Julie Denesha

The 70-foot-tall sign’s bright neon arrow and 11 letters have been restored and its 3,000 light bulbs have been replaced. So when will the metro get to enjoy the latest glow up for Kansas City’s most recognizable building-topper?

The names of nine people who were enslaved in Jackson County surfaced in old property records from the estate of Pony Express tycoon Alexander Majors. Now, an online database is making hundreds of records referencing enslavement easier to search — and shedding new light on slavery's deep roots in Missouri.

After neighbors in the Historic Northeast raised concerns about a deteriorating, three-block-long mural, city crews and hundreds of volunteers joined forces to repaint and restore it. Neighborhood leaders say the work will help renew a sense of pride.

A break-in at a Kansas farmhouse unearthed a trove of artifacts from Maud Wagner, one of the country’s first known female commercial tattoo artists. Wagner was born in Emporia and ran off to join the circus until a fateful meeting pushed her to pursue carnival stardom, inked from head to toe. KCUR’s Julie Denesha and Mackenzie Martin explore Wagner’s journey and the permanent mark she left on the world.

A break-in at a Kansas farmhouse unearthed a trove of artifacts from Maud Wagner, one of the country’s first known female commercial tattoo artists. Wagner was born in Emporia and joined a sideshow act with her sister until a fateful meeting pushed her to pursue carnival stardom, inked from head to toe.

515 Music Hub organizers wanted to create a space that prioritizes listening, "as opposed to people talking over musicians as they eat or drink." The new venture is part of a $1.6 million city initiative to fill empty storefronts and entertain international visitors.

An airport spokesperson said the expected number of travelers rivals major holiday travel days like Thanksgiving weekend. Netherlands and Tunisia played on Thursday, while Algeria and Austria will have their final group-stage match Saturday. Hotel bookings have also trended upward since the tournament started.

One of Kansas City's most popular jazz venues, Green Lady Lounge, is temporarily closed after a fire in a rooftop air conditioning unit Sunday. The venue is expected to be open in time for World Cup visitors.

The first woman to chair the Kansas City Art Institute’s ceramics program retired this month. Cary Esser overhauled the department’s curriculum, modernized studio facilities and supported a generation of student artists.

City officials, community members and business owners celebrated the grand opening of a nearly yearlong project to transform the corridor into a more walkable public space. It’s part of a $400 million push to revitalize the historic neighborhood.