Inflation

The Kansas Supreme Court chief justice announced the raises last week after the Legislature adjourned the 2026 session without appropriating money for them.

Inflation and unemployment in America are low, but many people are still feeling the pain of a tough economy. At a forum at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, panelists discussed what’s leading to high prices, and how a “K-shaped” economy explains the disconnect.

Since 2021, electricity prices have increased nearly 40%, with the average household spending more than $1,800 on their bills in 2024.

Trump promised to "make America affordable again," but food prices are still rising. Although Kansas City and St. Louis residents enjoy a lower cost of living than many Americans, that's of little comfort when household staples remain unaffordable for many.

Health insurance premiums are expected to jump in 2026, and many Kansas City businesses say they’ll be forced to pass some of the increase on to employees.

Kansas City community kitchens are seeing higher demand as food prices remain high and COVID-19 assistance disappears. The food bank Harvesters is focusing on rescuing food waste as one way to shore up its supplies as demand rises, and donations are down.

Recent data shows food inflation is slowing down. But with prices still much higher than they were a few years ago, grocery bills are getting a spotlight on the campaign trail.

Many educators say their districts aren’t supplying everything their students need. Non-profit groups, community organizations and even the courts are stepping in to help meet needs across the Midwest, but education advocates say it’s not a long-term solution.

Missouri's minimum wage will increase in the new year to $12.30 an hour, a $0.30 increase. Meanwhile, Kansas and 19 other states still pay minimum-wage workers the federal rate of $7.25 an hour.

The agriculture department’s annual projections show a slowing economy and lower crop prices for the upcoming year. The USDA also looks ahead to the next decade, showing rising crop yields but a competitive job market.

From cutting taxes on groceries to legalizing sports betting and easing abortion restrictions, a look at hundreds of pre-filed bills in Missouri offers a glimpse into what Kansas City-area lawmakers hope to accomplish.

Many pension-holding public employees in Kansas haven't seen cost-of-living adjustments in decades. Without lawmakers' support, years of higher inflation mean many retirees are seeing the value of their payments vanish. Plus: Climate change is making farming riskier and crop insurance more expensive.