Sunny with a high near 98°F and heat index values as high as 109°F. South-southwest wind 8 to 12 mph, gusting to 21 mph. Tonight: mostly clear, low around 80°, heat index values still up to 109°.
Mostly sunny with a high near 98°F and heat index values up to 107°F. A slight chance of showers/thunderstorms develops after 7 p.m. (20%), with Friday night lows near 78°. Saturday brings a slight chance of morning storms, then mostly sunny near 98°.
Independence's mayor is suggesting the city require storm shelters — likely in new construction — according to The Examiner. The full story is paywalled; summarized from the headline. (The suggestion follows the May 26 tornado that struck Independence and neighboring areas.)
City Manager Troy Anderson named Richard Kemple interim director of Independence Power & Light, effective Aug. 8, following the departure of director Joe Hegendeffer, who left Aug. 7 for a new professional opportunity. The city says the interim appointment ensures continuity of IPL operations and reliable service.
The city's nationwide recruitment for the next Chief of Police remains open; applications are accepted through Monday, Aug. 17.
The Independence School District Board of Education held its regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 11 (the most recent on file). No agenda has been published yet for the next meeting.
Fall sports practice is underway, with The Examiner previewing the William Chrisman boys soccer team, which returns an experienced lineup this season.
New filing: BLEU HOUSE BISTRO (Retail by Drink) at 15800 US 24, filed 08/06/2026 — the most recent local liquor filing, from licensee Bleu House Bistro, Inc.
An Independence man shot in the arm late Monday by police who responded to a domestic disturbance call allegedly hit a woman, The Examiner reports (paywalled, summarized from snippet). KCTV reports officers traded gunfire with the suspect; the suspect suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to a hospital, and is in custody. No officers were hurt. The case is under the Police Involved Incident Team (PITT) investigation.
Independence police want the public's help locating Dustin D. Phegley, 42, wanted on an active Independence warrant.
The recall election against Independence First District Council Member John Perkins will proceed after a Jackson County Circuit judge dismissed a challenge to the recall (The Examiner, paywalled, summarized from snippet). The Sept. 1 special election stems from Perkins' vote approving incentives for the Nebius AI data center — a 20-year, 90% tax abatement for a 2.1-million-square-foot facility in the Little Blue Valley.
— Examiner (paywalled) · Ballotpedia · Spectrum News, Jun 23
With the Sept. 1 special election confirmed to move forward, letters regarding the recall are due 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 (The Examiner).
An upgrade plan for University Health Lakewood, the hospital serving Independence and eastern Jackson County, is moving forward, The Examiner reports.
The Examiner notes Missouri "puts its best on display" as the State Fair opens in Sedalia this week, running 11 days.
With the SantaCaliGon Days festival a few weeks off, the annual SantaCaliGon Medallion Hunt has begun — first clue now, with more in the coming weeks.
— Examiner
Farmers Market at the Uptown Market, Basics of Improv, Chess Club, Homeschool Recreation, and the "Let's Build! - Summer Splash" program are listed on the city events calendar, along with the 23rd Street (M-78) Complete Streets Phase 3 public meeting.
— City of Independence events · Farmers Market · 23rd Street Phase 3
| Thu 13 | ⚠️ Extreme Heat Warning (through Fri 8 p.m.) · sunny, high 98°, heat index to 109° · Farmers Market at Uptown Market |
| Fri 14 | Extreme Heat Warning ends 8 p.m. · mostly sunny, high 98°, heat index to 107° · slight chance of storms overnight |
| Sat 15 | Mostly sunny, high near 98° · 20% chance of morning showers/storms |
| Sun 16 | Partly sunny, high near 92° · slight chance of storms after 1 p.m. |
| Later | Police-chief applications close Mon, Aug 17 · Recall-election letters due Thu, Aug 20, 5 p.m. · Sept. 1 recall election |