Fireworks Stands Opening in Kearney

Fireworks stands are popping up around Kearney, but consumers will have to wait a few more days before they are legally allowed to shoot off their noisemakers.

Fireworks vendors are allowed to be open from 9 am to midnight every day from June 20 until July 5.

The Kearney Police Department reminds residents that fireworks may only be discharged from June 28 to July 3, between the hours of 9 am to 10 pm. On July 4, fireworks may be discharged between the hours of 9 am to 11 pm. Fireworks may not be fired or discharged except on the individual’s own property or with the permission of the property owners.

People should not fire any fireworks in a way that would threaten or injure another person. Fireworks may be discharged at other times and places with the permission of the City. Bottle Rockets are ILLEGAL in Kearney City Limits.

Fireworks vendors are allowed to be open from 9 am to midnight every day from June 20 until July 5.

This year Kearney’s fireworks celebration will be on Thursday, July 3. The fireworks display will be at Jesse James Park and the city will have inflatables for the kids and a free concert featuring Platinum Express. The concert starts at 7:30 pm, and the fireworks start at 9:30 pm.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Invites Community to Help Shape Future of Pedestrian Connectivity

The City of Kearney is inviting residents to help shape the future of transportation and livability through the new grant-funded Connected Kearney Plan, a comprehensive initiative focused on enhancing pedestrian infrastructure, downtown improvements, and sidewalk connectivity.

An Open House event will be held Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Kearney Senior Center, 600 N. Jefferson Street. Community members are encouraged to attend and provide feedback as the city works to create a more walkable, accessible, and vibrant community.

The Connected Kearney Plan is funded by a grant from the Mid-America Regional Council’s Planning Sustainable Places (PSP) program and builds on findings from the city’s recent Transportation Master Plan. Residents voiced concerns about unsafe crossings, missing or deteriorating sidewalks, and a lack of trail connections—issues the new plan directly aims to address.

The initiative centers around three key goals:

• City-Wide Connectivity – A long-term strategy to link neighborhoods, parks, schools, and key destinations across Kearney with safe, inclusive pedestrian routes.

• Downtown District Improvements – Revitalization plans for downtown include improved streetscapes, safer intersections, traffic calming, and better parking and public spaces.

• Sidewalk Inventory and Improvements – A full inventory of existing sidewalks will help identify gaps and prioritize repairs or new construction to improve walkability citywide.

City officials say ongoing community involvement will be essential as the plan progresses, with more engagement opportunities to come.

For updates or to share your input, residents can visit the city's website or attend the July 10 Open House. As city leaders put it, “Together, we’re building a more connected, accessible, and thriving Kearney for everyone.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

New Paid Sick Leave Initiative Heads for 2026 Ballot

A renewed attempt to impose paid sick leave and automatic minimum wage increases in Missouri is drawing sharp criticism from the state’s leading business advocacy group, which warns the proposal would severely harm job creators and weaken the economy.

Backers of Proposition A have filed paperwork for Initiative Petition 2026-047, aiming to place a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that would reinstate elements of the 2024 ballot initiative overturned by the legislature in 2025. That original measure required paid sick leave for all employees and set the state on course for a $15 minimum wage by 2026, with further increases tied to inflation.

Lawmakers rolled back those provisions last year through HB 567, citing the need to protect small businesses from costly mandates and unchecked wage growth tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry strongly supported the rollback, arguing that one-size-fits-all mandates damage economic competitiveness and threaten jobs.

If approved by voters, the new measure would again force employers to offer one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, resume CPI-based wage hikes starting in 2027, and allow local governments to exceed state mandates. It would also establish a new legal cause of action, potentially exposing businesses to costly and excessive litigation.

“The requirements in this proposal would have dire effects on Missouri’s economy, annual revenue, Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, GDP, and more,” said Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber, in a letter to Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.

Business leaders are concerned. According to the Chamber’s 2025 CEO Survey, 37% of Missouri employers said the original Proposition A made them less likely to hire. Economic projections suggest the latest version could shrink Missouri’s GDP by nearly $20 billion, with an estimated $6 billion impact on the manufacturing sector alone.

