Belton

KCUR hosted a town hall in Belton, Missouri, with Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford of the 4th Congressional District. He answered questions from constituents about what's happening in Washington — including the Trump administration's immigration policies and tariffs, recent protests, and violence against lawmakers.

Belton, Grandview, Kearney and Park Hill school districts join others receiving waivers to stop relying on the Missouri Assessment Program.

Missouri secluded and restrained more than 1,000 students last school year. Justyn Jefferson, an 11-year-old from Belton, is one of them. But because schools don't always report instances of seclusion and restraint, it's difficult to know if they're using the techniques legally.

Missouri only started collecting data on seclusion and restraint this year, and many schools aren't reporting how often they use the practices. A Belton mom whose son was repeatedly secluded and restrained says schools are also using those methods in inappropriate ways.

Celebrate the season with a trip to Weston, have a great skate escape at Crown Center and enjoy these classic holiday spots in Kansas City.

Yust received the maximum sentences for the convictions, following jurors' recommendations.

Jurors have recommended the maximum sentences for his convictions in the deaths of Jessica Runions and Kara Kopetsky.

Yust took the witness stand in his own defense, blaming his deceased half-brother for the killings.

After almost two weeks of testimony, Kylr Yust took the stand and accused his half-brother of killing the two women.

Residents from Platte, Jackson, Clay and Cass counties elected public school board members and Kansas City voters overwhelmingly renewed that city's 1% earnings tax.

Advocates in Belton concerned about their neighbors, who live in camps surrounding the city, are frustrated officials have not built a permanent shelter.

For KCUR's ongoing series "The Next Normal," hear stories of people who have been unexpectedly laid off and worrying about mortgages, food and medical bills as Congress plays politics over federal pandemic unemployment assistance.