Gretchen Lenth, The Wichita Beacon’s Dow Jones News Fund data intern, contributed data analysis and graphics to this story. On the morning of June 28, Jeff Erker stood outside Wichita City Hall with his daughter and a sign that read “Support Wichita Firefighters.” Trucks and cars sped past, honking their support for the higher wages […]
Is the city of Wichita understaffed? The Wichita Beacon analyzes a public sector staffing problem.
Posted inEnvironment
Meet the young activists pushing for KCMO climate accountability
When Alex Teasley found out Kansas City, Missouri, was prioritizing action on climate change, they were hopeful. Teasley, 17, is a part of Sunrise Movement KC, a local chapter of the national nonprofit organization, which was founded in 2017 shortly before an international rise in climate change protests. The chapter advocates for the Green New […]
Posted inState Government
Parson vetoes tax credit for Missourians, but plans to call special session to bring tax relief
The largest budget in Missouri history was approved Thursday, with money going toward infrastructure improvements and raising teacher salaries. But one of the most anticipated items — $500 million for a Missouri tax rebate to people who paid state income taxes in 2021 — was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson. The measure introduced in […]
Posted inKansas State Government
Nearly a million Kansans lack quality internet. This grant might fix that.
Once considered a luxury, high-speed internet is now considered a necessity by many policymakers, said Jade Piros de Carvalho, director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. Quality internet is especially valuable in rural communities where it may be required for access to health care and other services.
“I think what the pandemic did is it really highlighted that communities that don’t have broadband aren’t going to be able to innovate in the same way,” Piros de Carvalho said. “They’re not going to be able to grow and thrive.”
Posted inEconomics
How Kansas Citians are dealing with high gas prices: Filling up less, carpooling more
John Davis of Prairie Village doesn’t fill up his gas tank these days like he did before prices started soaring. Instead, he spends $20 or $30 on each trip to the pump. And he’s been driving less and cutting his spending for other things. “If you just spent $50 on gas out of your paycheck, […]
Posted inState Government
How will the new federal gun law affect Missouri? It’s complicated
The federal gun safety bill passed with bipartisan congressional support in June was heralded as the first notable piece of federal gun legislation in nearly 30 years. Yet Missouri won’t feel its full impact — yet. Missouri will benefit from the millions of dollars in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act set aside for mental health, […]
Posted inEconomics
Several Starbucks in Kansas and Missouri have unionized. How can other workers do the same?
At the south end of Mill Creek Park on a recent Sunday afternoon, near the iconic fountain by Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza, workers, allies and politicians gathered in a semicircle. Representing Starbucks Workers United, many were clad in black shirts and holding signs such as “Unions brew better coffee” and “Reinstate fired workers.” It […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Local Government, State Government
How to register to vote for the Missouri primary
The deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 2 Missouri primary election is Wednesday, July 6. August’s election will determine the party nominees for the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Roy Blunt. The winners of the primary will be on the Nov. 8 general election ballots. For the first […]
Posted inLocal Government
Why are more than a third of KC’s public swimming pools closed?
With the July 4 holiday weekend coming up, those wanting to spend time by public Kansas City pools are finding they have fewer options this year. Problems from maintenance to supply chain issues to lifeguard shortages have meant some pools in the region won’t be open this summer. In 2022, Kansas City Parks and Recreation […]
Posted inEducation
North Kansas City Schools programs help teens with disabilities become adults with careers
Project SEARCH serves students with disabilities who have completed their graduation requirements and return as fifth-year seniors to gain workplace experience in a supportive environment.