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Hapabapa/Getty ImagesMore than two dozen Democratic-led states, including Kansas, are suing the Agriculture Department after the Trump administration said it would not use emergency funds to pay SNAP benefits during the shutdown. -
Juliana Garcia/Johnson County PostA yearslong conflict roiling Prairie Village comes to a head as voters cast ballots on whether to abandon the city’s form of government. But the question isn’t necessarily what it seems.
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This year’s candidates for mayor include a 30-year attorney and a nonprofit executive. They told The Beacon about the biggest issues facing Wyandotte County, including property taxes, public safety, staff culture and affordability. -
The executive director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation recently told state lawmakers that they should outlaw drinks infused with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. -
Republican Scott Schwab, who is also running for governor in 2026, is using a federal database to confirm U.S. citizenship of people registered to vote. -
Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown — including 30,000 in the Kansas City area. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay. -
Employees at Missouri's food banks said the government shutdown's halt of food benefits could put a strain on their organizations, which have already seen an increase in demand this year. -
A new lawsuit accuses Missouri GOP lawmakers of trying to trick voters by writing an intentionally deceptive summary for a ballot measure that would make it much harder for voters to pass a constitutional amendment. -
The federal government remains shut down. Soon, that could affect Head Start educational programming and SNAP benefits in the Kansas City region. -
Because the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is funded by the federal government, the ongoing shutdown means states aren't getting that money. House Minority Leader Ashley Aune said it will be devastating for Missouri families. -
The Department of the Interior is currently blocked from carrying out its plan to terminate more than 2,000 positions. That includes nearly everyone at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, which has studied ecosystems, animals and toxic chemicals for more than 60 years. -
A Missouri group is working to overturn the map that gives the state one more Republican seat in Congress. If they get enough signatures, the map cannot take effect unless Missourians approve them. -
Rep. Sam Graves of Tarkio is trying to pass a major overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including taking it out of the purview of the Department of Homeland Security. -
Volunteers at protests across the state focused on collecting signatures for a 2026 ballot measure that would overturn Missouri's recent redistricting plan. The new map was drawn by Republican lawmakers to weaken Democratic voting power around Kansas City.
Government
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Known as SB8, the highly restrictive law has spawned a copycat bill for consideration in Missouri. -
Attorney General Eric Schmitt is using a judge's ruling against state and local public health officials to go after school districts requiring masks. -
Platt is happy with the progress Kansas City has made, but knows there's more to be done. -
The new legislation will bring $3.8 billion to Kansas for infrastructure projects and create two million jobs per year for the next decade. -
On Sunday, December 5th, former U.S. Senator from Kansas Bob Dole passed away at the age of 98. -
As the Strickland evidentiary hearing continues at the Jackson County Courthouse, Mayor Lucas remains critical of Strickland's continued imprisonment. -
The former Republican U.S. senator from Missouri talks about President Biden, the Jan. 6 insurrection, Donald Trump and Josh Hawley. -
The Gilded Age saw an America much like today. Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett examine how the country recovered then and how it can do so again. -
Republicans are pushing Gov. Kelly to eliminate the $300 additional weekly unemployment payments because they say the money makes it harder to fill open jobs. -
Heating bills for school districts spiked during the cold snap earlier this year, leaving some districts unable to pay.
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.
