NewsRoom Blog

Big Brother Invited to Neighborhood Watch

rkath — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:53:00 GMT

If all the kinks, technical issues and legal concerns are ironed out, there's a chance your Block Captain could be keeping an eye on the neighborhood via web cam in the future. Okay, I'll admit this scenario is still in the beginner stages of becoming a reality. But it could happen.

Right now, eight cameras are being installed along 24th Street in Kansas City. The live feeds can store video up to a month and are expected to help deter crime. The catch: police hope to get a lot of neighborhood involvement. The department will not have paid officers staring at the camera angles 24 hours per day, so they are making the video available to the public.

When the pilot program launches in the next month, police will broadcast the video feed at the city's East Patrol Division (27th and Van Brunt). Community leaders and block captains can check in with dispatchers, log onto station computers, and watch the action up and down 24th Street. Sergeant Patrick Rauzi, the officer in charge of the project, is very curious to see what kind of interest the open invitation generates.

Here's where it gets really interesting. Police are considering expanding the video feed to home computers. In this hypothetical situation, a block captain or community activist (who's been trained, screened, lectured, warned, etc.) would use a secure username and password to watch the surveillance from the living room. Rauzi says residents would have no control over the cameras, which can pan, tilt and zoom. He also adds the cameras are equipped with technology that blacks out windows and doors on homes. That would prevent Joe or Suzie down the street from spying on your dinner party. Police say there are still A LOT of details to hammer out before going this route. As you can imagine, it has the potential to open a huge "privacy" can of worms.

Stay tuned... but for now, just check out tonight's story at 10 p.m.

kath@nbcactionnews.com

Red Light Cameras Putting Budgets in the Red?

rkath — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:52:00 GMT

There is an interesting conundrum in Dallas, where city leaders are using cameras to catch red-light runners. Apparently, drivers are behaving so well the cameras are not generating their anticipated revenue. That is forcing the city to shut down about 25-percent of the cameras to cut down on operating costs.

What happens next? Police in any city are always very careful to say the cameras aren't intended to be money-makers. Instead, they are supposed to deter red-light running and dangerous T-bone accidents. So should the cameras stay if they are running up a budget deficit?

Red light cameras are also creating some budget obstacles here in Kansas City. However, it is for different reasons. Apparently, City Manager Wayne Cauthen's original budget forecast anticipated a nice chunk of change ($1 million) from a red-light camera system. One problem: the cameras aren't installed yet... and won't be until a lawsuit is resolved in Arnold, Mo. Depending on the result of that legal battle, the cameras could be outlawed in this state.

I blogged about the potential controversy last June when I did a story about Sugar Creek's lone red-light camera. At the time, Kansas City leaders were debating the pros/cons of bringing the technology to downtown intersections.

Ryan Kath

kath@nbcactionnews.com

KC Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for Rickshaws

rkath — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:47:00 GMT

Clay Chastain is not pitching this idea, so don't expect the perpetual cycle of light-rail discussion to disappear. However, get ready to see rickshaws, bugbugs and cyclos hit the streets of Kansas City. Not familiar with the human-powered transportation? Here in the States, they are commonly known as "pedicabs."

For whatever reason, they've been illegal to operate in Kansas City. But that is about to change. The folks at City Hall are clearing the path for all aspiring pedicab businesses. Before long, you could have the option of hitching a quick ride (not recommended in January) in areas of the city like the Plaza, Westport, Crossroads and the Power and Light District. They have already wheeled their way into places like Minneapolis, New York and San Diego. And they can be the preferred mode of transportation in large cities overseas.

For complete coverage on everything pedicab-related, check out the pedicab blog. A story could also hit our airwaves in the near future.

My questions: how does the fare compare to a taxi? And is this lady still in business?

Lesson in Education or Exploitation?

rkath — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:27:00 GMT

I entered Union Station with trepidation this morning. It's hard to blame me. Picture this: it is 4:30 a.m., the entire place is empty and dark, and there are plenty of rumors the Kansas City landmark is haunted. Oh, and one other thing: there are dozens of human cadavers in the basement.

