from those kinds of mistakes or you may saw that my performance wasn't affected from that mistake not being affected at all rest of the game.” Kansas City Life Insurance Company reported net income of $1.9 million The improvement in earnings was driven by a $4.2 million decrease in policyholder benefits and a $900,000 reduction in operating expenses The company also benefited from a $4.2 million income tax benefit compared to a $400,000 tax expense in Q1 2024 The tax benefit was attributed to a one-time item Kansas City Life reported a decline in both insurance and investment revenues and investment revenues decreased by $5.3 million primarily due to changes in the fair value of certain investments For the fourth quarter of 2024, the company reported a net loss of $12.6 million The loss was attributed to lower insurance revenues and a legal reserve of $21.1 million related to ongoing class action lawsuits the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in January that Kansas City Life had violated contract terms by altering cost-of-insurance charges on its policies The court determined that the charges could not include the company’s own profits and expenses and should instead be based on factors such as age The ruling is expected to have broader implications for the company's future policy adjustments established in 1895 and headquartered in Kansas City provides life insurance and annuity products across 49 US states and the District of Columbia The company continues to face challenges with market conditions but remains focused on its strategy for managing costs and addressing legal matters Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInFRANKLIN COUNTY (KCTV) - The Kansas Highway Patrol responded to calls of a serious collision at 5:45 p.m Sunday on a two-lane highway in southern Franklin County The two cars collided on Highway 169 just east of Virginia Road about four miles northeast of Greeley That’s about an hour southwest of Kansas City The two cars are said to have hit head-on but that is still under investigation One person did survive and is in a nearby hospital recovering The two-lane highway was closed for nearly nine hours Families are being notified before names are released Stay with KCTV5 on air and online for the latest news To get the latest news sent to your phone, download the KCTV5 News app here. KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Four of the victims in a fatal wreck Sunday on U.S. 169 near Virginia Road in Franklin County, Kansas, were from the Tulsa, Oklahoma Two were identified as high school students Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) confirmed one student attended Booker T. Washington High School. Booker T. Washington Principal Dr. Melissa Woolridge identified the student as Donald “DJ” Laster in a letter sent to Hornet families. “This accident also touched our community in a number of additional ways, as it claimed lives of others known to our students and team members from middle school, as basketball teammates, and as beloved members of our extended family across Tulsa,” Woolridge wrote. “It is difficult for all of us to face the death of a child or trusted adult.” Woolridge said resources will be available from the district's Student and Family Support Services. COPES, a community crisis response unit in Tulsa, is also available 24/7 at 918-744-4800. “We know you join us in extending our heartfelt sympathy to all of those who have been impacted,” Woolridge said. One of DJ's teachers at Booker T. Washington, Ron Horton, said DJ was "something special." He shared memories of his time with DJ in a video message. TPS also shared Ja'mon Gilstrap, a member of the district's transportation team, and Wayne Walls, a former Carver Middle School teacher and coach, died in the crash. Dr. Ebony Johnson, TPS superintendent, said "many branches" of the district were in mourning Monday. "Our community lost friends, brothers, sons and fathers," Johnson said. "I am heartbroken for those who lost loved ones and committed to honoring the immense collective impact each of these people had in Tulsa and in the lives of our young people." DJ, Gilstrap and Walls were part of a competitive travel basketball team, the Oklahoma Chaos. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oklahoma Chaos (@chaosoklahoma2028) Washington and Carver Middle School — Kevin D Rickey Washington and Eli Brown — said they viewed the three as teammates and "valued members of our community." "We have been through the ups and downs of competitive sports together and we saw them achieve great successes while also investing in others’ growth," the trio wrote "Coach Wayne Walls inspired a generation of young people in Tulsa and coaching talents to serve countless students and families and had a vibrant presence in our buildings and schools served as the principal at Carver Middle School when DJ was a student and Walls was a teacher He said it was clear Walls cared for his students as "students athletes and young people." Skyes said he'll remember DJ as a student who "had the potential to do whatever he wanted to do and two good people are gone way too young," Skyes said Walls was a coach and paraprofessional with Bartlesville Public Schools District officials said students and staff will have access to counseling resources as the community processes his loss A note addressing available resources was also sent to Carver Middle School families RELATED | Franklin County, Kansas, residents react to fatal crash The second high school student identified in the crash attended Union High School Freshman Academy. Union Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John Federline shared a statement on the loss of Kyrin Schumpert. “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share the news of the tragic passing of one of our 9th grade students who died in a car accident yesterday. On behalf of the entire Union Public Schools community, I extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, and loved ones,” Federline wrote. He said the district’s crisis response team has been activated to provide counseling at the freshman academy as well as across the district. “Licensed counselors, school psychologists, and support staff are available to meet with anyone who may need help processing this tragedy,” Federline said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, and everyone affected by this tragic event.” Kyrin and DJ were teammates on the Oklahoma Chaos. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oklahoma Chaos (@chaosoklahoma2028) Kansas Highway Patrol and several other nearby agencies responded to the crash A full crash report has yet to be released