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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.

Lawmakers fight to make Quindaro a National Historic Landmark

A Kansas City, Kansas, Underground Railroad site that sheltered enslaved people still lacks federal recognition.

A Kansas City, Kansas, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Underground Railroad" data-vars-click-url="https://kclibrary.org/news/2022-03/kc-black-history-do-you-know-town-was-stop-underground-railroad" data-vars-content-id="b2130b7a-2be6-496a-b1b7-54f2c4e4887f" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers fight to make Quindaro a National Historic Landmark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kclibrary.org/news/2022-03/kc-black-history-do-you-know-town-was-stop-underground-railroad" target="_blank">Underground Railroad</a> site that sheltered enslaved people lacks federal recognition, and local lawmakers just <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="introduced" data-vars-click-url="https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-schmidt-davids-introduce-bill-designating-quindaro" data-vars-content-id="b2130b7a-2be6-496a-b1b7-54f2c4e4887f" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers fight to make Quindaro a National Historic Landmark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-schmidt-davids-introduce-bill-designating-quindaro" target="_blank">introduced</a> a bill to change that.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Quindaro Townsite" data-vars-click-url="https://quindaroruinsprojectfoundationkck.org/quindaro-history/" data-vars-content-id="b2130b7a-2be6-496a-b1b7-54f2c4e4887f" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers fight to make Quindaro a National Historic Landmark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://quindaroruinsprojectfoundationkck.org/quindaro-history/" target="_blank">Quindaro Townsite</a> is not open to the public, and the federal funding that comes with a National Historic Landmark designation would make that possible.

How Black pitmasters built KC barbecue

KC barbecue grew from railroads, stockyards and Black culinary innovation.

Kansas City&#x27;s booming barbecue scene traces back to railroads, stockyards and Black pitmasters who turned the butcher&#x27;s leftovers into a defining local tradition.Why it matters: Barbecue is central to KC&#x27;s identity, but many people don&#x27;t realize how deeply it&#x27;s rooted in Black culture and entrepreneurship.

A run in the underground world of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt

This sprawling underground complex is home to one of KC's most distinctive races.

Business

What began as a limestone mine boring into the cliffs above the Missouri River has become a sprawling underground complex — and home to one of Kansas City&#x27;s most distinctive races.The big picture: The annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Groundhog Run" data-vars-click-url="https://abilitykc.org/event/groundhog-run/" data-vars-content-id="4b267a73-7223-427e-876d-5a7a8038b902" data-vars-headline="A run in the underground world of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abilitykc.org/event/groundhog-run/" target="_blank">Groundhog Run</a> winds through miles of tunnels reaching under Worlds of Fun, blending a long-running charity event with a glimpse into the scale and ambition of the Hunt family — one of the richest in America.

This historic restaurant remains one of KC's best

The Savoy sets the standard with its Restaurant Week menu.

Food and Drink

The Savoy&#x27;s three-course <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/08/restaurant-week-kansas-city-2026" data-vars-content-id="1fc5fe90-d89a-4ee1-b7bf-4ea6202d0c1e" data-vars-headline="This historic restaurant remains one of KC&#x27;s best" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/08/restaurant-week-kansas-city-2026" target="_self">Restaurant Week</a> menu combines elevated dining with down-home flavors in a tradition more than a century old.Why it matters: This award-winning downtown Kansas City staple sets the standard, from delectable classic dishes to an expertly crafted atmosphere.

A bus tour through Kansas City's haunted past

A haunted bus tour explores KC's mob history and ghost lore with drinks and dark tales.

Kansas City&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ghosts &amp; Gangsters tour" data-vars-click-url="https://barleybus.com/ghost-gangster-tour/" data-vars-content-id="f998ebaa-ad03-4c8a-a0a1-2f77fb7b5774" data-vars-headline="A bus tour through Kansas City&#x27;s haunted past" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://barleybus.com/ghost-gangster-tour/" target="_blank">Ghosts &amp; Gangsters tour</a> takes riders into the city&#x27;s shadowy past — where mobsters ruled, bullets flew, and some say the ghosts never left.The big picture: Riders visit sites linked to some of Kansas City&#x27;s darkest chapters.

How Kansas City is marking Indigenous Peoples Day

Missouri closes for Columbus Day. Kansas keeps working. And Kansas City highlights Native culture through festivals, events and land acknowledgments.

Culture

Kansas City is using Indigenous Peoples Day, on Oct. 13, to spotlight Native stories — even as the date remains tied to Columbus Day for much of the country.

Kansas' 101-year-old WWII vet flies again

Army veteran Jim Sharp, 101, took to the Kansas sky in a restored WWII-era biplane built in Wichita — part of Dream Flights' mission to honor senior veterans with free flights across the country.

At 101, Kansas native Jim Sharp climbed into a World War II–era biplane and lifted off over the Flint Hills — a few minutes of flight that felt like stepping back into history.

Inside the rise of the Power and Light District

The Power and Light District is now one of Kansas City's most-visited neighborhoods.

History

A decade after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="One Light" data-vars-click-url="https://onelightkc.com/" data-vars-content-id="6796c105-db4b-4d72-951e-21d957eb59fe" data-vars-headline="Inside the rise of the Power and Light District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://onelightkc.com/" target="_blank">One Light</a> rose into the sky, the Power and Light District is now one of Kansas City&#x27;s most-visited neighborhoods.Why it matters: Downtown has come a long way in recent history, and this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="816 Day," data-vars-click-url="https://dnakcmo.org/816-day" data-vars-content-id="6796c105-db4b-4d72-951e-21d957eb59fe" data-vars-headline="Inside the rise of the Power and Light District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dnakcmo.org/816-day" target="_blank">816 Day,</a> it&#x27;s worth remembering where the city center has been to better understand where it&#x27;s going.

Kansas City parking woes date back generations

Complaining about a lack of parking is a local rite of passage.

Development

Complaining about a lack of parking is a local rite of passage — and has been going on for nearly a century.Flashback: On this date in 1985, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kansas City Star wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-1985-parking/178433953/" data-vars-content-id="3747350e-9a38-4cf9-8acc-f1c8d98bd15d" data-vars-headline="Kansas City parking woes date back generations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-1985-parking/178433953/" target="_blank">Kansas City Star wrote</a> of the &quot;revival of Downtown development&quot; leading to a shortage of 3,600 parking spaces.

Bridge murals beautify hidden-gem historical site

KC artists and community leaders are making sure its past isn't painted over.

A small historical site tucked away in Kansas City&#x27;s West Bottoms just got a major splash of color thanks to local muralists and public funding.Why it matters: With the West Bottoms poised for massive redevelopment, artists and community leaders are beautifying the area while making sure its past isn&#x27;t painted over.