Man in hat and mask squats working on Black Lives Matter street in Kansas City.

Supporters of Reparations Effort in Kansas City Seek Funds

A commission established by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to study Black reparations is seeking funding to support its work.

Farmworkers take a quick break in a field in southeastern Iowa.

Poor Regulatory Safeguards Leave Farmworkers Suffocating in the Face of Increasing Heat Waves

A fifth of reported heat-related deaths are agricultural workers. Advocates are calling attention to the impact of climate change on this group from heat waves.

Affordable Apartments in Way of Potential East Village Ballpark

By Kevin Collison In a twist on the story line the East Village sorely needs investment, the only project built there since it was designated a redevelopment zone in 2005 would need to be demolished if the Royals choose it for their ballpark. And Community Builders of Kansas City wants to leverage that affordable apartment…

Justin Bilombele (left) and Amuri Justin (right) are stand outside of the car in Kessler Park, where Bilombele taught Justin how to drive.

To Navigate Car-Dominated Kansas City, These Congolese Refugees Teach Each Other How to Drive

Refugees often struggle to get to jobs, school or the store without adequate transportation. But getting a driver’s license in Kansas City is hard enough without the added barriers of a new language and culture. That’s where Justin Bilombele comes in.

Manor Records Spinning to West Bottoms in October

By Kevin Collison Shaun Crowley’s effort to help promote the local live music scene is landing in the West Bottoms where he plans to open a new Manor Records shop this October. The new Manor Records is planned for the basement of what’s called the 12th Street Post building at 1501 W. 12th St. It’s…

Irish Fest crowd gathers below the Kansas City skyline.

Weekend Possibilities | Labor Day Fests, ‘Endless’ Baseball and Brunch

Hear ye, hear ye. It’s Labor Day weekend in the kingdom and you have options when it comes to food, entertainment and good folly. The three-day break brings the start of the Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, a boxing match under a bridge in the Crossroads and an “endless” baseball game that will take 100…

Two black cows stick their heads under a fence to eat out of a trough.

Who Regulates the Food We Eat? 

There’s a fight brewing over who will regulate U.S. food — and who picks up the tab. Here’s what Kansas and Missouri producers think about the EATS Act.

Mayor Backs Group Pushing for a ‘Pedestrianized Plaza’

By Kevin Collison A new group with the mayor’s ear is pushing to convert some Country Club Plaza streets to pedestrian use, the latest expression of public concern over the direction of the venerable civic landmark. The loose-knit group of civic-minded, mostly younger adults call themselves Urban Lab KC. A conceptual rendering it posted on…

Country Club Plaza holiday lights

Mayor Backs Push for a ‘Pedestrianized’ Country Club Plaza

A new group is pushing to covert some Country Club Plaza streets to pedestrian use, the latest expression of concern over the venerable civic landmark.

A dead butterfly in a plastic baggie.

Butterfly Collapse Spurs New Investigation in Kansas

A Kansas scientist has launched a landmark study focused on the collapse of butterfly populations. She’s asking folks to mail her dead butterflies.

Port KC Supports Billion-Dollar Project List From River to Waldo

By Kevin Collison Port KC growing influence as an economic development agency was on full display Monday with the board either approving or reviewing incentives for more than $1 billion in projects from the riverfront to Waldo. Top of the list was unanimous approval to issue $800 million in revenue bonds along with accompanying incentives…

Two bartenders toasting Oktoberfest.

Tap List | Move Over Summer, Make Way for Oktoberfest Season

Kansas City breweries are announcing Oktoberfest events. Here’s a preview of three standouts from Transport Brewery, East Forty Brewery, and KC Bier Co. 

13-story 4711 Belleview project rendering.

Port KC Approves $1B in Projects From the River to Waldo

Port KC has approved more than $1 billion in projects stretching from the new KC Current stadium on the the Missouri River to the Country Club Plaza and Waldo.

Nick Haines

Nick’s Picks | New Zoo Aquarium, Busy Labor Day Weekend

The Kansas City Zoo is opening a new aquarium just in time for a busy Labor Day weekend of festivals.

Rockhurst University’s new Alvin L. Brooks Center for Faith-Justice will occupy this building at 5401 Troost Ave.

Alvin L. Brooks Center for Faith-Justice Takes Shape on Troost

Rockhurst University is creating the Alvin L. Brooks Center for Faith-Justice in the name of an iconic local public servant and civil rights leader.