Correction: This story has been updated to include information from KCPD that homicide detectives reached out to a next of kin with information about Sirrena Truitt’s case in November, December and February. On Feb. 9, Kansas City police identified a body found buried in a backyard in the 5600 block of Paloma Avenue as that […]
Civic Engagement
Posted inCivic Engagement
As Black women go missing in Kansas City, Black community looks to itself for solutions
The last time JoAnn Stovall had contact with her granddaughter, Samone Jackson, was in early 2021. Almost two years have gone by without contact with the now 25-year-old woman, who spent much of her childhood in Stovall’s home. Stovall raised Jackson from the time she was 5. About a year after graduating from high school, […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, State Government
Initiative petitions let Missouri voters make policy, but some lawmakers say they’ve gone too far
Missouri is one of 26 states that uses an initiative petition process. It is also one of many Republican-controlled states where lawmakers are seeking to make it harder for citizens to circumvent their legislature and place a proposed law or constitutional amendment on a statewide ballot. Initiative petitions have been used in Missouri to enact […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Local Government, State Government
Live coverage: November 2022 election in Kansas City
Kansas Citians may be particularly interested in the fate of Amendment 4, which would allow the state to mandate that Kansas City devote a higher percentage of its budget to its state-controlled police department.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Education, Elections
KC-area educators and advocates tackle barriers to youth voting
It’s important to establish the habit of voting early, educator Sheyvette Dinkens said, and students remember hands-on experience more than textbooks or exams.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections
Voting in the Kansas general election? Here’s what to expect when casting your ballot
The Kansas general election is on Nov. 8, but voters don’t have to wait that long to vote. Whether you vote on election day, by mail or early in person, The Beacon has created a guide to help you prepare. How do I check my voter registration information? When do I vote in the Kansas […]
Posted inCivic Engagement
Black woman who escaped abductor’s basement affirms problem of missing Black women in Kansas City
On Oct. 7, a terrified 22-year-old Black woman escaped from a home in Excelsior Springs. She told police she had been locked up there for about a month, after being abducted from Prospect Avenue in Kansas City by a man who lives in the home. The man, Timothy M. Haslett Jr., 39, is in custody […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Local Government, State Government
How to research federal and state candidates on the November ballot in Wyandotte County
For voters interested in researching candidates, here are the competitive federal and state races that will appear on ballots in Wyandotte County on Nov. 8, with links to each candidate’s campaign website (if one exists) and Ballotpedia page.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Local Government, State Government
How to research federal, state and local candidates on the Johnson County ballot in November
For voters interested in researching candidates, here are the competitive federal, state and local races that will appear on ballots in Johnson County on Nov. 8, with links to each candidate’s campaign website (if one exists) and Ballotpedia page.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections
Crucial dates leading up to Missouri’s 2022 general election
The November general election in Missouri is fast approaching, with a high-profile U.S. Senate race on the ballot along with votes on several crucial issues and numerous races for state and local offices. Thanks to a new law that took effect on Aug. 28, voters will encounter new rules and deadlines this year. For instance, […]