News

Gating criteria changes for Johnson County schools

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment has changed its gating criteria recommendation for schools from “Orange” to “Red.” The change came Tuesday after the county reported 2,260 new cases in the last 14 days and 15,430 cases overall… more

October Mid-America Index expands to highest level in 16 years

October survey highlights include: The regional Business Conditions Index expanded to its highest level in 16 years. Almost 78.6% of supply managers reported shortages of qualified workers to fill open positions at their firms in October. Very strong export and… more

Three-year student loan default rate drops in Missouri

According to the U.S. Department of Education, Missouri’s three-year loan default rate decreased two-tenths of a percent, keeping Missouri’s rate lower than many of its neighboring states and on par with the national rate. Missouri’s student loan default rate dropped… more

Missouri currently among six states with the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S.

Missouri is counted among the top states in the U.S. with the lowest unemployment, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Show-Me state is sixth for the lowest rate at 4.9 percent. Of the top six,… more

Missouri expected to have record-high voter turnout

This year, Missouri election officials are predicting the state’s largest voter turnout in decades. Local election jurisdictions are expecting more than 3.2 million people to cast ballots in Tuesday’s general election, according to figures provided by the secretary of state’s… more

Parent company of Oak Park Mall files for bankruptcy

Two owners of a combined 130 or so malls across the US have filed for bankruptcy, including CBL Properties, owner of Oak Park Mall located in the Kansas City metro. CBL Properties and PREIT filed for Chapter 11 on Sunday… more

Coping with COVID: Online dashboard launches to show how COVID-19 funds are spent in Kansas

The launch of a new online investment dashboard now allows individuals to look at how COVID-19 funds are being spent in the state. Just over $1 billion in federal CARES Act investments were approved by the Governor’s SPARK taskforce and… more

Kansas October tax revenues surpass estimate

The State of Kansas continues to see revenue growth over the same month of the last fiscal year. October’s total tax receipts were $596.6 million, an 11.7 percent or $62.6 million increase over the estimate. That is 7.9 percent, or… more

Council signs off on new city manager

The Mayor and City Council have hired a new City Manager. Brian Platt will become the 17th City Manager in Kansas City’s history. Resolution 200933 states that Mr. Platt is "to begin serving as such no later than January 4, 2021, contingent… more

Former Cushing Hospital in Leavenworth donated to county by health system

The building that housed Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital is no longer receiving patients, though its recent donation by Saint Luke’s Health System will help keep it running. On Wednesday, October 28, the Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners formally accepted… more