-
Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3The Jackson County Legislature will appoint an interim county executive to serve until November 2026. Former County Executive Frank White Jr. was recalled by voters on Sept. 30, and former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes is serving for up to 30 days as temporary county executive. -
Anna Spoerre/Missouri IndependentCole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins' proposed ballot language was "fair and sufficient," even though it does not explicitly state that the constitutional amendment would again ban most abortions in Missouri.
-
A federal judge ruled that Kansas lawmakers were suppressing free speech when they passed a law targeting mail-in ballots. The law was passed one month after the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. -
Two untethered licenses are available. They will allow gambling companies to take sports bets without having a physical location in the state. FanDuel, DraftKings and Circa Sports submitted applications. -
The state has been given a July 30 deadline to respond to the federal government's latest request. -
The members say the Herzog Charitable Foundation, a Missouri-based organization dedicated to "advancing Christian education," has triggered scrutiny of their political beliefs and personal lives. That’s resulted in professional consequences, social media harassment and an investigation from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office. -
The money lets Kansas train more than 1,500 firefighters per year across the state and helps get trucks, generators and hand-tools for rural fire departments. -
A Missouri House interim committee met last week and will hold four hearings around the state to listen to concerns and hear ideas for overhauling the system. -
-
County legislators met Friday morning to override White's veto. The election, which follows years of frustration with White from county legislators and community members, is scheduled for Aug. 26. -
GOP lawmakers are trying again to exclude millions of non-U.S. citizens living in the states from census counts that the 14th Amendment says must include the "whole number of persons in each state." Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt and Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall are co-sponsors of one of the bills. -
Frank White Jr., a former star second baseman for the Kansas City Royals who won eight Golden Glove Awards during his career, infuriated county legislators and a citizens group with his veto. "Eight Golden Gloves mean nothing!" said the Rev. Dr. Vernon Percy Howard, leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. "Bench Frank White!" -
The Senate voted to approve the $9 billion rescission package early Thursday. -
The Board of Commissioners of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas voted to allow property taxes to increase next year. But the county's financial issues remain and commissioners agreed there is waste to cut from the budget.
Government
-
If the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is as bad at the 2008 financial crisis, furloughs and layoffs could be widespread, a new report says. -
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s proposes that the federal government help pay employee’s wages at companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis. -
Senate majority leader says this is not an appropriate time to push controversial legislation. -
Abundant Life Baptist Church, which drew 4,500 worshipers every Sunday before the pandemic, claims the county’s orders favor restaurants, salons and other businesses over houses of worship. -
Different reopening dates and restrictions have resulted in “an almost impossible situation for people to be able to comply with," according to one mayor. -
While the interruption was initially met with laughter and confusion, city staff quickly moved to end the meeting after the hijackers used a racial slur. -
House Democrats say the budget is unbalanced and they’ll need to return later in the year to make adjustments. -
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson's new order will remain in effect until Sunday, May 31, and will be re-evaluated before it expires. -
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has yet to deliver his updated recommendations, but lawmakers must pass a state budget by May 8. -
Blunt likened his idea to "Shark Tank": $1 billion in federal funding would underwrite testing ideas.
Elections
-
A growing number of young potential voters are increasingly frustrated by the politicians they have to choose from. One Kansas City resident says the age of candidates is a big reason why. Plus: Two years after Kansas lawmakers reshaped the state’s four congressional districts, there’s a scramble for an open seat in the 2nd District. -
Republican Calvin Hayden has repeatedly criticized Johnson County's election system and recent increases in Democratic voter registrations, but his years-long probe into election results has failed to successfully present any charges of fraud. -
Attacks on poll workers have been on the rise since 2020. One local election worker is afraid that four years of conspiracy theories and harmful rhetoric are putting her in danger — and she’s not alone. -
A young Waldo resident says he won’t vote for either presidential candidate this fall because he thinks they're too old. He believes the increasing age of candidates shows America’s political system does not serve young people. A growing number of voters under 30 agree with him. -
One naturalized Kearney resident, originally from Mexico, is ready to make her voice heard in the 2024 election. Nearly 900,000 immigrants and refugees became U.S. citizens in 2023, and the rapidly growing population could impact elections. -
In last year’s election for mayor, county commission and other Wyandotte County races, 11 of the 337 people who were eligible voted in one section of the 2nd Precinct. But it wasn't because they don't care, as non-voters are often portrayed. They have reasons for staying home on Election Day. -
Kansas Citians had much to say after the first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. After the face-off between 81-year-old Biden and 78-year-old Trump, some KCUR listeners expressed concern about both candidates' health and integrity. -
The centrist group was officially recognized last month as the state’s third minor party. The party's chairperson says the goal is to provide a middle ground for Kansans who don’t feel represented by Democrats or Republicans. -
Debido a que KCUR cubre las elecciones del 2024 en Missouri y Kansas, queremos que los residentes y los votantes ayuden a dar su opinión sobre nuestra cobertura. ¿Qué necesita saber sobre el proceso de votación, sus carreras locales, o lo que está viendo en las noticias? -
As KCUR covers the 2024 elections in Missouri and Kansas, we want residents and voters to help shape our coverage. What do you need to know about the voting process, your local races, or what you're seeing in the news?
