Registered nurses at two HCA-owned Kansas City hospitals get “substantial” pay raises under new three-year contracts ratified in October. National Nurses United, the union representing registered nurses at Research Medical Center in Kansas City and Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, said in a press release that the pay bump will make it easier to […]
Kansas City nurses say their new contract will mean higher pay and better patient care
Posted inState Government
Medical marijuana still faces opposition from Kansas law enforcement
Kansas police are once again saying no to drugs — including medical marijuana. On Tuesday, groups representing police chiefs, sheriffs and peace officers across the state continued to shoot down the idea of legalizing medical marijuana. They argued that legal weed would create a more lawless Kansas where cartels roam the streets and opioid deaths […]
Posted inElections
As money for senior citizens runs out, Jackson County voters consider a new property tax
Janet Baker has to say “no” more often than she would like to the aging Kansas Citians her organization serves. Even to a woman newly confined to a wheelchair who called a couple of weeks ago requesting Meals on Wheels, Baker, executive director of KC Shepherd’s Center, had to say “no.” “This makes me sick,” […]
Posted inState Government
Missouri sports betting: What MO can learn about sports gambling addiction from other states
Gambling addiction resources can be found online or Kansans can call 1-800-GAMBLER for help. In states with legal sports betting, more Americans are gambling on the talents of sports stars like Patrick Mahomes and Bobby Witt Jr. more and heeding the advice of certified financial advisers less. Households across the country are skipping the stock […]
Posted inHousing
Understanding the Kansas City-area rent strike: Tenant rights and other key facts
Nearly 200 tenants launched a rent strike at the start of this month over what they see as intolerable living conditions at two large apartment buildings in Kansas City and Independence. The renters at Quality Hill Towers and Independence Towers are demanding better upkeep, repairs, collectively bargained leases and capping annual rent hikes at 3% […]
Posted inBehind the Beacon
A Message to Our Readers: The Beacon’s Evolving Presence in Wichita
Since launching in Wichita in 2021, The Beacon has been committed to delivering trustworthy, community-centered news that highlights key local issues. We’ve continuously adapted and innovated while working closely with all of you to ensure our reporting makes a meaningful impact. Our vision hasn’t changed. We’re thinking beyond our newsroom and want to help foster […]
Posted inElections
Absentee voting, initiative petitions and voter roll audits: Secretary of state candidates Denny Hoskins and Barbara Phifer on running Missouri’s elections
Missourians will have the chance to choose a new top elections official when they cast ballots for secretary of state on Nov. 5. State Sen. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and state Rep. Barbara Phifer of Kirkwood are running to replace current Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. While the candidates will primarily run Missouri’s elections, they […]
Posted inElections
How do I view my sample ballot? Your Missouri and Kansas guide
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Posted inElections
Kansas Board of Education: Your election guide to the 2024 showdowns
Half the seats on the Kansas Board of Education are up for election. The 10-seat board is losing three of the more moderate elected officials, which could swing the political leanings of the board to the left or right. The Beacon asked Board of Education candidates the same list of questions to see their priorities […]
Posted inElections
Abortion, immigration, drug prices: Where Missouri’s candidates for U.S. Senate stand on the issues
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is on the Nov. 5 ballot as he seeks another term in Congress. The Republican is being challenged by Missouri Senate hopefuls Democrat Lucas Kunce, Better Party candidate Jared Young and Green Party candidate Nathan Kline. The winning candidate will join a fractured U.S. Senate that has 33 of 100 seats […]