News Stories

Urban farmer’s composting operation gets in ‘deep trouble’ with city; why she’s thankful for the opportunity to cultivate change

Being pioneers on the Kansas City urban farming scene can be a tough row to hoe, admitted Brooke Salvaggio noting the challenges she’s faced with Urbavore Farm and Compost Collective KC are just the latest season on an evolving agricultural landscape.  “More or less, we’re rebels,” explained Salvaggio, who along with her husband, Dan Heryer,…

Shop Small: 5 gifts for sports fans (including Swifties in their KC era)

Editor’s note: This feature is the second in Startland News’ five-part holiday gift guide — presented in 2023 by nbkc bank — showcasing Kansas City makers and their products. Check out the featured maker below, then keep reading for five gift ideas to get started. Kansas City’s time in the spotlight this year — whether…

Big winner at GEWKC: AltCap Your Biz turns The Next Paige with $42K+ in prizes

Editor’s note: Startland News’ coverage of Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City is made possible by the support of Husch Blackwell. The value of local support should not be underestimated or taken for granted, said Elaina Thomas, winner of the $25,000 grand prize at Thursday’s AltCap Your Biz pitch competition. “I feel blessed, I feel like I…

How KC helped baseball’s bright yellow ringmaster bring the Savannah Bananas to TikTok fame

Kansas City will always hold a special place in Jesse Cole’s heart, shared the owner of the Savannah Bananas, baseball’s answer to the Harlem Globetrotters. “You guys gave us our first shot,” explained Cole, the founder of Fans First Entertainment — fully outfitted in his signature yellow tux at Thursday’s Kansas City Area Development Council…

Nonprofit founded to equip K-9 officers with bulletproof vests goes viral thanks to four-legged artists

LAWRENCE — What began as a problem keeping Emily Fawcett up at night has grown into a tail-wagging nonprofit effort recently featured on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” — all thanks to a viral social media post showcasing a Kansas police dog painting instead of panting. Fawcett, whose background is in animal welfare, was asked in 2020…