Greg Echlin

Kansas City, Mo. – After the Royals snapped their 7-game losing streak on Thursday at Kauffman Stadium, it was announced that manager Trey Hillman was fired. The Royals defeated the Cleveland Indians, 6-4. KCUR's Greg Echlin has more on the chain of events.

Royals General Manager Dayton Moore told Hillman after Wednesday night's game he was making the change. Hillman didn't want to end his Royals manager career with a losing streak, so he was granted permission to stay on one more game with Zach Greinke on the mound.

Kansas City, Kan. – Kansas Speedway kicks off its tenth season with new leadership at the facility.

The track's former president, Jeff Boerger, is now in charge of the casino development immediately outside the speedway. His successor, Pat Warren, takes over the speedway operation at a time when auto racing's fan interest has leveled off.

Kansas City, Mo. – The University of Central Missouri's basketball program can be viewed as the cradle of some great basketball coaches.

Phog Allen, Gene Bartow and Joe B. Hall coached at UCM before going elsewhere and leading their respective teams to the NCAA tournament's Final Four.

These days, Kim Anderson is making his mark in Warrensburg. With UCM next victory, Anderson will become the Mule's all-time leader in coaching victories with 179.

Lawrence, Kan. – In college basketball, first place in the Big 12 Conference was on the line last Monday in the game between the University of Kansas and Missouri. KU also has the nation's longest home-court winning streak.

Manhattan, Kan. – Last night's college basketball moment belonged to Kansas State. The Wildcats, ranked tenth in this week's Associated Press poll, knocked off the top-ranked Texas Longhorns, 71-62. They also put themselves in contention for the Big 12 regular season title this year.

Kansas City, MO – University of Kansas football coach Mark Mangino has resigned two years after leading the Jayhawks to the greatest season in their checkered football history.

The university made the announcement Thursday as athletic director Lew Perkins met with players to give them the news.

Kansas finished 5-7 in a season marked by an internal investigation into Mangino's treatment of his players.

Kansas City, MO – Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser is lending his support to help land soccer's premier international event. He announced the signing of a Host City Agreement for Arrowhead Stadium to be considered as one of the venues for the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Kansas City, MO – Update: Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals has won the American League Cy Young Award, the highest individual honor for a pitcher. Greinke was the Royals number-1 pick out of high school, but three years ago a social disorder almost ended his career. This year, Greinke had the type of season that had long been predicted.

When Zack Greinke pitched at Kauffman Stadium this year, the Royals drew an average of 8,000 more fans a game.

Faced with the possibility of reinstatement from suspension, the Kansas City Chiefs chose to release Larry Johnson. The embattled Chiefs running back has been with the team since he was picked in the first round of the 2003 draft.

Kansas City, MO – While the Kansas City Wizards owners mull Friday's incentive offer by the state of Kansas for a new soccer stadium in Wyandotte County, their season is ending with a thud.

With one match left, the Wizards now know that the Major League Soccer playoffs will begin without them. KCUR's Greg Echlin has more.

Kansas City, MO – It was a day of irony Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. On a day the Kansas City Chiefs celebrated the roots of their franchise history by wearing vintage uniforms, they placed themselves in dubious company after another loss. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Chiefs in overtime, 26-20.

Kansas City, MO – The name Penske has been very much in the automotive news this week. Most notably in association with the Saturn brand. At Kansas Speedway, the Penske name is also very visible. KCUR's Greg Echlin explains.

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The highlight of this weekend at Kansas Speedway is Sunday's 400-mile Sprint Cup race. Leading up to that event will be a NASCAR Nationwide series race Saturday

Kansas City, MO – To mark the 50-year anniversary of the American Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday dipped into a part of their history that was dormant for several years. When "Warpaint" trotted out to the field for the halftime show, it brought back memories of the days when a painted horse took the field after the Chiefs scored a touchdown. It was one of the better moments during a disappointing afternoon for Chiefs fans, a 13-10 loss to Oakland. KCUR's Greg Echlin reports.

Kansas City, KS – One day after closing the deal to replace The Cordish Company as a partner to Kansas Speedway in a potential casino operation, Penn National Gaming was in the public eye yesterday.

Company executives appeared before the Kansas Gaming Board to request an extension on their bid.

But not all the questions put before them were answered.

KCUR's Greg Echlin has more.

A final decision on the bid is expected to come out of Governor Mark Parkinson's office by the end of the year.

Kansas City, MO – Hundreds of riders from around the world battled in the streets of Kansas City yesterday in the final stage of the Tour of Missouri.

In the end, an American, David Zabriskie, from Salt Lake City, Utah, won.

The race started in St. Louis a week ago and worked itself from east to west before concluding in Kansas City.

KCUR's Greg Echlin has more.