Kansas City Hyperlocal Right Now

We're going to be using the community news section in an effort to streamline our posts and focus on topics worthy of debate, jokes, gentle mocking, etc. 

Still . . . 

We come across a great many local items that we don't want our readers to miss. This post section is where readers can come to really drill down into neighborhood news of the day and even a few state level items that will impact all of us.

Take a look at www.TonysKansasCity.com news gathering . . .

230: Water Bond Question 1

On this week's episode of the Northeast Newscast, listen in on a Q&A with KCMO Water Department Director Wes Minder ahead of the April 5 vote to authorize Sewer Bonds. Read more at https://www.kcwater.us/about-us/sewer-bond-authorization/. Check your voter registration and find a sample ballot at https://www.kceb.org/elections/ballot/.

Kansas City nonprofit advocates for reciprocity as women continuously face licensing barriers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For some women who hold occupational licenses, continuing their line of work after moving to a new state can be a challenge because of varying state licensing requirements. "Each state has specific governing licensing requirements, our purpose is that there should be ease between if you want to move across state lines," said Wendy Doyle, president of United WE.

Blue Ridge group opposes industrial development in wooded acreage

Nearly a year ago, Flint Development had plans to build a 1.2-million-square-foot industrial complex on about 93 acres of land just east of I-435 near 87th street was met with strong opposition from neighbors in the Oldham Farms neighborhood. Flint Development eventually pulled out of that project after the opposition from the neighborhood group.

State surveyors won't enforce federal COVID-19 vaccination mandate

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas employees who survey CMS-funded state facilities will not be asked to enforce COVID-19 vaccine mandates in those surveys, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday. The decision comes after the state of Kansas reached an agreement with Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) following discussion beginning in late 2021.

Royals cut down roster to 34 players

The Royals today announced they have assigned 11 players to minor league camp - pitchers Colten Brewer, Jose Cuas, Brad Peacock and Arodys Vizcaino; infielders Gabriel Cancel, Iván Castillo, Clay Dungan and Vinnie Pasquantino; and outfielders Dairon Blanco, Brewer Hicken and JaCoby Jones. That leaves them with 34 players left in camp.

Olathe schools to cut $20 million from 2022-2023 budget

OLATHE, Kan. - In an effort to balance the books, the Olathe School District will be cutting staff positions and trimming out roughly $20 million from next year's budget According to a press release issued by the district, the budget challenges spurred from a decline in enrollment, a decrease in tax revenue and an increase in operational costs brought on by the pandemic.

Inmate dies at Lansing Correctional facility

LANSING, Kan. - A Lansing Correctional Facility inmate died Friday after being transported to St. John Hospital in Leavenworth. The cause of death is pending an autopsy but it's not to believed to be COVID-19 related. Casey Wallace, 28, has been incarcerated since March 24, 2021, for distributing marijuana and possession of a firearm.

Missouri House rejects congressional map as standoff drags on past filing deadline

Missouri is the only state that has not either enacted or at least passed a new U.S. House map after the 2020 census. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri House on Thursday overwhelmingly defeated a congressional redistricting plan passed by the state Senate, intensifying a standoff that could eventually force the courts to intervene to draw new voting districts.

Kansas Republican lawmakers back off on dumping ethics boss leading a campaign finance probe

TOPEKA, Kansas - Republican lawmakers on Friday pushed to oust the head of the state ethics commission amid reports that the agency issued dozens of subpoenas in an investigation into possible campaign finance violations. But criticism of the move was followed by a quick reversal Friday afternoon.

1 in 6 Kansans lives in a food desert. Some in central Topeka insist they can build an oasis

For nine decades, generations of neighbors ran into each other at the corner of Huntoon and Lane streets in central Topeka. Much like local schools or a public library, the intersection throbbed with the community's pulse. It was the site of a grocery store. "I'd see people from the neighborhood ...

Meet the North Kansas City school board candidates for the April 5 election

Delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning A donation to The Beacon goes beyond the newsroom. We amplify community voices, share resources and investigate systems, not just symptoms. The Beacon in your inbox. In-depth reporting delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

Silver Alert issued for missing 76-year-old man

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Johnson County Sheriff's Department has issued an Endangered Silver Advisory for a missing 76-year-old man who was last seen Saturday morning. Steve Kent Howerton was last seen at 314 NW 1351 Rd Holden, Missouri around 11 a.m.

City Council approves $1.9 billion 2022-23 budget

The City Council has approved a $1.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 that supports major improvements to essential services like street repair and resurfacing, snow removal, cleaning up trash and litter, while also emphasizing public safety through community policing.

Lawrence police prepared for busy Final Four weekend to bring 100K to town

LAWRENCE, Kan. - As we inch closer to Kansas' Final Four game on Saturday, preparations have already started in Lawrence, but they didn't just begin this week. The Lawrence police chief said Final Four weekend preps started nearly 3 months ago. Lawrence expects to top the 80,000 visitors from 2008, the last time the Jayhawks won the title.

Developing . . .