News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Word on the Street: Artists, Residents and a Curator React to KC’s BLM Murals
Kansas City’s Black Lives Matter street mural project has garnered some strong reactions. Here’s what folks had to say.
Another Apartment Project Adding to Troost Revival
By Kevin Collison Another new apartment project is in the works for a key stretch of Troost Avenue that’s already seen several major new residential investments the past couple years, this one at the southwest corner 27th Street. A development group led by Caleb Buland of Exact Architects is planning a 26-unit, $4 million apartment…
Weekend Possibilities | Irish Fest Where You Are, LegoLand’s Lombardi Trophy and Cornhole
The long weekend will look and feel a little different this Labor Day, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be anything to do. Between Irish Fest’s virtually adjusted activities and some socially-distant cornhole, there should be plenty of chances to kick back before getting back to the office — wherever that is. Friday, Sept. 4 10…
‘Black Lives Matter’ Murals En Route to Greater Downtown Streets
Sections of three streets in the greater downtown area are among a half-dozen throughout the city that will be painted with privately-funded murals this Saturday to publicize the Black Lives Matter movement. The “KC Art on the Block: A Black Lives Matter Project” is being organized by a variety of local groups including the NAACP,…
Fighting for Facetime in a Pandemic
New data tracks how in-person interaction is plunging during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting people to seek emotional connection via Zoom and Discord.
Kansas City’s Regional Climate Change Effort Soldiers on Despite Pandemic
In the Kansas City area, two local officials have launched an effort that has turned into a bi-state coalition to combat climate change. Those efforts are continuing despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
KCAI Welcomes Students with New Facilities, Honors School President
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Art Institute is launching its school year this week with the opening of its new student center and a permanent tribute to Tony Jones, the leader who’s sparked the school’s renaissance in recent years. The new 18,000 square-foot Paul and Linda DeBruce Hall at 44th and Oak was designed…
Sticker Shock: COVID-19 Infects Employer-Based Health Insurance
The costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to be seen in surging health insurance premiums.
City Club Apartments Open
By Kevin Collison The City Club Apartments, a sprawling development that revived much of a key Crossroads block, is beginning to accept residents and plans to announce its new restaurant tenant soon. The $76.8 million project by Detroit-based City Club is opening its 283 apartments in phases with the first 17 units delivered a couple…
Nick’s Picks | Watching College Campus COVID Closures, Marking Labor Day
Surging COVID-19 outbreaks are raising questions about whether college campuses in the area can remain open for in-person classes.