Local News


Coping with COVID: Missouri legislature meets to discuss COVID-19 funding boost in special session

The debate for approval on increased CARES Act spending will continue Monday, Nov. 9 in Missouri. Gov. Mike Parson gathered state lawmakers in a special session Thursday, Nov. 5 to discuss spending an additional $1.2 billion in federal funding to… more

Missouri sees new record-high voter turnout in November

The election season Missouri voters participated in record numbers, the state setting a new high for voter turnout and participation on Election Day. More than 3 million voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s presidential election, marking the first time the state… more

Coping with COVID-19: Kansas City metro sees continued rise in new coronavirus infections

Missouri crossed over into the 200,000 range of total COVID-19 infections on Wednesday. The state has set records for the highest number of new infections in one day four times in the past week. Assistant director of the Jackson County,… more

Sprint error to cost T-Mobile millions to correct

Sprint Corporation's new owner, T-Mobile, is being charged a hefty bill in penalty fees by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The fees stem from misuse by the former Sprint of the federal program, Lifeline. Intended to make phone and internet… more

Two Kansas City metro hospitals face maximum Medicare payment cut

Most hospitals evaluated for the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program will face a Medicare payment cut in fiscal year 2021. Cuts range from 0.01 percent to 3 percent, the maximum payment slash to affect two hospitals in the metro in both… more

GuideWell signs agreement with Leawood health organization, to acquire all interests from Blue KC

GuideWell, the parent company of Florida Blue, signed an agreement Nov. 2 to become a majority shareholder in New Directions Behavioral Health, a managed mental health organization based in Leawood, Kan. Under the transaction, GuideWell will acquire all interests from Blue Cross… more

Overland Park-based YRC plans rebranding, name change

YRC Worldwide Inc. narrowed its losses during the third quarter, announced plans to change its name to Yellow and expanded its board of directors. The Overland Park, Kan., motor carrier said its Q3 net loss fell 87.5% to $2 million… more

Five Clay County employees to resign by end of this year

Five Clay County employees, including three assistant county administrators, will resign by the end of the year, according to separation agreements announced Tuesday. Brad Garrett, Laurie Portwood and Nicole Brown — all county administrators — will resign effective Dec. 31,… more

Missouri passes Amendment 3 in two-year reversal

Two years after voters overwhelmingly passed “Clean Missouri” reforms, changes related to the state’s process for drawing legislative districts were rolled back Tuesday with the passage of Amendment 3. The newly approved amendment will impact how Missouri’s legislative districts are drawn,… more

Surge in younger voters and early voting this year

The 2020 election season has seen a boost in voters across all age ranges, most notably in younger voters. Attributed largely to the lingering effects of COVID-19, the U.S. has also seen a surge in early voting, estimates showing around… more