A delay in the Kansas City schools transfer case, a start to Kansas lawmakers' redistricting effort, a new head coach for the Chiefs & more: A daily digest of headlines from KCUR.
The Chiefs Pick Romeo Crennel As Head Coach
The Kansas City Chiefs have hired Romeo Crennel will start the 2012 season as head coach. He took over the top position as interim head coach after Todd Haley was fired mid-season. Crennel joined the Chiefs as the defensive coordinator in 2010 after four years as the head coach in Cleveland. In his three games as head coach for the Chiefs, he led the team to a 2-1 record. Find out more here.
Suburban Schools Seek Delay In Kansas City Transfer Case
Five suburban school districts suing the Kansas City Missouri district over its transfer policy want to delay a court hearing scheduled for Thursday. The Blue Springs, Independence, Lee's Summit, North Kansas City and Raytown districts argue that Kansas City's plans for covering certain costs are vague and inadequate. The plaintiff districts filed a motion to delay this week's hearing to give the Kansas City district more time to change its policies. Read more here.
USDA Closes 13 Facilities in Kansas and Missouri
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will close 259 offices, labs and other facilities as part of an effort to save $150 million per year. In Missouri, a total of 10 offices are slated to close; In Kansas, three. The cost-cutting moves are part of a bid to streamline USDA operations, called The Blueprint For StrongerService. Read more on the closures here.
FDA Limits Antibiotics In Livestock
The Food and Drug Administration is clamping down on the off-label use of certain antibiotics in food-producing animals. In an order, the FDA said meat producers can no longer use the class known as cephalosporins in ways not approved by the agency. While curbing use won’t change much in the meat industry, the order signals a bigger concern about antibiotics regulation, some farmers say. Read & hear more on the regulations from KCUR's Frank Morris here.
Kansas Lawmakers Start Redistricting Effort
Kansasl lawmakers have kicked off the 2012 legislative session. This year the legislature will take on the once-per-decade task of redistricting. After the census, lawmakers redraw the maps dividing political districts, so they have a similar population. Listen to more here.
McCaskill: Keep All Energy Options On The Table
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill was in St. Louis Monday as part of her state-wide energy tour. The Democratic senator participated in a roundtable discussion at Washington University about the nation's energy future. At the table were some of Missouri's energy industry leaders, along with university administrators and researchers. Read more here.