News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Nick’s Picks | KC Streetcar, Kansas Troops, Missouri Governor, and More …
The Chiefs are officially heading to the Super Bowl. Will that be the only story Kansas Citians now care about? Here are some other trends and news developments you may want to be aware of in a week dominated by Chiefs talk… The Big Streetcar Shutdown It’s the week of the big Kansas City Streetcar…
Aging KCK Congregation Bequeaths Building to Serve Youth
Across much of the nation in recent decades, shrinking churches have confronted the painful question of whether they can afford to maintain a building for worship and other activities. Time and again the answer has been no. Sometimes that means finding other places in which to continue offering worship. But often it means either abandoning…
Bodhi Home Reopens to Homeless Clients After Renovation
It has been nearly two decades since Kar Woo, a sculptor and gallery owner, established Artists Helping the Homeless (AHH) in Kansas City, Missouri. And Woo recently returned to his roots by renovating the first home opened by the nonprofit. AHH refreshed the Midtown home with about $60,000 in new paint, fixtures, appliances, and furniture….
Nick’s Picks | Trash Service, Political Action, Comedy Star Power … and More
This week, many Kansas Citians will finally be able to unload their New Year’s Eve party trash. Last week, several cities including Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas, canceled garbage pickup after one of the heaviest snowstorms in decades. Also, this week, our kids are going to have to do something they haven’t done…
Truth, Religion and the Demise of Local Newspapers
When I started reporting at The Kansas City Star in late 1970, it was a regional newspaper that served not just the metro area but also east to mid-Missouri, west to central Kansas, and beyond. I was part of a staff of hundreds, and the paper’s circulation — all print then, of course — was…
KC Library Exec Focuses On Native Americans in National Role
As the Kansas City Public Library (KCPL) celebrated its 150th anniversary this year, a member of its leadership team made her mark in a national organization with a distinguished history of its own. As the library’s director of policy analysis and operational support, Cindy Hohl is the first KCPL representative to serve as president of…
This Group is Saving the Kansas River from Tons of Trash
Bill Hughes has his eyes on a hot tub. The Valley Falls resident isn’t planning a bathroom remodel, though. He’s part of a volunteer group that helps clean up the Kansas River. The hot tub is lodged in the river bottom and it’s too large to lug away. It pops into view during dry spells, when…
Nick’s Picks | Abortion Ban, Death Penalty, Solar Energy, and More …
New Missouri Abortion Amendment Takes Effect Missouri’s near-total ban on abortion officially comes to an end this week. It follows last month’s voter approval of Amendment 3, which enshrines the right to an abortion in the state Constitution. Its provisions take effect on Thursday. That’s when Planned Parenthood says it will open three temporary abortion…
A Black Friday Romp Through the Metro’s Shoplifting History
Not long ago a woman walked into an Oak Park Mall bath and body store carrying two shopping bags. She lingered for two hours, examining the scented candles. Then the phone of Detective Byron Pierce of the Overland Park Police Department buzzed. The caller was an employee of the store. “Everything okay?” Pierce asked. No….
Nick’s Picks | Holiday Lightings, Hallmark, Hardwood, and More …
It’s going to be a short week for many Kansas Citians as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. Here are the upcoming week’s big events… Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt Flips the Switch on the Plaza Lights The Country Club Plaza is preparing for its largest event of the year. It’s the 95th Plaza Lighting…