School lunchrooms' grim tale: This is the crisis that Covid built

A food service crisis up and down the supply chain has districts scrambling after new resources and paring down menu options to meet the critical task of feeding students. “School is the only place where some of our kids get a hot meal.”

Cleaver: KC now a model in nationwide struggle to provide rent and utility assistance

In a quick trip home from Washington, D.C.’s wars Saturday, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II stepped into the nest of Kansas City’s most vexing struggle. “Lack of adequate housing,” Cleaver said, “is the No. 1 issue right now in the United States. No question about it. This is it.”

LINC helps parents bring media attention to dangerous traffic at King Elementary

Parents and neighbors at Martin Luther King Elementary School — with LINC’s help — say they are just getting started in trying to protect their children from the dangerous traffic that rushes by their school.

Watch: LINC drum line celebrates state bicentennial with FACT, Clydesdales, Gov. Parson and crowds

What a coming out party. LINC’s drum line and drill team from Smith-Hale Middle School in Hickman Mills broke out its blue and silver, joining the Family and Community Trust and the nearly 100 attractions with Gov. Mike Parson under Saturday’s brilliant sun, marching in Missouri’s Bicentennial Parade.

Spread the word: Kansas City opens clinic to speed pandemic aid for rental and utility bill assistance

The city wants everyone’s help in spreading the word to get more households to apply. “We need to get the message out that you are not alone,” 3rd District City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson said. “A lot of people are in this situation for the very first time.”

'Justice in the Schools' legal help for families expanding to Center School District

Legal assistance for housing problems, eviction threats, foreclosure, consumer complaints and other matters is coming to the aid of Center School District families as LINC expands its support of the Justice in the Schools program.

Here's how to get your child tax credit if you are not getting automatic deposits

By now, most of you with children are already receiving the automatic $250 or $300 in extra monthly deposits in Child Tax Credits to help with the straining costs of raising families. But some households with children may be missing out and need help applying for the government relief. There’s an easy tool for that.

Do you qualify for expanded Medicaid health coverage? Here's how to find out

Expanded Medicaid in Missouri has opened the door for some 275,000 uninsured residents to get health coverage. Enrollments are under way and if you are wondering if you and your family can get Medicaid to help with healthcare costs, here’s how to find out.

Families receiving food stamps to get $375 summer benefit for children under 6

Missouri families who are receiving food stamps can expect an additional benefit of $375 for each child under age 6. The extra funds will be added automatically to each household’s existing Electronic Benefit Transfer card (EBT) for food stamps — or SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Fort Osage breaks ground on new administration, transportation facility

The Fort Osage school board and its constituents had a pretty big wish list for its community and its construction partners when it put two ballot issues before voters last April. Thursday morning, the first ceremonial shovels of dirt got turned for the big-ticket item — a new building for transportation, maintenance and administration.

Missouri food stamp benefits to increase beginning in October

The increase — approved by the federal government earlier in August — is the largest single boost in the program’s history. Learn more and see how you can apply.

Emotional day: LINC school families enjoy safe, joyful reunions

The promise of a new year, new friends, new games and educational adventures unfolded across some 40 LINC Caring Communities before- and after-school programs Monday in the Kansas City, Hickman Mills, Center, North Kansas City and Grandview school districts.

Landlords, United Way urge renters to apply for Covid-19 relief for back-due bills

A massive federal relief effort is trying to catch up with the vast need of renters and landlords who are struggling with rents, utilities and mortgages because of the pandemic. More funds are coming and renters with past-due bills should apply, say the United Way of Greater Kansas City and local landlords.

'Absolutely Awesome!' Center opens new Indian Creek Elementary to rave reviews

Once the red ribbon was cut and the first tours were under way, students Jaiden and Janae Taylor joined the wide-eyed procession inside Center School District’s new Indian Creek Elementary School Thursday as some of the most precious guests. See what they like the most.

KC Health Dept.'s Back to School Bash to offer free immunizations, school supplies

As parents, guardians and students excitedly and anxiously cross off the days until the first day of school, the Kansas City Health Department is helping families make it a smooth start. Appointments required, so call today.

Safe for you; see how LINC is primed for this most critical school year

We’ve learned a lot in the past year and a half. And everything we know about hardship, strength, resilience and unity has primed us for what looms as the most critical school year probably in a lifetime. Everyone has a role. Here’s ours.

'I got a scare.' LINC/Morning Star, Truman Medical Centers double down on vaccinations

The pursuit of the unvaccinated is dogged now — “drilled-down” — as Truman Medical Centers has returned with its mobile clinic to Morning Star’s community center at 27th and Prospect Avenue for moments just like this . . .

All aboard! How you and everyone can play a role in this most critical school year

We’ve learned a lot in the past year and a half. And everything we know about hardship, strength, resilience and unity has primed us for what looms as the most critical school year probably in a lifetime. But it’s going to take all of us, and here’s why.

'Whatever children and teachers need,' GEHA team delivers for Cler-Mont Elementary

Just get all the teachers to put together a list. Then GEHA representatives Karen Rutherford and Niki Nelson said they’d take it from there. See what it means to Cler-Mont Elementary School in the Fort Osage School District.

'Teetering on crisis,' KC medical directors plea for vaccination, masking; here's how to save lives

It was a roll call of pain, fear — even death. Kansas City area medical directors shared their grim accounting with the city in a public call for help Friday, beseeching a community “teetering on a precipice” to get vaccinated and to mask-up against Covid-19’s Delta variant. The Morning Star vaccination clinic is stepping up.