The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Graduate Student Council hosted the 2025 Community of Scholars Research Conference. The event on April 17 brought together 60 graduate students, faculty and community members to showcase the essence of interdisciplinary research, community and collaboration. The conference chairs were Dr. Mohan Kumar Gajendran and Kiel Corkran, president of the Graduate […]
Behind the Beacon
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A seat at the table: How primary care shortages are affecting Missouri’s communities
Physician supply lags behind patient demand nationally and across Missouri. On April 17, The Beacon spoke virtually with McKenzie Richards, a health care policy fellow from Cicero Institute and Michael Wacker, Senior Associate Dean and Director of the UMKC School of Medicine Regional Medical Campus in St. Joseph, Missouri, about the data, challenges and possible […]
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Sparking change for a better Kansas City
The Beacon heard from community leaders who gathered at Union Station on April 9 to explore pressing issues facing Kansas City. The 2025 C3 Conference, hosted by the Junior League of Kansas City focused on five key themes — equity and access, community empowerment, education and workforce development, and urban development — unified by a […]
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Suzanne King awarded a top prize by Kansas Press Association
The Beacon’s Kansas City health care reporter, Suzanne King, received first place in the Kansas Press Association News Story category for her coverage of sports betting in Kansas.
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The Beacon and Kansas City media partners share open letter to Mayor Quinton Lucas and City Council
To the honorable Mayor Quinton Lucas and members of the Kansas City Council: Over the course of the last five years, we, members of the Kansas City media, have grown increasingly concerned about changes in our access to transparent and accurate information from City Hall. We were profoundly disappointed to see this shift confirmed over […]
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What Kansas City nonprofits told us about the shifting federal funding landscape
The Beacon spoke with Kansas City area nonprofits on March 21 about their questions and concerns around potential federal funding cuts.
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Beacon reporting cited in national investigation on police control
The Beacon was recently featured in ProPublica’s investigative report on Missouri’s bid to take control of the St. Louis Police Department.
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A community conversation on ending the school-to-prison pipeline
On Feb. 8, Community Journalism Lab representative Eden Barnes, in partnership with Fringe Benefits of Education, held a community listening session at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Our lab invited college students to discuss their experiences with youth risk factors – and how those factors could lead to future criminality or incarceration if left unaddressed. […]
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The multifaceted work behind the 2024 KC Voter Guide
The 2024 Kansas City Voter Guide was an ambitious, collaborative effort that rallied local media and community organizations under the banner of strengthening civic engagement. Powered by the Kansas City Media Collective (KCMC) in partnership with The Kansas City Star, RevEd, the League of Women Voters Kansas City, and over 200 community partners, the guide […]
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This is how we’re celebrating the holidays – Kansas City Style
The holidays are a hectic and busy time, and at The Beacon, we recognize that it looks a little different for everyone. To help you unwind, relax and take a step back, we’ve put together a list of activities that you enjoy with your family, friends or even by yourself. Support local dining this holiday […]