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Kansas law voids trans IDs overnight

A new Kansas law invalidates some transgender residents' IDs, prompting DMV visits and legal concerns.

Politics & Policy

Transgender Kansans learned this week their driver&#x27;s licenses and amended birth certificates became invalid Thursday after lawmakers overrode <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Laura Kelly&#x27;s veto" data-vars-click-url="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/926/56" data-vars-content-id="91b86a09-9fdd-4f4f-abb9-5716536148b0" data-vars-headline="Kansas law voids trans IDs overnight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/926/56" target="_blank">Gov. Laura Kelly&#x27;s veto</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb244/" data-vars-content-id="91b86a09-9fdd-4f4f-abb9-5716536148b0" data-vars-headline="Kansas law voids trans IDs overnight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb244/" target="_blank">new state law</a> took effect.Why it matters: The abrupt rule change is sending residents scrambling to the DMV and forcing people to pay for replacement documents to keep driving and voting.

New chicken kitchen anchors Vine Street Brewing

Vine Street Chicken Co. opens after a year-and-a-half restaurant vacancy.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vine Street Brewing" data-vars-click-url="https://vinestbrewing.com/" data-vars-content-id="c4b52015-06b6-4e18-8b9c-037b9ca77e14" data-vars-headline="New chicken kitchen anchors Vine Street Brewing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vinestbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Vine Street Brewing</a> just welcomed a new permanent food concept, filling an important gap in the brew house&#x27;s business after a year-and-a-half <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant vacancy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startlandnews.com/2024/08/2000-vine-prospect-kc/" data-vars-content-id="c4b52015-06b6-4e18-8b9c-037b9ca77e14" data-vars-headline="New chicken kitchen anchors Vine Street Brewing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startlandnews.com/2024/08/2000-vine-prospect-kc/" target="_blank">restaurant vacancy</a>.Why it matters: We&#x27;re continuing our February spotlight on Black-owned businesses with a look at Missouri&#x27;s first Black-owned brewery and its partnership with the new Vine Street Chicken Co.

How ICE enforcement stress affects kids — and what parents can do

As federal immigration enforcement ramps up, Kansas City therapists report rising anxiety among children. Here's what parents should watch for and how to help.

As the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="d0c3670a-7ce3-4159-a68f-c0e8a3893184" data-vars-headline="How ICE enforcement stress affects kids — and what parents can do" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration ramps up federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/twin-cities-occupied-by-federal-agents-turmoil" data-vars-content-id="d0c3670a-7ce3-4159-a68f-c0e8a3893184" data-vars-headline="How ICE enforcement stress affects kids — and what parents can do" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/twin-cities-occupied-by-federal-agents-turmoil" target="_self">immigration enforcement</a>, experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="children across the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/ice-trump-children-mental-health-parents-immigration" data-vars-content-id="d0c3670a-7ce3-4159-a68f-c0e8a3893184" data-vars-headline="How ICE enforcement stress affects kids — and what parents can do" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/ice-trump-children-mental-health-parents-immigration" target="_self">children across the country</a> may be absorbing the fear and uncertainty of ICE operations.Why it matters: Experiencing traumatic events in childhood can create lasting physical and mental health challenges that extend into adulthood, Sita Patel, a clinical psychology professor at Palo Alto University, tells Axios.

KC puts $1M toward new homelessness strategy

City leaders say the flexible fund will help move people experiencing homelessness indoors faster.

Kansas City leaders are launching a $1 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Housing Gateway Program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2898/1746" data-vars-content-id="5360b410-406a-4697-bf7a-1ec7b006171d" data-vars-headline="KC puts $1M toward new homelessness strategy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2898/1746" target="_blank">Housing Gateway Program</a> to move people indoors more quickly as homelessness rises.Why it matters: The effort relies on flexible local dollars that aren&#x27;t tied to federal restrictions, giving the city more control over how quickly and where the money is deployed.

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.

Court ruling looms over Missouri's congressional map

A judge will decide whether Missouri's new map splitting Kansas City can stand for 2026 elections.

