News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
‘Highway to Hemp’: Waves of Fiber and Grain
South Bend Industrial Hemp, located at the outskirts of Great Bend, Kansas, is at the cutting edge of the emerging industrial hemp economy.
KC Preservation Projects Failing Key State Incentive Program
By Kevin Collison Early last month, the $69 million renovation of the former “Flashcube” office building at 720 Main into apartments received an honors award as an innovative preservation project from Historic Kansas City. The city’s premier historic preservation organization also recognized the 273-unit West Bottoms Flats development at 925 Wyoming St. with its excellence…
KC Preservation Projects Failing Key State Incentive Program
Changes implemented by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) are making it much more challenging for downtown residential projects in Kansas City to qualify for the state historic tax credit program.
Fountain Haus to Pour New Hues in Westport Mix
By Kevin Collison The owners of Fountain Haus, the latest entry in the city’s LGBTQ club scene, believe their new venue opening in late January will be a well-received addition to the Westport party scene. “The owners in the Westport community are very welcoming and would like to see a shift in demographics and have…
Kansas Regulators Worry Investor’s Influence at Evergy Could Raise Your Electric Rates
A growing relationship between Evergy and activist investment firm Elliott Management is raising red flags with state and federal regulators.
Enzo Opening Next Week in City Market
By Kevin Collison Laura Norris knew it would be easier to serve a second Ragazza when she decided to open a new restaurant in the City Market, but felt deep inside it wouldn’t be the recipe for what may be her last culinary outing. “It was a personal decision for me,” she said. “Thinking it…
Nick’s Picks | KC Police Chief, Kevin Strickland and New COVID Variant Top the News
Nick Haines offers a look at the week ahead in Kansas City news, before it happens.
Mayor Invites Kevin Strickland to Light Tree at Crown Center
Today’s lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center will have a special guest, recently-freed prisoner Kevin Strickland. “We are honored to have Kevin Strickland turn on the lights for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Crown Center,” Mayor Quinton Lucas Tweeted on Thanksgiving Day. “God bless him. Please join us…
Folly Receives Key $2M Gift from Sunderland Foundation
The historic Folly Theater is receiving a $2 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation to boost a capital campaign that includes new seating, the second major donation by the Foundation to a downtown cultural institution this month. “We’re extremely thrilled and thankful to the Sunderland Foundation,” said Kelly Dougherty, Folly marketing manager. “They’ve been involved…
Border Brewing Doubles Space, Features Large Beer Garden
By Kevin Collison Border Brewing has opened its new, much larger quarters in the East Crossroads and in a nod to continuity, owner Eric Martens mounted the old bar top from his original place on the wall. After all, Border pioneered the Neigh-Brew-Hood when it first opened at 406 E. 18th St. in February 2015….