No active NWS alerts for Independence (Kansas City/Pleasant Hill office). Today (Sunday): sunny, high near 98°F, with a heat index as high as 101°F, SSW wind around 14 mph gusting to 25 mph. Tonight: mostly clear, low around 80°F, heat index as high as 98°F.
Monday: sunny, high near 100°F, heat index as high as 101°F, SSW wind 13 mph gusting to 21 mph (low ~79°, heat index 99°). Tuesday: sunny, high near 99°F (low ~80°). Wednesday: sunny, high near 98°F (low ~79°). Expect muggy overnight lows and a continuing stretch of dangerous heat — hydrate, take breaks, and check on neighbors headed into the Labor Day holiday week.
The recall of 1st District Councilman John Perkins — over his March vote approving nearly $6 billion in tax abatements for the Nebius AI data center in Little Blue Valley — lands Tuesday, Sept. 1. KCTV calls it the first recall of its kind in the U.S. over a data-center vote; UMKC political scientist Debra Leiter says it's being watched nationally as the first of roughly 25 data-center-centered recall efforts. Only District 1 voters (most of northeast Independence, west of 291 and north of 23rd Street) cast ballots, at three consolidated sites — Maywood Baptist Church, the North Independence Branch Library, and Roger T. Sermon Community Center. The special election costs Independence taxpayers $164,400.
Phillips Edison Group LLC has asked the city to rezone the former J.C. Penney near 39th Street and Bolger Road for a Dillons grocery with a drive-through pharmacy, online-order pickup and a c-store/fuel center. City staff suggest approving it; the issue is expected to get a first council reading around Sept. 21, with a possible public hearing at the first October council meeting. Dillons is separately planning returns in Johnson County, the Northland and Lee's Summit.
Sgt. Emily Kennon, a 22-year Independence Police Department veteran, filed suit in Jackson County Circuit Court alleging sex discrimination, a hostile work environment and retaliation — largely centered on former Deputy Chief Jason Petersen. She says she was denied FBI leadership training repeatedly offered to male sergeants and left ineligible for a captain post (she was reportedly 12 days short of the eligibility cutoff and her waiver request was denied). She seeks damages and restoration to the career track she says she lost. She's described as the latest IPD officer to sue the city.
Richard Kemple is serving as interim director of Independence Power & Light, following the Aug. 7 departure of Director Joe Hegendeffer (announced by City Manager Troy Anderson in early August). Separately, the city's national search for a permanent police chief — applications closed Aug. 17, salary $150,000–$180,000 via Strategic Government Resources — continues, with Interim Chief Doug Brinkley leading the department and a public open house planned for finalists. Both are older items but remain live threads.
— City of Independence, Aug 6 · City of Independence, Jul 20
Caleb J. Eyde, 21, an Independence School District elementary substitute teacher, faces one count of possession and four counts of distribution of child pornography after a criminal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court (Western District of Missouri). Investigators say cyber-tips about Discord activity led them to him; he'd worked for the district since April 2025. He allegedly admitted to downloading and trading material after becoming a substitute. He's accused of giving statements about worrying over losing his position. Charges are accusations, not evidence of guilt.
The district's published board-meeting dates run through Aug. 28 (the most recent meeting); no agenda has been posted yet for the upcoming meeting, so there's nothing concrete to preview. Check the ISD board meetings page for the next posted agenda.
New filing: BINGHAM WAGGONER ESTATE (Caterer - Retail by Drink) at 313 Pacific, filed 08/25/2026, from licensee J Creek, LLC (Limited Liability Company) — the most recent local liquor filing.
New filing: BINGHAM WAGGONER ESTATE (Picnic - Retail by Drink) at 313 Pacific, filed 08/20/2026, from licensee Bingham Waggoner Historical Society (Corporation).
New filings: SMOKE 4 LESS & CONVENIENCE STORE (Original Package Liquor / Original Package Tasting / Sunday Original Package) at 1701 S Noland Rd, filed 08/19/2026 — three filings from licensee Light Liquor LLC (Limited Liability Company).
