KCPT’s Ruckus .

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Ruckus – November 3, 2011

This week: KC MO School Board at an end? Drop in convention and tourism business, WYCO finances, and the Herman Cain controversy.

Join the Ruckettes and your fellow Ruckus fans at Californo’s in Westport for a special Ruckus Roast & Toast member event on November 10.

TOPIC 1:  THE END? FINALLY!
The state education commissioner is asking the Kansas City, Missouri, School board to cede control to the state by January 1.  The board is now considering its options.

TOPIC 2: UN-CONVENTIONAL
A drop in business is sparking a debate among convention and tourism officials about what to do.  Go for smaller events?  Build a new downtown hotel?  Refurbish existing facilities? All of the above?  None of the above?

TOPIC 3:  SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES
Unified Government officials are displaying disunity, arguing about the state of the county’s finances.  The mayor and his backers say they’re on the right course.  A so-called “Group of Four” on the board is unconvinced and one taxpayer group claims the county is running a “Ponzi Scheme.”

TOPIC 4:  CAIN PAIN
Presidential candidate Herman Cain is running into a controversy over allegations of sexual harassment when he was head of the National Restaurant Association.  His judgment is also being questioned about the release of a campaign video featuring his chief of staff who inhales from a cigarette near the end of the message.

Finally, want to show your love for RUCKUS? Put your feelings into words! Submit a RUCKUS themed “LIMERICK” and let loose in rhyme. The best will be read on air by Mike on Nov 17. Thanks for watching RUCKUS!

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Ruckus – October 20, 2011

Join the Ruckettes and your fellow Ruckus fans at Californo’s in Westport for a special Ruckus Roast & Toast member event on November 10. TOPIC 1: FINN TO PEN? Bishop...

Join the Ruckettes and your fellow Ruckus fans at Californo’s in Westport for a special Ruckus Roast & Toast member event on November 10.

TOPIC 1: FINN TO PEN?
Bishop Robert Finn and the local diocese have been charged with failure to report child abuse.

TOPIC 2: SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES!
After a lengthy absence, Phill Kline is back in the news. A Kansas disciplinary panel has recommended that Kline be indefinitely suspended from practicing law in the state. Kline, a former attorney general and district attorney, is not practicing law in Kansas. He’s teaching law in Virginia.

TOPIC 3: HORATIO CAIN?
Presidential hopeful Herman Cain has been critical of the “Occupy Wall Street” protestors, telling them to blame themselves if they don’t have a job and aren’t rich. Local columnist Mary Sanchez says the protestors aren’t to blame, it’s the system. And, Sanchez believes, the work ethic is still alive and well in the United States.

TOPIC 4: BROWNBACK-ED SCHOOL PLAN
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has unveiled plans to change the state’s school finance formula. Johnson County residents have complained about the current formula since its inception.

Finally, want to show your love for RUCKUS? Put your feelings into words! Submit a RUCKUS themed “LIMERICK” and let loose in rhyme. The best will be read on air by Mike on Nov 17. Thanks for watching RUCKUS!

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Ruckus – October 27, 2011

American Royal and Kemper Arena, Kansas document shredding, Zoo tax and other topics this week.

Join the Ruckettes and your fellow Ruckus fans at Californo’s in Westport for a special Ruckus Roast & Toast member event on November 10.

TOPIC 1: WHAT GOES UP…..
American Royal officials are calling for the demolition of Kemper Arena and construction of an equestrian/agricultural center at a cost of 70-million dollars. The Kemper family is endorsing the plan and offering to raise 10-million dollars.

TOPIC 2: RIPPED TO SHREDS
As the Johnson County District Attorney’s case against Planned Parenthood was set to begin, it was learned that some key documents had been destroyed by the state. State officials say the action was routine and done before the current case was initiated. A spokeswoman for Kansans for Life says the state acted intentionally to protect the abortion industry.

TOPIC 3: DO IT FOR THE ANIMALS
The sales tax election to support the Kansas City Zoo will be November 8th. Originally, four counties were to be involved. Now there are only two—Jackson and Clay. What happened to Platte and Cass?

TOPIC 4: HOT SPOTS
Kansas City, Missouri, Police are focusing on “hot spots,” areas where a large number of violent crimes are committed. Chief Daryl Forte says this is only a first step in combating crime.

Finally, want to show your love for RUCKUS? Put your feelings into words! Submit a RUCKUS themed “LIMERICK” and let loose in rhyme. The best will be read on air by Mike on Nov 17. Thanks for watching RUCKUS!

