Savannah Hawley-Bates
Missouri Government and Politics Reporter | KCURAs KCUR’s local government reporter, Savannah Hawley-Bates holds leaders accountable and shows how their decisions about development, transit, and the economy shape people’s lives. She meets with residents at city council meetings, on picket lines, and in their communities to break down how power and inequities affect the Kansas City region. Reach her at savannahhawley@kcur.org.
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The film is set to begin production in July and will be shot exclusively on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro — including Arrowhead Stadium. -
Jackson County charged two people under 18 with unspecified gun offenses and resisting arrest in connection with the shooting at the end of Wednesday's Chiefs parade and rally, which killed one and injured 22 others. The court says more charges may come in the future. -
Kansas City Police say that no charges have been filed yet against any of the three detained suspects, two of whom are juveniles. The only confirmed death so far in Wednesday's shooting at Union Station is 43-year-old Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a local radio DJ. -
Previously, dispatchers were classified as clerical workers, which didn’t give them access to the benefits other first responders receive. Experts hope this will attract more candidates to the job. -
Severe storms and winds kept racers in the MR340, a river race from Kansas City to St. Charles, from finishing the endurance race. But, they still plan to celebrate on Friday night. -
Amendment 3 legalized recreational marijuana in Missouri. It also required all nonviolent marijuana-related misdemeanors and felonies to be expunged by June 8 and December 8, respectively. But the state doesn’t know how many cases are left, and experts say the courts aren't equipped to handle those that remain before June or December. -
Andrew D. Lester appeared for a three-minute hearing at the Clay County Courthouse for a formal reading of his two felony charges, first degree assault and armed criminal action. Meanwhile, Lee Merritt, a lawyer representing the teen’s family, said the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the shooting as a federal hate crime. -
Protesters demanded the shooter's arrest and said Kansas City police don't do enough to protect Black children. Police Chief Stacey Graves said they need a statement from the victim before they can proceed with any possible charges. -
Missouri’s recent legalization of recreational, adult-use marijuana has opened new opportunities for more people to buy from dispensaries. Experts say the state’s relatively low prices and taxes have created a “canna-tourism” industry.
