On Nov. 8, Missourians voted for a new class of lawmakers to represent them in the 2023 Missouri legislature. Besides acting as a resource for citizens seeking to interact with state government, the newly elected or reelected lawmakers will potentially decide on issues that will deeply impact the state and its residents, including teacher pay, […]
Kansas City
Posted inEducation, LEA EN ESPAÑOL
La propuesta de KCPS para cerrar 10 escuelas y mejorar las actividades académicas depende del apoyo de la comunidad
Las Escuelas Públicas de Kansas City están proponiendo una reorganización de gran alcance que cerraría 10 escuelas, construiría o expandiría otras y según los líderes, liberaría fondos para objetivos académicos.
Posted inHealth, State Government
KanCare 101: How to apply for Medicaid benefits in Kansas
In any given month, about 450,000 Kansans rely on Medicaid to pay for health care. The program is paid for by the federal government with states providing a match and administering the program. As with any assistance program, it can be difficult to determine if you qualify. Who qualifies depends on many factors, only one […]
Posted inEconomics, Labor
How investments in Black businesses can help close KC’s racial wealth gap
When Denisha Jones launched her business, Sweet Peaches Cobblers, in August 2020, it was just her, her husband, her mom and her sister in a community kitchen — taking orders, making the cobblers and doing deliveries. Now she has a team of individuals helping her sell cobblers in stores and at events and festivals across […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Data map: How did your neighbors vote in Kansas City, Missouri?
After a long and contentious midterm election, the election boards representing Kansas City voters have released their official election results for 2022. The results among Kansas City precincts offer a detailed look at the political landscape within the city, with clear political divisions visible on election maps within and across county lines. With another election […]
Posted inState Government
Missouri secretary of state to libraries: Take objectionable materials off shelves or risk loss of state funding
Because of a Missouri law that took effect in August, books that contain “explicit sexual materials” are banned from school libraries and classrooms. Now, the state is taking another step toward book challenges— this time involving public libraries and without a vote from the legislature. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft on Nov. 15 opened a […]
Posted inLocal Government
The Unified Government is run by an 11-member board. Here’s what they do.
Among the counties in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Wyandotte County is unique for its Unified Government, which merges the city of Kansas City, Kansas, with the county government. Nearly half of the elected representatives of the county government will be up for reelection next November, including four commissioners representing districts in the southeastern portion […]
Posted inEducation
Kansas City’s historic northeast pushes back against proposed school closures
Whittier Elementary School at 1012 Bales Ave. serves as an important neighborhood resource and point of unity and has provided quality education for a diverse immigrant population, several said during public comment at a Kansas City Public Schools board meeting Nov. 16.
Posted inLabor, Local Government
KCATA tackled its driver shortage. Now, bus drivers want to see more change
Will Howard knows exactly why bus drivers in Kansas City are stepping away from the steering wheel. “We just had an 18-year veteran say they can’t do it anymore,” said Howard, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1287, the operator union representing bus drivers in Kansas City. “She’s working at the water department now.” Since […]
Posted inEducation
KCPS is strategizing to stretch its limited financial resources
Funding for additional academic initiatives is expected to come from one of the most controversial aspects of the proposal: school closures.