Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3

Money generated by the renewal of Kansas City's public safety sales tax, which voters will decide on April 8, would go toward a new city detention center, which officials have been discussing for years. Some of the revenue will also go toward supporting the Kansas City Police Department. (Carlos Moreno | KCUR 89.3)

Kansas City is voting on a sales tax to fund a new jail. Here’s what to know about Question 1

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | March 18, 2025

Kansas City voters will decide on April 8 whether to renew the city’s public safety sales tax, as part of its efforts to fund and build a new municipal jail. Supporters of the tax renewal say the city is long overdue for its own detention and rehabilitation center — for a decade the city has not had…

Missouri Voters Again Tell Kansas City to Increase Police Funding, But By a Narrower Margin

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | August 7, 2024

Missouri voters again approved a ballot measure that requires Kansas City to increase its minimum police funding – but by a much narrower margin than in 2022.

Officers sit at a meeting of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners in December 2021.

Missouri Amendment 4: What to Know About the Kansas City Police Funding Ballot Question

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | July 8, 2024

Here's an overview of Amendment 4, a police funding mandate targeting the Kansas City Police Department that will appear on the August primary ballot.

This stretch of Interstate 670 downtown will be capped, and officials hope the first two blocks will be finished by the 2026 World Cup.

Kansas City Approves Funds for Park Over South Loop Downtown

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | May 28, 2024

The Kansas City Council has approved millions in state and federal funding for the four-block South Loop project. Half could be open before the 2026 World Cup.

“Vote No” signs stuck in the windows on The Pairing in the East Crossroads.

Jackson County Voters Reject Stadium Sales Tax to Help Fund New Royals Ballpark

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | April 2, 2024

Jackson County voters overwhelmingly rejected a sales tax to fund a new Kansas City Royals ballpark downtown and upgrades at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.

A view from the east of a possible Royals ballpark in the East Village area of downtown.

Jackson County Legislature Defies Frank White to put Chiefs and Royals Stadium Funding on Ballot

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | January 22, 2024

Jackson County voters in April will vote on whether to renew a crucial stadium sales tax for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.

Mayor Quinton Lucas introduced an ordinance Thursday that would prohibit Kansas City landlords from refusing to rent to someone based on their source of income.

Kansas City Mayor Wants to Ban Discrimination Against People with Housing Vouchers

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | December 1, 2023

A new ordinance Mayor Quinton Lucas introduced Thursday would make it illegal for Kansas City landlords to deny a prospective tenant because of how they pay rent.

Ride KC's River Market MAX rolls out of the transit station in Waldo on March 14, 2023.

Kansas City Votes ‘Yes’ on Public Bus Funding by Renewing Sales Tax for Another Decade

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | November 8, 2023

Kansas City voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved renewing a local sales tax to fund public transit for the next decade.

Founder Myron McCant looks through a window at the children served at KD Academy child care.

Sales Tax for East Side Projects Grapples with Growing Pains

By Mike Sherry, Cody Boston, Julie Freijat, Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3 | October 19, 2023

Kansas City's Central City Economic Development (CCED) sales tax program has produced mixed results and faces political headwinds as the time for renewal looms.

This house on the Westside saw its property tax assessment skyrocket in recent years, making it difficult for the owner to pay.

Jackson County Freezes Property Taxes for Seniors After Controversial Assessments

By Celisa Calacal, KCUR 89.3, Jodi Fortino, KCUR 89.3 | September 18, 2023

Thousands of senior citizens in Jackson County will soon be eligible for a property tax break, following this year’s most recent assessments.