News

Torch.AI acquisition boosts its national security thumbprint, building out workforce proudly in KC

By Tommy Felts / December 27, 2021

Leveraging Torch.AI’s local talent alongside targeted acquisitions gets the Leawood artificial intelligence firm closer to its goal of securely sharing data with the world, said Brian Weaver, founder and CEO, committing to keeping the surging company in Kansas City. “As our technology is being adopted by more and more customers and those customers continue to…

Not too late for the ‘naughty’ list: Roll into 2022 with a year-round Kansas City bourbon ball

By Tommy Felts / December 27, 2021

A nip of locally distilled Tom’s Town bourbon mingles with bittersweet chocolate and a bourbon pecan mash with each bite into “guilty pleasure” — one of dozens of “notoriously naughty” bourbon and rum balls made by Lisa Fitch. “A lot of people associate them with the holidays, like they do with divinity fudge,” explained Fitch, founder…

The future is local: How masks helped neighbors look each other in the eyes again

By Tommy Felts / December 27, 2021

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Keith Bradley is co-owner of Made in KC, a brick-and-mortar and online retailer of locally made goods with neighborhood, marketplace and cafe locations downtown, on the Country Club Plaza, in Lee’s Summit, Lenexa, and across the metro. As we wind down our second…

RIP to free chips and salsa: Why Don Chilitos just released the KC Tex-Mex staple’s secret family recipes

By Tommy Felts / December 23, 2021

Don Chilitos might have served its last bit of CCQ sauce — but that doesn’t mean its final customers had to settle for a handful of chiclets as a memento on their way out the door, Barry Cowden said, explaining his decision to go public with dozens of recipes from the beloved restaurant in a newly…

A Silicon Valley startup relocated to Kansas in June; it’s latest move goes ‘all-in’ on Wichita

By Tommy Felts / December 22, 2021

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. One…