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Kansas City Alerts

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

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Get smarter, faster on what matters in Kansas City with Travis Meier and Abbey Higginbotham.

Axios Kansas City

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A bridge in Kansas is being compared to The High Line in NYC

The bridge entertainment district — which includes a restaurant, beer garden and event space — is set to open April 1.

News

A decommissioned railroad bridge over the Kansas River is being transformed in a way that &quot;feels very similar&quot; to New York City&#x27;s High Line, Friends of the High Line executive director Alan van Capelle tells Axios.Why it matters: The one-of-a-kind project in Kansas City has garnered local and national support for its ambition and design, and could provide a blueprint for future transformational projects.

What to know about the KC Royals' 2026 season

Opening Day, giveaways and streaming highlight the Royals' 2026 season.

Baseball is back and the Royals open the 2026 season after finishing 82-80 last year, missing the postseason.The big picture: The Royals&#x27; season runs through late September, with regular home games and a packed calendar for fans.

🍬 KC shops rolling out Easter goodies

Check out these local holiday sweets ahead of April 5.

Food and Drink

Easter is hopping closer, and for some, that means candy.The big picture: Local confectioners are rolling out seasonal sweet treats as residents seek to stock their baskets.

Amazon is building "air traffic control for drones" as it eyes expansion

Prime Air isn't just a cool way to get packages — it's part of an expanding tech network.

Business

Amazon officials say a fulfillment center in Kansas City, Kansas, is the first of many local launch sites for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drone delivery program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/02/10/amazon-launches-drone-delivery-metro" data-vars-content-id="872c49aa-7f4f-4354-a675-cd19ec4156b0" data-vars-headline="Amazon is building &quot;air traffic control for drones&quot; as it eyes expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/02/10/amazon-launches-drone-delivery-metro" target="_self">drone delivery program</a>, which took to the skies earlier this year.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not just a cool way to get packages — it&#x27;s part of an expanding network of drone airspace technology that&#x27;s delivering items within hours and integrating with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first responders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/02/kansas-city-police-will-use-drones-as-first-responders" data-vars-content-id="872c49aa-7f4f-4354-a675-cd19ec4156b0" data-vars-headline="Amazon is building &quot;air traffic control for drones&quot; as it eyes expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/02/kansas-city-police-will-use-drones-as-first-responders" target="_self">first responders</a>.

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.

Election

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 🗳️

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

Jackson County to vote on electing, not appointing, assessor

Three Kansas suburbs are facing big local elections