News & Issues

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

The iconic Katz Drug Store opened in 1934 at Westport and Main streets.

Katz Owner Seeks Demo Permit After Redevelopment Plan Denied

(Updated July 1: The City Council voted 9-2 to reconsider the Katz redevelopment project and send it back to committee at the request of the proposal’s sponsor City Councilwoman Katheryn Shields. Shields said Councilman Eric Bunch, who sponsored the amendment to reduce the proposal’s property tax abatement and add a requirement for affordable housing and…

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UMKC Proposing Student Housing, Retail by Planned Streetcar Terminus

By Kevin Collison A new UMKC master plan that calls for developing housing for 500 students along with retail space at the terminus of the planned streetcar route has been approved by the University of Missouri Board of Curators. The proposed development is part of a larger UMKC Master Plan 2021 for the Volker and…

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The University of Missouri-Kansas City is proposing housing for 500 students at the planned streetcar terminus by its campus.

UMKC Proposing Student Housing, Retail by Planned Streetcar Terminus

A new University of Missouri-Kansas City master plan calls for developing housing for 500 students along with retail space at the southern terminus of the planned KC Streetcar route.

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Greenworks In Kansas City, a local nonprofit, works to connect kids and young adults with environmental education and job opportunities.

Environmental Camp About More Than Making S’mores

Greenworks In Kansas City, a local nonprofit, works to connect kids and young adults with environmental education and job opportunities.

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Grand Avenue Temple Closes, Downtown Sanctuary Since 1912

GUEST COMMENTARY By Bryan Cisler After more than 100 years, today (June 27) was the final service for Grand Avenue Temple – a Methodist church in downtown Kansas City at Ninth and Grand Avenue. I wasn’t a member there but I decided to attend the last service. I hung around afterwards and talked to some…

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The home on 4401 E. Ninth St. used to be on Kansas City's dangerous buildings list until the Lykins Neighborhood Association acquired the property through Missouri's Abandoned Housing Act. It's now being renovated into a livable home.

How One Kansas City Neighborhood Is Transforming Its Dangerous And Abandoned Buildings

In northeast Kansas City, the Lykins Neighborhood Association has used Missouri’s Abandoned Housing Act to reclaim abandoned and dilapidated homes and turn them over to rehabbers for renovation. The results have been promising.

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In this curiousKC, we try to break down insurance and access to mental health providers. (Adobe Spark Image)

curiousKC | Why do Companies Treat Insurance for Mental Health Differently Than Physical Health?

In this curiousKC, we try to break down insurance and access to mental health providers.

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Sinkers Lounge Plans Fall Tee Time in P&L District

By Kevin Collison Sinkers Lounge is finally out of the Covid rough and plans to tee off this fall in the Power & Light District next door to its companion venue, Blade & Timber. The new upscale indoor mini-golf concept had been scheduled to open last summer at 53 W. 13th St. but the pandemic…

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Nick Haines

Nick’s Picks | Prepping for Independence Day, Tiny Homes Vote and Medicaid Breakthrough

Nick’s Picks offers your guide to the news week ahead in Kansas City.

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Origin KC, New $30M Hotel Planned for Berkley Riverfront

By Kevin Collison A Mississippi hotel developer is in final negotiations with Port KC to open the first hotel on the downtown riverfront, a $30 million project called Origin KC that would be located across from Berkley Park. The Thrash Group of Hattiesburg intends to open the sixth boutique hotel in its Origin group, a…

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