Jackson County

Rohlfing, a U.S. Army veteran, is running against Democrat Stacy Lake in November to become the next Jackson County executive. He says he would focus on providing “world class customer service” if elected.

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.

Kansas City's Santa Fe Neighborhood has received $1.4 million from Jackson County’s leftover COVID relief funds to make exterior and interior repairs. The goal is to encourage residents not to move away but to stay and commit to beautifying the historic community.

COVID case numbers are slowly climbing but trending below past years, when cases surged as kids returned to their usual school activities. Still, health experts warn that doesn’t mean Kansas City is in the clear.

The free-to-use machine, called a Bluebox, has public health items like the naloxone product Narcan, fentanyl test strips, COVID tests, safe sex kits and more. It’s the third such vending machine in Jackson County, with more still to be installed.

Lake, an attorney who won the Democratic primary for Jackson County executive, is running against Republican Alan Rohlfing in November. The county has struggled under a dysfunctional legislature, and the interim executive was recently indicted on federal bribery charges.

For decades, the names of thousands of local enslaved people lay hidden in deeds, wills, probate records and bills of sale. A recent discovery is shedding new light on Missouri's history of slavery.

Medicaid policy experts say anticipated changes to Medicaid eligibility requirements are already having a chilling effect, particularly among immigrants. Jackson County leaders are trying to get the word out so as many people as possible can keep their coverage.

On Monday, Aug. 10, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to cut the number of routine immunizations for American children. Only states can require vaccinations for children to enter school or day care. But many health experts pushed back, saying the order would not make children's lives safer and further erodes vaccine trust for parents.

A federal grand jury indictment accuses LeVota of trying to convince a candidate for the Jackson County executive race to withdraw, in exchange for positions in county government. LeVota called a news conference denying the allegations.

After garnering close to 50% of the vote in a crowded primary, attorney Stacy Lake may be the next official to carve out policies and weigh in on the Jackson County budget. Lake will take on the sole Republican candidate, Alan Rohlfing, in the November general election.

The move brings Jackson County in line with other charter counties, and affirms a vote at the county level last year in which voters overwhelmingly supported the county switching the position from appointed to elected.