From the NewsHour: The Legacy of Head Start
Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson announced the creation of Head Start, the government program designed to support low-income children and families. In its latest American Graduate report, the NewsHour’s April Brown produced this story abut how the program has impacted the lives of millions of children.
Why ‘Going Local’ is a challenge for chefs and farmers
It’s no longer enough for a restaurant to offer roasted chicken or braised beef shank on their menu. They need to be able to tell customers exactly where that chicken came from and how the cow was raised. If they can remember the pedigree of the produce? All the better. But serving locally-sourced food is a challenge for chefs, and the farmer-foodie connections aren’t always easy to come by.
Fighting Junk-Food Marketing, in KCK
For customers stepping inside Abarrotes Delicias, the noise, traffic and heat of the surrounding Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood seem to disappear. The small store offers everything from tacos to snacks to money transfers – or just an air-conditioned place to hang out and watch TV on a lazy afternoon. Owner Graciela Martinez says she tries to provide a welcoming personal touch when serving her customers, who comprise a diverse sample of nearby residents.
Kansas Legislature Makes No Move To Shield ACA Subsidies
Some state legislatures are moving to shield residents’ federal health insurance subsidies in advance of a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Affordable Care Act. The Kansas Legislature is not among them. As Kansas lawmakers work toward a tax plan to end the 2015 session, they have not had any briefings on the King v….
A gluten-free pantry, for those who really need it
Whatever someone’s route to gluten-free living might be, they soon find out it’s a bigger change than just giving up baked goods. “It’s expensive,” says Karen Miller, a retired dietitian who helped out at the Wednesday open house of the ReNewed Health Allergy Friendly and Gluten Free Food Pantry in Overland Park, Kansas.
A classic, revived: Donuts and dining at the Ladybird
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Meg Heriford is busy making the rounds. The proprietor of the Ladybird Diner, which has been closed for smoke damage repairs since March, stands in front of a stainless steel prep table in the kitchen at Pachamama’s – the well-known Lawrence eatery that closed in February.
CSA farms get creative to stand out from the crowd
The local food scene has exploded in recent years, which means there’s a lot more local produce on dinner tables. It also means that during the spring season as small farms start ramping back up, they have to work a bit harder to attract new customers.
New Healthier Living Project Seeks Input from WyCo Residents
Health advocates are partnering with students and faculty at the University of Kansas School of Architecture, Design and Planning to help Wyandotte County residents make their communities more conducive to healthy living. The Community Health Council of Wyandotte County (CHC) is leading the effort with a four-year, $1.6 million grant from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program aimed at reducing obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke in communities across the country.
BetaBlox Demo Day pitch: Laura Davis & Instaglam
Entrepreneur Laura Davis pitches her company, Instaglam: an entire curated look delivered to homes each month, at this year’s BetaBlox Demo Day event. Watch the BetaBlox Demo Day videos each Wednesday online at FlatlandKC.org and on KCPT Thursdays at 7:25 p.m., following Ruckus.
KC-Area Business Leaders Tackle Mental Illness In The Workplace
Kansas City-area business leaders and health executives are kicking off an effort to make mental health a priority in the workplace.
Helping those whose love knows no bounds
When same-sex couples call immigration attorney Angela Williams, they often ask her if she’s OK working with a gay or lesbian couple. “I always say, ‘Yes I am, and I’m sorry that you have to ask me that,’” Williams said. Since the Defense of Marriage Act was struck down in 2013, Williams has helped around…
KC Panel: Virus Associated With Cervical Cancer Also Endangers Men
Discussions about the dangers of the human papillomavirus (HPV) tend to focus on the risks it poses for cervical cancer. But as physicians and one local survivor emphasized in a discussion after the screening of a documentary shown Wednesday in Kansas City, HPV is not only a danger to women.
How Kansas Welfare Restrictions Could Lead to More Kids in Foster Care
Less than three weeks after signing a bill that’s expected to drop 700 youngsters from the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, Gov. Sam Brownback on Tuesday urged more Kansas families to open their homes to abused and neglected children.
How Johnson County Is ‘Stepping Up’ for Inmates and Mental Health
Johnson County was one of four communities nationwide introduced Tuesday as initial participants in a broad effort aimed at reducing the number of mentally ill individuals in local jails. Dubbed “Stepping Up,” the initiative is a combined effort of the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Foundation.
BetaBlox Demo Day pitch: Crystal K. Weibe, Beer Paws
Kansas City-based entrepreneur Crystal K. Wiebe pitches her company, Beer Paws, which makes craft beer treats for dogs, at this year’s BetaBlox Demo Day event. Watch the BetaBlox Demo Day videos each Wednesday online at FlatlandKC.org and on KCPT Thursdays at 7:25 p.m., following Ruckus.