‘We Know That There Are Some Choices That Are Better’

By | April 21, 2018 |
A beach with a visible smokestack in the background

In advance of Earth Day, we hear from Elizabeth Kolbert, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History.” Kolbert warns in her book that unless we change habits soon, the Earth and climate will reach an irreversible point, creating conditions unsuitable for organic life on Earth and starting the sixth extinction. Although grim this tale…

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What’s In Our Tap Water?

By | April 16, 2018 |
KC water treatment plant

By Lauren Langdon As the “Big Muddy” winds its way through Kansas City, it might be hard to believe that approximately 660,000 residents rely on the Missouri River for their drinking water — after it has been treated, of course. But, did you know that the treatment process itself can introduce potentially hazardous contaminants to…

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A Jolt to Electric Car Drivers?

By | May 1, 2017 |
Al Pugsley with his Tesla

Kansas City Power & Light could soon deliver sticker shock – along with the kilowatts – as it seeks to wring more cash from its network of charging stations for electric vehicles. The utility is pushing for an optional  “session fee” of up to $6 per hour for time spent at one of its charging…

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Residents In Kansas Town Say Water Rules Must Give — Or Feds Need To Pitch In

By | April 25, 2017 |
a well in pretty prairie

Pretty Prairie, Kansas, population 680, had a moment in the spotlight during the confirmation hearings for new Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt. Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran mentioned Pretty Prairie as an example of a community that’s struggling because of EPA regulations that Pruitt could ease. But residents of the tiny south central Kansas town…

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