Kansas Citians drive change in sports and arts

The curated articles reflect how Kansas City residents drive change in various sectors, including sports, civics, and arts. The articles cover efforts like theatre reopenings, highlighting the return of the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre to the Warwick Theatre after a damaging fire. In sports, the Kansas City Royals acknowledge their rising prospects, emphasizing the development of players like Carter Jensen.

Civic engagement is also prominent, with the campaign to challenge Missouri's gerrymandered congressional map dedicatedly collecting signatures for a referendum vote. The potential recall of Frank White illustrates debates on leadership and governance within local politics.

The Warwick Theatre at 3927 Main St. suffered significant interior damage from a fire in February 2024 while Main Street was undergoing construction for the streetcar expansion. The Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre will return to the historic theater for its 2025-26 season.

NO. 1: THIS GROUP IS RETURNING TO HISTORIC KANSAS CITY THEATER THAT WAS RAVAGED BY FIRE

The Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre will return to its home base, the Warwick Theatre, next week for its first production there since a fire badly damaged the historic venue 19 months ago. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Dan Kelly

Kansas City Royals designated hitter Carter Jensen (22) celebrates with relief pitcher Sam Long (73) after the win over the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. By Denny Medley

NO. 2: ROYALS’ 2025 ORGANIZATIONAL AWARDS INCLUDE KC NATIVE — WHOSE TIME IS COMING SOON

The Kansas City Royals honored several of their top prospects Monday. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

No image found

Can pumpkins get you through rough patches? Maybe so, Denise Snodell says.

NO. 3: FREE CONCERTS HIT JOHNSON COUNTY THIS WEEK, PLUS MORE THINGS TO DO

Live music will be in the air throughout Johnson County this week, from De Soto to Mission to Overland Park. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debra Skodack

People gather at the Missouri statehouse in Jefferson City on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, to protest the legislature's efforts to change the state's congressional district maps. The proposed change would divide Kansas City into districts that would include vast rural areas of the state. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 4: CAN VOTERS STOP MISSOURI GERRYMANDER? A GROUP IS TRYING TO FORCE A STATEWIDE VOTE

Just days after Missouri Republicans passed a gerrymandered congressional map that carves up Kansas City, a new campaign is charging forward with a plan asking voters to repeal it. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

No image found

NO. 5: FRANK WHITE STEPS INTO TENSE SPOTLIGHT BEFORE RECALL VOTE. INSIDE KC TOWN HALL

As Jackson County residents decide whether or not they will vote to recall Frank White at the end of the month, the embattled county executive has stepped back into the public eye to plead his case. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ilana Arougheti

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.