As Missouri struggles to catch its footing amid Medicaid expansion, officials are already looking ahead to what could be the next big problem in administering health care coverage for Missourians who are lower-income or disabled. A federal public health emergency declared during the pandemic is about to expire. And that would require the state to […]
What the end of a pandemic-era policy could mean for Missourians on Medicaid
Posted inLocal Government
Were you convicted for marijuana possession in Kansas City? You might be eligible for a pardon.
Marijuana possession has been partially decriminalized in Missouri since 2017, but a number of residents continue to have Kansas City marijuana convictions on their criminal records. Those convictions can present barriers. Even though Kansas City passed a municipal measure called “Ban the Box” in 2018, preventing employers or landlords from asking about a criminal record […]
Posted inLocal Government, Wichitans You Should Know
Why Jonathan Marr is Sedgwick County’s 2022 Public Service Award winner
From Seattle to Baghdad to the Marshall Islands, Jonathan Marr has worked as a firefighter all over the globe. But Marr, deputy director for Sedgwick County Emergency Management, moved to Wichita in 2019. And he’s made his mark since doing so. After becoming deputy director in 2020, Marr conducted in-depth research into the county’s aging […]
Posted inEducation
Facebook posts spark discussion about racism, overcrowding in Blue Valley school district
Under the new law, each district will determine its capacity and accept applications for any spaces not filled by district residents. Districts will use a lottery system to allocate spots if there are more applicants than spaces.
Posted inState Government
Photo ID, voter roll audits could be part of Missouri’s election statute
Despite what election officials and lawmakers across the state heralded as a secure and successful 2020 election, voters in Missouri could soon be subject to new photo ID and other voting requirements as part of Republicans’ push for what they call “election integrity.” Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, helped craft the more restrictive […]
Posted inEducation, Kansas State Government
Open enrollment, childhood literacy included in Kansas’ $6.4 billion education budget
Kansas lawmakers did not include the additional $30 million in special education funding Gov. Laura Kelly requested.
Posted inEducation
The impact of free community college in Kansas is already showing
After Gov. Laura Kelly signed an education bill into law May 16, the Kansas Promise Scholarship program will be expanded to include additional career areas and age groups.
Posted inEnvironment, State Government
Missouri ranks 7th in electric vehicle use, but access to charging remains a key barrier
Beto Lugo-Martinez is a grassroots activist who advocates for clean air. A big part of his work is fighting the expansion of “gas guzzling” vehicles and making sure that historically underserved communities receive infrastructure updates, partly to encourage driving an electric vehicle in Kansas City. Kansas City is no exception to the growing nationwide popularity […]
Posted inLocal Government
It’s been a year. What has Wichita’s land bank accomplished so far?
In May 2021, the Wichita City Council created the city’s first-ever land bank — a city-owned and operated entity aimed at reducing blight and vacant properties. The land bank aims to acquire distressed properties or vacant lots and rehabilitate them. Its main priorities? Neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing, which are key as home and rental prices in […]
Posted inLocal Government
Wichita’s budget passes in August. Here’s how you can get involved in shaping it now.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect a change in schedule to the budget process. The proposed budget will now be presented to the City Council on July 12 instead of July 19. Wichita’s annual budget may struggle to grab your attention. But behind jargon that might take your breath away — mill levy, […]