The Platte County attorney who called a colleague the N-word needs to pay the price. The Missouri Supreme Court should use the strongest professional punishment for Scott Campbell for using the “filthiest, dirtiest, nastiest word in the English language.”

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Platte County attorney who called colleague N-word needs to pay the price | Opinion The Missouri Supreme Court should use the strongest professional punishment for using the “filthiest, dirtiest, nastiest word in the English language.” From Toriano Porter:

When Lynnette Lockhart, a Black woman and assistant prosecuting attorney in Platte County, learned that defense attorney Scott Campbell called her a racial slur, she cried, according to a complaint Lockhart filed against Campbell with the Missouri Bar.

‘Things that matter are family’: Reality TV star back in US after Iran attacks | Opinion Bayleigh Dayton and her family were living in Dubai, and found themselves stuck during the war against Iran. Toriano Porter tells what it was like.

Bayleigh Dayton, a former reality television contestant, entrepreneur and Miss Missouri USA beauty pageant winner, lives in Dubai with husband Chris Williams and the couple’s two small children, ages 2 and 3. The Iran attacks brought them back to the U.S.

James Killian is a 49-year-old dad suing the Lawrence School District. It’s a legal battle that is worthwhile, if you ask me.

To read my piece on this father's legal fight, click on the link below or visit www.kansascity.com and #subscribe🗞

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‘It’s definitely been rocky.’ Inside a Black student’s experience at Mizzou | Opinion Amaya Morgan, president of the Legion of Black Collegians, describes culture shock and funding cuts at the University of Missouri. From Toriano Porter:

Inside a Black student’s experience at Mizzou: “I, for one, have never been called the N-word until I got here.” - Amaya Morgan, president of the Legion of Black Collegians.

Until Mizzou becomes a more welcoming and tolerant place for all young people, I cannot in good conscience continue to travel to a campus that has shown a pattern of hostility toward minority students in recent years.

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Why is Donald Trump's DOJ going after the governing body for high school sports in Missouri?

To read my latest piece, click on the link below or visit www.kansascity.com and #subscribe.

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Representation matters — especially when the ‘minorities’ aren’t who you think | Opinion Missouri high school sports governing rules require the at-large seats to reflect the opposite of the make of the whole board. How is that discriminatory? From Toriano Porter:

I say this with all sincerity to my white male brethren from around the state of Missouri: A policy implemented to ensure underrepresented groups have a seat at the decision-making table isn’t a slight against you.

April 7 is a Election Day and The Kansas City Star Editorial Board endorsed in several hotly contested races. A link to our Election Recommendations page can be found below or visit www.kansascity.com/opinion to see all our full stories.

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My latest column for the Kansas City Star Editorial Board is a very personal one about a public proposal making its way through the Missouri Legislature.

To read the piece, click on the link below or visit www.kansascity.com and #subscribe 🗞

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Independence police do far more car chases than rest of KC. That has to stop | Opinion It’s one-quarter the size of Kansas City, but conducted four times as many vehicle pursuits as the KCPD last year. From Toriano Porter:

In 2025, Independence officers conducted 541 vehicle pursuits. Despite Kansas City having a population almost four times higher than Independence, KCPD officers pursued only 137 vehicles last year. Time for IDP to end this madness.
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If Kansas City police commissioners kept track of problem officers who should no longer be on the force, Dylan Pifer has to be at the top of the list. He should be followed out the door by anyone else who has failed to uphold their oath to protect and serve.
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How did a Valentine’s Day dispute over dinner reservations lead to an interracial married couple from Kansas City being banned from the Wandering Vine at The Castle restaurant in Shawnee?

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A few thoughts on a proposed bill that would eliminate mandatory vehicle safety inspections in Missouri.

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It pinches the purse, but Missouri needs vehicle inspections | Opinion Toriano Porter just shelled out hundreds to get his son’s car ready to pass, but he still believes in mandatory inspections. | Opinion

Anyone concerned about road safety around the state should contact their representative and oppose a bill that could conceivably lead to more road deaths. www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

If Terri Golding of Kansas City can prove she’s lived in unhealthy conditions since Day 1, she should be reimbursed.

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Blayne Newton quits Kansas City police but keeps peace license — for now | Opinion Newton’s departure from the Kansas City Police Department didn’t include surrendering his license. Stakeholders can report him to Missouri POST. From Toriano Porter:

Anyone with a vested interest in the Kansas City community can file a complaint against Newton with the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Traning program, the agency that handles disciplinary issues involving law enforcement officers and their license.

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A few thoughts on the resignation of former Kansas City Police Officer Blayne Newton, a former cop who fatally shot three people, injured another with gunfire and brutalized two women while in uniform. I will share more thoughts in an upcoming column for The Kansas City Star... #staytuned

Got a phone call from my oldest daughter on Thursday. She's a sophomore at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL.

Victoria: Dad, something really cool just happened to me. Kamala Harris was on campus today and I shook her hand.

Me: Awwwww, baby, that's super dope.

In Missouri, there is no state law that automatically revokes a convicted police officer’s license.

That must change.

I explain why in my latest column for the Kansas City Star Editorial Board. To read the piece, click on the link below.
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Hanging with the big dogs tonight...

Program: COLLIDE Series-Across State Lines: Power, Opportunity, and the Cost of Being a Border City
Format: Moderated Panel
Date: Thursday, February 12. 2026
Panel: 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 6123

Two days in and three pieces already written. To read my musings on recent developments in Missouri and Kansas, click on the links below or visit kansascity.com and #subscribe.

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

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

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

Let MSHSAA members run the nonprofit, not politicians with axes to grind | Opinion Missouri state Sen. Jason Bean backs a bill that critics say would politicize interscholastic sports in the state. From Toriano Porter:

An ongoing crusade by Missouri Republicans to take over the board that governs high school sports is on hold, for now.

First, Andrew Bailey: Is new MO AG auditioning for Trump administration? | Opinion Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway has wasted little time picking up the culture war shtick Bailey used to raise his profile. From Toriano Porter:

Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway has wasted little time picking up the culture war shtick former AG Andrew Bailey used to raise his profile in the Trump administration.

OP police can release body camera video, but under too many restrictions | Opinion Overland Park adopts new body camera policies to boost transparency and accountability. Good idea, but limiting. From Toriano Porter:

The discretion to release BWC footage should be left to Overland Park officials and not to others, including Johnson County DA Steve Howe, who failed to bring charges in two high-profile police accountability cases, including the fatal shooting of a teen.

Quick update on a column I recently wrote: The Kansas City Council approved the American Jazz Museum's $3.2 million funding request to revamp the historic venue...

Much needed renovations are coming to the American Jazz Museum — if the Kansas City Council approves the museum’s $3.2 million funding request, that is.

In my latest column, I lay out reasons why the Council should approve funding for the renovations.

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Local elections matter.... #butfirstcoffee

In light of credible evidence that a KCPD officer brutalized a local resident— we should not ignore the fact the officer's actions were recorded — city prosecutor Linda Miller should reconsider the city’s position and drop the case against altogether.

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A few thoughts on the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort...