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Royals ballpark designers want fans out of their cars

Kauffman Stadium ranked last in MLB for walkability. The Royals' new downtown ballpark is designed for fans who walk, bike or take the streetcar.

News

The Royals and design firm Populous want fans to walk, bike or take the streetcar to the new downtown stadium, a major shift from the current game-day experience.Why it matters: Kauffman Stadium ranked last in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 study of MLB stadium walkability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/27/petco-park-walkability-walk-score-east-vilalge" data-vars-content-id="0f9b3027-1d90-4c44-b15c-59dee2e194e5" data-vars-headline="Royals ballpark designers want fans out of their cars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/27/petco-park-walkability-walk-score-east-vilalge" target="_self">2025 study of MLB stadium walkability</a>, and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2019 ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hub/news/the-smart-growth-america-ballpark-championship/" data-vars-content-id="0f9b3027-1d90-4c44-b15c-59dee2e194e5" data-vars-headline="Royals ballpark designers want fans out of their cars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hub/news/the-smart-growth-america-ballpark-championship/" target="_blank">2019 ranking</a> found it had the league&#x27;s worst transit connections. Royals leaders say the new ballpark will change that.

Missouri ballot questions reignite issues decided by voters

Here's a breakdown of each question in Missouri and Kansas.

Politics

A number of ballot questions may look familiar to Missouri voters who already had their say on the issues at hand.Why it matters: Voters will decide on abortion access, state taxes, which congressional map to use going forward and more in the November election.

Green paint is trending in KC and nationwide

Big paint companies named their top 2027 colors.

Culture

Next year&#x27;s paint palette is getting greener and more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adventurous" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/01/playroom-custom-cost" data-vars-content-id="d46050f5-bfe2-4e85-9566-21ab11eef7fd" data-vars-headline="Green paint is trending in KC and nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/01/playroom-custom-cost" target="_self">adventurous</a>.The big picture: Paint companies Behr, Valspar and Sherwin-Williams recently named their picks for the next big hues in home design.

ACA coverage drops on both sides of the state line

Kansas and Missouri lost more than 120,000 paying ACA enrollees as premiums went up.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Axios-Ipsos poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/13/axios-ipsos-poll-medicare-for-all-support-surges" data-vars-content-id="ab692072-2950-4be8-9393-639fbe0e84b8" data-vars-headline="ACA coverage drops on both sides of the state line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/13/axios-ipsos-poll-medicare-for-all-support-surges" target="_self">new Axios-Ipsos poll</a> finds two-thirds of Americans want the federal government to spend more to lower health costs, and if you buy your own insurance in Kansas or Missouri, you&#x27;ve likely felt why.Why it matters: Kansas and Missouri lost more than 120,000 Affordable Care Act enrollees this year as premiums soared. Two weeks before the midterms, Americans say they&#x27;d back candidates who would lower costs.

Missouri joins Kansas in early voting

Missouri voters can now cast a ballot in person through Nov. 2 without giving a reason.

Early voting opens in Missouri today, giving voters on both sides of the state line two weeks to cast a ballot before the Nov. 3 election.Why it matters: Missourians are being asked to revisit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several issues they&#x27;ve already voted on" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/10/15/missouri-ballot-questions-amendment-abortion-citizen-referendum-congressional-maps" data-vars-content-id="dc5fa2d4-abd1-4789-b35a-2de9bea1c7fa" data-vars-headline="Missouri joins Kansas in early voting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/10/15/missouri-ballot-questions-amendment-abortion-citizen-referendum-congressional-maps" target="_self">several issues they&#x27;ve already voted on</a>, and early voting gives them more time to weigh in.

Your guide to Kansas' close Senate race

Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton are tied. Here's where all three candidates stand.

