Kansas

Kansas City voters say yes to public safety sales tax renewal, new city jail

Published

11 months ago

April 9, 2025

Kansas City voters say yes to public safety sales tax renewal, new city jail

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, voters approved a 20-year extension to a public safety sales tax whose proceeds would have been used to build a new city jail.

60% percent of voters were in favor of the sales tax extension while 40% said no.

“You need accountability for those who offend, you need consequences,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “But you also need to have a source of funds that allows us to invest in greater mental health and in rehabilitation for our community. That’s exactly what the people of Kansas City has supported today. I’m so proud of Kansas City voters.

The sales tax revenue is expected to generate about $480 million over the next 20 years.

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne found out the cost to build a new detention center could be from $150 million to $250 million.

Kansas City, Missouri, voters approve renewal of public safety sales tax

The new jail would be next to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, which is being built just off Interstate 70 and US 40 Highway.

“We don’t have the capacity [right now], we’re sending folks to Vernon and Johnson County,” Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett said. “This is going to bring people who commit crimes who need a bit of a timeout in a place but also connect them with resources. I think this is a good, holistic approach.”

Opponents of the tax argued that money should be going toward crime prevention measures and mental health resources. Leaders with Decarcerate KC explained they will continue to push for solutions.

“We’re still in the fight,” community organizer Pateisha Royal said. “We got to get back to the drawing board, we have to work on a better Kansas City for residents. We still have to be here and organize on what’s next.”

Councilman Johnathan Duncan was the only Kansas City council member who opposed the passage of the public safety sales tax. He explained he will ensure mental health resources are included in the new jail.

“I’m ready to propose an ordinance to capture some of that funding to ensure that there is a community resource center that will actually improve public safety that is outcomes and solutions based,” Councilman Duncan said. “If the jail is our new reality, then I will work in that reality to make it the best jail that we can possibly have.”

Kansas City, Mo., Councilman Crispin Rea said told Ledonne money from the sales tax would cover detention center building costs and still support safety resources. Operation costs would be covered through other city budget funding measures.

“There is more than enough revenue that will be raised to cover the construction of the facility and continue to do the important things that the police department has need of to address deficiencies with the 911 system,” Rea said.

Kansas City council has sent out a request for proposal for the design of the detention center. Councilmembers stated at Tuesday night’s watch party they expect construction to begin in late 2027.

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Kansas

Chiefs President: New team facilities in Olathe will connect with schools, city

Published

9 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Chiefs President: New team facilities in Olathe will connect with schools, city

KSHB 41 reporter Elyse Schoenig covers Johnson County. She’s reported on the Chiefs’ decision to move its team facility to Olathe since the team made the announcement in December. That coverage has included amplifying the voices of residents who have different perspectives on the project, which has ranged from excitement to scrutiny. Share your story idea with Elyse.

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Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan said Friday the team is drawing inspiration from recent team headquarters projects with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys as they develop plans for their own new headquarters in Olathe.

In December, the club reached an agreement with Kansas officials to move across the state line. The agreement called for a $3 billion, domed stadium in western Kansas City, Kansas, and a new team headquarters and practice facility near Kansas Highway 10 and Ridgeview Road in Olathe.

Donovan’s remarks on Friday came during the Olathe Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center.

Elyse Schoenig/KSHB

The Olathe Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center.

The chamber’s theme for 2026, “Olathe Rising,” appears well-timed as the Chiefs work to build out their team headquarters vision.

Donovan said the team and its partners have been busy behind the scenes and hope to have updates on the project in the near future.

He said the club will look to work with the Olathe School District and the Olathe City Council in their plans.

The club is exploring a unique component to the facility by incorporating flag football into the project.

Flag football has been a priority of the club and the National Football League. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

In April, the Kansas State High School Athletics Association is set to vote on whether to sanction girls’ flag football as a high school varsity sport.

Funding for the club’s Olathe project will come in part from the sale of bonds paid for by certain sales tax revenues.

In February, the Olathe City Council approved participation in a STAR bonds district to build the team’s new headquarters and training facility at College Boulevard and Ridgeview Road.

Elsewhere on Friday, Kansas legislators introduced the Kansas Sports Authority Act. The act would create a nine-member board to oversee all aspects of sports facility construction.

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Kansas

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A former Kansas wrestling coach was charged with creating child sexual abuse materials by secretly recording minors showering during an athletic competition.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Ryan Brungardt of Salina is charged with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Brungardt is a former employee at Lakewood Middle School and former wrestling coach for Salina Central High School.

Brungardt is accused of using a cellphone to record three minors while they showered in a locker room during the Tournament of Champions, a wrestling tournament was held at Newton High in January 2024.

Brungardt made his initial court appearance for the criminal complaint on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brooks G. Severson.

A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday

Investigators are in the process of reviewing additional seized cellphone videos in this case that are suspected to have been recorded at wrestling meets in Newton, Hays, Garden City and Salina during the 2023-2024 wrestling season.

Anyone who believes they witnessed crimes or any suspicious activity at these events is asked to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 600-8790 or report at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

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