Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council approves efforts to stop predatory towing

Published

11 months ago

May 2, 2025

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council approves efforts to stop predatory towing

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne covers issues surrounding government accountability and solutions. Share your story with Isabella.

Big changes are coming to the regulations covering towing businesses in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council unanimously voted to crack down on predatory towing at Thursday afternoon’s meeting.

“It’s a new day,” Councilman Darrell Curls said.

Curls is the sponsor behind the proposed new towing ordinances.

Jack McCormick

Among the changes are a vehicle owner bill of rights, creating an electronic reporting system to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), and enforcing fines for violators.

The penalty for a first violation is a fine between $250 and $500 and/or 30 days in jail. A second violation could mean a fine of $500 to $750 and/or 90 days in jail. A third violation will mean a fine of $750 o $1,000 and/or 180 days in jail.

“A lot of times, what happens is people don’t know their rights when it comes to towing,” Councilman Curls said. “The ones that are affected are always the ones that can least afford it.”

The city council swiftly passed the ordinance after dozens of people shared their voice on how they suffered at the hands of illegal towing.

Councilman Curls said he started work on the legislation six months ago.

“I think that this is something that’s been long overdue,” Councilman Curls said. “This came from my constituents, my family members, as well as some of my colleagues expressing concerns about towing fees that affect everybody in the city.”

Tow truck drivers also shared their voice at Tuesday’s committee meeting on the ordinance.

“I’m all for regulation, I think all of us are here for that,” Josh Baker, Jackson County Tow Service, said. “The problem is nobody here [on council] tows.”

Drivers cited problems with the Kansas City Police Department’s communication and the city taking a large profit from public tows.

“Underneath the guise of public protection, you guys [the city] are profiting $143 off of every single tow that we bring down, and you own no tow trucks,” Junior Johnson with Empire Tow Service said.

Councilman Curls responded to their concerns by explaining that the police department is confident in their enforcement, and any profit problems within the city will be addressed.

“I know the director of public works is looking into that [profiting] and I think there will be some changes in regards to that if it hasn’t already been made,” Councilman Curls said. “We’ve had KCPD at the table for these discussions, and they were very confident that they would be able to enforce this ordinance.”

Now it’s up to Jackson County to pass legislation requiring all tow truck drivers to have a license.

According to Councilman Curls, Jackson County is the only county in the area that does not require licensure.

“Clay, Platte, and Cass County had something,” Councilman Curls said. “Jackson County was the only one that didn’t.”

The legislature is expected to take up the ordinance on Monday, May 5.

At Thursday’s meeting, the City Council also decided to dedicate funding to keep buses and IRIS micro transit running.

Two ordinances that would provide $2.75 million for the transit buses and an additional $3.25 million for KCATA and IRIS will be discussed May 6th in the council’s Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee meeting.

The Ride Share program was supposed to end on Thursday, but council members pledged an additional $500,000 on Wednesday afternoon to keep it running.

It’s unclear how long that funding will last, but the KCATA stated it costs about $500,000 a month to keep IRIS in service.

“I would love to see some more definition to [the funding], but I feel confident that we have the opportunity to work with council and help define what this looks like and find an opportunity to fund both sides of the services more long term,” Tyler Means, KCATA chief mobility and strategy officer, said.

According to the KCATA, IRIS helps more than 300 people get to work every day. Councilman Wes Rogers said they still need to find a long-term solution for public transit.

“We figured out how to keep the buses running, we figured out how to keep IRIS going,” Councilman Rogers said. “At least in the short term, everything’s going okay. I saw Bobby Witt hit a home run today. This is not a home run, it’s an infield single, but it’s a positive.”

IRIS rideshare will continue at least throughout the next week.

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Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve the city’s $2.6 billion budget for 2026-27

Published

11 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve the city’s .6 billion budget for 2026-27

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve a $2.6 billion budget for the city’s fiscal year of 2026-27.

The budget includes $744 million in spending for public safety, including $26.3 million for a new Department of Community Safety and $4.2 million to hire 50 new KCMO Police Department officers, along with 10 call takers and 10 dispatchers.

“Our budget respects the strong fiscal foundation the taxpayers have helped Kansas City build, maintaining a rainy-day fund of over $200 million, increasing road resurfacing, hiring more public safety and city workers, and investing in all Kansas City neighborhoods,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a news release from the city. “In a city that can walk and chew gum, we are proud to welcome the world while delivering strong basic services for Kansas City’s families.”

The council voted to spend $83.8 million for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide bus services, but the KCATA may have to make cuts in bus services even with a $6 million boost in funding from the city.

In addition, the council approved spending $39.4 million for citywide street resurfacing and $1.5 million for tearing down dangerous buildings.

“This budget reflects a collaborative effort across the city, and provides a clear path for Kansas City to keep moving forward with discipline, accountability and a focus on service,” City Manager Mario Vasquez said in the news release. “Thank you to the council for its thoughtful deliberation and input in crafting this budget.”

More information on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget can be found on the city’s website.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 25, 2026

Published

24 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 25, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 25 drawing

07-21-55-56-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 3-2-0

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 0-0-5

Evening Wild: 5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 2-6-3-9

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 9-5-6-8

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 25 drawing

Early Bird: 07

Morning: 09

Matinee: 04

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 25 drawing

12-14-22-26-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 25 drawing

35-38-41-43-62, Powerball: 08

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

Missouri AG orders 13 unlicensed Kansas City dispensaries to stop selling products

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Missouri AG orders 13 unlicensed Kansas City dispensaries to stop selling products

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Dozens of dispensaries have been ordered to close after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said they are selling without licenses.

The AG’s office sent cease-and-desist letters to 33 dispensaries. Of those, 13 are in the Kansas City area, according to information provided by the state.

Each location is accused of selling cannabis or marijuana products without a state license, or selling other products deceptively marketed as marijuana, according to Hanaway.

Hanaway’s office also said testing found some products contained things such as lead, arsenic, and ethanol. They also used deceptive labeling and packaging, including designs that may target children, according to a news release.

Here are the locations named by the AG’s office: