Kansas City's Northeast Newscast

Today, we are taking a look at the Kansas City Public School District. As schools are out for the remainder of the school year, there is a lot that is still happening at KCPS. Meal distribution, distance learning, virtual check-ins with students and families, and more. In the midst of the effects of COVID-19, the school district is also working on their FY 2020-2021 budget and are seeking public input. An overview of the proposed budget will be presented to the School Board by KCPS Chief Financial and Operations Officer Linda Quinley and her team during a public meeting on May 13. KCPS is asking parents, stakeholders, and the community to offer their opinion on the proposed budget. Today, we are speaking with Manny Abarca, treasurer of the school board, to talk about how KCPS gets their funding, will COVID19 affect funding, or the results of the upcoming Census… why is it important for the community to offer opinions on the budget and just how parents can do that. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Deanna Munoz, CEO and founder of the Latino Arts Foundation (LAF). Latino Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization created to bring forth the voices of underrepresented artists through diverse stories, cultures, and beliefs to create an artist-based space for their community.Munoz discusses the history of LAF, virtual mentorship programs, becoming a mentee or mentor, and the upcoming month-long virtual LAFestival in September 2020. 

This week, we are focusing on finances. As millions of people are without work and navigating unemployment, getting a clear grasp on one’s finances is a struggle. We sat down with Zebulun Jackson, a financial advisor at Edward Jones. He works to improve the lives of families and businesses in our community by using an established process to help achieve short and long-term goals. In this discussion, he outlines clear steps on how to create a financial plan, discusses investing, what his role is as a financial advisor, and how to access a financial advisor to begin your plan.

This week, we sat down with the Kansas City Public Library Digital Branch Manager, Dave LaCrone, to highlight all the digital resources available with a library card!LaCrone outlines resources for ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, music, movies, online learning, homework help, and more. 

This week, we spoke with the CEO of KC CARE Health Center, Wil Franklin, about how patients can access care through Telehealth and how KC CARE Health Center is operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Franklin said there have been a lot of changes, but the goal for KC CARE Health Center is to continue to provide quality care to the community. Telehealth service has been ramped up in response to the stay-at-home order, allowing individuals to see a doctor with their smartphone, computer, or tablet. Recently, KC Care Health Center, alongside Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, Swope Health Services, and and other Missouri community Health centers, received millions in COVID-19 response grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).What follows is a conversation with KC Care CEO Wil Franklin regarding the grant and how KC Care continues to serve patients in the community.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating women’s voices in our community with a four-episode series during the month of March.This week, we are speaking with Kansas City Public School District Board Chair Pattie Mansur. Mansur was elected in April 2014 and is currently a member-at-large. She received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism, News-Editorial from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a Master’s of Business Administration, Marketing from the Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is also the current Communications and Health Policy Director for REACH Healthcare Foundation, health philanthropy located in Merriam, Kansas.This week, Mansur discusses how Kansas City Public Schools are empowering girls in the classroom, various opportunities female students have in the Kansas City area, and what the community can be doing to continue to support and empower women.Mansur also speaks about the importance of Women’s History Month and t

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating women’s voices in our community with a four-episode series during the month of March.This week, we discuss Women’s History Month through the perspective of a transgender woman, Landon Patterson. Patterson, 22, has an extraordinary following on social media and was Missouri’s first transgender female to be nominated and win homecoming queen.She regularly speaks out and posts about her transition on social media and discusses the challenges and stigma surrounding being transgender. As a trans-woman, Patterson discusses this week how she views Women’s History Month, how it relates to her, and her perspective on women’s empowerment. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating women’s voices in our community with a four-episode series during the month of March.This week, we are sitting down with three women on the Northeast News staff: Kalie Strain, editorial assistant, Krystin Miller, marketing specialist, and Elizabeth Orosco, managing editor. We discuss a plethora of topics and discuss what it is like being a female journalist, a working mother, and tipping our hats to women who paved the way before us. 

