Government

Rick Usher

Rick Usher: How can KCMO balance policy and micromobility technology?

By Tommy Felts / October 11, 2018

Update: On Thursday, KCMO City Manager Troy Schulte authorized Bird to deploy up to 500 scooters, as authorized in the city’s interim operating agreement. Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. This piece by Rick Usher was originally published by the National League of Cities, and comes days after Kansas City…

Read More >
Steve Miller, KC Mayoral Tech Forum, Techweek Kansas City, sharing economy

Is KC scaring away disruptive tech? Mayor candidates revive sharing economy debate

By Tommy Felts / October 9, 2018

A wave of technology is coming — and Kansas City should be ready, said Steve Miller, entering the fray between mayoral candidates over regulating the sharing economy. Appearing Monday at a KC Mayoral Tech Forum to open Techweek Kansas City, Miller compared navigating the regulatory waters around such emerging services as Airbnb, Uber and Bird to…

Read More >
Union Station, KC Mayoral Candidate Tech Forum

Techweek opens Monday with KC Mayoral Candidate Tech Forum; launches app with full schedule

By Tommy Felts / October 2, 2018

Candidates to be Kansas City’s next mayor will take the stage Monday at Union Station in one of Techweek KC’s first events of 2018 to talk tech and its importance in shaping the city’s future, said Ryan Weber. “We’re still a long way from the [April 2] primary election, but this forum will help voters…

Read More >
Techweek 100 list

Techweek 100 list released: Dozens of KC’s top cultivators, ambassadors and innovators

By Tommy Felts / September 22, 2018

Techweek Kansas City on Friday released its Techweek 100 list of the premier leaders pushing innovation in Kansas City. The collection of cultivators, ambassadors and innovators is a who’s who of familiar names across the startup, entrepreneurship and tech communities. Released in the runup to Techweek KC’s Oct. 8-12 festivities, the list isn’t a ranking,…

Read More >
self-driving cars

Self-driving cars deliver unexpected challenges, says Burns & McDonnell strategist

By Tommy Felts / September 21, 2018

City streets filled with safer, automated or self-driving vehicles would come with an unexpected price tag: fewer organ donations because of reduced traffic fatalities, said Julie Lorenz, discussing the promise and paradox of evolving transportation technology. “If you look back in history, it can help you think about the future,” said Lorenz, strategic consultant for…

Read More >