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

Greenline trail around downtown KC is gaining ground

The path is still far from finished — but it's closer than you might think.

News

A proposed trail encircling downtown Kansas City that has been quietly in the works for years is building momentum with a new public exhibit and active construction plans.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greenline KC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greenlinekc.com/" data-vars-content-id="77566b26-2004-42f7-a58c-e2c4099c932e" data-vars-headline="Greenline trail around downtown KC is gaining ground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greenlinekc.com/" target="_blank">Greenline KC</a> is still far from finished — but it&#x27;s closer than you might think, with several multimillion-dollar projects paving the way.

Gen Z is going to church in KC

A national uptick in religious fervor among Gen Z men is playing out in Kansas City, where half the parishioners at one Westport Catholic church are under 30.

New <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national polling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/gen-z-religion-poll-gallup" data-vars-content-id="b22ffef3-ac3d-4ff9-b28e-aa71e3b3e31d" data-vars-headline="Gen Z is going to church in KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/gen-z-religion-poll-gallup" target="_self">national polling</a> shows an uptick in religious fervor among young men, even as more churches across the country are shutting their doors.The big picture: Gen Z still has the highest share of religiously unaffiliated adults in modern history, but small hints of a religious rebound have spawned speculation about how that could reshape politics, culture wars and church strategy for years to come.

Teens are sober, online and lonely

Kansas City-area teens are part of a generation putting down the bottle. But researchers say the trends behind their sobriety include rising loneliness and screen-bound social lives.

Teens today are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drinking less" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/teens-generation-z-drinking-less" data-vars-content-id="f9b7e647-3af0-436a-951f-017db9a42c13" data-vars-headline="Teens are sober, online and lonely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/teens-generation-z-drinking-less" target="_self">drinking less</a> than their parents did — but the trends that may be supercharging their sobriety aren&#x27;t all positive.The big picture: Researchers say there isn&#x27;t one definitive reason <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for the shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" data-vars-content-id="f9b7e647-3af0-436a-951f-017db9a42c13" data-vars-headline="Teens are sober, online and lonely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" target="_self">for the shift</a>. Some hypothesize it isn&#x27;t solely a health kick, but that some teenagers have no one to say &quot;cheers&quot; with.

Where KCMO's park system ranks among big cities

Kansas City's park system isn't the best, but it's far from the worst.

Environment

Kansas City&#x27;s park system isn&#x27;t the best, but it&#x27;s far from the worst and well above average, per the Trust for Public Land&#x27;s new rankings.<ul><li>TPL&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" data-vars-content-id="efeb6357-5b3a-46a9-97fa-02aa959f6a79" data-vars-headline="Where KCMO&#x27;s park system ranks among big cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" target="_blank">annual report</a> ranks the 100 most populous U.S. cities&#x27; park systems relative to one another based on five categories: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment.</li></ul>

KC's conversion therapy ban is gone, for now

Mayor Quinton Lucas says his team is drafting new language to replace KC's 2019 ban on conversion therapy for minors, days after the City Council struck it down.

Mayor Quinton Lucas says his team is drafting language to replace Kansas City&#x27;s ban on conversion therapy for minors, which the City Council <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struck down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2026-05-22/kansas-city-repeals-ban-on-conversion-therapy-after-pressure-from-missouri-attorney-general" data-vars-content-id="f45baa86-1f78-4079-a611-426306ba6e7a" data-vars-headline="KC&#x27;s conversion therapy ban is gone, for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2026-05-22/kansas-city-repeals-ban-on-conversion-therapy-after-pressure-from-missouri-attorney-general" target="_blank">struck down</a> last week.Why it matters: The ban shielded kids from a practice the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American Academy of Pediatrics" data-vars-click-url="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/4/e20182162/37381/Ensuring-Comprehensive-Care-and-Support-for" data-vars-content-id="f45baa86-1f78-4079-a611-426306ba6e7a" data-vars-headline="KC&#x27;s conversion therapy ban is gone, for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/4/e20182162/37381/Ensuring-Comprehensive-Care-and-Support-for" target="_blank">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> calls &quot;unsuccessful&quot; and &quot;deleterious.&quot; LGBTQ+ youth subjected to it are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Trevor Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/the-trevor-project-publishes-new-journal-article-on-the-dangers-of-conversion-therapy/" data-vars-content-id="f45baa86-1f78-4079-a611-426306ba6e7a" data-vars-headline="KC&#x27;s conversion therapy ban is gone, for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/the-trevor-project-publishes-new-journal-article-on-the-dangers-of-conversion-therapy/" target="_blank">the Trevor Project</a>.

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>.

Missouri high court upholds map that splits KC three ways

The unanimous ruling clears the way for the GOP-drawn map to be used in the Aug. 4 primary.

The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously upheld Missouri&#x27;s new congressional map, clearing the way for it to be used in the Aug. 4 primary.Why it matters: The map redraws the boundaries of the districts KC voters choose to represent in Washington and is expected to give Republicans an additional seat in the U.S. House.

How Kansas City is connected to nuclear weapons production

The federal government on Thursday heard from concerned Kansas Citians and activists.