As you probably guessed, I was at Union Station for its highly-anticipated and controversial exhibit, "Bodies Revealed." There's been an abundance of coverage leading up to opening day, so most of you know the exhibit features real human bodies on display.

The folks in charge of the exhibit tout its educational and health benefits. For instance, part of the tour shows a healthy lung sitting next to a smoker's lung. It's a vivid depiction. Next to the lung sits a plastic box where people can ditch their cigarrettes. I'm told by the end of the summer--the bin will be full of discarded Marlboros.

But there is plenty of backlash about the attraction. This week, metro Catholic leaders advised schools not to take field trips to the museum. There was also the ABC 20/20 report that questioned how the bodies are acquired and whether there is consent from the people prior to their deaths. The turmoil is creating quite a buzz on the blogosphere. Some community members are calling for boycotts. Union Station responds to the criticism on its web site.

I toured the exhibit this morning with interest and did not feel grossed out or disturbed. Instead, I found a lot of unique factoids and memorable visuals. It reminded me of an adolescent field trip to the Science Museum in St. Paul. However, I can certainly respect people who feel differently about the ethical nature of the display. In truth, the biggest source of frustration might be the price. At $24 for adults and $19 for kids, taking the family is no cheap outing.

You Can't Make It Up

rkath — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:11:00 GMT

The democratic process -- especially at the city level -- can invoke a vast array of emotions. Take Tuesday's scene at Kansas City Hall, for example. Some will laugh. Some will react with frustration. Others will simply shake their head in disbelief.

We were up on the 25th floor on Tuesday afternoon, waiting for a petition to arrive. As we've detailed over past weeks, a group of former Bannister Mall merchants is trying to rescue the vacant building from demolition. There is a city-approved project in the works. It carries a nearly $1 billion price tag and is anchored by a Wizards stadium. The group, lead by outspoken Richard Tolbert, argues there is room for a new stadium and a renovated mall.

At about 4 p.m., the "Save the Mall" group arrived at the city clerk's office. We knew ahead of time Tolbert would be requesting a ten-day extension to finish gathering the remaining signatures (8,475 are needed to force a public vote). We, of course, were curious to see what kind of progress the group was making. City Clerk Millie Crossland informed them they needed to turn in some of its signatures to earn the extension. That's when Tolbert said, "Okay, we are turning in two." Crossland's expression was priceless.

Apparently, there is no minimum requirement to get the deadline extension (though Crossland thought there should be), meaning the group has ten days to gather the remaining 8,473 names. As we left the building to put together our 5 p.m. report, the group promised more signatures on February 1. I believe them. After all, there were FOUR "Save the Mall" members at City Hall!

Some say it's proof Tolbert and company are having a heckuva time rallying any support. Others wonder if they are simply refusing to show their hand until the last minute. Either way, I'll be tuning in for the encore.

KC Star Distributes Outdated Story

rkath — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:14:00 GMT

Like thousands of others around the country, I was sipping my Sunday morning coffee and flipping through the newspaper this past weekend. Then, I came across the Parade magazine cover, which featured Benazir Bhutto on the cover. When I took a closer look, I scratched my head and wondered if I had received an outdated issue by mistake. The headline asked, "Is Benazir Bhutto America's best hope against al-Qaeda?" The cover also prominently printed the quote, "I am what the terrorists most fear." My first reaction was, They have to know she was assassinated, right? Like other confused readers, I wondered how the January 6th issue could run 10 days after her December 27th death.

Apparently, Parade goes to print a LONG time before it actually hits newsstands (in this case, December 21). By the time of the assassination, some 32-million magazines had been distributed to about 400 newspapers (including the KC Star). The magazine said it was too late to change the article and decided "it was an important interview to share with the American people."

Take a look at the article -- which includes a letter from the editor and comments from readers. You'll find a lot of people who think the decision revolved around money. In other words, the magazine would have to fork over some cash to print 32-million revised copies.