First District voters decide Tuesday, Sept. 1 whether to recall Councilman John Perkins over his March 5–2 vote approving tax incentives for the Nebius AI data center. The Jackson County Election Board certified the ballot after a judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block the vote. Perkins says he'll keep fighting to retain his seat and stands behind the vote. KSHB notes two other "yes" votes — Jared Fears and Bridget McCandless — already lost their April bids amid the backlash.
— KSHB 41 · KCTV5 · Kansas City Star (suit dismissed) · Jackson County Election Board
The City Council voted to put a bond on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot for maintenance of city-owned historic sites, with The Examiner reporting the measure targets locations including Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Vaile Mansion, the 1827 Log Courthouse, Historic Fire Station 1 and the Truman Memorial area. Forward-looking item summarizing the published agenda/action; vote totals were in prior press.
Bly Road residents backed by the Independence GUARD Alliance filed a 16-count, 52-page suit in Jackson County Circuit Court against the city, Missouri ADC Holdings and Independence Power Partners, seeking to halt the Nebius hyperscale AI data factory and alleging zoning and Sunshine Law violations. The city and Nebius deny wrongdoing. The 400-acre site at Little Blue Parkway and Missouri 78 broke ground in spring.
— KSHB 41
The City of Independence is marking International Overdose Awareness Day with free Narcan and overdose information. Health/Animal Services and ARCH Program members will be out today, 10:30–11:30 a.m. at the Mid-Continent Public Library Farview Branch (18109 E. 12th St. N.); and Monday, Aug. 31 at Walmart-Bolger Road (9:30–11:30 a.m.), the North Branch Library (1–2:30 p.m.) and Walmart-S. Noland Rd (3–4:30 p.m.). Mayor Rory Rowland emphasizes the tool as a way families can save a life.
Independence's annual Hummingbird Festival is back at George Owens Nature Park (1601 S. Speck Rd.): presentations and activities as ruby-throated hummingbirds prepare to migrate. Hours: Thurs & Fri Sept. 3–4, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat Sept. 5, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free, thanks to the Parks Improvement Sales Tax.
The Labor Day weekend festival on Independence Square enforces a 6 p.m.–6 a.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors (under 18 must be with a parent/guardian), passed 7–0 after this summer's chaos at Lee's Summit's Downtown Days. Exceptions apply for emergency errands, school, and lawful employment.
— KCTV5, Aug 17 · KSHB 41
The city's Heritage Commission meets Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at Independence Municipal Commons (20201 E. Jackson Dr.). The agenda is posted at least 24 hours in advance; historic-preservation items expected. (No City Council meeting listed this weekend; council business resumes with the Sept. 21 Dillons first reading and the Nov. 3 bond measure.)
A bi-weekly program for homeschool students ages 6–18 (PE-style games, rotating activities, occasional crafts and outdoor trips). Sept. 10 is a special excursion with a nature hike at George Owens Nature Park. $4/child, $15 for a family of four or more.
| Sun 30 | Sunny, high 98°, heat index ~101° (today) · Overdose Awareness Day: free Narcan, Farview Library 10:30–11:30 a.m. |
| Mon 31 | Sunny, high 100°, heat index ~101° · Free Narcan: Walmart-Bolger 9:30–11:30, N. Library 1–2:30, Walmart-Noland 3–4:30 |
| Tue 9/1 | Sunny, high 99° · Recall election — 1st District Councilman John Perkins (3 polling sites) · Heritage Commission 6 p.m., Municipal Commons |
| Wed 9/2 | Sunny, high 98° |
| Thu 9/3 | Hummingbird Festival Day 1, George Owens Nature Park, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Sep 4–7 | SantaCaliGon Days festival on Independence Square (6 p.m.–6 a.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors) · Hummingbird Festival continues Sept. 4–5 |
| Thu 9/10 | Homeschool Recreation, George Owens Nature Park, 2 p.m. |