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Cara Penquite/Columbia MissourianStarting in late 2026, Missouri drivers will no longer leave car dealerships with a temporary tag, and buyers will have to pay sales tax at the time of purchase. -
Leah and Lane HensleyLatinos are expected to be 70% of net new homeowners in the U.S. by 2040. Several local programs — mostly in Spanish, but some in English — are designed to help Latinos jump the hurdles that can stand between them and homeownership.
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More than 100 news laws are taking effect in Kansas this month. Here's a review of some of them. -
The Republican leaders overcame objections from within their own party, marking a victory in their quest to fulfill President Trump's campaign promises. All of the Republican representatives from Kansas and Missouri voted to pass the bill, while the Democrats joined their party against it. -
November's vote is the culmination of a years-long debate in Prairie Village, which began as a fight over zoning and housing and wound up in a legal battle over city governance. But even if voters agree to "abandon" the current structure, there's no plan for replacing it with a different model. -
Andrew Bailey said the investigation was prompted by reports from Columbia residents alleging racial discrimination. His office requested public records about the use of terms like “racial equity toolkit,” “racial equity lens” and “equity” in city operations. -
The case centers on a student in the Blue Springs School District. A 5-2 ruling from the state's highest court recently found that the Missouri Human Rights Act “does not cover claims based on gender identity," but it used a definition of "sex" that's more than two decades old. -
The final Senate version of the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" contains restrictions on medical provider taxes that alarmed Missouri health experts — and Sen. Josh Hawley. But he voted for the bill anyways, after adding $50 billion in funding for rural hospitals. -
County Legislator Sean Smith helped lead the recall effort of Jackson County Executive Frank White, which local election officials confirmed had enough signatures Monday to go to a vote. White has accused Smith of illegally using taxpayer-funded staff to promote the petition campaign. -
The Republican megabill cuts trillions in taxes, while scaling back spending on Medicaid and other federal programs. It now heads to the House, where some GOP lawmakers are signaling major objections. -
The governor's office cited some unexpected budget items, and a recently passed bill eliminating Missouri's capital gains tax, as reasons for reducing spending. His largest veto was over $1 billion for a road construction program. -
Pay raises approved unanimously by the Kansas Board of Regents range from 4% to 12% and come as most Kansas colleges have cut budgets and raised tuition to address projected enrollment declines. -
Missouri is one of two states where a judge can hand down death when juries cannot agree unanimously on a sentence. Since the law changed in 1984, at least 18 people have been sentenced to death by a judge, and four have been executed. -
The sweeping Republican bill extends tax cuts while scaling back spending on Medicaid and SNAP. It now heads to President Trump's desk for his signature.
Government
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Gov. Mike Parson and four statewide officials took their oaths of offices on Monday — ushering in four more years of near total Republican rule over Missouri. -
An ordinance introduced by Mayor Quinton Lucas would force some taxpayer-funded organizations to pay employees at least $15 an hour by 2022. -
The officer is charged with using excessive force against the teenager, who pleaded ‘I can’t breathe.’ -
Kansas City officials are deliberating who will become the next city manager, overseeing everything from snow removal to the annual budget. -
Federal authorities say the effort led to over 500 arrests in Kansas City, but that included arrests under other operations. Civil rights leaders were highly critical of it, calling it "undue civilian terror." -
Currently, only the governor and state auditor are restricted to two consecutive terms in Missouri. Opponents of the Amendment 1 ballot measure say it's a solution in need of a problem. -
Members of the city’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee refused to attend Wednesday’s meeting, stalling city business. They’re calling on Teresa Loar to be removed as committee chair. -
Most of the money will go towards supporting small businesses in Clay County, in the form of grants of up to $50,000 each. -
Changing who is ultimately responsible for the department’s actions requires support from the Missouri General Assembly or a statewide vote. -
Most of the cuts will effect higher and K-12 education. The Office of Administration, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Health and Senior Services, and the Department of Social Services will also see cuts in funding.
Elections
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The bond question in North Kansas City's April 8 election would help build new performing arts centers and two high schools and fund renovations at middle schools. The district says the tax rate would stay the same whether or not voters approve the bond. -
The bond plan calls for building new elementary schools, major renovations and reopening Southwest High School as a middle school. Kansas City voters have not passed a bond for KCPS since the 1960s, and the district has been left with more than $600 million worth of repair needs. -
A proposed state constitutional amendment would require Kansas Supreme Court justices to be elected rather than appointed by the governor. -
El impuesto a las ventas de seguridad pública de Kansas City se ha utilizado para apoyar al departamento de policía y los servicios médicos y de emergencia. El alcalde Quinton Lucas y otros funcionarios quieren que los votantes lo renueven para que la ciudad pueda usar el dinero para construir una nueva cárcel y un centro de rehabilitación. -
After years of legal fights, Westwood residents are voting in a special election to decide the fate of Joe D. Dennis Park. The small patch of land has come to encompass tensions over city power, green space, development, and First Amendment rights. -
Kansas City’s public safety sales tax has been used to support the police department and emergency and medical services. Mayor Quinton Lucas and other officials want voters to renew it so the city can use the money to build a new jail and rehabilitation center.
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Missouri voters approved Proposition A by a martin of 15% and more than 445,000 votes. But business groups argue that the ballot measure violates state law. -
A final tally of votes in the Feb. 25 special election shows opponents edging bond supporters by only 319 votes. Wichita school district leaders say they plan to regroup and consider next steps. -
Kansas currently has a merit-based system that doesn’t let voters have more say in the process. -
Platte County residents are suing the three-member commission for failing to implement a quarter-cent sales tax that voters passed in November. The tax would fund youth mental health services, which are severely lacking in the county.
