Clay County Historic Sites Awarded National Heritage Grant

Clay County Historic Sites has been awarded a grant from Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) to support the Slave Dwelling Project, an educational initiative that will explore the history of slavery and the enduring struggle for freedom at the Jesse James Birthplace.

The project, "Slave Dwelling Project with Joseph McGill," will bring nationally recognized living historian Joseph McGill to the Jesse James Birthplace for an overnight living history experience and public programming centered on the site's historic slave dwelling. Through this effort, Clay County Historic Sites aims to deepen public understanding of the lives of enslaved African Americans, strengthen heritage tourism, and foster meaningful conversations about slavery, freedom, and Missouri's frontier history.

“Clay County Historic Sites is pleased to be bringing Joseph McGill and the Slave Dwelling Project to the Jesse James Birthplace. Through educational outreach, the Slave Dwelling Project has encouraged honest conversations about slavery and its enduring legacy in America. Bringing this program to Clay County will provide an extraordinary educational opportunity for our region and engage participants in meaningful dialogue and honor the contributions surrounding the lives of enslaved African Americans and their descendants in our communities,” said Elizabeth Beckett, Clay County Historic Sites Manager.

Freedom’s Frontier is a congressionally designated national heritage area that spans eastern Kansas and western Missouri, working with partners to preserve and share the stories of the region’s role in shaping the nation’s history. FFNHA provides grant funding to support projects promoting heritage tourism, historic preservation, and public interpretation.

“Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area is proud to support projects like this that bring our shared history to life,” said Lucinda Adams, FFNHA Executive Director. “By investing in local partners, we’re helping communities preserve their stories, engage new audiences, and strengthen heritage tourism across the region.” 

The project is expected to be completed by October 11, 2026. 

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

12 Deaths During July Fourth Holiday Weekend

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported nine traffic fatalities and three drownings during the 2026 July Fourth holiday counting period, according to preliminary statistics released by Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Patrol.

The counting period began at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5. During that time, nine people died and 113 were injured in 235 traffic crashes statewide. Troopers also reported 125 driving while intoxicated arrests.

On Missouri waterways, the Patrol investigated three boating crashes, which resulted in three injuries and no boating fatalities. Three drownings were reported during the holiday period, and troopers made nine boating while intoxicated arrests.

The 2026 traffic crash total was lower than the number investigated by the Patrol during the 2025 July Fourth holiday counting period, when troopers handled 273 traffic crashes involving nine fatalities and 138 injuries. Statewide in 2025, 13 people died and 414 were injured in 993 vehicle crashes, and 11 boating crashes were investigated across Missouri.

MSHP officials said additional details about the traffic crashes and arrests are available through the Patrol’s website. The agency also noted that the fatality statistics remain preliminary and could change if late deaths occur or if other departments report fatal crashes after the release is issued.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Missouri Voters Can Preview August Primary Ballots Online

Missouri’s August 4 primary election less than a month away, voters can now review the exact ballot they will receive at the polls based on their precinct.

The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office at sos.mo.gov, provides an online voter information system that allows residents to check their registration status, confirm their polling place and preview sample ballots before Election Day. The system shows ballots by precinct and includes Republican, Democratic, Libertarian and nonpartisan options.

To access the information, voters must enter basic identifying details through the state’s voter lookup system. Once verified, they can review the races and issues that will appear on their individual ballot.

Several statewide constitutional amendments are also set to appear on the August ballot. The measures include a proposed 10-year renewal of the one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax for soil and water conservation, state parks and historic sites; a proposal requiring all charter counties, including Jackson County, to elect county assessors; changes to the initiative petition process; and a proposed phaseout of Missouri’s individual income tax tied to revenue growth.

Election officials encourage voters to check their registration, review their ballot and confirm their polling location ahead of the primary to avoid delays or confusion on Election Day.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Clay County Releases Updated Top Ten Most Wanted List

Clay County prosecutors have released a new Top Ten Most Wanted list after seven of the ten people named on the county’s first list were taken into custody.

The updated list, announced July 1, continues a countywide effort to locate defendants who have been charged with serious crimes and have active warrants for their arrest. The program was first announced May 27 and is a partnership among the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement agencies and Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers.

Officials say the initiative is designed to bring absconders before the court while asking the public to help law enforcement safely locate and apprehend people wanted on outstanding warrants.

People who submit information through Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest of someone on the list may be eligible for a $3,000 anonymous and tax-free reward.

Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson praised the results of the program so far, saying the arrests reflect cooperation between residents and law enforcement.

“I could not be prouder of our community and law enforcement partners for working together to keep Clay County safe and helping us deliver timely justice for victims of crimes,” Thompson said. “We hope this collaboration and the continued investigative work from our dedicated law enforcement partners will speed up the criminal justice system and increase public safety.”

The new Top Ten Most Wanted list will be posted on the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office website, the office’s official social media channels and through other local law enforcement sources.

The public is urged not to approach anyone listed as wanted. Anyone with information about a person’s whereabouts should contact law enforcement or submit an anonymous tip to Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers by calling (816) 474-TIPS (8477), visiting the Greater KC Crime Stoppers website at kccrimestoppers.com, or using the free Crime Stoppers P3 app, supported by Android and Apple.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Use Safe Travel, Boating During Fourth of July Holiday

As Missourians prepare to celebrate Independence Day, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging travelers and boaters to make safety a priority throughout the holiday weekend.

Motorists are encouraged to be courteous, buckle up, obey traffic laws, and never drive impaired. Boaters are reminded to wear life jackets when near, on, or in the water, remain alert for other boats and swimmers, and use good judgment while sharing Missouri’s lakes and rivers.

During the 2025 Fourth of July counting period, 13 people were killed and 415 were injured in 993 traffic crashes across Missouri. Troopers also arrested 118 people for driving while intoxicated.

On the water during that same period, the Patrol reported 11 boating crashes, resulting in four injuries and no fatalities. Troopers made 13 arrests for boating while intoxicated, and no drownings were reported during the holiday weekend.

The 2026 Fourth of July holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and continues through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

All available troopers will patrol Missouri roadways and waterways to enforce traffic and boating laws and to provide assistance as needed. The Patrol will participate in Operation C.A.R.E., or Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort, and Operation Dry Water, a national campaign targeting impaired vessel operators.

The Patrol also reminds boaters that Missouri law prohibits discharging fireworks from a vessel. Fireworks should be left in a safe place on shore. Boaters are encouraged to watch their wake, operate responsibly, and help keep waterways safe for everyone enjoying the holiday.

Anyone who witnesses criminal activity or experiences an emergency is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line at (800) 525-5555 or dial *55 from a cellular phone. The numbers may be used for both highway and water emergencies.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.