Kansas City's Northeast Newscast

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with new East Patrol Major, Doug Niemeier. Major Niemeir, a Kansas City native, has roots in the Northeast community and has been with the Kansas City Police Department for 24 years. He discusses his previous work with the department, his history in Northeast Kansas City, and what community policing means to him.

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are sitting down with Northeast News Managing Editor Elizabeth Orosco, Creative Arts Director Bryan Stalder, and Publisher Michael Bushnell to discuss this week’s headlines and hot topics. We discuss Pendleton Heights’ alley beautification and how it is working to deter crime, our thoughts on the transient community and what it means for Northeast, our new Mayor, and the proposed BikeKC Master plan and the future of Independence Avenue. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast we are speaking with Brandon Mason, staff attorney at Legal Aid of Western Missouri.Mason breaks down the ins and outs of urban homesteading, a process allowing individuals to live in and rehabilitate problem properties in their communities. He talks about how Legal Aid is able to gain these homes, what the vetting process looks like for interested urban homesteaders, and what the ultimate goal is with this project.

On this week’s issue of the Northeast Newscast, we are sitting down with our summer editorial assistant, Layne Stracener. Layne worked alongside the news staff for eight weeks, writing stories, getting to know the community, producing an entire issue by herself, and learning a few things along the way.We sit down with her to discuss her time here at the Northeast News, what she learned, her favorite projects, and what she has planned for the future. She said working at the Northeast News gave her lots of hands-on experience that she will be able to take with her to future job opportunities. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Bryan Stalder, outgoing Indian Mound Neighborhood Association president.Stalder discusses his time as president of the neighborhood association, strengths and challenges the neighborhood faces, and what he hopes to see from the incoming leadership.Stalder’s last day as president was Monday, July 15, when the board hosted their annual election. The new president is Manny Abarca. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Manny Abarca, Treasurer of the Kansas City Public School Board. Abarca currently serves the 3rd Sub-District, which includes a portion of the Historic Northeast, Columbus Park, City Market, a portion of Downtown, Quality Hill, and the Historic Westside communities.Abarca discusses the current board of directors, collective and personal goals, the recent APR score, the number of pre-K seats within Kansas City Public Schools, student mobility rates, infrastructure and more. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Liz Zini about her new role as director of the Don Bosco Center and the new vision and goals for the center. Zini became the director in March.The plan is for the Don Bosco Center renovations to be done by the end of this year, Zini said. The new goal for the center is to make it a community gathering space that serves more people of all ages. They are including a commercial kitchen for people to rent, classrooms where classes such as cooking and fitness will take place, and a gymnasium which will be used for athletics and fitness and as an event space.

On this week's episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are sitting down with JT Daniels, mural artist and Northeast resident. He discusses his work, which includes the mural outside Betty Rae's Ice Cream in the River Market, Charlie Parker's Mood outside the Gem Theater in the 18th and Vine District, and a recent mural he did outside Ten Thousand Villages in downtown Overland Park. He also talks about the phrases he incorporates into his murals. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wagner on his new role as director of Northeast Alliance Together.Wagner’s involvement in the Historic Northeast is extensive, dating back “seventeen-or-so years, in some capacity,” he said. Wagner discusses his history in the Northeast, how he is working to define neighborhood success, what issues can be addressed, and how he will work with the neighborhoods to meet specific goals. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with the J. Rieger & Company Crew! Co-Founder Ryan Maybee, Beverage Director Andrew Olsen, and Head Distiller Nathan Perry join us to discuss the revival of J. Rieger and Company, the whiskey making process, and a behind-the-scenes look at what is to come at the new distillery, which is anticipated to open in mid-July!**This interview was recorded at the current J. Rieger and Company distillery in the East Bottoms, so please excuse the recording quality**

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, students from Northeast Middle School had a chance to sit down and interview mayoral candidates Quinton Lucas and Jolie Justus.Olivia Rubio, student council president, and Princess Menyon, vice president, asked what the candidates believe is the biggest problem in the Northeast, what role the mayor plays in education, and what the campaign process has been like for each candidate.

On this week's episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with three members of the cannabis industry: Bennie Abbot, vice president of Threve Consulting, Charles Ramsey, president and COO of Thrive Growing, and Tom O'Neill with 3 Fold Investments. They discuss their specific roles in the cannabis industry, unique growing mechanisms, and where they see the industry going in Missouri. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Eze Redwood, a community builder and entrepreneur, on the topic of small businesses in Kansas City. Redwood discusses the challenges facing small businesses today, resources available, and what can be done to propel the success of entrepreneurs in Kansas City. 

As part of the tattoo edition of the Northeast News, we are sitting down with Rachel Cross, owner of the Ink Parlor. We will be discussing her journey into the business, her first tattoo, her unique way to collect mementos from her travels, and much more. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Adrienne Haynes, an attorney and business woman who specializes in helping entrepreneurs develop sustainable infrastructure and business practices. She is the managing partner of SEED Law, a boutique business law firm, and owner of SEED Collective, a consultancy. Haynes is speaking with the Northeast News regarding a Community Innovation District pilot program, that aims to model community-designed and lead economic development, a process driven by community members, both residents and entrepreneurs, to identify, engage, and cultivate new and emerging areas for growth and innovation. In the pilot program, the process will be led by a Community Council, a curated group of 7-15 members that either live, play, work, or worship in the community. Each council will engage in a process to create a customized innovation model. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Tara Raghuveer, Northeast resident and Director of KC Tenants and Brandy Granados, Northeast resident and a leader of KC Tenants.  Kansas City Tenants (KC Tenants) is a new organization led by a multi-racial base of tenants in Kansas City organizing to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and affordable home. Raghuveer and Granados discuss the mission of KC Tenants, issues renters face, their personal experience as tenants in Kansas City, and what KC Tenants plans to do to enact change. 

A crowd of friends, family, and fellow bicyclists gathered at the City Market Park Sunday, April 14 to commemorate the life of Anthony Saluto as a ghost bike rack was installed in his memory. Anthony’s family said the park is a great spot for the bike rack because of his love for the City Market. Anthony also used to work as a barista at Opera House Coffee, just around the corner. Anthony was struck and killed while riding his bicycle on Independence Avenue Sunday, April 3, 2016. His mother, Lorrie Lomas, said Anthony was riding to the City Market to meet up with friends and watch a Royals game. Karen Campbell, with BikeWalkKC, said the family reached out to the organization to discuss the possibility of creating a permanent memorial. To Campbell’s knowledge, she said this is the only ghost bike rack in the Kansas City area.

On this week's episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Robin Hacket and Ana de Jesus on the topic of the medical marijuana industry. Robin is an industry leader based out of Colorado who has done studies on over 4,000 individuals and their response to medical marijuana. Ana de Jesus was involved in the legislation of the medical marijuana in Puerto Rico, and now, uses CBD oil on her son who has autism and epilepsy. Robin and Ana are speaking today on their experience with medical marijuana, the stigmas surrounding cannabis, and what it has done economically for the state of Colorado.

**This episode of the Northeast Newscast contains sensitive material that may be difficult for some listeners**On this week's episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are talking with Bobbi Jo Reed, the Founder and Director of Healing House, a faith-based substance use support recovery center that helps individuals in their recovery journey. Bobbi Jo talks about her difficult past, including harsh situations, but which eventually led to her opening Healing House. 

On this week’s episode of the Northeast Newscast, we are speaking with Jermaine Reed, 3rd District councilman and 2019 Kansas City Mayoral candidate. We discuss Reed’s time growing up in the Northeast community, his work as a city council member, his stance on the proposed Pre-K tax, and his vision for Kansas City if elected Mayor.