Nathan Pilling
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Nathan Pilling
@bynatepilling.bsky.social
Breaking news reporter at The Kansas City Star • Inform slash entertain • Proud Hawkeye • [email protected]
Neighbors of the troubled Olive Park Village apartment complex in Kansas City, where few residents remain, say break-ins are common. One resident sleeps with a light on as a "don't break in here" signal. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Neighbors of troubled KC apartment complex sue, seek fixes: ‘Should be ashamed’
Many units at the Kansas City apartment complex are unrented, and poor security at the site has led to regular break-ins, the lawsuit said.
www.kansascity.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A Smithville woman who says a pair of detectives in Clay County coerced her into falsely confessing she murdered her fiancé in 2020 has filed a lawsuit over their investigation, which led to a lengthy criminal prosecution. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Smithville woman says detectives coerced false murder confession. Now she’s suing
Lori Ackerman was charged with murder following the death of her fiancé, Shannon Tate, in 2020. A Clay County jury acquitted her last year.
www.kansascity.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Jackson County proposes a new voter-approved sales tax in an effort to keep the Chiefs at the Truman Sports Complex. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Ahead of Kansas meeting, Jackson County pitches putting Chiefs tax on April ballot
As Kansas lawmakers prepare to discuss a proposal between the Chiefs and the state, Jackson County has put its own financial plan on the table.
www.kansascity.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:18 PM
A development group is suing the city of Belton and Belton City Council over a large affordable housing project the council blocked earlier this year and is seeking a court order that would allow the project to move forward. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Developer sues KC-area city over blocked affordable housing: ‘Patterns of segregation’
City officials and members of the Belton City Council were initially supportive of the Commons of Belton project, the lawsuit said.
www.kansascity.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
One person was stabbed, another was fatally shot by responding law enforcement at the Panasonic plant in De Soto today. Here's what we know so far: www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Police shoot and kill 1 after stabbing at Panasonic plant in De Soto. What we know
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said a law enforcement presence would be at the scene for an extended period of time.
www.kansascity.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:01 PM
A new lawsuit accuses Veterans Affairs police officials of negligence that allowed a suspended officer to steal the weapon he used to kill his wife, son and himself in Kansas City’s Northland last year. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Wrongful death lawsuit seeks $10M after VA cop’s murder-suicide in Kansas City
Domonique McGeachy, 38, and Jerel McGeachy Jr., 12, were killed in a murder-suicide at their home in Kansas City’s Northland last year.
www.kansascity.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Reposted by Nathan Pilling
A campaign to strike down Missouri’s congressional map submitted 300K petition signatures, a critical step toward forcing a statewide referendum vote. www.kansascity.com/news/politic... #moleg #mogov
Missouri campaign turns in 300K signatures to strike down gerrymandered map
The signature dropoff marked a critical moment for the referendum campaign, but its fate is still unclear.
www.kansascity.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Had to double-check this.

A, um, wild stat: Lee’s Summit Tigers senior Preston Hatfield rushed for 457 yards as he carried his team to a state championship. Shattered a title-game record previously held by Kyren Williams, who now plays for the Rams in the NFL. www.kansascity.com/sports/high-...
With Hatfield’s 457 yards, Lee’s Summit outlasts Nixa for Missouri football title
It was a slugfest in St. Joe, but the Tigers came out on top for the championship.
www.kansascity.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Could Leo Messi and Argentina play in Kansas City next summer in the World Cup? Netherlands? Germany? A look at the match possibilities here: www.kansascity.com/sports/fifa-...
World Cup draw opens the possibility Messi-led Argentina will come to Kansas City
The list of teams that could play in Kansas City during next summer’s World Cup shrunk on Friday.
www.kansascity.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
A man accused of trespassing at the Leawood home of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce entered a diversion program today. In a court document, the man said he was attempting to serve a subpoena. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Man arrested at Travis Kelce’s home sentenced, says he was serving a subpoena
Leawood police arrested Justin Lee Fisher in the early morning hours of Sept. 15. Fisher entered into a diversion program on Tuesday.
www.kansascity.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Kansas City's first snow of the season arrived with a record-breaking punch on Monday. A look at snowfall totals around the metro here: www.kansascity.com/news/weather...
First snow of season shatters Kansas City record. How much fell in your area?
Record-breaking snow blanketed Kansas City in the season’s first winter storm. See which parts of the metro saw the highest totals.
www.kansascity.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Some are more excited about today’s weather than others.

