News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
A 116-Year-Old Memorial Was Stolen, Then Returned, to a Historic Black Church
On Jan. 21, a 116-year-old memorial was taken from Parkville’s historic Black church. A week later, it was returned. This is how the community reacted.
Four Former KC Mayors Talk Shop at Plaza Library Event
By Kevin Collison It was a unique gathering last week when four former KC mayors discussed the perennial issues confronting the occupant of City Hall’s 29th floor including crime, East Side redevelopment, affordable housing and Jefferson City. The executive quartet brought together at the Plaza Library by KCPT-19 and the Citizens Association covered a lot…
Nick’s Picks | Chiefs in the Super Bowl, and Other News
The Kansas City Chiefs’ upcoming appearance in the Super Bowl will dominate local news this week. Here is your forecast for the rest of the news.
Cycle City Opens in River Market
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 25, 2022) By Kevin Collison Cycle City has opened at 201 Main St. in the River Market and owner Joe Fox is envisioning a deal you’ll like at the microbrewery next door while waiting for your bike to be serviced. “I’m working on free drink tokens with…
Hall Family Foundation Donates $15M for UMKC Hospital Hill Project
The Hall Family Foundation is donating $15 million toward the construction of the planned medical and dentistry building in the UMKC Health Sciences District on Hospital Hill. “This new building will enable UMKC to expand its important work in equitable and inclusive health care delivery and we are inspired by the collaboration between UMKC, Children’s…
Rural America Grew Early in Pandemic, Mostly in Recreational Counties
Despite a spike in deaths from COVID-19 and fewer births, recent research suggests rural counties saw population growth during the first year of the pandemic. Remote work opportunities could have contributed to more people moving to scenic rural destinations.
Goodwill Considers $50M ‘Opportunity Campus’ in East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Goodwill Industries has decided to hold onto its former building at 18th and Charlotte in the East Crossroads and is considering demolishing it to make way for a $50 million office, education and social service center. The agency listed the four-story, 78,000 square-foot building for sale three years ago after it relocated…
Gov. Laura Kelly Argues Kansans Deserve Progress on Tax, Health Care, K-12 Policy
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday encouraged the Republican-dominated Legislature to embrace a bipartisan approach to vexing political issues of taxation, health care and education.
Aloft Hotel Opens at Plaza; Strang Food Hall Coming Next Door
By Kevin Collison The new Aloft hotel has opened on the north edge of the Country Club Plaza, bringing a contemporary vibe to the venerable shopping district that includes a spacious “re-mix” lobby anchored by the WXYZ Bar. “We very much believe in the unique environment of the Plaza, the experience is unlike anything else…
Bioplastics: The ‘Best Kept Secret’ in Kansas
The state of Kansas has carved out a noteworthy role in the emerging bioplastics industry.