News & Issues

Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor answered a series of questions posed by The Coterie Theatre's Managing Director Jonathan Thomas. Sotomayor had just watched the world premiere of a play based on her children's book "Just Ask!" (Paul Andrews)

SCOTUS Justice Applauds KC Stage Adaption of Her Book

As the first Latina, and the third woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor is noted for reasoned questioning and, at times, searing dissents. But legal opinions, despite obvious historical weight, aren’t the writings that Sotomayor referred to as her life’s work during her recent visit to Kansas City. The messaging within her…

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Friends of the Kaw’s trained volunteers pull tires out of the Kansas River between Eudora and De Soto in October. A Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game warden helps ferry the tires away by boat.

This Group is Saving the Kansas River from Tons of Trash

Bill Hughes has his eyes on a hot tub. The Valley Falls resident isn’t planning a bathroom remodel, though. He’s part of a volunteer group that helps clean up the Kansas River. The hot tub is lodged in the river bottom and it’s too large to lug away. It pops into view during dry spells, when…

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Supporters cheer the win of Amendment 3 on Nov. 5, 2024

Nick’s Picks | Abortion Ban, Death Penalty, Solar Energy, and More …

New Missouri Abortion Amendment Takes Effect Missouri’s near-total ban on abortion officially comes to an end this week. It follows last month’s voter approval of Amendment 3, which enshrines the right to an abortion in the state Constitution. Its provisions take effect on Thursday. That’s when Planned Parenthood says it will open three temporary abortion…

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exterior of old metcalf south shopping center

A Black Friday Romp Through the Metro’s Shoplifting History

Not long ago a woman walked into an Oak Park Mall bath and body store carrying two shopping bags. She lingered for two hours, examining the scented candles. Then the phone of Detective Byron Pierce of the Overland Park Police Department buzzed. The caller was an employee of the store.  “Everything okay?” Pierce asked. No….

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People watch plaza lighting ceremony in 2022

Nick’s Picks | Holiday Lightings, Hallmark, Hardwood, and More …

It’s going to be a short week for many Kansas Citians as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. Here are the upcoming week’s big events… Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt Flips the Switch on the Plaza Lights The Country Club Plaza is preparing for its largest event of the year. It’s the 95th Plaza Lighting…

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