With help from controversial tax exemptions, a new boutique hotel is coming to Kansas City’s Berkley Riverfront. The Port Authority of Kansas City (Port KC) voted in late July to issue bonds for the Origin Hotel. It will be constructed across the street from the Union Apartments and will offer 118 hotel rooms as well […]
Riverfront boutique hotel development raises questions about tax incentives
Posted inEconomics, Housing
Some Missourians impacted by COVID-19 can get thousands in housing assistance
If you’re a Missouri homeowner who has been financially set back due to COVID-19, you may qualify for up to $50,000 to help pay for your mortgage. And if you’re a renter who has also been impacted by the pandemic, you may qualify for thousands to offset rent and utility payments — including back payments […]
Posted inElections
Predicting the unpredictable: Was Kansas prepared for unprecedented voter turnout?
Historic voter turnout in the Aug. 2 primary surprised even the state’s chief election officer. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced four days before the election that he predicted a 36% voter turnout, or around 700,000 voters. Historically, midterm primaries draw 20% to 25% of voters. Schwab’s prediction padded that number by about 50% […]
Posted inElections
Predicting the unpredictable: Was Kansas prepared for unprecedented voter turnout?
Historic voter turnout in the Aug. 2 primary surprised even the state’s chief election officer. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced four days before the election that he predicted a 36% voter turnout, or around 700,000 voters. Historically, midterm primaries draw 20% to 25% of voters. Schwab’s prediction padded that number by about 50% […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, State Government
You now need a photo ID to vote in Missouri. Here’s how to get one
Update (Sept. 1, 2022): Civic engagement groups filed lawsuits in late August challenging portions of the law, including the photo ID requirement. Unless a court rules against the photo ID provision, it will be in place for the November election. Under a new law set to go into effect at the end of this month, […]
Posted inAccountability, Local Government
Suicide is the leading cause of death in Kansas jails. The Sedgwick County Jail is struggling to combat this trend.
Update: On Aug. 24, Sedgwick County Jail saw its fourth person this year die while in custody. A 38-year-old male was found unresponsive and EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation determined the death a result of natural causes; an autopsy is pending. Content warning: This story contains references to and descriptions of […]
Posted inState Government
Some cannabis supporters say Missouri ballot initiative doesn’t help enough people with previous convictions
Critics of a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize marijuana in Missouri are gearing up for a long fight to Election Day. Some of the most strident opposition comes from cannabis advocates. They say that Amendment 3, which purports to support full legalization, would actually work against full decriminalization of cannabis use. Missouri Secretary of […]
Posted inEducation
Wichita Black community presses school board member to back change in how members are elected
“Holistically and intrinsically, I like Black people representing me, but that’s not always the case… So, I look for, as Dr. [Martin Luther] King said, I look for the content of a person’s character. I look for someone who is African American but if that is not the case I look for someone who can do the things I just said.”
Posted inEducation
Transit agency’s silence on tax incentive projects frustrates KC Public Schools
During his last weeks with Kansas City Public Schools, then-Superintendent Mark Bedell pushed for the district to have more input into development projects from the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). KCATA’s development arm, called RideKC Development Corp. (RKCDC), was founded in 2018 to bring “transit-oriented development” to Kansas City. Its mission is to develop […]
Posted inEducation
Retaining early-career teachers key to addressing shortage in Wichita
Teacher shortages fueled by retirements and teacher burnout continue to plague school districts across the country. Wichita Public Schools began the 2022-23 school year on Aug. 15 short 100 teachers. That represents about 2.5% of all positions, better than the statewide vacancy rate of 4%. The causes of the shortage are baby-boomer retirement, increased stress […]