Kansas City’s ambitious streetcar plans hit a potential speed bump Thursday with the filing of a lawsuit by two downtown property owners.

In the wake of Barack Obama’s historic election as president four years ago, commentators and newspaper editorials trumpeted a new optimism that the nation had turned the corner on race relations.

Kansas City government would boost street resurfacing, youth activities and overall communication with citizens under the budget recommendation Tuesday from City Manager Troy Schulte to Mayor Sly James.

Customers have long described Water Services as among Kansas City’s most dysfunctional municipal departments. But a consultant said Tuesday the organization is finally starting to act more like a professional utility.

Kansas City residents will start to see the results of their vote approving a new park tax as early as this weekend. Park officials announced Tuesday that two more community centers will now be open on Sundays. A …

Now that voters have approved a new half-cent sales tax, Kansas City officials want residents to see progress — and soon. The sales tax will be dedicated to the city’s parks and community centers. But it will also …

Kansas City residents feel better about their city with Mayor Sly James in office than they did in the previous administration, according to the latest satisfaction scores.

Kansas City should replace its complicated, unfair business license fee with a rate structure that removes much of the favorable treatment given to select businesses. That was the final recommendation Monday from a citizens commission that spent this …

City has two questions on Aug. 7 ballot

For years, Kansas City residents have clamored for better streets, parks and community centers.

Mayor Sly James thinks now is the right time to ask residents for tax increases for infrastructure, but first he’ll have to convince a skeptical City Council.

Kansas City’s firefighters union on Thursday ratified a three-year agreement with the city that factors in a $7.6 million cut to the Fire Department but strives to avoid layoffs.

The state would be able to replace the school board of the unaccredited Kansas City district with a new governing structure as soon as this year under a bill that won near unanimous approval Thursday in the Missouri …

Mayors insist they cooperate more than compete

Chastain objects

Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s affirm KC’s ratings

Horsley: City awaits other rating agency reports

A blogger wants to make a distinction in how Gov. Scott Walker and Gov. Jay Nixon are using foreclosure funds and Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley speaks out against raising casino entrance fees.

The blogosphere reacts to Mayor James’ budget proposals and Kansas university officials are against a conceal and carry bill that’s advancing in the Kansas House.

Missouri education officials would be able to intervene in failing school districts immediately instead of having to wait two years under a bill being considered by lawmakers. If passed, the legislation could result in the school board of …

Kansas City police handcuffed Mayor Sly James’ adult son after he allegedly caused a disturbance and refused to pay his bill at a Power & Light District restaurant early Saturday.

Mayor Sly James has cleaned house at the Tax Increment Financing Commission, appointing all new members to represent the city and returning Ron Yaffe as chairman.

Kansas City Mayor Sly James fulfilled a campaign pledge Wednesday, announcing the formation of the blue-ribbon Commission on Municipal Revenue.

The circus and monster trucks have already found a new home at the Sprint Center, and now the rodeo is also riding out of Kemper Arena.

Bar owners, hoteliers, souvenir sellers — and City Hall officials — are starting to noticeably fidget as the player lockout in the National Football League inches closer to threatening the upcoming season.

Kansas City officials say they have come up with a compromise in the prolonged debate over city pensions for former MAST employees.

Professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek announced Wednesday that he will donate the world-class skate features from this weekend’s Sprint Center competition to the skate park in Penn Valley Park.

Raising fees and taxes isn’t an easy sell in these economic times, but Kansas City’s park board members hope voters will support an additional fee for parks.

Small businesses in Kansas City have complained for years about bureaucratic hassles and regulations at City Hall.

The city of Kansas City has converted the remaining bonds for the downtown Power & Light District from their original variable-rate interest to a 4.69 percent fixed rate.

Kansas City Municipal Court officials say they are adding days to the Housing Court schedule now that the longtime housing judge has retired.

Wyandotte County got the big party, but Kansas City, Mo., will be getting in on the Google hook-up.

A push to give St. Louis local control of its police department collapsed Friday, moving Missourians closer than ever to a vote on police governance there — and in Kansas City.

In his first remarks since taking office on a cross-border business incentive war that’s gained national attention, Mayor Sly James said Wednesday the city would no longer “sit on the sidelines” and watch Kansas poach its businesses.

Kansas City Mayor Sly James on Tuesday named Danny Rotert, veteran communications director for U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, as his new mayoral communications director.

