Archives: June 2024

Kansas legislative forum sparks debate over treatment of Black female candidates

Jeanna Repass, the first Black woman to run the Kansas Democratic Party, recounted an racist phone call she received during her campaign. As the 2024 election cycle gears up, Repass is warning against similar treatment for diverse candidates. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Repass campaign photograph) TOPEKA — As the first Black woman to run the Kansas Democratic Party, Jeanna…

Four Inane Questions with The Pantry KC’s Dee Patel 

Photo Courtesy of Melissa Guzman Dee Patel graduated with her degree in genetics at Purdue. However, instead of becoming a revered molecular pathologist, Patel shifted gears a tiny bit. Well, a lotta bit. “I started baking as a hobby and quickly realized just how passionate I was about it,” she says.  So, molecules be damned, Patel enrolled in the New England Culinary Institute—one of the most…

Photos: Kansas Citians let their joy glow at this years’ KC PrideFest

KC Pride Parade Fest 2024. // Photo by Jim Nimmo Members of the community took over the streets of Kansas City this last weekend, as the KC PrideFest kicked off on June 7, and ending on June 9. Throughout the three days, Kansas Citians let their pride show as they trotted around town, waving flags of inclusion and celebrating another…

‘No protection’: Missouri advocates sound alarm after IVF safeguards stymied in legislature

Despite outcries from families following the temporary shuttering of IVF in Alabama earlier this year, Missouri lawmakers failed to pass legislation guaranteeing the procedure.

Danielle Faith Zoll’s daughter, Makayla, who is now 2 years old, was the result of her sixth embryo transfer. Zoll, 37, of St. Louis, now runs a nonprofit called Making a Miracle which offers support to other families struggling with infertility (Photo provided by Danielle Faith Zoll). Danielle Faith Zoll and her husband have one last embryo frozen in Missouri….

City of Overland Park seeks public input in search for next chief of police

Myron E. Scafe Building on Antioch Road. // Photo Courtesy of the City of Overland Park The City of Overland Park found itself in hot water 10 months ago, as former Chief of Police Frank Donchez suddenly resigned. Donchez announced his resignation on Sept. 12, 2023, after emails revealed his conversation with a grieving mother. Now, the search is on…

Rockabye Rally: Swingset Serenade brings big band berceuses back

Melanie Dill and Tom Johnson. // Photo by Matt Whitesell Anyone who’s been a parent knows that music for children can be a mixed bag. For every Yo Gabba Gabba! and its wide range of musical performances, there’s “Baby Shark,” and for every They Might Be Giants, there’s a machine-generated YouTube monstrosity likely to induce night terrors. For those parents…

T.C.’s Fully Loaded sets roots in KC while honoring past in Japan and Alabama

Courtesy TC’s Fully Loaded Since 2019, T.C.’s Fully Loaded food truck has frequented local music festivals, office buildings, and countless obscure boulevards. The niche dish is a combination of succulent protein and homemade sauce atop a baked potato. It has been well-received as an alternative to traditional, often fried, food truck options. However, these nomadic spuds will soon have a…

Yellowcard, Bayside, and Emery highlight a successful second annual Not Just A “Phase” Fest KC

Could this possibly be the answer to the death of Warped Tour in 2019? We think so.

Yellowcard. // photo credit Andrew Dodderidge Heading home at 10:45 p.m. on Sunday night, I had a conversation with my brother about how The All-American Rejects had yet to come on by that time at last year’s first annual Not Just A “Phase” Fest in Kansas City. He attended, but ended up leaving early, along with many others—I suppose because…

Photos: Noah Kahan brought big emotions to Azura last Wednesday

Noah Kahan. // photo by Allison Scavo Noah Kahan with Ryan Beatty Azura Amphitheater Wednesday, June 5 When Ryan Beatty opened for Noah Kahan Wednesday night, it was his last show of the tour. Beatty’s soulful pop music blends elements of R&B, pop, and indie. Beatty’s music often reflects his personal experiences and emotions, resonating with listeners through heartfelt lyrics…

