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Soon, you could train like an "American Ninja Warrior" contestant at a new obstacle course in Lenexa.

Why it matters: The $1.4 million project will be KC's first public course of this kind, and comes as a result of resident surveys, Lenexa spokesperson Denise Rendina tells Axios.

Zoom in: The project at Central Green Park is funded through a partnership between the city and AdventHealth, which opened an adjacent hospital in 2025.

It's expected to bring fitness and play together with elements for children and adults, plus year-round restrooms and shady places to sit.

A stone sign reads "Lenexa" and "CENTRAL GREEN" with an "AdventHealth" hospital in the background.

Located near 87th Street and Penrose Lane. Photo: Courtesy of Lenexa

What they're saying: "Residents expressed a strong interest in additional adult fitness, wellness, and enrichment opportunities" through the city's 2024 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, Rendina says.

She points to the ninja park in Hutchinson, Kansas, as a similar concept, adding, "In some cases, professional Ninja Warrior athletes participate in demonstrations or grand opening events."

Zoom out: Parkour is a fast-growing fitness trend in the U.S., with ​​TV shows like "American Ninja Warrior" fueling broader interest in movement-based workouts.

Once synonymous with an outlaw, fence-hopping subculture, it went viral after "The Office" Season 6 made "Parkour!" a punchline.

Some KC-area gyms offer classes, including Motus Ninja, USA Ninja Challenge and Sky Zone Trampoline Park.

What's next: Construction on Lenexa's course is expected to start this summer with a completion date forecasted in 2027.

Lenexa's building KC's first public ninja course

The $1.4 million project at Central Green Park will begin construction this summer.

Contestant Jordan Carr swings on a red obstacle course in "A New Generation Takes the Course" Episode 301 of "American Ninja Warrior Junior."

This could be you, Lenexa. Photo: Patrick Wymore/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Soon, you could train like an &quot;American Ninja Warrior&quot; contestant at a new obstacle course in Lenexa.Why it matters: The $1.4 million project will be KC&#x27;s first public course of this kind, and comes as a result of resident surveys, Lenexa spokesperson Denise Rendina tells Axios.

News

Sports

Health

Development

The Kansas City Curling Club has signed up hundreds of new people to try curling since the Winter Olympics began, flooding its facility with first-timers eager to slide a stone.

Why it matters: The club is the only dedicated curling facility within 350 miles of KC, and Olympic buzz is boosting interest in the niche winter sport.

State of play: Curling's popularity always rises during the Winter Games. This year, two U.S. silver medals are keeping it in the spotlight.

How it works: Curling teams throw 42-pound granite "rocks" toward the "house" (target) on ice that's been sprayed with water — this gives it a pebbly surface.

Indoor curling rink with players in black and red jackets preparing to throw stones on ice marked with circles. Flags hang on the wall; people stand and watch in the background.

The KC Curling Club in action. Photo: Courtesy of the Kansas City Curling Club

The name comes from the way the rock arcs as it moves down the ice — a phenomenon that's inspired dozens of scientific papers.

Zoom in: The club hosts Olympic watch parties while juggling packed curling lessons.

Club president DeeAnn Wlodarski tells Axios they're receiving calls every day from people who saw curling on TV and want to try it.

By the numbers: Nearly 600 people have registered for the club's curling experience lessons in the past month, according to Wlodarski.

The club had just under 200 league members before the Olympics and hopes to add about 50 more from this surge.

The curling experience is $40 and teaches delivery, sweeping and the basic rules.

New players can join beginner play without committing to a full season.

Leagues run in the fall, winter and spring, with discounted rates for first-time players.

Indoor curling game with several players in green shirts, one sitting on the ice. Multiple red and yellow curling stones near a target with red, white, and blue rings.

An intense match. Photo: Courtesy of the Kansas City Curling Club

Flashback: Founded in 1987, the club spent decades renting time on hockey rinks before opening its own dedicated facility along I-70 in Blue Springs in 2021.

Today it operates as an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) with leagues, bonspiel tournaments and corporate rentals.

What they're saying: Many newcomers quickly realize curling looks easier on TV than it feels on ice.

"The very first thought from newcomers is, 'Oh, this is harder than I expected,'" Wlodarski says.

"Then they keep coming and they're like, 'OK, I can do this!' They realize how fun it is," she says. "It's not just the curling. It's the community. It makes people stick around."

The bottom line: If you've watched curling at the Olympics and thought, "I could do that," you can join the hundreds of Kansas Citians who already are.

Olympic fever packs the ice at KC Curling Club

Nearly 600 people signed up to try curling during the Winter Olympics surge.

