Good day, Kansas City!
We hope you’re ready to dive into the week’s most exciting news. Let’s get into the headlines.
In Today’s Newsletter:
- Jackson County property tax fight enters a dramatic new chapter.
- Kansas renters may now qualify to erase old eviction records from public view.
- Relive Black Music Month With 12 Unforgettable Live Performances
💡 Black Trivia Question: Recorded in 1939, what haunting Billie Holiday song is widely considered one of the first major protest songs of the Civil Rights Movement?
A) God Bless the Child B) Summertime C) Strange Fruit D) Fine and Mellow
*See the answer after “In Other News”*
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MISSOURI STATE NEWS
LeVota Orders Property Tax Credits, Escalating Jackson County Assessment Battle
Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota has signed an executive order creating property tax credits for homeowners affected by disputed 2023 and 2024 assessments. The move bypasses legislative inaction but sets up new legal and financial battles over who should bear the cost of returning millions of dollars already distributed to schools, cities and libraries.
A MESSAGE FROM THE KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION
KANSAS STATE NEWS
Kansas Renters Can Now Clear Some Old Eviction Records
A new Kansas law gives eligible renters a chance to remove old eviction records that may be keeping them from finding housing. The process is free, most people can complete it without an attorney, and the state has created an online Self-Help Center with the forms and instructions to get started.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
We’ve created one place for you to see events happening around Wichita and the entire state. Check out The Link Up today, our new online calendar!
CULTURE
Music Moments: Black Music Month 2026
Did you miss our Black Music Month 2026 Music Moments series over the Fourth of July weekend? We’ve gathered 12 live performances—from Juneteenth celebrations across Kansas, Wichita Riverfest and R&B Fest—in one place. Turn up the volume, enjoy the music, and watch them anytime.
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We have a brand new Facebook page designated for Kansas City content ONLY! Be the first to know about new stories coming out of KC when you follow our new page. Check it out today.
Get Out This Week In Kansas City:
THEATER: R.A.B. Soul Experiment: Matinee Show. The R.A.B. Soul Experiment is a newly formed Kansas City-based all-star funk and soul powerhouse, the band brings deep grooves, explosive horns, and raw rhythm to the stage. (July 10, 6p.m.-9p.m.)
FESTIVAL: Missouri Wine & Jazz Festival. Nestled in the vibrant Jazz District of Kansas City, the Missouri Wine & Jazz Festival is imbued with the rich aroma of artisan wines and the musical notes of soul-soothing jazz. (July 11, 10a.m.-11p.m.)
MUSIC: Kansas City Jazz Academy Instrumental Combo Camp 2026. The American Jazz Museum is proud to present the 2026 Kansas City Jazz Academy Instrumental Combo Camp. This summer program provides excellent jazz instruction for middle and high school students interested in improving their skills beyond what they’d normally receive in a traditional public/private school music program. (July 12 9a.m.-4p.m.)
COMMUNITY: R&Block: Kansas City’s First Ever R&B Block Party / Cookout. Good Vibes, and Good People! The Safe Space to Have A Safe Fun Time! Don’t Miss It! (July 12, 4p.m-9p.m.)
See more Kansas City events on our new online calendar!
Bright pedicabs are zipping across Kansas City during the World Cup. They’re here to stay. EZ Pedicabs will take you from the West Bottoms to 18th and Vine, or from CPKC Stadium to the Plaza — and anywhere in between. Owners want the company’s electric trishaws to become an essential part of getting around Kansas City, long after the World Cup.. (NPR)
Missouri cannabis workers notch union wins as organizing spreads. A first contract in Columbia and a union vote in St. Louis come as Vibe Cannabis workers prepare for a July election. (Missouri Independent)
Trivia Answer: C) Strange Fruit – This powerful song explicitly protested the horrific lynching of Black Americans in the South and was designated by Time Magazine as the “Song of the Century” in 1999.
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