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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images North AmericaA new draft White House memo suggests a 2019 law signed by President Trump that guarantees federal employees get paid after a shutdown ends would not apply to furloughed workers. The Kansas City region has tens of thousands of federal workers who could be affected. -
Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesThe federal government is currently shut down. NPR's network is following the ways the government shutdown is affecting services across the country, including in Missouri and Kansas.
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A proposed amendment written by Missouri Republican lawmakers would repeal the reproductive rights measure passed by voters last year — but makes no mention that it would ban abortion. The ACLU of Missouri argues the proposal violates the state constitution and misleads voters. -
At a time when Congressional Republicans are generally opting against town halls, Kansas City-area Rep. Mark Alford is embarking on a four-day, 15-stop tour to meet with constituents. Some of his events have been met with contentious protests. -
Missouri's capital gains tax cut will apply to all gains since Jan. 1, and will be reflected in the income tax returns due in April. It's the first state to exempt profits from the sale of assets such as stocks, real estate, and cryptocurrency from income taxes. -
Missouri lawmakers overturned the mandated sick leave law that voters approved by a wide margin. Two Kansas City workers are part of the effort to put sick days back on the ballot, this time as a constitutional amendment lawmakers can’t repeal. -
Redistricting critics warn that efforts to redraw maps mid-decade risks fueling further gridlock in Congress, and ceding more power to the executive and judicial branches. Missouri Republicans appear ready to jump into the gerrymandering game. -
Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is now representing the office she sued as an attorney for the Grain Belt Express. -
The Trump administration requested assistance from the Missouri National Guard for clerical, transportation and logistical tasks for immigration authorities — not arrests. The Guard would remain under the authority of Missouri's governor. -
Lawmakers voted to repeal the Missouri Incarceration Reimbursement Act, a 1988 law now seen as a property rights violation and a barrier to a fresh start after prison. -
The Cass County Republican represents a safe GOP seat in the Kansas City area and mid-Missouri. But that could change if the Missouri legislature decides to redraw the state's congressional districts. -
Overland Park is set to replace what flag experts had ranked as one of the worst city flags with a new design that evokes the city’s park identity. The old flag features a plain, white background with Overland Park's name and slogan. -
An open letter signed by a majority of Kanas bishops encouraged Kansans to see immigrants as humans, not criminals. Meanwhile, the Kansas Legislature is pushing the governor to "fully cooperate" with the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. -
The audit into the city’s communications department investigated issues with transparency. The department was consolidated and controlled by former City Manager Brian Platt, who was fired in March.
Government
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The Kansas House of Representatives has stopped — at least temporarily — an all-out push by anti-abortion groups for a constitutional amendment that they… -
The Kansas House of Representatives has stopped — at least temporarily — an all-out push by anti-abortion groups for a constitutional amendment that they…
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TOPEKA, Kansas — The Kansas House narrowly rejected a constitutional amendment Friday that would have said there’s no right to abortion in the state… -
Kansas lawmakers are nearing decisions on two big issues — Medicaid expansion and a constitutional amendment on abortion. They’re also talking about how… -
Kansas City, Missouri, has finally agreed to hold up its end of the so-called economic border war truce with Kansas.The move on Thursday came more than… -
A near-record number of Americans died by gunshot in 2018 according to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.According… -
A federal judge has refused to sign off on a deal that would cap the number of cases Missouri’s public defenders are allowed to handle.U.S. District Judge… -
In this episode of Statehouse Blend Kansas, host Jim McLean looks at the legislative session. Lawmakers are already at odds on the hot-button issues of… -
In this episode of Statehouse Blend Kansas, host Jim McLean looks at the legislative session. Lawmakers are already at odds on the hot-button issues of…
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A 73-year-old Kansas prison dental instructor accused of sexually abusing inmates goes on trial Monday.Tomas Co, 73, taught inmates at the Topeka…
Elections
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Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring Kansas City to increase its funding to the KCPD, but rejected a measure allowing property tax exemptions for child care centers. And the contenders are set for November's elections for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Missouri governor and other statewide races. -
Today is the primary for Missouri and Kansas, with a lot of critical races on the ballot. At polling places, election officials will be on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly for voters. We'll hear from two of them about what they do and why it's so important.
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Missouri polling places are open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 5. See live primary election results as they come in for governor, U.S. Senate and more. -
Kansas polling places are open from at least 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 5. See live primary election results as they come in for U.S. House and more. -
Competitive primaries are driving the onslaught of negative political ads — particularly among Missouri Republicans. University of Missouri-Kansas City political scientist Dr. Beth Vonnahme analyzes the rhetoric this campaign season. -
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, Missouri voters will decide on Amendment 1, which grants the legislature power to exempt childcare facilities from property taxes. -
Primary races for Missouri governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and more could determine the political course of the state for the foreseeable future. -
Kansas Republicans and Democrats are targeting the suburbs of Kansas City as it becomes increasingly purple in the Republican-dominated state. -
The number of polling places around Kansas City has rapidly declined since 2020, when COVID closed much in-person voting and the spread of conspiracy theories caused safety concerns for election officials. -
Kansas City experienced its deadliest year on record in 2023, although homicides are down so far in 2024. With longtime Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker stepping down, multiple Democrats and a Republican are proposing ways to refocus the office.
