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.
Kansas City, Missouri
English, French
Local government
Data journalism
Gail McCann Beatty, Jackson County’s director of assessment, told The Beacon in April that much of this year’s 30% increase can be explained by a general increase in market value.
Her insights, along with interviews with other people familiar with housing trends in Jackson County, present a complex set of factors that are making it more expensive to live in Kansas City.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority voted unanimously on Wednesday afternoon to dissolve the RideKC Development Corp. But the move does not mean that the agency is ending its foray into transit-oriented, tax-subsidized development.
The last time Kansas Citians voted for City Council members, Donald Trump was still president, renters were just beginning to organize under the working name of “KC Tenants” and many Kansas City residents had never considered wearing a face mask to the airport (still a horseshoe-shaped terminal), let alone a grocery store.
On June 20, Kansas City voters will elect a new City Council, which will get to work in August making important decisions about massive downtown development proposals, preparations for the 2026 World Cup, affordable housing and the city’s budget.
The Missouri River has historically represented a political divide within Kansas City, with the Northland voting more conservatively than voters south of the river in local and statewide elections.
When Kansas City voters go to the polls on June 20, their choices have the potential to dramatically change the way the City Council does business. At least six of the 12 seats will be filled with a new member.
For years, Kansas City has focused on reducing energy consumption among the largest contributors. But it is struggling to get building owners to cooperate.
Kansas City sits at the intersection of many rivers — the Missouri River separating downtown from the Northland, the Kansas River in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, and Turkey Creek, the Blue River, Mill Creek and Brush Creek forming a spider web across the bistate area.
And this is no accident, said Heather Schmidt, the stormwater program manager in Johnson County.
Every 10 years, the mayor of Kansas City is required to form a commission to review the city’s charter and recommend changes to be placed on the ballot. The 2023 Charter Review Commission met for the final time on May 16, rejecting calls from some members of the public to extend their timeline.
This month, Kansas City began rolling out its new recycling program by delivering carts with lids and wheels to houses across the city.
But in the fine print, the city’s recycling website says that apartment buildings with seven or more units will not be receiving a recycling cart.