Illustration of a curling rock and two brooms on a curling rink.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Kansas City Curling Club" data-vars-click-url="https://kccurling.com/" data-vars-content-id="8651eaec-21c1-41d4-9a2f-e88329246674" data-vars-headline="Olympic fever packs the ice at KC Curling Club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kccurling.com/" target="_blank">The Kansas City Curling Club</a> has signed up hundreds of new people to try curling since the Winter Olympics began, flooding its facility with first-timers eager to slide a stone.Why it matters: The club is the only dedicated curling facility within 350 miles of KC, and Olympic buzz is boosting interest in the niche winter sport.

Things to Do

Olympics

The day before Valentine's Day has evolved into its own celebration of platonic love, known as Galentine's Day or Palentine's Day, and Kansas City venues are marking it with friendship-first events across town.

Why it matters: The holiday helps make love feel less exclusive and reminds us of the importance of platonic relationships, according to Marisa G. Franco, a psychologist and author of "Platonic," a research-backed book about how to make and keep friends.

Whether you want to smash plates, glaze pottery or build a bouquet, here's how you can celebrate.

🥂 Galentine's Smash Night | Super Smash KC

Trade roses for a rage room and celebrate friendship by breaking stuff together.

If you go: The ticket includes a guided smash session designed as a stress release night out with your besties.

🍸 Galentine's Day Sip & Glaze | J. Rieger & Co.

This pottery class turns girls' night into a creative keepsake, with friends glazing mugs and bowls side by side.

If you go: Pottery Pub instructors guide the session, and craft cocktails from J. Rieger & Co. help set the celebratory mood.

🎨 Galentine's Night Pottery | House of Clay

The studio frames this as a cozy girls' night, where you shape and decorate a ceramic piece to mark the occasion.

If you go: It's BYOB, so you can toast your friendships with your favorite drink while you work.

🌸 The Art of Celebration | The Venue North

This intentionally intimate gathering centers on connection, inviting women to sip wine, build bouquets and move through curated experiences together.

If you go: It's designed for best friends and solo guests alike who want a softer, slower way to celebrate platonic love.

💖 KC Girls Galentine's Night | Larks Entertainment

Sincerely, Her hosts a women-only celebration focused on meeting new friends and romanticizing girlhood.

If you go: Expect permanent jewelry, a custom perfume bar, live portraits and local women-owned vendors that double as conversation starters.

Go deeper: If you want to add some additional fun to the night, take Franco's friendship questionnaire to determine what kind of friend you are (and how you can be a better friend).

 Galentine's Smash Night | Super Smash KC

 Galentine's Day Sip & Glaze | J. Rieger & Co.

 Galentine's Night Pottery | House of Clay

 The Art of Celebration | The Venue North

 KC Girls Galentine's Night | Larks Entertainment

🫶🏼 Your Galentine's Day game plan

From smash rooms to pottery, KC venues host friendship-first events.

Illustration of three single red roses, each with a red ribbon tied in a bow. 

Hot take: Galentine's Day is way better than Valentine's Day. Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The day before <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/02/11/five-last-minute-ideas-valentines-day" data-vars-content-id="a55cb470-ad2c-4552-85bc-4a21be1444a9" data-vars-headline="🫶🏼 Your Galentine&#x27;s Day game plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/02/11/five-last-minute-ideas-valentines-day" target="_self">Valentine&#x27;s Day</a> has evolved into its own celebration of platonic love, known as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Galentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3IGnf5Rg-Ws" data-vars-content-id="a55cb470-ad2c-4552-85bc-4a21be1444a9" data-vars-headline="🫶🏼 Your Galentine&#x27;s Day game plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3IGnf5Rg-Ws" target="_blank">Galentine&#x27;s Day</a> or Palentine&#x27;s Day, and Kansas City venues are marking it with friendship-first events across town.Why it matters: The holiday helps make love feel less exclusive and reminds us of the importance of platonic relationships, according to Marisa G. Franco, a psychologist and author of &quot;Platonic,&quot; a research-backed book about how to make and keep friends.

Easter is hopping closer, and for some, that means candy.

The big picture: Local confectioners are rolling out seasonal sweet treats as residents seek to stock their baskets. 

Zoom in: Christopher Elbow's Easter collection features colorful designs and flavors like strawberry rhubarb and passionfruit. 

Aside from André's cute artistry, we're super curious about this egg bumping game. (It seems fun, albeit messy.)

And of course, Russell Stover's chocolate Easter bunnies are a classic.

Data: DoorDash; Note: Analysis of Easter candies that over-indexed most in each state from April 7-20, 2025; Map: Sara Wise/Axios Visuals

Zoom out: DoorDash analyzed which Easter basket treats over-index by state, with both Kansas and Missouri springing for Reese's Peanut Butter Bunnies.

