Independence Missouri

After violent winds toppled tents and booths Sunday night, officials told vendors to clean up and go home for everyone's safety. But visitors still hit the carnival rides, without cotton candy and kettle corn.

First District voters recalled a City Council member for the first time in Independence's history after he voted to approve a multibillion-dollar data center. A special election to fill the vacancy will need to be scheduled.

Independence police officer Jordan White was placed on leave for post-traumatic stress disorder after fatally shooting a 34-year-old mother and her 12-week-old baby. He alleges he was discriminated against and that the police department did not allow a proper return to duty.

Independence resident Alisa Ramdial Shahib is the latest case of the Trump administration attempting to deport an immigrant to a country where they have no ties. She’s been detained in Kansas since March, with no criminal charges against her.

Illustrator Kamilla Sims has created murals for the Wichita Public Library, Exploration Place and local businesses. A July 4th chalk work in Independence, Missouri, will be her largest yet.

The Independence Police Department internal affairs commander says the city discriminated against older officers and looked the other way on deputy chiefs’ drunken driving incidents.

Two of the five city councilmembers who supported major tax breaks for an AI data center were on the ballot Tuesday. Both were ousted in their respective elections by a large margin.

A judge sided with the city of Independence and denied residents’ efforts to put massive tax breaks for an AI data center up to voters.

Los Angeles-based Metrobloks says it will build a $1.4 billion AI data center in Liberty, Missouri, after the city approved a bond and 25-year tax incentive package. The news comes as Independence residents organize against a data project there.

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 election.

On April 7, voters around Kansas City, Missouri, will decide a number of critical local issues in their communities. That includes multiple school board races, whether to renew Kansas City’s earnings tax, who will lead Independence, and more.

The city of Independence blocked residents from starting a petition that could force a citywide vote after city council approved more than $6 billion in tax breaks. Now opponents are suing to force the process to move forward.