It's one of KC's fun, high-energy fundraisers that combines a great night out with impact for kids. Past events have raised hundreds of thousands.

 It's the BMA Foundation's annual "Dine & Dance with the Stars" event.

This is a popular charity gala and dance competition in Kansas City, inspired by Dancing with the Stars. Local "celebrities" (including community leaders, professionals, and advocates) pair with professional dancers to compete for a mirrorball trophy, while raising money through ticket sales, voting/donations, auctions, and sponsorships.

Key Details for Tonight (Saturday, June 6, 2026):

• Time: Starts at 5:00 PM (typically runs to around 9 PM or so).
• Location: Sheraton Crown Center, Kansas City, MO.
• Format: Dinner (dining), dancing/performances, competition, fundraising, and entertainment.

Cause:

It supports multiple children's charities and related causes through the BMA Foundation, which focuses on children's charities and animal welfare. Beneficiaries this year include:

• Carousel Pediatric Care (via Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care) — highlighted with a participant story (e.g., Brooke Cinalli dancing in honor/memory of her experiences).
• Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City (grants wishes/dreams for kids with critical illnesses).
• Fore the Kids (youth mental health and suicide prevention initiatives).
• Other local nonprofits helping underprivileged, ill, or at-risk children.

It's one of KC's fun, high-energy fundraisers that combines a great night out with impact for kids. Past events have raised hundreds of thousands.

If you're thinking of attending, check the official site (dance.bmafoundation.org or kchospice.org) for tickets, voting for dancers, or more info, as it may still have options or live updates. Let me know if you need directions, participant details, or anything else!

Koch trumped Trump for Ty Masterson

The Koch family’s collective net worth significantly exceeds the Trump family’s, by a factor of roughly 10–15x depending on the exact estimates used.

Koch Family

• Primary sources: Koch Industries (a massive privately held conglomerate in energy, chemicals, commodities, etc., with revenues often exceeding $100–125 billion annually). The wealth stems from stakes inherited and grown by Charles Koch and the late David Koch (and now Julia Koch & family).
• Key estimates (as of mid-2026):
  • Charles Koch & family: ~$70.5B–$73.8B (Forbes/Bloomberg).
  • Julia Koch & family (widow of David): ~$78.6B–$81.2B.
  • Combined family wealth: Often cited in the $127B–$155B range across broader family holdings and related entities. Some older or aggregated figures put it around $100B–$150B.

The Kochs rank among the world’s wealthiest families (frequently top 10), with stable, long-term industrial wealth.

Trump Family

• Primary sources: Real estate (golf courses, resorts, licensing), Trump Media & Technology Group (Truth Social), and especially cryptocurrency ventures (e.g., World Liberty Financial) that surged during/after the 2024 election and into the second term.
• Key estimates (as of early–mid 2026):
  • Donald Trump: ~$6.5B (Forbes, March 2026; up substantially from ~$2.3B–$4.3B pre-second term due to crypto and other gains).
  • Broader family (including Eric, Don Jr., Ivanka/Jared Kushner, Melania, etc.): Estimates range from ~$6.8B–$10B+ in some tallies, with crypto driving much of the recent growth (e.g., Eric ~$400M–$750M, Don Jr. ~$300M–$500M).

Trump’s wealth has grown rapidly in recent years (hundreds of percent in some periods) but remains far more volatile and tied to public markets, branding, and political cycles compared to the Kochs’ diversified private empire.

Summary Comparison

• Scale: Koch family >> Trump family (industrial dynasty vs. real estate/media/crypto portfolio).
• Stability: Koch wealth is more entrenched and privately held; Trump’s has seen big swings and recent crypto-fueled spikes.
• Context: These are estimates—private fortunes like the Kochs’ are harder to pin down precisely, while Trump’s has been heavily scrutinized and litigated.

Net worth figures fluctuate with markets, valuations, and reporting methodologies (Forbes, Bloomberg, etc.). For the absolute latest, check real-time trackers on those sites. 

Overall, Koch funding has been instrumental in launching and sustaining GoCreate as a community asset

Koch funding for GoCreate is substantial and multi-faceted, primarily through the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation and Koch Industries. It positions the makerspace as "a Koch Collaborative" on Wichita State University's (WSU) Innovation Campus.

