Kearney Food Pantry Hosts Cereal Drive-By to Feed Local Kids

This summer, you can be a hero—with just a box of cereal. The Kearney Food Pantry is inviting the community to step up and help children in need by donating cereal during its special Cereal Drive-By event on Wednesday, July 16 from 10 am to 2 pm at 108 W. Washington Street.

With school out for summer, many children who rely on school meals are left without a steady breakfast. The cereal drive aims to fill that gap—one box at a time.

Community members are encouraged to “drive by and drop off” boxes of cereal at the pantry. Every donor will receive a FREE drink token from Sonic as a thank-you for their support.

"One small donation can mean the world to a hungry child," said organizers from the Kearney Food Pantry. "Let’s come together and make sure no child starts their day hungry this summer."

Invite your friends, family, and coworkers to participate. Whether it’s one box or a whole trunkful, every donation helps fill empty bowls—and brings hope to local families.

Fill the shelves. Fill hearts. Be breakfast heroes.

For more information, visit KearneyFoodPantry.com or contact the pantry directly.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Chamber Launches Academy to Build Future Leaders

The Kearney Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of Empower Kearney: Leadership Academy, a new nine-month initiative designed to cultivate strong, engaged leaders equipped to make a lasting impact in the community.

Dubbed “Leadership for Impact,” the program offers both emerging and seasoned professionals a structured path to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their networks, and deepen their understanding of local issues. The inaugural class—set to begin in September and conclude in May—will meet monthly on the second Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Each session is themed around a leadership focus and a community topic, from self-awareness and conflict resolution to education, healthcare, and economic development. Participants will also engage with local leaders and organizations, offering them a practical and in-depth view of Kearney’s civic and business landscape.

“This academy is more than just a leadership course—it’s an investment in Kearney’s future,” Chamber Executive Director Stacie Bratcher. “By empowering individuals to lead with intention and community focus, we’re building a stronger, more connected city.”

Program Highlights:

Start/End Dates: September–May

Time Commitment: One full-day session each month (second Fridays)

Cost: $699 for Chamber members, $799 for non-members

Early Bird Incentive: Register by Memorial Day to receive a Leadership Resource Bundle and “Founding Class” recognition

Group Discounts: Organizations sending multiple participants receive 5% off each additional registration.

The curriculum includes professional development tools such as the CliftonStrengths assessment, guided reflection, and hands-on community engagement. Topics range from ethics and motivation to mental health and civic leadership. The academy concludes in May with the creation of personalized leadership plans and a graduation ceremony celebrating the cohort’s journey.

Flexible invoicing is available, including an extra 5% discount for payments made in full via cash or check by September 1st.

For more information or to register, visit KearneyChamber.org or contact the Chamber office at (816) 628-4229.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Closures and Flagging Scheduled on MO 33

Drivers in Clay County should plan for delays and detours as the Missouri Department of Transportation conducts pipe replacement work on Missouri Route 33 at 172nd Street. The work will take place from Monday, July 7, through Thursday, July 10, and is weather-dependent.

Traffic modifications for the project include:

Monday, July 7 – Thursday, July 10: 172nd Street will be closed on the west side of MO 33 beginning at 7 am, Monday through 7 pm, Thursday.

Monday, July 7: MoDOT will conduct a flagging operation on MO 33 at 172nd Street from 9 am, to 7 pm.

Tuesday, July 8 – Thursday, July 10: MO 33 will be closed at 172nd Street starting at 9 am, Tuesday through 7 pm. Thursday.

These closures are part of a broader infrastructure improvement effort along MO 33. A separate bridge replacement project is already underway, resulting in a full closure of MO 33 between Route CC and Burris Road near Holt and Kearney. For more details on that project, visit MoDOT’s website: Missouri Route 33 Bridge Replacement in Clay County.

MoDOT urges drivers to slow down, stay alert, and obey all traffic signs when traveling through construction zones. Work zones may involve lane shifts, flagging operations, or short-term closures for maintenance tasks like patching, striping, or mowing.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Sheriff’s Office to Give Gift Cards Instead of Tickets

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office kicked off its No Ticket, Let’s Fix It initiative on Wednesday, July 2, to promote positive interactions between law enforcement and residents.

Instead of issuing a ticket for minor equipment law violations like broken head lamps or turn signal lights, deputies will give drivers a $10 gift card to a local auto parts store to get the replacement part.

“Despite what some may think, we don’t enjoy giving out tickets,” said Community Interaction Sergeant Megan Blackburn, who spearheaded No Ticket, Let’s Fix It. “But it is a part of the job to keep people safe and hold them accountable to the law. This is a way we can inform our citizens of a minor infraction and help give them a way to fix it.”

No Ticket, Let’s Fix It is only possible thanks to generous Clay County auto parts stores that donated the gift cards, including O’Reilly Auto Parts stores in Excelsior Springs, Gladstone, Kearney, Liberty (Liberty O’Reilly employees even contributed from their own pockets) and Smithville; as well as Auto Zone in Liberty.

The program will last until deputies distribute all the gift cards.

KPGZ News – Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Kehoe Signs $50.8B Budget, Cuts Spending with Vetoes and Restrictions

Governor Mike Kehoe has signed Missouri’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) state operating and capital improvement budget, totaling $50.8 billion, while issuing 208 line-item vetoes and 32 spending restrictions to address what he called "unsustainable spending." The vetoes total nearly $300 million in general revenue, with an additional $211 million withheld.

The budget passed by the General Assembly included 450 new items and nearly $775 million in spending beyond Kehoe’s original proposal. Citing reduced federal pandemic aid, major tax cuts, and emergency disaster relief funding, Kehoe said the state must act now to avoid a projected $1 billion revenue shortfall by FY27.

“This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal discipline, limited government, and long-term investment in Missouri’s priorities,” said Kehoe. “We cannot spend beyond our means.”

Key Spending Highlights:

• Public Safety: $10M for the Blue Shield Program, $7M for fentanyl testing in schools, and $2M for sheriff retirement support.

• Economic Development: $91M for rural roads, $10M for childcare expansion grants, and $11M for career and technical centers.

• Agriculture: $55M for Missouri State Fair facilities, $800K for Missouri FFA, and $330K to boost meat and poultry inspection.

• Education: $376M to fully fund school transportation, $50M for scholarship accounts, and $33M to raise teacher pay to the statutory minimum.

Kehoe emphasized the importance of balancing the budget in light of other recent legislative decisions, including:

• An additional $297 million in K-12 funding beyond his historic $200 million recommendation.

• $400 million in anticipated annual revenue loss due to elimination of capital gains taxes.

• Over $210 million in emergency disaster relief funds for recent storm damage.

“These cuts are not a reflection of a weak economy, but of a government spending problem,” said Kehoe. “By acting now, we aim to avoid more severe budget cuts in the future.”

Kehoe’s administration will continue monitoring the state’s financial outlook, with the possibility of further budget restrictions if necessary.

For a full list of vetoed and restricted budget items, visit budget.mo.gov.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.