News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Reimagining Schools at Maker Faire Kansas City
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,…
New 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City Wraps Hospitality Around Art
(Updated July 31: AccorHotels, a French firm, has acquired 21cMuseum Hotels, paying $51 million to purchase 85 percent of the firm. 21c founders Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson will retain a 15 percent ownership share. AccorHotels owns 4,000 hotels throughout the world making it the largest hotel group outside the United States.) By Kevin…
Local Pig Relocating to City Market, Taking Former Winslow BBQ Space
The Local Pig & Pigwich is leaving the East Bottoms for the former Winslow BBQ space at 20 E. Fifth St. in the City Market with an opening expected in mid-October. After six years at 2618 Guinotte Ave., co-owners Alex Pope and Matt Kafka began exploring ways to expand Pigwich, a stationary food truck adjacent…
Endangered Wheatley-Provident Hospital Saved; Historic Black Institution Being Redeveloped
By Kevin Collison The long-vacant Wheatley-Provident Hospital, an important landmark in the Kansas City African-American community, has been purchased by a development group with plans to renovate it as offices. The deteriorating building at 1826 Forest was the only hospital operated and staffed by black doctors and nurses at a time when healthcare services were…
Moving Out But Struggling to Move On
When it comes to education and work, many foster kids are already at a disadvantage when they enter the system, often coming from families beset by generational poverty. Unfortunately, their circumstances are not much improved once they “age out” of foster care, according to findings in a national survey by the organization Child Trends. The…
The Fire Within Fuels Path From Foster Care to University
Dakota Kinslow completed high school by acing tests. His chaotic home life made it impossible to complete work outside of class. He shuttled between various family members after the court removed him from his home when he was very young. His childhood was marked by witnessing drug use and abuse, and at age 13, he…
The Star Turns Lights Out after More Than a Century at 1729 Grand
By Kevin Collison More than a century of newspaper history ends today when The Kansas City Star staff moves from its historic quarters at 1729 Grand into new space in the Press Pavilion across McGee Street. The Star’s local management, as has been the case since the real estate transaction was first publicized in March 2017,…
Bird Arrives Downtown, ‘Lil Lectric’ Scooters Not Without Controversy
By Kevin Collison The Bird quietly scooted into downtown Kansas City Wednesday, a new smartphone-based personal transportation method that like its predecessors Lyft and Uber, is not without controversy elsewhere. The dock-free electric scooters, which are rented using a smartphone app, are billed as an ideal way for people to roll that last few blocks…
Savoy Bar and Restaurant Reopens Blending Old and New
By Kevin Collison One of downtown Kansas City’s best-known landmarks, the Savoy Grill, reopened last week with the historic furnishings of the original bar intact and a contemporary makeover to the adjoining dining room. “It was a design challenge, taking a beloved space and updating it for contemporary use,” said Molly Swyers, chief brand officer…
Don’t Count Out Human Workers Just Yet
“Robots may be taking over the world, but there’s got to be someone who builds them,” Meg Reinhardt says. And, thanks to on-the-job training she began in high school, Reinhardt plans to be one of the people who keep those robots going. Think you need a four-year college degree for that? Well, think again. Reinhardt,…