Hickman Mills names three finalists for superintendent

The Hickman Mills school board announced its three finalists for superintendent, naming two out-of-state superintendents and an assistant superintendent in Kansas City.

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.

Hickman Mills' superintendent search narrows to six semi-finalists

The Hickman Mills school board is interviewing — via Zoom — six semi-finalists this week who are vying to be the district’s next superintendent. The board expects to present the finalists early next week to the public, posting resumes and video interviews by the board.

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.

Are we doing right by Missouri children? Mapping tool charts pandemic equity

Even as Missouri KIDS COUNT was preparing to release its 2020 data book, its writers knew everything was changing and that the stakes with the pandemic are rising for our most vulnerable children. So now comes the “Story Map of Vulnerability.”

Diabetes and COVID-19 make deadly mix; KCPT forum rallies resources

Before the coronavirus “poured gasoline on an already existing fire,” KCPT and PBS had already planned an intense public awareness campaign baring diabetes as “a silent killer” threatening millions of Americans. Now a recorded virtual town hall in KC is rallying help.

Reopening KC in pandemic like lighting campfires in field of dry grass

Mayor Quinton Lucas and KC Health Director Rex Archer feel like fire chiefs without a brigade, watching embers in the wind. Even yet, KC is still moving ahead — “as of now,” Lucas said — with a phased reopening May 15.

KC's looming summer childcare crisis demands action

Beginning May 15, thousands of parents are going to be expected to return to work without an answer to the question: who will watch my kids? Turn the Page KC has issued a call to action.

'Black people should be very cautious'; the plea of a public health crusader

“African-Americans are no longer willing to sit in the back of the healthcare bus,” says Jim Nunnelly as he crusades for public health justice and awareness during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pandemic doesn't stop bike riding, nor safety lessons; BikeWalkKC, LINC find a way

The pandemic and its quarantine isn’t stopping kids from riding bikes this spring. Nor, it turns out, does it have to stop important safety lessons. Instead of burrowing into our coronavirus cocoons, BikeWalkKC and LINC built a virtual classroom.

Look here: Free tax filing, get your refund, get your stimulus check

If you have not yet filed your 2019 federal income tax return — or gotten your economic stimulus check from the government, here are some important facts. You’ve got time. You may be able to file for free. And you may need to file to get your government stimulus check.

Plan A, Plan B, Plan . . . Z? Schools trying to predict future that's impossible to know

It almost goes without saying, but Recommendation No. 1 in the state’s recent advice to school districts on how to run summer school is: “Maximum flexibility.” And with the uncertain horizon before them, expect the same come the start of the next school year in August.

Re-opening Kansas City Phase One (and this is hard): Take it slow

The eagerness to reopen Kansas City passes the point of pain for so many. The competing official declarations and the public health warnings have created a hall of mirrors as we try to find the right way out to recover lives that will never be the same again.

Making books happen: How critical reading goes on in quarantine

Throughout the city, reading advocates like LINC partners Turn the Page KC and First Book are inventing ways to get essential books into the hands of children and support to their parents and guardians.