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.

The big picture: Lucas pointed to the shooting of Alex Pretti as an example of how video from body cameras can exist without the public having access in a Substack post on Tuesday.

• This leaves the public with "substantial public expense (for DHS, $20M per year and in KC, about $3–4M per year) to fund a program the public may never get to see, undermining the transparency sought," Lucas wrote.
• "Video is great if only we can see it," he added.

The other side: "There is body camera footage from multiple angles, which investigators are currently reviewing," the Department of Homeland Security told The New York Times on Monday.

Zoom in: "Closer to home, Missouri law considers body camera footage a closed record," Lucas wrote, adding that "even when it can be released, there's a ten-day waiting period for the video's release and anyone in the video, including the officer, can object, further delaying release."

Flashback: Kansas City's body camera program launched in 2020 amid public demand for more police accountability following the killing of George Floyd.

• The Police Foundation of Kansas City says the department raised $3 million from over 20 private donors to purchase body cameras and video storage.
• KCPD purchased 815 body cameras, enough for all patrol officers, and had all officers outfitted by March 2021.

How it works: KCPD says the Missouri Sunshine Law governs when body camera footage can be released.

• Under state law, body camera footage is generally treated as a closed record while a criminal investigation is active.
• KCPD considers an investigation active until the case has gone through the full court process, including appeals. Once an investigation closes, footage may be released upon request.

KCPD tells Axios the department does not track how much footage remains unreleased.

The bottom line: Lucas said the issue is not the presence of cameras, but whether the public can see the footage.

• "The Senate should demand policies mandating the timely release of body camera footage before awarding more funding to a program that seems elective at best and detrimental at worst," he wrote.

Missouri Rep. Mike Jones (R-Platte County) is raising concerns that Kansas City funding for a new Royals stadium may be kept from a public vote.

Why it matters: Local voters — and the politicians they elect — are wary of using tax dollars to fund stadiums.

• A failed Jackson County stadium funding vote in 2024 kicked off a mad scramble to retain the Royals while team leaders evaluated options across the state line.

What they're saying: Jones called out Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Port KC on Facebook, saying they could move funds to the Royals without voters' permission, which he opposes.

I intend to introduce legislation requiring a public vote on any local funding over $100 million for the construction of new sports stadiums under the Show-Me Sports Investment Act.

The other side: "We don't believe Jones' claims are factual," Port KC spokesperson Meredith Hoenes tells Axios.

• "I have not" pursued that kind of plan, Lucas told KMBC, adding that any proposal at the local level would go through City Council.

Context: Lawmakers passed the Show Me Sports Investment Act in June as a response to the Kansas' incentives that ultimately won over the Chiefs.

• Missouri's bill would finance up to 50% of a new stadium or stadium renovation, but it requires "sufficient public investment" from local governments.
• Jones, who voted for the bill, says taxpayers should have a direct voice in that local spending, something that wasn't specified in the original bill.

The bottom line: The tension is building between keeping the team in KC and using public dollars to do it.

🏟️ The Royals are no longer considering the Aspiria Campus in Overland Park for a new stadium, after missing Kansas' financial incentive deadline and receiving significant local pushback. The team says the site did not meet its criteria. (FOX4)

• Meanwhile, the Chiefs have named two local design firms as finalists for its new stadium in Kansas. (Kansas City Business Journal)
• One of them — Populous — spoke to Axios about how stadiums are becoming more like micro-cities.

🕳️ A gaping hole in Westport is part of ongoing efforts to prevent flooding in the neighborhood. The cavernous maw in the Sun Fresh parking lot will house underground stormwater cisterns. (Kansas City Star)

Joe's Bar-B-Que is one of the highest-reviewed restaurants in the country, according to Yelp's list of top U.S. restaurants for 2026.

The big picture: This comes as no surprise for Kansas Citians and barbecue aficionados. In a town known for its meat pits, this gas station restaurant is consistently ranked among the top.

• But we still like hearing our name called.

What they're saying: Yelp's list calls out "elevated comfort food" as a top trend, with places like Joe's that specialize in "destination-worthy" sandwiches taking nearly 10% of the list.

• Joe's is known for its Z-Man — otherwise known as Paul Rudd's favorite sandwich in the world.

💭 Travis' thought bubble: I went to Joe's for lunch. For journalism, of course. The Z-Man's succulent brisket, crispy onion rings, and dunkable barbecue sauce are pretty much perfection.

• But the real dark horse is Joe's fry seasoning. If you know, you know.

If you go: The line is often out the door. Skip the wait by ordering online and hitting the drive-thru.

Keep reading: Axios Kansas City's barbecue beat