Troost Avenue

Troost Avenue was a racial dividing line for decades. Now, Missouri’s recent redistricting efforts are using the street to split Kansas City into separate congressional districts. Plus: The Trump administration is promising billions in bailout money for farmers affected by tariffs and facing a tough economy this year.

The state's new congressional map uses Troost Avenue as a dividing line, and groups majority Black neighborhoods in east Kansas City with rural communities in the middle of the state. Community leaders worry the new divide will mean the needs of underserved urban neighborhoods go ignored.

In the bill text detailing Missouri's new congressional maps, one Kansas City precinct appears to be included in both the 4th and 5th districts. That would mean those voters would get to vote for two representatives in Congress. Gov. Mike Kehoe disputed that the voters have been allocated to two districts.

Troost Avenue in Kansas City was a historic dividing line during the era of racial segregation. Now, as Missouri Republicans look to pass a gerrymandered new congressional map, this avenue would once again split Kansas City.

On Friday, Brandon Calloway will lead a 10-mile walk to showcase 24 Black-owned businesses along Troost Avenue, challenging decades-old stigmas about Kansas City’s former racial dividing line.

With the Missouri governor's appointment of Heather Hall, a former Kansas City councilwoman from the Northland, the state-run Board of Police Commissioners lacks any appointees from east of Troost Avenue. Residents and activists worry about accountability.

The eastern portion of Brush Creek, near Kansas City's Black neighborhoods, is often prone to trash and debris. Community members are calling on city leaders to clean up and improve the area.

Despite years of organizing and more than 12,000 petition signatures, Mayor Quinton Lucas placed a hold this week on an ordinance that would rename Troost Avenue to “Truth Avenue.” The street is named after Dr. Benoist Troost, Kansas City's first physician and a known slaveowner.

Troost Avenue is one of Kansas City's major thoroughfares, running north from Columbus Park down to Bannister Road. You'll find plenty of options for coffee and ice cream, Jamaican and Caribbean fare, Mexican cuisine and bakeries.

Kansas City is asking voters to buy into its public school system for the first time in nearly 60 years. Even after Kansas City Public Schools regained accreditation and turned the tide of student performance, crumbling buildings offer a persistent reminder of the city's disinvestment. It's a relationship strained by decades of racism, a history-making desegregation case and plenty of internal turmoil.

Several new coffee shops are building out spaces in a block that already includes Blackhole Bakery, High Hopes Ice Cream and The Littlest Bake Shop. "Hopefully, the more the merrier," one owner says.

Owner Zach Moores purchased two buildings on Troost Avenue that will be used as a production area and community gathering space. He first opened the coffee shop next to UMKC in 2014.