A judge will decide whether <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Missouri&#x27;s 2025 congressional map" data-vars-click-url="https://budplan.oa.mo.gov/redistricting-office/2025-us-congressional-house-maps" data-vars-content-id="9128d60c-e3db-41a5-93de-315c828a5a33" data-vars-headline="Court ruling looms over Missouri&#x27;s congressional map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://budplan.oa.mo.gov/redistricting-office/2025-us-congressional-house-maps" target="_blank">Missouri&#x27;s 2025 congressional map</a>, which splits Kansas City into three districts, violates the state constitution.Why it matters: The map will shape Missouri&#x27;s 2026 midterm elections and could affect the partisan balance of the state&#x27;s congressional delegation.

Fed World Cup funding to pay for officers, drone defense in KC

Kansas City is getting more than $79 million from the federal government.

Kansas City is getting more than $79 million from the federal government for public safety ahead of the World Cup, leaders announced Thursday.Why it matters: Organizers and public officials want to be ready for anything ahead of the city&#x27;s massive fan influx this summer, although leaders say there are no specific threats at this time.

KC warehouse owners won't sell to the federal government

ICE's presence at the site prompted backlash from local leaders and the public.

The owners of a warehouse in south Kansas City will not sell it to the federal government, the company said in a statement Thursday.Why it matters: Federal immigration officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="toured the site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/15/ice-detention-expansion-kansas-city" data-vars-content-id="1d9f7cb6-dfd9-4022-a2fc-90c5d24dcbf4" data-vars-headline="KC warehouse owners won&#x27;t sell to the federal government" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/15/ice-detention-expansion-kansas-city" target="_self">toured the site</a> as ICE said it seeks to expand its detention capacity, prompting backlash from local leaders and the public.

KC Mayor Lucas rolls out $2.5B budget for 2026

Public safety will remain the largest slice of the general fund at 75%.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas used his State of the City address on Wednesday to lay out a $2.5 billion budget and a list of priorities for the 2026 World Cup and day-to-day needs.

KCPD chief says settlements, overtime causing budget shortfall

Chief Stacey Graves spoke to City Council after an internal memo sparked alarm.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said Thursday that her call for &quot;drastic cost-reduction measures&quot; was not due to mismanagement, but she owned a lack of communication in releasing a memo that caught city leaders off guard.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The internal memo" data-vars-click-url="https://fox4kc.com/news/kcpd-to-take-drastic-measures-to-maintain-basic-services-during-budget-crisis/" data-vars-content-id="b0f5e186-6dec-4fe1-bb6c-c503b16041c5" data-vars-headline="KCPD chief says settlements, overtime causing budget shortfall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox4kc.com/news/kcpd-to-take-drastic-measures-to-maintain-basic-services-during-budget-crisis/" target="_blank">The internal memo</a>, first reported by FOX4 on Sunday, caused alarm among council members and the mayor and sparked debate over police funding after the department&#x27;s budget <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increased by 7.64%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kcpd-chief-graves-announces-drastic-cost-reduction-measures-to-solve-budgetary-imbalance" data-vars-content-id="b0f5e186-6dec-4fe1-bb6c-c503b16041c5" data-vars-headline="KCPD chief says settlements, overtime causing budget shortfall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kcpd-chief-graves-announces-drastic-cost-reduction-measures-to-solve-budgetary-imbalance" target="_blank">increased by 7.64%</a> in 2025 from the previous fiscal year.

Raytown renters win deal as tenant unions strengthen

Organizers say striking tenants withheld $110,000 in rent payments.

Renters at Bowen Tower Apartments in Raytown are ending a four-month rent strike after court battles with their landlord resulted in a signed agreement Wednesday night, tenant union organizers say.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tenant unions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/09/25/kc-tenants-brings-its-housing-fight-to-the-stage" data-vars-content-id="14238da5-5f18-4b41-bcb9-c08cb27cc810" data-vars-headline="Raytown renters win deal as tenant unions strengthen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/09/25/kc-tenants-brings-its-housing-fight-to-the-stage" target="_self">Tenant unions</a> are growing in strength and number across the U.S. as increased rents and deferred maintenance pit renters against property owners.

Mayor questions body cameras after Minneapolis shooting

He says video is useless if the public never sees it.

Mayor Quinton Lucas questioned the transparency of body cameras after the Department of Homeland Security said it has footage related to Border Patrol agents shooting and killing a man in Minneapolis.

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.

Politics 🇺🇸

What to know about Johnson County's special election

Kansas law voids trans IDs overnight

Court ruling looms over Missouri's congressional map

Fed World Cup funding to pay for officers, drone defense in KC

KC warehouse owners won't sell to the federal government