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Ruckus – September 22, 2011

Thursday at 7pm

TOPIC 1: AMC YOU LATER
This week we’ll have more time to talk about the move of AMC from Kansas City to Leawood and some of the political ramifications. A Star editorial called the decision a “financially irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars.” It’s seems likely the column included the thoughts of one Ruckus panelist.

TOPIC 2: THE MORE THINGS CHANGE….
Once again the issue of accreditation for the Kansas City school district is in the news. A pending court case could force neighboring districts to accept transfers from Kansas City if partial accreditation is withdrawn. State authorities will be looking closely at the district and its accreditation status again this week.

TOPIC 3: GIVE ME FIVE!!
The Greater Kansas City Chamber has released its “Big Five” ideas for the metro area.

TOPIC 4: BUYERS REMORSE?
A new poll shows Hillary Clinton the most popular political figure in the U.S. And one-third of those surveyed say the country would be better off now if she, not Barack Obama, were president. Other political issues including Steve’s column on the Johnson County Charter review process may be discussed.

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Ruckus : June 28, 2012

Latest from the Supremes, Kansas Board of Regents increasing tuition, All-Star cleanup, and what makes Kevin run!

TOPIC 1: LATEST FROM THE SUPREMES
Assuming that the U.S. Supreme Court renders its verdict in the “Affordable Care Act” case by taping time, we’ll discuss that first. Then, we’ll discuss the ruling in the Arizona Immigration case.

TOPIC 2: “K” STANDS FOR “KOSTLY.”
The Kansas Board of Regents is increasing tuition at all state four-year institutions of higher education. Also, the Regents will impose higher academic standards at Kansas University commencing in 2016. One member of the board said the enhanced academic requirements were not designed to keep students out, but to keep them in.

TOPIC 3: ALL-STAR CLEANUP
Kansas City is undertaking a “pothole blitz” as part of the clean-up, fix-up effort to impress visitors and the media during All-Star Game festivities. Estimated cost about 900-thousand dollars. It’s certainly understandable that the city would want Kansas City to make a good impression during this important event.

TOPIC 4: WHAT MAKES KEVIN RUN!
Although he faces no opposition either from within his own party in the August primary or from Democrats in November, 3rd District Kansas U.S. Representative Kevin Yoder is running harder than ever. That the observation from Steve Rose in one of his recent columns.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

Steve Rose sits in for Gwen this week.

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Ruckus : June 30, 2011

TOPIC 1: TALK TO THE ANIMALS. A petition drive is underway in an effort to put a sales tax issue on the November ballot. The 1/8 cent tax would go...

TOPIC 1: TALK TO THE ANIMALS.
A petition drive is underway in an effort to put a sales tax issue on the November ballot. The 1/8 cent tax would go to improve the Kansas City Zoo. The counties involved are Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass.

TOPIC 2: PEEVED OVER PENSIONS.
The Kansas City Firefighters’ Union is not happy with the council’s decision to give only partial credit to former MAST ambulance employees who now work for the city. The dispute over the pension plan has been going on for more than a year.

TOPIC 3: “CLAIRE-I-FY.”
A conservative political action committee has unleashed a 50-thousand dollar radio advertising campaign in Missouri targeting incumbent senator McCaskill. Democrats say the reason is the weakness of her potential GOP adversaries in next year’s election cycle.

TOPIC 4: EN-GAY-GED.
Same-sex couples in New York state can begin planning their weddings as a result of action taken by the state legislature last weekend. New York became the sixth state to authorize gay marriage.

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Ruckus
April 11, 2013

This week: Interminable terminal debate, Gov. Sam Brownback GOP response, Kansas' sweeping anti-abortion bill, State of the City Take Two.

Ruckus, Thursday, April 11, 2013, 7:30

INTERMINABLE TERMINAL DEBATE
The discussion continue about a plan to convert Kansas City International from three terminals to just one. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that many area residents are not in favor of the change.

SAM’S CLUB
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback gave last Saturday’s GOP response to the president’s weekly radio address. Brownback talked about his administration’s success in budgetary matters without raising taxes. Critics claim he was disingenuous at best.

LIFE BEGINS…WHEN?
Governor Brownback is expected to sign into law a measure that is described as a “sweeping anti-abortion bill.” The proposed law defines life as beginning at conception. The definition, however, will not change when abortions can be performed in the state.

