college

Motivated young people seeking a first time job are encountering a “low-hire, low-fire” job market in Kansas City and beyond.

Missouri schools will be required to outline prohibited antisemitic behavior in their codes of conduct. Most opposition came from Democrats who voiced concerns the bill would discourage debate about conflict in the Middle East.

In a 101-48 vote, House lawmakers approve a bill that would place restrictions on transgender Missourians. It would also target all-gender restrooms like at the Kansas City International Airport.

Unexpected Blooms has been spreading recycled flowers — and joy — to senior care facilities for the past 10 years. Now, it's supporting the next generation of florists with a scholarship for local community college students.

The House this session passed a major overhaul of how the state funds higher education institutions. Critics say it created winners and losers among the state's universities.

Black, Latino, queer and Asian American student groups were among the multicultural organizations that lost their funding from the University of Missouri. University System President Mun Choi says he was responsible, citing a non-binding memo from the Justice Department.

The Kansas House and Senate both voted by a two-thirds majority to put the "Kansas Intellectual Rights and Knowledge Act" into law. The bill addresses free speech on college campuses and honors Kirk, a political activist killed by a gunman in September while speaking at a college event.

Multicultural student organizations at the University of Missouri are losing tens of thousands of dollars in direct funding, with school leaders citing federal guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion. “We are not going to let the university lead us into the darkness,” one leader said at a town hall Monday.

The Missouri Republican Party is mulling over how national headwinds could affect key state legislative races and ballot initiatives, such as an abortion ban and redistricting referendum. Plus: Missouri colleges and universities are racing to fulfill a new request for student data from the U.S. Department of Education.

A new Kansas law, passed by Republican lawmakers over the governor's veto, requires that people using private facilities like bathrooms and locker rooms must use the facility that matches their biological sex at birth. Texas recently implemented a similar law, but vague guidelines for investigating complaints are sparking frustration.

The legislation would require schools to use a working definition of antisemitism that would include comparing Israel’s contemporary policies to those of Nazis. Critics say the measure will discourage debate about Israel and Palestine.

As job creation slowed through most of 2025, Midwestern college graduates — and those approaching graduation — describe a competitive, unusual job market that makes them question their self-worth.