News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Board hopes growing library of college courses will simplify student transfers
The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education wants to make it easier for students to transfer between the state’s two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Last Thursday, the Board added 16 courses to a new statewide “transfer course library,” which guarantees equivalent credit at any of the state’s 26 public two- and four-year institutions. “There…
Former Chiefs players file concussions lawsuit before changes to workman's compensation law
John G. McGrath — The Hale Center for Journalism The NFL season is over, and it was a mixed bag for the Chiefs. The team made the playoffs after an abysmal 2012 campaign, but it closed out the season with a monumental collapse against the Indianapolis Colts. Prospects for the team might look bright on…
Block by block: LEGO robotics builds interest in STEM
Red Bridge Elementary fourth grader KayShawn Whitworth wants to be both a scientist and an inventor when he grows up. “Scientists, to me, connect to inventing things,” Whitworth said. “If I was just a scientist I would be studying things and then, out of nowhere: pop! an invention comes into my head. … Most of…
CVS says ‘no’ to tobacco
Todd Feeback — Hale Center for Journalism CVS Caremark announced plans to remove tobacco products from more than 7,600 stores in the United States by Oct. 1. Through a press release announcing the decision Wednesday, the company estimated an annual loss of revenue at $2 billion. According to 2012 numbers, CVS had overall sales of…
Carondelet Health, HCA deal falls through
Regulatory hurdles have scuttled plans for Carondelet Health to sell its two area hospitals to HCA Midwest Health System. Carondelet Health said in a news release that the two sides discontinued talks after it became clear that the Federal Trade Commission would not issue a “timely, supportive decision.” Carondelet Health, which is part of St….
KC Health Department boosting efforts in the Northland
The city of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department has taken an initial step in its effort to improve service north of the river, and city officials said the move could be a precursor to a combined health and transit hub at one of the Northland’s busiest intersections. In mid-January, according to Deputy Director Bert Malone,…
Funding for new patient building
The University of Kansas Hospital has secured some major philanthropic support for a new patient building at its Kansas City, Kan., campus. In a news release, the hospital said donors have pledged large gifts toward the new building. The hospital owns about 14 acres at the northwest corner of 39th Street and State Line Road,…
Sebelius pushes health exchanges
Alex Smith — KCUR Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urged the uninsured to enroll in the federal health exchange at a press conference in Kansas City, Mo., Monday morning. At the Full Employment Council near 18th and Vine, Sebelius touted the benefits of the health exchange for both the uninsured and for the…
Local student tackles concussion story for PBS NewsHour
Six schools from across the country contributed video packages investigating the impact of concussions for the PBS NewsHour’s Student Reporting Labs.
Mental health officials brief stakeholders on KCK facility
A new short-term mental health facility in Kansas City, Kan., will have the capacity to serve community needs and will not abandon patients after they are treated, the operators of the facility said at a Friday forum. There should always be adequate space in the facility because the focus of the treatment will be quick…