Most papers, the Star included, ran clarifications in that day's news section. However, a lot of people missed the A-2 note, according to reader's representative Derek Donovan. Others simply didn't like the logic. As a result, Donovan has taken "some pretty nasty" calls and e-mails from readers.

He's not alone. Heavy-hitters like the LA Times and the Chicago Tribune are also under fire. Donovan is not aware of any newspapers that decided not to include the weekly magazine insert. In my internet research, I haven't found any publications that strayed from the crowd, either.

Preemptive Attack on Smoking?

rkath — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:33:00 GMT

UPDATE: DECEMBER 7TH

WE PURSUED THIS IDEA TODAY AND HAVE A STORY AIRING DURING THE 6 P.M. NEWSCAST. THE WEB COPY AND VIDEO VERSION SHOULD BE UP AND RUNNING SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

We were at McFadden's -- the new sportsbar in the Power and Light District -- covering the MU game on Saturday night. The place was absolutely packed wall-to-wall, but I noticed something was missing: the cloud of smoke expected at any bar around Kansas City.

I asked the manager about my observation and he informed me the establishment is completely smokefree. He had to rush off before I could inquire further, but I found this to be an interesting development. There was a large patio available for folks who wanted to slip outside during commerical breaks.

Currently, Kansas City restaurants and bars still allow people to light up. The ordinance in place says KCMO needs to prohibit smoking once 85-percent of surrounding suburbs follow suit. Many of the larger cities (i.e. Lee's Summit, Independence, Overland Park and Olathe) have passed smoking bans, but the percentage is still hovering around 72-percent. That's why some people think the KC council needs to act earlier and get a smoking question on the 2008 ballot.

At any rate, I wonder if some of the other new bars and restaurants in the Power and Light District will follow in the footsteps of McFadden's. There is a list of places in Kansas City that are already smokefree, but from my quick browsing, the majority of the businesses look like places more known for their dinner menu than drink list. Don't get me wrong, the cheesesteak I had on Saturday was tasty, but a lot of patrons seemed more concerned on keeping their pint glasses full (especially when the Sooners pulled away).

NFL Fans Get Sacked

rkath — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:09:00 GMT

If it wasn't past my bedtime (the alarm jolts me awake at 2 a.m. on weekday mornings), I would certainly tune into tonight's NFC showdown between Green Bay and Dallas. However, my only options would be to belly up to a local sportsbar, or befriend one of the 35 million people who have the NFL Network. May sound like a lot of couch potatoes, but it's a heavy minority considering there are 111 million households with televisions.

If you haven't heard (you obviously don't root for the Cowboys or the Packers), the NFL Network is in a dispute with major cable providers. That means cable subscribers never get into the game.

A lot of people are taking sides. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones broke a cease and desist order to tell people to drop their cable subscriptions in favor of satellite television. The USA Today editorial staff calls the situation "unnecessary roughness" by the NFL Network. Star media critic Aaron Barnhart agrees, writing today that the NFL is being greedier, especially considering its already extraordinary financial success and popularity around the country.

I spoke with a Time Warner spokesperson this morning. He told me the company has been fielding calls about the channel situation throughout the season, but there hasn't been much of a spike locally for the Packers/Dallas game. He did tell me Time Warner offered to carry NFL Network games on a pay-per-view basis (where the league would reap all the revenue), but has yet to hear back.

The Chiefs don't play a game carried by the NFL Network this season. However, as long as we're on the topic of not being able to watch games, will the local football team escape 2007 without its first blackout in years?

How Much for Seats on the 50?

rkath — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:39:00 GMT

As we reported this morning, scalping tickets is now legal on the Missouri side of the state line. The Missouri legislature made that change earlier this year. The upcoming Hannah Montana concert at the Sprint Center -- or "Hurricane Hannah" as it's fondly called -- brought the scalping discussion into the limelight.

Governor Blunt's political rival, Attorney General Jay Nixon, did not let the law change stop him from going after three ticket brokers last month. One of those, Ticket Solutions, is based out of Overland Park. Yesterday, Owner Russ Lindmark told me on the phone the lawsuit has since been dismissed because he agreed to give away several dozen tickets to charitable organizations. He also said he'd previously considered opening a store on the Missouri side of the state line. However, the run-in with the AG soured him on that idea.

