News & Issues

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

Two people taking a winter walk in a forest.

How to Be Less Lonely This Holiday Season

These holidays, in the wake of the social trauma of the pandemic, may be challenging. It’s more important than ever for people who are alone to find ways to connect with others.

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Jazz Hill Affordable Housing Plan Moves Forward on The Paseo

(Editor’s note: The full City Council approved funding for the redevelopment plan.) By Kevin Collison Construction is expected to begin soon on a $33.8 million Jazz Hill project that will renovate 11 historic but derelict apartment buildings on The Paseo near downtown into 197 affordable apartments. An additional $150,000 for the project was endorsed Wednesday…

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Older Youth Case Manager Joe Brecht shares samples of reTreats gourmet dog treats at The City Market on a Sunday morning.

Dog Treats Help Unhoused Youth ReStart Their Lives

A reStart program that produces dog treats also provides an opportunity for houseless people to gain valuable work experience and a pathway to new homes.

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Homes in the Volker neighborhood of Kansas City have become popular for Airbnb and other short-term rentals.

KC Leaving $2M Annually ‘On the Table’ by Not Taxing Airbnbs

An audit estimates there are more than 1,800 short-term rentals in Kansas City that aren’t contributing to the local tax base.

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Stalled Hyatt Hotel Project Revived with New Development Team

The long-stalled Hyatt House hotel project at Ninth and Broadway may have fresh life with its Colorado developer taking on two partners and asking for a transfer of its tax incentive package to the new team. Pedersen Development of Boulder is seeking approval of the new development arrangement from the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority….

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Parts of the Platte River in central Nebraska dried up completely this summer, like this stretch near Chapman, Nebraska.

A Hotter, Drier Future Could Change How We Eat, Breathe and Get Our Water

This year’s drought could be a dress rehearsal for a drier, hotter future that scientists predict climate change has in store. Long-lasting droughts could alter the way we live.

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Regional Skate Park, Artworks, Could ‘Enhance’ New Buck O’Neil Bridge

(Editor’s note: This article originally was published Feb. 3, 2022) By Kevin Collison Creating a regional skate park beneath the approach ramps to the new Buck O’Neil Bridge is among the ideas in a report prepared by a group tasked to enliven what’s now a bland infrastructure project. Work is well underway on the $220…

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Farmer Alex Millershaski watches the wind blow a handful of dry, sandy soil across one of his wheat fields. His county in southwest Kansas just experienced its driest October on record.

Here’s How This Year’s Drought has Battered the Midwest — and What it Might Mean for Next Year

From deadly wildfires to choking dust storms to decimated crop harvests, this year’s drought has left its mark across the country. For the hardest hit areas, such as the Great Plains, recovering from the far-reaching impacts of this historically dry year won’t be easy.

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Reynard Zweifel directs programming for the Kansas City performing arts group HYPE — Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence.

Near Murder, Gun Death Drive Work of KCMO Youth Mentor

Changemaker Reynard Zweifel directs programming for the Kansas City performing arts group HYPE — Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence.

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Nick Haines

Nick’s Picks | Cyber Monday, KCI Countdown, Lezak Retires

Cyber Monday, the countdown to opening a new Kansas City International Airport and Gary Lezak’s retirement top this week’s news forecast.

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