Editor Brian Kaberline writes that as usual, a new year starts with plenty of uncertainty lingering over it. The real challenge, he writes, is how we respond to it.

Editor Brian Kaberline writes about what sorts of considerations determine whether something warrants coverage by KCBJ.

A U.S. attorney in New York filed a criminal charge against a Prairie Village firm for allegedly failing to report suspicious activity involving payday lending king Scott Tucker. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York said Wednesday that it charged investment firm Central States Capital Markets LLC with a felony violation of the Bank Secrecy Act. The same U.S. attorney’s office also brought charges that resulted in Leawood resident Scott Tucker being sentenced to 16 years…

Kansas City-based Beauty Brands says it will cut staff, and locations. The retail chain said it will close 25 stores — although none of its 14 area locations, The Kansas City Star reports. The company also said it would cut about a third of its corporate staff, giving it about 50 employees remaining of that staff. CEO Caryn Lerner attributed the moves to a tough year and industry headwinds in a statement to the Star. Beauty Brands was founded by Kansas City advertising executive Bob Bernstein. Lerner…

Seaboard Corp. agreed to pay $1 million to resolve an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Merriam-based company (AMEX: SEB) said it would pay $1,006,000 to end an investigation by ICE related to I-9 paperwork errors and hiring and employment practices at its pork production plant in Guymon, Okla. The settlement also covers an investigation by the Oklahoma Medicaid program. In a release, Seaboard said it cooperated fully with the government in the matter and denies all…

Durrie Vision will see a change in leadership at the end of the year. Harry Campbell said he will step down as CEO of the Overland Park-based laser surgery practice. He’ll be succeeded by Dr. Jason Stahl, the majority owner of the practice. Campbell, who was named the first CEO of Durrie Vision in 2013, said the transition had been planned and comes at a logical time. The practice moved a year ago and in October, Stahl completed work on an executive business degree from Northwestern University’s…