Follow along with our snow day coverage here: www.kansascity.com/news/weather...
December 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Reposted by Nathan Pilling
New: Mass ‘Black Friday’ text from the RNC urges Missouri residents not to sign onto anti-gerrymander campaign. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Mass ‘Black Friday’ text urges KC residents not to sign anti-gerrymander campaign
The text message, which was also sent to multiple reporters at The Star, said it was paid for by the Republican National Committee.
www.kansascity.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The helium for the iconic balloons that float through New York City during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade comes from the heart of Kansas. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Helium for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons comes from a tiny Kansas town
Employees from the Messer helium plant in Otis, Kansas, haul helium cross-country every year for the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
www.kansascity.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
"We’ve just kind of been on our own, really."

Residents of the Olive Park Village apartments in Kansas City lament mounting issues at the complex, where boarded-up doors and windows, broken glass and abandoned units are common. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
‘Significant’ maintenance, safety concerns cited at KC apartments: ‘A health hazard’
Residents of the Olive Park Village apartment complex in Kansas City told The Star they’ve dealt with pests, trash and maintenance issues.
www.kansascity.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Federal authorities seized thousands of bottles, shots, tablets and packets containing 7-OH from two Northland facilities owned by CBD American Shaman founder Vince Sanders earlier this month. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Federal agents seize thousands of 7-OH products from KC’s American Shaman
Scrutiny is growing around the Kansas City-based retailer and manufacturer and its controversial product.
www.kansascity.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Johnson County is launching a new bus service linking Overland Park, Lenexa and Kansas City International Airport next year ahead of World Cup matches in Kansas City. Could it become a permanent fixture? www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Johnson County to launch new KCI bus service for World Cup. Could it stick around?
The bus service linking Overland Park, Lenexa and Kansas City International Airport is expected to run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
www.kansascity.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The Country Club Plaza development team is asking for tax breaks to help cover $1.4 billion in redevelopment in the commercial hub. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Plaza owners seek major tax breaks for $1.4 billion overhaul plan, new housing
New filings offer a fuller picture of redevelopment plans for the historic Plaza, which switched ownership last year.
www.kansascity.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A decade ago, Jeremy Lillig was being celebrated in a class of “Rising Stars of Philanthropy" here in Kansas City. Last week, he was charged with wire fraud, accused of stealing roughly $155,000 while running the Catholic Church's Bright Futures Fund. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
KC Catholic Diocese staffer hailed as philanthropic ‘star’ accused of stealing $155K
An indictment filed in federal court accused Jeremy Lillig of stealing more than $150,000 from the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
www.kansascity.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM
ICYMI: Here's the rundown on election results from around the Kansas City metro from last night. www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Here’s what you missed from Kansas City-area elections while you were sleeping
Let’s catch you up on the all the races and questions.
www.kansascity.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Nathan Pilling
A Grain Valley man crashed a pickup into a former Independence mayor’s home early Tuesday, injuring her and her husband while they slept. He now faces charges.
Driver charged after truck crashes into Independence house
A Grain Valley man crashed a pickup into a former Independence mayor’s home early Tuesday, injuring her and her husband while they slept. He now faces charges.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Belton police arrested an 18-year-old student this week who they alleged was bringing a gun to classes at the Scott Educational Center. A tipster reported the student told them he brought the gun to school frequently, police said. www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Belton teen with gun arrested at Scott Educational Center
Police said a tip led them to arrest Cameron Kopfer as he arrived at the Belton school on Tuesday.
www.kansascity.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Reality TV personality Steve McBee Sr., from the series The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, based in northwest Missouri, has been sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay about $7.2 million to the federal government. www.kansascity.com/news/local/c...
Missouri reality TV star sentenced to prison for fraud & ordered to pay millions
Alongside the prison sentence, Steve McBee Sr. was ordered to pay out a total of about $7.2 million to the federal government.
www.kansascity.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM