Kansas

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

Published

9 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

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

by: Wil Day

Posted: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.

The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.

The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.

It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.

Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.

Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.

There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.

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Kansas

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

Published

22 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A rural Kansas fire department says it saw yet another increase in calls in 2025.

On Tuesday, Butler County Fire District #3 posted data about last year on social media.

It responded to 782 alarms in 2025, which is a new record.

The majority of the calls were for rescue and emergency medical services, followed by service calls.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

The department’s data show the number of calls has been trending upward over the last 20 years.

From 2006 to 2010, the department handled an an average of 550 calls a year. From 2021 through 2025, that average was 720, a 31% increase.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

Officials said continued growth in the community has increased the demand for emergency services.

“These numbers reinforce the importance of ongoing training, staffing, equipment planning, and community support to ensure we can continue to provide timely and effective service,” the department said on Facebook.

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Kansas

Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington said Wednesday that he still loves baseball, but is “done” negotiating with the Royals on a new stadium for the team in the county.

According to Withington, Thursday, Jan. 8, was the deadline for the Royals to appear on the April 2026 ballot in the county.

Withington said the Royals told the county that they were not ready to meet that deadline.

Withington took to Facebook to explain that “the joy has been drained” out of him over the last few years and expressed his dislike towards the business of baseball.

He called negotiations with the team “a closed chapter” and said that the county is shifting its focus elsewhere.

“It’s time for the Commission to focus fully on priorities we control—either upgrading our existing county jail or building a new one,” Withington wrote.

The Royals’ lease at Kauffman Stadium in the Truman Sports Complex in Jackson County expires in January 2031.

KSHB 41’s political reporter Charlie Keegan reported in May 2025 on efforts by Missouri to keep both the Royals and Chiefs in Missouri.

While the Chiefs announced that they will move to a new stadium site in 2031 in Wyandotte County, the Royals have not announced their next steps to get a new ballpark built.

A stadium site near 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park has emerged as a possibility for a stadium site for the ball club.

Some residents in that area are not happy about that possibility.

KSHB 41 News reached out to the Royals for comment, but has not heard back.