Startland News Staff

Sometimes we share credit. The “Staff Writer” byline appears on stories reported, written, or edited collaboratively by members of the Startland News team — especially for quick hits and breaking news.

Recent Stories by Startland News Staff

KCMO secures $11.8M to expand city’s EV charging infrastructure, targeting underinvested neighborhoods  

A freshly charged tranche of funding is expected to help power Kansas City’s efforts to install 256 new electric vehicle charging points across urban and suburban areas of the city, Mayor Quinton Lucas announced Tuesday. “This project will help cement Kansas City’s commitment to sustainable transportation and access to electric vehicle resources,” Lucas said. “A…

Houston-based fund leads effort to restore KC’s iconic Garment House with $3.2M already invested

A strategic investment in Kansas City history is expected to bring new purpose to a downtown building known locally as The Garment House — creating what developers envision as an eclectic, but contemporary experience. Revitalization Unlimited — a fund dedicated to preserving historically significant U.S. real estate and legacy industrial businesses in local communities —…

Cherry catches history with new Chiefs playoff collection — a first for a female designer

An exclusive apparel collection from the Chiefs and fashion-forward brand Cherry is taking the field ahead of Kansas City’s latest playoff appearance. And the woman wearing the cherry-red captain’s patch: a familiar face within Kansas City sports and entrepreneurship. “This collaboration means the world to me,” said Thalia Cherry, who founded Cherry Co. in 2012….

Meet 5 new startups bolstering KC innovation (now with a funding boost from Digital Sandbox)

Just-announced funding for a handful of fresh tech ventures is expected to help Kansas City founders who already are poised to make a significant impact in their industries, from health care to government to education. Digital Sandbox KC has accepted five new startups into its program. Each is expected to receive up to $20,000 in…

KC Tech Council shuffles tech veterans among key board positions; their goal: keep KC tech competitive

A leadership transition at the top advocacy group for Kansas City’s tech community aims to continue the organization’s mission, while opening even more doors for companies across the region that are brimming with innovation. “We plan to broaden our collective impact within the region by providing new opportunities through policy advocacy, tech talent development, catalyzing…

Pilot program targets $50K ops grants to culturally-driven orgs, businesses in the arts

Small arts programs across the region could receive a $50,000 grant from a new pilot program that aims to provide vital sustainability funding for arts-centric businesses and organizations that often fall through the cracks. Applications for the Cultural Sustainability grants are open through 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. The program plans to give general operating…

Chef Dwight Tiller wants to disrupt the macaroni market; up first: he has the Muncheez

A new concept from a popular food truck-turned-food hall chef is more than just a cheesy transition between menus, Dwight Tiller said, it’s an evolution of his journey to bring higher quality and innovation to a culinary category often coated with forgettable flavors. Muncheez — a bold pivot from Tiller’s signature nachos to Kansas City’s mac-and-cheese…

Trendsetting Crossroads brewer taps another first: KC’s only locally-owned non-alcoholic beer

A star on the Kansas City craft beer is setting a new baseline for inclusivity on the local brewing scene, said Eric Martens, introducing the metro’s first hometown non-alcoholic beer — a product of months dedication and innovation, he added. Border Brewing Co. on Friday announced its new Baseline brew — a canned offering crafted…

Sustainable data center near downtown KCMO to help power capacity with $143M investment

Kansas City is building on its reputation as a hub for partners looking to tap into a region rich with infrastructure built for the future, said Steven Anthony, announcing the grand opening of another major, sustainable data center in KCMO. Edged — a vertically integrated global platform of on-demand data centers with operations designed to…

KC2026 team hires cybersecurity, explosives expert for key World Cup ops-planning role

In its latest high-profile move, the team behind Kansas City’s 2026 World Cup planning has tapped a former U.S. Secret Service special agent — notably the veteran of a years-long United Nations General Assembly assignment — to lead KC2026’s safety and security efforts. Kyle Postell already has led critical infrastructure protection efforts, conducted comprehensive vulnerability…