Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bills to Speed Housing Development

Independence Elects King Mayor Amid Data Center Divide

Wichita Council Approves $340K Robotic Dog for Police

Andover Central Robotics Team Wins Regional

KC-Area School Districts Approve Nearly $200 Million in Bonds

Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bills to Speed Housing Development

TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday signed two bipartisan bills aimed at easing the state's housing shortage by cutting through municipal red tape and streamlining residential development. Senate Bill 418 enacts the By-Right Housing Development Act, which mandates a streamlined permit approval process for by-right housing developments and allows third-party reviews of new residential construction documents and third-party inspections of improvements. Kelly also signed House Bill 2739, which modifies state housing codes by exempting moderate-income housing programs and Kansas Investor Tax Credit housing projects from certain state accessibility standards. The law formally removes the definition of "apartment houses" from Chapter 31 of state statutes and adopts the 2024 edition of the National Fire Protection Association standards.

Bipartisan housing push streamlines permits, modifies code to spur development

Gov. Kelly signs a pair of bills aimed at cutting red tape for residential construction and moderate-income housing projects.

citizen journalGreg Loving

Independence Elects King Mayor Amid Data Center Divide

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Union leader Kevin King won the Independence mayoral race Tuesday with just over 60 percent of the vote, defeating Councilwoman Dr. Bridget McCandless in an election dominated by the city council's March 2 approval of a massive Nebius AI data center and its roughly $6 billion in tax abatements over 20 years. Both candidates supported the project, but they split over process: McCandless voted to approve the Chapter 100 bonds on council, while King argued the deal should have gone to a public vote. A Jackson County judge ruled before the election that the project would not go to the ballot, and residents opposed to the data center rallied behind King. King, a lifelong Independence resident, told reporters his priorities include shoring up public safety, investing in roads and infrastructure and restoring public transportation. He replaces outgoing Mayor Rory Rowland, who did not seek a second term; more than 12,000 votes were cast in the contest.

KSHB · KCTV5

Wichita Council Approves $340K Robotic Dog for Police

WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita City Council voted 4-3 on Tuesday to purchase a Boston Dynamics "Spot" robotic dog for the Wichita Police Department at a cost of $340,000. The robot is designed for de-escalation and can open and close doors, test air quality for chemicals or explosives, and navigate terrain more nimbly than the department's current robots. The department originally requested two units — one for the bomb squad and one for SWAT — but the council opted to buy one and have the units share it. Council members J.V. Johnston, Joseph Shepard and Maggie Ballard voted against the purchase, citing cost concerns. Police will update the council in July on the robot's effectiveness before any decision on a second unit; the department said no additional staffing or budget increases are required to operate the dog, which will be the first Spot unit in Kansas.

KWCH

Andover Central Robotics Team Wins Regional

ANDOVER, Kan. — Andover Central High School's "JagWire Robotics" team topped a 40-team field to win the FIRST Robotics Competition City of Fountains Regional, held April 1-4 in Kansas City, Mo. The victory positions the team for a potential invitation to the FIRST Robotics World Championship, set for April 29 through May 2 in Houston. Textron Aviation Automation and Robotics Engineering Lead Wyatt Smrcka, who relayed news of the win, noted that the students represented Andover Central on a large regional stage against many well-established teams. Smrcka said attending the world championship and sustaining the program for future seasons will require significant community support through sponsorships and fundraising, with invitations potentially arriving as late as one week before the event.

KWCH

KC-Area School Districts Approve Nearly $200 Million in Bonds

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Voters across the Kansas City metro approved nearly $200 million in school bonds and levy measures in Tuesday's municipal elections, funding building improvements, debt retirement and staff pay. The Independence School District passed a $60 million bond by nearly 73 percent to renovate three elementary schools, while the Fort Osage district approved a $35 million bond and a 24-cent levy transfer to shore up operations. Grain Valley voters backed a $40 million bond for elementary additions, a new middle school athletic facility and safety upgrades. In south Kansas City, the Hickman Mills district overwhelmingly approved a $20 million bond and levy transfer to pay off debt and free up operating funds, and the Center district passed a $29 million bond and levy transfer for building and classroom improvements. Lee's Summit voters approved a full Proposition C waiver by about 60 percent, raising the operating levy 12 cents and generating an additional $3 million to $4.5 million annually for teacher and staff pay.

KCUR

Sources

1. KSHB / KCTV5
2. KWCH
3. KWCH
4. KCUR

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