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Get smarter, faster on what matters in Kansas City with Travis Meier and Abbey Higginbotham.

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Lee's Summit is joining Kansas City in tightening rules on kratom and certain cannabinoids, expanding a push to rein in a fast-growing market of unregulated intoxicants.

Why it matters: What you can legally buy now varies across the metro, as cities move faster than Missouri and Kansas to regulate drugs that are sold in gas stations and smoke shops.

State of play: State law does not clearly regulate many of these products, allowing intoxicants like delta-8 THC or products containing 7-OH, a compound derived from kratom that acts like an opioid, to be sold in gas stations and smoke shops without the testing, labeling or age restrictions required for marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries.

Context: Kratom comes from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. It's usually sold as powders, capsules and teas, but also in more concentrated forms like gummies that are widely available.

Zoom in: KC's ordinance targets kratom and bans synthetic 7-OH and restricts natural kratom to adults 21 and older, while requiring sellers to get a license.

Lee's Summit went further, voting last week to restrict high-potency kratom products, intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 and nitrous oxide sold for recreational use, according to city ordinance records.

The other side: "This bill is throwing the baby out with the bath water," Rachel Crawford, who owns Rustic Oils in Lee's Summit, told Axios regarding the banning of cannabinoids.

Crawford says customers call daily, worried about losing access to products they rely on for pain, including seniors and people in recovery.

She worries that she may have to close her store after eight years in business, as more than 60% of her sales come from hemp-derived products. 

Zoom out: At least 24 states regulate kratom or its compounds in some way, with some banning it outright and others focusing on restrictions for high-potency products like 7-OH.

Reality check: These rules are still rolling out. The KC ordinance goes into effect on April 13, and Lee's Summit's date has not been publicly specified.

Similar products remain available in nearby cities without restrictions, making it easy for buyers to go elsewhere.

What's next: Lawmakers on both sides of the border are working on setting statewide rules.

One proposal in Missouri would regulate kratom, including age limits and restrictions on high-potency compounds like 7-OH.

Another would tighten rules on hemp-derived THC products by pushing them into the state's regulated cannabis system, if Gov. Mike Kehoe signs it.

In Kansas, lawmakers passed a bill last month that would classify kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, putting it in the same category as heroin if signed.

KC crackdown on "gas station drugs" spreads to suburbs

Lee's Summit joins a growing push to regulate kratom and delta-8 products.

In this photo illustration, a bottle with Kratom liquid and bags of capsules with the herbal supplement Kratom inside are seen. The herbal supplement is a psychoactive drug derived from the leaves of the kratom plant and it's been reported that people are using the supplement to get high and some st

A bottle with kratom liquid and bags of herbal supplements. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Lee&#x27;s Summit is joining <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kansas City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2920/16" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2920/16" target="_blank">Kansas City</a> in tightening rules on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="kratom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Kratom-2020_0.pdf" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Kratom-2020_0.pdf" target="_blank">kratom</a> and certain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cannabinoids" data-vars-click-url="https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabinoids/" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabinoids/" target="_blank">cannabinoids</a>, expanding a push to rein in a fast-growing market of unregulated intoxicants.Why it matters: What you can legally buy now varies across the metro, as cities move faster than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Missouri" data-vars-click-url="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-hanaway-launches-investigation-into-major-kratom-manufacturers-and-retailers-for-potentially-dangerous-and-illegal-practices" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-hanaway-launches-investigation-into-major-kratom-manufacturers-and-retailers-for-potentially-dangerous-and-illegal-practices" target="_blank">Missouri</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kansas" data-vars-click-url="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb497/" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb497/" target="_blank">Kansas</a> to regulate drugs that are sold in gas stations and smoke shops.

News

Health

Major downtown Kansas City institutions are backing a new city incentive proposal for a Royals stadium at Washington Square Park, despite opposition from a workers union.

Why it matters: Hallmark, Union Station and the KC Sports Commission are throwing their weight behind downtown baseball, which they say could lead to more jobs, development and benefits for the entire city.

The proposal, unveiled Thursday by Mayor Quinton Lucas and co-sponsored by nine city councilmembers, signals that the city is intent on striking a deal after voters rejected a sales tax to fund the construction of the Royals' stadium plan in 2024.

What's inside: The proposal would give the Royals $600 million toward an anticipated $1.9 billion stadium, using bonds to borrow money upfront that the city would repay over time.

