Kansas City Fire Department

The Kansas City Fire Department is falling short when it comes to its efforts to diversify and a Kansas City filmmaker's movie is the first for sale accepting only non-fungible tokens as payment.

Even after being sued for discrimination, the Kansas City, Missouri, fire department's progress in recruiting firefighters of color has been slow.

The earnings tax is Kansas City's largest single source of revenue. City leaders say the failure to renew it would be disastrous.

Firefighters grappling with burnout, stagnant pay and a lack of personal protective equipment are even more frustrated to find they are lower down the vaccine priority list than health care workers despite serving on the front lines of the medical system.

Mayor's take on the past twelve months, "It's been a real bear of a year."

Mayor Quinton Lucas reviews 2020 and the challenges Kansas City has faced including violent crime, the coronavirus, and needed reform within several city departments.

Councilman Brandon Ellington says when it comes to the fire department, "you can literally pick any Black firefighter out and they will tell you the issues."

Kansas City, Missouri, councilman on allegations of harassment and discrimination against Black and female members of the city's fire department, and the story behind the rise and fall of WeWork.

Thursday's hearing follows a Kansas City Star report that revealed the Kansas City Fire Department has tolerated harassment and discrimination targeting Black and women firefighters for decades.

The vote came in a low-key election, overshadowed by concerns over the spread of the coronavirus and ongoing civil rights protests over the asphyxiation death of a black man in Minneapolis police custody.

City voters have traditionally supported firefighters, but critics worry the city's tax burden is already too high, especially for low-income residents amid the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.

Poll workers will disinfect surfaces and wear masks. Voters are also encouraged to come at “off-peak” times and follow social distancing guidelines.