News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Historic Board of Ed Building Coming Down, Home for Kraft Murals Sought
By Kevin Collison Demolition of the historic former Board of Education building at 1211 McGee is expected to begin soon, although its owner remains open to finding a new home for the colorful mosaic murals adorning it by the late Arthur Kraft. Developer Jon Copaken of Copaken Brooks, which purchased the property last September, said…
KC Families Share How Ramadan Changed This Year
In this special project, three households in the Kansas City area share, in their own voices, what they have been doing to observe the month-long practice of prayer, fasting and community while at home.
Historic Board of Education Building is Being Demolished
Demolition of the historic former Board of Education building at 1211 McGee is expected to begin soon.
Tap List | Hoisting a Toast to American Craft Beer Week
Tap List celebrates American Craft Beer Week.
City Market Gains Bold Icon with Reconnected Walnut
By Kevin Collison Downtown has a great, new photo op, patrons have new places to relax and merchants have improved their visibility courtesy of the return of Walnut Street to the City Market after a 30-year absence. An informal dedication is expected this week for the city project which in addition to reconnecting Walnut between…
Nick’s Picks: Reopening Just in Time for a Summer Like No Other
The Kansas City area is reopening for a summer like no other during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Downtown Dish Debuts, Weekly Zoom Event Promotes Food and Drink
By Kevin Collison What started as a way to promote the City Market during construction is expanding via Zoom to boost restaurants and bars throughout greater downtown struggling with Covid restrictions in what’s being billed as Downtown Dish. The 45-minute, weekly virtual conversation beginning today at noon is the creation of the KC Streetcar Authority,…
FBI Downtown HQ in Play, Northland Site Pitched
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City regional FBI office, a downtown fixture since at least 1920, is investigating a new home and is being pitched on a Northland site, although other location offers are expected including the downtown riverfront. The agency, which is currently housed in a fortress-like setting at 1300 Summit, is seeking what…
From Spanish Flu to Covid-19, Michael’s Finds Cure to Carry On
By Kevin Collison It’s fairly safe to say, Michael’s Fine Clothes for Men is the only downtown retailer to have survived two pandemics, the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918 and the current coronavirus crisis. “My grandfather went through it and I guarantee you, he didn’t close,” said Keith Novorr, the third generation of his family…
Martin City Hopes for Opportunity Zone Boost
Martin City boosters now hope to leverage its unique down-home-but-high-tech vibe as an Opportunity Zone, a federal program that encourages investors to reinvest capital gains in economically distressed areas.