The federal government will hold the second of five public hearings scheduled across the country in Kansas City May 7. Activists want to know what’s at risk here as the nation pursues increased plutonium production.
Environment
Posted inHealth
‘The dirt is contaminated.’ Across Kansas City’s urban neighborhoods lead lurks in the soil
On both sides of the state line, city leaders are working to clean up lead contamination of vacant lots to improve public health and encourage economic development.
Posted inState Government
Are Missouri and North Dakota in a water war?
A project to divert water away from the Missouri River in North Dakota has sparked a new fight in a decades-long conflict about how to manage the river’s water in times of drought.
Posted inRural
Taxpayers paid millions to clean up hazardous waste in Missouri warehouse
Who was held accountable for the hazardous powder left near the town of Berger, Missouri?
Posted inRural
How 13 million pounds of hazardous powder wound up in an abandoned Missouri warehouse
Sandblasting material used to strip paint was trucked 500 miles or more to a remote warehouse near the Missouri River.
Posted inRural
Air quality worsened in Missouri from 2021 to 2023
An annual report from the American Lung Association found that from 2021 to 2023, ozone levels worsened in the 19 counties where they are measured.
Posted inKansas City
One tree at a time: A plan for reviving Kansas City’s urban forest
Karen Uhlenhuth always has a few gallons of water in the back of her Prius and an eye toward the side of the road. When she sees one of the 80 or so saplings she recently planted looking thirsty, she’ll pull over and give it a drink. “The real test is the first summer,” she […]
Posted inEnvironment
When it’s time to decide what tree to plant in Kansas City, consider these factors
Before you decide what tree to plant, go outside and look around. You need to know your space, said Taylor Neff, a community forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Look at the size of the plot of land you’re working with, and think about the size and habitat of the tree you are considering. […]
Posted inLocal Government
Kansas City looking to resolve disputes over Urbavore and urban farming
Kansas City’s effort to nurture urban farming and make fresh produce and compost available to residents has run into neighborhood complaints and zoning citations.
The City Council’s agenda for today includes action to put an end to a zoning dispute at the heart of tensions between an urban farm, its neighbors and city officials in charge of regulations that can make urban farming difficult.
Posted inHealth
How the Kansas City heat this week, this summer and beyond threatens your health
The sort of heat wave baking Kansas City looks to be increasingly common, and increasingly dangerous.
“The climate crisis isn’t one single moment of disaster,” said Laela Zaidi, an organizer with Sunrise Movement KC, a group fighting climate change. “It’s also days and weeks of extreme heat, of drought, of failing infrastructure.”
Here’s why severe heat is so dangerous and what you can do to keep yourself, your neighbors and your loved ones safe.