News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Chiefs Pound Out a Better Relationship at Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City Chiefs fans might not notice that the enormous drum at Arrowhead Stadium will have a richer sound this season. But some Native Americans will know.
Kansas City Approves Funds for Park Over South Loop Downtown
The Kansas City Council has approved millions in state and federal funding for the four-block South Loop project. Half could be open before the 2026 World Cup.
Grass Lawns are a Landscape Staple, But an Environmental Reckoning Looms
Lawns have come to dominate our physical — and cultural — landscapes. Now concerns over environmental impacts are propelling changes.
Neighborhood Blocks a Low-Barrier Shelter Addressing Homelessness in Kansas City
Kansas City is debating how to spend federal funds to shelter chronically homeless people. But plans for a new low-barrier shelter faced stiff opposition.
Food Insecurity Soars in the Heartland
A new study by Feeding America found that food insecurity soared during the pandemic. Harvesters and Pete’s Garden are seeking solutions in Kansas City.
Campus Protests Highlight the Complexity of Divestment
Campus protests seeking university divestment from investments supporting Israel due to the war in Gaza are blocked by laws passed in Missouri and Kansas.
Winners and Losers of Missouri’s 2024 Legislative Session
Dysfunction defined the Missouri legislative session, which ended last week after passing the fewest bills in history. Here are the winners and losers.
Nick’s Picks | School’s Out, Ballot Issues and Memorial Day
Kansas City area schools are closing for summer break, lawmakers in Missouri and Kansas are wrapping up business and Memorial Day beckons this week.
Seeking Environmental Justice in Kansas City
In cities across the U.S., heavily polluted industrial zones are often established adjacent to communities of color and low-income residents. “Flatland in Focus” speaks with residents living in Kansas City-area neighborhoods that suffer from a history of pollution.
Environmental Justice: Wyandotte County Seeks Solutions
Advocates in Wyandotte County are seeking environmental justice for communities paying the health care price for decades of industrial pollution.