A Beacon analysis found that over 50 small towns across both states have witnessed a protest in the weeks following George Floyd’s killing.
Civic Engagement
Posted inCivic Engagement
Kansas City faces a big obstacle when it comes to police reform: local control of its police department
At a time of mass protests against police violence — where calls to increase officer accountability and even defund police departments are being amplified across the country — Kansas City, Mo., stands out as the only major U.S. city without local control of its police department. For 80 years, a board appointed by the Missouri governor has controlled the police department.
Posted inCivic Engagement
New Kansas court record system could expand access to hard-to-reach documents
How the Kansas’ new court records system could reform what some see as a cumbersome and opaque process.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Journalism
Behind Local News: Covering protests against police violence
The Beacon hosted an open community conversation to provide an inside look into decisions our newsroom is making in real time about covering protests around police brutality. Celisa Calacal, The Beacon’s assistant editor and a reporter at local protests, and Kelsey Ryan, The Beacon’s editor and founder, responded to questions our readers sent in and asked during the live chat. We addressed criticisms of how local media frames unrest, the ethics of covering protests and editing protest stories, and reader concerns about newsroom diversity and equity awareness.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Why Kansas City’s protest story is different
Thirteen black men killed at the hands of Kansas City police. The only major police department without local control. As demonstrations against police killings of black Americans continue across the country, we dive deeper.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Bridging the digital divide in a work-from-home era
At a time when most work and school has moved online, a digital divide has deepened between the haves and have nots. According to the Federal Communications Commission, more than 24 million Americans have no access to broadband internet.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Representation — and federal funding — at stake with 2020 Census
Local leaders fear a bigger undercount in 2020 — and its potential impact on services. The risks of an undercount are even higher for people of color, children, rural communities, and other vulnerable groups who rely on social safety programs that distribute funds based on Census data.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Faced with a pandemic, nonprofit leaders get creative
Throughout the Kansas City region, nearly 13,000 nonprofits are scrambling to carry out their missions under uniquely adverse circumstances: They’ve altered services. Canceled fundraising events. Changed internal operations. And many can no longer use in-person volunteers because of the pandemic.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Pandemic poses new troubles for elections
The prospect of voting in a pandemic is creating fears and logistical nightmares across the U.S. Democrats and some Republicans are urging Missouri’s political leaders to follow the lead of Kansas and other states and encourage mail-in voting — or at least create early voting opportunities to reduce crowds on Election Day.
Posted inCivic Engagement
As COVID-19 spreads, here’s how people are stepping up to help
As stores and restaurants shut down and workers head home to socially distance themselves, people in Missouri and Kansas continue to look outward. They are finding ways to help others — even as needs among the elderly, homeless and most vulnerable grow more severe.