children

Vivian Wilson Bluett is an emerging, self-taught artist who wants her art to create community conversations around social and racial justice and history.

The parents of a trans, non-binary teen tell their story as lawmakers in Jefferson City work to pass a slew of anti-trans bills.

Since the retirement of Mesner Puppet Theater creator Paul Mesner, the nonprofit arts organization moved to a new home and rebranded as What If Puppets. They're also doubling down on a new focus: early childhood education.

Children with intellectual disabilities and behavioral problems sometimes have more serious problems than families can handle. And the results can be tragic.

Olivia Bloomfield, who died in 2022, was a Leawood resident and avid traveler who was born with congenital muscular dystrophy. In January, Kansas City Council officially dedicated the universal changing restrooms at KCI in her memory.

An amendment proposed by Republican state Rep. Ben Baker of Neosho added adults into the “Missouri Child and Adolescent Protection Act," a House bill originally designed to bar minors from accessing puberty blockers, hormones and gender-affirming surgeries.

Thousands of other Missouri families are waiting for benefits called summer Pandemic EBT, a federal program administered by states that provides a one-time deposit of $391 in grocery benefits for each eligible child. Compared to every other surrounding state, Missouri’s delays have been especially unusual.

The program provides free musical instruments and lessons to children living in Kansas City's Historic Northeast neighborhood. Some of the program's graduates are now headed to music school.

At least 12 states, including Kansas, allow children to be removed from their parents if they fail to pay the cost of foster care. But that can be hundreds of dollars a month, and it's often the poorest families who must pay.

Marijuana dispensaries across Missouri are expected to begin selling to recreational users by next month. Education experts say young people are capable of having serious conversations about cannabis and other substances — it's the adults who usually make it awkward.

After a fight drew police to Winnwood Skate Center, the Northland rink had to adopt a new policy requiring every child under 18 to have a chaperone. Now the owner is worried about leaving kids behind.

Nancy Fowler almost lost custody of her kids 24 years ago, because Missouri laws considered her sexual orientation as evidence she was an unfit parent. Now she worries the country is moving backward.