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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.

A West Bottoms redevelopment could look like Los Angeles

Eight mostly vacant buildings near Eighth and Madison could undergo a transformation.

A developer pursuing a multibuilding project in the West Bottoms has tackled a strikingly similar landscape before — in LA&#x27;s industrial belt.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Borman Group&#x27;s work" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thebormangroup.com/" data-vars-content-id="d641d1f1-4a1e-4d41-9e2c-f53310113971" data-vars-headline="A West Bottoms redevelopment could look like Los Angeles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thebormangroup.com/" target="_blank">The Borman Group&#x27;s work</a> out West offers a look at the potential for the project in Kansas City as Port KC considers public financing and property tax incentives for it.

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>

Missouri voters reject Republican-led amendments

More than 1.4 million Missourians voted yesterday.

Voters defeated two hot-button Republican amendments by large margins in yesterday&#x27;s election.The big picture: Roughly 1.4 million Missourians voted yesterday, a number not seen in a primary since 2004, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Missouri Independent" data-vars-click-url="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/08/03/missouri-turnout-could-hit-1-4-million-as-ballot-measures-drive-primary-interest/" data-vars-content-id="e04febea-c1b7-458f-8f6d-6e90dc0c478a" data-vars-headline="Missouri voters reject Republican-led amendments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/08/03/missouri-turnout-could-hit-1-4-million-as-ballot-measures-drive-primary-interest/" target="_blank">Missouri Independent</a>.

State rejects Missouri map referendum

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the petition the same day voters cast ballots under the map.

Missouri&#x27;s new congressional map is set to govern the midterms after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a petition Tuesday seeking to put it to a statewide vote.Why it matters: The decision, made on the day voters used the map, locks in district lines that give Republicans a 7-1 advantage and turn Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver&#x27;s Kansas City-based seat into a Republican-leaning one.

Kansas governor candidates address rising costs

Ten candidates want to represent their party in the general election in November.

Ten candidates want to win their party&#x27;s vote for Kansas governor as Democrat Laura Kelly wraps up her second term.Why it matters: The primary candidates are trying to differentiate their approaches to solving affordability issues as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property taxes rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcur.org/housing-development-section/2026-02-26/kansas-homeowners-now-carry-a-bigger-tax-burden-than-commercial-property-owners" data-vars-content-id="e6181e6a-3e6a-459d-96ae-4596b776ab6c" data-vars-headline="Kansas governor candidates address rising costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcur.org/housing-development-section/2026-02-26/kansas-homeowners-now-carry-a-bigger-tax-burden-than-commercial-property-owners" target="_blank">property taxes rise</a> across the state.

These Republicans are vying for Cleaver's 5th District

Voters will decide in the primary election Tuesday who will take on incumbent Emanuel Cleaver.

Republican voters from Troost Avenue in Kansas City to Rocheport near Columbia will decide on Tuesday which candidate will battle for Missouri&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new 5th Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/07/31/analysis-the-problem-with-missouri-congressional-maps" data-vars-content-id="2f25780f-4511-4efa-bac9-fb082110ac45" data-vars-headline="These Republicans are vying for Cleaver&#x27;s 5th District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/07/31/analysis-the-problem-with-missouri-congressional-maps" target="_self">new 5th Congressional District</a> in November&#x27;s general election.Why it matters: The winner will face longtime Democratic incumbent Emanuel Cleaver.

Analysis: The problem with Missouri congressional maps

It's really hard to find a decent map of Missouri's new districts.

It&#x27;s really hard to find a comprehensive map of Missouri&#x27;s new congressional districts.The big picture: The midterm primaries are on Tuesday, but after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="messy redistricting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/25/missouri-court-kansas-city-congressional-map-fight" data-vars-content-id="d0c781c4-20c6-462c-ab69-7ed14ff051dc" data-vars-headline="Analysis: The problem with Missouri congressional maps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/25/missouri-court-kansas-city-congressional-map-fight" target="_self">messy redistricting</a> process, voters (myself included) have to dig to figure out where the boundaries fall.

Missouri's 4th District candidates weigh in before primary

Missouri's redrawn map splits Kansas City at Troost Avenue. We asked every 4th District candidate what they'd prioritize in Congress.

On Tuesday, voters cast the first ballots under Missouri&#x27;s redrawn congressional map, and Kansas City is in for big changes.The big picture: Republican lawmakers redrew the map in a September 2025 special session, splitting KC into multiple districts.

Your 2026 primary election guide

Missouri votes on phasing out its income tax and Jackson County's assessor. Kansas picks candidates for an open governor's seat and decides how its Supreme Court justices get chosen. Here's your guide before Aug. 4.

Election

Your paycheck, your property taxes and your courts are all on the line in the Aug. 4 primary election. Here&#x27;s what to know before you head to the voting booth.Why it matters: Primaries draw a fraction of November&#x27;s turnout, and the voters who show up decide these questions for everyone.

Half of Kansas City's general fund is up for vote

KCMO's earnings tax is on the ballot April 7.

Kansas Citians on Tuesday will be asked if they want to renew the city&#x27;s 1% earned income tax on residents, businesses and workers.Why it matters: The earnings tax generates almost half of KCMO&#x27;s $844.2 million general fund, but state law requires the tax to be put to a vote every five years.

A data center is driving Independence's mayoral race

The $150.6 billion project has split the two leading candidates.

Independence&#x27;s next mayor may be decided over a plan to build a massive AI data center with major tax incentives.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$150.6 billion project" data-vars-click-url="https://independencemo.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1816/files/attachment/8105" data-vars-content-id="7e35eba1-865a-49ca-98f0-7eba3e552b6f" data-vars-headline="A data center is driving Independence&#x27;s mayoral race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://independencemo.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1816/files/attachment/8105" target="_blank">$150.6 billion project</a> has split the two leading candidates, with one backing the incentives and the other pushing for a public vote.

What to know about Johnson County's special election

Mail ballots are due by noon Tuesday in Johnson County's special election.

Politics

<figure><img alt="Illustration of a man placing a vote sticker on his shirt." height="1080" id="5c0b7be3-9cec-4c1f-9491-e0b8496f9a7a" src="https://images.axios.com/KEB5TWKo-eo9dcecNoAzKUT_3_g=/2025/04/28/1745856215484.gif" width="1920"/><figcaption>Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios</figcaption></figure>Nearly $500 milion in school bonds — plus a new city sales tax — are on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot Tuesday in Johnson County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jocoelection.org/events-elections/march-3-2026-special-elections" data-vars-content-id="9966c3c0-8eea-43c3-a2b5-f96e1716d885" data-vars-headline="What to know about Johnson County&#x27;s special election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jocoelection.org/events-elections/march-3-2026-special-elections" target="_blank">ballot Tuesday in Johnson County</a>.Why it matters: If approved, the measures would reshape how Edgerton pays for stormwater and street projects — and how De Soto and Olathe fund major school improvements.

Election 🗳️

Missouri voters reject Republican-led amendments

State rejects Missouri map referendum

Kansas governor candidates address rising costs

These Republicans are vying for Cleaver's 5th District

Analysis: The problem with Missouri congressional maps