News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Canary Opens New Rooftop Cocktail Roost
By Kevin Collison Canary bistro opened its rooftop bar atop the restored 10-story Netherland Hotel building last weekend and the early reports are its new roost overlooking midtown and beyond is a hit. “It was a whirlwind,” said co-owner Keely Edgington. “It’s been a long time since we’ve served so many people and it went…
Evergy Plans Major Coal Shutdowns, But Environmental Groups Say It’s Not Fast Enough
Under mounting pressure to ditch fossil fuels, Evergy plans to close nearly all of its coal-burning plants in the next 20 years.
Nick’s Picks | COVID Cases Rise As We Strive For New Normal
Kansas City area COVID cases are increasing as people try to move toward post-pandemic life in time for Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day.
Downtown Gets New Park Where Dogs Run Free
By Kevin Collison Downtown’s growing canine population–and their owners–will have another place to romp free next month when the Downtown Council opens a one-half acre dog park at the southwest corner of Seventh and Walnut. The new, off-leash dog park will be the second operated by the Council’s Community Improvement District, the other is in…
Lemonade Park Squeezes Great Music and Food in West Bottoms
By Kevin Collison Voltaire owner Wes Gartner and some friends were sharing another lemon of a day during the depth of the Covid-19 quarantine last summer when inspiration hit. “I was sitting with friends enjoying the outdoor weather and said, ‘we ought to enjoy this on a grander scale,’” Gartner recalled. So he reached out…
Former Dairy Plant on Gillham Slated for $12M Apartment Project
By Kevin Collison A former dairy plant near Linwood and Gillham is slated to be redeveloped as 48 lofts and a fresh food market by Exact Partners, the latest investment in a burgeoning redevelopment corridor along 31st street from Main to Troost. Exact, which also is redeveloping several buildings at nearby Martini Corner and recently…
Tax Breaks for Developers Cost Every KCPS Student $1,925 in 2019
A new study shows just how much money Kansas City Public Schools lose when the city offers tax breaks to development projects.
Getting Shingles or Hives After the Shot? Experts Connect the Dots
Medical experts break down recent occurrences of shingles and hives and folks’ concerns about the vaccine for COVID-19.
Plaza Jack Henry Redevelopment Plan Now Includes Endangered Church
By Kevin Collison A big Country Club Plaza redevelopment that will renovate much of the former Jack Henry building as a fitness club has expanded to include an endangered church next door prized by historic preservationists. Matt Pennington, president of Drake Development, recently announced a Chiefs Fit, a joint fitness venture between the Kansas City…
Class of 2020 Finally Gets Its Proper Goodbye at the University of Missouri
Flatland reporter Jacob Douglas returns to the University of Missouri-Columbia to observe the pandemic-deferred graduation ceremony for the “cursed” class of 2020.