Kansas City Today

Kansas City used flawed math for its Royals stadium financing

The Kansas City Council passed a financing package that moved the Royals’ stadium development forward in a big way. The deal will tap 30 years of tax growth to repay the

Are Kansas City's roads any safer for kids?

Since a 9-year-old girl was struck and killed by a car while riding her bike to school in Kansas City one year ago, city leaders, local organizations, and families have b

Breaking down the Jackson County elections this November

The makeup of the Jackson County Legislature will change dramatically after the November election, with seven of nine seats getting new representatives. There are also no

Cookiegate: Roger Marshall's campaign pays off bakery bill

A Kansas bakery's Facebook post about an unpaid bill from 2020 went viral — because the delinquent customer was Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. After the $678 bill

Kansas, the battleground state

Early voting begins in much of Kansas this week — where a critical U.S. Senate seat and most state offices are on the ballot. The big races for governor, secretary of sta

Most Kansas City medical bill lawsuits come from 2 hospitals

Two Kansas City area hospitals have been suing patients over unpaid medical bills. We’ll hear why medical debt is becoming a bigger part of many people’s lives.

Why Midwest electricity bills are rising

Midwestern ratepayers have seen utility bills rise in recent years, as growing demand puts pressure on an aging electric grid. Also, as large data centers pop up around t

Western Kansas left to recover after ICE raids hit beef industry

A few weeks ago, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began descending on western Kansas. More than 100 people were detained, leaving communities and the massive lo

How Amendment 6 could change direct democracy in Missouri

A proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution this November would make it harder for state lawmakers to change or overturn laws passed by voters through initiative pe

Behind the Kansas constitutional amendment vote this November

A proposed amendment to the Kansas constitution would specify that only U.S. citizens may vote in elections. But the problem, according to opponents, is that non-citizens

8,000 games for Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews

The Kansas City Royals celebrated Denny Matthews’ 8,000th game behind the mic during last week’s matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. An inductee into the National Ba

What Soakie's meant to Kansas City's Black queer community

For years, Soakie's in downtown Kansas City was one of the only Black gay bars in the United States. The bar closed in 2004, as development began on the Power & Light Dis

A Missouri resident sues over Medicaid work requirements

A Kansas City Medicaid enrollee is among several plaintiffs suing over policy changes that would require medically frail people to prove their condition significantly imp

'Free births' on the rise in Missouri and Kansas

Home births have been increasing in Missouri and Kansas. And "free birth," when a person gives birth without the help of a medical professional, has been popularized in r

Missourians will vote again on abortion in November

If approved by voters on Nov. 3, Missouri Amendment 3 would repeal abortion rights guaranteed in the state Constitution. It also would ban gender-affirming care for trans

What the Flock?

Flock Safety cameras have sparked bipartisan uproar with many worried that the cameras, which scan license plates, infringe on privacy. Misuse of the cameras and their da

How one Kansas City woman escaped an abusive relationship

Violent crime is going down in Kansas City, but cases of domestic violence are rising. Domestic violence often happens behind closed doors, and in some cases abuse begins

The latest in the legal back-and-forth over Missouri redistricting

A federal appeals court has again sided with Missouri Republicans, ruling the state must use the GOP-leaning congressional map passed by lawmakers last year. Plus: how ne

For one rural Kansas town, pros of data center investment might outweigh cons

Communities are killing data center proposals faster than ever. But in a struggling small town, the idea of investment measured in billions of dollars can dwarf anything

Kansas City school districts have tough budget choices to make

Public school funding continues to fall across the U.S., with Missouri facing its own tight budget. Schools are facing tough decisions like collecting more in taxes, redu