Historic Northeast

Refugees often struggle to get to jobs, school or the store without adequate transportation. But getting a driver’s license in Kansas City is hard enough without the added barriers of a new language and culture. That's where Justin Bilombele comes in.

About 300,000 complaints have been filed with the Kansas City 311 hotline since March 2021 — spanning issues like trash, street maintenance and property violations. The KC Media Collective analyzed the problems, where they are and how long they take to be fixed.

Renowned violist Jordan Bak understands the importance of sharing the arts with young musicians such as the students of Harmony Project KC. Brooke Knoll speaks with Jordan, alongside Kyla Pitts-Zevin and Jaqueline Marquez Salgado from Harmony Project about the transformative power of music. Learn about their Harriman-Jewell Series collaboration and hear recordings of Jordan playing music by Joan Tower, Rebecca Clarke, Jeffrey Mumford and Harrison Leslie Adams, Jr.

En el barrio de Historic Northeast, los residentes del departamento Gladstone Court, aún se estaban recuperando de un incendio eléctrico que los dejó sin calefacción durante tres días cuando recibieron notificaciones de que su contrato no sería renovado por parte de su nuevo propietario. Tras organizarse con el sindicato de inquilinos de KC Tenants, pudieron permanecer en sus hogares con alquileres razonables.

Residents at the Gladstone Court apartment in the Historic Northeast were still recovering from an electrical fire that left them without heat for three days when they received lease non-renewal notices from their new landlord. After organizing with citywide tenant union KC Tenants, they’re able to stay in their homes with affordable rents.

Las escuelas públicas de Kansas City están considerando la posibilidad de cerrar cerca de 10 escuelas, debido al envejecimiento de los edificios y a la disminución en sus inscripciones. Pero las familias se han opuesto al plan, y algunas dicen que si su escuela cierra no mantendrán a sus hijos en el distrito.

Kansas City Public Schools is considering shuttering up to 10 schools as it faces dwindling enrollment and aging buildings. But families have pushed back against the plan, with some saying they won't keep their children in the district if their school closes.

No matter the season, there are ample opportunities for hiking and outdoor adventures across the Kansas City region.

In the 1890s, Kansas City businessmen William Nelson and August Meyer advocated for and started the Park Board. By 1895, the board had access to funding and the ability to condemn land for the purpose of establishing parks.

A Kansas City design firm is using artwork and nature to prioritize people instead of cars at intersections across the metro. The goal is to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

While oppressive heat swept through the metro over the weekend, there were fewer places for people to cool off. The city closed four pools on July 31.

The Salvation Choir, a Congolese Rumba band based in the historic Northeast, is creating a community for Tanzanian refugees through song and dance. Plus, why bass virtuoso left the East Coast for the West Bottoms.