News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
KC Preservationists Pursue Campaign to Document Westport Architecture as Development Pressure Mounts
By Kevin Collison New projects in the works for historic Westport are prompting a grassroots effort to survey the district’s buildings to provide a solid planning base for future development decisions. Plans for two apartment projects and a hotel are being reviewed at City Hall for a district that’s been popular destination since before Kansas…
One-Third Of New Drugs Had Safety Problems After FDA Approval
More than 70 drugs approved by the FDA from 2001 to 2010 ran into safety concerns that prompted in withdrawals from the market, “black box” warnings or other actions.
More Salt In School Lunch, Less Nutrition Info On Menus: Trump Rolls Back Food Rules
The Trump administration has said it wants to remove burdensome regulation, and on Monday it served up a taste of what that looks like when it comes to two aspects of food policy: school lunch and calorie labels on menus. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a plan to delay a mandate that would require schools…
New Farm Will Cultivate a Future for Veterans and American Agriculture
Off a narrow dirt road in the middle of Kansas, retired Army Col. Gary LaGrange, his daughter Shari LaGrange-Aulich and a group of veterans are cultivating a future for service members and American agriculture. Three hundred and twenty acres nestled between Manhattan, Kansas and Fort Riley will be the future site of S.A.V.E. Farm, which stands…
UMKC Downtown Arts Campus Funding to be Considered by Governor in Mid-May
By Kevin Collison State funding for the planned downtown Conservatory of Dance and Music, called the “largest project in UMKC history,” is expected to be considered by Gov. Eric Greitens after lawmakers adjourn May 12. “I’m not quite ready to uncork the champagne until after the governor’s signature,” Bill Dietrich, president and CEO of the…
KC Streetcar Celebrates 2 Millionth Rider and First Birthday This Saturday
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City streetcar celebrates its first birthday Saturday at Union Station and is expected to host its two-millionth rider either late today or tomorrow. Supporters hope the success of the 2.2-mile starter line linking the River Market and Crown Center boosts the effort now underway to extend the line down Main…
Design for New Downtown YMCA Would Keep Lyric Facade
By Kevin Collison Backers of a planned Downtown YMCA that would incorporate the facade of the historic Lyric Theater as part of the $30 million project hope to wrap up fundraising this summer. David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA, told the Downtown Council board Thursday that $21 million has been raised and anticipated the remaining…
The Weekend Starts Today
Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for “Fifth of May” is an annual celebration held, wait for it, on May 5. The holiday, which commemorates a Mexican victory over French forces, has become, at least in the United States, a celebration of all things Mexican. Flatland can help you do that and more. Start with the annual…
A Lazarus Patient And The Limits Of A Lifesaving Stroke Procedure
About 800,000 people have strokes each year in the U.S. Most are caused by clots that block blood to the brain. In some cases, doctors can remove the clot using a device that looks like a fishing net.
A Jolt to Electric Car Drivers?
Kansas City Power & Light could soon deliver sticker shock – along with the kilowatts – as it seeks to wring more cash from its network of charging stations for electric vehicles. The utility is pushing for an optional “session fee” of up to $6 per hour for time spent at one of its charging…