The Beacon has been working hard to grow a newsroom full of passionate reporters covering the Kansas City metro, Missouri and Kansas. The newsroom is currently staffed with seven reporters and our interim editor-in-chief. After focusing on building a strong editorial team, we’re excited to share that Naomi O’Donnell and Willa Odefey have accepted contract […]
The Beacon brings on two new contract workers to support product and audience innovation
Posted inLocal Government
Kansas City cared more about branding than public transparency. A new audit urges an overhaul
The audit into the city’s communications department investigated issues with transparency. The department was consolidated and controlled by former City Manager Brian Platt, who was fired in March.
Posted inState Government
Kansas foster children might miss class because of school enrollment issues
Foster children moving to new homes might mean a new school district. That means education records, course credits and other information need to be transferred to a new school. That can delay enrollment.
Posted inImmigration
KC figures strongly in long campaign to build Smithsonian museum honoring America’s Latinos
The White House recently targeted the Latino museum in a listing of Smithsonian exhibits and messaging criticized as woke or anti-American.
Posted inRural
As rural maternity care units close, Missouri families lose options
In Missouri, nearly 42% of counties are defined as maternity care deserts, higher than the nationwide average. Rural families face fewer options and greater distances to get OB-GYN care.
Posted inHealth
As COVID cases in Kansas City increase, so does confusion about vaccine recommendations
The CDC has already changed some vaccine guidelines, and the FDA may change others, which could throw insurance coverage into question and lead to fewer people getting shots.
Posted inImmigration
Kansas City’s immigrant rights advocates echo national call for nonviolent resistance
Amid the Trump administration’s escalating mass deportation campaign, many immigrant rights advocates are calling for nonviolent resistance.
Posted inEducation
Audit finds that Independence school board violated Missouri Sunshine Law, but district earned ‘good’ rating overall
An audit of the district found the board discussed topics in closed meetings that should have been public. But the district received an overall rating of ‘good.’
Posted inHealth
Brace for sticker shock if you’re buying health insurance on the ACA marketplace
Insurance companies have proposed the highest rate increases since 2018. Health care analysts blame Trump administration policies, which will raise prices and drive healthy people out of the marketplace.
Posted inEducation
Independence School District chooses familiar Missouri group to run superintendent search
Teachers union members said they want the board to consider outside candidates, but that Interim Superintendent Cindy Grant is already improving morale and trust.