“This proposal undermines the core of free enterprise by stripping businesses of the flexibility they need to compete, grow, and create jobs,” Corches said. “Missouri businesses, especially small employers, cannot afford the burden of blanket mandates and the threat of frivolous lawsuits.”

The Missouri Chamber plans to continue informing voters about the risks of Initiative Petition 2026-047 and will advocate for policies that support job creation, economic freedom, and long-term growth across the state.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Aldermen Approve Backyard Chickens with Restrictions

In a unanimous vote on Monday, June 16, the Kearney Board of Aldermen approved a measure allowing residents to keep backyard hens—marking the end of a years-long discussion on the matter. The decision, includes a series of regulations aimed at preserving neighborhood standards and addressing potential concerns.

Under the new ordinance, only residents living on single-family properties with at least half an acre of land will be eligible to keep hens. Roosters, guinea hens, and any other crowing or non-hen fowl remain prohibited.

Alderman David Lehman expressed concern about how the ordinance addresses potential nuisances, such as odor, noise, or unsanitary conditions. He took issue with how existing nuisance codes could place responsibility on neighbors.

“If your neighbor has hens and your dog barks, you as the dog owner would be penalized,” Lehman said. “I don’t like this aspect personally.”

Alderman Gerri Spencer read the nuisance section differently adding, “If your hens are making the neighbor dogs bark, I think it comes back to the chicken owner.”

Lehman also suggested requiring a permit and fee for chicken ownership, with proceeds going to support animal control services.

Mayor Randy Pogue acknowledged that the issue has circulated in public discourse for several years.

The ordinance outlines strict guidelines for maintenance and sanitation. All feed, water, waste, and other materials associated with the hens must be kept clean, odor-free, and secure to prevent the attraction of rodents or other animals.

With the vote now official, eligible Kearney residents can prepare to bring hens into their backyards—under careful rules designed to keep peace in the coop and the neighborhood.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

New Support for Missouri Corn Farmers

Landon Anderson will serve farmers in north central Missouri as a conservation specialist for Precision Conservation Management, a new program helping farmers evaluate in-field conservation practices.

Precision Conservation Management (PCM), in partnership with the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC), is proud to announce expansion into north central Missouri. This development brings new opportunities for corn growers to improve profitability while adopting proven in-field conservation practices, enhancing soil health, and protecting water quality.

Farmers who enroll in PCM receive free technical assistance, personalized data analysis, and assistance navigating conservation incentive programs that reduce financial risks associated with conservation practice changes. With commodity prices under pressure, this data-driven support also helps farmers pinpoint which in-field practices are most profitable for their operation.

“Missouri Corn welcomes this opportunity to connect corn farmers with a program to further improve production practices,” says MCMC Chairman Brian Lehman. “Corn farmers consistently strive to provide an abundant supply of high-quality food, feed, and renewable energy. The expansion of PCM into Missouri will offer farmers field-level financial analysis of conservation practice adoption while creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable world for future generations.” 

To support producers in this region, PCM has hired a new conservation specialist, Landon Anderson, who will serve farmers across north central Missouri. Anderson brings a diverse background in agronomy, crop consulting, and agricultural development to the PCM team. After earning a degree in Agricultural Science from Truman State University and an M.S. in Agronomy from Iowa State University, he served farmers in several capacities before recently joining PCM.

“I’m excited to help Missouri farmers identify conservation practices that improve both their bottom line and the long-term health of their land,” said Anderson. “I view agronomy as a blend of science and real-world application, and I believe PCM’s unique data insights will make a real difference for farmers in this region.”

As pressure for more sustainable agriculture practices increases throughout the supply chain, PCM’s expansion ensures more farmers can take advantage of the data and conservation opportunities already available to them.

Corn farmers interested in enrolling in PCM are encouraged to visit www.precisionconservation.org to learn more.

KPGZ News – Becky Frankenbach contributed to this story.