Projects

Fertilizer runoff from farmland, like these farms seen along the Mississippi River in Missouri on April 24, 2024, is a major contributor to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

Farm to Trouble: As Conservation Lags, so Does Progress in Slashing Gulf’s ‘Dead Zone’

As a federal deadline looms to reduce nutrient runoff into the Gulf of Mexico by 20%, tile drainage, livestock and fertilizer use have made success unlikely.

The view looking east along 47th Street on the Country Club Plaza.

New Owner Shares Vision for Country Club Plaza

The new owners of the Country Club Plaza plan to move quickly to address crime and deferred maintenance. New tenants and projects are also in the works.

The Jewish Community Campus in Overland Park.

Kansas City Rabbis Feel Local Impact of Israel-Hamas War

Kansas City rabbis are grappling with the effects of the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas and a surge of antisemitism.

At CSL Plasma on Broadway Boulevard in midtown Kansas City, willing plasma donors line up on a recent day before the center's 6 a.m. opening.

Plasma You Sell in East Kansas City Could End Up in Medicine an Ocean Away

Kansas City plasma donors help fuel a pharmaceutical industry worth $35 billion. Many donors have lower incomes and sell their plasma to make ends meet.

Stone and brick building INQUEST lettering on front, concrete steps

Minority Chambers of Commerce Join Forces on Ward Parkway

Two chambers of commerce, assisted by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, have joined forces to create the Minority Chamber Development Center at 9100 Ward Parkway.

An aerial photo shows the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

Kansas Grapples With College-Educated Brain Drain

Kansas is expected to be 34,000 educated workers short of meeting demand over the next decade. Legislators and educators are trying to stem the brain drain.

Country Club Plaza holiday lights

Meeting Hints at New Owners’ Plan for Country Club Plaza

Kansas City’s iconic Country Club Plaza is finally getting new owners. A meeting Tuesday offered some hints on what the future holds for the shopping district.

The morning light reflects off rooftop solar panels in the Lakewood subdivision.

Tapping Tax Credits to Fuel Alternative Energy

Tax credits are helping more people adopt alternative energy sources such as solar panels and electric vehicles. But raising awareness is still a challenge.

The message “You are not alone, support is here” is painted on the window of the Planned Parenthood Great Plains on Friday in Overland Park, Kansas.

2 Years After Missouri Banned Abortion, Navigating Access Still Involves Fear, Confusion

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion two years ago. Since then, Missourians sought other ways to access the procedure.

"Kansas City Week in Review" host Nick Haines.

Nick’s Picks | Country Club Plaza Sale, Presidential Debate

This week’s news in Kansas City include the sale of the Country Club Plaza, the first presidential debate and a big soccer tournament. It’s going to be hot.

Panasonic Energy's electric vehicle battery plant is under construction in De Soto, Kansas.

Can Panasonic Help Kansas be Saudi Arabia of Clean Energy?

The new Panasonic facility in DeSoto will be the world’s biggest battery plant, raising the question of whether Kansas can be the Saudi Arabia of clean energy.

The small lakes and ponds in the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area are popular spots for beginners to learn how to fish.

Here’s a Summer ‘Staycation’ Guide for Families on a Budget

Summer is officially here, and the kids are already getting bored. Here to help is handy local outdoor “staycation” guide for people on a budget.

Cows feeding in trough

Harvesting Change | Localizing Our Food System

As part of the Flatland series “Harvesting Change,” Flatland in Focus looks at the people and policies that influence the transition away from industrial agriculture to a more localized food system that protects and regenerates the environment.

Fireworks go off before a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Missouri Lawmakers Criticize Kansas Attempt to Poach Royals, Chiefs

State and local officials from Missouri denounced Kansas efforts to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals across the state line.

A woman looks at a bundle of drying flowers on a lettuce stalk in a hoop house.

Harvesting Change | Making Local Food Connections in the Heartland  

Meet the people who are making Kansas City’s increasingly interconnected local food system more sustainable on multiple fronts.