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Last call for THC at KC liquor stores

new Missouri law pulls most hemp THC products from gas stations, bars and liquor stores Nov. 12, a month before a federal ban.

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Local liquor stores like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gomer&#x27;s Fine Wine and Spirits" data-vars-click-url="https://shop.gomers.com/" data-vars-content-id="a5097023-fbcb-472a-a1ae-7fc8e8543cbe" data-vars-headline="Last call for THC at KC liquor stores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://shop.gomers.com/" target="_blank">Gomer&#x27;s Fine Wine and Spirits</a> are racing to unload THC gummies and other intoxicating hemp products before Missouri makes selling most of them a felony.Why it matters: If you&#x27;ve been picking up THC gummies and similar products at the liquor store, that largely ends next month. Once his shelves empty, Gomer&#x27;s manager Corey Spaulding says he won&#x27;t restock them.

I-70's closure will add a lot of time for KC commuters

Sticking to the highways would tack on up to 20 minutes.

If your commute takes you on I-70 in Kansas City, you&#x27;re going to need a new route — and some extra time — next year.Why it matters: 105,000 daily drivers will have to find a way around the fastest, most direct route to and from downtown, and transportation officials want them to take detours that add up to 21 minutes to a one-way trip.

When KC's leaves will finally turn

It's still 80 degrees, but Kansas City's leaves should peak between Nov. 5 and 10.

Don&#x27;t let the 80° October days fool you. Kansas City&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/26/fall-foliage-mapped-peak-colors-2026" data-vars-content-id="bdfbbc73-d692-4fa5-8520-dc5d617f06a3" data-vars-headline="When KC&#x27;s leaves will finally turn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/26/fall-foliage-mapped-peak-colors-2026" target="_self">leaves</a> should hit peak color in only a few weeks, according to a map on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Explore Fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" data-vars-content-id="bdfbbc73-d692-4fa5-8520-dc5d617f06a3" data-vars-headline="When KC&#x27;s leaves will finally turn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" target="_blank">Explore Fall</a>.Why it matters: KC&#x27;s leaves will look like that for only a week or so. Miss the window and you&#x27;re looking at bare branches until spring.

KC's trendiest dog sounds made up, but it's real

Goldendoodles are still Kansas City's favorite dog, but a Lab and Catahoula mix is growing faster here than in any other big U.S. city, per Rover.

To no one&#x27;s surprise, the goldendoodle is Kansas City&#x27;s favorite dog, but the breed growing fastest in popularity here is one you&#x27;ve probably never heard of.Why it matters: The Labahoula, a Labrador Retriever and Catahoula leopard dog mix, is an energetic, athletic breed, and it&#x27;s catching on in a city that ranks <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="82nd out of 100 for fitness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/07/17/kansas-city-ranks-low-fitness-health-wellness" data-vars-content-id="c8866a4c-32b0-463d-9cb3-93e783640522" data-vars-headline="KC&#x27;s trendiest dog sounds made up, but it&#x27;s real" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/07/17/kansas-city-ranks-low-fitness-health-wellness" target="_self">82nd out of 100 for fitness</a> and 83rd out of 107 for walkability.

What KC's Spirit Halloween used to be

Spirit Halloween is in 10 metro storefronts this fall, including a former Tuesday Morning in Lee's Summit

Spirit Halloween is haunting 10 empty storefronts around the metro this fall; among 1,500 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locations" data-vars-click-url="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" data-vars-content-id="6d3f66d0-5634-44bb-a83f-a7f52eeba9c3" data-vars-headline="What KC&#x27;s Spirit Halloween used to be" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" target="_blank">locations</a>, it opens nationwide in the shells of stores that didn&#x27;t make it to 2026.The big picture: The stores appear and vanish each fall, so finding this year&#x27;s Spirit often means directions in retail shorthand: &quot;Where the old Party City used to be.&quot; In KC, that&#x27;s the old Tuesday Morning, the old Pier 1 and, somewhere, a Painted Tree.

KC tech job openings exploded in 2025

The Kansas City metro is outperforming its size in tech job demand.

Business

The Kansas City metro is outperforming its size in tech job demand, according to a new report by the KC Tech Council. Why it matters: It&#x27;s a good sign for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="region&#x27;s workforce" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/06/kcs-workforce-employer-wants-more-real-world-experience" data-vars-content-id="d0b802a8-b96e-45c0-912b-ef9aaa28344a" data-vars-headline="KC tech job openings exploded in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/06/kcs-workforce-employer-wants-more-real-world-experience" target="_self">region&#x27;s workforce</a>, which has faced significant tech downsizing in recent years.

City Market's steamboat museum closure has been a long time coming

Museum owners acknowledged the City Market space is an imperfect fit.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum&#x27;s 35-year tenure in the City Market is coming to an end in November, a change that&#x27;s been years in the making. Why it matters: The city&#x27;s busiest and most historic farmers market has been eyeing building onto its eastern edge, including a potential hotel, though no decision has been made.

Scoop: Le Champion closure due to Westport construction

A ramen bar will take its place while the previous owner expands The Russell.

