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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.

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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 looks to sports to grow its economy

A bigger CPKC Stadium, a Women's World Cup bid and $185 million in public money.

Kansas City&#x27;s leaders want to turn one <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/07/15/kansas-city-the-soccer-capital-of-america
" data-vars-content-id="325f5b27-f7cf-4d19-afcf-b66504e4405a" data-vars-headline="KC looks to sports to grow its economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/07/15/kansas-city-the-soccer-capital-of-america
" target="_self">World Cup summer</a> into a lasting economic strategy with a bigger CPKC Stadium, a bid for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2031 Women&#x27;s World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/12/02/2031-womens-world-cup-hosting" data-vars-content-id="325f5b27-f7cf-4d19-afcf-b66504e4405a" data-vars-headline="KC looks to sports to grow its economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/12/02/2031-womens-world-cup-hosting" target="_self">2031 Women&#x27;s World Cup</a> and a push to bring companies and people to town.Why it matters: The World Cup gave KC a global stage. Local business and sports leaders now want to turn that burst of attention into long-term growth through sports investment, corporate recruitment and another international tournament.

Farm fuel costs could hit your grocery bill

Record diesel and rising fertilizer costs are hitting Midwest farms and could push up prices.

Kansas City shoppers have dodged the worst of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nation&#x27;s grocery inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/30/grocery-inflation-prices-war-diesel" data-vars-content-id="c1dc2ce3-9a85-4d99-acb1-f18aa503c24d" data-vars-headline="Farm fuel costs could hit your grocery bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/30/grocery-inflation-prices-war-diesel" target="_self">nation&#x27;s grocery inflation</a> so far, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record diesel prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/diesel-fuel-prices-food-transportation" data-vars-content-id="c1dc2ce3-9a85-4d99-acb1-f18aa503c24d" data-vars-headline="Farm fuel costs could hit your grocery bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/diesel-fuel-prices-food-transportation" target="_self">record diesel prices</a> may change that.The big picture: Fertilizer costs piling up on local farms now <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will reach store shelves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/09/18/breaking-news/record-diesel-prices-squeeze-u-s-farmers-threaten-food-prices/" data-vars-content-id="c1dc2ce3-9a85-4d99-acb1-f18aa503c24d" data-vars-headline="Farm fuel costs could hit your grocery bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/09/18/breaking-news/record-diesel-prices-squeeze-u-s-farmers-threaten-food-prices/" target="_blank">will reach store shelves</a> in the coming months, starting with bread, meat, dairy and eggs.

The Heartland tips better than most of the country

Kansas and Missouri diners leave almost 20% on average, above the national 18.7%, even as the rest of the country says it's tired of the tip screen.

Kansas and Missouri diners tip almost 20% on average, which is better than most of the country, according to new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Toast data" data-vars-click-url="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/restaurant-tipping-trends" data-vars-content-id="10cf4d88-a566-4d68-97c8-8d1a77ba0bb0" data-vars-headline="The Heartland tips better than most of the country" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/restaurant-tipping-trends" target="_blank">Toast data</a>.Why it matters: Tipping is under the microscope nationally, with diners saying they&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sick of being asked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/15/highest-tipping-states-2026" data-vars-content-id="10cf4d88-a566-4d68-97c8-8d1a77ba0bb0" data-vars-headline="The Heartland tips better than most of the country" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/15/highest-tipping-states-2026" target="_self">sick of being asked</a> and some restaurants dropping it entirely.

Sports tourism booms in Overland Park

2025 was Visit Overland Park's biggest year yet.

Multiday sporting events are filling Overland Park hotels and bringing in massive local spending — and that was before the World Cup.Why it matters: More tourism means more local spending, offsetting costs for residents and attracting more business to the city.

Schmitt pushes to regulate college sports "arms race"

Schmitt is part of a bipartisan charge that has support from schools and Trump.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri) is leading a bipartisan charge to federally regulate new money that&#x27;s pouring into college sports.Why it matters: Years of loosening the rules around student-athlete compensation have created an &quot;unsustainable arms race,&quot; Schmitt says, creating unfair advantages for schools with the most money.

