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Cuba's blackout crisis hits home in KC

Kansas City's Cuban community is sending medicine and organizing prayer gatherings as the island endures blackouts and food disruptions.

News

Cuban community leaders in Kansas City are organizing support and prayer gatherings as widespread blackouts in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cuba" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/07/trump-shield-americas-summit-noem-envoy" data-vars-content-id="f05c9e31-6031-4d10-bdf8-2c0f6a1141b7" data-vars-headline="Cuba&#x27;s blackout crisis hits home in KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/07/trump-shield-americas-summit-noem-envoy" target="_self">Cuba</a> leave relatives in the dark and send some scrambling for food and medicine.Why it matters: For some of the roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2,000 Cuban residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/kansas-city-mo-population-by-race/#google_vignette" data-vars-content-id="f05c9e31-6031-4d10-bdf8-2c0f6a1141b7" data-vars-headline="Cuba&#x27;s blackout crisis hits home in KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/kansas-city-mo-population-by-race/#google_vignette" target="_blank">2,000 Cuban residents</a> in the KC metro, the island&#x27;s fuel-driven power crisis is not a distant foreign policy issue. It is parents, aunts and friends without electricity for days at a time.

City Hall reopens plaza after nearly five years

The fences surrounding City Hall and its south entrance are gone.

City Hall&#x27;s south plaza entrance is back open after foundation deterioration and instability led to nearly five years of closures.Why it matters: Kansas City leaders say the ribbon cutting on Wednesday was like reopening the city&#x27;s front door, noting its historic significance as a site for community demonstrations and gatherings.

Leavenworth to vote on ICE permit

City leaders will vote Tuesday on whether CoreCivic can reopen its prison to hold ICE detainees.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Leavenworth city commissioners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.leavenworthks.gov/citycommission" data-vars-content-id="343a24fc-4967-4359-b429-5dc1bdb5a651" data-vars-headline="Leavenworth to vote on ICE permit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.leavenworthks.gov/citycommission" target="_blank">Leavenworth city commissioners</a> will decide Tuesday whether to allow a private prison operator to reopen its prison as an ICE detention center after a judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the company from housing detainees.Why it matters: The vote will decide whether private prison company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CoreCivic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.corecivic.com/" data-vars-content-id="343a24fc-4967-4359-b429-5dc1bdb5a651" data-vars-headline="Leavenworth to vote on ICE permit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.corecivic.com/" target="_blank">CoreCivic</a> can reopen its Leavenworth prison to house ICE detainees under a city-issued special-use permit with operating conditions or whether the zoning dispute will continue in court.

St. Patrick's celebrations in KC this weekend and Tuesday

From parades and runs to green beer, here's where the party's at.

Things to Do

St. Patrick&#x27;s Day celebrations kick into high gear in Kansas City starting this weekend and lasting through Tuesday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not just a reason to drink green beer — it&#x27;s a celebration of local history, with KC&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Irish roots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.visitkc.com/articles/everything-you-need-know-about-st-patricks-day-kc/" data-vars-content-id="7812adc4-1355-484a-8a3e-4d541ae20726" data-vars-headline="St. Patrick&#x27;s celebrations in KC this weekend and Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.visitkc.com/articles/everything-you-need-know-about-st-patricks-day-kc/" target="_blank">Irish roots</a> dating back to the city&#x27;s founding.

KC's employers want more real-world experience

Hiring pros are putting a premium on critical thinking, problem-solving and soft skills.

Business

Employers are increasingly turning toward workers with real-world experience over bachelor&#x27;s degrees, according to a new report by Team KC.Why it matters: The report paints an alternative path to success for those entering the workforce or looking to change careers, as tech and skilled trades work explodes, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost of college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/17/college-cost-survey" data-vars-content-id="245dd036-2b23-479e-a456-64b367dded58" data-vars-headline="KC&#x27;s employers want more real-world experience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/17/college-cost-survey" target="_self">cost of college</a> remains a barrier to higher education, and borrowers struggle with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="student loans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/23/trump-wage-garnishment-student-loans" data-vars-content-id="245dd036-2b23-479e-a456-64b367dded58" data-vars-headline="KC&#x27;s employers want more real-world experience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/23/trump-wage-garnishment-student-loans" target="_self">student loans</a>.

Scoop: Employees detail sudden move out of worsening UMKC building

A KCUR employee tells Axios the deadline "blindsided" the station

Employees who worked at a recently vacated University of Missouri–Kansas City building say they were given less than six weeks to find a new location — even though the university had planned to decommission it for years.Why it matters: A KCUR employee tells Axios the deadline &quot;blindsided&quot; the station and caused interruptions to its broadcast.

A KC Head Start site stayed open by changing hands

The site closed after the YMCA ended its Head Start programs last year.

A Head Start site in KC&#x27;s Northland is now run by the local early childhood education nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mattie Rhodes" data-vars-click-url="https://mattierhodes.org/" data-vars-content-id="9e764d55-1d0f-498a-83f5-2c5990672daa" data-vars-headline="A KC Head Start site stayed open by changing hands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mattierhodes.org/" target="_blank">Mattie Rhodes</a> after the YMCA closed the building that previously housed the program.

Kansas eyes phone ban like Missouri, but kids are split

State bans are part of a national push to crack down on phones in schools.

Education

Kansas lawmakers are weighing a phone ban in public schools, following Missouri&#x27;s ban, which went into effect at the beginning of the school year in August.Why it matters: State bans are part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national push" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/06/school-phone-bans-dc-map-bipartisan" data-vars-content-id="8c277165-3ab7-427f-a322-d408611b8f1d" data-vars-headline="Kansas eyes phone ban like Missouri, but kids are split" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/06/school-phone-bans-dc-map-bipartisan" target="_self">national push</a> to crack down on phones in schools, with local districts touting positive outcomes while kids remain mostly opposed.

