Josh Merchant
@jshmrchnt.bsky.social
possum rights activist & oat milk enthusiast (they/them) // local government reporter at The Beacon KC
Reposted by Josh Merchant
Al Jazeera Media Network condemns the targeted assassination of its correspondents Anas Al Sharif and Mohammeel Qraiqea, along with photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher, and Mohamed Nofal, by Israeli forces.
#JournalismIsNotACrime
#JournalismIsNotACrime
August 11, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Al Jazeera Media Network condemns the targeted assassination of its correspondents Anas Al Sharif and Mohammeel Qraiqea, along with photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher, and Mohamed Nofal, by Israeli forces.
#JournalismIsNotACrime
#JournalismIsNotACrime
Reposted by Josh Merchant
Primary election day is tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 5. Learn more about candidates for a number of Wyandotte County positions, including mayor of the Unified Government. (@thebeacon.bsky.social) https://loom.ly/ebkNmnU
Your guide to Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, primary elections
Primary election day is Tuesday, Aug. 5. Learn more about candidates for a number of Wyandotte County positions, including mayor of the Unified Government.
www.kcur.org
August 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Primary election day is tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 5. Learn more about candidates for a number of Wyandotte County positions, including mayor of the Unified Government. (@thebeacon.bsky.social) https://loom.ly/ebkNmnU
Reposted by Josh Merchant
The Beacon reached out to all six candidates for mayor in #Wyandotte County to help you understand what’s at stake on Aug. 5. All but one responded.
Property taxes, policing and political culture: Where the mayor candidates stand on key issues in Wyandotte County
The Beacon reached out to all six candidates for mayor in Wyandotte County to help you understand what’s at stake on Aug. 5. All but one responded.
buff.ly
July 31, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The Beacon reached out to all six candidates for mayor in #Wyandotte County to help you understand what’s at stake on Aug. 5. All but one responded.
Reposted by Josh Merchant
1. Florida banned cities from lighting up bridges rainbow colors for Pride.
So the people of Jacksonville did it themselves using flashlights and gels.
They opened the drawbridge to block them.
So they marched to a different bridge.
The latest from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
So the people of Jacksonville did it themselves using flashlights and gels.
They opened the drawbridge to block them.
So they marched to a different bridge.
The latest from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Defying DeSantis, Florida Pride Marchers Light Up Jacksonville Bridge with Rainbow
Organizers demonstrated that they didn’t need state permission for queer visibility.
www.erininthemorning.com
June 3, 2025 at 1:01 AM
1. Florida banned cities from lighting up bridges rainbow colors for Pride.
So the people of Jacksonville did it themselves using flashlights and gels.
They opened the drawbridge to block them.
So they marched to a different bridge.
The latest from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
So the people of Jacksonville did it themselves using flashlights and gels.
They opened the drawbridge to block them.
So they marched to a different bridge.
The latest from S. Baum.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
NEW KCPD STORY: At the budget hearings in Feb, Mayor Lucas asked KCPD if $3.5 million would be enough to pay for upcoming lawsuits. They told him it was a “reasonable amount.”
Two months later, KCPD announced it would pay $18.1 million for two settlements. That is 5x the amount they budgeted for.
Two months later, KCPD announced it would pay $18.1 million for two settlements. That is 5x the amount they budgeted for.
‘What the hell are we doing here?’: Weeks into the fiscal year, KCPD has already maxed out its lawsuit fund
During a public budget hearing, KCPD budget officials told the council that $3.5 million would be enough for legal expenses this year. Two months later, the board announced $18.1 million in lawsuit se...
thebeaconnews.org
May 22, 2025 at 2:58 AM
NEW KCPD STORY: At the budget hearings in Feb, Mayor Lucas asked KCPD if $3.5 million would be enough to pay for upcoming lawsuits. They told him it was a “reasonable amount.”
Two months later, KCPD announced it would pay $18.1 million for two settlements. That is 5x the amount they budgeted for.
Two months later, KCPD announced it would pay $18.1 million for two settlements. That is 5x the amount they budgeted for.
Reposted by Josh Merchant
You might notice weather forecasts becoming less accurate. There's a reason for that.
KC meteorologists rely on the National Weather Service — nearly 2,500 job cuts put storm warnings at risk
Trump layoffs have hit the National Weather Service, the agency responsible for collecting weather data. That could spell danger for millions of people who rely on accurate forecasts.
buff.ly
May 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM
You might notice weather forecasts becoming less accurate. There's a reason for that.
Reposted by Josh Merchant
Dyslexia affects 20% of people and represents nearly 90% of all those with learning disabilities. So, let's talk about what that means for you: join The Beacon & RevEd on 5/20 for an important conversation around how Dyslexia affects students and families.
A Seat at The Table: The Impacts of Dyslexia on students and parents
Join us for a discussion on how dyslexia affects students and parents - come grab a seat at the table!
buff.ly
May 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Dyslexia affects 20% of people and represents nearly 90% of all those with learning disabilities. So, let's talk about what that means for you: join The Beacon & RevEd on 5/20 for an important conversation around how Dyslexia affects students and families.
NEW STORY: This has flown under the radar, but Jackson County is still operating without an approved budget more than three months into the year.
County leaders say it’s an unprecedented situation that’s seriously hurting the county’s ability to provide services.
County leaders say it’s an unprecedented situation that’s seriously hurting the county’s ability to provide services.
Gridlock in local government: Jackson County has been operating without an approved budget for months
County Executive Frank White vetoed the Jackson County budget in January, then four county legislators sued him. The county is still at odds three months later.
thebeaconnews.org
April 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
NEW STORY: This has flown under the radar, but Jackson County is still operating without an approved budget more than three months into the year.
