Kacen J. Bayless

Kansas City confirms criminal investigation as FBI probe shakes City Hall The city confirmed the investigation in an email to The Star this week, a striking acknowledgement that the probe remains ongoing.

The city confirmed the investigation in an email to The Star this week, a striking acknowledgement that the probe remains ongoing.

Missouri anti-gerrymander campaign says it should ‘easily qualify’ for ballot Preliminary data from local election authorities suggests that the campaign is close to qualifying for the ballot.

New: Missouri anti-gerrymander campaign says it should ‘easily qualify’ for Nov. ballot after viewing new data.

Those records mark the first public disclosure of the campaign’s likelihood of reaching the ballot amid a series of attacks. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri judge rewrites misleading direct democracy question. See new language The legal battle centers on a measure that would make it virtually impossible for most citizen-led amendments to pass on the ballot.

A Missouri judge rewrote the ballot question of a measure that would dramatically overhaul the state’s key form of direct democracy.

The ruling strikes misleading language, finding that it claimed to introduce popular current laws as new ones. #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/state/m...

Missouri looks to pass anti-trans bathroom bill, following Kansas’ sweeping law Missouri considers its own “bathroom bill” after Kansas passed a ban on trans people from bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.

Missouri looks to pass anti-trans bathroom bill, following Kansas’ sweeping law

From @jackharvel.bsky.social #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/article...

Without sports authority, KCK Chiefs deal will fall through. Bill yet to be seen Some lawmakers are losing patience over the delay of a sports authority bill that must be finalized for the stadium project to move forward.

The Chiefs' move to Kansas hinges on the creation of a sports authority.

But with less than month left in the annual legislative session, no bill has been introduced outlining the terms of that arrangement, reports @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social #ksleg #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

How an FBI probe has upended Kansas City politics — and what we still don’t know The outlines of a widening federal investigation have come into view.

How an FBI probe has upended Kansas City politics — and what we still don’t know. Here’s the latest in this ongoing news story via @kacen.bsky.social

www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Popular KC-area pastor considers independent Senate run to unseat Roger Marshall Adam Hamilton, the founding pastor of the nation’s largest United Methodist church, is embarking on a listening tour across Kansas.

New: Popular Kansas City-area pastor weighs independent Senate run to unseat Roger Marshall w/ @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social #ksleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

How a Kansas City lawmaker renewed interest in sister’s cold case The case had been cold for more than two decades, but things began to shift last year.

New: How a Kansas City lawmaker renewed interest in sister’s cold case #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Port KC wants more power — and armed police force. Critics say it’s a ‘nonstarter’ Opponents fear the legislation would further expand the agency’s growing authority amid a myriad of controversial projects.

New: The agency at the center of Kansas City’s most high-profile projects is lobbying state lawmakers to expand its authority, including the creation of armed police.

It's alarmed critics worried about the agency’s ability to dole out incentives. #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri judge to strike down language for direct democracy overhaul ballot measure The proposal at the center of the legal battle would make it virtually impossible for most citizen-led ballot measures to pass on the ballot.

Missouri judge to strike down language for direct democracy overhaul #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

w/ @jackharvel.bsky.social

Missouri left gun laws unchanged after 2024 shooting. KC now reels from another The lack of movement after the Chiefs rally shooting has residents and local and state officials wondering if change will ever happen.

New: A 2024 mass shooting sparked the loudest outcry for changes to Missouri’s gun laws in recent history.

No changes came.

And then over the weekend, 2 years after the Chiefs rally shooting, gunfire erupted once again in Kansas City. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

What if you gerrymandered a congressional district and then … not that many people ran?

So far, few Republicans lining up to challenge Cleaver in redrawn district (that may or may not be struck down)

Six hours after this story published, former Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks officially launched his campaign for the 5th District.

Burks' launch came roughly a hour before Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith is set to formally announce his campaign. #moleg #mogov

GOP carved up Kansas City district. But who’s running to unseat Cleaver? A series of legal questions have sparked hesitation among the field of potential GOP candidates. But a growing list of Republicans are signaling campaigns.

