Kansas City

Kansas City Members

Membership

Postcard with an image of a city landscape of Kansas City’s skyline on a transparent background

blue

Axios Kansas City Partners

Kansas City Alerts

Alert

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

Axios Kansas City Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Kansas City with Travis Meier and Abbey Higginbotham.

Axios Kansas City

Standard

Visa bonds threaten KC's World Cup international turnout

The Trump administration is requiring fans from 50 countries to post up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. for the World Cup.

News

Kansas City&#x27;s international visitor turnout for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/07/how-the-world-cup-could-give-kc-a-long-term-boost" data-vars-content-id="c1934883-44a8-4525-853e-568546847701" data-vars-headline="Visa bonds threaten KC&#x27;s World Cup international turnout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/07/how-the-world-cup-could-give-kc-a-long-term-boost" target="_self">World Cup</a> faces uncertainty after the Trump administration began requiring fans from 50 countries to pay up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.Why it matters: FIFA told host cities to expect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roughly half" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2026/04/07/world-cup-visas-entry-bonds-kc-economic-impact.html" data-vars-content-id="c1934883-44a8-4525-853e-568546847701" data-vars-headline="Visa bonds threaten KC&#x27;s World Cup international turnout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2026/04/07/world-cup-visas-entry-bonds-kc-economic-impact.html" target="_blank">roughly half</a> of all visitors to come from abroad, including fans from Algeria and Tunisia, which are set to play matches here. This barrier to entry puts KC&#x27;s projected $653 million economic boost at risk.

Fence no match for Grand pedestrian bridge walkers

The city says people moved barriers and walked through an active construction zone.

Some pedestrians this weekend took a stroll through an active construction zone, moving aside barricades to access a pedestrian bridge down to the riverfront.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not open yet, city officials tell Axios, although the concrete is set and the bridge is stable.

KC ammo plant strike threatens the military's bullet supply

Over 1,300 union workers at the Independence plant that supplies most of the U.S. military's small-caliber ammunition have been on strike since April 4 — and no new contract talks are scheduled.

Over 1,300 union workers at an Independence ammunition plant that produces most of the small-caliber bullets for the U.S. military are on strike.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lake City Army Ammunition Plant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jmc.army.mil/Installations.aspx?id=LakeCity" data-vars-content-id="793cada2-9844-4994-a118-216ed5f70e71" data-vars-headline="KC ammo plant strike threatens the military&#x27;s bullet supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jmc.army.mil/Installations.aspx?id=LakeCity" target="_blank">Lake City Army Ammunition Plant</a> has supplied the military with ammunition that troops carry into combat since 1940. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="IAM Local 778 union" data-vars-click-url="https://local778.org/local-history/" data-vars-content-id="793cada2-9844-4994-a118-216ed5f70e71" data-vars-headline="KC ammo plant strike threatens the military&#x27;s bullet supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://local778.org/local-history/" target="_blank">IAM Local 778 union</a> says no other facility can match its output at scale — and right now, very little is being made.

Downtown KCMO backs $600M Royals bid

Hallmark, Union Station and the KC Sports Commission are throwing their weight behind downtown baseball.

Major downtown Kansas City institutions are backing a new city incentive proposal for a Royals stadium at Washington Square Park, despite opposition from a workers union.Why it matters: Hallmark, Union Station and the KC Sports Commission are throwing their weight behind downtown baseball, which leaders say could lead to more jobs, development and benefits for the entire city.

An inclusive playground will be built over I-670 downtown

The playground will anchor Roy Blunt Luminary Park after a $30 million donation to Variety KC.

An inclusive playground will anchor Roy Blunt Luminary Park after a $30 million donation to Variety KC.Why it matters: The children&#x27;s charity is trying to make KC the most accessible city in the world, and it&#x27;s starting with a highly anticipated development in the heart of downtown.

Kansas City families can now get a free doula

The program covers up to $6,000 in doula services for expecting parents.

Health

The Kansas City Health Department opened a second round of funding for a program that provides <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doula services" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3021/" data-vars-content-id="444c22e4-b29b-41fd-8478-40648586b8e2" data-vars-headline="Kansas City families can now get a free doula" 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/3021/" target="_blank">doula services</a> to expecting families at no cost.Why it matters: Doula care can lead to fewer C-sections, shorter labor and less postpartum depression, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2023 study" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10292163/" data-vars-content-id="444c22e4-b29b-41fd-8478-40648586b8e2" data-vars-headline="Kansas City families can now get a free doula" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10292163/" target="_blank">2023 study</a>, but private insurance rarely covers it.

KC crackdown on "gas station drugs" spreads to suburbs

Lee's Summit joins a growing push to regulate kratom and delta-8 products.

Lee&#x27;s Summit is joining <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kansas City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2920/16" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" 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/2920/16" target="_blank">Kansas City</a> in tightening rules on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="kratom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Kratom-2020_0.pdf" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Kratom-2020_0.pdf" target="_blank">kratom</a> and certain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cannabinoids" data-vars-click-url="https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabinoids/" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabinoids/" target="_blank">cannabinoids</a>, expanding a push to rein in a fast-growing market of unregulated intoxicants.Why it matters: What you can legally buy now varies across the metro, as cities move faster than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Missouri" data-vars-click-url="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-hanaway-launches-investigation-into-major-kratom-manufacturers-and-retailers-for-potentially-dangerous-and-illegal-practices" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-hanaway-launches-investigation-into-major-kratom-manufacturers-and-retailers-for-potentially-dangerous-and-illegal-practices" target="_blank">Missouri</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kansas" data-vars-click-url="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb497/" data-vars-content-id="29e7c561-2bcf-476c-810e-d7c62f2787ac" data-vars-headline="KC crackdown on &quot;gas station drugs&quot; spreads to suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb497/" target="_blank">Kansas</a> to regulate drugs that are sold in gas stations and smoke shops.

