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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.

41,000 Missourians just got the right to vote back. Many don't know it.

A new law restored voting rights ahead of November, but the state's own websites are still telling people they can't register.

Thousands of Missourians on felony probation or parole can register to vote for the first time this fall, and voting rights groups are pushing the state to make sure they know it.The big picture: Missouri changed its ban on voting during felony probation and parole last month, restoring voting rights to more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="41,000 people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sentencingproject.org/press-releases/missouri-restores-voting-rights-to-thousands-but-gaps-remain/" data-vars-content-id="cfb9a1a5-e5e8-4f3c-8c73-cbdd48a18790" data-vars-headline="41,000 Missourians just got the right to vote back. Many don&#x27;t know it." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sentencingproject.org/press-releases/missouri-restores-voting-rights-to-thousands-but-gaps-remain/" target="_blank">41,000 people</a>, per The Sentencing Project, and the registration deadline for the Nov. 3 election is four weeks away.

Missouri voters to decide new congressional map in November

November's election will run on the old map, and voters will decide on the new one.

Missouri&#x27;s Supreme Court unanimously blocked the state&#x27;s new congressional map Thursday and ordered a statewide vote on whether it ever takes effect, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overturning Secretary of State Denny Hoskins" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/04/missouri-congressional-map-referendum-rejected" data-vars-content-id="a0761022-bad1-4157-8aa9-2634c9335169" data-vars-headline="Missouri voters to decide new congressional map in November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/04/missouri-congressional-map-referendum-rejected" target="_self">overturning Secretary of State Denny Hoskins</a>&#x27; decision and validating a petition with more than 305,000 signatures.Why it matters: November&#x27;s election will run on the old map, meaning much of Kansas City <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reverts to 5th District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.abc4.com/news/national/ap-missouri-court-blocks-trump-backed-us-house-map-and-orders-it-to-be-put-to-a-vote/" data-vars-content-id="a0761022-bad1-4157-8aa9-2634c9335169" data-vars-headline="Missouri voters to decide new congressional map in November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.abc4.com/news/national/ap-missouri-court-blocks-trump-backed-us-house-map-and-orders-it-to-be-put-to-a-vote/" target="_blank">reverts to 5th District</a>, where Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver has won with at least 60% of the vote in the past two elections.

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.

Election 🗳️

41,000 Missourians just got the right to vote back. Many don't know it.

Missouri voters to decide new congressional map in November

Missouri voters reject Republican-led amendments

State rejects Missouri map referendum

Kansas governor candidates address rising costs