economy

Taylor Swift fans are coming to Kansas City from across the Midwest to attend her two Eras Tour shows. VisitKC expects fans to spend about $46 million during the concert weekend. We asked Swifties exactly how much they spent for the experience of a lifetime — including tickets, hotels, outfits and even friendship bracelet supplies.

The Missouri Hospital Association's annual report shows vacancies and turnover rates at the state's hospitals have decreased since the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. But they remain high, and employers are concerned about the future workforce.

The former U.S. Senator who represented Missouri from 2011 to 2023 told Up To Date he has “no doubt” a deal to raise the debt ceiling will be made between President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy before money likely runs out in early June. The debt ceiling currently stands at $31.4 trillion.

It’s been just over two months since dispensaries started selling recreational marijuana in Missouri and despite shortages, business is booming. Now the industry must grapple with perhaps its biggest hurdle since legalization: banks.

"Even though we’re in a fairly red state, we are having some more progressive policies, a little left of center policies, wanted by voters on both guns and school safety," poll director says.

A crime prevention bill supported by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce passed through the House of Representatives this month. But most Missouri Democrats say it will do little to actually prevent crime and gun violence.

Emergency allotments that took effect in 2020 for those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will end next month. Many expect the decrease will be especially challenging for low-income families.

While unemployment is at a near historic low, many businesses are still struggling to find workers — as many otherwise eligible workers in Missouri are out with short or long-term complications of long COVID.

Kansas slashed the sales tax rate on many food items from 6.5% to 4%. But some consumers have complained they’re still getting charged too much or have otherwise expressed confusion about the numbers on their receipts.

Esther George, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will retire at the end of January after a 40-year career at the bank. She leaves as the U.S. faces a challenging economic landscape.

Since contract negotiations failed with Wabtec, a train services company, the union has been picketing outside of the plant from 4:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. But as the holiday season approaches, striking workers are worried about how they’ll provide for their families.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican challenger Derek Schmidt present differing visions for the future of Kansas.