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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.

Gen Z is going to church in KC

A national uptick in religious fervor among Gen Z men is playing out in Kansas City, where half the parishioners at one Westport Catholic church are under 30.

New <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national polling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/gen-z-religion-poll-gallup" data-vars-content-id="b22ffef3-ac3d-4ff9-b28e-aa71e3b3e31d" data-vars-headline="Gen Z is going to church in KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/gen-z-religion-poll-gallup" target="_self">national polling</a> shows an uptick in religious fervor among young men, even as more churches across the country are shutting their doors.The big picture: Gen Z still has the highest share of religiously unaffiliated adults in modern history, but small hints of a religious rebound have spawned speculation about how that could reshape politics, culture wars and church strategy for years to come.

KC churches join debate over faith and AI

Some Kansas City congregations are turning to AI to spark conversations about how technology is reshaping worship.

Culture

Churches, including some in KC, are turning to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="f915921f-2881-4c7c-868a-396866d52101" data-vars-headline="KC churches join debate over faith and AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">artificial intelligence</a> to reach worshippers and rethink faith in the digital age.Why it matters: AI is helping some churches stay relevant in the face of shrinking staff, empty pews and growing online audiences. But the practice raises new questions about who, or what, is guiding the flock.<ul><li>New AI-powered apps allow you to &quot;text with Jesus&quot; or &quot;talk to the Bible,&quot; giving the impression you are communicating with a deity or angel. </li></ul>

Axios Latino

A line graph showing the share of Americans who say religion is "very important" in their lives from 2000-2024. The overall percentage for U.S. adults is 48%, down from nearly 59% in 2000. Among men ages 18-29, it's 42%, a recent increase, while for women in the same age group, it's 29%, a steady decrease.

Religion

Gen Z is going to church in KC

KC churches join debate over faith and AI