News & Issues

Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.

‘From the Earth’ Marijuana Dispensary Sprouts Near T-Mobile Center

(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on May 6, 2021) By Kevin Collison Downtown’s first medical marijuana dispensary, From the Earth, is scheduled to open at the beginning of June at 1222 McGee, near the T-Mobile Center and Power & Light District. Tyler Diltz, a From the Earth employee, said the new downtown dispensary is…

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A young child sniffs a native flower at Powell Gardens' butterfly garden.

Letting Lawns Grow Wild, Saving Bees During ‘No Mow May’

The plight of pollinators has inspired No Mow May, a grassroots movement started by Bee City USA, which encourages folks to let their lawns briefly go untamed in order to support the bees, butterflies and moths vital to pollination.

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Going Green Pays Off at Second + Delaware, Fully Leased After One Year

(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared Sept. 20, 2021) By Kevin Collison The pioneering Second + Delaware development has cashed in by going green, leasing all 276 apartments while still getting premium rents a year after opening in the River Market. The $71 million “passive house” project upended the traditional stick-built approach to residential construction,…

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John Hooker and Mike Loesch begin installation of solar panels on the roof of a Columbia, Missouri, home.

Inflation, Energy Prices Complicate Consumer Calculus Regarding Renewables

The decision to embrace renewable energy amid a changing climate has become more complex in recent months, complicated by rampant inflation, soaring energy prices and a volatile economy.

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An anti-abortion sign next to a highway.

Roe v. Wade Decision Will Mean Kansas Abortion Rights Hinge on a State Vote in August

The U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to strike down abortion protections, making an upcoming Kansas vote on abortion rights even more important.

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Hi Tides Roll in at East Crossroads

(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared March 1, 2021) By Kevin Collison Hi Tides arrived in time to deliver some tropical relief to the East Crossroads during the bitter cold snap a couple weeks ago, serving treats including Black Lava Seat Salt Mocca and Strawberry Hibiscus donuts to warm its guests. The new combination café…

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Sofia Gillespie likes to take the bus when meeting up with friends.

If More Kansas Citians Rode the Bus by Choice, it Could Shift the Whole City’s Mindset

Despite long wait times between buses, confusing route changes and other inconveniences, these Kansas Citians use public transit not because they have to, but because they want to. Here’s why that matters.

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Bullets lined up in front of a gun are propped in front of a gavel. This is illustrative of the Flatland Show's next topic: gun and safety. This month, the curiousKC and Flatland team discuss how to address gun violence in Kansas City. What questions about gun violence do you have?

curiousKC | Your Input Needed for Our Next Episode on Guns

Send your questions about gun safety and it could be answered in the next Flatland Show episode.

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State Street Downsizing from Quality Hill Building to WeWork Space

By Kevin Collison State Street, one of downtown’s larger employers, is downsizing from its Quality Hill home of 25 years to occupy co-working space run by WeWork in the lightwell building at 11th and Main. At one time, State Street occupied most of a 312,000 square-foot, two-building office campus that occupied the entire block between…

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State Street building at 801 Pennsylvania

State Street Downsizing from Quality Hill Building to WeWork Space

State Street, one of downtown’s larger employers, is downsizing from its Quality Hill home of 25 years to occupy co-working space run by WeWork in the Lightwell building at 11th and Main streets.

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