Ryan Hennessy

Reporter

Ryan is happy to be back in Kansas City working with KCTV5 5 News. He grew up North of the River, went to North Kansas City High School and has been a lifelong fan of Kansas City sports.

He has received two Mid-America Emmy Awards with English Landing Films for stories on evictions and gun violence in the greater Kansas City area.

Ryan's news career has included working as a morning anchor in Lafayette, Louisiana, reporting and anchoring in St. Joseph, Missouri and most notable under the leadership of Pulitzer Prize winner Mike McGraw, during the last year of his life.

Journalism is Ryan's second act. He played college soccer at Missouri State University, had a couple tryouts in Germany, and even once suited up for the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City).

Ryan attended UMKC for journalism, wrote for the student newspaper, and was an intern at KCUR'S Up To Date.

Ryan dreams of combining a Z-Man from Joe's Barbeque, the Burnt End Burger from Q-39 and the Super Crispy from Smokehouse, while watching the Chiefs win their 9th Superbowl.

News

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum pictured on July 25, 2024.

Negro League Baseball Hotel included in museum’s expansion project

Updated: 6 hours ago

By Ryan Hennessy

The Negro League Baseball Museum expansion project is growing with two developers promising to bring a 100-unit hotel on top of that expansion and up to 200 apartments next door to it.

Community

Crunch Time Boxing is a boxing gym in Kansas City that opens their doors to kids for free with...

Local boxing champ gives back to community by opening gym to train kids

Updated: Jul. 24, 2024 at 6:06 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

A local boxing champion who trains Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs, is giving back to the community by offering free training to kids, who are striving to be the next contender.

News

Audit shows major concerns with U.S. Postal System

Updated: Jul. 23, 2024 at 5:46 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

An audit conducted by the Office of Inspector General has shown some major concerns for the United States Postal System operating in Kansas City.

News

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals become the sixth MLB organization to offer facial...

New facial recognition option greets Kansas City Royals fans at stadium gates

Updated: Jul. 22, 2024 at 1:15 PM CDT

By Heidi Schmidt and Ryan Hennessy

Kansas City Royals fans unveiled new facial recognition technology that can be used to enter gates at Kauffman Stadium.

National Politics

Kansas City reacts to President Biden ending reelection bid

Updated: Jul. 21, 2024 at 6:39 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Kansas Citians weigh in on President Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 Presidential Race.

Entertainment

Kansas City’s Rock Island Bridge entertainment district delays grand opening

Updated: Jul. 19, 2024 at 10:35 AM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy and Heidi Schmidt

Kansas City's Rock Island Bridge project is delayed and will not open until Spring 2025.

News

One of the trucks that can serve as a temporary replacement for a down tower has a generator...

Verizon discusses disaster response methods during storm season

Updated: Jul. 18, 2024 at 6:03 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Verizon gave KCTV5 a tour of its secret, underground facility that is located in a cave inside Jackson County to display the equipment they use for disaster response.

News

Policy changes coming to Shawnee Mission School District after racially-charged incident

Updated: Jul. 17, 2024 at 6:25 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

The Shawnee Mission School District has updated their handbook after student-led protests following a white student using a racial slur against multiple Black students including Brey’Anna Brown and charging her in the hallway.

News

St. Joseph is eager to receive the Chiefs at Missouri Western State University for training...

St. Joseph businesses prep for arrival of Chiefs training camp

Updated: Jul. 16, 2024 at 7:14 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

St. Joseph is eager to receive the Chiefs at Missouri Western State University for training camp for the 14th year in a row.

Consumer News

River Market workers upset by new parking meters

Updated: Jul. 5, 2024 at 5:50 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Businesses in the River Market are expressing frustration at a new parking payment structure that has been implemented by Kansas City.

News

New Independence fire chief shares plans for department, statistics from Fourth of July

Updated: Jul. 5, 2024 at 5:06 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

The Save-A-Lot grocery store located at Truman and Sterling has likely become the latest victim of this season’s rain.

News

Flooding at English Landing Park couldn’t deter Parkville from coming out for the annual...

