summer

Two community organizers want to create a sense of belonging for the metro's Japanese community with its first Natsu Matsuri, this Saturday at the 12th Street Post.

Thirty-four Missouri residents — aged 11 months to 96 years — died last year due to heat-related illness, according to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.

Bluejacket is the third Overland Park pool to close since 2013, leaving the city with four pools to serve nearly 200,000 people. Like many cities, it's shifting from smaller public neighborhood pools to larger aquatic centers — essentially mini water parks.

Kansas City may not be as well known for its lakes as other parts of the Midwest, but you can still find plenty of waterfront access within a short drive. Here’s a guide to the Missouri and Kansas towns where you can enjoy the lake life this summer.

With music, food, and the great outdoors, summer is the time for festivals and concert series all around Kansas City. We put together a list of the season's can't-miss events, including July 4 festivities and annual staples like the Ethnic Enrichment Festival.

Summer break can cut off vulnerable kids’ access to food, counseling and other resources they usually get at school. Schools around the metro are working with the community to make sure kids are supported until they return to class.

The Kansas City metro will experience the hottest temperatures so far this year in the coming days, with heat indexes in the triple digits. Find a guide to where you escape the summer weather, including cooling centers and public pools.

The new summer EBT program will give an extra $120 to eligible school-age kids. Families in Missouri and Kansas probably won’t get the money until late summer or fall. But even if the money comes late, anti-hunger advocates say the extra dollars are an important step toward reducing growing food insecurity.

Megan Karson is heading out on the open road this summer. She’ll spend the next three months making dreamy tintype images of the people she meets at pop up events in Montana and the Pacific Northwest.

Pools across the Kansas City metro opened over Memorial Day weekend. There are plenty of old spots and a few new ones to check out.

Hannibal, Missouri, is a perfect weekend destination that celebrates the life and literature of Samuel Clemens, AKA Mark Twain. You can also find other notable historic sites, plenty of events and festivals, and caves worth exploring.

Summer brings new challenges to making sure kids safe, busy, and away from violence — especially with youth homicides on track to set a record this year. One Kansas City club is trying to keep children and teens occupied with drum lines, movies and games. Plus: A collector who's determined to make Kansas City's antique fans cool again.