Brief: Sword Shooting, Climate and Allergies, Ketchup Tariffs

Bearing two swords, a 60-year-old man charged at Grandview police. One officer fired two bean bag rounds. The man continued his charge, and the other officer then shot and killed the man with live ammo. –St. Joe Post

Through the first 6 months of the year KC has had 21 90+ degree days which ranks at the 5th most on the 130-year record for KC. We’ll add to that total the rest of the week!

— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) July 2, 2018

Illegal arms dealers might be reporting gun thefts to Kansas City Police to mask sales.

“Someone who legally acquired a gun passes it on to an illegal gun owner. And then, as an alibi, the legal gun owner reports the gun as stolen just in case it is recovered in a violent crime and traced back to their hands.” -KC Star

Is climate change contributing to worse allergies? Children’s Mercy Hospital has been collecting allergen data for more than 20 years.

“In Kansas City, when we started collecting the data, it was unusual for the pollen count to get over 1,000 (particles per cubic meter). Now it’s pretty routine to get up to 8,000. We never saw that before…It’s not a hoax. It’s actually happening.” –KC Star

You can no longer smoke on campus at the University of Kansas. The ban began Sunday. It includes electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. –The University Daily Kansan

Canadian tariffs went into effect Sunday.

U.S. products, mostly steel and iron, face 25 percent tariffs, the same penalty the United States slapped on imported steel at the end of May. Other U.S. imports, from ketchup to pizza to dishwasher detergent, will face a 10 percent tariff at the Canadian border, the same as America’s tax on imported aluminum. –KC Star

Just an annual reminder to stay safe this Independence Day! Keep safe distance, supervise children using fireworks, only use fireworks outside in a clear area, be aware of pets Use common sense! pic.twitter.com/OHTdHejR9Y

— 139th Airlift Wing (@139AW) July 1, 2018

Missouri’s State Fire Marshal says fireworks cause 18,500 fires a year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.

“Shooting the fireworks inappropriately or in inappropriate areas causing grass fires and those fires spread to structures or vehicles, that’s the most common error when it comes to fireworks.” –St. Joe Post

The Brief is a daily roundup from St. Joe Post and around the web. The Associated Press contributed to this report.