Economic Opportunity

Nina Ward said she's seen personally and professionally the challenges of navigating the child care market in Kansas City. She struggled to find care for her now 1-year-old daughter, A'ja. (Photo courtesy of Nina Ward)

Child care ‘is like paying a mortgage.’

Nina Ward began looking for child care when she was only a few months pregnant.  Ward and her husband created a list of child care centers and set up tours, but the Kansas City couple repeatedly ran into the same problem: there were no infant spaces available. So they broadened their search and eventually found…

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Terrence Wise is a leader in the “Fight for $15,” a movement that advocates raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

New Report Estimates AI Could Displace 110,000 Kansas City Jobs

A recent study found that 10.2% of workers in the Kansas City area are at risk of AI job displacement, the seventh-highest rate among large metropolitan areas.

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An aerial view of Truman Sports Complex.

Kansas v. Missouri Stadium Battle Shows How States are Reigniting Border Wars

A bidding war for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals may undermine a 2019 compact struck by Kansas and Missouri to end an economic border war.

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Attendees check in for the "Love, Kansas" local kickoff hosted by the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce on July 11, 2024.

‘Love, Kansas’ Campaign Entices Would-be Workforce

A new “Love, Kansas” talent recruitment campaign seeks to attract workers to address a looming workforce shortage in the state.

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Aerial photo of the Penn Valley campus of Metropolitan Community College.

Community Colleges Confront Slumping Enrollment. Can it be Fixed?

Enrollment at community colleges in Missouri and Kansas have declined nearly 30% since 2012 as fast-growing technical schools pose stiff competition.

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Country Club Plaza shops along Brush Creek.

New Owners Spark Hope for Country Club Plaza 

Many people with a stake in the Country Club Plaza say the new owners of the iconic shopping district have made a good first impression. 

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Shoppers at Oak Park Mall on a recent Saturday morning.

Kansas City Shopping Malls at an Economic Crossroads

While new owners plan to revive the Country Club Plaza, Oak Park Mall and Independence Center – the area’s last enclosed malls – face different futures.

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Chiefs flag waves in Arrowhead Stadium.

Missouri Governor on Kansas City Chiefs: ‘I’m Not too Worried About Kansas at this Point’

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday he doesn’t think the Kansas City Chiefs want to leave Arrowhead Stadium for Kansas. He hasn’t talked to the team’s owners.

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The view looking east along 47th Street on the Country Club Plaza.

New Owner Shares Vision for Country Club Plaza

The new owners of the Country Club Plaza plan to move quickly to address crime and deferred maintenance. New tenants and projects are also in the works.

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Stone and brick building INQUEST lettering on front, concrete steps

Minority Chambers of Commerce Join Forces on Ward Parkway

Two chambers of commerce, assisted by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, have joined forces to create the Minority Chamber Development Center at 9100 Ward Parkway.

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