By state law, Kansas City is required to spend at least 20% of its total revenue on its police department. But, unlike nearly every other city in the country, Kansas City’s elected and appointed officials have very little say about how that money is spent. The budget process for all Kansas City departments begins with […]
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
Need to change your name and gender marker on your ID? Here’s how
With Election Day around the corner, Kansas residents are getting their documents in order as they prepare to vote. Kansas has required specific forms of voter ID since 2012. For transgender voters, photo ID laws can raise concerns about their safety at poll sites and the ability to have their votes counted — particularly if their […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Changing your gender marker on a state ID can get complicated
With Election Day around the corner, Kansas City area residents are getting their documents in order as they prepare to vote. In Missouri, a new voter ID law will require government-approved photo identification starting in the 2022 general election. Kansas has required specific forms of voter ID since 2012. For transgender voters, photo ID laws […]
Posted inLocal Government
When you gotta go, you gotta go. But where are all of Kansas City’s restrooms?
Bathroom habits aren’t something that people like to announce to the universe. But among friends and on social media channels, some have expressed frustration at the “public restroom deserts” across the Kansas City metro. In the Westport neighborhood, the only public restroom to be found is in the public library. After the Country Club Plaza […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
What the 2022 election means for Platte County
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 […]
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 […]