Kansas City: Board of Police Commissioners (Sept. 22, 2026) By Shaunika Cotton, Kansas City Documenter See more about this meeting at Documenters.org These notes were produced through Kansas City Documenters, which trains and pays community members to take fact-checked notes at public meetings, strengthening transparency and accountability in local government. Summary Notes: Recognition Guest presentations General […]
public safety
Posted inElections
Should Jackson County renew COMBAT anti-crime sales tax? What to know before you vote
Voters in Jackson County will decide Nov. 3 whether to keep paying a quarter of a cent anti-crime sales tax for the next 10 years. COMBAT — short for community-backed anti-crime tax — appears on the ballot as Jackson County Question 1. A “yes” vote extends the sales tax for 10 years, while a “no” […]
Posted inMeeting Notes
Hundreds of police, government & home cameras feed footage to KCKPD investigations
Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas: Public Works & Safety (Sept. 14, 2026) By Laura Mangan, Kansas City Documenter These notes were produced through Kansas City Documenters, which trains and pays community members to take fact-checked notes at public meetings, strengthening transparency and accountability in local government. Summary Notes Minutes Agenda Observations & […]
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Kansas City is using money from car theft lawsuit to boost violence prevention efforts
Kansas City Council: Special Committee for Legal Review (Sept. 21, 2026) By Brandee Collins, Kansas City Documenter These notes were produced through Kansas City Documenters, which trains and pays community members to take fact-checked notes at public meetings, strengthening transparency and accountability in local government. Summary Notes Mayor Quinton Lucas, the committee chair, opened the meeting […]
Posted inMeeting Notes
‘Near miss’ prompts KCK fire department to seek federal safety grant
Unified Government commissioners authorized request at meeting where they also sought funding to address a dangerous rail crossing.
Posted inEconomics
Barfly on the wall: An inside look at a World Cup match night in a 5 a.m. bar in Kansas City
Argentina vs. Algeria filled the screens, but here’s what we saw from the table of a downtown bar on a match night and what extended alcohol service hours actually looked like.
Posted inMeeting Notes
Homicides, robberies down in Kansas City; nonfatal shootings spike
The crime statistics were among a host of updates department staff provided to the Kansas City police board.
Posted inMeeting Notes
Homelessness, utility rate hikes drive discussion at Kansas City committee
City leaders directed staff to identify ways to expand shelter capacity, strengthen outreach and connect unhoused residents to hospitality jobs ahead of the World Cup. The committee also approved a 6% increase to water and sewer rates.
Posted inMeeting Notes
City workers and residents speak out at Kansas City’s final community budget hearing
Public comments in the Northland focused on transit funding, arts support, violence prevention programs and wages for city employees.
Posted inMeeting Notes
Residents weigh in on transit and World Cup spending at Kansas City’s second budget hearing
Comments focused on public transportation, violence prevention and proposed cuts to nonprofit programs in the city’s proposed $2.5 billion budget, with some also questioning World Cup-related transit and infrastructure priorities.