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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Kansas City.

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Income tax vs. sales tax: Missouri voters decide

Missouri's General Assembly wrapped its 2026 session with a constitutional amendment that would phase out the state income tax and let lawmakers expand the sales tax to cover it.

News

KCMO voters will likely decide this year whether to begin phasing out Missouri&#x27;s income tax and let lawmakers expand sales tax to make up the difference.Why it matters: Missouri <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="collected" data-vars-click-url="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/05/14/lawsuit-challenges-missouri-plan-to-expand-sales-tax-to-phase-out-income-tax/" data-vars-content-id="48b6da0e-b181-43d8-aca1-1db64e2dd7ec" data-vars-headline="Income tax vs. sales tax: Missouri voters decide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/05/14/lawsuit-challenges-missouri-plan-to-expand-sales-tax-to-phase-out-income-tax/" target="_blank">collected</a> $9.2 billion in individual income tax last year, about 65% of state revenue. Replacing that money would require adding about 8.5% to the state sales tax unless lawmakers start taxing things that are currently exempt, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/03/12/missouri-house-oks-switch-to-sales-tax-from-income-tax/179787/" data-vars-content-id="48b6da0e-b181-43d8-aca1-1db64e2dd7ec" data-vars-headline="Income tax vs. sales tax: Missouri voters decide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/03/12/missouri-house-oks-switch-to-sales-tax-from-income-tax/179787/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

KC's guide to Memorial Day weekend

Cheer on KC's pro teams, spend time outdoors, or lean into the holiday's patriotic traditions.

Things to Do

Memorial Day marks a weekend of remembrance and the unofficial start of summer.The big picture: Whether you want to cheer on KC&#x27;s pro teams, spend time outdoors, or lean into the holiday&#x27;s patriotic traditions, there&#x27;s no shortage of options this weekend.

Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend

AAA predicts this will be the busiest Memorial Day ever for travel.

Travel

Consider staying off Kansas City highways Thursday and Friday afternoons if you want to avoid the worst <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" target="_self">Memorial Day weekend</a> traffic, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="INRIX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/memorial-day-travel-forecast-safety-tips.html" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/memorial-day-travel-forecast-safety-tips.html" target="_blank">INRIX</a> forecasts.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA predicts" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/05/45-million-americans-planning-memorial-day-weekend-getaways/" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/05/45-million-americans-planning-memorial-day-weekend-getaways/" target="_blank">AAA predicts</a> this will be the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busiest Memorial Day ever" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/memorial-day-travel-forecast-record-aaa" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/memorial-day-travel-forecast-record-aaa" target="_self">busiest Memorial Day ever</a> for travel — meaning your departure time could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make or break" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">make or break</a> your trip.

CPKC Pavilion is an ode to the Missouri River

The transit hub was intentionally designed to reflect the river nearby.

It&#x27;s hard to miss the newly opened KC Streetcar stop down at Berkley Riverfront, whether you&#x27;re stepping off under its reflective roof or gaping at the glowing pylons at night.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CPKC " data-vars-click-url="https://portkc.com/project/cpkc-pavilion-at-berkley-riverfront/" data-vars-content-id="63cfd0a1-6626-4e91-aa80-df42941fdb5e" data-vars-headline="CPKC Pavilion is an ode to the Missouri River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portkc.com/project/cpkc-pavilion-at-berkley-riverfront/" target="_blank">CPKC </a>Pavilion is more than just a shiny new transit hub. It&#x27;s a work of art symbolizing the Missouri River flowing nearby.

Half of Kansas City's general fund is up for vote

KCMO's earnings tax is on the ballot April 7.

Election

Kansas Citians on Tuesday will be asked if they want to renew the city&#x27;s 1% earned income tax on residents, businesses and workers.Why it matters: The earnings tax generates almost half of KCMO&#x27;s $844.2 million general fund, but state law requires the tax to be put to a vote every five years.

A data center is driving Independence's mayoral race

The $150.6 billion project has split the two leading candidates.

Independence&#x27;s next mayor may be decided over a plan to build a massive AI data center with major tax incentives.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$150.6 billion project" data-vars-click-url="https://independencemo.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1816/files/attachment/8105" data-vars-content-id="7e35eba1-865a-49ca-98f0-7eba3e552b6f" data-vars-headline="A data center is driving Independence&#x27;s mayoral race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://independencemo.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1816/files/attachment/8105" target="_blank">$150.6 billion project</a> has split the two leading candidates, with one backing the incentives and the other pushing for a public vote.

What to know about Johnson County's special election

Mail ballots are due by noon Tuesday in Johnson County's special election.

Politics

<figure><img alt="Illustration of a man placing a vote sticker on his shirt." height="1080" id="5c0b7be3-9cec-4c1f-9491-e0b8496f9a7a" src="https://images.axios.com/KEB5TWKo-eo9dcecNoAzKUT_3_g=/2025/04/28/1745856215484.gif" width="1920"/><figcaption>Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios</figcaption></figure>Nearly $500 milion in school bonds — plus a new city sales tax — are on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot Tuesday in Johnson County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jocoelection.org/events-elections/march-3-2026-special-elections" data-vars-content-id="9966c3c0-8eea-43c3-a2b5-f96e1716d885" data-vars-headline="What to know about Johnson County&#x27;s special election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jocoelection.org/events-elections/march-3-2026-special-elections" target="_blank">ballot Tuesday in Johnson County</a>.Why it matters: If approved, the measures would reshape how Edgerton pays for stormwater and street projects — and how De Soto and Olathe fund major school improvements.

KC area voters back four-day school week, elect new KCK mayor

Voters across the Kansas City metro decided on local issues Tuesday, including whether to elect a county assessor, keep four-day school weeks and who will lead Kansas City, Kansas.

Tuesday&#x27;s elections gave Kansas City metro voters a say on major local decisions, from who leads their counties to how schools schedule the week and who takes over as mayor of Kansas City, Kansas.Here are some of the results.

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.

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.

Jackson County to vote on electing, not appointing, assessor

The assessor has come under fire following property tax spikes, public outrage and a leadership shakeup.

Jackson County voters will decide Tuesday if the county assessor should be elected instead of appointed.Why it matters: The role has come under fire following property tax spikes, public outrage and a leadership shakeup.

Three Kansas suburbs are facing big local elections

Kansas voters are one week away from local elections scheduled for Nov. 4.

Kansas voters are one week away from elections that will define the direction of their cities at the most local level.What we&#x27;re watching: Here are some of the biggest races and issues that will show up at the ballot box on Nov. 4.

Frank White Jr.'s recall could cost millions and stall county services

Jackson County voters will decide Sept. 30 whether to recall County Executive Frank White Jr., in a first-of-its-kind vote that could cost $2 million and freeze decisions on federal relief funds and property tax disputes.

Jackson County&#x27;s recall vote on Frank White Jr. could cost taxpayers about $2 million and stall spending on federal relief funds and property tax disputes.

Missouri lawmakers approve new congressional map

The bill heads to Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk, where he is likely to sign it.

Politics & Policy

The Missouri Legislature on Friday approved a congressional map that splits Kansas City into three parts, an attempt to flip a seat long held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II.Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of voters in the 2026 midterms could find themselves in a new voting bloc that includes communities hundreds of miles away.

Election 🗳️

Half of Kansas City's general fund is up for vote

A data center is driving Independence's mayoral race

What to know about Johnson County's special election

KC area voters back four-day school week, elect new KCK mayor

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