Politics

The federal government on Thursday heard from concerned Kansas Citians and activists about its plan to ramp up nuclear weapons manufacturing. Why it matters: The public hearing is part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decade-long odyssey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/pit-production-nnsa-study-nukes" data-vars-content-id="300bd81c-e2d8-44f5-9fa7-816d20b82dfe" data-vars-headline="How Kansas City is connected to nuclear weapons production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/pit-production-nnsa-study-nukes" target="_self">decade-long odyssey</a> to stockpile more warhead cores, something the U.S. says is needed for national defense but critics say could be dangerous, harmful to the environment and unnecessary.

KCK mayor's first few months, in her own words

The first Black woman to lead KCK says her first 140 days delivered wins on infrastructure and tax relief.

Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Christal Watson says her first 140 days in office delivered early wins on infrastructure, tax relief and development, but she has bigger tests ahead.Why it matters: Watson, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Black woman to lead KCK" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/its-a-new-day-historic-inauguration-in-kansas-city-kansas-welcomes-new-mayor-commissioners" data-vars-content-id="aae07637-28a5-491f-b08e-dc94e8e5a52f" data-vars-headline="KCK mayor&#x27;s first few months, in her own words" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/its-a-new-day-historic-inauguration-in-kansas-city-kansas-welcomes-new-mayor-commissioners" target="_blank">first Black woman to lead KCK</a>, is trying to deliver on three campaign promises at once: transparency, lower taxes and community input on big deals.

A tale of two 4/20s in Kansas City

Whether you can legally celebrate depends on which side of State Line Road you're on.

Monday is 4/20, the unofficial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cannabis holiday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ktvu.com/news/420-origins-traced-to-san-rafaels-waldos" data-vars-content-id="b7ca3215-e10e-4f68-a32e-f5f57f2066b9" data-vars-headline="A tale of two 4/20s in Kansas City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ktvu.com/news/420-origins-traced-to-san-rafaels-waldos" target="_blank">cannabis holiday</a>, and whether you can legally partake depends on which side of State Line Road you&#x27;re on.The big picture: The Kansas City metro spans two states with opposing cannabis laws — legal in Missouri, illegal in Kansas — meaning the same product can be a misdemeanor just miles apart.

Lawmakers fight to make Quindaro a National Historic Landmark

A Kansas City, Kansas, Underground Railroad site that sheltered enslaved people still lacks federal recognition.

A Kansas City, Kansas, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Underground Railroad" data-vars-click-url="https://kclibrary.org/news/2022-03/kc-black-history-do-you-know-town-was-stop-underground-railroad" data-vars-content-id="b2130b7a-2be6-496a-b1b7-54f2c4e4887f" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers fight to make Quindaro a National Historic Landmark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kclibrary.org/news/2022-03/kc-black-history-do-you-know-town-was-stop-underground-railroad" target="_blank">Underground Railroad</a> site that sheltered enslaved people lacks federal recognition, and local lawmakers just <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="introduced" data-vars-click-url="https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-schmidt-davids-introduce-bill-designating-quindaro" data-vars-content-id="b2130b7a-2be6-496a-b1b7-54f2c4e4887f" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers fight to make Quindaro a National Historic Landmark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-schmidt-davids-introduce-bill-designating-quindaro" target="_blank">introduced</a> a bill to change that.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Quindaro Townsite" data-vars-click-url="https://quindaroruinsprojectfoundationkck.org/quindaro-history/" data-vars-content-id="b2130b7a-2be6-496a-b1b7-54f2c4e4887f" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers fight to make Quindaro a National Historic Landmark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://quindaroruinsprojectfoundationkck.org/quindaro-history/" target="_blank">Quindaro Townsite</a> is not open to the public, and the federal funding that comes with a National Historic Landmark designation would make that possible.

City passes $600M Royals downtown stadium plan

The ordinance opens a path to funding nearly a third of a new stadium.

City Council on Thursday voted 11-1, with one abstaining, in favor of an incentive package up to $600 million aimed at bringing the Royals downtown.Why it matters: The ordinance, backed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major downtown stakeholders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/10/downtown-kcmo-hallmark-union-station-backs-royals-stadium" data-vars-content-id="2166e56a-178e-4aa4-8748-e6921636e374" data-vars-headline="City passes $600M Royals downtown stadium plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/10/downtown-kcmo-hallmark-union-station-backs-royals-stadium" target="_self">major downtown stakeholders</a>, opens a path to funding nearly a third of a new $1.9 billion stadium at Washington Square Park.

Kansas City is banning mini booze bottles, but not everywhere

The new rule defines five alcohol "corridors" in the city.

Kansas City last week banned the sale of airplane liquor bottles and other single-serve alcoholic beverages in specific regions of the city — for now.Why it matters: Proponents say the new ordinance will make neighborhoods safer and reduce blight, while opponents questioned its effectiveness and toll on businesses.

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.

Politics 🇺🇸

KC's conversion therapy ban is gone, for now

Income tax vs. sales tax: Missouri voters decide

Missouri high court upholds map that splits KC three ways

How Kansas City is connected to nuclear weapons production

KCK mayor's first few months, in her own words