News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
How Should Police Officers Combat Stress?
Clinical psychotherapist Pat Hinkle was a police officer for 30 years before starting his counseling practice to help other officers work through stress and trauma. During his time as an officer, Hinkle recognized that there was a disconnect between police departments’ understanding of mental health and counselors’ understanding of officers’ experience of stress. “I had…
Why Eclipses Have Always Fascinated Us
Nearly a year after the eclipse drew our eyes to the sky for minutes of totality, we look at the fascination of eclipses throughout history. As our public media friends at Oregon Public Broadcasting prepare for an eclipse on Aug. 21, take a look at their video that helps explain the link between mythology, the world’s first…
Flashcube Building Apartment Project Expects to Start Early 2019
By Kevin Collison The planned redevelopment of the historic “Flashcube” building into apartments has hit a “profound” budget jump due to price increases for construction materials and labor, raising the cost by 38 percent to $69 million. In response, a request by the developer, Worcester Investments, to have its “prevailing wage” labor goal set at…
Reimagining the School of the Future at Maker Faire KC
Organizers call Maker Faire the Greatest Show (And Tell) on Earth, and Kansas City held its eighth annual version of the international event at Union Station in June. The two-day faire drew crowds to celebrate all things creative — from science to art and anything in between. As part of our Take Note education project, and in conjunction with…
Visit KC Chooses New Leader at Pivotal Time for Downtown Convention Industry
With Kansas City’s convention infrastructure poised to be its most competitive since the 1976 Republican National Convention, Visit KC has picked a top hospitality executive from Pittsburgh to help the city cash in on its investment. Jason Fulvi is the new president and CEO of Visit KC, the metro’s primary convention and tourism marketing organization,…
Benchmarking Success
Creating an Austin, Texas-type buzz in the Kansas City area means establishing the 21st century workforce that can succeed in the 21st century workplace, said Sheri Gonzales Warren, an economic development official with the Mid-America Regional Council. “If we do a good job of this,” Gonzales Warren said, “ this would be one of those…
Crossroads Hotel Opening in October, 131-Room Historic Renovation Project
The Crossroads Hotel is opening this October at 21st and Central streets, reviving the historic Pabst Brewing and Pendergast buildings as a 131-room boutique hotel and rooftop bar. In a press release, Chicago-based Aparium Hotel Group said the hotel, which will feature three restaurants and bars including the rooftop, is accepting reservations for stays beginning…
Downtown is Center for 816 Day Celebration This Thursday
By Kim Mueller Downtown neighbors will celebrate all things Kansas City on Thursday during the second annual 816Day event inspired by the city’s area code. “It’s a great time to show some love for Kansas City with an emphasis on downtown,” said Jared Campbell, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association. Celebrating a city’s area code…
Betty Rae’s Begins Scooping Ice Cream Late August in River Market
By Kevin Collison The missing ingredient on the Delaware Street food scene menu, a great place for dessert, will be filled the last week of August with the opening of Betty Rae’s Ice Cream at 412 Delaware. Betty Rae’s Founder David Friesen is delighted to open a second helping of the famed Waldo ice cream…
Just in Time for Dog Days, Bar K Opening Soon on Riverfront
By Kevin Collison Brooke Laws and her pal Gatsby had been at a loss since July 22. Their favorite hangout, Bar K, had closed its West Bottoms pilot operation and it wasn’t until this week its new riverfront location was ready for a sneak preview. “During the two weeks without this, we thought ‘what are…