Kansas Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican, is aiming for a convincing victory against two challengers. Republicans have won this seat in the past five elections, but the most recent election was the closest. Erickson won with only 51.8% of votes. She now faces Libertarian Olivia Hayse and Democrat Richard Smith. Election Day is Nov. […]
Incumbent Renee Erickson draws two challengers for Kansas Senate seat
Posted inElections
Stephen Owens and Jason Miller are running to replace long-serving senator
Rep. Stephen Owens, a Hesston Republican, is trying to switch chambers as he runs for the Kansas Senate against Democrat Jason Miller. Outgoing Sen. Carolyn McGinn has held this seat in the 31st District since 2005. Election Day is Nov. 5. Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote. Early voting starts Oct. […]
Posted inBehind the Beacon
The Beacon takes home five Missouri Press Association awards
We’re thrilled to announce that The Beacon Kansas City has received multiple awards from the Missouri Press Association, recognizing the work of our dedicated journalists. Our five awards — including four second-place honors and one third place — celebrate our reporters’ commitment to impactful, local journalism that resonates with our community. Mili Mansaray won a […]
Posted inElections
Here’s what Mike Kehoe and Crystal Quade said they’d be like as Missouri’s governor
Editor’s note (Oct. 3, 2024): This story has been updated to include additional candidate responses. Missourians will choose between an anti-abortion conservative who champions business development and tax cuts for governor or a Democrat prioritizing abortion access, expanding child care and gun control measures. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who operates a cattle farm in Phelps […]
Posted inMissouri
Missouri Amendment 6: Should court fees fund retirement for sheriffs and prosecutors?
Missouri voters will decide Nov. 5 if retirement funds for sheriffs and prosecutors should be supported with fees collected on court cases. A fee used to fund sheriffs’ pensions was put in place by state law in 1983. The Missouri General Assembly placed Amendment 6 on the ballot to reverse a 2021 Missouri Supreme Court […]
Posted inElections
These groups have opinions about your vote. Decoding endorsements in Kansas and Missouri
Candidates and campaigns routinely tout endorsements. The Beacon has compiled a list of Kansas, Missouri and national groups that are active in the 2024 election. Meet the endorsers and learn who and what they support: Abortion Action Missouri Abortion Action Missouri is an abortion access advocacy group that used to be called NARAL (National Abortion […]
Posted inElections
Have a felony record? You still might be eligible to vote
Until they get in touch with him, organizer TJ James says, many people with a felony conviction have no idea that they have the right to vote.
And it’s not for a lack of interest, said James, an organizer with the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, or MORE2.
“I’ve had people that I work with where they’ve been told specifically at the polls that they cannot vote,” James said. “They’re being told while in prison, ‘You can never vote again.’ And people, unfortunately, just don’t do the research.”
Posted inEducation
How Southwest High School could reopen as a neighborhood middle school
Several Brookside neighbors said they like the idea of the building being used again, but only if reopening is handled well.
Posted inWichita
Cheney Lake is drying up. Wichita says the drought plan is working
One big rainstorm won’t fix Wichita’s water shortage. Dark storm clouds that hovered over Wichita one mid-September softened the ring of cracked dirt that’s inched wider around Cheney Lake each week, but it didn’t erase the underlying problem. Kansas is in a drought. For much of the last year, Cheney Lake, Wichita’s primary water source, […]
Posted inKansas City
Missouri’s Prop A would raise minimum wage to $15 and promise sick leave, but business owners warn of job losses
At any given moment in Missouri, a working parent might miss a day’s pay to care for their sick child. New mothers could return to work just days after giving birth to make ends meet, while fast-food workers may skip car payments to cover rent. Labor movement leaders say these harsh workplace realities affect hundreds […]