Toriano Porter
@torianoporter.bsky.social
Author. Speaker. Mentor. Opinion writer. Kansas City Star Editorial Board. Addicted to books, beer, bourbon, biking and ☕️ beans...
One aspect of the situation that bothered me — and should upset anyone with a vested interest in law and order — is the lack of accountability for Raytown Mayor Mike McDonough’s illegal maneuver to oust Ward 3 Alderwoman Latrice Thomas. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Raytown alderwoman acquitted by board, can return rightfully to office | Porter
After a year-long fight, the Raytown board allows Latrice Thomas to return to the Ward 3 dais. From Toriano Porter:
kansascity.com
With gas prices hitting an all time high, consumers are feeling the burn at the pump. But some commuters in Idaho are finding a cheaper, healthier way out. From saving money to skipping traffic jams, it seems the bicycle is becoming the ultimate urban escape from rising fuel costs.
‘If I don't need to drive a car, I don't.’ Some Idahoans turn to bikes as gas prices spike
From saving money to skipping traffic jams, it seems the bicycle is becoming the ultimate urban escape from rising fuel costs.
boisestatepublicradio.org
Raytown Alderwoman Latrice Thomas was acquitted of eight counts of malfeasance on Tuesday, surviving impeachment in a 5–4 vote.
Moments before Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Lewie fatally shot Saveion McConnell, Odessa Police Officer Nathan Holmberg set the stage for what would come next: a total disregard for an unarmed Black teenager’s humanity. LINK: ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti....
On video, one officer mocked black suspect before deputy fatally shot him | Porter
Toriano Porter calls for accountability after sheriff’s deputy shot unarmed Saveion McConnell and another officer made intolerant comments on camera.
kansascity.com
He’s a Kansas Army National Guardsman and feels betrayed by the country he enlisted to serve just two years ago. His father, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, sits inside an ICE detention center in Leavenworth without bail. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
ICE detained father while this Kansas soldier served in the Army National Guard | Porter
A Kansas Army Guardsman says ICE detained his undocumented father in Leavenworth, despite a pending immigration application. From Toriano Porter:
kansascity.com
Former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is returning to the Show-Me State after about a year as co-deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Welcome home, Mr. Bailey. We hardly missed you. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Welcome home, Andrew Bailey. We hardly missed you while you were at the FBI | Porter
Former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is coming back to Missouri after about a year at the FBI, leaving questions about his legacy, and controversial lawsuits.
kansascity.com
No amount of social media posturing by Missouri Republicans can disguise the reality that true election integrity starts with following the law, not crying foul when the nation’s highest court calls your bluff. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Missouri GOP take to X to lament high court map order. They’re crying foul | Porter
SCOTUS orders Missouri to use the 2022 map, exposing GOP leaders like Denny Hoskins and others for illegally pushing the 2025 HB-1 plan and risking voter trust.
kansascity.com
Shortly after Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jalilah Otto found Kansas City Police Officer Chris Showalter guilty of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault, Showalter’s victim was asked if Showalter should be a police officer. "No," he said. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
A Jackson County judge found Kansas City Police Officer Chris Showalter guilty of fourth-degree misdemeanor assault for using excessive force against a handcuffed man. Sentencing is set for Oct. 29.
On Wednesday, I attended the trial of Kansas City Police Officer Chris Showalter, who is accused of assault for driving his knee into the neck of a handcuffed man. Below is a link to five things that stood out from witness testimony. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
5 takeaways from the trial of KCPD officer Chris Showalter | Porter
Testimonies in the Kansas City trial recount Hardy’s injuries, bystander recordings, and disputed use of force in Westport. From Toriano Porter:
kansascity.com
KCPD officer on trial for assault, but why is his victim being prosecuted? LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
KCPD officer on trial for assault, but why is his victim being prosecuted? | Porter
Officer Chris Showalter is accused of assaulting William Michael Hardy during a Westport arrest. Toriano Porter scrutinizes prosecution choices.
kansascity.com
Impeach the Missouri Supreme Court? Did GOP leaders in this state really go there? If it was up to me, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins would face impeachment hearings instead for failing to do the job he is required by law to do. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Missouri GOP leaders should impeach Denny Hoskins, not threaten state Supreme Court. My latest column for @KCStarOpinion. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
GOP leaders should impeach Denny Hoskins, not threaten state Supreme Court | Porter
Missouri GOP members threatened the state Supreme Court if the court found Secretary of State Hoskins in contempt. Hoskins defied rulings over a gerrymandered map.