It also directs the city manager to pursue other funding, including state incentives passed last year that could cover up to 50% of the construction costs.

The drafted language, which was sent to Axios by the city, suggests a deal that includes additional development near the stadium, community benefits and public engagement.

3D architectural model of a city with a central large stadium, surrounding buildings in gray, brown, and beige, green patches of grass, and various high-rise structures in the background.

The proposed Washington Square Park site near Union Station and Crown Center. Photo: Courtesy of BNIM

Zoom in: Union Station spokesperson Michael Tritt called the potential stadium a "generational opportunity rooted in both history and hope," pointing to previous stadiums in the urban core. "It's time to welcome downtown baseball home once again."

Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of Visit KC and the Kansas City Sports Commission, said the move would bring "economic opportunities that will positively impact our community for years to come. Bring the crown downtown."

Hallmark said in a statement that it supports the city's efforts: "We believe it's important for Kansas City to be the home of the Royals."

Friction point: Missouri Workers Center, which represents a coalition of low-wage and industry workers, said the ordinance doesn't address their needs — such as commitments from the Royals on housing and minimum wage floors.

The union is urging city councilmembers to vote no.

The other side: Mayor Lucas, at a Downtown Council event Friday, said the stadium would add thousands of jobs, both through construction and future games, and would also benefit nearby businesses.

He said the deal would ensure "the stadium benefits workers from across our city, but also kids and families that need new playgrounds, ball fields, pools and recreation."

The Downtown Council, representing property owners and businesses, has long supported a downtown stadium.

What we're watching: The ordinance goes to the Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, with a full council vote possible as soon as Thursday.

However, the Royals haven't formally committed, and a tax increment financing (TIF) plan and rezoning still need approval.

Downtown KCMO backs $600M Royals bid

Hallmark, Union Station and the KC Sports Commission are throwing their weight behind downtown baseball.

Union Station is lit up with blue lights in front of the Kansas City skyline ahead of a parade and celebration in honor of the Kansas City Royals' World Series win.

Downtown after the Royals won the World Series in 2015. Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Major downtown Kansas City institutions are backing a new city incentive proposal for a Royals stadium at Washington Square Park, despite opposition from a workers union.Why it matters: Hallmark, Union Station and the KC Sports Commission are throwing their weight behind downtown baseball, which they say could lead to more jobs, development and benefits for the entire city.

Sports

Development

Politics

A towering chrome heart with angel wings landed outside the Loews Kansas City Hotel on Monday, marking the first installation of the 2026 Parade of Hearts.

The big picture: The project will bring 150 sculptures to the Kansas City area as the city prepares for global attention during the 2026 World Cup.

Context: Parade of Hearts launched in 2021 in KC with just over 120 sculptures and has since expanded into a bi-state public art project built around KC's "Heart of America" identity.

Driving the news: Artist Trew Love unveiled "There's No Place Like Chrome," an 18-by-9-foot heart with angel wings that Parade of Hearts says is the largest sculpture in the project's history.

The reflective chrome finish, designed to mirror the city, changes with the light throughout the day.

Love said the interactive surface was inspired in part by Chicago's "Cloud Gate," giving people a way to see themselves in the piece.

The sculpture took about four months to build, using materials such as steel, fiberglass and vinyl.

Zoom in: This year's artists are also designing with visitors in mind as KC hosts the World Cup.

"There may be people traveling over here that don't speak English or may feel too awkward to ask someone else to take their photo, so that's why I did the mirror in the middle," local artist Nathan Bennett tells Axios.

Two people pose for a selfie inside a bright red, heart-shaped frame covered with colorful "Kansas City" stickers at an indoor expo, with more frames and visitors in the background.

The "Kansas City Looks Good on You" heart was on display over the weekend at a sneak peek event. Photo: Courtesy of Nathan Bennett.

His design uses vintage postcard-style graphics so people can create what he calls "a modern-day postcard" to share online.

What they're saying: "I feel like a heart with wings, letting love take flight, is a perfect way to welcome all the people who are going to be staying here," Love told Axios. "Let them know what Kansas City love is truly like in physical form."

State of play: This year marks the project's biggest investment yet, including $375,000 in artist stipends.

The sculptures will be displayed through August across more than 60 communities in Kansas City and surrounding areas on both sides of the state border.

