Elections have been top of mind for lawmakers since 2000, when races for many seats, including the U.S. presidency, were close and highly polarized, and the pandemic raised concerns about the safety of in-person voting. Since then, some elected officials have been seeking ways to expand access to the ballot box, while others are calling for more restrictions.
Ahead of 2022 elections, Missouri legislature considers bills on absentee voting and voter ID
Posted inLocal Government
Social Security numbers of nearly 180 Sedgwick County election workers exposed following data breach
Editor’s note: We updated this story on March 23 to clarify that information reviewed by The Wichita Beacon showed that the Social Security numbers of 176 election workers for Sedgwick County were exposed. The personal information of at least 150 more Sedgwick County election workers has been exposed following a data breach, according to information […]
Posted inEducation
Who are the Liberty school board candidates for the April 5 election?
Ahead of the April 5 election, The Kansas City Beacon sent five questions to each candidate about the district’s and school board’s strengths and weaknesses, and why they’re the right person to help their district improve.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Goodwill for Ukrainian refugees is abundant in KC, but what about other refugees?
“Where were these people when we needed help for others?” Refugee advocates urge donors to also show compassion for non-European refugees.
Posted inKansas State Government, Watchdog
‘Knocked down over and over again’: How a Kansas bill loosening SNAP restrictions failed
Andrew Hubbard, faced with barrier after barrier when trying to restart his life, said he started to question why he even bothered. A three-time felon, Hubbard struggled to climb his way to sobriety with so many obstacles — lacking a valid driver’s license, finding housing with 11 evictions on his record and struggling to pay […]
Posted inLocal Government
The secret sauce behind Wichita’s success in distributing emergency housing vouchers
At the grocery store, pick up barbecue sauce, a jar of spaghetti sauce, elbow noodles and a chicken breast — without the bone. When you get home, boil water for noodles and add some barbecue sauce to the pot, for flavor. Fry your chicken. Pour the noodles into a bowl. Add chicken. Add spaghetti sauce. […]
Posted inEducation
Five questions with Independence school board candidates for the April 5 election
Ahead of the April 5 election, The Kansas City Beacon sent five questions to each candidate about the district and school board’s strengths and weaknesses, and why they’re the right person to help them improve.
Posted inHealth
For Jackson County, getting COVID relief money came with early problems
Political infighting, a disbanded funding committee and even a Hail Mary request to the White House all happened during Jackson County’s early efforts to spend the $122.7 million.
Posted inState Government
KC lawmakers are facing an uphill battle in Missouri legislative session
While legislators from Kansas City say they are frustrated by the acrimony in the General Asseme, that is only one of their concerns.
Posted inEconomics, Housing, Local Government
Formerly incarcerated Missourians struggle for decades to find stable housing
After serving time in prison, Christine McDonald found herself living on the streets of Kansas City and in a pay-by-the-week motel. Robert Richardson, who also has a felony record, settled for a bug-infested apartment with an open hole in the front. They are far from alone in the struggle to find adequate, affordable housing as […]