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

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

News

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.

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.

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.

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.

Missouri wants nuclear power to revamp its energy future

Energy demand is skyrocketing as coal plants face retirement.

Missouri is facing an energy crunch as demand skyrockets and production faces cuts due to aging power plants. Why it matters: Failing to meet future energy demands would raise the state&#x27;s already increasing reliance on imported energy, which could trigger higher bills and a less reliable power grid.

Fall in KC: Probably warmer and wetter

It's part of the "super" El Niño weather pattern.

Climate

Cooler KC temperatures feel like a relief after so many <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="90-degree days" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/09/17/heat-dome-hot-temperatures-kc-september-el-nino" data-vars-content-id="6e58a884-1952-4856-b089-32ca3cef2897" data-vars-headline="Fall in KC: Probably warmer and wetter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/09/17/heat-dome-hot-temperatures-kc-september-el-nino" target="_self">90-degree days</a>, but fall forecasts still expect above-normal temperatures for the region.Why it matters: It&#x27;s part of recent fall trends in KC, plus the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kmbc.com/article/el-nino-super-status-forecast/73721270" data-vars-content-id="6e58a884-1952-4856-b089-32ca3cef2897" data-vars-headline="Fall in KC: Probably warmer and wetter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/el-nino-super-status-forecast/73721270" target="_blank">El Niño</a> weather pattern causing higher temperatures and more storms across the U.S.

"Aug-tember" temperatures strike KC

We haven't seen persistent temperatures like this since the Dust Bowl.

I&#x27;m getting really tired of the phrase &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat dome" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/07/more-extreme-heat-coming-to-kc-as-impact-grows" data-vars-content-id="7b1cf105-1a83-4eab-8006-43c62a0e0173" data-vars-headline="&quot;Aug-tember&quot; temperatures strike KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/07/more-extreme-heat-coming-to-kc-as-impact-grows" target="_self">heat dome</a>.&quot; I&#x27;ve heard it (and felt it) all summer long, and guess what — it&#x27;s back.The big picture: Kansas City is feeling the secondhand effects of the strongest heat dome on the planet, which positioned itself over Tennessee on Wednesday, the Washington Post <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/09/15/its-almost-fall-this-record-heat-dome-didnt-get-memo/" data-vars-content-id="7b1cf105-1a83-4eab-8006-43c62a0e0173" data-vars-headline="&quot;Aug-tember&quot; temperatures strike KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/09/15/its-almost-fall-this-record-heat-dome-didnt-get-memo/" target="_blank">reports</a>.

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 Streetcar fights extreme heat with water-spraying trucks

Tracks are susceptible to deterioration during the hottest parts of the day.

Streetcar officials are testing a new way to prevent extreme heat from damaging the tracks. Why it matters: This summer has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exceedingly hot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/07/more-extreme-heat-coming-to-kc-as-impact-grows" data-vars-content-id="d6bfb680-8514-4eb7-8ca0-e72ea5a2d740" data-vars-headline="KC Streetcar fights extreme heat with water-spraying trucks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/07/more-extreme-heat-coming-to-kc-as-impact-grows" target="_self">exceedingly hot</a>, with peak temperatures threatening people&#x27;s health and city infrastructure.

More extreme heat coming to KC as impact grows

Greater shares of Americans say heat affects daily life.

Greater shares of Americans now say that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" data-vars-content-id="8a58353a-b746-4e4a-841b-b687465b1823" data-vars-headline="More extreme heat coming to KC as impact grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" target="_self">extreme heat</a> has affected parts of day-to-day life compared to just two years ago.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="findings" data-vars-click-url="https://apnorc.org/projects/most-americans-have-been-affected-by-extreme-heat-this-year/" data-vars-content-id="8a58353a-b746-4e4a-841b-b687465b1823" data-vars-headline="More extreme heat coming to KC as impact grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnorc.org/projects/most-americans-have-been-affected-by-extreme-heat-this-year/" target="_blank">findings</a>, from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, suggest that people are increasingly aware of extreme heat&#x27;s impact on their health, budgets, travel plans and more.

The Midwest power grid has a tough, expensive road ahead

Heat and data centers are contributing to rising energy demands.

Summer heat and rising electrical demand are putting power grids to the test.The big picture: Successive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat domes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/next-heat-dome-to-bring-100-f-heat-to-midwest-perhaps-east-again/1909282" data-vars-content-id="1ac314d4-6a82-4fbe-be77-7c7e79476a35" data-vars-headline="The Midwest power grid has a tough, expensive road ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/next-heat-dome-to-bring-100-f-heat-to-midwest-perhaps-east-again/1909282" target="_blank">heat domes</a> in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/26/heat-wave-dome-july" data-vars-content-id="1ac314d4-6a82-4fbe-be77-7c7e79476a35" data-vars-headline="The Midwest power grid has a tough, expensive road ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/26/heat-wave-dome-july" target="_self">June</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="July" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" data-vars-content-id="1ac314d4-6a82-4fbe-be77-7c7e79476a35" data-vars-headline="The Midwest power grid has a tough, expensive road ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" target="_self">July</a> stressed cooling systems and energy generators, threatening costly and dangerous outages.

Kansas City tree planting ramps up for Earth Day

Trees can reduce extreme heat, filter pollution and absorb stormwater.

Kansas Citians are planting trees this month to cool neighborhoods, reduce pollution and improve quality of life.Why it matters: More trees can reduce extreme heat, filter pollution and absorb stormwater across Kansas City — plus, they make being outside more comfortable.

Tornado season runs April–June in Kansas City

It's tornado season, and more severe weather heading our way.

We get a lot of tornado weather alerts, but that doesn&#x27;t mean we should ignore them or treat them only as prompts to go outside and watch the sky.Why it matters: It&#x27;s tornado season, and more severe weather is heading our way.

How and where to go plogging in Kansas City

With Earth Day this month, you can celebrate nature while contributing to a healthier planet.

You&#x27;ve heard of jogging. You&#x27;ve heard of picking up litter. Combine the two, and you get &quot;plogging.&quot;Why it matters: Earth Day is this month, and locals are looking for ways to celebrate nature while contributing to a healthier planet.

Climate 🌿

Missouri wants nuclear power to revamp its energy future

Fall in KC: Probably warmer and wetter

"Aug-tember" temperatures strike KC

Weather threatens festivals as vendors face headwinds

KC Streetcar fights extreme heat with water-spraying trucks