Barbara Shelly
Stories by Barbara Shelly
Kansas Community Colleges Reaching a Crossroads
Kansas’ 19 community colleges offer a pathway for 96,000 students to pursue postsecondary studies. But precipitous enrollment declines, aging campuses and funding struggles cloud the future of these institutions, which are often economic linchpins in small cities.
‘Ten Years to Save the Planet’: Kansas City Metro’s Small-town Mayors Take Up Climate Fight
Mayors and local officials founded Climate Action KC, and are taking measurable steps to reduce emissions and create healthier communities throughout the Kansas City metro.
Getting Unlicensed Drivers Off the Road … By Helping Them Get Licenses
Kansas City, Kansas, police have created what might be the nation’s first police-run driver training school to help get unlicensed drivers off the streets.
Blank Page Gambit Pays Off for Northeast News
The community rallied around the Northeast News when the struggling neighborhood newspaper published an edition with a blank front page.
In South Kansas City, Death of Newspapers is Greatly Exaggerated
The Martin City Telegraph is an anomaly in the newspaper business - startup print publication that is growing.
Families Scramble to Keep the Lights On As Utility Bills Pile Up
Thousands of people around the Kansas City region who have lost jobs due to the pandemic are seeking help with their utility bills.
Music Venues, Bars and Restaurants Brace for Long, Hard Winter
Kansas City music venues, bars and restaurants are bracing for a long, hard winter as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on. Among other things, they would appreciate some government help.
An Olathe Hospital Sued Thousands for Medical Debt, and Dozens Went to Jail
Other hospitals sue patients for medical payments in Johnson County. But until recently none did so as frequently as Olathe Medical Center.
Neighborhood Street Closures Become a Thing in Kansas City
Blocks across Kansas City are being closed to through traffic, thanks to the growing popularity of Neighborhood Open Streets permits.
Liberty’s Effort To Regulate Lenders Generates More Interest
Installment lenders are battling Liberty in court and in the Missouri legislature over new regulations designed to curb high-interest lending.