Regional News


Plans deflate for 11-phase mixed-use project in Lenexa

Plans have come to a temporary halt for a large, 11-phase proposed development project in Lenexa, Kan. Developers for the Watercrest South project withdrew recent plans that would have added 1,239 housing units as well as commercial space on 187.8… more

KC sees steep drop in housing inventory in 2020

There was no falter in the housing market in terms of buyer demand as 2020 came to a close. The largest notable decline was in housing inventory, which dropped by 51.3 percent in 2020 from 2019, according to a report… more

Regional renters receive $30M in federal rent assistance

A wave of financial relief have been delivered to Kansas City area renters thanks to a relief package passed by Congress last month. Passed legislation has approved the distribution of $25 billion in rental assistance to renters across the U.S.… more

Kansas vaccine dashboard adds county-specific vaccine data

Governor Laura Kelly has announced county allocation data is now available on Kansas' COVID-19 vaccine dashboard. A collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the COVID-19 dashboard will be updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 12:30 PM. “I am pleased to… more

Mo. lawmakers to discuss business protections Tuesday

Today Missouri lawmakers will talk through several bills that deal with the coronavirus and small businesses. The meeting stems from the recent crackdowns on Missouri businesses who are not enforcing health department guidelines. Numerous bars across the state have been… more

Metro-based MGP Ingredients makes $475M acquisition

MGP Ingredients Inc. out of Atchison, Kan. reached an agreement to acquire St. Louis-based Luxco Inc. in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $475 million. Founded in 1941, MGP is considered a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits, contracting recognizable brands… more

Coping with COVID: Johnson County, Kan. begins Phase 2, Tier 1 vaccinations today for residents

Johnson County, Kan. has moved into Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution process beginning today, Tuesday, Jan. 26. Phase 2 will be rolled out in different tiers, similar to what Missouri is doing. However, as Kansas and Johnson County… more

New bill extends Kansas State of Disaster Emergency Declaration through March

Governor Laura Kelly today signed Senate Bill 14 into law, extending the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration to March 31, 2021, and allowing for the continuation of certain resources, support, and regulations critical to Kansas’ COVID-19 response efforts. “Extending the… more

Jobless rate dips in Kansas December labor report

Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in December. This was a decrease… more

Kansas tourism division to see restructure, department move

Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday that she will restructure the executive branch and attempt to put the state's tourism division under the Department of Commerce. The governor's office cited input from businesses, destination marketing organizations and other key industry partners for… more