Major Koch Pledges and Donations for GoCreate

• $11.25 million overall pledge (announced ~2015–2018): This came from Koch Industries and the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation to support WSU’s Innovation Campus initiatives, with a significant portion dedicated to creating and advancing GoCreate.
• $3.75 million specifically for GoCreate: This funded membership and training assistance for qualifying applicants (e.g., scholarships/subsidies), mentor fellowships, and operational support. It enables reduced or assisted membership fees and community access.
• Ongoing annual support: Recent grants from the Koch Family Foundation (successor/related entity) include:
  • $260,000 in 2024 to WSU Foundation for GoCreate support.
  • $260,000 in 2023.
  • $260,000 (or similar) in 2022.

These contributions help cover programming, accessibility, equipment, and community outreach in the ~18,000–20,000 sq ft facility (with tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, welding stations, etc.). Koch support also extends to branding, events, and partnerships (e.g., Make48 events).

Exact total Koch investment in GoCreate (including building construction, equipment, and multi-year operations) is not fully public in aggregate figures, but the $11.25 million pledge was a foundational gift for the makerspace and related Innovation Campus efforts. WSU and Koch entities describe it as a key driver for the project's launch around 2017. Additional Koch family foundation giving to WSU broadly (hundreds of thousands annually in some years) supports related educational and economic initiatives.

Ty Masterson’s Role and Compensation

Ty Masterson has served as Director of GoCreate since its opening (~2017), a role that aligns with his background in business, construction/home-building, and community/innovation work.

• Salary details: Public records show varying figures over time. One source reports ~$135,000 in 2023. More recent legislative references (2026) cite the director’s annual salary at $228,800 (per Kansas Legislative Research Department). He takes unpaid leave from GoCreate during legislative sessions (typically Jan–April) and does not draw both salaries simultaneously.
• This position is funded through WSU (using Koch and other resources), not directly by the state legislature for his legislative duties, though critics have raised conflict-of-interest concerns given his Senate President role and Koch ties.

Masterson has publicly discussed the value of the makerspace for entrepreneurs, students, and community members.

Broader Koch Support for Ty Masterson

• Employment tie: His long-term directorship at the Koch-supported GoCreate is the most prominent link. Critics (including some Democrats and intra-GOP voices) describe it as indirect Koch support, noting the salary and institutional backing while he holds powerful legislative positions.
• Campaign contributions: Koch Industries and affiliates have contributed to Masterson’s campaigns over the years (e.g., $1,000 noted in older OpenSecrets data), though not at massive scales compared to broader Koch political spending. He receives support from various business interests aligned with Koch priorities (e.g., manufacturing, energy, free-market policies).
• Political context: The Koch network (including Americans for Prosperity) has been influential in Kansas GOP politics. Masterson’s gubernatorial run has drawn commentary linking him to this ecosystem, though he also garners support from Trump-aligned and other Republican factions. Some GOP critics (e.g., Sen. Alicia Straub) have publicly distanced themselves from perceived Koch influence.

Koch entities emphasize philanthropy in education, innovation, and community development in Kansas (their headquarters state), framing GoCreate as advancing STEM, entrepreneurship, and economic growth rather than direct political control.

Overall, Koch funding has been instrumental in launching and sustaining GoCreate as a community asset, with millions in direct grants plus ongoing support. It provides Masterson a professional role outside politics, but this has fueled debates about influence, especially amid his leadership in the Kansas Senate and 2026 gubernatorial bid. For the most current or granular financials, checking WSU Foundation reports, Koch Family Foundation 990s, or state transparency sites would yield more details. Let me know if you'd like me to dig into specific years, related Koch WSU gifts, or political angles!

This bankruptcy became a point of public scrutiny, especially in 2012 when he was appointed chair of the Senate Ways and Means (budget) Committee, and it has resurfaced in later campaigns (including his gubernatorial run). Critics have highlighted it as a liability for someone overseeing state finances.

Ty Masterson, a longtime Kansas Republican state senator (and current Senate President, running for governor), filed for Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy in late 2010 (some sources note it as 2011). This stemmed from the failure of his home-building/construction company, Masterbuilt Homes (or similar spelling variations like MasterBuilt Homes), which collapsed around 2006.