Inside the Bottle: Act two of the cinephile’s whiskey

Filmland Spirits is at it again, and just in time for Father’s Day *hint, hint*

Filmland Spirits Town at the End of Tomorrow // Photo by Mike Dahlor This limited small-batch release cements Filmland Spirit’s presence in the whiskey market as a company that takes its whiskey–and the story it tells–seriously. Filmland Spirits blends its whiskey to showcase the story each bottle must share. Sometimes, though, the story comes first.  Long ago, co-founder and creative…

Home on the Strange: Playwright Ryan Bernsten stages queer-centric thrillers that perform therapeutic bloodletting on ‘Midwest nice’

Photo by Ryan Bruce We Midwesterners inherently possess a superhuman ability to keep everything simmering beneath the surface. Whether it’s smiling and nodding about grandma’s hot political takes, or pretending like your uncle’s new girlfriend is age-appropriate, the elephant in the room seldom gets addressed. It’s our passive-aggressive pleasant superpower, and it can come back to bite us in the…

In the political shadow of Trump, a Kansas felon runs for Congress

Michael Allen Ogle, a Kansas man who pleaded guilty to a violent crime, is running for the 2nd District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner. Call it trickle-down politics. On Monday, just hours before the filing deadline, a Topeka man with a violent criminal history submitted the paperwork necessary to run for Congress. “The majority of Kansas is…

Rose Brooks employees voted to unionize. What comes next for the domestic violence shelter and its staff?

Rose Brooks Center Union rally. // Photo by Kaylynn Mullins Rose Brooks workers devote their time and livelihood to helping families and individuals escape domestic violence through crisis hotlines, shelters, job advocacy, and childcare. While incredibly necessary, social and non-profit work remains difficult, and many in the industry want to see change. When employees began unionizing to obtain benefits such…

Noah Kahan’s June 5 gig at Azura welcomed the crowd into a playground of generational trauma

The indie folk artist—who hails from Vermont—took fans on a joy ride through alcohol abuse, being a child of divorce, and the love/hate relationship we all have with our hometown. 

Noah Kahan at Azura. // Photo by Zoe Strohm On Wednesday night, Noah Kahan’s “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour stop sold out Azura Amphitheater, just one year after headlining The Truman. The indie folk artist—who hails from Vermont—takes fans on a joy ride through alcohol abuse, being a child of divorce, and the love/hate relationship we all have with…

Premiere: Captain Howdy and the Sunset Serenaders’ track ‘Shady Grove’ is a cowpunk romp

Captain Howdy and the Sunset Serenaders. // photo courtesy the artist In August, Lawrence’s Captain Howdy & the Sunset Serenaders will self-release their debut full-length, Howdy Reigns. The trio of James Barnett (bass, vocals, mixing/mastering), Jon Chappell (drums, vocals), and Keller Welton (guitar, vocals) have been making music for a couple of years now, with several singles and a live…

Kuda Munyawiri on scooping up a sweeter KC with his new food truck in this The Pitch Questionnaire

Kuda Munyawiri of Porai Real Fruit Ice Cream // Photo by Sarah Sipple The feeling of summer in the city washed over me with each cold spoonful. Standing on the sidewalk outside of King G in East Crossroads—with downtown neighbors as well as friends from the suburbs—leisurely sampling new ice cream flavors felt like the very best of a city…

Missouri Ethics Commission finally has a quorum—but still can’t meet or take action

Unlike other state boards, members of the ethics commission cannot continue to serve after their terms expire. Three commissioners’ terms expired March 1. // Photo from Liz Ziegler’s X account in 2023 Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday appointed a fourth person to serve on the six-member Missouri Ethics Commission, providing the board with a quorum for the first time since…

Kevin Willmott’s latest documentary chronicles life of civil rights leader Alvin Brooks

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott will debut in June a documentary about civil rights activist Alvin Brooks, who was the first Black policeman in Kansas City, Missouri, and was chosen as one of the 1,000 points of light by President George H.W. Bush. (Kevin Willmott/Hodcarrier Films) TOPEKA — Academy Award-winning screenwriter Kevin Willmott’s latest documentary film captures the life of…

Photos: Lionel Richie at T-Mobile

Lionel Richie. // photo by Kylee Gregg Music legend Lionel Richie took to the stage at T-Mobile on Thursday, June 6. Our photographer, Kylee Gregg, was there to snap a few shots. Categories: Music Tags: Lionel Richie, photo gallery, T-Mobile Center