Kansas City Friday Hyperlocal: Back To School & Allyship Across The Metro

We start Friday with a bevy of news links that seem to be a bit more upbeat than our typical content and hopefully remind us that our neighbors ARE NOT our enemies.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

New COVID guidelines give KC-area kids a more normal return to school

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Back-to-school season in the Kansas City area is back in full-swing with the most normal-feeling-return since the start of the pandemic. Health leaders at the local and federal level say that heightened immunity levels paved the way for relaxing rules related to COVID-19 exposures.

Allyship means mistakes plus action: New project draws parallels between innovation, DEIB

It's time for coworkers to move beyond best intentions, said Ghadeer Garcia and Mark Logan, announcing the launch of a new project aimed at pushing allies in the workplace to action. The co-founders created the Ally Lab project through Idealect, an equity-centered social innovation company in Kansas City.

Run through Kauffman Stadium for a good cause with the Sluggerrr Run 5K/10K

Royals Charities are set to let runners race through Kauffman Stadium with the 2022 Sluggerr Run. The 5K/10K is presented by Price Chopper and is slated to get underway on Saturday, Sept. 3."Are you ready to run with the king of the jungle? Get your running shoes ready," Royals Charities said in a press release Wednesday.

Overland Park family working to bring injured son back from Mexico

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - One local family in Overland Park is trying to bring their son home from Mexico, after he was in an accident shortly after moving there. Jim Cattey is the vice president of sales and merchandising at Smoke 'n' Fire in Overland Park, a one-stop shop for grilling appliances and accessories.

Mom puts up billboard in KC warning others of fentanyl dangers

KANSAS CITY, Mo, - One mother with ties to Kansas City has a grim message - once she's posted on a billboard near the downtown loop. Sara Manser often references "the other epidemic." Thousands of American have lost loves ones to fentanyl abuse, some of whom never intended to use it.

Former Episcopal church to open as private Montessori school

In the middle of a former church building being renovated into a new school, Sarah Vore described the last few years of work that went into what will open in September as Steeplechase Academy. Vore, program director at Steeplechase, has been involved in the process of developing more than a dozen Montessori schools around Missouri and Kansas.

Kansas City-area family holds blood drive in honor of late son on his birthday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Luis Pecina is working to become an Eagle Scout. But to reach his goal, he needs to have a project under his belt. While he and his dad were listening to NPR, he heard about the need for blood donations and decided to do a blood drive as his project.

Health department to open Saturday for back-to-school vaccination clinic

The Kansas City Health Department is hosting a vaccination clinic on Saturday, Aug. 20, where required back-to-school vaccinations will be provided along with end-of-summer fun. The event takes place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 2400 Troost Ave. "Vaccinations are so important to keep kids protected from viruses and diseases.

Elmwood Cemetery to hold 150 year anniversary celebration

Abby Hoover Managing Editor Elmwood Cemetery, Kansas City's second oldest memorial park, is celebrating its 150th year with a special event to be held on Saturday, October 1, on its tree-filled grounds at 4900 Truman Rd.

Angela Thomas puts boots on the ground to help the houseless with His Presence Outreach Ministries

Gladstone Helps Ministries. // Courtesy Angela Thomas Angela Thomas was raised in the church but often saw a lack of action in faith. What started as simple acts to help houseless individuals throughout the city has now become a major group effort among Thomas's congregation and fellow community members to create a more equitable life for those around the metro....

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