News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
In Kansas and Missouri, Immigrants are Rooted in the Agriculture Workforce
This curiousKC report looks at immigrant labor in agriculture today and its history. We spoke with an economist, an immigration attorney and former farmworker to learn more.
Modern Society Adds Stylish Retail Option to Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The fledgling Crossroads retail scene–and downtown in general–is gaining a stylish clothing shop with the opening of Modern Society on the ground level of the new ARTerra apartment tower. “This is the demographic for us, the young professionals,” said co-owner Bryan Pena. “It’s a close community with a lot of apartments, including…
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Winding Down Run at The Arts Asylum
By Kevin Collison The Arts Asylum production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” has two weekends left in its current run and backers say the show’s first fully-staged Kansas City production in a generation has been well received. “It’s one of the larger productions in terms of cast and performances and we’ve been working on it for…
First Friday Hopes to Create New Tradition with Alley Art
By Kevin Collison After hitting the reset button last month, this week’s First Friday in the Crossroads is returning art vendors to the mix in what organizers hope will become a new tradition. “We’re going to have all the art vendors in some of our cool alleyways,” said Jeff Owens, president of the Crossroads Community…
“American Graduate: Getting To Work” Sparking Firefighter Careers
The “American Graduate: Getting to Work” series visits the firefighter training program at Fort Osage Career & Technical Center.
Mildred’s New Central Downtown Location Now Open on Baltimore
By Kevin Collison Mildred’s has opened at 908 Baltimore, leaving its original location inside the Ten Main Center office tower for a more visible, pedestrian-friendly spot in the old La Rue Building. The popular coffee shop and cafe originally started downtown in Ten Main long before it opened its better-known second location in the Crossroads…
Suicide-Prevention Specialists Urge Parents To Safely Store Guns, Ammo
Suicide-prevention advocates say access to guns in households with at-risk teenagers is a recipe for disaster.
Westside Flats Residential Development Nearing Completion
By Kevin Collison Westside Flats, a $10 million, 33-unit residential project at 17th and Madison, is nearing completion after a larger plan was dropped three years ago because of neighborhood criticism. “We are excited to be part of the community and neighborhood,” said Austin Bradley, vice president of development for EPC Real Estate. “It’s been…
Pirate’s Bone Burger ‘Plants’ its Flag in Crossroads
(Editor’s note: this story originally appeared Sept. 27, 2019, it’s part of an occasional reminder of businesses that have opened along the streetcar line) By Kevin Collison Pirate’s Bone Burger, the newly-opened Crossroads diner, has nothing to do with pirates, definitely not bones, and when it comes to burgers, don’t go in expecting a greasy…
Retiring City Manager Troy Schulte Reflects on Downtown’s Revival and Future
(Editor’s note: City Manager Troy Schulte announced this week he plans to retire in February after serving 10 years in the job. He was given an opportunity to speak to the Downtown Council’s 3rd Annual Office Summit Wednesday. Schulte reflected on what’s been accomplished downtown during his tenure and what he’d like to see moving…