With the most of the other states in agreement, we may not be very original, but at least we can say great minds think alike.

Between the lines: Our local chocolatiers all have their own versions of peanut buttery goodness.

Let this serve as a reminder to stock up before April 5.

🍬 KC shops rolling out Easter goodies

Check out these local holiday sweets ahead of April 5.

Split image of Easter eggs: left panel shows speckled pastel eggs in white, pink, green and lavender; right panel shows bright glossy eggs in purple, pink, yellow, orange, blue and green.

So cute, we could just eat them up. Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Elbow Chocolates

Easter is hopping closer, and for some, that means candy.The big picture: Local confectioners are rolling out seasonal sweet treats as residents seek to stock their baskets.

Food and Drink

Holidays

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

Data: Surrogacy360; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

Kansas City families navigating surrogacy face two different legal systems depending on which side of the state line they use.

The big picture: Some state regulations have barriers for intended parents who are single, unmarried, not a heterosexual couple and/or not genetically related to the child.

By the numbers: As of 2026, surrogacy agreements are enforceable in 31 states (with some limitations), void in one, and unregulated in 17, Surrogacy360 tells Axios.

Major differences between state laws include:

How a surrogate must be compensated (if not considered "altruistic").

Who becomes the legal parents of a child born via a surrogate.

And whether genetic surrogacy (when the surrogate uses her own egg) is even allowed.

Zoom in: Missouri law does not clearly allow or prohibit surrogacy, so courts rely on broader parentage rules to sort it out.

Judges do not issue pre-birth parentage orders. Intended parents are typically not legally recognized until after the child is born.

Parentage is finalized after delivery, and outcomes can vary depending on the family's situation and the judge handling the case.

Kansas follows a more defined process. Courts regularly approve pre-birth parentage orders, especially when at least one intended parent has a genetic connection.

That allows parents to establish legal rights before birth and often be recognized right away.

Most surrogacy contracts are enforceable, though some cases still require additional legal steps.

Zoom out: The trend across the country has largely been toward clearer regulation that protects surrogates, intended parents and children.

New surrogacy regulations were enacted in Massachusetts, Michigan and Illinois last year, and in Oregon and Hawaii this year.

What they're saying: A growing number of lawyers "have begun to specialize in advising either intended parents or being the separate counsel for a surrogate," says Ming Wong, an attorney and the director of community justice and access at the National Center for LGBTQ Rights.

Because contracts involve so many potential risks, like one party changing their mind midway through the process, "we always encourage people to at least talk to an attorney … even in a state where it's not criminalized," Wong says.

Yes, but: In states without enforceable surrogacy rules, Wong says, there's a risk that agreements could look like a criminal act, similar to "baby-selling."

Still, surrogacy is practiced in most U.S. states, even in those where laws are unclear, according to surrogacy agency Creative Family Connections, which has a map showing how laws for compensated surrogacy are practiced across the country.

Our surrogacy laws are all over the place

Kansas and Missouri take different legal paths for surrogacy families.

Illustration of four toy blocks with symbols of a check mark, a pregnant person, a heart, and a baby.

Kansas City families navigating surrogacy face two different legal systems depending on which side of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405661817300229" data-vars-content-id="f51c8653-a805-4dd4-8046-9ca7ce5b0a32" data-vars-headline="Our surrogacy laws are all over the place" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405661817300229" target="_blank">state line</a> they use.The big picture: Some state regulations have barriers for intended parents who are single, unmarried, not a heterosexual couple and/or not genetically related to the child.

Axios San Diego

California doula coverage expands as trend grows

San Diego

A U.S. map shows state efforts to expand Medicaid coverage of doulas, as of March 2026. 26 states and D.C. are actively reimbursing doula care. 13 states have taken adjacent actions. Seven states have implementations in process and four have either failed to pass legislation or have not taken action.

State efforts to expand Medicaid coverage of doulas

Adapted from National Health Law Program; Map: Axios Visuals

More than half of states now cover doulas under Medicaid

National

D.C. is warming up to bidets

Washington D.C.

What to know before buying a bidet

Axios Northwest Arkansas

More families turn to surrogacy, navigating uneven state laws

NW Arkansas

A choropleth map categorizing U.S. states by legal status of surrogacy arrangements. Gestational and genetic surrogacy is enforceable in 15 states, Gestational surrogacy is enforceable in 14, and surrogacy is unregulated in 15.

Carly Mallenbaum

Featured stories

California doula coverage expands as trend grows

More than half of states now cover doulas under Medicaid

D.C. is warming up to bidets

What to know before buying a bidet

More families turn to surrogacy, navigating uneven state laws