First look: KC leaders set goal to boost college completion

KC leaders want to raise college completion rates from 13% to 23% by 2030.

The Kansas City College and Career Attainment Network (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KCCAN" data-vars-click-url="https://mocollegecareer.org/kccan/" data-vars-content-id="bc208223-2629-41b0-ac1b-b8ac37c9ab2b" data-vars-headline="First look: KC leaders set goal to boost college completion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mocollegecareer.org/kccan/" target="_blank">KCCAN</a>) announced a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plan" data-vars-click-url="https://mocollegecareer.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/KCCAN-STRATEGIC-PLAN-_-FINAL_-EDIT-1.pdf" data-vars-content-id="bc208223-2629-41b0-ac1b-b8ac37c9ab2b" data-vars-headline="First look: KC leaders set goal to boost college completion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mocollegecareer.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/KCCAN-STRATEGIC-PLAN-_-FINAL_-EDIT-1.pdf" target="_blank">plan</a> Tuesday to nearly double the percentage of students from low-income high schools earning postsecondary degrees by 2030.Why it matters: Only 13% of students from low-income high schools in the Kansas City metro are on track to earn a college degree, according to KCCAN, a gap that limits economic mobility and threatens KC&#x27;s future workforce.<ul><li>KCCAN aims to address what happens after high school graduation, when many students fall off the path to a degree or credential.</li></ul>

Voters to decide fate of Independence's four-day school week

Voters in Independence are deciding whether to keep the district's four-day school week — a policy created to attract teachers that serves as a test case for Missouri's new approval rule.

Election

Voters in Independence are deciding today whether to keep the district&#x27;s four-day school week, a change made to help attract and keep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teachers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.primecenter.org/education-reports-database/4dsw-case-study?utm_#:~:text=As%20policymakers%20analyze%20the%204DSW%2C%20it%20is%20important%20to%20investigate%20how%20the%20size%20and%20diversity%20of%20a%20school%20impact%20a%20school%20district%27s%20ability%20to%20attract%20and%20retain%20teachers.%C2%A0%C2%A0" data-vars-content-id="9ac2e926-f5df-431c-b43b-abeaa45f5657" data-vars-headline="Voters to decide fate of Independence&#x27;s four-day school week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.primecenter.org/education-reports-database/4dsw-case-study?utm_#:~:text=As%20policymakers%20analyze%20the%204DSW%2C%20it%20is%20important%20to%20investigate%20how%20the%20size%20and%20diversity%20of%20a%20school%20impact%20a%20school%20district%27s%20ability%20to%20attract%20and%20retain%20teachers.%C2%A0%C2%A0" target="_blank">teachers</a>.Why it matters: The results could determine whether other Kansas City-area districts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="explore four-day school weeks " data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcur.org/education/2025-10-31/independence-vote-4-day-school-week-missouri-schools?utm_source=chatgpt.com#:~:text=That%20attitude%20could%20become%20more%20widespread%20for%20suburban%20districts%20if%20the%20Independence%20vote%20fails" data-vars-content-id="9ac2e926-f5df-431c-b43b-abeaa45f5657" data-vars-headline="Voters to decide fate of Independence&#x27;s four-day school week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2025-10-31/independence-vote-4-day-school-week-missouri-schools?utm_source=chatgpt.com#:~:text=That%20attitude%20could%20become%20more%20widespread%20for%20suburban%20districts%20if%20the%20Independence%20vote%20fails" target="_blank">explore four-day school weeks </a>in the future.

KC teachers union leader says Missouri's phone law misses the real issue

A new state law requires phones to be out of sight all day.

A Kansas City teachers union leader says Missouri&#x27;s new phone ban skips the hard part: teaching kids how to use them.

Latino leaders plan to discuss rising ICE raids during gathering in KC

Latino leaders gather in Kansas City this week to train, organize and protect communities.

Latino leaders and advocates are gathering in Kansas City this week to share tools, training and solidarity at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UnidosUS national conference." data-vars-click-url="https://unidosus.org/conference/" data-vars-content-id="c8db5df9-eb6c-45e1-b6de-dbaddfde743b" data-vars-headline="Latino leaders plan to discuss rising ICE raids during gathering in KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://unidosus.org/conference/" target="_blank">UnidosUS national conference.</a>Why it matters: UnidosUS president and CEO Janet Murguía told Axios the conference is designed to educate people on their rights, especially as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aggressive enforcement tactics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/05/trump-migrants-alligator-alcatraz-denaturalize" data-vars-content-id="c8db5df9-eb6c-45e1-b6de-dbaddfde743b" data-vars-headline="Latino leaders plan to discuss rising ICE raids during gathering in KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/05/trump-migrants-alligator-alcatraz-denaturalize" target="_self">aggressive enforcement tactics</a> escalate.

KS and MO schools shorted $129M as federal funds stall

A national freeze on K–12 education grants is holding up millions for Kansas and Missouri schools.

Kansas and Missouri are missing out on more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$129 million in federal K-12 funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/trump-administration-withholds-education-fund" data-vars-content-id="13752f7a-52ba-44dd-bddb-aeb7629cac90" data-vars-headline="KS and MO schools shorted $129M as federal funds stall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/trump-administration-withholds-education-fund" target="_self">$129 million in federal K-12 funding</a> that was expected to arrive July 1.Why it matters: A national funding freeze under the Trump administration has left school districts in limbo just weeks before the new school year.

Axios What's Next

Education 📚

KC's employers want more real-world experience

Scoop: Employees detail sudden move out of worsening UMKC building

A KC Head Start site stayed open by changing hands

Kansas eyes phone ban like Missouri, but kids are split

First look: KC leaders set goal to boost college completion