Is Kansas’ Mental Health System Near Breaking Point?
The filing of a murder charge against a former patient at the Osawatomie State Hospital is prompting questions about the state’s mental health system. On May 14, Brandon Brown, 30, was released from a five-day stay at Osawatomie. He was sent to the state hospital after threatening other patients at the Haviland Care Center, a…
Local artists featured in documentaries by Brad Austin
As a local photographer, filmmaker, and creative director, Brad Austin has been working to foster a sense of camaraderie and support among artists in the Kansas City area. And although his work has gone international, Austin has remained close to home, promoting the skilled and talented artists who live right here. Watch and enjoy two…
Where do you get your meat from?
Food companies all over the world are paying close attention to the groundswell of support for food transparency: the “know where your food comes from” movement. JBS, the largest meat producer in the world, is beginning to take notice as well. But executives with JBS USA, the North American arm of its Brazilian parent company,…
Women flex their tech muscles at KC conference
Article provided by Startland News and video produced by Brad Austin Framed by a LEGO guitar and robotic vehicle, Rheanne Walton and Emma Howard anxiously review notes at their podium as dozens of technology experts await their pitch. The middle-school students are visiting the Kansas City Developers Conference to share the story of their all-girl…
5 cool things to see at Maker Faire KC (GIFs)
Maker Faire has been described as part science fair, part county fair. The local event, which runs June 27-28 at Union Station, showcases innovations, science, crafts, and hobbies from more than 35o makers. Kansas City’s Maker Faire is part of a larger, multi-city movement that began in San Mateo, California. Here are five cool things seen…
Rodeo bullfighters aren’t clowning around
Rodeo season is getting into full swing, and at most rodeos bull riding is the main event. But when the bull ride ends, the work begins for rodeo bullfighters, and a young bullfighter is making a name in the business by putting himself in the middle of the action. At bull riding time at the…
Life story of former MLB umpire pumps up tobacco-tax event in KC
Supporters of an increase in Missouri’s cigarette drew about 100 people to a campaign event in Kansas City Thursday evening, headlined by a motivational speaker who said he could identify with the campaign’s goal of increasing funding for early childhood education.
National and Local Reactions to the SCOTUS Gay Marriage Decision
Today’s Supreme Court ruling extending the right for gay couples to marry nationally has set off a wave of reactions, including celebrations outside the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.
Bringing farmers-market energy to a local KC cafe
The sidewalk ends in hard-packed dirt at 1708 Oak Street. There are triangle impressions left by the tires of earthmovers as contractors work on the courtyard in front of Howard’s – a new grocery and café concept from Craig Howard that is slated to open later this summer. “This opens us up to a whole…
Local Politicians, Health Care Officials React To Obamacare Ruling
Reactions to today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding a key pillar of the Affordable Care Act – the subsidies made available through the federal insurance marketplace:
Nominate an outstanding educator as a ‘Champion’
Do you know someone extraordinary who is helping local students? KCPT is looking for pre-K to 12th grade educators and leaders around the metro that are making an impact. As part of the national American Graduate “Stories of Champions” initiative, KCPT is asking community members to nominate local Champions of education. From community nominations, one will be selected, and profiled…
Missouri Cigarette Tax Hike Advocates Split On Strategy
Special interests have long eyed Missouri’s lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax as a potential pot of gold, if only voters would agree to hike the 17-cent-per-pack levy and direct the windfall to health and education programs.
Healthcare subsidies at risk
Early on a Monday morning, percussionist and music teacher Amy Hearting of Kansas City reads a newspaper outside a coffee shop before going off to teach an elementary school workshop. She loves her work but says she’s not in it for the benefits and certainly not for the big salary. “I feel like I’m doing…
Stroke Prevention Device Shows Promise And Perplexity Of Health Breakthroughs
Charles Welty began seriously worrying about his heart health at the gym. The 78-year-old retired civil engineer said that while running on a treadmill, he saw something startling on the machine’s heart monitor.
The challenges of farming with prosthetics
When it comes to hazardous work industries, farming is in the top three with transportation and warehousing, and mining. And many times after an accident, farmers end up as amputees. But when farmers and ranchers lose a limb on the job, they have a limited selection of prosthetics to help get them back to the…