This article was produced with ProPublica as part of its Local Reporting Network initiative. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published. This story is available in plain language. One weekday morning in July, Kerstie Bramlet was at her workstation inside the Warren County Sheltered Workshop near […]
Missouri Allows Some Disabled Workers to Earn Less Than $1 an Hour. The State Says It’s Fine If That Never Changes.
Posted inMeeting Notes
Turner school board reviews attendance progress, elects new leaders
Turner Elementary reports improved chronic absenteeism rates, but the school has not yet met its goal.
Posted inState Government
A course on sexual assault is helping catch predators across the country, but Kansas doesn’t require schools to teach it
Kansas is one of 12 states that haven’t passed Erin’s Law. Advocates want that to change.
Posted inMeeting Notes
City Plan Commission advances World Cup signage rules
The amendment allows temporary building signage for major events, up to 80,000 square feet. The commission also approved plans for a bond project at New Mark Middle School.
Posted inLocal Government
Peeling back layers of the Country Club Plaza redevelopment deal
A bargain-basement price. A property tax break. An infrastructure incentive. And a property assessment appeal. The Plaza’s new owners have pushed several financial levers to craft a potentially lucrative redevelopment plan.
Posted inState Government
‘The numbers are just not credible’: Kansas used flawed math to estimate economic impact of Chiefs relocation, experts say
The Beacon spoke with four economists who say the state relied on inflated numbers to make the stadium deal look better. State officials say football teams bring in real value as millions flock to the stadium projects.
Posted inEducation
How a charter school board reacted when employees asked it to oust the executive director
Current and former employees said they’re frustrated with the level of response from the board after they raised serious concerns about KIPP Kansas City leadership.
Posted inHealth
Changes are coming to health care in Missouri. These are the bills Missouri lawmakers are pushing in 2026
Missouri lawmakers have their sights set on health care reform in 2026, including insurance coverage of certain prescriptions, how health professionals can administer and prescribe medicine, patient privacy and maternal health.
Posted inEducation
This Kansas City charter school lost nearly 20% of its students in one year amid high staff turnover
KIPP Kansas City employees say staff turnover and leadership changes have contributed to issues such as incorrect pay, shrinking enrollment and disrupted education.
Posted inMeeting Notes
Hickman Mills board approves up to $9.76 million in cuts and school consolidations to close budget gap
District leaders cite financial instability as educators and community members question impacts on workload and learning.
Posted inEducation
A ‘revolving door’: Kansas City charter school sees extreme staff turnover
Only about 40% of the employees KIPP Kansas City reported to the state last school year show up on its employee list this year. Leaders say not everyone is on board with necessary change.