New: Republicans carved up Kansas City's congressional district. But who’s running to unseat Cleaver?

w/ @jackharvel.bsky.social #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

At-home care keeps his life steady. Missouri budget cuts could upend it Proposed budget cuts in Missouri threaten to upend a health care program that a family in Parkville has grown to rely on.

New: At-home care keeps his life steady. Missouri budget cuts could upend it #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Two years after Chiefs rally shooting, this family still fights for accountability Denton Loudermill, a father of three from Olathe, was thrust into the public eye when his photograph began spreading rapidly online.

New: It’s been two years since a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally.

One family is still searching for some form of accountability. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri House passes permanent ban on gender-affirming care for minors The vote marked Missouri’s first major attempt this year to remove an expiration date added by Democrats in 2023.

New: Missouri House passes permanent ban on gender-affirming care for minors

First story from @jackharvel.bsky.social, The Star's new Missouri politics reporter. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Kansas Republican staunchly opposed nationalized voting. Does he back Trump now? Kris Kobach in 2013 drafted a resolution that sharply opposed federal control of states’ voter registration systems.

As Kansas’ top election official, Kris Kobach drafted a resolution that sharply opposed federal influence on voting.

That was 2013.

As Trump pushes to "nationalize" elections, the draft resolution has taken on new scrutiny. w/ @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social. www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Kansas City mayor vows to strike downtown Royals stadium deal this year in annual address The fight over the Royals has long roiled Kansas City politics, threatening to define both the city’s future and Lucas’ tenure as mayor.

New: Kansas City mayor vows to strike downtown Royals stadium deal this year in annual address #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/k...

Missouri governor withdraws pick for KCPD board after senator blocked appointment The withdrawal, revealed in a letter obtained by The Star, removes Heather Hall from the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.

New: Missouri governor withdraws pick for powerful Kansas City police board after senator blocked appointment www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

How Kansas Citians are protesting ICE as part of national day of action The Star is covering anti-ICE movements around Kansas City.

www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...

— KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Furious over recent ruling, GOP cancels high-profile speech with MO Supreme Court One senator compared the court’s seven judges to “little kings and queens in their black robes” who “get to hide behind their little red brick building.”

Furious over recent ruling, GOP cancels high-profile speech with Missouri Supreme Court

One senator compared the seven judges to “little kings and queens in their black robes” who “get to hide behind their little red brick building.” #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

How KS & MO Republicans are framing gun rights in wake of Alex Pretti shooting The reactions appear to contradict decades of Republican messaging in Kansas and Missouri, where guns are both ubiquitous and fiercely defended.

New: How Kansas & Missouri Republicans are framing gun rights in wake of Alex Pretti shooting

The snap reactions appear to contradict decades of Republican messaging in both states, where guns are both ubiquitous and fiercely defended. #moleg #ksleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

‘Let Politicians Lie Act’ struck down by Missouri Supreme Court. What that means The law, signed by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe last year, marked a key tool in Republican officials’ yearslong effort to halt abortions.

New: The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously struck down a state law deployed by Republicans to fight abortion access, a sweeping ruling that wrestles power away from top statewide officials. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Kansas City has a little-known agreement with ICE. What we found out The agreement, revealed in federal government spending records, allows DHS and ICE access to a multi-agency law enforcement radio network.

New: Over the past two years, Kansas City has received $42K from ICE as part of a little-noticed agreement between the city and the federal immigration agency. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Kansas City has a little-known agreement with ICE. What we found out The agreement, revealed in federal government spending records, allows DHS and ICE access to a multi-agency law enforcement radio network.

Kansas City has a little-known agreement with ICE. What we found out. Here’s the story from my colleague @kacen.bsky.social

www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

New: More than a year after historic vote, the fate of Missouri abortion access will center on Kansas City. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...

W/ @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social