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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Kansas City.

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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.

KC book clubs are getting "weird"

Local clubs are using "weird literature" and "bookish balls" to lean into themes.

Book club events on Eventbrite jumped 33% during the first half of this year compared with last — driven largely by &quot;hyper niche&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="meetups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/meetup-dating-gen-z-loneliness" data-vars-content-id="e72deaca-c227-417b-88ff-6c9dc7595280" data-vars-headline="KC book clubs are getting &quot;weird&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/meetup-dating-gen-z-loneliness" target="_self">meetups</a>, the platform tells Axios.Why it matters: These clubs are as much about finding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="community" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/05/americans-socializing-decline" data-vars-content-id="e72deaca-c227-417b-88ff-6c9dc7595280" data-vars-headline="KC book clubs are getting &quot;weird&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/05/americans-socializing-decline" target="_self">community</a> as finishing the book.

What it's like going to KC Ren Fest

Sip mead and wield a turkey leg while watching jousters, jesters and jugglers.

Things to Do

There&#x27;s only one place in Kansas City where you can sip mead and wield a turkey leg while watching jousters, jesters and jugglers.Why it matters: The KC Renaissance Festival has been around for 50 seasons as one of the Midwest&#x27;s premier events for make-believe and post-medieval revelry.

The Chiefs are back, and so are Taylor Swift fans

Chiefs fans showed their Swifty pride at Arrowhead on Monday.

Taylor Swift showed up at Arrowhead Monday night, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/NFL/status/2099660401579602140" data-vars-content-id="c77126c7-4c21-426a-b995-9d77a3406b53" data-vars-headline="The Chiefs are back, and so are Taylor Swift fans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2099660401579602140" target="_blank">cameras</a> didn&#x27;t waste any time plastering the popstar and newlywed all over TV. The big picture: Swift&#x27;s return brought back the celebrity buzz that&#x27;s become as much a part of Chiefs game days as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="24-hour tailgates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1093108829918499/" data-vars-content-id="c77126c7-4c21-426a-b995-9d77a3406b53" data-vars-headline="The Chiefs are back, and so are Taylor Swift fans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1093108829918499/" target="_blank">24-hour tailgates</a> — complete with fan selfies, signs and a Tom Cruise cameo.

Red Friday shifts to Thursday ahead of Chiefs opener

Friday is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Red Friday is actually Red Thursday this year, as the Chiefs and Ronald McDonald House Kansas City launch their annual flag fundraiser ahead of the season opener.Why it matters: The annual event combines our passion for football with a good cause — raising money for the families of children receiving medical care in KC.

Home-sharing services lacking in KC

Seniors are trading space for affordability, companionship and safety.

Culture

Older adults are increasingly choosing to share their homes with housemates. Why it matters: As rents climb and homeowners <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stay put" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/boomers-millennials-kids-homes" data-vars-content-id="17171c0d-b003-4e2a-9381-b0b7d0f4eba4" data-vars-headline="Home-sharing services lacking in KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/boomers-millennials-kids-homes" target="_self">stay put</a>, seniors are trading space for affordability, companionship and safety.

Gray hair beauty trend hits Kansas City

Even some younger women are embracing the look.

Searches for gray hair salons and services have surged on Yelp, according to data shared with Axios.Why it matters: America is getting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="older" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/12/jobs-report-health-care-boomers" data-vars-content-id="ade3b830-0ca4-4eb3-9bc5-42590bbd2649" data-vars-headline="Gray hair beauty trend hits Kansas City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/12/jobs-report-health-care-boomers" target="_self">older</a>, and more people are embracing their grays rather than hiding them.

Kansas City refugee soccer players star in new film

"Chasing Goals" features Global FC, a local nonprofit.

Refugee kids in Kansas City and the nonprofit that helps them through soccer and mentorship are a part of a new documentary that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="premiered" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3149/231" data-vars-content-id="ce3bbc2f-e885-4830-99b3-e20b554deb33" data-vars-headline="Kansas City refugee soccer players star in new film" 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/3149/231" target="_blank">premiered</a> this weekend. Why it matters: The film, backed by heavyweight producers, could launch KC and the Historic Northeast community into national conversations about refugees and immigrants.

KC's Ivan "the Squatch" dominates in beard battle

Ivan the "Squatch" Pancic dominated the Big Beautiful Badass Beard Battle.

A Kansas City man stole the show at a Nebraska beard competition that was judged by some of competitive facial hair&#x27;s biggest wigs.The big picture: Ivan &quot;the Squatch&quot; Pancic dominated the Big Beautiful Badass Beard Battle last weekend with 13 inches of flowing facial locks, taking home four first-place finishes, including the Best Beard Award and Best in Show.

Western Auto was relit after going dark. It's not the first time.

The 74-year-old sign is a city icon and a point of local pride.

Public officials and residents of the Western Auto building gathered on the roof Tuesday night to flip the switch on a fully repaired sign after more than a year.Why it matters: The 74-year-old sign is a city icon and a point of local pride, inspiring everything from paintings to T-shirt designs and bracelet charms.

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.

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.