Up From the Ashes: Warwick Theatre Revival Draws Applause

Karen Paisley, artistic director and cofounder of the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, stands in a balcony above the stage at the Warwick Theatre. Behind her are storage tubs full of costumes that she and volunteers cleaned after a devastating fire at the site two years ago, on Feb. 6, 2024. (Todd Feeback | Flatland)

Two years ago, John Cleary met a fellow Kansas City actor for drinks. Their conversation centered on the fate of the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. A large portion of the ensemble’s home, the Warwick Theatre, was ash, charred timbers and soot-saturated costumes and props — remnants from a recent massive fire. The destruction was so great…

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Nick’s Picks | Veterans, Mission Gateway, Big Sonia and More …

The National World War I Museum and Memorial.

Shutdown Deal on the Way Is America’s longest government shutdown about to end? It could be over by the end of the week, after a group of eight Democrats agree to join Senate Republicans in a vote to reopen the government, at least through January. The deal comes without a guaranteed extension of health care…

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Trump Views Raise Questions for De Soto Panasonic Plant

Morning sun peeks over the roof of the Panasonic EV Battery Facility in DeSoto, Kansas, on Jan. 17, 2025. (Chase Castor | Flatland)

The mammoth $4 billion Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant nearing completion on the western edge of Kansas City is the biggest investment ever in the state of Kansas. Now it looms as possibly the biggest paradox and largest question mark hanging over the state and its future fortunes. The paradox is that one of the…

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New Ice Rink Opens, Davids Debates Reddy and Country Music Stars Visit KC

Nick Haines sitting at desk with downtown Kansas City in background and calendar pages with arrow circling date.

Early Voting Underway The Presidential Election is now just two weeks away, but the voting floodgates open this week as Missouri begins in-person advance voting on Tuesday. Early voting is already underway in Kansas. The Johnson County election office says more than 3,000 people cast ballots within the first hour of advance voting starting on…

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