What stories were most important, influential or compelling in 2025? I asked The Star’s Opinion team — Derek Donovan, Toriano Porter, David Mastio and regular correspondent Joel Mathis — and we came up with a list, from No. 5 to No. 1, that reflected Kansas City’s best and worst of the year. Let us know what you think and if we missed your favorites.
No. 5: High city payouts
Kansas City and Lee’s Summit were on the hook for millions in settlements from lawsuits that ranged from wrongful deaths to discrimination. Here are the cases that stood out:
Cameron Lamb: The family of Cameron Lamb, the 26-year-old Black man fatally shot by ex-Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere, reached a $4.1 million settlement in a federal lawsuit filed against DeValkenaere, the Kansas City Police Department and its Board of Police Commissioners. Toriano Porter said he was happy that the family was compensated but was disappointed that neither the city nor DeValkenaere were found culpable.
Shooting settlements: In June 2023, the lives of 42-year-old Marcell Nelson and 42-year-old Kristen Fairchild were tragically ended when Kansas City police officer Blayne Newton opened fire at an intersection near 31st Street and Van Brunt Boulevard. Jaden Thorns, who was also shot in the head during the incident, miraculously survived. We questioned why Newton was still on the force after the shooting and the settlement…