Independence

Most Kansas City suburbs have stopped their transit funding in recent years, ending many of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s suburban bus routes. Experts say that’s put the area into a transit death spiral.

Herl has led the Independence, Missouri, school district — which enrolls about 14,000 K-12 students — since 2013. Community members praised Herl for managing finances, improving school buildings and sports facilities, and leading innovations like the four-day school week.

Residents went on strike last October over deteriorating living conditions and longstanding maintenance problems. Under the deal with the new building owner, residents will get the opportunity to renew their leases and will not have to owe any back rent from the strike.

Between spring and fall (and sometimes year-round), farmers markets around Kansas City offer fresh produce, flowers, artisan-made goods and treats. Find out how to shop local in towns and neighborhoods across the metro.

Mark Adams is the new director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. After major renovations to the museum in recent years, his primary goal now is to get more visitors to experience their exhibits.

Karen E. Griffin's upcoming exhibition, "Because of Black History Month," opens this Sunday, Feb.16, at Englewood Arts in Independence. The show includes abstract pieces and art quilts that portray her ancestors' odyssey from Africa to America.

Tenant unions in Kansas City and Independence started a rent strike in October in response to deteriorating living conditions that went unaddressed by landlords. There have been some small improvements since, but residents have also experienced what they consider retaliation.

The family of Maria Pike and her baby Destinii Hope rallied outside of Independence Police headquarters Sunday and demanded transparency from investigators. Independence Police released highly-edited footage of the incident last week.

Independence has not named the officer who fatally shot Maria Pike and her daughter Destinii Hope, after police responded to a domestic disturbance call on Nov. 7, 2024. The body camera footage shows just three minutes from the 20-minute incident.

The culinary scene just east of Kansas City proper is full of hidden gems, neighborhood mom-and-pop shops and iconic old-school joints. Here’s where to eat like a local in Independence, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit and elsewhere.

About 80 students in the Independence School District had transferred away from their neighborhood schools due to lack of space. The district hopes to relieve that pressure by repurposing an elementary auditorium into six new classrooms.

The city of Independence, Missouri was famously the starting point for the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails, as well as the hometown of President Harry Truman. These days, it boasts a a thriving arts scene and charming historic downtown.