Giving Grove premiers film in celebration of 2020's challenging harvest

The end-of-the-year celebration of the Giving Grove’s harvest went virtual. All were invited to join in an online, YouTube event to watch the premier of a celebratory short film and share reactions to the past year that is now posted online.

Harmony Project KC director wins Missouri's highest arts award

Laura Shultz, the executive director of Harmony Project KC, was named this week as an honoree in the Missouri Arts Council’s Missouri Arts Awards for 2021, regarded as “the state’s highest honor in the arts,”

LINC expands community efforts to bust pandemic's barriers for children and families

The mother’s needs came tumbling out like the insides of a dumped suitcase. This was going to take some doing — finding temporary storage, relief from utility bill debt in the thousands of dollars, and fulfilling her child’s prayer that her family would get a new home by her birthday.

Need a Covid test? Here's how to find a site

See updated information from test providers like the Kansas City and Jackson County health departments, plus Swope Health, Truman Medical Centers and other sources.

'Comeback KC' marks area's pathway through pandemic

With information on testing, tracking, links to data dashboards and an interactive guide to safe activities, the Comeback KC website is serving as a guide through and out of the Covid-19 wilderness.

Many ways to get help with housing, utilities: 'Pick up the phone and call'

Two truths from a virtual summit on KC’s help services: The strain on families — many of whom are experiencing severe need for the first time — has become overwhelming. But a rising wave of financial help and services is just as strong.

Hickman Mills' superintendent donates $10,000 of own funds to inspire scholars

Hickman Mills Superintendent Yaw Obeng is donating $10,000 of his personal funds for his “Above and Beyond” initiative to “motivate and inspire” students. Obeng will highlight students who are “reaching for the stars.”

Mortgage worries? Free legal help available for some Jackson County owners

More than 2.3 million homeowners were 90 days or more past due on their mortgages in September. Through CARES Act funding, Legal Aid of Western Missouri can provide foreclosure prevention services to eligible Jackson County residents.

Relief fund can help many households get internet access

Good, high-speed internet access is more important now than ever for work, school, or just to stay in touch with friends and family, but it can be hard to fit in your budget. The Internet Access Support Program can help.

Shake it up! Lights On Afterschool finds a new groove

No more was the pandemic going to hold back what LINC and its communities yearned to give and share. The fall weather came cool and clear, and LINC’s annual Lights On Afterschool events went outside to find a rush of parents, teachers and children ready to join the fun.

Voting at Arrowhead: 'Our responsibility' (and we 'love the Chiefs!')

A giant bowl of blue sky and crisp autumn air seemed capable of bringing the statue of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt to life as voters came to Arrowhead Stadium Election Day in what was for many an electric moment in their voting lives.

Adopt-a-Neighborhood legal aid for Center Elementary families adds to area justice programs

The Adopt-a-Neighborhood program is launching its collaboration with Center Elementary and LINC in a virtual town hall open to all Center Elementary families Nov. 12 to learn how the legal aid program can help them. The project adds to other legal aid services helping Kansas City families.

'80 calls in one day'; Community Assistance Council needs help in South KC as homelessness grows

In south Kansas City, CAC is the frontline of homelessness prevention, providing emergency rent or utilities assistance when there is an eviction or cut-off notice, food, diapers, medical support and life skills classes.

Dancing with dinosaurs for 'Books and Treats!'

LINC Caring Communities in Hickman Mills threw a joint party, handing out books, snacks, candy and helpful resources for some 260 children and adults, dancing drive-thru style.

Hickman Mills' campaign against chronic absence sets up pandemic success

The jarring pandemic sent the Hickman Mills School District’s campaign against chronic absence down a whole new — and unfamiliar — track. But the project with Attendance Works is proving a success, both in improving attendance and keeping students engaged during these months of distance learning.

Are you a person of color and have a story about being stopped by police?

Tell your story to Flatland and Kansas City PBS as part of a new multimedia series examining racial bias in Missouri law enforcement traffic stops. The four-week Flatland series culminates with a Kansas City PBS town hall hosted by Nick Haines, airing Thursday, November 19.

Families scramble to keep the lights on as utility bills pile up

Moratoriums on utility shutoffs in the early months of the pandemic helped many customers through these rough times. But their bills were only delayed, not erased. Now, as winter closes in and a third wave of the pandemic builds, the debts are piling up.

'Safe Sleep ABCs' can prevent nearly 90 Missouri infant deaths a year

Close to 90 infants have died in sleep-related deaths a year in Missouri and nearly half of those deaths occurred while the infant slept in an adult bed. That’s why the Missouri Safe Sleep Coalition is urging parents and care providers to observe the “ABCs” of safe sleep.

Can only hope now: Gaps in KC Census count left to canvassers

The opportunity to fill out the Census is past, and the bureau has been directed to complete the count and whatever work door-to-door canvassers can fill in by Oct. 31. Efforts to get households to fill out the Census still left many Census tracts in the orange — meaning less than 50%.

How many $ millions does KCPS lose in tax abatements? District wants you to know

The short answer? $80 million in potential tax revenue to the Kansas City Public Schools and more than 20 public charter schools has been diverted by tax abatement incentives to developers the past three years.