Westport cafe Le Champion is closing, and the owner tells us a big reason is due to construction in the area.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not the first time <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/openings-closings/article302311604.html" data-vars-content-id="6604ea8c-ac6c-4dbc-8ff9-a4277fd29bc4" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Le Champion closure due to Westport construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/openings-closings/article302311604.html" target="_blank">projects</a> have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contributed to closures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2025-07-29/bar-k-dog-bar-closes-all-locations-citing-kansas-citys-riverfront-construction-and-rising-costs" data-vars-content-id="6604ea8c-ac6c-4dbc-8ff9-a4277fd29bc4" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Le Champion closure due to Westport construction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2025-07-29/bar-k-dog-bar-closes-all-locations-citing-kansas-citys-riverfront-construction-and-rising-costs" target="_blank">contributed to closures</a>, raising questions over how the city manages its growing pains.

Weather threatens festivals as vendors face headwinds

Storms are adding a layer of risk for small businesses and festival attendees.

Festival vendors affected by storms in KC last weekend face difficult decisions after losses some say could have been prevented.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been an especially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tough weather year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/climate" data-vars-content-id="e50396df-8528-4f9a-a760-c623074a7c14" data-vars-headline="Weather threatens festivals as vendors face headwinds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/climate" target="_self">tough weather year</a> in KC, and storms are adding a layer of risk for small businesses and festival attendees.

KC contracting program for women and minority business owners ends

The city council repealed the program that steered contract dollars to minority- and women-owned businesses after the state sued.

Kansas City ended 45 years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contracting goals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3188/16" data-vars-content-id="d3923310-2abc-4724-8279-36ed38bf8e12" data-vars-headline="KC contracting program for women and minority business owners ends" 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/3188/16" target="_blank">contracting goals</a> for minority- and women-owned businesses after a state lawsuit said they were discriminatory.Why it matters: The repeal of the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) program changes how the city awards hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts each year, and the lawsuit that prompted it isn&#x27;t over.

City leaders want Grand Boulevard to make a comeback

It's one of the most historic business corridors in the city, and it used to be one of the busiest.

Several projects are lining up to transform a historic yet neglected stretch of Grand Boulevard into a hub of activity. Why it matters: Grand Boulevard&#x27;s financial district was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming in the 1920s" data-vars-click-url="https://pendergastkc.org/collection/missouri-valley-special-collections-kansas-city-public-library/10013854/grand-north-10th" data-vars-content-id="403dceda-0d64-44cb-aa25-9bef3614675a" data-vars-headline="City leaders want Grand Boulevard to make a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pendergastkc.org/collection/missouri-valley-special-collections-kansas-city-public-library/10013854/grand-north-10th" target="_blank">booming in the 1920s</a> as streetcar tracks crisscrossed the road and new-fangled towers scraped the skies, but now vacant and vandalized buildings have made it a place to avoid.

Why Missouri has a sales tax holiday, and Kansas doesn't

Missouri is ditching sales tax this weekend on back-to-school items.

Missouri is ditching sales tax this weekend on back-to-school items — but Kansas isn&#x27;t.Why it matters: The same computer, binder or pair of jeans will be cheaper in Missouri on Friday through Sunday, no matter which state you live in.

A dry jazz bar in a city built on booze

Café 333 arrives as American drinking hits a record low.

Kansas City jazz was born in Prohibition-era clubs fueled by liquor. A century later, the city&#x27;s newest club is alcohol-free.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Café 333" data-vars-click-url="https://cafe333kc.com/index.html" data-vars-content-id="12730782-38c9-43b7-9ef7-88f25e28fa3c" data-vars-headline="A dry jazz bar in a city built on booze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cafe333kc.com/index.html" target="_blank">Café 333</a> is KC&#x27;s first sober jazz bar, and it&#x27;s arriving just as American drinking hits a record low.

Kansas and Missouri fall in business rankings

Infrastructure carried the most weight this year.

Kansas and Missouri each fell four spots in CNBC&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/americas-top-states-for-business-full-rankings.html" data-vars-content-id="f48a710b-2868-4bb1-8219-1d89a6c6c4df" data-vars-headline="Kansas and Missouri fall in business rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/americas-top-states-for-business-full-rankings.html" target="_blank">annual ranking</a> of the top states for business this year.Why it matters: The rankings land as both states broker deals for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billion-dollar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/08/28/port-kc-approves-funding-data-center-100-billion" data-vars-content-id="f48a710b-2868-4bb1-8219-1d89a6c6c4df" data-vars-headline="Kansas and Missouri fall in business rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/08/28/port-kc-approves-funding-data-center-100-billion" target="_self">billion-dollar</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/06/nebius-data-center-driving-independence-mayoral-race" data-vars-content-id="f48a710b-2868-4bb1-8219-1d89a6c6c4df" data-vars-headline="Kansas and Missouri fall in business rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/06/nebius-data-center-driving-independence-mayoral-race" target="_self">data centers</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stadiums" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/07/22/new-chiefs-kansas-stadium-design-renderings-arrowhead" data-vars-content-id="f48a710b-2868-4bb1-8219-1d89a6c6c4df" data-vars-headline="Kansas and Missouri fall in business rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/07/22/new-chiefs-kansas-stadium-design-renderings-arrowhead" target="_self">stadiums</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next-gen tech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/10/03/kansas-could-get-next-gen-nuclear-power" data-vars-content-id="f48a710b-2868-4bb1-8219-1d89a6c6c4df" data-vars-headline="Kansas and Missouri fall in business rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/10/03/kansas-could-get-next-gen-nuclear-power" target="_self">next-gen tech</a> they say will add jobs and increase competitiveness.

Business 🏦

What KC's Spirit Halloween used to be

KC tech job openings exploded in 2025

City Market's steamboat museum closure has been a long time coming

Scoop: Le Champion closure due to Westport construction

Weather threatens festivals as vendors face headwinds