County leaders say it’s an unprecedented situation that’s seriously hurting the county’s ability to provide services.
County leaders say it’s an unprecedented situation that’s seriously hurting the county’s ability to provide services.
Reposted by Josh Merchant
Tonight's the night! Join us over Zoom at 5p for a listening session to hear from experts on Missouri's primary care provider shortage, ask your questions and hear about solutions as the physician workforce ages.
www.eventbrite.com/e/a-seat-at-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/a-seat-at-...
A seat at the table: The impact of primary care shortages in Missouri
Join The Beacon for a panel on Missouri’s primary care shortage. Share your concerns & help ensure every community has a seat at the table!
www.eventbrite.com
April 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Tonight's the night! Join us over Zoom at 5p for a listening session to hear from experts on Missouri's primary care provider shortage, ask your questions and hear about solutions as the physician workforce ages.
www.eventbrite.com/e/a-seat-at-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/a-seat-at-...
losing my mind rn
Crows in a lab were able to distinguish shapes that exhibited right angles, parallel lines, and symmetry, suggesting that, like humans, they have a special ability to perceive geometric regularity.
A crow's math skills include geometry
Crows in a lab were able to distinguish shapes that exhibited right angles, parallel lines, and symmetry, suggesting that, like humans, they have a special ability to perceive geometric regularity.
www.npr.org
April 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
losing my mind rn
Reposted by Josh Merchant
Jackson County residents were riled up because of a court ruling last week in which a judge sided with the Missouri State Tax Commission, ordering the county to roll back recent property assessment increases that were greater than 15% — roughly three out of four properties. buff.ly/FiLbqqd
Jackson County may roll back property assessments — but don’t hold your breath for a refund
A judge ruled that Jackson County has to roll back its property assessment increases. But there’s still no end in sight for the county’s assessment troubles.
thebeaconnews.org
April 11, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Jackson County residents were riled up because of a court ruling last week in which a judge sided with the Missouri State Tax Commission, ordering the county to roll back recent property assessment increases that were greater than 15% — roughly three out of four properties. buff.ly/FiLbqqd
Reposted by Josh Merchant
An open letter to the City of Kansas City, Missouri:
Shared knowledge is critical to a well-functioning society and participation in democratic processes. That's why we call on Kansas City Council to set expectations for the next city manager to work more collaboratively with journalists.
Shared knowledge is critical to a well-functioning society and participation in democratic processes. That's why we call on Kansas City Council to set expectations for the next city manager to work more collaboratively with journalists.
An open letter to the City of Kansas City, Missouri, from its local journalists
Our newsrooms believe that shared knowledge is critical to a well-functioning society and participation in democratic processes. That's why we call on Kansas City Council to set expectations for the n...
www.kcur.org
April 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
An open letter to the City of Kansas City, Missouri:
Shared knowledge is critical to a well-functioning society and participation in democratic processes. That's why we call on Kansas City Council to set expectations for the next city manager to work more collaboratively with journalists.
Shared knowledge is critical to a well-functioning society and participation in democratic processes. That's why we call on Kansas City Council to set expectations for the next city manager to work more collaboratively with journalists.
City Manager Brian Platt has officially been fired.
It turns out that city managers in KC are just about as likely to be fired as they are to resign on their own terms.
I take a look at some of that history in my latest for @thebeacon.bsky.social!
thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025...
It turns out that city managers in KC are just about as likely to be fired as they are to resign on their own terms.
I take a look at some of that history in my latest for @thebeacon.bsky.social!
thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025...
thebeaconnews.org
March 27, 2025 at 6:11 PM
City Manager Brian Platt has officially been fired.
It turns out that city managers in KC are just about as likely to be fired as they are to resign on their own terms.
I take a look at some of that history in my latest for @thebeacon.bsky.social!
thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025...
It turns out that city managers in KC are just about as likely to be fired as they are to resign on their own terms.
I take a look at some of that history in my latest for @thebeacon.bsky.social!
thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025...
Reposted by Josh Merchant
When Missourians line up to take the written test before getting their learner’s permit, only 39% will get a passing score. Compare that to Kansas, where 76% pass the test.
As Missouri teens get into deadly car wrecks, a lawmaker wants to require driver’s education
Missourians are more likely to flunk their driver’s test than pass it. This bill would create a mandatory driver’s education course in high schools.
buff.ly
February 21, 2025 at 5:45 PM
When Missourians line up to take the written test before getting their learner’s permit, only 39% will get a passing score. Compare that to Kansas, where 76% pass the test.
My latest for @thebeacon.bsky.social about the home demolitions in the Valentine neighborhood.
In 1909, there were 80 homes and businesses on a four-block area of this neighborhood. All but eight of them have been demolished as of last month. thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024...
In 1909, there were 80 homes and businesses on a four-block area of this neighborhood. All but eight of them have been demolished as of last month. thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024...
As Kansas City Life Insurance flattens houses in the Valentine neighborhood, residents anxiously await what’s next
KC Life said its plans for a future mixed-use development are not ready to be made public. Valentine residents complain that the insurance company has been hollowing out the neighborhood for decades.
thebeaconnews.org
December 18, 2024 at 8:23 PM
My latest for @thebeacon.bsky.social about the home demolitions in the Valentine neighborhood.
In 1909, there were 80 homes and businesses on a four-block area of this neighborhood. All but eight of them have been demolished as of last month. thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024...
In 1909, there were 80 homes and businesses on a four-block area of this neighborhood. All but eight of them have been demolished as of last month. thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024...