News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Winning the War: Recalling the ‘Instrument of Deliverance,’ Pondering the Future of Democracy
Second of two installments About 16.4 million Americans served during World War II, according to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Just 66,000 — fewer than one out of every 250 who served – were still alive in 2024. Among those, 1,321 lived in Missouri in 2024, while 352 lived in Kansas….
Winning the War: Truman, Eisenhower and the Fight for Democracy
First of two installments Consider it an example of just how small two towering global figures could be. The year: 1961. The event: a high-stakes summit that called for discretion and diplomacy, given that two titans on the world stage — Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower — for years had maintained an often-frosty distance from…
Nick’s Picks | Lawmaking, Homicide, Drones and More …
Now that there’s a new pope and Kansas City has picked a new city manager, what’s left to report on this week? Here are some newsworthy stories to watch… Missouri Legislative Session Ends Missouri lawmakers are on a sprint to the finish line this week. The legislative session officially ends on Friday. And lawmakers still…
Nick’s Picks | Holidays, Decisions, Deadlines and More Big Trifectas …
3 Big Holidays We’re marking three big holidays this week, none of which qualify you for a day off. Today is Cinco de Mayo. Sunday is Mother’s Day. And Friday is Victory Day, a new holiday declared by President Donald Trump to mark the end of World War II, though the power to create public…
Long waiting lists and kidneys wasted: The state of organ transplants and how it affects Missouri and Kansas
When Carthesa Hutson’s son, Chris, finally got around to getting his driver’s license he was almost 19. She remembers being at the DMV with him when he paused on the application question about becoming an organ donor and looked to her. She told him to follow his heart. “He said, ‘Well, if I’m not here,…
Nick’s Picks | Storm Threat, City Manager, WWE Rumble, and More …
Brace for Severe Weather Be prepared for some bumpy weather today. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center says damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are possible. The most severe storm activity is expected north of metro KC, but our local TV meteorologists say the volatile storm path could change quickly. Picking a New Pope…
Ministering to Children With Disabilities
When Michael Palacio was born 18 years ago this month, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, tuberous sclerosis, which causes epilepsy and autism. And Michael now has both. As his parents began to respond to Michael’s needs — and continue to parent Michael’s two older siblings — one issue that arose quickly was…
Nick’s Picks | The Pope, Fountains, Trees, and More …
Remembering Pope Francis It’s going to be a week of mourning as Catholics around the world mark today’s passing of Pope Francis. The Argentinian-born pontiff was 88 years old. Francis’s death triggers a series of rituals and procedures. His papal ring will be destroyed, and his rooms will be sealed. He will lie in state…
Nick’s Picks | Taxes, Highways, Holidays, and More …
A Taxing Time Dig out your W2s. It’s Tax Day on Tuesday. You have until midnight tomorrow to submit your returns to the IRS. It may be news to many of us. One in four Americans have yet to file. According to a new Turbo Tax survey, more than half of 18-24-year-olds don’t even know…
Man deported after visiting family grave in Mexico is back in Kansas City
This story was originally published by The Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism in the public interest. Evenezer Cortez Martinez is back on U.S. soil, landing in Kansas City Tuesday afternoon after being deported. The DACA recipient and Kansas father of three feared that he wouldn’t be able to return from…