STATE OF THE CITY–TAKE TWO
Columnist Kevin Collison suggests correctly that the essence of Mayor James’ State of the City speech was overshadowed by the melee that occurred at the event. Collison says there was substance that needs to be discussed. One example is the mayor’s comment that it’s time for a discussion about a thousand-room downtown hotel. Collision says considering all the studies and all the money already spent considering this project, that discussion has already taken place.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

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Ruckus
April 18, 2013

Mayor Sly James' accomplishments and his future; a public relations firm being hired to handle opposition to a one-terminal option at MCI; former network correspondent, Ed Rabel's notion that local news across the country, in general, is a waste of time; and parents missing in action.

Ruckus: April 18, 2013

THE CONSTANT CAMPAIGN
In last week’s column, Yael looked ahead to the mayoral race in 2015 and what appear to be very favorable odds that Sly James will win a second term. We’ll talk about James’ accomplishments thus far and the challenges ahead. And, we’ll discuss how this mayor is being treated by the news media.

P.R. IS THE ANSWER! MAYBE
One way the city is trying to deal with opposition to the one-terminal option at K.C.I. is through a public relations campaign. A firm has been hired for 174-thousand dollars. What will it do? Doesn’t the city government already have public relations staff on its payroll? How would you recommend a public relations campaign be conducted for KCI?

IS “BREAKING NEWS” BROKEN?
A former network correspondent, Ed Rabel, writes that local television news across the country is a “waste of time.” Rabel, now a columnist and author, claims local coverage mostly contains fender-benders, house fires and high school reunions. Rabel was not writing about any specific community, but about local television news in markets across the country.

MISSING IN ACTION: PARENTS

There continue to be reports of teens, young adults, and small children (one as young as seven) wandering the Country Club Plaza on weekends. One report describes dozens of unsupervised teens being guided away from the Plaza by police at about midnight on Saturday. No parental presence observed! Is this continuing problem in local entertainment venues insoluble without parental involvement? Any indication that parents are responding? Are there other solutions?

ROASTS AND TOASTS

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Ruckus
February 14, 2013

Watch this week's discussion online: Yael's column about Walmart; Unified Government election; taking issue with the word "suitable" in the Kansas state constitution; and the State of the Union.

This week:

WALMART RULES!
We’ll discuss Yael’s column about Walmart and some of the controversies surrounding the retail giant in the metro area. We can also discuss the ongoing issues caused for smaller “mom and pop” style businesses when they try to compete with giant national stores.

TANTAMOUNT TO ELECTION?
The only two mayors to serve in Kansas City, Kansas, since the formation of the Unified Government have jointly announced their support for Mark Holland in the upcoming mayoral primary. The obvious assumption is this will be a great asset to his campaign. But is it possible there is also be a down side?

WHAT’S IN A WORD?
Writing about the Kansas school finance issue, Star columnist Tom McClanahan takes issue with the word “suitable” in the state constitution. Suitable precedes “provision” and refers to the “finance” of public education. McClanahan wonders about the efficacy of the term and how ” suitable provision” can be adequately defined. Some legislators are hoping to stop the state courts from making that judgment and are attempting to make certain that future decisions will rest with the legislative and executive branches. A state court recently ruled (as did the state Supreme Court in 2005) that the current level of funding is inadequate.

STATE OF THE UNION
This will be a general discussion of the president’s Tuesday evening speech and the Republican response.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

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Ruckus
February 21, 2013

This week: the right to vote, hot-button issues, proposed KCMO budget, and the abdication of a Pope.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

RIGHT-TO-WORK?
One major hot-button issue in the Missouri Legislature this year is right-to-work, an issue generally embraced by Republicans and rejected by Democrats. Twenty-four other states, including Kansas, have enacted right-to-work legislation which gives workers the right not to join or financially support a union.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A ……….
Another hot-button issue, voter photo I.D., is under discussion again in the Missouri Legislature. Previous efforts have failed because of governors’ vetoes and court rulings.

SLY AND PRAGMATIC!
Kansas City’s mayor says the proposed budget document reflects an incremental and pragmatic approach. But Sly James says at some point Kansas City will have to talk about more money for infrastructure.

WILL FINN STAY IN?
The world’s attention is focused on the almost unprecedented abdication of a Pope. We will base our discussion on Mary’s personal reaction as a former nun and then ask her about how the changes at the Vatican might affect the local diocese. Are we likely to experience reverberations in the local diocese because of the imminent changes at the Vatican?

ROASTS AND TOASTS

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