Despite an increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the Kansas City area over the last few weeks, officials say fewer people are using free community testing sites run by health departments. “It’s definitely concerning,” Frank Thompson, deputy director of the Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department, said of the decrease in people getting tested. […]
The COVID-19 positivity test rate is up. More Kansas Citians should get tested, officials say
Posted inHealth
Older adults in Kansas City are facing increased anxiety, depression during the pandemic
Local organizations that serve seniors are trying to adapt.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Complete census counts in Kansas, Missouri marred by COVID-19 and changing deadlines
For six days a week throughout August and September, Cindy Hoedel went door-to-door across mostly rural Kansas counties — sometimes covering over 200 miles in a day — to find out how many people lived in a given address on April 1. But as a Census worker, Hoedel’s biggest challenge wasn’t in the rural areas […]
Posted inCivic Engagement
After days of waiting, Kansas City residents react to Joe Biden’s projected win over Donald Trump
After a grueling campaign season, marred by a pandemic and made even more stressful by days spent waiting for votes to be counted in several battleground states, Kansas City voters who spoke with The Beacon said they felt a variety of emotions.
Posted inCivic Engagement
In their words: Kansas City voters on the unprecedented 2020 Election
On Nov. 3, thousands of registered voters in Kansas and Missouri turned out to polling places to cast their ballot for crucial races, from the presidency to local races and statewide ballot initiatives. Even COVID-19 could not deter many voters from making sure their voice was heard — in Kansas City, Missouri, COVID-positive voters experienced […]
Posted inCivic Engagement
COVID-positive voters in Kansas City face hours-long wait times on Election Day
Despite relatively short waits at most polling locations across the Kansas City metro, COVID-positive voters in Kansas City, Missouri — who were encouraged to use curbside voting at Union Station — are waiting hours to cast their ballots. Cedric Schofield and his wife originally planned to wake up at 6:30 a.m. this morning to vote […]
Posted inCivic Engagement
Live Coverage: Election Day 2020
After a long and tumultuous election season, shaped by an unprecedented pandemic and mass protests against racism and police violence, Election Day is finally here. Millions have already cast their vote for president and other statewide and local races, and more are expected to turn up at the polls today to vote in person. Today, […]
Posted inCivic Engagement
Election Day: Everything you need to know
With Election Day just one day away, we know voters still have qusetions about the voting process and how they can make sure their vote will count. On Friday, Oct. 30, The Beacon’s Celisa Calacal was joined by four local voting experts to answer common questions about voting in Missouri and Kansas.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Disenchanted by the major parties, young Kansas voters are more likely to register as independents
Through an analysis of Kansas voter registration data, The Beacon found that unaffiliated voters in Kansas, also known as independents, make up 38% of voters under the age of 40 — the largest portion of any party within that age range.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Transportation can be a barrier for some Kansas City voters. Here’s how to get to the polls.
Before the June election this year, the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners decided to change the locations and reduce the number of in-person polling places. The goal? To have enough election judges available and include larger polling sites for more social distancing.