News & Issues

Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.

Scientists Say Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Made Earth’s Surface Act Like Liquid

The asteroid smashed into Earth. And from miles under the Earth’s surface, rock hurtled upward to a height twice that of Mount Everest and then collapsed outward to form a ring of mountains.

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When The Kids Go Vegan, It Can Be A Recipe For A Stressful Holiday Meal

For parents with kids on special diets, be it vegan, paleo or gluten-free, holidays can mean more anxiety than fun. The solution lies in working together with their children to plan the perfect meal.

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state officials tour the hospital

Take 5 For Your Health

Kansas Issues Request For Proposals To Privatize Osawatomie State Hospital Kansas is seeking a private partner to operate Osawatomie State Hospital under a proposal that would allow the contractor to shift more than half the hospital’s beds to other parts of eastern Kansas. A request for proposals to operate Osawatomie State Hospital was posted Nov….

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Donald Bjuland at the salvation army linwood center

Carving A Niche

Pulling off a turkey dinner that serves approximately 1,500 people, about two-thirds of whom are homebound and have their meal delivered, does not happen without a lot of manpower. So The Salvation Army of Kansas and Western Missouri, which puts on such a meal each Thanksgiving in Kansas City, relies on an army of helpers…

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A Roundup bottle spraying.

Why Scientists Disagree On RoundUp’s Cancer Risk

After dueling reviews of research studies, scientific panels from the U.S. government and the World Health Organization are having a hard time agreeing whether glyphosate, the most common weed killer in the United States, can cause cancer. Known by the brand name RoundUp, glyphosate is sprayed on farm fields and lawns all across the country….

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How You Can Stop Antibiotic Resistance (And Still Eat Bacon)

“This is an avoidable disaster,” says one expert. And there are at least three things you can do to help.

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Take 5 For Your Health

Water Task Force Leaning Toward Sales Tax Proposal A group appointed to study funding sources for Gov. Sam Brownback’s 50-year water plan is leaning toward proposing a dedicated sales tax. Earl Lewis, assistant director of the Kansas Water Office, presented the preliminary results of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Monday at the annual Kansas…

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Question 2 sign

An Election Outcome You Might’ve Missed

It might be easy for social services supporters in Jackson County to be asking “What if?” in the wake of Tuesday’s election, when residents resoundingly approved creation of a Children’s Services Fund through a new eighth-cent sales tax. After all, the projected proceeds could have been nearly three times larger, if not for bureaucratic snafus…

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A man and woman standing on their farm.

These Colorado Veterans Are Finding Peace On The Farm

Ben and Leticia Ward’s farm in Fountain, Colorado, just outside Colorado Springs, doesn’t look like an army base. But it’s not hard to uncover whiffs of military influence at Little Roman Farm. A stack of sturdy fiberglass bins next to a greenhouse seem benign, ready to be put to use as brooding bins for chickens…

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Can’t Hurry Love: Rare Snail Finds Romance After Global Search

A genetic fluke stood in the way of love for a lonely and unique snail named Jeremy. But thanks to a public appeal, the snail has hopefully found a mate — or maybe even two.

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