2011 has been a year of voter photo ID laws, challenges to federal health care legislation and tougher abortion rules that ended up in court. It was a year of major changes in Kansas City government and schools. But the biggest area news stories involved the forces of nature.
Weather And Climate Havoc
February's area blizzard closed I-70 from Independence to St. Louis, and was the first storm to ever shut down the MU-Columbia .
But the weather disaster of the decade came in May when an EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin. 161 people died in the eighth deadliest tornado on record.
Meanwhile, a lot of people blamed the Corps of Engineers' river management policy for ongoing devastating floods. At year's end, an investigative panel Hydrologist Bill Lawrence served on said it was weather extremes.
2011 also saw a record-breaking drought and the second-worst thunderstorm-related power outage in Kansas City history.
A Bishop Is Charged
As former area priest Shawn Ratigan faced child pornography charges, Robert Finn became the first Catholic bishop ever indicted on charges of failing to report suspected child abuse. Finn got a diversion-supervision deal from Clay County prosecutor Dan White. Finn still faces similar charges in Jackson County.
Funkhouser Fizzles, James Takes Over
Mark Funkhouser became the first Kansas City mayor in memory to not even make it through the primary in his bid for a second term.
Newcomer Sly James won in the mayor's race in the general election, vowing to restore unity at City Hall.
Forte Becomes Police Chief
Kansas City, Missouri also got a new police chief, Daryl Forte, who was open to ideas from everybody. He said some of the items in his action plan were suggested by convicted felons.
E-Tax Survives
Kansas Citians voted 4 to 1 to renew the city's earnings tax. And Councilman Scott Wagner said that sent a message of “butt out” to the St. Louis businessman who tried to end it.
School District Flounders
Test scores and the superintendent's resignation cost the Kansas City School District its accreditation. As neighboring districts scrambled to protect themselves from a rash of transfers, Mayor Sly James offered to take over the schools himself, rather than have the state do it.
State Senator Victor Callahan announced a rival plan to split up the district among neighboring ones.
Assembly Plants Flourish
Automakers gave the city good news – a $400 million to upgrade Ford Claycomo -- and $20 million in improvements at GM-Fairfax.
Kauffman Center Opens
The city celebrated the new Kauffman Center for the performing arts, designed by architect Moshe Safdie.
Battle Over Plaza Law Office
But an uproar over planned office building north of the Plaza resulted in the dismantling of another unfinished Safdie creation. The law firm building will now replace a stalled Safdie office building west of the Plaza.
Baby Lisa – Still Missing
The October disappearance of 10-month-old Lisa Irwin made national news, beginning with tearful TV appearances pleading for their baby's return. But cooperation between the family and police soon broke down and the case remains unsolved.
Brownback Agenda Underway
Governor Sam Brownback made massive budget cuts and eliminated the Kansas Arts Commission, which cost the state over a million dollars in federal arts money. His administration's tougher abortion rules ended up tied up in court battles.
Google Picks KC
Google chose the Kansas City area as its first ultra-high-speed internet market, but at year's end nobody was sure exactly what that means in the short run.
A New Stadium, A Conference Jump, Coaches Fired
In Sports, the state-of-the-art Livestrong soccer stadium opened to rave reviews. Tom Watson became the oldest to ever win the Seniors PGA tournament. Missouri left the Big-12 for the SEC. Turner Gill was replaced by Charlie Weis as KU football coach. The Chiefs fired Todd Haley, and the Royals let broadcaster Frank White go.
Among Those We Lost
And the city said life's final farewell to radio legend Mike Murphy, embattled former medical school CEO Karen Pletz, Sports Commission head Kevin Gray, jazz singer Myra Taylor, weatherman Don Harman, Chiefs Bandleader Tony DiPardo, and sportscasters Paul Splittorf and Bill Grigsby.