Regional News

Coping with COVID: Missouri reports 8.7 percent of population now has first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Missouri no longer holds last place nationally in the percent of state residents that have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The portion of Missouri residents that have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has risen to 8.7 percent,… more

New security system for Kansas Department of Labor blocks one million false claims in first week

A new security system for the unemployed insurance claim portal through the Kansas Department of Labor website has successfully blocked hundreds of thousands of fraudulent claims in just the first week of its launch. The new identity verification software system… more

Kansas infrastructure receives $84.6 million in federal funding

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly along with Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the state department has received around $84.6 million in federal funding. The funds come from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) of… more

Parts shortage to halt production at KC-metro Ford, GM plants 

Production at two Kansas City-area motor plants will be temporarily reduced or halted beginning next week. Due to a global shortage of semiconductor chips, the Ford Motor Co. Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo will go from three shifts to… more

Olathe school board votes, students to return March 1

This week, the Olathe, Kan. school board voted 5-2 to bring all students back to in-person classes at the beginning of March. The board’s decision applies to middle and high schoolers at Olathe Public Schools who are currently in a… more

KC-based clinical laboratory Eurofins Viracor, Inc. breaks ground on new state-of-the-art facility

Multiple facilities of Viracor Eurofins, a subsidiary of Eurofins Viracor, Inc., will be consolidated with the construction of a new facility for the clinical specialty lab. A groundbreaking for the Kansas City area-based company this week will move it from… more

Evergy announces new CFO, Executive Vice President

Evergy, Inc. revealed Kirk Andrews will become the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer this month, according to a Thursday news release from the company. Effective Feb. 22, 2021, Andrews fills the role currently held by Tony Somma,… more

Creative Planning makes largest acquisition yet, adds $6 billion in assets with Illinois company

Creative Planning Inc. announced the a hefty addition to its assets with the acquisition of IRON Financial, located in the Chicago area in Northbrook, Ill. Overland Park-based Creative Planning will bring on the retirement division of IRON Financial, which has… more

Chase Bank to add two new KC-area branches in 2021

Well-known brand has plans to continue its growth in the Kansas City metro, announcing its intention to open two additional JPMorgan Chase Bank locations in the area this year. There are currently four existing Chase Bank in Kansas City; one… more

Mo. recognized for economic development progress

The state of Missouri recently received two awards from leading economic development publications in recognition of major corporate investments. “Even during these challenging times, we are proud that we have made great strides in growing our economy and creating jobs,”… more