In all but 11 counties, Missouri voters showed stronger support for abortion than ever before. Plus, voter turnout appeared to be stronger in the state’s Democratic strongholds.
Josh Merchant
Josh Merchant is The Beacon's local government reporter in Kansas City. After graduating from Seattle University, Josh earned a master’s degree in investigative journalism from Columbia Journalism School with coursework in data journalism. Josh has contributed reporting to The Seattle Spectator, The South Seattle Emerald and THE CITY in New York. They're a former Beacon intern. At The Beacon, they reported on issues of traffic safety, with a focus on roadway design, as well as tax-incentivized development at a variety of Kansas City agencies. They have lived in Kansas City since 2021.
Posted inElections
Jackson County voters pass COMBAT anti-crime tax. See results for other local questions
Jackson County municipalities asked voters to renew or implement a handful of new government programs and taxes. Not all of them passed.
Posted inElections
Stacy Lake is Jackson County’s next executive. See who’s leading alongside her
Democrats won all four countywide races in today’s Jackson County elections. The new legislature will almost completely turn over on Jan. 1.
Posted inLocal Government
Wyandotte County has an unusual number of ‘abandoned’ cemeteries. Neighbors pitch in to maintain them
“We don’t even have enough funds to have dignity for those who we’ve lost,” Unified Government Mayor Christal Watson said at a commission meeting in August, “and that’s a tragedy to me.”
Posted inElections
Voter guide: Should property taxes help repair Independence’s Vaile Mansion and historic buildings?
How is this different from last year’s historic buildings bond question? What happens if it fails? Do Independence taxpayers get any benefit?
Posted inElections
Missouri Supreme Court and lots of other judges are on the ballot. What it means to ‘retain’ them
Missouri voters will see a list of anywhere from four to nearly a dozen judges on the ballot. How do you know whether they should stay on the bench?
Posted inElections
Kansans voted to not elect Supreme Court justices. So why are they and other judges on the ballot?
Whether you live in Wyandotte or Johnson County, you will see more than a dozen questions about judges on your ballot. Here’s what to know.
Posted inElections
KCK voters to decide if fixes to roads, sidewalks, parks and pools are worth an extra sales tax
Most cities aim for their roads to score 70 or 80 out of 100. Roads in KCK are rated at just 48. Leaders say new tax would fund long-overdue repairs.
Posted inLocal Government
How will KC know if the $1.4 billion Royals ballpark pays off? Watch these 3 key factors
Kansas City leaders are promising $1.4 billion in economic impact from the new Royals stadium. But that’s not all it needs to generate for the city to break even.
Posted inLocal Government
KC’s bet on Royals stadium could cut into tight budget for new jail, public safety projects
The Kansas City Council voted 11-2 to redirect $1.4 billion to pay for stadium debt. That includes public safety dollars that are already squeezed by plans for a new jail, community resource center and police station.