We’ve really got to ask ourselves some serious questions — especially people who are in power, especially people who are white — there seems to be a lack of empathy and humanity for Black life.”

Missouri ranks 10th in the country for high school smoking. However, rates are trending down and a variety of accessible programs are helping the Kansas City metro stay below state levels.

Kraft was born in Kansas City on Aug. 31, 1921, and quickly took to painting. In 1932, at the age of 11, Kraft exhibited pipe cleaner sculptures at the inaugural Plaza Art Fair. By 13, he had graduated to selling painted matchboxes and oil portraits.

While there's no threat of snow or precipitation, some school districts are shifting plans for Tuesday's classes.

A man died in a shooting Monday night in Kansas City, Missouri, police said. The shooting happened at a home near east 56 Street and Westridge Road.

Kansas started this year without a state grocery tax after gradually reducing it in recent years. In Missouri, the total sales tax on groceries can get as high as 8%, which disproportionately affects low-income families.

The Missouri Charter Public School Commission (MCPSC) voted 5-1 last week to not continue its charter with Genesis School.

Johnston-based grocery store chain Fareway will start construction soon on its first full-size store in the Kansas City metro area.

Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo will also be closed for MLK Day. Most local and Kansas City-based banks will also be closed on MLK and other federal holidays. The City of Kansas City trash services are closed on MLK Day for trash pick up.

Following multiple rounds of arctic temperatures and one of the largest blizzards in Kansas City history, potholes are starting to appear.

The Kansas City region contributes to Kansas and Missouri economies in big ways, despite interstate competition that has fueled massive government giveaways and tempts the Chiefs and Royals to jump the border.