Kansas City News Cloud Watching: Gunfire, Smollett Guilty & Madonna

We've got lots of interesting things for our late night & early morning denizens of the discourse to consider. As always we focus on community new, pop culture and top headlines.

Check the www.TonysKansasCity.com collection . . .

Community Talks Gunfire

'It's scary': Neighbors react after 2 teens shot outside Kansas City charter school

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two teens were taken to the hospital after a shooting Wednesday night outside a Kansas City charter school. Another teen is in police custody for questioning. The shooting triggered officials to cancel class Thursday to give the community time to process the event.

Longstanding Arson Blight Litters Kansas City

Nearly one year later, burned Kansas City apartment remains an eyesore

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It is a reminder for people living and working near the Waldo Heights Apartments, 24-hours a day. The remnants of the burned apartment building nothing but a shell. Some people say not only is it an eyesore, but also a safety concern.

Former Lawman Reflects

Former Greenwood police chief speaks after sentencing for assaulting man who tried to drown baby

GREENWOOD, MO (KCTV) -- A former Greenwood, Missouri police chief is speaking publicly after he was sentenced for beating a man who had tried to drown his infant daughter in a pond in 2018. On Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced Greg Hallgrimson to five years of probation after he pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights.

Another Exurb X-mas Ruined

Christmas lights stolen from Blue Springs family

The Wright family looks forward to Christmas each year. "The neighbors tell us, your house is so pretty," said Regina Wright, who lives in Blue Springs. They display lots of Christmas lights on their house for all to see. "This is his favorite holiday," she said pointing to her husband, Angelo Wright Sr.

White House Swag Shared

KC mayor delivers autographed gift from President Biden to city workers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A day after President Joe Biden visited Kansas City to talk about how his "Building a Better America" plan will improve the country, Mayor Quinton Lucas delivered a gift of appreciation from the Commander in Chief. Biden traveled to Kansas City on Wednesday to talk about the need for infrastructure improvements across the country.

Diva Outshines NextGen

Madonna upstages Lourdes by editing HERSELF into young model's pic

Lourdes Leon gave her ultra famous mother a run for her money in a sultry cover shoot for PAPER magazine's January issue, captured by photographer Indiana Piorek. For the stylized snaps, Madonna's 25-year-old daughter channeled '90s vibes as she modeled a myriad of barely-there ensembles in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.

Free Money Stays Winning

Senate takes up Schumer-McConnell debt pact

"It will be a shock to the system for everybody - and anybody in the country who really can grasp a trillion dollars," Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said about the final vote Democrats are prepared to shoulder alone.

FAKER CONVICTED!!!

GUILTY: Jussie Smollett's 'empire' falls after learning fate in fake hate crime attack to help boost career

Jussie Smollett has been found guilty on 5 out of 6 charges in the alleged hate crime hoax trial. After a contentious week of witness testimony, counsel arguments and deliberation, the jury found Smollett guilty on the first five counts and he was acquitted on a sixth count, of lying to a detective in mid-February, weeks after Smollett said he was attacked.

Prez Puts World On Notice

'An urgent matter': Biden warns democracy is under threat at summit

Joe Biden has launched his virtual Summit for Democracy with a warning that democratic rights and norms are under threat around the world, including in the US. Facing video links with 80 world leaders arrayed on two oversize electronic panels, the US president said: "This is an urgent matter on all our parts, in my view, because the data we're seeing is largely pointing in the wrong direction."

Big Apple Welcomes New Voters

NYC adopts measure allowing noncitizens to vote for mayor

New York City on Thursday voted to allow noncitizens to vote in certain local elections, including for mayor, city council member Ydanis Rodriguez, who sponsored the bill, wrote on Twitter. The city council approved the measure extending voting eligibility to New York City residents who are not U.S.

Pandemic Pricing Persists

Biden health team ruled out free Covid tests for all over cost, logistics

"Offensive and unbecoming of someone representing the White House," said Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist who advised the Biden transition's Covid-19 response. "It's like they want to appear like they're doing something, but aren't as concerned about actual impact."

Plague Deaths Spike Again

Covid-19 patients at this hospital are dying 'at a rate we've never seen die before' -- and it's taking a toll on health care workers

Nurse Katie Sefton never thought Covid-19 could get this bad -- and certainly not this late in the pandemic.

Waiting For Final Word

'Pawns on a chessboard': Ukrainians look on as US and Russia decide their fate

Despite weeks of ever more insistent US warnings that Russia could launch a full-blown invasion of Ukraine this winter, Volodymyr Nahorniy spent Wednesday evening at a ski shop in Kyiv splashing out $500 on kit for two planned snowboarding trips.

Newsworthy: Attack Against Right Wing Media Basically Condoned

Fox Square All-American Christmas Tree arson suspect free on no bail

The 49-year-old suspect who was arrested Wednesday in connection with the alleged torching of a Christmas tree outside the New York City headquarters of Fox News and other News Corp. units has been freed on no bail, according to a report.

Old School Pr0n Game Drama Explored

Serendipity strikes for Simon Rex as an adult-film antihero

NEW YORK -- Simon Rex, in town for the recent Gotham Awards, where he was nominated for outstanding lead performance in "Red Rocket," was comparing today's pandemic-scarred New York with the city he knew in the 1990s as a VJ on MTV. "Times Square was like pimps and sex booths and then it became Disneyland.

Hip-Hop Enjoys Appropriation

Tech N9ne to bang the drum before Chiefs-Raiders game on Sunday

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) --- The artist behind "Red Kingdom" will return to Chiefs Kingdom on Sunday afternoon. Local rapper and artist Tech N9ne will be the Drum Honoree for this weekend's Kansas City Chiefs game. The Chiefs play host to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday as the team looks for its sixth straight victory following a 3-4 start.

Kansas Tribute Take Centerstage

Former Sen. Bob Dole lies in state at U.S. Capitol, first Kansan with that honor in over 50 years

KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- Former Sen. Bob Dole will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, a rare honor reserved for people who have performed distinguished service to the country. The 1996 Republican presidential candidate is the first Kansan to receive this honor since President Dwight Eisenhower in 1969.

Chill For Now

Record warmth delays ski season at Snow Creek

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The string of above average temperatures this month have been great for many outdoor activities. It hasn't been great for skiing. Snow Creek Mountain Resort announced Thursday it's delaying the start to its ski and tubing season. The Weston, Missouri-area attraction typically allows Kansas Citians to whet their skiing appetite close to home.

Upwardly Mobile Feast Reviewed

Foodie Find of the Week IN Kansas City: Pearl Tavern's Pearl Mixed Grill - In Kansas City

Deciding what's for dinner is one of the day's most difficult decisions-especially when you're in the mood for a little of everything. What to do? What to do? What to do? We found everything we wanted at Pearl Tavern. With the seafood restaurant's new holiday menu, get your fill of steak, salmon, and shrimp all...

December Friday Warm Up

Highs in the 60s for your Friday

It will be mostly clear skies and a bit chilly with lows the mid-30s. It will be breezy and warmer in the afternoon on Friday. Look for highs in the upper 60s. We'll see a few more clouds and there will be a slight chance for a rain shower Friday as a front pushes in.

Let’s Not Describe It As An 'Anti-Climax' And Simply Enjoy The Ride With Modest Expectations

The End of the Universe Will Probably Be Fairly Disappointing

Katie Mack, an assistant professor of physics at North Carolina State University, is quickly becoming one of the internet's most popular science communicators. In her first book, The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) , she explores various scenarios for the end of the universe.

And all of this goodness is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Hopefully, we'll have more for the morning update . . . STAY TUNED!!!