city hall

After the Kansas City Council approved $600 million in funding for a new Crown Center ballpark on Thursday, Councilmember Crispin Rea called the deal a major accomplishment for the city. It will hold the Royals to $55 million over 30 years for community improvements, but some community groups say that's not enough — and want a public vote.

The 6th district council member told KCUR's Up To Date on Thursday that his constituents want the city to negotiate a stadium deal that is more beneficial to residents. He said they also want more transparency from Kansas City's leaders.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to look back on the city's performance as a World Cup host, and to discuss what went right and what went wrong during the tournament.

Kansas City officials are working on a new way to ban so-called “conversion therapy.” The move comes just weeks after the Kansas City Council repealed a prior ban on the discredited practice because of a Supreme Court ruling against a similar law in Colorado and a lawsuit from the Missouri Attorney General.

Former Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Office director Andrea Dorch left the office after raising concerns about Kansas City's deal with Meta to build a data center in the Northland. Kansas City settled a lawsuit she filed alongside a $400,000 settlement for a 2022 crash involving a city fire truck.

Crispin Rea, Kansas City's 4th District at-large council member, recently announced he will be running for mayor in 2027. He joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss his priorities, including improving public safety, increasing economic opportunities and "getting the basics right."

The Kansas City Council recently removed a 75-year-old rule that required businesses to provide a certain number of parking spots. Some residents and visitors say the change will exacerbate an already frustrating parking situation.

Kansas City Manager Mario Vasquez will celebrate one year in office this week as city hall makes its final preparations for the 2026 World Cup. He joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss next month’s tournament and tourism concerns, along with his perspective on the Royals’ plans to build a Crown Center ballpark.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the latest plan to pay for a downtown Royals stadium is different from the proposal rejected by voters two years ago. However, criticism is already mounting over the fact that the $600 million financing proposal won't not be subject to a public vote.

Independence, Missouri, residents will vote on April 7 for their next mayor and to fill two at-large city council seats. Recent debates over tax incentives for a massive data center could factor into the races.

The Sun Fresh Market at Linwood Shopping Center closed in August due to increasing issues with crime and a lack of customers. The lawsuit alleges Kansas City undermined and neglected the store, which caused it to close.

City documents reveal the exact proposed location of a new team training facility and headquarters: at the corner of College Boulevard and Ridgeview Road.