Jackson County

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.

Las escuelas, junto con las empresas y organizaciones locales, se están asegurando de que los estudiantes del área de Kansas City tengan todo lo que necesitan para su regreso a clases el próximo mes.

The Independence School District has agreed to drop a lawsuit against Jackson County over its plan to give homeowners relief after skyrocketing property tax assessments. The school district still anticipates it will take a financial hit.

Two legislators and two staff members spent a week in Hawaii attending a conference aimed at county governments in western states. They also took a side trip to Pearl Harbor.

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.

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota said the vote to replace Manny Abarca IV as legislative chair was not related to allegations he made about bribery. On KCUR’s Up To Date, LeVota discussed how Jackson County residents will be reimbursed for inflated property tax payments.

Local schools, businesses and organizations are making sure Kansas City area students have everything they need when they head back to class next month.

The settlement would include more than 200,000 people who paid property taxes in 2023 and 2024, and would return all the money Jackson County charged in assessments that was over the state-mandated 15% cap.

Manny Abarca has been removed as chair of the Jackson County Legislature. Legislator Donna Peyton will replace him.