Always out-spoken ticket broker Hal Wagner is already open for business in Independence. The owner of Ace Sports & Nationwide Tickets timed his first day of sales with the law change. Wagner argues that ticket brokering is much more reliable than black market business conducted on street corners and parking lots. As he puts it, "We never put a gun to anyone's head. Clients call us and are willing to pay." The most notable example: a Johnson County mother who "had to have" seven consecutive tickets to Hannah Montana and forked over $1,100 apiece.

According to today's Star article, the Chiefs also lobbied for the law change. They apparently have seen problems with counterfeit tickets and now let season ticket holders buy/sell tickets above face value right on their website.

Apparently, Missouri was one of the dwindling states that still had an anti-scalping law. Kentucky and Arkansas are the closest states of the dozen or so remaining.

Feeling Scroogish?

rkath — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:34:00 GMT

Just in time for the holiday season, the doom and gloom is everywhere. Check out the not-so-subtle beginning to today's USA Today article about the "domino effect" of the housing market slump:

"If you haven't yet felt the impact of the nation's credit crisis, just wait. Chances are, you won't have to wait long."

Yikes. A little different than waiting for Santa's annual sojourn. Kind of makes you wonder if St. Nick will show up at all (hope he doesn't have an ARM on the North Pole estate). As we reported in Friday's story about Black Friday shopping, retailers are nervous about gas prices, energy costs and housing woes contributing to some penny-pinching this December. Apparently, about a third of people plan to spend less money this holiday than previous years.

It's getting harder to borrow money, and as the Star reports today, our credit cards could be the next thing to feel the effects of the "crisis." That translates to higher interest rates and more deliquent payments.

Is the bad news overstated? Or are you feeling the crunch? It's tough to feel too optimistic. In all the economy-related news coverage, the R-word getting mentioned with more frequency. Happy Holidays?!

Should the Deep Fryer be Deep-Sixed?

rkath — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:46:00 GMT

I've never tried it, but heard it's tasty: deep-fried turkey. Apparently, the method of preparing the bird is increasing in popularity. Much to the chagrin of local fire departments, so are Thanksgiving fires and burn injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more cooking fires on this holiday than any other day of the year.

We spoke to the Olathe Fire Department and are running a story about the potential dangers of turkey fryers during our Thanksgiving morning show. Some fire departments, like the one in Los Angeles, are actually posting videos on their websites to illustrate the hazards.

Ever tried your hand at the turkey fryer? Fire experts would rather amateur cooks left the boiling oil in the hands of the pros. Where are the best places in the metro to pick up some deep-fried Thanksgiving goodness?

Courtesy: homefurnishing.com

Risky Relationships?

rkath — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:30:00 GMT

A sad but timely AP article ran in today's Star. The basic theme: experts say child abuse is more likely in nontraditional living situations. The piece lists several deadly examples of young children being killed by boyfriends living with their mothers. As the article puts it, the accused or convicted men are "thrust into father-like roles that they tragically failed to embrace."

The article struck me because I sat through Charles Mahone's sentencing hearing at the Jackson County Courthouse on Friday. A jury convicted Mahone of beating his toddler stepson, Aaron Marshall, to death and then staging a car accident to cover up his crime.

Before handing down a 32-year sentence, the judge told Mahone there "was no doubt in his mind" he committed the crime and described it as the "inexplicable torture of a defenseless little boy."

The truly amazing thing about the violent act was the lack of explanation. Teachers, coaches and family members all took the stand to talk about Mahone as an intelligent, cheerful and loving person. Nobody could offer any answers or see any warning signs -- not even his parents. In the end, the question of whether or not Mahone would spend significant time in prison for his crime was answered. The bigger question was not.

Health-care Headache

rkath — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:22:00 GMT

This month, you've probably noticed a lot of uneasy looks, nervous pacing and glazed eyelids at your respective workplace. It can only mean one thing: It's "open-enrollment" season for 2008 benefits.

