Plaza Area Council Now Official, Plans to Boost District’s Next Century

(Editor’s note: This article originally was published Jan. 11, 2023) By Kevin Collison A new civic effort to shepherd the Country Club Plaza and environs into its second 100 years has organized as a nonprofit, and plans to hire staff and begin pursuing its goals by the end of the year. What’s called the Plaza…

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Artist Michael Toombs in front of a mural commemorating the Brown v. Board of Education ruling.

KC Artist Marks Civil Rights Victory with Brown v. Board of Education Mural

Michael Toombs’ mural marking the U.S. Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education ruling greets visitors at the Washburn University School of Law Building.

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John Moncke, president of the Power & Light District, speaks at the Three Light topping off event, City Manager Brian Platt is seated to his left, City Councilman Eric Bunch to his right.

City Manager Outlines Big Downtown Agenda at Three Light Event

(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 22, 2023) By Kevin Collison They were topping off the $140 million Three Light project Tuesday, but big downtown investments are far from over, according to City Manager Brian Platt. In a wide-ranging interview following the ceremony for the 26-story apartment project scheduled to open in September,…

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A butterfly at Powell Gardens.

Weekend Possibilities | World Cup, Butterflies and The Beatles

Women’s World Cup watch parties, a butterfly festival and a Beatles tribute are among the highlights this weekend in Kansas City.

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young cows with tags on their ears stand in the mud of a hoop barn.

Missouri Cattle Producers Slash Herds Amid Worsening Drought

The worsening drought in Missouri is forcing livestock producers to sell off their cattle herds, decisions that will be felt at the supermarket cash register.

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Folks hold up pink white and blue signs that read "We Are Still Here" at a transgender rights protest in Kansas City.

Lawrence Follows KC in Becoming a Transgender Safe Haven

Lawrence City Commission has passed an ordinance declaring the city a transgender safe haven, following a similar step taken by Kansas City in May.

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Wolfepack BBQ Sets Up Smoker in Columbus Park

(Editor’s note: This article originally was published Jan. 12, 2023) By Kevin Collison A well-known Columbus Park landmark is reopening this spring as Wolfepack BBQ and its owners first order of business is soothing the neighborhood indigestion caused by its previous operator. “We want to have a neighborhood welcoming day to start things off on…

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Site of the proposed 4711 Belleview project west of the Country Club Plaza.

Waldo and Plaza-area Projects Push for Port KC Tax Breaks

The Port Authority of Kansas City is considering tax breaks for two housing proposals in Waldo and near the Country Club Plaza that are drawing criticism.

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Union Station and the Kansas City skyline lit up at night.

The Way We Were: Mapping Historic Landmarks in Kansas City

Kansas City has about 300 landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places, and more than 100 on its local Register of Historic Places. Check the maps.

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Late Summer Opening Anticipated for Strang Food Hall at Plaza

(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 20, 2023) By Kevin Collison The new Strang Chef Collective food hall planned for the Cascade Hotel being just north of the Country Club Plaza is considered by its operator a “bullish” vote of confidence in the venerable shopping district. “We’ve always targeted the Plaza as an…

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A glass of Transport Brewery beer on a bar.

Tap List | Transport Brewery Cuts Ribbon in Gardner

Transport Brewery has officially cut the ribbon on its new location in Gardner. The Shawnee-based brewery now has two outlets.

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Drag Queen “Manic High” applying makeup.

Drag Queens Persevere in Face of anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation in Kansas and Missouri

The Kansas City and Lawrence drag community is persevering in the face of a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation in Kansas and Missouri. Here’s how.

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Evergy offices in downtown Topeka, Kansas.

Missouri Plan for Peak Power Pricing Prompts Pushback

A Missouri regulatory plan to adopt time-of-use pricing for electrical power is running into resistance from some politicians and utilities such as Evergy.

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Chef Brings 40-Years of Restaurant Seasoning to Union On The Hill

(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 16, 2023) By Kevin Collison George Atsangbe has been corporate chef at some of the better known names in the local restaurant world including Houlihan’s and Bread and Butter Concepts for 40 years. So the native of Nigeria knew exactly what he wanted to do when he…

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Nick Haines

Nick’s Picks | Epic Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power

Evergy says about 12,000 customers remain without power after an epic storm swept through Kansas City Friday. Power may not be fully restored until Tuesday.

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