Nick Haines sitting at desk with downtown Kansas City in background and calendar pages with arrow circling date.

New Ice Rink Opens, Davids Debates Reddy and Country Music Stars Visit KC

Early Voting Underway The Presidential Election is now just two weeks away, but the voting floodgates open this week as Missouri begins in-person advance voting on Tuesday. Early voting is already underway in Kansas. The Johnson County election office says more than 3,000 people cast ballots within the first hour of advance voting starting on…

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A person bends down and submurges a clear bottle into a green creek. They are wearing black boots. There are orange leaves scattered around them.

Citizen Scientists in the Midwest Help Experts Gather Environmental Data

A new policy brief from the United Nations argues that citizen science is crucial to global water security. Ground and surface water are facing increasing threats from pollution and climate change, and scientists need help. Citizen science, which is done by non-professional scientists, is part of the solution, according to the report. And it’s happening…

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Nick Haines sitting at desk with downtown Kansas City in background and calendar pages with arrow circling date.

Early Voting Begins and Hundred-Year-Old Time Capsule is Opened

A Holiday Heads Up If you’re waiting on that birthday check from grandma, you should be aware there’s no mail delivery today. Government buildings, banks and post offices are all closed in recognition of Columbus Day, now more frequently referred to as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We can also declare this the official first day of…

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Missouri Capitol Building in Jefferson City

On the Ballot: Navigating Missouri’s Ballot Initiative

Introduction This short video takes a deep dive into the process behind Missouri’s ballot initiative petitions, a key tool for citizen-driven democracy. The episode features Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and grassroots organizer Justice Gatson, who walk viewers through the complex journey from drafting a ballot measure to gathering the necessary signatures and ensuring…

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Nick Haines sitting at desk with downtown Kansas City in background and calendar pages with arrow circling date.

Voter Registration on Deadline as Sports Fans Pick Sides and Local Municipalities Clash

Chiefs and Royals Clash in Primetime Who’s going to win the battle for eyeballs tonight? Team Royals or Team Chiefs? Your local sports team loyalties are being put to the test due to an unfortunate scheduling clash that has the Royals playing a critical playoff game at the same time the Chiefs are on Monday…

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A man in a black suit with a beard and glasses sits in a pew in a chapel.

Compassion Amid Tragedy: Funeral Services for Victims of Homicide

[Duane Harvey] “This is where we come into. The bodies are brought in here, taken into the morgue.” [Saundra McFadden-Weaver] “She passed away a few days ago. And so now they’re honoring her.” [Theresa Lewis, Family Member] “She was an innocent bystander. And she died for their crime.” [Duane Harvey] “You’d be surprised how many…

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A sheet of crescent shaped tan-colored cookies called Rugelach sit on a countertop.

Former Brewer Hones New Passion for Jewish Grandma Food

Michael Crane’s quest for a perfect pastrami on rye started six months ago after he ordered the standard Jewish deli classic while enjoying lunch with his wife. Eager to relish a sandwich of mouthwatering, smoked, cured, and spiced brisket piled high on slices of sturdy, slightly earthy rye bread, Crane was disappointed when served a…

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An old printed recipe for Noodle Pudding

Noodle Kugel Recipe from Local Brewer Michael Crane

Grandma Brynia’s Noodle Kugel To see more about local brewer Michael Crane and his passion for Jewish Grandma food, see our recent story from Jill Wendholt Silva. A noodle casserole that can be savory or sweet, Crane’s version contains sweet raisins.  Makes 12 servings 12 ounces wide egg noodles Ingredients Instructions 1. Preheat oven to…

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A Handwritten recipe of discolored paper written in blue ink.

Traditional Mandel Bread Recipe From Local Brewer Michael Crane

Brynia’s Mandel Brote (Mandel Bread) To see more about local brewer Michael Crane and his passion for Jewish Grandma food, see our recent story from Jill Wendholt Silva. Mandelbread translates to almond bread, which is basically Jewish biscotti. “I did some research, and there are records of Jews in Italy, so biscotti did come first,”…

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A mound of mulch surrounds a tree planted in a road partision. Parking blocks and a parked car as well as traffic can be seen in the background. There is a sign with the text, "This tree was planted throuh The Crossroads Street Tree initiative" and includes a QR code to learn more.

Urban Trees are Dying: Is Climate Change the Culprit?

The approach of fall in our region should mean a picturesque foliage display is also on the way, but more and more Kansas City trees are dying. While it’s uncertain what that could mean for urban foliage photo shoots, fewer urban trees will mean a hotter city if the issue isn’t addressed.  “We are anecdotally…

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Nick Haines sitting at desk with downtown Kansas City in background and calendar pages with arrow circling date.

The KC Streetcar Shuts Down and VP Candidates Face Off

The Big Streetcar Shutdown Be warned…Starting today, the Kansas City Streetcar is shutting down for an entire month. That’s not a typo. The transit system’s leaders say they need that time to connect the existing tracks to the new extension line down to the Plaza and UMKC. Also beware… some sections of Main Street will…

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A women in a white hazmat suit puts on a mask.

Behind the Scenes of Crime Scene Cleanup

[Transcript: Jeremy Cumberford, Owner and President, Crime Scene Cleaners] Jeremy Cumberford: “But there’s a lot of blood there.” “That’s going to keep everybody safe.” “The bullet hole went right through the windshield.” At Crime Scene Cleaners, we are the Midwest’s oldest crime and trauma remediation company, serving families and businesses after tragedies such as homicides,…

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A photo of an alligator snapping turtle. The turtle is at the center of the photograph, looking straight ahead. It has dark gray coloring with pink splotches. It is being held by someone wearing tan clothing.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Reintroduces 40 Alligator Snapping Turtles to Sunflower State

An aura of excitement filled the air near the Neosho River in Kansas on a hot September morning. State wildlife officials gathered around several large, gray bins, snapping photos and eagerly chatting. Why the excitement? Forty, dinner-plate-sized alligator snapping turtles, about to be released into the wild. The last known living alligator snapping turtle collected…

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Nick Haines sitting at desk with downtown Kansas City in background and calendar pages with arrow circling date.

Kelce’s Acting Debut, Fall Festival Takeover and More

Kansas City Royals in Limbo Time is running out for the Kansas City Royals. Will the Boys in Blue make it to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade? Or are those high hopes about to be dashed after an excruciating 7-game losing streak? It’s a make-it-or-break-it week for the team. Only…

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A small wooden Structure shaped like a chapel sits in the woods with dappled sunlight on its floor. Inside is an altar with a cross.

From Monasteries To Mainstream: Some Find Healing And Purpose Through Spiritual Direction

Several years ago, the Rev. Lisa Senuta, now an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Kansas, became the rector of a church on Chicago’s ritzy North Shore.  But, she says, “about 18 months in, the place was just eating my lunch. I was having panic attacks, which was very unusual for me.” So she got…

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