This week, we kick off our Women’s History Month series with Marissa Baum, Director of Development and Communications at the American Jazz Museum and Amber Underwood, a flautist, educator, band director, model, and vocalist who puts her heart and soul into playing and performing Jazz. So much so, she has dubbed herself Flutienastiness. The American Jazz Museum is celebrating Women in Jazz in March and will be highlighting incredible female Jazz musicians throughout the month, including Amber Underwood on March 9. 

Concluding our four-week Black History Month series of celebrating black voices in our community, our series ends with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. This week, we discuss his experience growing up in Kansas City, how his upbringing shaped him, what issues weigh heaviest on him, and touch briefly on his Inaugural State of the City address.

On this week’s episode, we are speaking with Dr. Kirby Randolph, assistant professor in the bioethics department of the school of medicine with Kansas City University.This week, Dr. Randolph discusses mental health in the African American community. She highlights the issue of access, quality care, the history of mental health, and the stigma surrounding seeking mental healthcare in the African American community. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with LoRay Easterwood, father, realtor, entrepreneur. Easterwood is a radio personality on 100.1FM OneKansasCity Radio, a realtor in the Kansas City area, and most importantly, a father to a beautiful daughter, his pride and joy. This week, Easterwood talks to us about his YouTube segment, “Fridays for Fathers,” a show where he speaks one-on-one with fathers in the Kansas City community. The show highlights the importance of a father’s role in their children’s lives and how that ripples out into the community. 

On this extra episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Scott Wagner, director of Northeast Alliance Together (NEAT) regarding the 2020 Census. Wagner discusses in detail what the census is, why it is important, and how it impacts residents. 

In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting black voices that make up our wonderful community. On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Rashida Phillips, executive director of the American Jazz Museum. Rashida has spent the past 16 years at some of Chicago’s most impactful organizations including her most recent role as Deputy Director and Senior Director of Community Ventures organizing strategy, expansion, and turnaround at the Old Town School of Folk Music, the largest community arts school with acclaimed concert space in the nation. This week, Phillips discusses the impact and importance of the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, how Jazz has contributed to the spirit and history of Kansas City, the assets and challenges of the museum, and what the future holds at the American Jazz Museum. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Christopher Binkley, President of Pendleton Heights Neighborhood Association. A resident of the neighborhood for several years, he discusses his love for the community, the assets and challenges of the neighborhood, recent development, and his vision for the neighborhood in the upcoming years. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Maggie Green, public information officer with Public Works. Her role is to interface with the public and maintain transparent communication regarding the projects going on at Public Works. Prior to working with the city, Green was the education program director at BikeWalkKC. This week, Green discusses the mission and scope of Public Works, what the department is responsible for in the city, the current budget, a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into snow preparation and removal, an update on potholes and street resurfacing, and a look at Complete Streets. 

On this week's episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with State Representative Barbara Anne Washington. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in a special election in November 2017 and was re-elected to office in 2018.In addition to her legislative duties, Washington is a practicing attorney who also possesses an MBA.This week, Washington discusses the assets and challenges of the 23rd District, her legislative priorities, and specific House Bills for this session.

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are sitting down with the staff of the Northeast News to discuss the highlights of 2019.We speak with Publisher Michael Bushnell, Managing Editor Elizabeth Orosco, Marketing Specialist Krystin Miller, and Creative Arts Director Bryan Stalder. We will be reviewing our top 10 headlines of the year, discussing the importance of community journalism, and looking forward to 2020. 

This week, we are speaking with Dr. Kelsey Ryan, a women’s health physician at KC Health Care Center.  Dr. Ryan discusses the expansion of the prenatal services department, women’s health services that are offered, accessibility and affordability of healthcare, and the importance of women prioritizing their health.

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Representative Ingrid Burnett.Burnett represents the 19th District, which encompasses the Northeast area of Kansas City, parts of Sugar Creek, Independence, and Jackson County in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to her first two-year term in November 2016.In addition to her legislative duties, Representative Burnett has worked as an educator since 1979. During her 37 years in the education field, Representative Burnett worked as a counselor, teacher, and principal in the Catholic and Independence Public School Systems. This week, Burnett discusses protecting juveniles and their right to counsel, medical marijuana, the Fix the Glitch issue with Kansas City public and charter schools, and more.