Toriano Porter

Local elections matter... below is a link to The Kansas City Star Opinion's recommendations in the Nov. 4 election...
Link:
www.kansascity.com/opinion/elec...

The Kansas City Star endorses in WyCo’s BPU District 2 race | Opinion The Star Editorial Board chooses between attorney Chase Cook and former Piper school board member Neal Palmer. | Opinion

On Nov. 4, Wyandotte County voters will choose between a corporate attorney new to politics and a veteran elected official for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City Board of Public Utilities District 2 seat.

The Star recommends whether Independence should keep 4-day school week | Opinion Is the new schedule in the best interests of students and teachers? | Opinion

Hot off the press: Another The Kansas City Star Opinion election endorsement

On Nov. 4, voters in Independence will decide if the school district’s four-day school week will continue for the next decade.

The Kansas City Star’s endorsement in the WyCo BPU District 1 At-Large race | Opinion This is The Star Editorial Board’s recommendation between Gary Bradley-Lopez and Lisa Walker-Yeager in the November election. | Opinion

In any other election cycle, our recommendation for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, BPU District 1 At-Large seat would be slightly less complicated. But the race is unlike any we’ve seen in recent memory.

The Kansas City Star’s endorsement in the WyCo District 1 race | Opinion The Star’s Editorial Board looks at challengers Jermaine “Jae” Howard and Lisa Walker-Yeager in the Nov. 4 race. | Opinion

The Star’s Editorial Board looks at challengers Jermaine “Jae” Howard and Lisa Walker-Yeager in the Nov. 4 race.
www.kansascity.com/opinion/edit...

The Kansas City Star’s endorsement in Wyco District 5 board race | Opinion The editorial board endorses in the Wyandotte County Board of Commissioners race between LaVert Murray and Carlos Pacheco. | Opinion

On Nov. 4, voters will decide between Carlos Pacheco and LaVert Murray. There are many similarities between the two, but just as many differences.

The Kansas City Star’s endorsement in Wyandotte County District 8 race | Opinion The Editorial Board chooses between incumbent Andrew Davis and challenger Jacob Handy to represent the 8th District. | Opinion

Wyandotte County voters will have a difficult choice to make on Nov. 4. The race between current UG District 8 Commissioner Andrew Davis and challenger Jacob Handy is a tough call as each candidate has attributes that we feel could serve the public well.

The Star’s endorsement in Wyandotte County District 2 at-large race | Opinion This is The Kansas City Star Editorial Board’s recommendation in the race between Andrew Kump and Philip Lopez. | Opinion

On Nov. 4, Wyandotte County voters will decide between a political newcomer and a sitting commissioner vying for the open at-large District 2 seat on the Unified Government Board of Commission, the primary governing body for KCK and Wyandotte County. www.kansascity.com/opinion/edit...

Gov. Kehoe, there are too many questions to execute Lance Shockley now | Opinion His jury was deadlocked, so the judge sentenced him to death. That’s not justice. | Opinion

From The Kansas City Star Opinion team: Lance Shockley's jury was deadlocked, so the judge sentenced him to death. That’s not justice.

www.kansascity.com/opinion/edit...

DaRon McGee wants to become Jackson County executive | Opinion The short application process ends Monday, and McGee told The Star Editorial Board he would apply. From Toriano Porter | Opinion

The cat is out of the bag: Jackson County Legislature Chairman DaRon McGee wants to replace Frank White as the next Jackson County executive.

On-duty killings led to $3.5 million payout. Why is KCPD officer still employed? | Opinion Kansas City Police Department officer Blayne Newton should be fired. From the Editorial Board | Opinion

That Blayne Newton, an eight-year KCPD veteran, still patrols city streets is unfathomable. Since 2020, he’s fatally shot three people while on duty and injured a fourth with gunfire. He’s been accused of using excessive force more than once.

New Jackson County jail will be over capacity the day it opens | Opinion Here's what Prosecutor Melesa Johnson and Sheriff Darryl Forte propose to address this critical issue in Kansas City. From Toriano Porter | Opinion

Kansas City, we have a problem — an overcrowded county jail problem. So what’s the fix?

Apparently portable beds, expanded pods and bond reviews for dangerous criminal suspects.

New Missouri AG breaks from predecessors with different priorities | Opinion We applaud that she plans to focus on consumer protection, and not spend much time on constitutional issues. | Opinion

"I think that there is a lot of room for improvement in kind of some of the mundane and boring things. But the things that the AG’s office has responsibility for aren’t so boring if they happen to you." - Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway

Lol. Cute. Research. Report. Confirm. Confirm again. Form opinion based on facts. Advocate for solution. That's the process, but thank you for making it easy to show how uninformed you are about MY job. And yes, losing your job isn't worth popping off on the internet about another person's death.

