News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Stonehenge Dropping at Union Station, Follows Big Dinosaur Success
Union Station is going back in time again for its next major exhibition, although not as far as its hugely successful “Dinosaurs Revealed!” show that closed last weekend after attracting 165,000 visitors. “Stonehenge: Ancient Mysteries and Modern Discoveries” will explore the massive and mystical stone structure built beginning 5,000 years ago in the English countryside…
Hear What Kansas City-Area Teachers Say About High School Prep For Careers
The quick-takes from Kansas City-area teachers, featured in the video above, indicate that these classroom leaders have done some learning of their own when it comes to preparing their students for the world of work. The upshot is that they see workforce prep as more than just teaching the basics. — Kansas City PBS is…
Streetcar Extension Plan Wins Key Support From Federal Agency
By Kevin Collison Federal transit officials have rated the Kansas City Streetcar Authority’s $151.6 million funding application “medium high,” a vital step toward building the planned extension from downtown to UMKC. While the Federal Transit Administration rating doesn’t guarantee funding in the pending federal budget, anything below a medium rating would have killed the project’s…
Harvey’s Whistle Stop Market Opens at Union Station
By Kevin Collison Harvey’s at Union Station has opened a new food outlet geared toward satisfying the appetites of younger families with kids and other visitors who want to grab a quick, easy bite to eat. The new Harvey’s Whistle Stop Market is located in space formerly occupied by a delicatessen next to the full-service…
Finding Friends When You Are Over 60
Sheryl Raineri grew up in the Chicago suburbs, relocated to the warmer climes of San Antonio for almost two decades, and then found herself in Kansas City, North, of all places, nearly seven years ago. She came here for family support when her husband was dying from lung disease. A career move had brought her…
Mac Plans to Renovate Former Red Cross Building Into Apartments
By Kevin Collison Mac Properties plans to renovate the former American Red Cross building at 211 W. Armour Blvd. into 61 apartments, the latest installment in the firm’s ongoing transformation of the Armour corridor in midtown. The proposed $11.7 million project would expand the Chicago-based firm’s apartment portfolio along Armour. Over the past decade, Mac has…
How (And Why) is Kansas City’s Kauffman Center Shaped Like That?
Peek behind the curtain with curiousKC and learn why architects built the Kauffman Center that way.
KC Mayoral Debate: 5 Key Takeaways
If you were home Wednesday evening enjoying some of your favorite Kansas City PBS programming (we hope!), you are excused for not attending the Kansas City mayoral debate moderated by KCPT’s own Nick Haines. We also understand if you were otherwise indisposed. Polls indicate a large chunk of the electorate remains undecided going into the…
City Seeks Proposals for Big Overhaul of Barney Allis Plaza and Garage
By Kevin Collison The city is seeking proposals for a major overhaul of Barney Allis Plaza and its garage, following up on a study that described the square in the heart of downtown as a “forlorn stretch of grass and asphalt.” A request for proposals has been released by the City Manager’s Office with responses…
Westin Hopes New Lobby Bar and Restaurant Becomes City Destination
By Kevin Collison The Westin Crown Center, a downtown hospitality fixture since 1973, has completely renovated its former lobby restaurant and bar with an eye toward matching the wide appeal of a hip, new upstart in the Crossroads. “We hope to have the same impact as the Crossroads Hotel,” said Charles Barr, chef de cuisine….