No one knows how many Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department employees are vaccinated against COVID-19. Not the city, which relies on officers to interact with the public when responding to calls, or the department itself, which doesn’t require officers to get vaccinated. In a Tuesday meeting of the Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee, KCPD […]
‘Survey was not scientific by any means’: KCPD relies on officers self-reporting COVID-19 vaccination status
Posted inEducation
Jackpot! Lotteries for KCPS signature schools and local charter schools are open now
Families within Kansas City Public Schools district boundaries can attend KCPS signature schools or charter schools in addition to neighborhood schools.
Posted inEconomics
Kansas City families prepare for the end of the expanded federal child tax credits
Since 1997, most working families have been eligible for an income tax credit based on the number of children in a household. This year, millions of families across the U.S. benefited even more from the federal program.
Posted inWatchdog
A child in crisis died in juvenile custody. How can Wichita prevent it from happening again?
Update: Sedgwick County corrections employees involved in the death of Cedric “C.J.” Lofton won’t face criminal charges, District Attorney Marc Bennett said during a press conference on Jan. 18, 2022. Lofton, 17, died after becoming unresponsive as Department of Corrections staff restrained him face-down for over 30 minutes. An autopsy ruled Lofton’s death a homicide. […]
Posted inEducation
A KU Wichita Pediatrics pilot program brings health care into schools, and it’s keeping students in class
Editor’s note: We updated this story on Dec. 8 to clarify that Krista Weaver is an advanced practice registered nurse. On Dec. 9, the story was updated to clarify that KU Wichita Pediatrics operates the school-based clinics. There’s no telling who or what Krista Weaver will see every day in her classroom-turned-clinic in Haysville USD […]
Posted inEducation
‘A societal crisis’: Does this UMKC program have the solution to teacher retention?
The Institute for Urban Education, which supplements UMKC’s education program, helped the university connect with nearby urban school districts.
Posted inLocal Government
An affordable housing fund is on the horizon in Wichita. Here’s what that means.
December Markham’s kids grew up in the house she rents from the city of Wichita. Over the years, though, she’s seen it deteriorate. An unreliable heater. Flooring that is starting to peel, revealing nails that threaten her feet. She’s concerned that mold is growing on her bedroom wall. “I like my house,” Markham said. “There’s […]
Posted inCivic Engagement
The art of adaptation: How COVID-19 impacted Kansas City nonprofits
Editor’s note: The Beacon is a member of Nonprofit Connect, one organization mentioned in this story. Literacy KC has always relied on a personalized approach — adult students and tutors working face-to-face to build skills in reading, math and writing. The pandemic, with its shutdown orders and stay-at-home advice, altered that model. It also lent […]
Posted inLocal Government
Kansas City’s Northland divided over proposal to redraw City Council districts
The nine-member panel, which includes representatives from each of Kansas City’s six council districts, voted 6-3 to recommend a map to the City Council that eliminates the north-south border between the 1st and 2nd Districts.
Posted inLocal Government
Why $161 million in local COVID relief still hasn’t been spent
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Heartspring — a nonprofit that provides services and education to children with special needs and developmental disabilities — spent $109,000 on personal protective equipment and cleaning equipment. They paid $1.24 million in COVID-related personnel costs. They’ve also lost $170,000 to rescheduled, modified or canceled events and $2.12 million in revenue when the […]