Eric Schmitt spent nearly $20,000 at Mar-a-Lago while pursuing his bid to be Missouri’s next U.S. senator. Proponents for legal weed spent six figures on legal fees. And a GOP challenger for Emanuel Cleaver’s seat in the U.S. Congress raised a mere $33. Those are some of the nuggets included in new Missouri campaign finance […]
Who spent what: Missouri’s campaign finance reports, from U.S. Senate to the campaign for legal weed
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Local Government
Sedgwick County commissioner District 4 candidates give stances on fentanyl, mental health and marijuana
Lacey Cruse, a Democrat, is the current county commissioner representing District 4. She is being challenged by Ryan Baty, a Republican.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Black woman who escaped abductor’s basement affirms problem of missing Black women in Kansas City
On Oct. 7, a terrified 22-year-old Black woman escaped from a home in Excelsior Springs. She told police she had been locked up there for about a month, after being abducted from Prospect Avenue in Kansas City by a man who lives in the home. The man, Timothy M. Haslett Jr., 39, is in custody […]
Posted inEducation
When would schools close under KCPS proposal? Here’s what we know.
If the board approves the plan in its current form, new academic initiatives and planning for new and renovated school buildings would begin immediately. Here’s what the remainder of the decade could look like.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Local Government
Marijuana, mental health and diversity: Where do Sedgwick County commissioner District 1 candidates stand?
Pete Meitzner, a Republican, is the current county commissioner representing District 1. He is being challenged by Kelli Grant, a Democrat.
Posted inElections, Local Government, Uncategorized
Live in KC, Independence or Lee’s Summit? Here are your Jackson County Legislature candidates
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the county executive’s ability to vote in the Jackson County legislature. Some of the races for the Jackson County Legislature were decided in the August primary election, and one district’s incumbent is running unopposed. But voters in three legislative districts will see a […]
Posted inElections, State Government
These two Kansas City Northland races could make a dent in the Missouri legislature’s power balance
In Kansas City’s Northland, the growing population is becoming younger and more diverse. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on those changes as they try to whittle away at GOP supermajorities in the Missouri legislature. Competitive races in the 12th and 14th state House districts are presenting opportunities to hold on to one seat and flip […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Who will Jackson County voters pick to represent them in the County Legislature?
After a primary election that already unseated an incumbent, Jackson County residents will see at least six new faces in the nine seats of their County Legislature. In the at-large races, six candidates are competing for three positions. Although each at-large legislator is elected by voters in the entire county, candidates must live in their […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Education
Wichita NAACP, teachers union and other leaders team up to support ballot initiative
A coalition calling itself Vote Local USD259 has organized in support of the school board election reform ballot initiative coming before Wichita voters on Nov. 8. The coalition is urging the public to vote “yes” on the proposed change to how school board members are elected.
Posted inElections
Voting in the general election? Here’s what to expect when casting your Kansas ballot
The Kansas general election is on Nov. 8, but voters don’t have to wait that long to vote. Whether you vote on election day, by mail or early in person, The Beacon has created a guide to help you prepare for the Kansas ballot. How do I check my voter registration information? When do I […]