Josh Merchant
Josh Merchant is The Kansas City Beacon's local government reporter. After graduating from Seattle University, Josh attended Columbia Journalism School, earning a master’s degree in investigative journalism. Originally from Colorado, Josh has contributed reporting to The Seattle Spectator, The South Seattle Emerald and THE CITY in New York. They're a former Beacon intern.
-
A plan to renovate the Country Club Plaza is being reviewed by the Kansas City Council. Some neighbors and historic preservation advocates have concerns. -
Mayor Quinton Lucas has introduced a trio of ordinances he hopes can help save historic buildings from falling into disrepair, and start to replenish the population in those emptying neighborhoods. -
The Royals have pitched a $1.9 billion stadium. That’s twice as expensive as Atlanta’s Truist Park and quadruple Denver’s Coors Field. But it's not clear what's driving up the cost. -
The Kansas City Royals are officially moving to Crown Center. But it remains unclear how much money Missouri taxpayers will contribute — Gov. Mike Kehoe said it will likely total hundreds of millions of dollars. -
If everything goes right, new taxes generated by a $1.9 billion ballpark will help pay off Kansas City's $600 million loan to help finance the deal. But if it goes wrong, that public money could be drained from city services. -
With the 1% earnings tax secured until at least 2031, Kansas City now looks ahead to negotiations with the Royals, looming bond measures for water and housing, and the possible referendum to eliminate Missouri’s income tax. -
When the Jackson County Legislature appointed Phil LeVota as interim county executive, they made him sign a notarized affidavit swearing that he did not intend to run for election in 2026. Fast-forward six months, and LeVota has reneged on that promise and filed paperwork to appear on the ballot. -
For five years, Kansas City has required developers to set aside affordable housing units if they get a tax break — but Port KC undermined that rule by offering its own incentives. Under a proposal by Mayor Quinton Lucas, Kansas City Council is considering slashing the fee by 95%. -
If the measure passes, Kansas City will continue collecting a 63-year-old tax on wages, salaries and profits. If it fails, the city will be forced to find another source for hundreds of millions of dollars — or else make dramatic cuts. -
For decades, Kansas City has made it mandatory to provide a minimum amount of parking spaces for restaurants, businesses and apartments. Planners and advocates say that the high price has prevented empty storefronts from being filled and hollowed out the urban core.
