Category Archives: Hearne_Christopher

It’s not like newspapers are the only businesses that have been suffering in recent years… That said, while former Kansas City Star publisher Mark Zieman used to get away with blaming the ocean of laid off newsies heading for the … Continue reading →

The $64 million question: Why would the Kansas City Star ax an award winning journalist? That’s certainly a puzzle that’s on more than a few minds in the wake the the local newspaper dropping the hammer yesterday on investigative reporter Karen Dillon. As … Continue reading →

It wasn’t Dave Helling, nor Louis Diuguid… And it certainly wasn’t FYI section columnist Jenee´Osterheldt. Nope, the only known layoffs victim Monday at the Kansas City Star was Hunger Games survivor Karen Dillon. Talk about irony. When last we checked in on … Continue reading →

It takes a big man to admit he made a mistake… And that’s exactly what Stanford & Sons main man / football prognosticator Craig Glazer is here to do. “I was wrong, Missouri is a very good football team,” Glazer says. … Continue reading →

The imaginary sirens have sounded and news roomers at the Kansas City Star are hunkering down… That in the expectation that another round of layoffs is about to unfold, sources say. “We’re hearing it everywhere,” says one staffer who asked … Continue reading →

From the ultra conservative Thomas McClanahan, who retired without fanfare earlier this year, to the ultra liberal Steve Paul of the FYI section, who the newspaper announced today would join the board. “They replaced Mr. Dodge Ram, Tom McClanahan, with … Continue reading →

This just in… You saw the headline, so whip out those black armbands. Beloved local brewer Boulevard Brewing is taking the money and running. Hey, it’s the way of the world. “As European interest in American craft beers begins to … Continue reading →

The rumors began to fly two weeks back… The Velvet Dog and Empire Room had closed unexpectedly – allegedly “for remodeling” – leaving only 81/2 by 11 notes on the front doors explaining what supposedly had happened. There followed unconfirmed reports … Continue reading →

The days of housewives and soccer moms have long been on the endangered species list… That said, it seems rare and unusual for a slammer bound businessman’s wife to – not just rise to the occasion – but take the … Continue reading →

How blue can you get? It’s Chiefs season and small local bars and taverns are seeing red. But not because the home team is 6-0 and may be Super Bowl bound. Not even close. Nope, it’s because Regulated Industries aka … Continue reading →

Time for some navel-gazing… Following the Missouri Tigers stunning (and impressive) win at Georgia this past Saturday, it’s time to re-read some of those early season tea leaves. As well as look ahead to the Chiefs historic 6-0 (going on 7-0) … Continue reading →

Why do promoters insist on inflating and exaggerating attendance figures? If you stop and think about it, the answer’s somewhat obvious. Because size matters and smaller crowds can lend the perception that an event like last weekend’s New Age gang bang WaterFire … Continue reading →

Think of it, as a variation on the if you build, they will come concept… If you hype, they will believe…maybe even come. So it is with the brief history of WaterFire in Kansas City, one of the duller, more … Continue reading →

Holy crap, I’m trapped in Excelsior Springs and the bloom is off the rose… After staying at the historic Arlington in Hot Springs, Arkansas last spring I had a brainstorm. Flattering online photos aside, the Arlington was a dump – beautiful outside, … Continue reading →

There’s just no escaping the touchy issue of anonymous comments online… The latest: Pitch editor Scott Wilson‘s dissing of the Kansas City Star‘s new Facebook-only comments requirement. “How’s that new commenting system workin’ out for ya, KC Star?” Wilson’s headline … Continue reading →

Celebs who are notorious for being curt and often rude to local hero worshippers. Starting with George Brett, Tom Watson and Len Dawson to name but three. There are some nice guys, too. Channel 9 anchor Larry Moore and Johnny … Continue reading →

It’s time for even the skeptics to face facts… “The Chiefs are definitely in the Super Bowl mix,” asserts sports scribe Craig Glazer. “I mean they have Alex Smith at quarterback. Name an elite quarterback you’d rather have. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger? He’s … Continue reading →

Two years ago WaterOne in Johnson County made a deal with the devil… The utility agreed to allow HomeServe – a 20 year-old British plumbing repair and insurance company – to hawk its wares using the local water company’s letterhead … Continue reading →

Remember that expression, it’s deja vu all over again… Well, a mere seven months ago I wrote what amounted to an advance obituary on singer David Cook, the kid from Blue Springs who walked away five years ago with a million … Continue reading →

This just in from The Hollywood Reporter… Remember AMC Theatres new owner Wang Jianlin‘s ambitious new plans for an $8.2 billion movie studio complex, reported on here recently by Sir Paul Wilson? Fifty-eight year-old Wang is China’s richest tycoon. He’s also the dude … Continue reading →