Key Details from Bankruptcy Records and Reporting

• Filing and Discharge: He filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy (liquidation) in federal court at the end of 2010. The case was closed on August 9, 2012, with most debts discharged and few creditors receiving payment.
• Debts vs. Assets: Court records showed approximately $300,000 in assets against about $1.13 million in total debts. Unsecured debts were listed at nearly $885,000.
• Major Creditors:
  • CornerBank (largest single creditor): ~$206,000–$209,000 in commercial loans.
  • Emprise Bank: ~$53,890 in commercial loans.
  • Over $160,000 in revolving credit card debt.
• Other Context: His legislative salary was noted in filings, with deductions for benefits. He had three limited liability corporations registered with the state at the time.

Background on the Business Failure

Masterbuilt Homes was a construction/home-building business that Masterson owned and operated (he has described himself as a home builder through the 1990s into 2008). It failed amid the broader housing market downturn around 2006–2008.

Masterson attributed the problems primarily to a former employee who mismanaged projects and made unauthorized charges. This led to financial troubles that he initially tried to resolve personally without bankruptcy. In a 2008 response to campaign criticism, he stated that attorneys had advised him to declare bankruptcy earlier, but he worked through payment plans with subcontractors and others out of a sense of personal responsibility (e.g., repaying a ~$33,000 bill to one vendor in installments).

By 2010, he proceeded with the Chapter 7 filing. Post-discharge, he reported continuing to work with some banks and vendors to repay debts voluntarily, even though not legally required.

Political Impact and Responses

This bankruptcy became a point of public scrutiny, especially in 2012 when he was appointed chair of the Senate Ways and Means (budget) Committee, and it has resurfaced in later campaigns (including his gubernatorial run). Critics have highlighted it as a liability for someone overseeing state finances.

Defenders and Masterson himself have framed it as a difficult business failure during a tough economic period (post-2008 housing crisis), with efforts made to mitigate harm to others where possible. He has continued in business (e.g., as a realtor/developer/contractor and involved with entities like Springboard, LLC, and GoCreate at Wichita State).

Sources for this information include contemporary reporting from the Associated Press, The Wichita Eagle (e.g., Ron Sylvester's article "Andover state senator files for bankruptcy"), The Topeka Capital-Journal, Wikipedia summaries citing those articles, and court record references in news coverage. No major additional bankruptcies or details on other businesses appear in public searches. For official court documents, one would need to search federal bankruptcy archives (e.g., via PACER). 

This is the steel = Nithya Raman: ~23-24% and gaining ground on Pratt with later mail-in ballots.

 Spencer Pratt (LA Mayor primary) and Steve Hilton (California Governor primary) are candidates in California's June 2, 2026, primary elections.

Spencer Pratt (Los Angeles Mayor race)

• Incumbent Karen Bass is leading and has advanced to the November runoff.
• Pratt is in the fight for second place (to advance) against Nithya Raman. The race for second remains very close/too close to call as of the latest updates (with many ballots still to be counted).
• Latest available figures (around 71% of expected votes counted, as of ~June 5-6):
  • Karen Bass: ~35% / 215,868 votes.
  • Spencer Pratt: ~28-29% / around 163,000–174,000 votes (e.g., one snapshot showed 174,260 at 28.2%; another ~29.4%).
  • Nithya Raman: ~23-24% and gaining ground on Pratt with later mail-in ballots.

Final certification is expected in early July. Pratt has a narrow but narrowing lead for the runoff spot.

Steve Hilton (California Governor race)

• This is a top-two primary (top two advance regardless of party). Hilton (R) and Xavier Becerra (D) are leading and expected to advance.
• Latest available figures (around 55-68% of expected votes counted, as of recent days):
  • Steve Hilton: ~26-27% / ~1.69 million votes (e.g., 26.3% / 1,694,477 in one update).
  • Xavier Becerra: Very close behind at ~25-27%.
  • Tom Steyer: ~20-21%.

The race has been tight with slow counting of mail ballots; full results are still pending.

These numbers come from ongoing unofficial tallies and can shift as more ballots (especially mail-ins) are processed. For the absolute latest, check official sources like the California Secretary of State or LA County Registrar.