Choosing a health insurance plan usually fluctuates from minor nuisance to agonizing deliberation for employees. If it seems like a tougher decision these days, there's a reason: the options are becoming more consumer-driven. Today, a Wall Street Journal column reports many employers are starting to offer high-deductible, low-premium plans with health saving accounts. At our station, that's certainly the case. In addition to the traditional PPO, we can now choose two different options which offers HSAs.

It's a new concept for a lot of people. Instead of the typical newsroom chatter about the Chiefs or that night's lead story, lately I've noticed my colleagues dissecting prescription lists and discussing deductibles. Our HR person told us it really comes down to risk. Take me, for example. I have no prescriptions and rarely make it into a doctor's office. It's probably a decent gamble to pay less on premiums and use the savings to build a HSA. However, I never know when that friendly game of hoops or indoor soccer could land me at the ER. Therein lies the risk.

Oh well, it could me much worse. At least Michael Scott isn't leaving your health-care coverage up to Dwight Schrute.

Fireworks in November

rkath — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:26:00 GMT

They are illegal in the majority of our metro cities, but nearly impossible for police to enforce. A story we are running this morning looks at a Raytown alderman's idea to legalize fireworks in his town. First-time politician Pat Ertz looks one city over at his neighbors in Lee's Summit and doesn't understand why Raytown can't take the same approach. Lee's Summit legalized fireworks two summer ago, with some restrictions. Some other cities (Raymore, Belton and KCK) have similar laws. However, the majority of metro jurisdictions (i.e. Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village, KCMO, Independence and Liberty) completely ban the sale and use of fireworks.

Ertz thinks non-profits should be able to set up tents and sell fireworks for to raise money. The Raytown fire department is open to that idea, but only if some of the generated revenue helps pay the cost of fireworks awareness and public safety.

Opponents have plenty of valid concerns: house fires and other property damage, child safety and the stress the loud noises create in pets.

What do you think about legalizing fireworks?

Police are inundated with calls every Fourth of July, but it's nearly impossible for them to punish the crime. Lee's Summit's police department told me things have improved since the law changed. During the holiday, they bring in a extra officers just to field firework-related complaints. As spokesman Mike Childs put it: "We are able to focus on more serious violations while allowing the majority of our community to celebrate the holiday."

Should Raytown be next? An ad hoc committee is meeting to discuss the possibility on Thursday, November 29.

News Coverage of the Hispanic Community

rkath — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:45:00 GMT

If you've followed the news in Kansas City the past couple of months, you know there have been a lot of headlines related to our local Hispanic community. As a result, the Kansas City Press Club is holding a forum this week to discuss the way reporters did their jobs. Our own Chris Hernandez will moderat the event.

Here's the full release:

The Media: How Well Do They Cover the Hispanic Community

The Kansas City Press Club sponsors a frank discussion, "The Media: How Well Do They Cover the Hispanic Community," featuring representatives of the Hispanic community and media at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at KSHB-TV studios, 4720 Oak, Kansas City, Mo.

With the controversy over Mayor Mark Funkhouser’s appointment of a Minuteman Civil Defense Corps supporter to the Kansas City Park Board, the discussion could provide insight into how fair media members think they report the news versus what others think.

"This is exactly the kind of program the Kansas City Press Club should sponsor. As professional journalists, we strive to report all stories fairly and this program will act as a barometer for how well we are accomplishing that goal from the Hispanic community’s perspective," Press Club President Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia said.

Panelists are Sylvia Maria Gross, KCUR- FM; Joe Arce, publisher, KC Hispanic News; Maria Antonia, KMBC-TV; Cris Medina, executive director, Guadalupe Center; and Rita Valenciano, Coalition of Hispanic Organizations.
Channel 41 reporter Chris Hernandez will moderate the event. A native Kansas Citian with reporting experience in Chicago and Cleveland, Hernandez has volunteered with the Mattie Rhodes Center, which provides social services in the Hispanic community.