Supporters say the plan gives parents more information, but opponents say it could be a source of confusion and stigma.
Missouri
The Beacon reports on the Missouri government to help bring depth, nuance and new ideas to our readers about how their tax money gets spent and about laws passed by their elected officials.
Posted inHealth
Childhood vaccine rates could get worse as demand for shots dips in Kansas City
Despite a new presidential order, health officials urge parents to stick with longstanding guidance about routine shots.
Posted inHealth
Trump wants to loosen Head Start rules, but Missouri providers say enrolling more kids isn’t so simple
The administration says eliminating more than 1,400 federal requirements could save billions of dollars and make Head Start available to more children from low-income homes. Missouri providers say some rules are burdensome, but question if deregulation can solve the state’s problems.
Posted inState Government
Does Missouri vote blue for ballot issues? It’s complicated
After the defeat of Amendments 4 and 5, some are wondering if Missouri is a stealth blue state when it comes to ballot issues.
Posted inHealth
KCK neighborhood pushed for money to clean up lead-tainted soil. They got it
A $3.7 million grant from the EPA, one of the largest awarded nationwide this year, will be used to remediate 54 vacant lots in the Douglass-Sumner neighborhood.
Posted inHealth
‘We are living in reverse.’ Fragile HIV funding puts another strain on Kansas City’s safety net
HIV health providers have already absorbed some cuts and fear more. They worry that gains made toward eliminating the virus are in jeopardy.
Posted inImmigration
Deportation campaign in 2025 cost jobs for American workers, including in Kansas City
Immigrant communities fearful of expanding ICE enforcement are changing how they work and function in society. Their decisions are having broad economic impact.
Posted inHealth
Missouri and Kansas can expect another double-digit bump in ACA marketplace premiums
Every carrier selling health insurance in the two states through the Affordable Care Act marketplace hopes to raise premiums in 2027, according to preliminary rate filings with state insurance regulators. They blame rising healthcare costs.
Posted inElections
Missouri voters rebuff top Republican priorities with no votes on Amendments 4 and 5
Amendments 4 and 5 drove higher voter participation than is typical in a non-general election year primary.
Posted inElections
Follow live Missouri and Kansas election results for the Aug. 4 midterm primary
Find live results for Missouri Amendments 1, 2, 4 and 5 and Kansas results on making Supreme Court justices electable.