Parkville finds higher ground for Fourth of July festivities

Updated: Jul. 4, 2024 at 5:32 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Flooding at English Landing Park couldn’t deter Parkville from coming out for the annual festival that includes a parade, crafts for kids and a fireworks show in the evening.

News

Boats in both Missouri and Kansas require the same amount of life jackets to their occupants.

Kansas and Missouri Law Enforcement water patrols ahead of the holiday weekend

Updated: Jul. 2, 2024 at 6:09 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Extra boating patrols will be sent out during the week of Independence Day to ensure all boaters out on lakes are staying safe.

News

Watching fireworks from lawn chairs inside English Landing Park has become a tradition for...

Popular park for spectating Fourth of July fireworks floods, forcing change of plans

Updated: Jul. 2, 2024 at 6:56 AM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Watching fireworks from lawn chairs inside English Landing Park has become a tradition for some, but with the park closing on Sunday due to flooding – spectators may have to find a different spot to watch the show.

News

Honeywell FM&T celebrates its 75th anniversary on June 28, 2024.

Honeywell celebrates 75 years after Harry Truman developed the Atomic Energy Commission

Updated: Jun. 28, 2024 at 8:04 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Honeywell Federal Manufacturing Technologies is celebrating 75 years of operation in Kansas City.

News

The festival is taking place at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs.

Country Stampede hopes storms don’t follow them to Bonner Springs

Updated: Jun. 27, 2024 at 6:57 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Country Stampede Marketing Manager Shelby Ebert said forecasts are being monitored during the three day festival.

National Sports

Kansas City got a taste of the fan fever the World Cup will bring to the Midwest in 2026, when...

Opening Copa America match previews what World Cup will bring to Kansas City

Updated: Jun. 25, 2024 at 5:36 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Kansas City got a taste of the fan fever the World Cup will bring to the Midwest in 2026, when Children’s Mercy Park hosted the Copa America game between Canada and Peru on Tuesday.

News

Moe, a dog in Kansas City, cools off at BarK on Monday, June 24, 2024.

KC Pet Project helping owners provide pets with safety in summer heat

Updated: Jun. 24, 2024 at 6:44 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

When it is this hot outside KC Pet Project goes on 40 animal welfare checks every day, and similarly Great Plains SPCA’s Hero Team visits more than 20 locations a week.

Entertainment

The summer heat has arrived, which encourages the community in Kansas City to head outside to...

Barbecue teams compete for Kansas State Crown

Updated: Jun. 21, 2024 at 12:58 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

The summer heat has arrived, which encourages the community in Kansas City to head outside to cook their favorite brisket, ribs and other tasty creations.

Health

Volunteers advocate for help, policy changes postpartum

Updated: Jun. 20, 2024 at 12:34 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

After giving birth women can face an uphill battle with their mental health.

News

Walmart, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City and The Latino Coalition held...

KC based businesses pitch products to Walmart during their open call

Updated: Jun. 18, 2024 at 12:57 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Walmart, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City and The Latino Coalition held a session for local businesses to pitch their products for a chance to end up on the shelves of the biggest retailer in the world.

Community

Port KC deal generates 600 new north Plaza apartments

Updated: Jun. 17, 2024 at 1:03 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

Six hundred apartments are set to be built on the north side of the Country Club Plaza with construction scheduled to begin between 2025 and 2027.

News

Into the wilderness in Stilwell, Kansas near the Blue River you may happen upon a water...

Clean up at old Kuhlman plant continues after contaminants found

Updated: Jun. 14, 2024 at 6:17 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

On Thursday the Johnson County Board of Commissioners voted to put $385,000 toward the demolition of the pool and reseeding the property.

News

Kansas City discusses its budget for FIFA 2026 on June 13, 2024.

Kansas City inches closer to meeting budget for FIFA 2026

Updated: Jun. 13, 2024 at 6:41 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

For Kansas City to be successful at hosting the World Cup in 2026 it will take collaboration from both sides of the state.

News

The United Church of Christ's Pride Month display was defaced in June 2022.

Kansas City moving to protect LGBTQ community

Updated: Jun. 12, 2024 at 6:41 PM CDT

By Ryan Hennessy

On Thursday, Kansas City’s city council will vote on whether to strengthen penalties for hate crimes based on race, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation and gender identity.