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Kansas City, KS (November 4, 2024) – A serious accident involving a semi-truck occurred early Sunday morning on Interstate 670, resulting in life-threatening injuries to the driver. The incident was reported just after 5:40 a.m. on November 3, near the intersection of westbound I-670 and 7th Street.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the driver, identified as James C. Grimes, 50, from Smithville, Missouri, was operating a 2021 International semi-truck without a trailer when he encountered a driver traveling in the wrong direction on the interstate. In an attempt to avoid a collision, Grimes veered off the roadway to the right and struck the barrier wall, which caused the cab of the truck to flip over.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Grimes, who was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was promptly transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center for urgent medical treatment.

Our thoughts are with Mr. Grimes and his family during this challenging time.

Truck Accidents in Kansas

Truck accidents, particularly those involving large vehicles like semi-trucks, can lead to devastating consequences. In Kansas, these types of accidents are often exacerbated by factors such as adverse weather conditions, driver error, and, as in this case, reckless driving behavior from other motorists. The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks make them particularly dangerous when involved in collisions, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities for drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles.

According to data from the Kansas Department of Transportation, truck accidents account for a significant percentage of traffic-related injuries and fatalities each year. It is crucial for all drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic laws, especially when sharing the road with large commercial vehicles.

In light of the increasing number of truck accidents, it is essential for drivers to take extra precautions, such as maintaining a safe following distance, avoiding distractions, and being aware of their surroundings. Additionally, truck drivers must ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained and that they adhere to regulations regarding rest periods to prevent fatigue-related accidents.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a serious truck accident, it is vital to seek legal guidance to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Local Accident Reports is your trusted resource for post-accident support. We have compiled essential information and resources for accident victims like you. Our comprehensive database provides key details and support options for those affected by accidents. Let us help you understand your options and find the support you require during this difficult time. Contact us today to learn how we can assist in your recovery journey.

Voting is a protected American freedom, and workers are entitled to exercise it even if they’re working on Election Day.

Both Missouri and Kansas have state laws in place requiring employers to give voters time off work to cast their ballots without docking their pay. Employees should notify their bosses in advance that they will need time off to vote on Election Day.

Here’s what Missouri and Kansas laws say about the right to vote during the workday on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Under Missouri law, all employers must provide employees three consecutive hours off work to go and vote on Election Day — with some conditions.

Employees must request this time off to vote in advance of Election Day, and employers can decide which three hours they get off to go vote.

If there are three consecutive hours while the polls are open when you are not scheduled to be at work, your employer doesn’t have to give you this time off. Since polling places in Missouri open at 6 a.m., employees whose work days start at 9 a.m. or later are not guaranteed this time off.

In cases where voters are entitled to this time off work, their employers are not allowed to discipline them or dock their pay for the time they miss. These hours must be paid as if they were part of a normal workday.

If your employer fails to follow these rules, they could be committing a class four election offense. You can contact the nationwide Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 with questions about your voting rights.

Under Kansas law, all employers must give employees two consecutive hours to go vote on Election Day.

If the polls open less than two hours before your shift or close less than two hours after your shift, your employer must give you enough time off work — with pay — that you have a total of two hours to vote.

Kansas law also specifies that your employer cannot count your usual lunch break toward these two hours. Otherwise, they can decide when in your shift these two hours occur.

If there are two consecutive hours on Election Day when the polls are open but you are not required to work, your employer does not have to give you time off for voting.

If your employer fails to follow these rules, they could be committing the class A misdemeanor of obstruction of voting privilege. You can contact the nationwide Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 with questions about your voting rights.

Do you have more questions about voting in the 2024 general election? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.

The Kansas City Star

Natalie Wallington is a reporter on The Star’s service journalism team with a focus on government, labor, sustainability and local utilities. Her coverage of the region’s recycling system won a Feature Writing award from the Kansas Press Association in 2024.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Talking to early voters in Clay County, the winds seem to favor a yes vote on Amendment 2. But the reasons to vote for or against legalizing sports gambling in Missouri ran the gamut.

Clay County resident Lucas Waldren was among those early voters who checked yes on Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting in Missouri and tax gross gaming revenue at 10%.

The money would be earmarked for education, according to the amendment’s text.

RELATED | Is Amendment 2 a good deal for MO taxpayers?

“Education would be the reason why,” Waldren said in explaining his vote. “Our teachers deserve more money, deserve to be paid better, so I’m going to do what I can to help with that.”

Other Clay County voters simply thought it was time for Missouri to capture tax revenue it’s currently losing to neighboring states.

“I voted yes because I want the money to stay within the state of Missouri and not to go over to Kansas,” LaTasha McBride said.

Seven of Missouri’s eight neighboring states already allow sports gambling, including Kansas. Oklahoma is the lone holdout.

RELATED | KS offers lessons for MO voters ahead of sports-wagering vote

If Amendment 2 passes, Missouri would become the 39th state to legalize sports betting.

“It just made sense that the money from taxes will go to help schools,” said Clay County resident Ryan Ault. “That’s a good thing, and people are going over the border to do it anyway. You might as well keep that money here in the state.”

Of course, not all voters were on board with Amendment 2.

“I just don’t think gambling is the way to get revenue for anything,” said Clay County resident JoAnne Thrap. “There’s a lot of negatives that go with gambling that is not what we want.”

Thrap voted no, but the other non-gamblers — Waldren, McBride and Ault, who said they don’t bet on sports — seemed inclined to support Amendment 2.

“Sports gambling’s not something that I personally care about, so it’s more of the education part of it,” Waldren reiterated.

But if people are going to do it anyway, it might as well benefit Missouri.

“I barely watch sports,” McBride said. “But again, I feel like people were [gambling] illegally anyway in other areas, so why not make it legal all around. Then, you can control it more that way than if you don’t make it legal.”

Ault agreed: “People are going to do it no matter what. I don’t think you can legislate vice, per se. ... If people are going to go to other states, [you] might as well keep that money here that goes back to schools so schools benefit from it.”

A yes vote on Amendment 2 would legalize sports gambling in Missouri, while a no vote would keep things the same.

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KSHB 41 reporter Tod Palmer covers sports business and eastern Jackson County. Share your story idea with Tod.

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