Police identify Smithville man who died in home explosion
SMITHVILLE, Mo. (KCTV) - Five days after a house fire took the life of an elderly man, law enforcement has identified the victim. The Smithville Police Department stated that 71-year-old Scott Ritzinger died when his house in the 300 block of East Meadow Street went up in flames on Jan. 28, 2026.
KCPD Chief Graves announces ‘drastic cost-reduction measures’ to solve shortfall
Months before the end of its fiscal 2025-26 budget year, Kansas City, Missouri, Chief of Police Stacey Graves is calling for “some drastic cost-reduction measures” to solve a “budgetary imbalance.”
Ex-girlfriend of man charged in murder spotted red flags before leaving him
A murder case in the Northland is headed to trial after a grand jury indicted 42-year-old Jeffrey King on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Driver ejected from car, critically injured during crash on The Paseo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - One person suffered critical injuries when they were hit by a suspected impaired driver on Sunday, the Kansas City Police Department reports. First responders were called to the intersection of The Paseo and E 43rd Street around 4:34 p.m. on Feb. 1. Crash investigators believe...
KC police chief calls for ‘drastic’ budget cuts: Hiring freeze, no overtime
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at [email protected]. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves is...
Fiery crash on I-35 in Kansas City closes highway early Monday morning
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A fiery crash shut down part of Interstate 35 early Monday morning, leaving one person with life-threatening injuries and delaying traffic for a few hours. Kansas City firefighters were called to the scene near I-35 and 17th Street just before 3:20 a.m., where they found...
Man charged with murder in Popeyes shooting that killed 1, injured another
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A deadly shooting at a Kansas City Popeyes Saturday night has resulted in a murder charge for a man. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said Monday that Joseph H. Watson, 22, is charged with second-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a...
Listen: Mayor Lucas says a potential 10,000 person ICE detention center isn’t welcome here
Listen: Mayor Lucas says a potential 10,000 person immigrant detention center isn’t welcome here Listen: Mayor Lucas says a potential 10,000 person immigrant detention center isn’t welcome here
Marijuana companies sue dozens of smoke shops for selling THCA hemp flower
A coalition of marijuana companies is filing lawsuits against businesses across Missouri, accusing dozens of stores of illegally selling marijuana under the guise of “THCA hemp flower” and undercutting the state’s regulated cannabis market. The lawsuits target nearly 40 stores in St. Louis County and 17 businesses in...
Major Mexican Restaurant Begins To Shut Down Locations
The wave of restaurant closures that plagued 2025 is continuing in 2026, this time affecting multiple locations across Ohio, Georgia, Arizona, and Texas.
