Blue Valley Looks To Forge New Path

burned out house in blue valley

In the United States of the late 19th century, iron works personified the strength and grit of an emerging industrial power. Pittsburgh became the Steel City, but far to the west, another corner of the industry was growing along the banks of the Blue River — on the eastern outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri. From…

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What You Need to Know About KC’s Mayoral Election

KC mayoral candidates

With Sly James’ term coming to an end, Kansas Citians will choose their next mayor this year. There’s a large field, and lots of dates to remember, so Flatland has compiled some key information for you. So, c’mon folks, get out and vote. Turnout four years ago was anemic – the weakest showing since the…

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Candidates to Replace Sly James Compete for Likes

Kansas City mayoral candidates in the auditorium at East High School

The idea seemed far-fetched when it was first suggested in October to East High School teacher Katharine Perna. What if her multiculturalism and social justice class could persuade the nine leading mayoral candidates to answer questions, in person, crafted by the students themselves? On Wednesday night, before an audience of about 150 people in the…

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A Look Back at the Deadly ‘68 Riots

Fifty years ago this April, Kansas City experienced deadly riots that put the national spotlight on our city. They left six people dead, hundreds arrested and multiple blocks of the city in flames. Frustrated with the slow pace of civil rights reforms and outraged at the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., protesters in Kansas…

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