Johnson County fought its way to the center of Kansas elections
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What are the key takeaways from the August primary elections in Johnson County?
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This is Kansas City Today. I'm Brian Ellison. Today is Monday, August 17th. Coming up, this month's primary elections were big for Johnson County Democrats, two of whom will carry the party's banner in the top races this November. What should we expect in those races? And what does it all say about the Democratic Party's future and the county's influence on the state's politics? But first, our weekly look at top stories in government and politics on both sides of the state line. Kansas City has approved last-minute funding to prevent drastic transit service reductions that were just weeks away. As KCUR's Savannah Holly Bates reports, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority was set to cut nine bus routes without the extra money.
The Kansas City Council voted to give more than $8 million to the KCATA to keep service levels the same. Without the extra infusion of cash, the bus agency would have had to make cuts starting in September. Chuck Ferguson, interim CEO of the KCATA, says the agency is working with the city and other regional partners to keep service stable going forward. We want people to have as much transit as possible. But in this particular instance, they can breathe a little freer that their route or their particular trip is not going to be eliminated. Avoiding bus cuts also saves 48 driver jobs at the KCATA.
Kansas education officials are creating guidance for schools on what kinds of drills they can conduct to prepare for an active shooter. Daniel Cottle has more.
A new state law aims to make drills more consistent across schools and reduce stress on students.
How did Kansas City prevent major transit service cuts with last‑minute funding?
It bans active shooter simulations through eighth grade. Those drills mimic a real police response or the presence of a shooter. John Calvert is the head school safety specialist for the state. He says the law bans shooter drills of any kind for elementary schools. They can, again, learn through tabletop exercises, talking through having the educator, the adult in the room, go through and say, hey, if something bad were to happen, we want to go over here. But no longer will we be doing active shooter drills K through five. Middle and high schools can still conduct typical active shooter drills, but they have to notify parents and let them opt out.
Missouri abortion providers are continuing to expand the services they offer. under a 2024 constitutional amendment that guaranteed abortion rights, even as voters prepare to consider taking those rights away this November. The Missouri Independent reports that Planned Parenthood is now offering both procedural and medication abortions at its Springfield location, the first access to abortion in the Ozarks, in 21 years. It becomes the fourth location in the state to offer the care, joining clinics in Kansas City, Columbia, and St. Louis. A state court in June cleared the way for the care when it struck down abortion regulations adopted over the years by Missouri lawmakers. The access, though, could be short-lived.
In November, voters will consider Amendment 3, which would ban abortion with limited exceptions. The amendment would also enshrine the state's ban on gender-affirming care for minors into the state constitution. Disability rights advocates in Kansas are calling for the Money Follows the Person program to restart. Rachel Schnelle with the Kansas News Service reports on last week's demonstrations.
The program helps people with disabilities pay for home modifications, rent, and utilities.
What new Kansas law changes active‑shooter drills in schools and why does it matter?
But Kansas agencies withdrew the program back in May in fear of future federal funding. Kansas was a model for other states in using the Money Follows the Person program for about a dozen years in the early 2000s. Dan Kennedy with the organization Minds Matter was protesting outside of the Kansas Capitol on Wednesday.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What are the key takeaways from the August primary elections in Johnson County?
0:00–1:47
2
How did Kansas City prevent major transit service cuts with last‑minute funding?
1:47–3:36
3
What new Kansas law changes active‑shooter drills in schools and why does it matter?
3:36–5:35
4
How is Missouri expanding abortion services in the Ozarks and what could change in November?
5:35–7:34
5
Why are disability advocates pushing to restart Kansas’ Money‑Follows‑the‑Person program?
7:34–9:33
6
What are the community concerns about the proposed hyperscale data center in Leavenworth County?
9:33–12:10
7
Who are Johnson County’s Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate and Governor, and what are their backgrounds?
12:10–14:59
8
How might Johnson County’s political clout shape the statewide races in Kansas this November?
14:59–16:09
Speakers
1 identifiedMore from Kansas City Today
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