Mary Sanchez

Reporter

Mary Sanchez is a nationally syndicated columnist with Tribune Content Agency. She has also been a metro columnist for The Kansas City Star and member of the Star’s editorial board, in addition to her years spent reporting on race, class, criminal justice and educational issues. Sanchez is a native of Kansas City.

Stories by Mary Sanchez

A participant in a KC Tenants Power political rally uses a megaphone to fire up the crowd.

Endorsements Shift Kansas City’s Political Landscape

By Josh Merchant, The Beacon, Mary Sanchez | June 22, 2023

Even as the old guard of Kansas City politics made endorsements, newer groups like KC Tenants Power and Northland Strong shaped the 2023 City Council election.

Hundreds of Kansas Citians gather at University Academy for a town hall discussion on reparations in Kansas City.

Kansas City Starts Down a Long Road to Black Reparations

By Mary Sanchez, Cody Boston | June 15, 2023

Kansas City is embarking on a difficult quest to consider and create reparations to address harm the city has caused and perpetuated for its Black residents.

City Hall and the Jackson County Courthouse at the center of the downtown Kansas City skyline.

Kansas City Rushes to Consider Changes to its ‘Constitution’

By Mary Sanchez | May 11, 2023

Critics want more time to provide input as the Kansas City Charter Review Commission rushes to complete its work before the end of May.

The t-shirt that the Liberian bi-state organization is producing for the Ralph Yarl family.

Ralph Yarl Shooting Reverberates in KC’s Liberian Community

By Mary Sanchez | May 3, 2023

The shooting of Ralph Yarl has reverberated through Kansas City's close-knit Liberian community, which has rallied around one of their own.

Funmi Popoola, President and CEO of Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas, leans against carts filled with donations.

Nonprofits Adapt to the Changing Shape of Charity

By Mary Sanchez | April 19, 2023

There are worrisome trends in American philanthropy, as fewer people give nonprofits become evermore reliant on the generosity of the wealthy.

Kansas City-based author and illustrator Shane W. Evans.

KC Author of Banned Children’s Books Marches On

By Mary Sanchez | April 6, 2023

A Kansas City-based author of children's books recently learned his work was on a list of the most banned picture books. Here's how he responded.

Four rows of cannabis seedlings sit on shelves under a plastic tarp with a grow light.

Local Voters Ponder New Taxes on Marijuana Sales

By Mary Sanchez, Cami Koons | March 30, 2023

Voters in Kansas City and many other communities across Missouri will consider new local marijuana sales taxes on the April 4 ballot.

A Crispin Rea campaign sign in Kansas City.

Latino Community Rallies for Representation at City Hall 

By Mary Sanchez | March 22, 2023

Kansas City's Latino community hasn't been represented on the City Council since the 1990s. That could change this year.

A mother kisses her daughter on the forehead. The daughter is crying,

New Documentary Highlights Legal Immigrant Plight

By Mary Sanchez | February 23, 2023

The fallout from a Kansas City-area hate crime is the subject of a new documentary film.

Maria Morales her son Carlos, a graduate of Shawnee Mission South High School, are part of the family team managing their janitorial service firm, which is trying to expand, but has difficulty finding enough willing, qualified workers to hire.

Help Wanted: A Daily Struggle for Immigrant-owned Local Firm

By Mary Sanchez | February 15, 2023

President Joe Biden spent little time addressing immigration in his State of the Union speech. But it's shaping our economic future. Help wanted.