No progress: Critical Census count in KC needs a boost

If this is the classic game of spotting the differences between two pictures, Kansas City needs to make it much easier in the days ahead to see real progress in the response rate to the 2020 Census.

Remember the new tax deadline? Here's how to file for free by July 15

A lot of obligations took a break when the coronavirus hit — including filing your 2019 income tax return. But the new July 15 filing deadline is fast-approaching. Here’s how to file online for free.

Feeding the thousands: Kansas City's pandemic generosity expressed

Perhaps the most prolific — and necessary — expression of generosity across Kansas City has been the large scale distribution of food, scattered into thousands of homes as everyone leans on each other through COVID-19’s pandemic.

'You are professionals'; LINC trains child care specialists in power of relationships

LINC and the Infant and Toddler Specialist Network, despite the pandemic, is training child care workers to be stronger allies in helping families raise healthy, imaginative children who are ready for school and childhood.

Know your child's reading level? Quiz helps parents, children beat pandemic learning slide

It’s time for a reading check-up. It hasn’t been easy taking school work home and figuring out how to keep the learning going digitally. The danger of summer learning loss is greater than ever. Now there is an easy quiz, and ideas on how to catch up.

Missouri ranks 30th in KIDS COUNT 2020 Data Book; pandemic recovery will be key

The 2020 edition of the KIDS COUNT Data Book is here — an annually published resource from the Annie E. Casey Foundation that tracks child well-being nationally and state by state. In this year’s report, Missouri ranks 30th among U.S. states.

Census 2020: KC's vulnerable communities in the eye of an under-count storm

“We’re in a desert.” Sand-colored shades in the middle of the latest map of Kansas City participation in the Census show tracts that remain below 50% — and even less than 30% in some — in the number of households that have filled out the 2020 count — putting millions of federal dollars at risk.

The audacious goal: Get all of KC digitally connected, 'whatever it takes'

Remember the heady days of Google Fiber’s big Kansas City launch some eight years ago? A resolution now before the City Council wants Kansas City to dream big again. The pandemic has exposed the city’s digital gaps and the need to get everyone connected.

Marvin Francois leaves behind a recipe for healing

Whether in the role of husband, father, mentor, volunteer, or photographer, Marvin Francois was always there. The one face you knew you’d see. The rock in so many people’s lives. Lost to senseless violence. But a messenger of peace.

Come and get it; Fresh produce free and plentiful for pandemic aid in KC

The word’s got to get out. The USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program supplies KC non-profits the chance to give away free 25-pound boxes of produce — and The Prospect, Kanbe’s Market and the Urban League want to deliver more into KC’s food deserts.

'How long?' Kansas City protesters join nationwide anger, despair over black deaths

An uprising of new anger on old embers swept over Kansas City over a hot weekend, both unnerving and steeling a community already shouldering the pandemic’s strain.

'Blown away': Crowds and rain both heavy for food giveaway in Fort Osage

The rain gathered force Thursday morning just as the line of cars began lining up early, filled with families eager to pick up free boxes of food and milk. Neither the rain nor the line of cars outside Fort Osage Middle School in Independence would stop before all 1,900 boxes of food and milk were given away.

Protections for renters, landlords rising to a head as eviction bans due to expire

The protections for renters against evictions in Jackson County are scheduled to expire June 1 — stirring anxiety among renters and landlords as another round of rent payments come due.

Digital creativity fosters child dreams of musical food parties, chess tourneys in PJs

It came to this. The teachers’ live-streamed faces flickered in the grid of a virtual conference call but none of the students who’d been invited to join them were there. Not a one. This was not a problem of lack of interest, but the difficulties of digital technology. The teachers did not give up.

'We can do this': Schools can open. Here's how.

School administrators and childhood programmers across Kansas City are steering into a perfect storm as a broken summer for education raises the stakes now and for the critical fall semester ahead. The challenge is urgent, and one they are facing with creativity, collaboration, and determination.

Remembering Tearo 'Missie' Condit: Her Hero Project gave children everlasting voice

Tearo “Missie” Condit’s Hero Project with Bob Walkenhorst was extraordinary in education. “It lifted kids up. Their chests pump up like they met a superhero. It makes them feel like . . . ‘I have a voice. I can do something!’”

Emergency purchase card plan approved to help feed thousands of Missouri families

Missouri joined 30 other states whose plans have been approved to distribute food purchase cards to all families that qualified for free or reduced-price meals during the school year to help strengthen home nutrition while schools are out.. Now the onus is on the state and school communities to inform newly eligible families and provide them EBT cards.

Another pandemic alarm: Children still need to get necessary immunizations

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control is raising alarms over another potential hazard in America’s response to COVID-19: Many children aren’t getting their necessary immunizations. These critical vaccinations need to happen as pediatrician offices and clinics open for well-child visits.

Online grocery shopping with food stamps now available for Missourians

Missouri households receiving food stamps can now enjoy the same safety against the coronavirus by making purchases online. Amazon and Walmart websites are now prepared to accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

Increasing power of food stamps could ease hunger among nation's children

How can America feed more children in need of better nutrition? A global non-profit says increasing food stamp benefits to families is essential. Bread for the World is urging the U.S. to increase the maximum food stamp benefits.