Thousands could lose Medicaid in Missouri, Kansas

New rules could leave thousands without coverage by 2027.

Missouri and Kansas are adjusting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Medicaid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health" data-vars-content-id="1f619b0c-d2f5-416e-bd1e-10b9d1a09d67" data-vars-headline="Thousands could lose Medicaid in Missouri, Kansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health" target="_self">Medicaid</a> budgets ahead of federal changes expected to cut coverage for thousands of people.

Our surrogacy laws are all over the place

Kansas and Missouri take different legal paths for surrogacy families.

Kansas City families navigating surrogacy face two different legal systems depending on which side of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405661817300229" data-vars-content-id="f51c8653-a805-4dd4-8046-9ca7ce5b0a32" data-vars-headline="Our surrogacy laws are all over the place" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405661817300229" target="_blank">state line</a> they use.The big picture: Some state regulations have barriers for intended parents who are single, unmarried, not a heterosexual couple and/or not genetically related to the child.

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.

Lenexa's building KC's first public ninja course

The $1.4 million project at Central Green Park will begin construction this summer.

Soon, you could train like an &quot;American Ninja Warrior&quot; contestant at a new obstacle course in Lenexa.Why it matters: The $1.4 million project will be KC&#x27;s first public course of this kind, and comes as a result of resident surveys, Lenexa spokesperson Denise Rendina tells Axios.

How ICE enforcement stress affects kids — and what parents can do

As federal immigration enforcement ramps up, Kansas City therapists report rising anxiety among children. Here's what parents should watch for and how to help.

As the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="d0c3670a-7ce3-4159-a68f-c0e8a3893184" data-vars-headline="How ICE enforcement stress affects kids — and what parents can do" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration ramps up federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/twin-cities-occupied-by-federal-agents-turmoil" data-vars-content-id="d0c3670a-7ce3-4159-a68f-c0e8a3893184" data-vars-headline="How ICE enforcement stress affects kids — and what parents can do" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/twin-cities-occupied-by-federal-agents-turmoil" target="_self">immigration enforcement</a>, experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="children across the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/ice-trump-children-mental-health-parents-immigration" data-vars-content-id="d0c3670a-7ce3-4159-a68f-c0e8a3893184" data-vars-headline="How ICE enforcement stress affects kids — and what parents can do" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/ice-trump-children-mental-health-parents-immigration" target="_self">children across the country</a> may be absorbing the fear and uncertainty of ICE operations.Why it matters: Experiencing traumatic events in childhood can create lasting physical and mental health challenges that extend into adulthood, Sita Patel, a clinical psychology professor at Palo Alto University, tells Axios.

Health coverage hits harder in Kansas than in Missouri

Kansas families spend nearly 10% of income on employer coverage, slightly more than Missouri households.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Employer health coverage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/charted-health-insurance-coverage-family-income" data-vars-content-id="c429a5f5-7d49-4bd8-aca6-42b912e2a71e" data-vars-headline="Health coverage hits harder in Kansas than in Missouri" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/charted-health-insurance-coverage-family-income" target="_self">Employer health coverage</a> eats up nearly one-tenth of a typical family&#x27;s income in both Kansas and Missouri, with Kansas households facing a slightly heavier burden, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Commonwealth Fund study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2026/is-employer-coverage-affordable-how-states-stack-up" data-vars-content-id="c429a5f5-7d49-4bd8-aca6-42b912e2a71e" data-vars-headline="Health coverage hits harder in Kansas than in Missouri" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2026/is-employer-coverage-affordable-how-states-stack-up" target="_blank">Commonwealth Fund study</a> shows.

Ruby Jean's "north star" is longevity through juice

The local operation has expanded its distribution from Hawaii to D.C.

Food and Drink

What began as a healthy alternative to soul food in Kansas City&#x27;s East Side has become a hub for community building and longevity.Why it matters: We&#x27;re continuing our February spotlight on Black-owned businesses with a look at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ruby Jean&#x27;s Juicery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rubyjeansjuicery.com/" data-vars-content-id="c07638eb-cd65-47c5-866d-37448ad96f2c" data-vars-headline="Ruby Jean&#x27;s &quot;north star&quot; is longevity through juice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rubyjeansjuicery.com/" target="_blank">Ruby Jean&#x27;s Juicery</a>, a local cold-pressed juice company with nationwide reach.

A choropleth map categorizing U.S. states by legal status of surrogacy arrangements. Gestational and genetic surrogacy is enforceable in 15 states, Gestational surrogacy is enforceable in 14, and surrogacy is unregulated in 15.

Health 🩺

An inclusive playground will be built over I-670 downtown

Kansas City families can now get a free doula

KC crackdown on "gas station drugs" spreads to suburbs

Thousands could lose Medicaid in Missouri, Kansas

Our surrogacy laws are all over the place