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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.

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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.

Residents weigh in on the future of 71 Highway

Project leaders say the highway hasn't delivered on its intended purpose.

City planners are meeting with residents today for the final community summit meant to reimagine U.S. Highway 71 and the future of its surrounding neighborhoods.Why it matters: The project, dubbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reconnecting the East Side" data-vars-click-url="https://reconnecteastside.com/" data-vars-content-id="e3149641-fee5-4d3f-97e5-f7967e4a2ebd" data-vars-headline="Residents weigh in on the future of 71 Highway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://reconnecteastside.com/" target="_blank">Reconnecting the East Side</a>, seeks to address the harms created by the highway, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="demolished" data-vars-click-url="https://reconnecteastside.com/history" data-vars-content-id="e3149641-fee5-4d3f-97e5-f7967e4a2ebd" data-vars-headline="Residents weigh in on the future of 71 Highway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://reconnecteastside.com/history" target="_blank">demolished</a> swaths of minority neighborhoods and created one of KC&#x27;s most dangerous roads.

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.

A data center is driving Independence's mayoral race

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

Election

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.

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 they say could lead to more jobs, development and benefits for the entire city.

KC unveils predesigned homes as OP residents push back

City leaders want housing that's easier to build and more affordable for residents.

Predesigned homes are gaining traction in Kansas City, even as Overland Park faces backlash in getting its own program off the ground.Why it matters: City leaders want housing that&#x27;s easier to build and more affordable for residents as Americans spend <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more of their income" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/housing-trump-affordability-mortgage" data-vars-content-id="4321a1e5-aaa4-4ada-beaf-42ac0cb794f5" data-vars-headline="KC unveils predesigned homes as OP residents push back" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/housing-trump-affordability-mortgage" target="_self">more of their income</a> on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="where they live" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/05/kansas-city-rent-income-needed" data-vars-content-id="4321a1e5-aaa4-4ada-beaf-42ac0cb794f5" data-vars-headline="KC unveils predesigned homes as OP residents push back" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/05/kansas-city-rent-income-needed" target="_self">where they live</a>.

18th & Vine announces World Cup watch parties

Leaders want the district to be the city's party destination.

18th &amp; Vine leaders on Wednesday unveiled official district World Cup events and urged local businesses to get involved in the game this summer.Why it matters: They want the district to be the city&#x27;s party destination, showcasing Black culture through music, food, arts and activities.

Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave

The Missouri Restaurant Association is advising Kansas City restaurants to add a 20% automatic gratuity this summer.

<figure><img alt="Illustration of a payment tablet with a tip button showing numbers changing from zero to 20 percent." height="1080" id="54bb2242-e4cc-463d-9a17-078d74f4483e" src="https://images.axios.com/DtUh8US93CrvsAfbjwxZ5UZ_LNk=/2021/03/01/202805-1614630485706.gif" width="1920"/><figcaption>Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios</figcaption></figure>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Missouri Restaurant Association" data-vars-click-url="https://www.morestaurants.org/greater-kansas-city" data-vars-content-id="c90041bc-e234-4254-a66d-8da2dd157708" data-vars-headline="Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.morestaurants.org/greater-kansas-city" target="_blank">Missouri Restaurant Association</a> (MRA) is advising Kansas City restaurants to add automatic 20% gratuity to checks this summer as the city hosts the World Cup. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="650,000 international visitors" 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="c90041bc-e234-4254-a66d-8da2dd157708" data-vars-headline="Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave" 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">650,000 international visitors</a> are expected in KC for the World Cup, many from countries where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tipping isn&#x27;t the norm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230606-how-to-tip-around-the-world" data-vars-content-id="c90041bc-e234-4254-a66d-8da2dd157708" data-vars-headline="Restaurants weigh auto-gratuity ahead of World Cup tourist wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230606-how-to-tip-around-the-world" target="_blank">tipping isn&#x27;t the norm</a>.

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.

Birds begin their deadly journey through KC

A special action Thursday will recognize April 13–20 as Dark Sky Week.

Millions of birds are about to make Kansas City a pit stop on their annual spring journey north — often to their demise.Why it matters: Our feathery friends are especially susceptible to big city lights during their nocturnal flights, leading to thousands of deaths locally each year as they become disoriented and crash into buildings.

Parade of Hearts returns for biggest year yet

A record 150 heart sculptures will be installed ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

A towering chrome heart with angel wings landed outside the Loews Kansas City Hotel on Monday, marking the first installation of the 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Parade of Hearts." data-vars-click-url="https://theparadeofhearts.com/about" data-vars-content-id="b60da7b3-205c-46e3-87be-e5757163def1" data-vars-headline="Parade of Hearts returns for biggest year yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theparadeofhearts.com/about" target="_blank">Parade of Hearts.</a>The big picture: The project will bring 150 sculptures to the Kansas City area as the city prepares for global attention during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 World Cup." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/10/kc-world-cup-test-run-begins-3-months-out" data-vars-content-id="b60da7b3-205c-46e3-87be-e5757163def1" data-vars-headline="Parade of Hearts returns for biggest year yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/10/kc-world-cup-test-run-begins-3-months-out" target="_self">2026 World Cup.</a>

News 🗞

Downtown KCMO backs $600M Royals bid

Photo to go: 2026 vision

KC unveils predesigned homes as OP residents push back

Visa bonds threaten KC's World Cup international turnout

1 future service dog to go