A free email newsletter breaking down the issues that affect Kansans and Missourians the most.
Delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning
Featured story
Breaking down the new KCI terminal’s $1.5 billion budget
Help us shine a light in Kansas City
The Kansas City Beacon listens to diverse perspectives and investigates systemic issues — and potential solutions — through original, fact-based reporting. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on donations. You can help keep our journalism free for all readers by becoming a monthly member.
Local Government
State Government
Featured Story
How committees pull the strings in the Missouri legislature
The Beacon Newsletter
Public service journalism delivered every Tuesday and Thursday, straight to your inbox.
About The Beacon
You deserve a trusted source for unbiased, independent Kansas City news. And we’re here to provide it.
The Kansas City Beacon is the metro’s first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization in the public interest. And we’re partnering with you – the readers – to make it happen.
This is your newsroom.
Labor
DIY Democracy
Missourians on Medicaid should make sure state has their address if they want to keep insurance
About 1.4 million Missourians rely on Medicaid for their family’s health insurance, known in the state as MO HealthNet. They are all at risk of losing their coverage because federal law requires them to reenroll this year. The best way to prevent getting kicked off? Make sure the state has your current address. Those already…
DIY Democracy: How to follow the Missouri General Assembly
Members of the 2023 Missouri legislature are in Jefferson City to begin the spring legislative session. Much of the work happens behind closed doors, but floor debates, bill hearings and other legislative happenings are easy to tune into online. Lawmakers meet from January to May, with an occasional extra session if the governor decides a…
19 ways Missouri lawmakers want to change school funding and spending in 2023
Specific proposals would increase minimum teacher salaries, provide additional funding for early childhood education and protect schools from the financial burden of some lawsuits from the state attorney general.
Missouri Allows Some Disabled Workers to Earn Less Than $1 an Hour. The State Says It’s Fine If That Never Changes.
Sheltered workshops are meant to employ disabled adults as they prepare to enter the regular workforce. In Missouri, these workers rarely graduate to higher-paying jobs.