In a midterm election year, most voters who turn out to the polls are focused on high-profile U.S. Senate and House seats or state legislature candidates. But further down the ballot are local elections that affect government services just down the street. Though they often fly under the radar for voters, Matt Harris, a professor […]
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 inLocal Government
Riverfront boutique hotel development raises questions about tax incentives
With help from controversial tax exemptions, a new boutique hotel is coming to Kansas City’s Berkley Riverfront. The Port Authority of Kansas City (Port KC) voted in late July to issue bonds for the Origin Hotel. It will be constructed across the street from the Union Apartments and will offer 118 hotel rooms as well […]
Posted inEducation
Transit agency’s silence on tax incentive projects frustrates KC Public Schools
During his last weeks with Kansas City Public Schools, then-Superintendent Mark Bedell pushed for the district to have more input into development projects from the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). KCATA’s development arm, called RideKC Development Corp. (RKCDC), was founded in 2018 to bring “transit-oriented development” to Kansas City. Its mission is to develop […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Kansas City area primary elections: Find your county’s results
On Aug. 2, the Kansas constitutional amendment was at the front of voters’ minds as they turned out in droves to the polls. Early reporting on voter turnout shows that turnout could possibly exceed 50%. The amendment failed with 59% voting no. But as voters decided the fate of abortion in Kansas, primary elections for […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Candice Alcaraz will become Wyandotte County’s first Black female district judge
With 100% of precincts reporting, Candice Alcaraz is the unofficial winner of the Wyandotte County District Judge election for Division 12. She beat incumbent Judge Wes Griffin, receiving 68.8% of the countywide vote. This makes her the first Black female district judge in Wyandotte County. Election results will be unofficial until Wyandotte County certifies the […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Wyandotte County judges usually run unopposed. Not this time.
Voters in Wyandotte County will select two district judges in the Aug. 2 primary election. In a stark break with precedent, two incumbent judges are facing challengers on the Democratic ballot. An unspoken rule in the county courthouse has, before now, allowed sitting judges to run unopposed in the Wyandotte County judge elections. The incumbents […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Your 2022 primary election guide to Jackson County Legislature’s 2nd District
The primary election on Aug. 2 will see Jackson County voters choose party candidates for nine legislator races, as well as the county executive. Winners will advance to the general Jackson County ballot in November. In the 2nd District, however, the winner of the Democratic primary will face no opposition in November and will become […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Five candidates compete to represent the 2nd At-Large District in Jackson County Legislature
When Kansas City voters arrive at their polling place on Aug. 2, their ballots will show five Jackson County primary races for their county government. These include the county executive, their district’s legislator and three at-large legislators. After Crystal Williams, who represents the 2nd At-Large District, decided not to run for reelection this year, a […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
A contest between Democrats: Who is running for Jackson County Legislature 3rd At-Large District?
Primary races for the nine seats in the Jackson County Legislature have drawn 29 candidates. While most of them will be elected in district races, three at-large legislators are elected by the entire county in the Jackson County election. One of those races, for the 3rd At-Large District, features a challenge to an incumbent. Democrats […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Five questions with the Republican candidates for Jackson County 6th District legislator
In the 2022 Jackson County primary election, more than half of the county legislature will turn over, with fresh faces in at least five out of nine seats. This includes the 6th District, where current legislator Theresa Cass Galvin has decided to run for county executive, leaving an open seat. In the coming days, The […]