Deportations to cost the Heartland billions

Missouri taxpayers are covering $3.6 billion of the deportation push. Kansas taxpayers, $1.8 billion. Here's what that works out to per person.

Taxpayers on both sides of the state line would each pay roughly $1,800 toward President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="1d653b65-0732-4da8-9b91-4adea68ba628" data-vars-headline="Deportations to cost the Heartland billions" 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&#x27;s</a> mass deportation push, according to a new calculator from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).Why it matters: The estimate fuels debate over whether billions of federal dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" data-vars-content-id="1d653b65-0732-4da8-9b91-4adea68ba628" data-vars-headline="Deportations to cost the Heartland billions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" target="_self">deportations</a> could instead fund other public priorities such as food assistance, health care or housing.

Why Missouri has a sales tax holiday, and Kansas doesn't

Missouri is ditching sales tax this weekend on back-to-school items.

Business

Missouri is ditching sales tax this weekend on back-to-school items — but Kansas isn&#x27;t.Why it matters: The same computer, binder or pair of jeans will be cheaper in Missouri on Friday through Sunday, no matter which state you live in.

Missouri wants to buck income tax; Kansas has an even split

Missouri's amendment would eliminate state income tax while increasing sales and use taxes.

America&#x27;s states are splitting into two tax camps, income-reliant and sales-reliant, and Kansas runs one of the most evenly split tax systems in the country.Why it matters: State budgets are built around what to tax — paychecks or purchases — and that choice decides which residents feel it most.

Beer and water at KC Stadium is expensive

There is a wild variance in prices across U.S. host cities.

Thirsty? If you&#x27;re at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kansas City Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/06/08/fifa-banners-arrowhead-chiefs-signs-kc-missouri" data-vars-content-id="c1176083-6b04-4218-a56e-b6fbf1d97a6c" data-vars-headline="Beer and water at KC Stadium is expensive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/06/08/fifa-banners-arrowhead-chiefs-signs-kc-missouri" target="_self">Kansas City Stadium</a> for a World Cup match, you&#x27;ll pay at least $18.39 for a beer.Why it matters: There is a wild variance in prices for food, water and other drinks across the 11 U.S. cities hosting the World Cup this year.

Income tax vs. sales tax: Missouri voters decide

Missouri's General Assembly wrapped its 2026 session with a constitutional amendment that would phase out the state income tax and let lawmakers expand the sales tax to cover it.

KCMO voters will likely decide this year whether to begin phasing out Missouri&#x27;s income tax and let lawmakers expand sales tax to make up the difference.Why it matters: Missouri <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="collected" data-vars-click-url="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/05/14/lawsuit-challenges-missouri-plan-to-expand-sales-tax-to-phase-out-income-tax/" data-vars-content-id="48b6da0e-b181-43d8-aca1-1db64e2dd7ec" data-vars-headline="Income tax vs. sales tax: Missouri voters decide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/05/14/lawsuit-challenges-missouri-plan-to-expand-sales-tax-to-phase-out-income-tax/" target="_blank">collected</a> $9.2 billion in individual income tax last year, about 65% of state revenue. Replacing that money would require adding about 8.5% to the state sales tax unless lawmakers start taxing things that are currently exempt, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/03/12/missouri-house-oks-switch-to-sales-tax-from-income-tax/179787/" data-vars-content-id="48b6da0e-b181-43d8-aca1-1db64e2dd7ec" data-vars-headline="Income tax vs. sales tax: Missouri voters decide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/03/12/missouri-house-oks-switch-to-sales-tax-from-income-tax/179787/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Money

KC looks to sports to grow its economy

Farm fuel costs could hit your grocery bill

The Heartland tips better than most of the country

Sports tourism booms in Overland Park

Schmitt pushes to regulate college sports "arms race"