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
UMKC mascot gets nod of approval from bobblehead museum, hopping onto market
Roove over, KC Wolf. Another fan-favorite Kansas City mascot is getting its spot on the shelf as the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum this week unveiled an officially licensed, 8-inch bauble featuring the nearly-century-old icon. KC Roo — the school mascot for the University of Kansas City-Missouri, sometimes referred to as “Kasey the…
Filling rural eco devo gap: $2.15M grant promotes new growth for small food and farm businesses after federal cuts
Fresh-cut funding from the rural-focused Patterson Family Foundation is expected to boost food work in Kansas and western Missouri — strengthening businesses rooted in small communities with innovative resources and programs. New Growth, a nonprofit rural community development corporation based in Appleton City, Missouri, announced a $2.15 million Patterson grant backing the organization’s mission to foster…
MTC advances deputy into interim exec role ahead of critical funding push for Missouri entrepreneurs
A leading advocate for Missouri entrepreneurs plans to approach the next legislative cycle — championing renewed funding for Show-Me State innovation — with a freshly-promoted leader, the group announced Friday. Julia Campbell has been elevated to interim executive director at the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), as the public-private partnership continues a leadership transition prompted by…
Kansas City scores pro softball team for 2026: Here’s what we know about KC Diamonds
As uncertainty swirls over the future of core Kansas City sports franchises, a new professional softball team is headed to the region — and it’s already announced plans to hit the field on the Kansas side of the state line. The KC Diamonds announced on Tuesday plans to launch its inaugural 39-game softball season in…
BioNexus KC catalyzes 25 years of work at the crossroads of collaboration, health innovation
A quarter-century commitment to regional investment and collaboration is paying off, said Dennis Ridenour, reflecting on a timeline of impact for BioNexus KC — accelerating innovation and strengthening health outcomes in Kansas City and beyond. “This milestone is not about a single achievement; it’s about decades of collective, focused effort that have allowed our ecosystem…
KC Current sets new name, spring openings for waterfront restaurants, town square
Kansas City’s new $1 billion waterfront district is expected to open core elements of the mixed use development near the KC Current’s stadium — including hotly anticipated restaurants and the first phase of residences — before the World Cup arrives in June 2026, officials announced Friday. Developers of the district also revealed its new name:…
NXTUS launches pilot competition for startups in Northwest Arkansas, fueled by $500K Walton grant
WICHITA — A Kansas-built innovation program is hitting the road — applying its successful model to Northwest Arkansas in a bid to expand growth opportunities for more early-stage companies and make the region a proving ground for technology that boosts health and economic vitality. Wichita-based NXTUS this week announced HealthCatalyst NWA, a pilot initiative that aims…
Missouri releases $33M+ in federal funds to MTC to support startups, small businesses
A second tranche of federal funding allotted through the Biden-era American Rescue Plan Act is expected to help economic development leaders target stronger small business growth, expand access to capital, and support high-growth entrepreneurship across Missouri. More than $33 million is being deployed to the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) via the State Small Business Credit…
Enduralock validates its prototype in zero-G simulation, edging closer to future on-orbit missions
The successful completion of form, fit, and function testing for Lenexa-based Enduralock’s OneLink satellite docking connector marks a critical leap forward for the hardware, said Dr. Harold Hess — earning his Kansas City-built technology a ticket aboard future space launches. “By proving the hardware’s soft docking and self-alignment capabilities work in a simulated zero-gravity environment,…
Icorium earns $1.2M SBIR grant; CEO Kalin Baca honored as 2025 Enterprising Innovator
A just-announced infusion of federal grant dollars is expected to help a Lawrence startup scale its breakthrough technology from pilot validation to a full commercial process — boosting efforts to dramatically reduce the climate impact of refrigerants used in air conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration systems. Icorium Engineering Company on Wednesday released details of a…