Overview

• The Kansas City election board certified the recall of Frank White Jr., making his removal official after earlier county certification that showed roughly 85% voted to oust him.
• Former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes was sworn in to a caretaker role for up to 30 days and said she will focus on continuity rather than major initiatives such as property assessment reform.
• The legislature will meet Thursday, Oct. 9, at 10 a.m. at the courthouse to finalize the hiring framework, with proposals including public candidate interviews, applicant-funded background checks and an optional or contested pledge not to run in 2026.
• A two-round, secret-ballot voting plan is under consideration, and the body has 30 days to choose an interim or the decision shifts to a circuit court judge.
• Twelve of 15 applicants were deemed eligible for the interim job, a pool that includes Legislature Chair DaRon McGee and Legislator Charlie Franklin, as officials review resumes released by the county clerk.