Happy Monday, Kansas City!
We hope you enjoyed a love-filled weekend! Check out some of our stories coming from KC right now.
In Today’s Newsletter:
- Andrew Lester, the white man who shot Ralph Yarl has pleaded guilty.
- Love Couple Wendell and Sharon Hamilton
- The whistleblower who called out Mayor Lucas’ spending believes he is being retaliated against
- Jackson County’s new Black art exhibits
Support Local Journalism: For nearly 30 years, The Community Voice has been a pillar of information and empowerment in Wichita and Kansas City. We need your support to keep delivering the news that matters. Your contribution will support funding an internship program as a way to build a pipeline of future reporters and immediately provide us with a talented and energetic crew to help support our coverage and product offerings. Join us in making a difference!
JUSTICE
The Consequences of Ralph Yarl’s Shooter’s Change of Plea
Andrew Lester, the 86-year-old Kansas City man charged in the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in a Kansas City Court Room on Friday.
Why the change of plea and why did prosecutors agree to lesser charges?
LOVE COUPLES
Wendell and Sharon Hamilton
We hope you all had a great Valentine’s weekend. To celebrate love, we are sharing the stories of love couples, their backgrounds, and advice to other couples. Meet Wendell and Sharon Hamilton of Kansas City!
Question: Which was the first historically black college and university (HBCU) in America?
A. Howard University
B. Cheyney University
C. Alcorn State University
D. Harris-Stowe State University
*See the answer after “In Other News”*
KANSAS CITY NEWS
Kansas City Mayor Accused of Retaliating Against Whistleblower Who Revealed Nonprofit Spending
The whistleblower who revealed financial transactions he felt were potentially unlawful by a nonprofit that bankrolled travel and entertainment for Kansas City’s mayor says he is now being targeted with defamation and retaliation.
ARTS
Art, History & Culture: Jackson County Showcases Black Creativity
Jackson County launched two exhibitions celebrating Black history and artistry Friday, showcasing both local talent and national heritage during Black History Month.
Woman withdraws civil lawsuit against Jay-Z, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs alleging she was raped at age 13. An Alabama woman who said she was raped by rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs withdrew her civil lawsuit against both men on Friday. (Philadelphia Tribune)
Altadena residents connect with NAACP, BET to form community preservation fund. Local residents and organizations unite to save historic Black community of Altadena, California from devastating fires and displacement. (AFRO News)
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance Explained: Hidden Messages and Cultural Commentary. He broke the usual formula of the halftime show, and instead of focusing on his greatest hits, he focused on delivering a powerful message. (YT)
Trivia Answer: B. Cheyney University. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the United States, founded in 1837. HBCUs were established to provide educational opportunities for people of African descent who were not permitted to attend existing higher education institutions.
GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK!
How are we doing? Leave us a message and let us know what you think of our newsletters. What would you like to see more or less of? If someone forwarded you this newsletter, sign up here! To advertise your business, event, or nonprofit, email hill@tcvpub.com