Kansas City

Huge crowds of train fans turn out as the 1940s era Big Boy steam locomotive is making a rare trip cross country. It'll stop at Kansas City's Union Station from July 21-23, in between visits to St. Louis and Topeka.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to look back on the city's performance as a World Cup host, and to discuss what went right and what went wrong during the tournament.

The 1951 Black Friday Flood on the Kaw River destroyed Kansas City's Stockyards and meatpacking industry, did $12 billion worth of damage and displaced 750,000 people.

Financing affordable housing is difficult, but a new Kansas City Regional Housing Fund backed by local foundations hopes to create or preserve thousands of homes across the nine-county area. A similar fund in Cleveland offers an early look at what to expect.

Permits in the Kansas City metro area rose 5.7% in May, and they're up nearly 67% compared to a year before. The increase comes after Kansas City eased some of its energy efficiency requirements that developers say raised building costs.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains hopes to offer abortion services at all of its Missouri health centers, including Independence. They’re also expanding other sexual and reproductive health care into Louisiana.

Kansas City leaders are already talking about holding onto the giant red Heart Gateway even after the Fan Festival closes. But what about the transportation system that connected people to the stadiums and the airport? It's time to start thinking big about the region's future.

A new tax credit could help fill financial gaps for projects and ease housing shortages in the region. The office buildings must be in a downtown or central business district area, and 25 years or older, but converting them into apartments isn't cheap.

With the new Rock Island Bridge over the Kansas River, and the soon-to-be expanding Current stadium on the Missouri River, Kansas City is transforming its waterfronts from industrial wasteland into entertainment districts.

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.

Both residents and visitors cheered on their favorite team, only one of which will advance on Friday night in the tournament.

The Netherlands got knocked out of the World Cup, while Algeria hit the road for their next match. But with two more games left in Kansas City — this Friday’s between Ghana and Colombia, and a quarterfinal on July 11 — the ride isn't over just yet.