Today (Friday): sunny, high near 98°F, heat index as high as 104°F, south-southwest wind 6–10 mph. Tonight: mostly clear, low around 77°F, heat index still up to 101°F. Saturday: sunny, high near 99°F, heat index up to 105°F. Sunday: sunny, high near 98°F. Labor Day: sunny, high near 97°F. The heat is holding right through the weekend — expect little overnight relief. Hydrate, stay in the A/C, and check on neighbors and pets.
The Mid-America Regional Council has flagged Code Orange ozone alerts across the Kansas City metro on the hottest days. Sensitive groups (young children, older adults, and people with asthma, heart or lung conditions) should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the hottest hours. Metro
After First District voters recalled Councilman John Perkins Tuesday by 68.05% — the first recall of an Independence council member, tied to his vote for the Nebius AI data center tax breaks — City Manager Troy Anderson is recommending a Feb. 2, 2027 primary and April 6, 2027 general to fill the seat, dates that share election costs with other jurisdictions. The council takes a first reading on that schedule at its Sept. 21 meeting. The seat stays vacant until a successor is seated. Leigh Phillips announced her candidacy for the open seat (Examiner, Sept. 3), and candidate packets are expected to be available in early October. The recall isn't official until the Jackson County Election Board hand-counts the 1,650 ballots on Sept. 8.
The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. on the first floor of Independence Municipal Commons (20201 E. Jackson Dr.) — pushed past the first Monday because of the Labor Day holiday.
The Independence Police Department took part in the statewide "Saturation Saturday" DWI patrol, per the city. Separately, Richard Kemple is serving as interim director of Independence Power & Light following Joe Hegendeffer's Aug. 7 departure.
No agenda has been published for the upcoming Independence School District board meeting (the most recent posted meeting date is August 28). Nothing concrete to preview as of this morning — check the ISD board meetings page for the posted agenda.
The ISD dropped its part of the lawsuit against Jackson County over the county's property-tax-credit plan (expected to cost the district roughly $15.6 million over three years), while the Fort Osage district remains in the suit. Board President Anthony Mondaine has said the district still expects a fiscal hit starting in the 2027-28 school year.
New filing: BLEU HOUSE BISTRO (Retail by Drink and Sunday by Drink) at 15800 US 24, filed 09/01/2026, from licensee Bleu House Bistro, Inc. (Corporation) — the most recent local liquor filings.
New filing: BINGHAM WAGGONER ESTATE (Caterer - Retail by Drink), filed 08/25/2026; and (Picnic - Retail by Drink), filed 08/20/2026, both at 313 Pacific. Licensees: J Creek, LLC (Limited Liability Company) and Bingham Waggoner Historical Society (Corporation).
New filings: SMOKE 4 LESS & CONVENIENCE STORE (Original Package Liquor / Original Package Tasting / Sunday Original Package) at 1701 S Noland Rd, filed 08/19/2026 — three filings from licensee Light Liquor LLC (Limited Liability Company).
First District voters recalled Councilman John Perkins in Tuesday's special election, with 68.05% "yes" (100% of precincts). It's the first time an Independence City Council member has been recalled. Perkins, one of five members who voted in March to approve tax incentives for the Nebius AI data center (~$6 billion in breaks for the $150 billion, 400-acre project near Highway 78 and Little Blue Parkway), said he stands by the vote and won't fight the recall. The result becomes official once the Jackson County Election Board hand-counts the 1,650 ballots on Sept. 8 and the City Clerk confirms. What's next: the council is expected to set a Feb. 2, 2027 primary and April 6, 2027 general (first reading Sept. 21) to fill the seat.
A $19.9 million general obligation bond for renovation of five city-owned historic sites will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot — Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Vaile Mansion, Truman Memorial Building, Old Fire Station One, and the 1827 Log Courthouse — with free admission to all five for the bond's 20-year life. It's a second attempt after a similar measure narrowly failed in 2025. Estimated first-year levy: about 14.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. Forward-looking item summarizing the published ballot question (General Obligation Bond Question No. 1).
The Labor Day weekend festival takes over Historic Independence Square (112 W. Lexington Ave.) Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7 — free admission, with carnival rides, live music, local vendors, beer gardens and classic festival fare. Friday: noon–10 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Monday (Labor Day): 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The city's annual Hummingbird Festival at George Owens Nature Park (1601 S. Speck Rd.) continues today, Friday, Sept. 4 (10 a.m.) and Saturday, Sept. 5 (9 a.m.) — celebrating ruby-throated hummingbirds as they prepare to migrate.
The city hosts a recycling drive-thru on Saturday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m. at the Cable Dahmer Arena (satellite lot). Nearly anything with a cord or battery is accepted; fees apply to TVs and CRT monitors. Recycling
A free Special Presentation: Fort Osage History meets Thursday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Truman Memorial Building. Separately, a Homeschool Recreation nature program for ages 6–18 runs the same day at 2 p.m. at George Owens Nature Park.
— City of Independence, Fort Osage History · City of Independence, Homeschool Recreation
| Fri 9/4 | Sunny, high ~98°, heat index ~104° · Extreme Heat Warning (through Sept. 8) · SantaCaliGon Days opens (noon–10 p.m.) · Hummingbird Festival Day 2 (10 a.m.) |
| Sat 9/5 | Sunny, high ~99°, heat index ~105° · Hummingbird Day 3 (9 a.m.) · Electronics Recycling Drive-Thru 9 a.m., Cable Dahmer Arena · SantaCaliGon Day 2 |
| Sun 9/6 | Sunny, high ~98° · SantaCaliGon Day 3 |
| Mon 9/7 | Labor Day · Sunny, high ~97° · SantaCaliGon final day (9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) · Heat warning through 8 p.m. |
| Tue 9/8 | City Council meeting, 6 p.m., Municipal Commons · Jackson County Election Board certifies recall (hand count, 1,650 ballots) |
| Thu 9/10 | Homeschool Recreation, 2 p.m., George Owens Nature Park · Fort Osage History presentation, 2 p.m., Truman Memorial Building |
| Sep 21 | City Council first reading on replacement-election schedule (Feb. 2 primary / April 6 general) |