Kansas
Introducing UNESCO Kansas City — Creative City of Music – Northeast News
Collaboration between Kansas City’s Creative City of Music and San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico’s Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art| Photo courtesy credit: UNESCO Creative Cities
Julia Williams
Managing Editor
Founded in 2017, UNESCO Creative Cities Kansas City is a non-profit organization, which provides arts and culture, diversity and gender equality to its community.
UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) was ratified in November 1945 by Missouri’s Harry S. Truman. An international United Nations organization, it’s headquartered in Paris, France.
As an entity, the organization works across seven categories: music, film, media and design, astronomy, literature, craft and folk art.
The program expanded to include a series of worldwide Creative Cities Network in 2004. A little over a decade later, the United States had their first — and only — Creative City Network.
While Creative City Network entered as an official UNESCO member-state in 2004, U.S. administration removed the country from this organization in 2018. It was not until July 2023, the U.S. re-entered the UNESCO Network.
Following this seven-year hiatus, Bukeka Blakemore — Deputy Executive Director of Creative Cities Network Kansas City — said the organization is happy to be back in and participate as a member-state.
Kansas City Creative City of Music remains the only creative city network within the U.S., and is the only official City of Music, according to Blakemore.
This City of Music focuses on four main areas: preservation, education, tourism and entertainment.
Working as an export for musicians internationally — Creative Cities KC continues to showcase its support. Blakemore said recently, the organization has helped musicians travel to Chile, and in return, Chile musicians voyaged to Kansas City.
In this exchange, musicians receive resources, collaboration with other organizations and exposure through Creative Cities Network.
Previously, its Kansas City annex has sent musicians to Crystal Ball, Mexico, provided hurricane relief to Islands of Bahamas and contributed to COVID-19 fundraising within Kansas City.
However, the largest draw toward Kansas City’s Creative City Network, remains the city’s jazz influence.
As the city where jazz “grew-up” both domestic and international centers look toward this Midwest homebase to emulate jazz forms — particularly swing.
“As the only city of music in the U.S., other areas look to us as their leader,” Blakemore said. “Now jazz is seen around the world, receiving global attention, which further enables us to do work that expands into culture.”
Not only has Kansas City Jazz developed an international voice, it has also allowed local culture to foster and established UNESCO as the top associated culture brand, according to Blakemore.
For those interested in becoming involved with Creative Cities Network Kansas City, the organization plans to host several events within the coming months.
The first will include a free conference June 18, 19 at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library. It will include a reception, followed by “Journey of Jazz” concert and Juneteenth celebration.
June 24 through 26, a free Foresight film and music workshop will be held within UMKC’s Katz Hall.
For inquiries and additional information on UNESCO Creative Cities Kansas City, contact creativecitykc@gmail.com
Kansas
Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home
KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.
As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.
“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”
The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.
“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”
Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.
“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.
Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.
There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.
“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.
The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.
“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.
You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.
Copyright 2026 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Kansas
Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal
Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.
“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.
“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”
Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.
He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.
FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”
Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.
“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.
Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.
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Kansas
Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention
SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.
Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.
With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.
Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.
“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.
She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.
“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.
Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.
“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.
Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.
“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.
Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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