FEATURED STORY
The zoning dispute that has Prairie Village warring with itself over housing
The tension runs high at Prairie Village City Hall these days.
Earlier this month, amid high-stakes debates over whether to squeeze more housing into the leafy Johnson County suburb, a group fighting against possible zoning changes took particular offense to cutting off public comment.
High-fee crypto ATMs center around low-income parts of Kansas City
Finance professor Jocelyn Evans first encountered a cryptocurrency ATM on the way to talk about financial education with students last fall. Evans stopped at a gas station on her way to Sumner Academy in Kansas City, Kansas. She came across the machine with the word…
KCK’s District 4 candidates talk housing, public safety and community engagement
Half of the members of the Unified Government Board of Commissioners are up for election this fall, with the potential to shape decisions affecting Kansas City, Kansas, and the rest of Wyandotte County for the next four years.
Fifteen candidates are running to represent the…
Meet the latest cohort of The Kansas City Beacon’s Community Engagement Bureau
The Kansas City Beacon is excited to announce the latest cohort of our Community Engagement Bureau Representatives. These eight representatives, who come from a variety of backgrounds and neighborhoods across Kansas City, have deep local expertise, community connections and love for the place we all…
Three things to watch for during Kansas City’s June 20 election
The last time Kansas Citians voted for City Council members, Donald Trump was still president, renters were just beginning to organize under the working name of “KC Tenants” and many Kansas City residents had never considered wearing a face mask to the airport (still a…
The seven candidates vying to represent Kansas City’s urban core
On June 20, Kansas City voters will elect a new City Council, which will get to work in August making important decisions about massive downtown development proposals, preparations for the 2026 World Cup, affordable housing and the city’s budget.
The battle to represent Kansas City’s newly redistricted Northland
The Missouri River has historically represented a political divide within Kansas City, with the Northland voting more conservatively than voters south of the river in local and statewide elections.
Fresh faces: Meet the City Council candidates for at-large districts south of the river
When Kansas City voters go to the polls on June 20, their choices have the potential to dramatically change the way the City Council does business. At least six of the 12 seats will be filled with a new member.
Stay safe and celebrate: Tips for KC Pride and LGBTQ+ living
When Lea Hopkins organized Kansas City’s first Pride parade in 1977, the threat of being exposed as LGBTQ+ kept many people from marching with her. “You could lose your job or get taken out of your apartment,” Hopkins said. Only about 20 people participated, she…
11 ways to celebrate Juneteenth 2023 in Kansas City
As people gather this month for programs and other events celebrating the end of slavery in the United States, they are celebrating more than Black resilience. By invoking conversation, they’re also helping to bridge the gap between Black communities and other communities in Kansas City,…
Investing in local news to bridge divides, empower citizens and create lasting change in Kansas City
Strong, reliable, independent journalism is the backbone of a healthy democracy, providing essential oversight and keeping citizens informed – and here in Kansas City, we desperately need it.
KC’s fast-moving charter review considers drastic changes to elections
Without much fanfare, Kansas City’s nine-member Charter Review Commission has been discussing changes that could make it harder to recall officials, challenge City Council votes and propose citizen initiatives.
Before May 18, the commission must decide which measures to recommend to the Kansas City Council…
Kansas Citians say the shooting of Ralph Yarl changed them. Here are some voices
More than two weeks ago, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl rapped on the door of a home in Kansas City’s Northland and was shot twice by a man inside. The bullets knocked the Black teenager to the ground and left him with traumatic injuries. And they dealt…
Know your rights: How to protest in Kansas City
The shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl Thursday night in Kansas City’s Northland, and an initial decision by police to allow the suspected gunman to go home after being questioned, have brought protesters to both new and familiar places around the city.
Beginning Sunday, hundreds of…
The votes are in for 2023 Kansas City-area school board elections
Here’s a look at the preliminary results from the April 4 election. The Beacon published Q&As with many of the candidates ahead of the elections, so follow the links to learn more about the winners.
‘We all are like one giant family’: Parents of trans children fight bans on gender-affirming care
Along with responsibilities of managing their families, parents of transgender children in Missouri find they are frequently called upon these days to clear their calendars and hit the road to Jefferson City to oppose legislation aimed at their kids and gender-affirming care. After several years…
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