News

Makefully Studios animation

Makefully Studios earns $1M grant for problem-solving game co-designed by kids

By Tommy Felts / September 20, 2021

A Kansas City media company’s commitment to play-based research and development recently helped score Makefully Studios a $1 million government grant for a children’s problem-solving game. “There’s no other word but proud and grateful,” said Anna Jordan-Douglass, founder and chief creative officer of Makefully Studios, which recently was awarded the funds from the National Science Foundation’s…

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Elvin Liu, Magic Noodle

A dough master brought Chinese hand-pulled noodles (拉面) to South JoCo; a robotic cat delivers them to your table

By Tommy Felts / September 18, 2021

Hand-pulled noodles were a staple in Elvin Liu’s childhood, he shared, joking that the traditional noodles could be found on any street corner in China — just like Starbucks in the United States. “I moved to Kansas around the end of the year of 2010. I saw a lot of noodle soups, like pho and…

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AltCap team photo 2021

Filling a capital void: AltCap builds capacity, momentum after its busiest year to date

By Tommy Felts / September 17, 2021

Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by Academy Bank, a Kansas City based community bank, and is part of a series of features spotlighting some of the bank’s startup and small business partners. The past 18 months have been a critical turning point for AltCap, said Ruben Alonso, as the nonprofit has grown to…

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Technology2030 Report, Missouri Chamber

MO tech jobs pay double the state’s average wage, fueling economic growth, new report says

By Tommy Felts / September 17, 2021

Missouri’s tech industry remains a driving economic force despite widespread job loss and economic turmoil caused by COVID-19, according to a new report that details how the Show Me State is outpacing national tech growth. Among the report’s key takeaways: Average earnings for all jobs in Missouri was $64,000 in 2020, while the average earnings of…

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David Block, Block and Company Realtors

Why a KC real estate icon is letting urban artists spray paint his high-profile Plaza building (again)

By Tommy Felts / September 16, 2021

A massive, five-story mural project launched on the Country Club Plaza in late 2020 will grow even bigger over the next week, painting the potential for more representation in an otherwise traditional — and earth tone — Kansas City shopping district and neighborhood.  “It adds a lot of conversation and excitement — and it shows an opportunity…

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