Today (Sunday): mostly sunny, then a chance of showers/thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High near 97°F, heat index as high as 103°F, east wind 3–7 mph (30% rain). Tonight: a chance of storms before 11 p.m., partly cloudy, low around 73°F — heat index still up to 99°F, east-southeast wind ~8 mph (40%). Labor Day: mostly sunny, high near 96°F, heat index up to 100°F, east-southeast ~9 mph. Tuesday: sunny, high near 100°F — the peak of the stretch before the warning expires at 8 p.m. Tuesday night.
Organizers of SantaCaliGon Days in Independence and the Hummingbird Festival are warning attendees about the record heat. SantaCaliGon is adding cooling and first-aid stations, shaded rest tents with medical staff, and an American Medical Response crew with med carts and an ambulance on-site; the Chamber of Commerce office on the Square is open for a break in the A/C. Hydrate before arriving and don't rely on alcohol for fluids. Metro
The council holds a closed executive session at 4 p.m. followed by its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, on the first floor of Independence Municipal Commons (20201 E. Jackson Dr.). Note: most city facilities are closed Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day; the Truman Memorial Building, Palmer Center and National Frontier Trails Museum were also closed Sept. 4 for the festival.
— City of Independence, Regular City Council meeting · Closed Executive Session
Demolition of the former Independence City Hall/Municipal Court at 111 E. Maple Ave. is underway, KSHB reported. Mid-Continent Public Library will take over the space and plans to spend about $44 million to build its new headquarters. City services moved to the new Municipal Commons (the former GEHA building on East Jackson Drive near Little Blue Parkway); police records relocated to the former Independence Utilities Center and Municipal Court moved to police headquarters.
The city is highlighting local mental-health and suicide-prevention resources for National 988 Day; the Independence Police Department took part in the statewide "Saturation Saturday" DWI patrol; Richard Kemple continues as interim director of Independence Power & Light following Joe Hegendeffer's Aug. 7 departure; and police are seeking a wanted fugitive, Dustin D. Phegley.
— City of Independence, mental health · City of Independence, DWI, Sep 1 · City of Independence, IPL · City of Independence, fugitive
The Independence School District board meets Tuesday, Sept. 8 at Central Office (201 N. Forest Ave.), preceded by a 5:45 p.m. Public Hearing on the property-tax rate (the hearing notice lists a proposed rate of $5.5009 per $100, split $4.5891 operating + $0.9118 debt service). Key items published in the Sept. 8 agenda packet:
Forward-looking item summarizing the published Sept. 8 agenda packet.
— ISD Sept. 8 regular board meeting packet · Public hearing (tax rate) packet
The Nebius data center, its tax incentives approved in March, remains tied to the district's finances — the ISD board passed a resolution backing the project, with the district standing to gain significantly over two decades per earlier KCUR reporting. The Sept. 1 recall vote remains the clearest signal of local sentiment about the deal.
New filing: BLEU HOUSE BISTRO (Retail by Drink and Sunday by Drink) at 15800 US 24, filed 09/01/2026, from licensee Bleu House Bistro, Inc. (Corporation) — the most recent local liquor filings.
New filing: BINGHAM WAGGONER ESTATE (Caterer - Retail by Drink), filed 08/25/2026; and (Picnic - Retail by Drink), filed 08/20/2026, both at 313 Pacific. Licensees: J Creek, LLC (Limited Liability Company) and 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).
The Jackson County Board of Elections meets Tuesday, Sept. 8 to hand-count the 1,650 votes in the first-district recall of Councilman John Perkins (68.05% "yes," 100% of precincts) — the first recall of an Independence City Council member in city history. Once certified and confirmed by the City Clerk, the seat goes to the council, which is expected to act Sept. 21. City Manager Troy Anderson recommends a Feb. 2, 2027 primary and April 6, 2027 general to fill the seat, which could share election costs with other jurisdictions; the recall cost an estimated $164,000. Perkins says he stands by his March vote and won't fight the result. He was one of five members who backed the Nebius data-center tax incentives.
The March vote granted the Dutch AI firm Nebius more than $6 billion in tax breaks for a ~400-acre "AI factory" near Highway 78 and Little Blue Parkway, and opponents launched a referendum effort that a Jackson County judge blocked. A group calling itself the Independence GUARD Alliance has sued the city, alleging zoning, Sunshine-law and charter violations and seeking to halt construction — which the city denies. Two council members who backed the project were ousted in April; Kevin King, who ran on transparency, is now mayor.
The 54th annual festival continues on Historic Independence Square through Monday, Sept. 7 (5 p.m.), with carnival rides, live music, vendors and frontier-history activities. New this year: a minor curfew (6 p.m.–6 a.m.) for anyone under 18 in the festival district that debuted with a calm first night — police recorded 30–40 violations with no arrests, per IPD PIO Allyx McCoy. The curfew ends at noon on Labor Day; one adult may chaperone up to four minors.
Independence marks 25 years since September 11, 2001. From 10 a.m.–8 p.m. at Independence Uptown Market (211 W. Truman Rd.) there are memorial displays, family activities, the Independence Fire Department's ladder truck and flag display, and broadcasts of the 9/11 timeline. A community memorial service at 6:30 p.m. includes remarks from Mayor Kevin King and Missouri State Rep. Will Jobe, a wreath presentation, a ringing of the bell and Taps.
A free Special Presentation: Fort Osage History runs 2–3 p.m. at the Truman Memorial Building (416 W. Maple Ave.), while a Homeschool Recreation nature hike for ages 6–18 runs at 2 p.m. at George Owens Nature Park (1601 Speck Rd.). The Independence Park Commission meets at 4:30 p.m. at the Roger T. Sermon Community Center (201 N. Dodgion St.).
— City of Independence, Fort Osage History · City of Independence, Homeschool Recreation · City of Independence, Park Commission
| Sun 9/6 | Extreme Heat Warning (through Sept. 8) · Mostly sunny, high ~97°, heat index ~103°, chance storms after 2 p.m. · SantaCaliGon Day 3 |
| Mon 9/7 | Labor Day · Most city facilities closed · Mostly sunny, high ~96°, heat index ~100° · SantaCaliGon final day (ends 5 p.m.) · Curfew ends at noon |
| Tue 9/8 | Closed Executive Session 4 p.m. · City Council regular meeting 6 p.m., Municipal Commons · ISD public hearing on tax rate 5:45 p.m. & board meeting 6 p.m. · Jackson County certifies recall (hand count) |
| Thu 9/10 | Fort Osage History presentation 2 p.m., Truman Memorial Building · Homeschool Recreation 2 p.m., George Owens Nature Park · Park Commission 4:30 p.m., Sermon Center |
| Fri 9/11 | 9/11 Memorial Service, Uptown Market, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. · Community memorial 6:30 p.m. (25th anniversary) |
| Sep 21 | City Council first reading on replacement-election schedule (Feb. 2 primary / April 6 general) |