Jackson County

Missouri ranks 10th in the country for high school smoking. However, rates are trending down and a variety of accessible programs are helping the Kansas City metro stay below state levels.

Schools in Missouri received millions of dollars in federal pandemic aid to keep students safe and bolster learning. But with the deadline approaching to spend the money, districts now have to decide which new programs and staff they can pay for themselves.

The Kansas-Missouri border splits Kansas City, and divides the metro region more evenly, and sometimes problematically, than any American metro region cut in two by a state line.

Everett Carter was a county employee of 40 years, including eight in public works. County officials say his death is a reminder of the risks faced by public servants while ensuring the safety of metro roadways.

Melesa Johnson, 35, will be sworn in as Jackson County's prosecutor on Friday. She says she will keep some of Baker's policies, tweak others and offer her own.

Even if you've lived in Kansas City for ages, the metro area continues to surprise with places for eating, exploring and spending the day — some of which deserve a lot more recognition. What are the best-kept secrets worth a trip outside the city?

What were the most important stories this year in Kansas City and Jackson County? We're discussing the fight over a downtown baseball stadium, the city's homicide and property crime issues, and the controversy over a homeless shelter — and talking about what next year might hold.

Jean Peters Baker is leaving office next month after 13 years as Jackson County's top prosecutor. In a recent exit interview, she said she's faced threats and criticism for her decisions — especially over the prosecution of ex-KCPD officer Eric DeValkenaere.

Months of fighting between Jackson County legislators resolved just in time this week, when the Legislature passed a plan to keep $70 million in federal funding rather than send it back to the government.

After Missouri voters passed Amendment 3 in November, enshrining the right to an abortion, Planned Parenthood sued to strike down several abortion restrictions in state law. A judge on Friday blocked some but not all of the restrictions.

After a months-long standoff, two factions in the legislature finally agreed on how to spend federal COVID relief money — just days before it would have been sent back to the federal government.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said she's faced threats and criticism for her decisions over the years — especially over the prosecution of ex-KCPD officer Eric DeValkenaere. She spoke with KCUR's Up To Date about her 13 years as the county’s top prosecutor, and the consequences the job had on her and her family.