kansascity.com
I'm pretty excited, Kansas City is installing around 120 new bike racks throughout the city this summer. I've already seen a dozen in the River Market, some in Columbus Park, and Downtown, with more rolling out this fall to a neighborhood near you. www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/de...
kcmo.gov
Congratulations, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway. You both got what you wanted: a full-blown constitutional crisis of your own making. My latest column for The Kansas City Star Opinion. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
It’s clear who caused Missouri gerrymandering legal chaos. Now they own it | Porter
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway got the constitutional crisis they apparently wanted, says Toriano Porter.
kansascity.com
To be honest, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins' total disregard for the rule of law and the failure to do the job the people elected him to do is a case study in everything that is wrong with politics in this state and elsewhere. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
What constitutional crisis? Hoskins and Hanaway detest Supreme Court double loss | Porter
The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously blocked the gerrymandered HB 1 map and upheld citizen petition rights. From Toriano Porter:
kansascity.com
In the coming days, we will most likely learn more about the circumstances surrounding MicahJo Barnett’s death. Right now, the most important thing to remember is the positive light coaches and loved ones said he brought to William Jewell College. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Wearing a badge is a public trust, and Sheriff Deputy Richard Fatherley forfeited his the moment he knelt on Charles Adair’s back. For the sake of basic accountability and public safety, he has no business wearing a uniform or carrying a gun. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Sen. Eric Schmitt wants to clean up college athletics. While I commend the Republican lawmaker from Missouri for trying his best to establish a nationwide framework to overhaul college sports, do we really think Congress getting involved is the way to go? Link ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Eric Schmitt wants to protect college sports, but is it really his business? | Porter
The Missouri senator’s Protect College Sports Act seeks to change transfer, eligibility and NIL rules, but Toriano Porter thinks it’s a mistake.
kansascity.com
Elected officials in Kansas City should listen to the people and let voters decide if a $600 million funding package for a new $1.9 billion downtown baseball stadium is the best use of public dollars. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Jackson Countians deserve better than a public official holding office while under the cloud of federal bribery charges. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Should he stay or should he go? The politics of Phil LeVota’s remaining term | Porter
With the Jackson County executive facing an indictment, Toriano Porter weighs whether his resignation would cause more chaos than leaving him in office.
kansascity.com
Why Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins must step aside and place voter initiatives on the Missouri ballot. My latest column for @KCStarOpinion... LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Stepped out for a quick trip to the 816 Day celebration in Kansas City. As a native St. Louisan, I always try to support my KCMO folks whenever I can. Ran up on KC Wolf and my guy Joey Cut's small business Frosty Frogs Water Ice and made a stop for a sip at Green Dirt on Oak. ☕️
So, someone vandalized an automated license plate recognition camera in Kearney? Bad move. Now the local police are on your back for a potential felony property damage crime. What a terrible way to protest these mass surveillance tools. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Did former Assistant Jackson County Prosecutor Amy McGowan frame former Kansas City resident Keith Carnes for murder? LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
As a parent of three high school-age children in Missouri, I think phone bans in public and private schools here and in Kansas are inherently a bad idea. Certainly I’m not the only one that feels this way, am I? LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti... #kansas #phone #ban #kansas #phone #ban
KS school phone ban takes effect. Can parents survive with no access to kids? | Porter
Toriano Porter asks: Is cutting off communication from children all day realistic in 2026?
kansascity.com
In my latest column for The Kansas City Star, I call on the Chiefs to stop the so-called “Tomahawk Chop,” drop the Arrowhead Stadium name entirely and simply change the team’s name from the Chiefs to a more appropriate one. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston should resign. With such chaotic allegations about her personal decisions during her time in office, and including what she has already admitted to, continuing to lead her office would be untenable. LINK ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
If you voted no on Kansas' Value Them Both amendment in 2022, vote no on this proposed amendment.
The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com · 2mo agoKansas voters will decide whether to approve a ballot measure that would allow them to directly elect state Supreme Court justices. The move would have major implications for future rulings on abortion in a hub for access in the South and Midwest.