China slowdown may squeeze Midwest soybean farmers
China’s rapid industrialization and economic expansion over the past few decades has been a boon for U.S. farmers — especially soybean farmers. But China’s economy is slowing down, leaving American farmers exposed to the downside of being tied to the world’s second largest economy. With tall stands of corn and green soybean fields stretching for…
Ch-ch-ch-changes, for KCK shopping plaza
A landmark business plaza in Kansas City, Kan., that has been under extensive renovations in the past year is set to see further changes. The Board of Commissioners of the Wyandotte County Unified Government voted unanimously last week to approve the sale of the Advanced Auto Parts property in the Wyandotte Business Plaza. Legacy Development,…
Sounding Smart
INTERNATIONAL Russia moved forcefully into Syria. Many of the targets seem to be non-IS opponents of Russia’s ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. So that’s not terribly helpful. India announced a new plan to lower its rate of greenhouse gas emissions. The plan includes an aggressive adoption of renewable energies, such as wind and solar, but the nation nevertheless remains highly…
Day in the life: A Kansas City public defender
Attorney Ruthie Russell, 32, received her law degree from St. Louis University and has been Missouri State public defender for the past six years. On Monday, September 28th, the Hale Center spent the day with Russell to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing a public defender in Kansas City. The following is an account…
Of beer, beans and cycling
David Smock knows that there is something brewing in North Kansas City. The owner of Dutchman Coffee Roasters just hopes it is his brew that fuels the local food boom. Dutchman began selling its beans and coffee at the North Kansas City Farmers Market this August and had a tap of cold brew coffee at…
5 questions with ‘Stray Dog’
Ron “Stray Dog” Hall got his big screen debut as Thump in the Academy-Award nominated film “Winter’s Bone.” Director Debra Granik recruited Hall for the part of the ruthless crime boss after seeing him at a biker church in southern Missouri. But while Hall physically fits the part, a new documentary from Granik reveals that in real…
The Entire History of KC…
Crazy about this city. We believe if we don’t know our past, we’ll never understand the future. That’s why we made this KC sizzle reel. It’s almost 200 years of local history packed into a single, two-minute video. What are your favorite moments? And what favorite moments did we leave out? Comment below or find us @flatlandkc.
The Weekender
Fall has fallen, and there’s no prettier time to be in our town. Make the most of the season this weekend by busting out the sweaters and hoodies, snorting a few lines of pumpkin spice, and getting out to see what the city has to offer. GAWKING First Friday art walks are always a fine time, provided…
372 letters home: The paper trail of war
Thanksgiving Day 1942, Camp Sutton, N.C. — “…I also gave thanks for the country we live in. Honey you may not realize it but this is the most wonderful nation in all the world and if possible I’m going to do my best to help protect and defend it.” That passage is from a letter that…
Sympathetic Vibrations
I’ve been tasked by this venerable publication with writing about music every other week. And I will be using my precious few pixels here to keep you in the know about local and regional music, including reviews of shows, introductions to up-and-coming bands, and some interviews with the artists who are breathing new, much-needed life…
KC-area students explore government work
More than 3,000 students from Kansas City-area middle schools and high schools got a glimpse of public service careers during the first-ever CORE4 Youth Career Expo held Tuesday at Bartle Hall. The students came from roughly four dozen schools. Hosting the event were the metropolitan area’s four core local governments — the city of Kansas City, Mo.;…
90 seconds with FitBark
Ed’s Note: Flatland and Startland News have partnered to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. This is the second episode in the five-part series. As the mecca of animal health, the Kansas City metro accounts for a whopping 56 percent of total worldwide animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales. But while it’s…
'Stars aligning' for long-sought mental health center in KC
After nearly two years of work, proponents of establishing a mental health crisis center in Kansas City’s urban core may be only weeks away from sealing a deal that involves a lot of moving parts.
Nitrate Runoff, Explained
Midwest farmers need fertilizer to help their crops grow. The problem is, nitrogen spread on farm fields in addition to existing ground nitrogen can turn into nitrates that leach off fields and into local waterways. Here’s why you should care: 1. It’s gathering in the Gulf of Mexico, creating a “dead zone” Nitrates in the…
Take 5 for your health
From Heroin To Hollywood: Kansas Native Shares Story Of Addiction And Recovery Los Angeles-based actor David Dastmalchian returned to Kansas with a message he said should transcend politics: We can’t give up on people who struggle with substance abuse and mental illness. Dastmalchian is now a budding Hollywood star, with roles in blockbusters like 2008’s…