What's next: Installations will continue over the next two weeks, with the sculptures on display for four months before being auctioned off in September.

Parade of Hearts returns for biggest year yet

A record 150 heart sculptures will be installed ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Shiny metal sculpture with wings on each side and a circular ring with a heart-shaped opening, topped by a rainbow arc. It stands before a modern building, surrounded by red and yellow tulips.

The first heart unveiled this season. Photo: Abbey Higginbotham/Axios

A towering chrome heart with angel wings landed outside the Loews Kansas City Hotel on Monday, marking the first installation of the 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Parade of Hearts." data-vars-click-url="https://theparadeofhearts.com/about" data-vars-content-id="b60da7b3-205c-46e3-87be-e5757163def1" data-vars-headline="Parade of Hearts returns for biggest year yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theparadeofhearts.com/about" target="_blank">Parade of Hearts.</a>The big picture: The project will bring 150 sculptures to the Kansas City area as the city prepares for global attention during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 World Cup." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/10/kc-world-cup-test-run-begins-3-months-out" data-vars-content-id="b60da7b3-205c-46e3-87be-e5757163def1" data-vars-headline="Parade of Hearts returns for biggest year yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/10/kc-world-cup-test-run-begins-3-months-out" target="_self">2026 World Cup.</a>

Culture

Kansas City's international visitor turnout for the World Cup faces uncertainty after the Trump administration began requiring fans from 50 countries to pay up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.

Why it matters: FIFA told host cities to expect roughly half of all visitors to come from abroad, including fans from Algeria and Tunisia, which are set to play matches here. This barrier to entry puts KC's projected $653 million economic boost at risk.

How it works: The Trump administration's Visa Bond Pilot Program requires fans from specific countries to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 per person before receiving a tourist visa.

A consular officer determines the amount during the visa interview. The bond is refunded if the visitor leaves the U.S. on time. It is forfeited if they overstay or seek asylum.

There is no written exemption for athletes, coaches or support staff.

The deposit comes on top of already record-high ticket prices, airfare and lodging.

Zoom in: Algeria's national team chose Lawrence as its base camp, hosting players and staff at the University of Kansas' Rock Chalk Park throughout the tournament.

The city has been preparing for Algerian fans to follow the team there by watching training sessions and spending money locally for more than a year.

Algeria plays two group stage matches at Arrowhead Stadium: on June 16 against Argentina and on June 27 against Austria. Tunisia plays in KC on June 25 against the Netherlands.

State of play: The State Department says the program is about national security.

"Our highest priority is the safety and security of American citizens," State Department deputy spokesperson Mignon Houston said. "Before anything else, that is our highest priority."

The bond targets countries the department says have high rates of visa overstay or have failed to provide adequate national security information.

What they're saying: "We recognize that recent visa policies may create questions for some international fans, including those traveling from Tunisia and Algeria. We continue to see high interest in the World Cup in Kansas City, and we're focused on creating memories for visitors and sustained and long-term impact for the region," a KC2026 spokesperson told Axios.

Ruth DeWitt with Explore Lawrence, the city's tourism bureau, told Axios it's still planning for strong Algerian fan turnout, though not necessarily from Algeria itself.

"We know there are quite a few Algerians living in American cities. We are hopeful we will draw those fans to Lawrence to watch their team compete," said DeWitt.

What we're watching: Visit KC told Axios it's not revising its 650,000 visitor projection. After the tournament, the final count will be compared against that number, showing whether the visa bond had a measurable impact on international turnout.

Visa bonds threaten KC's World Cup international turnout

The Trump administration is requiring fans from 50 countries to post up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. for the World Cup.

Illustration of an airplane flying on a short chain.  

Kansas City&#x27;s international visitor turnout for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/07/how-the-world-cup-could-give-kc-a-long-term-boost" data-vars-content-id="c1934883-44a8-4525-853e-568546847701" data-vars-headline="Visa bonds threaten KC&#x27;s World Cup international turnout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/07/how-the-world-cup-could-give-kc-a-long-term-boost" target="_self">World Cup</a> faces uncertainty after the Trump administration began requiring fans from 50 countries to pay up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.Why it matters: FIFA told host cities to expect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roughly half" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2026/04/07/world-cup-visas-entry-bonds-kc-economic-impact.html" data-vars-content-id="c1934883-44a8-4525-853e-568546847701" data-vars-headline="Visa bonds threaten KC&#x27;s World Cup international turnout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2026/04/07/world-cup-visas-entry-bonds-kc-economic-impact.html" target="_blank">roughly half</a> of all visitors to come from abroad, including fans from Algeria and Tunisia, which are set to play matches here. This barrier to entry puts KC&#x27;s projected $653 million economic boost at risk.

