Hickman Mills families grateful for 'Justice in the Schools' legal aid

The letter in June that told Lazanay Wandick the government was cutting off her pandemic unemployment benefits was not even the worst of the news. Far from it. See how the “Justice in the Schools” program aided her and other Hickman Mills families.

'Here to do our job'; LINC re-opening more sites, Covid-safe

Covid-19 cases are in rapid decline. Vaccines are coming. Reports from the CDC of low transmission in safe schools are encouraging . . . More children are coming back into school buildings, and LINC is ready.

Covid vaccinations for teachers, child care workers, Tier 3, to begin March 15

Missouri teachers, child care workers and other residents grouped in Tier 3 of the state’s priority ranking will be able to get Covid-19 vaccinations beginning March 15, Gov. Mike Parson announced today (Feb. 25).

The show will go on (and the prizes!) at virtual Hickman Mills Family Summit

Don’t worry. Things you love about the Hickman Mills Family Summit will be right there at your finger tips as the show goes on virtually March 6. Including the wealth of prizes.

Some LINC neighborhoods targeted for 3,500 Covid vaccines: Here's how to sign up

A joint campaign to take Covid-19 vaccines to underserved and vulnerable populations is targeting several LINC neighborhoods. Step one: sign up online with the Kansas City Health Department or call 3-1-1.

What’s on your ballot? School bond and levy issues, KC earnings tax, go before voters in April

Several area school districts hope to gain voter support for ballot measures April 6 to improve facilities, increase security and enhance athletics and arts experiences. And Kansas City’s 1% earnings tax will also be on the ballot.

Flatland: A Record of Kansas City Black History: ‘Chant Their Names, Almost As If Holy’

Flatland, Kansas City PBS’ digital magazine, shares the story of the KC Black History Project and the making of the special edition book.

Updates: Students returning to classrooms as Covid cases fall, with new CDC guidance

t’s been a long road. That’s for sure. But continued declines in Covid-19 cases plus more aggressive advice from the Centers for Disease Control are opening the doors for Kansas City Public Schools, Hickman Mills and Center to bring students back into in-person classrooms in the weeks ahead. And other districts hope to bring more students into already-open buildings.

Winter relief: Missouri boosts aid for families that qualify for help with utility bills

With severe cold temperatures weighing on future energy bills, Missouri is boosting the assistance available to qualifying households through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Morning Star Baptist, LINC take Covid-19 vaccines to the people

Because “Covid-19 is so serious in our community,” Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and LINC work with the state and the National Guard to bring vaccinations to one of Kansas City’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.

Sign up: LINC's virtual chess tournament open now for children and adults

There is a spot for everyone at LINC’s virtual chess tournament March 6. Sign up is under way for age divisions that go from kindergarten through the 12th grade, and also an adult division.

Vaccines and how to beat Covid: 'The answer is in us'

In the campaign for Covid vaccinations, “The answer is in us,” Jim Nunnelly says. “We have assumed Black people don’t know anything — don’t want to do anything . . . and that is so untrue. There is great capacity in our community. Great capacity.”

Here's how to file your taxes for free, with help and Covid-safe

“My Free Taxes KC” is back, ready to help the thousands of Kansas Citians who can file their taxes for free. This time around, the fleet of volunteer tax preparers will be working from home virtually or at various drop-off sites to be safe during the pandemic, but helping people get their 2020 taxes in and their refunds back all the same.

Watch: Renters rights and responsibilities; tips from Legal Aid, Hickman Mills' Justice in Schools

Legal Aid of Western Missouri attorneys offer important tips about eviction moratoriums, rent payment plans, safety inspection programs and tenant rights in this LINC video.

$30 million for rent relief coming; here's how to apply

Help is on the way in Kansas City’s struggle against a feared “eviction tsunami.” Area relief agencies will soon have access to more than $30 million in additional Covid-19 federal relief dollars to help pay back rent for households suffering losses because of the pandemic. Here’s how to apply.

More food relief available to Missouri families

The pandemic relief for families receiving food stamps has been boosted by 15% through June, meaning a family of four can now receive $782 a month. And Aldi grocery stores have been added to Amazon and Walmart as retailers where shoppers can use the EBT food stamps card online.

RSVP now: Racial reckoning at The Kansas City Star, ‘The Truth in Black and white’

The Kansas City Star recently examined its coverage of race and the city’s Black community over its 140-year history. In conjunction with the Kansas City Public Library, the Star is hosting a public discussion of the newspaper’s actions, the impact and the path forward.

'What can I do?'; LINC rushes to aid families in devastating apartment fire

The overnight news footage, just days after Christmas, swept like the fire itself through LINC’s communities. A devastating fire had fully engulfed one of the large residences at the Waldo Heights Apartments in south Kansas City. Families needed help and LINC was ready.

Dealt a hard hand: Here's how First Call, LINCWorks are lifting up families in crisis

First, breathe. This is where the training began in First Call’s recent work with LINCWorks case manager-life coaches. The advice goes both to a parent anxious over the welfare of their hungry child, or the case manager anxious over how to help them rise. You have to connect yourself to life’s oxygen mask.

City glows in amber to remember Covid victims — and urge vaccinations

A national ceremony at the reflecting pool of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., will precede community ceremonies across the country as the nation measures the lives of so many lost, including thousands of frontline workers who saved lives.