Standards
How we report, and how we correct.
These are the rules the newsroom works to. They are published so readers can hold us to them, not because they are unusual.
1. Sourcing
Every factual claim in a Kansas City News story is attributable to a named source, a public document, or an on-the-record statement. Where a source is granted anonymity, the story explains why — usually because the person would face retaliation — and at least one editor knows the source's identity.
2. Numbers
Statistics are reported with their basis. If a figure comes from an interested party — a developer, a trade association, a city department promoting its own programme — we say so in the sentence, not in a footnote. Where a number cannot be verified, we say that too.
3. Corrections and clarifications
- Correction: the story contained an error of fact. We fix the text and append a dated note saying what was wrong and what it now says.
- Clarification: the story was accurate but capable of being misread. We add a note explaining the additional context.
- Update: new information has emerged after publication. We add it to the story and stamp the revision time.
Corrections are never silent. We do not delete stories, and we do not unpublish them to avoid embarrassment. If a story is fundamentally wrong, it is retracted with a note that stays at the original URL.
4. Sponsored content and Partner Spotlight
Some local companies pay for a profile. Those articles are:
- Labelled Partner Spotlight at the top of the article and in the archive;
- Written by newsroom staff, not by the advertiser;
- Checked against the company's own published claims, with figures attributed to them;
- Excluded from our editorial recommendations and from any "best of" list;
- Not permitted to contain claims we cannot verify.
Advertisers do not see news coverage before publication and cannot request changes to it. The commercial team and the newsroom do not share a reporting queue.
5. AI tools
We use software for transcription, data cleaning and image compression. We do not publish machine-written reporting, and every article carries a human byline because a human wrote it and is accountable for it.
6. Photography
Most photography on this site is licensed from Unsplash and credited to the photographer at the foot of each image and on the photo credits page. Where a stock image illustrates a story rather than depicting the specific subject, the caption says so.
7. Complaints
If you believe we have got something wrong, write to corrections@kansascitynews.com with the article URL and the passage at issue. We respond within one business day.
Last reviewed: 1 November 2026 · Editor-in-Chief: Rachel Nkemelu