‘Free4’ shirt was wrong. Chiefs players, let’s not see it again | Opinion People got hurt in the Rashee Rice wreck. Toriano Porter suggests that Travis Kelce should acknowledge the fashion mistake. | Opinion

Before or after the Kansas City Chiefs take the field Sunday against the New York Giants, Travis Kelce should acknowledge his mistake for wearing a “Free 4” T-shirt last week for suspended teammate Rashee Rice.

www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Charlie Kirk is dead. Is criticism of his message worth losing your job? | Opinion Missouri and Kansas teachers join those across the country losing their livelihood in the aftermath of negative social media posts about Charlie Kirk. From Toriano Porter | Opinion

Here's a reminder, folks: Don't fumble the bag. Your opinion on Charlie Kirk and whatever he stood for is simply not worth losing your job.

City must help Kansas City man surrounded by squatters at his own home | Opinion The homeowner has a checkered past, but Kansas City and the police department must protect him and his neighborhood. | Opinion

If there are any civic organizations out there interested in donating resources and personnel to help clean this property, please email me at tporter@kcstar.com.

If we can’t speak our differences without fear, how can we move forward? | Opinion The day before Charlie Kirk was killed, Yvette Walker and Toriano Porter spoke at a public event on DEI. Is conversation doomed? | Opinion

"I hardly agreed with any of Charlie Kirk’s takes, but my heart goes out to him and his family and the people who love and support him. And that is not just talk. I actually feel for him and his loved ones." - TP

‘Not the right thing to do’: Missouri redistricting against the people’s good | Opinion We agree with GOP House Speaker Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit that Kansas City must have representation in Congress. | Opinion

It was almost a foregone conclusion that the Missouri House would more likely than not approve rigging the state’s congressional districts. And lawmakers in the state’s lower chamber did exactly that on Tuesday.

When Roger Marshall echoes RFK Jr’s vaccine nonsense, there are consequences | Opinion Leaders at the highest levels peddle fundamental misinformation. Many Kansans listen and follow suit. | Opinion

Quacks gon' quack...

License plate cameras: Is your data used against you, Kansas City? | Opinion Even Flock Safety, which sells the tech, has questions about what the government is doing. Toriano Porter breaks down local cities using it. | Opinion

We know we are being watched, but what are they doing with our data? @torianoporter.bsky.social takes a look at this in several Kansas City-area cities.

www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

That is why I said three games. Sitting out 4 games seems suitable.

Something must be done.

Philadelphia Eagles player Jalen Carter spit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The NFL should suspend Carter for at least three games.

Independence’s top 3 leaders leaving, while public safety suffers | Opinion The leadership vaccum in the Kansas City suburb could open doors for reforms that keep residents safe. From Toriano Porter | Opinion

The leadership vacuum in Independence is pronounced: In this Kansas City suburb, there is no permanent police chief, its city manager is on the way out the door and the city’s incumbent mayor recently announced he will not seek a second term.

License plate cameras: Is your data used against you, Kansas City? | Opinion Even Flock Safety, which sells the tech, has questions about what the government is doing. Toriano Porter breaks down local cities using it. | Opinion

Every local jurisdiction in the metro area that uses automated license plate readers should consider, if they haven’t already done so, conducting an audit to make sure drivers’ data is not being used by local or federal officials for nefarious reasons.

Clean-living KC hip-hop artist opens no-alcohol bar, with live music and art !function(n){if(!window.cnxel){window.cnxel={},window.cnxel.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.src='javascript:false'; t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.cre...

My kids' uncle, y'all. To say I am proud of this dude is an understatement. He kicked booze and is now winning at life. Story by J.M. Banks.

What do KC couples think of Swift-Kelce engagement? Not everyone agrees | Opinion Even opinion writer Toriano Porter thinks love is in the air, after first wondering whether the couple was a PR stunt. | Opinion

I could sense that love was in the air Tuesday in Kansas City after pop star Taylor Swift announced she was engaged to Chiefs player Travis Kelce. So I took to the streets to get reactions from local couples about the love birds’ pending nuptials.

I watched ESPN’s ‘The Kingdom.’ Here’s what I learned about Andy Reid | Opinion Up to now, Toriano Porter has questioned why the Kansas City Chiefs head coach hasn’t taken a stronger hand with troubled players. | Opinion

On Wednesday, we learned the NFL suspended Chiefs WR Rashee Rice for 6 games. The day before, I wrote in a Kansas City Star opinion column: "Rice is only 25. He has a great opportunity to redeem himself. I am sure Chiefs fans are hoping he steers clear of trouble." www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

I watched ESPN’s ‘The Kingdom.’ Here’s what I learned about Andy Reid | Opinion Up to now, Toriano Porter has questioned why the Kansas City Chiefs head coach hasn’t taken a stronger hand with troubled players. | Opinion

Over the weekend, I watched every episode of “The Kingdom,” ESPN’s six-part series on the Kansas City Chiefs. By far, Episode 2 was my favorite.