Travel

Illustration of a payment tablet with a tip button showing numbers changing from zero to 20 percent.

The Missouri Restaurant Association (MRA) is advising Kansas City restaurants to add automatic 20% gratuity to checks this summer as the city hosts the World Cup.

Why it matters: 650,000 international visitors are expected in KC for the World Cup, many from countries where tipping isn't the norm.

What they're saying: It's a recommendation, not a mandate.

"[International visitors] automatically figure that gratuity is looped into the bill," Trey Meyers, director of marketing and communications for the MRA, tells Axios.

"We don't want servers to be slighted by any means just because different cultures are coming into our city," he says.

He says most of the 450 KC businesses they represent are interested in adopting auto-gratuity this summer, though none have yet confirmed it. Their goal, he says, is to be as inclusive as possible.

By the numbers: In Missouri, restaurants can legally pay tipped employees a minimum of $7.50 an hour. The state allows tips to count toward the rest.

Missouri restaurants using the Toast platform averaged 19.7% in restaurant tips in the second half of 2025, above the national full-service average of 19.2%, per Toast data.

According to Meyers, the 20% recommendation reflects the industry's typical range of 18% to 22% and protects servers from being shorted by guests who simply don't know the custom.

He credits the Midwest's lower cost of living, community culture and what he calls "Kansas City nice" for keeping local tips consistently strong.

Zoom in: If a restaurant goes the auto-gratuity route, Meyers says transparency is non-negotiable.

Restaurants should post signage at the door and host stand, add a note to the menu or have servers tell guests up front.

Whether a server keeps a tip left on top of an auto-gratuity depends on the restaurant's policy, Meyers says.

At most KC restaurants, where servers are classified as tipped wage employees, any extra tip goes directly to them. But at some establishments, it could be pooled among all staff.

What's next: Once the World Cup wraps up mid-July, Meyers says, participating restaurants plan to revert to standard tipping.

In the meantime, the Visit KC Foundation is holding training sessions to help hospitality workers understand international cultural norms.

Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave

The Missouri Restaurant Association is advising Kansas City restaurants to add a 20% automatic gratuity this summer.

Illustration of a tip jar with an upward arrow in masking tape on the front. 

<figure><img alt="Illustration of a payment tablet with a tip button showing numbers changing from zero to 20 percent." height="1080" id="54bb2242-e4cc-463d-9a17-078d74f4483e" src="https://images.axios.com/DtUh8US93CrvsAfbjwxZ5UZ_LNk=/2021/03/01/202805-1614630485706.gif" width="1920"/><figcaption>Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios</figcaption></figure>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Missouri Restaurant Association" data-vars-click-url="https://www.morestaurants.org/greater-kansas-city" data-vars-content-id="c90041bc-e234-4254-a66d-8da2dd157708" data-vars-headline="Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.morestaurants.org/greater-kansas-city" target="_blank">Missouri Restaurant Association</a> (MRA) is advising Kansas City restaurants to add automatic 20% gratuity to checks this summer as the city hosts the World Cup. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="650,000 international visitors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/07/how-the-world-cup-could-give-kc-a-long-term-boost" data-vars-content-id="c90041bc-e234-4254-a66d-8da2dd157708" data-vars-headline="Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/07/how-the-world-cup-could-give-kc-a-long-term-boost" target="_self">650,000 international visitors</a> are expected in KC for the World Cup, many from countries where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tipping isn&#x27;t the norm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230606-how-to-tip-around-the-world" data-vars-content-id="c90041bc-e234-4254-a66d-8da2dd157708" data-vars-headline="Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230606-how-to-tip-around-the-world" target="_blank">tipping isn&#x27;t the norm</a>.

Abbey Higginbotham

Featured stories

Downtown KCMO backs $600M Royals bid

Visa bonds threaten KC's World Cup international turnout

Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave

KC crackdown on "gas station drugs" spreads to suburbs

Parade of Hearts returns for biggest year yet