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What changes in KC when the drinking slows

At least six Kansas City area breweries have closed since early last year, and owners say the bigger loss is the gathering space.

News

Kansas City has lost several breweries, bars and pubs in recent years, leaving fewer places for socialization. Why it matters: Americans are drinking less for good reasons, but bars and taprooms do more than just pour booze — they provide places to gather without a plan.

What Kansas City gets in the Royals stadium deal

City council approved agreements on community benefits, construction and financing.

The Royals&#x27; downtown stadium is another step closer after City Council on Thursday approved a package of agreements on community benefits, construction and financing. Why it matters: Public documents shed light on what the Royals are promising the city, including funds to address homelessness and benefit public art.

Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early

The U.S. won't become majority-minority until 2046, but four rural Kansas counties and Wyandotte County are already there.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Census data" data-vars-click-url="https://ipsr.unit2.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/population/2pop29.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d68a86e0-3cfc-4b0a-a45b-220b4010d145" data-vars-headline="Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ipsr.unit2.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/population/2pop29.pdf" target="_blank">Census data</a> shows a majority-minority U.S. population is decades away, but four Kansas counties and the metro&#x27;s Wyandotte County have already crossed that line. The big picture: The shift is reshaping the state, from meatpacking towns in southwest Kansas to the metro&#x27;s urban core, part of the nationwide rural trend identified in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios analysis." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/majority-minority-rural-america-black-latino" data-vars-content-id="d68a86e0-3cfc-4b0a-a45b-220b4010d145" data-vars-headline="Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/majority-minority-rural-america-black-latino" target="_self">Axios analysis.</a>

KC's last 8pm sunset is days away

Most of the country has already lost its late sunsets, but the KC metro has until Aug. 23 to 25 depending on your county.

Most Americans have already seen their final 8pm sunset of the year, but Kansas City still has about a week of late light left.The big picture: We lose a little more light every day as the Earth&#x27;s Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun until Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year.<ul><li>The farther west within a time zone you live, the later your sunsets typically run, and KC sits in the western stretch of the Central time zone.</li></ul>

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.

Climate

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.

KC is heating up as a warm winter becomes spring

We'll see summer-like temperatures as early as this weekend.

Ignore the recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blizzard" data-vars-click-url="https://fox4kc.com/weather/weather-blog/joes-blog-near-blizzard-conditions-possible-sun-3-15/" data-vars-content-id="0c3ce3cd-4eac-465e-a039-d98bc11635ab" data-vars-headline="KC is heating up as a warm winter becomes spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox4kc.com/weather/weather-blog/joes-blog-near-blizzard-conditions-possible-sun-3-15/" target="_blank">blizzard</a> conditions and subzero windchills — February and March in Kansas City have been surprisingly and unusually warm.Why it matters: The above-average temps will likely <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continue into spring" data-vars-click-url="https://weather.com/forecast/national/news/2025-03-27-april-temperature-precipitation-forecast-outlook" data-vars-content-id="0c3ce3cd-4eac-465e-a039-d98bc11635ab" data-vars-headline="KC is heating up as a warm winter becomes spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://weather.com/forecast/national/news/2025-03-27-april-temperature-precipitation-forecast-outlook" target="_blank">continue into spring</a>, launching Kansas City into summer-like temperatures as early as this weekend.

The snow has arrived at Snow Creek

Recent KC temps in the 40s and 50s have made for muddy hills.

Sports

The hills are open at Kansas City&#x27;s ski resort, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Snow Creek" data-vars-click-url="https://www.skisnowcreek.com/" data-vars-content-id="01de9aaf-23f7-473f-827d-574cdf91db3e" data-vars-headline="The snow has arrived at Snow Creek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.skisnowcreek.com/" target="_blank">Snow Creek</a>, which finally has snow that&#x27;s set to last through the week and beyond.Why it matters: Snow sports are hit and miss here, where winter temps have a tough time staying below 32 degrees.

"Stay home": KC snow predictions rise ahead of winter storm

Kansas City could see impacts last through Wednesday.

Kansas City is bracing for a serious winter storm starting Friday, with snowfall predictions increasing and freezing temperatures expected to last all weekend.The big picture: What initially looked like a cold snap with a few flurries is shaping up to be a major arctic event with impacts lasting through next Wednesday, as of Thursday&#x27;s forecasts.

Extreme cold is coming to Kansas City — and it might bring snow

KC's extreme weather is part of a massive winter storm set to wallop the U.S.

Serious cold is coming for Kansas City starting tonight as a massive and dangerous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/20/prepare-power-outages-winter-storm-triangle-north-carolina-snow-sleet-ice" data-vars-content-id="986a0ac3-a264-4c79-93bc-beeb6c2758e1" data-vars-headline="Extreme cold is coming to Kansas City — and it might bring snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/20/prepare-power-outages-winter-storm-triangle-north-carolina-snow-sleet-ice" target="_self">winter storm</a> is set to pummel huge swaths of the country.Threat level: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sub-zero wind chills" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/NWSKansasCity/status/2013915353651228864" data-vars-content-id="986a0ac3-a264-4c79-93bc-beeb6c2758e1" data-vars-headline="Extreme cold is coming to Kansas City — and it might bring snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/NWSKansasCity/status/2013915353651228864" target="_blank">Sub-zero wind chills</a> and lows in the teens and single digits will arrive by early Friday and stick around through Sunday, the National Weather Service said Wednesday. A 30% to 40% <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chance of snow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/media/eax/DssPacket.pdf" data-vars-content-id="986a0ac3-a264-4c79-93bc-beeb6c2758e1" data-vars-headline="Extreme cold is coming to Kansas City — and it might bring snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/media/eax/DssPacket.pdf" target="_blank">chance of snow</a> starts Friday night.

Climate 🌿

KC Streetcar fights extreme heat with water-spraying trucks

More extreme heat coming to KC as impact grows

The Midwest power grid has a tough, expensive road ahead

Kansas City tree planting ramps up for Earth Day

Tornado season runs April–June in Kansas City