Michael Ryan

Michael Ryan is Executive Editor of The Lion. A Kansas City native, he’s been an award-winning reporter, editor and opinion writer at newspapers in Kansas, Missouri, Georgia and Texas.

Culture
How upstart Nick Shirley transcended humble beginning, threats, to plant his flag on journalism summit

Celebrated citizen journalist Nick Shirley always wanted to be a YouTuber, and at 23 he’s already traveled the world. But it wasn’t until he exposed mammoth Somali-led daycare and healthcare… Read More

February 27, 2026
Politics
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas claims longtime Democrat mayors, not Trump, cut crime to record lows last year

Hours before the State of the Union address Tuesday, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas noted “the homicide rate in major U.S. cities is at a 125-year low” and “homicides plummeted… Read More

February 24, 2026
Culture
Arson at Kansas City warehouse once proposed as ICE detention center earns global headlines

A woman was caught on video Thursday setting fire to a Kansas City warehouse once meant to be an ICE detention center, making international news – and coming after… Read More

February 16, 2026
Government
Hawley hearing shines rare light on dark money sources funding unrest in America

Billions in federal funds for vulnerable citizens stolen in Minnesota and elsewhere have actually gone on to pay for anti-government protests and riots here, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley announced at… Read More

February 13, 2026
Opinion
Kansas Democrats predict ‘worse outcomes’ with school choice – but is that true?

A Kansas Democrat leader claims school choice is “extremist,” leads to “worse academic outcomes” and only benefits the rich. But are any of those claims true? Not according to the… Read More

February 6, 2026