Sly James officially became Kansas City’s mayor when he was sworn in Sunday in a short ceremony at City Hall.

Backers of a proposed convention hotel for downtown Kansas City are considering revisions they say could shave up to $60 million from its previously estimated $350 million price tag.

A bittersweet attitude surrounds for Mayor Mark Funkhouser’s departure, as some of his former supporters reflect on the past four years.

Kansas City Mayor-elect Sly James on Friday named Councilwoman Cindy Circo as mayor pro tem — the person who stands in when the mayor is absent.

Q & A … with myself.

The victory of the earnings tax vote ends a year-long battle over the 1 percent tax that the city began collecting in the early 1960s. It has become the city’s single biggest revenue source, providing more than $200 …

Two cities, two tales — two days before Tuesday’s vote.

D

A Kansas City Council committee on Wednesday endorsed a $1.2 billion budget that allows the city to limp along without employee raises or much change in basic services.

Kansas City voters elected Sly James as their new mayor Tuesday, choosing a political newcomer who pledged to restore confidence in City Hall.

Today, Kansas City voters will choose their next mayor: Mike Burke or Sly James.

Polls last week showed that a big bubble of Kansas Citians aren’t sure who they’ll vote for for mayor. Almost a quarter of voters in a Wilson Research Strategies survey conducted for political consultant Jeff Roe said they …

Kansas City’s two mayoral candidates engaged in good-natured sparring Wednesday even as pollsters say the race is a dead heat with less than a week before Tuesday’s election.

Sly James has a financial advantage heading into the final week of Kansas City’s mayor’s race, but Mike Burke is not far behind, according to campaign disclosures released Monday.

The college student wanted to know: Is this race for Kansas City mayor a big deal?

Kansas City’s two mayoral candidates pressed Tuesday to highlight key differences as the March 22 election draws closer.

Headed to a restaurant after church, Sly James and his wife stopped by their Hyde Park house to pick up their daughter.

Both candidates were equally overjoyed.

Kansas City is picking sides all over again.

There is no rest, it seems, for mayoral candidates.

Kansas City voters took the stunning step Tuesday night of rejecting incumbent Mayor Mark Funkhouser’s bid for re-election.

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser has become the first incumbent since the 1920s to lose a primary election.The loss Tuesday for the first-term mayor puts an end to a four-year tenure marked by…

Sly James and Mike Burke won the Kansas City mayoral primary in a field of six candidates.

Today we’ll move one step closer to knowing the next mayor for Kansas City.

What makes the great ones great?

It was clear Thursday night that election day in the Kansas City mayoral race was drawing close, as some candidates sharpened their attacks.

Kansas City mayoral candidate Charlie Wheeler announced Wednesday that he was dropping out of the race and throwing his support behind rival candidate Mike Burke.

This year’s mayor’s race features Mark Funkhouser, the incumbent seeking his second term, and six challengers — a high number of candidates for a race without an open seat.

Scorching.

Job creation, small-business growth and crime were key topics dominating Tuesday evening’s debate among Kansas City’s seven mayoral candidates.

At a forum, most mayoral candidates oppose increasing property levies and trash charges.

As the Kansas City mayor’s race shifts into high gear, the bumper crop of candidates argues about almost everything, but agrees on one point.

Six weeks to go before Kansas City’s mayoral primary. Time to get serious.

Kansas City mayoral candidate Jim Rowland’s recent endorsement from Freedom Inc. is a shocker on so many levels.

Freedom Inc. is backing Jim Rowland in the crowded Kansas City mayor’s race.

Maybe it was the degree of candor that caught me off guard.

The Kansas City mayor’s race is heating up and promises to be a doozy. It’s drawing large crowds at forums and screenings, with a parade of seven challengers, so far, taking on first-term Mayor Mark Funkhouser.

The Citizens Association, a Kansas City political club, voted Thursday night to endorse former City Councilman Mike Burke for Kansas City mayor.

Kansas City mayor Mark Funkhouser announces his bid for reelection

Two Kansas City Council members called Thursday for improvements to the city’s ethics rules, including guarding against potential conflicts of interest.

JEFFERSON CITY | Leonard “Jonas” Hughes IV, a Missouri state representative and Kansas City mayoral candidate, owes nearly $1,300 in delinquent taxes, records show.