Kansas hasn&#x27;t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in more than 90 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2026-08-12/has-it-been-more-than-90-years-since-a-kansas-democrat-was-elected-to-the-u-s-senate" data-vars-content-id="8be821b6-42e2-45b2-b82b-1ffceb0d6769" data-vars-headline="Your guide to Kansas&#x27; close Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2026-08-12/has-it-been-more-than-90-years-since-a-kansas-democrat-was-elected-to-the-u-s-senate" target="_blank">in more than 90 years</a>, but this year&#x27;s race is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coin flip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/13/2028-map-swing-states-democrats-red-conservatives" data-vars-content-id="8be821b6-42e2-45b2-b82b-1ffceb0d6769" data-vars-headline="Your guide to Kansas&#x27; close Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/13/2028-map-swing-states-democrats-red-conservatives" target="_self">coin flip</a> that could tip Senate control.Why it matters: Whichever party holds the majority in January decides which bills reach the floor, which judges and Cabinet picks get confirmed and how much of the president&#x27;s agenda advances.

Final Royals stadium hurdles cleared, Mayor Lucas says

City Council members also took up late-night alcohol and a housing project.

City Council moved the downtown Royals stadium forward with three new ordinances that addressed financing and zoning for its Crown Center site.The big picture: The stadium was the hottest issue at Thursday&#x27;s meeting, but that&#x27;s not all that happened.

Heartland abuse survivors still fighting for the right to sue

Child sex abuse survivors in Kansas and Missouri lose the right to sue in their early 30s. Epstein's survivors want that changed.

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein&#x27;s abuse brought their national campaign to the Kansas City metro last month, putting a spotlight on childhood sexual abuse survivors&#x27; fight for more time to sue.The big picture: Advocates say most survivors don&#x27;t disclose childhood sexual abuse until decades later. The average age is just over 50, according to the think tank <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Child USA" data-vars-click-url="https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/WorkGroups/House%20Judiciary/Bills/H.330/Written%20Testimony/H.330~Jerome%20O&#x27;Neill~Child%20USA%20Child%20Sex%20Abuse%20Statutes%20of%20Limitation~3-13-2019.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0f9516dc-8266-421e-b323-a28e09b383c8" data-vars-headline="Heartland abuse survivors still fighting for the right to sue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/WorkGroups/House%20Judiciary/Bills/H.330/Written%20Testimony/H.330~Jerome%20O&#x27;Neill~Child%20USA%20Child%20Sex%20Abuse%20Statutes%20of%20Limitation~3-13-2019.pdf" target="_blank">Child USA</a>, long after the civil deadlines in Kansas and Missouri.

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.

College free speech is struggling in the heartland

KU, K-State, Mizzou and UMKC all earned a C- or worse.

Education

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KU" data-vars-click-url="https://rankings.thefire.org/assets/docs/campus/2027-155317.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aac2b7b0-e76f-4825-b51d-2afd2fde769b" data-vars-headline="College free speech is struggling in the heartland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rankings.thefire.org/assets/docs/campus/2027-155317.pdf" target="_blank">KU</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="K-State" data-vars-click-url="https://rankings.thefire.org/assets/docs/campus/2027-155399.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aac2b7b0-e76f-4825-b51d-2afd2fde769b" data-vars-headline="College free speech is struggling in the heartland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rankings.thefire.org/assets/docs/campus/2027-155399.pdf" target="_blank">K-State</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mizzou" data-vars-click-url="https://rankings.thefire.org/campus/178396-university-of-missouri-columbia" data-vars-content-id="aac2b7b0-e76f-4825-b51d-2afd2fde769b" data-vars-headline="College free speech is struggling in the heartland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rankings.thefire.org/campus/178396-university-of-missouri-columbia" target="_blank">Mizzou</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UMKC" data-vars-click-url="https://rankings.thefire.org/assets/docs/campus/2027-178402.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aac2b7b0-e76f-4825-b51d-2afd2fde769b" data-vars-headline="College free speech is struggling in the heartland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rankings.thefire.org/assets/docs/campus/2027-178402.pdf" target="_blank">UMKC</a> all earned a C- or worse for their campus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech climates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/free-speech-collge-student-censorship" data-vars-content-id="aac2b7b0-e76f-4825-b51d-2afd2fde769b" data-vars-headline="College free speech is struggling in the heartland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/free-speech-collge-student-censorship" target="_self">free speech climates</a> in a new national ranking, with UMKC dropping 24 spots in a year.Why it matters: Students at all four schools say they&#x27;re censoring themselves at high rates amid mounting political pressure.

Data center battle heats up in Kansas

Kansas gubernatorial candidates are picking sides.

The data center debate is becoming a flashpoint in Kansas politics, with a growing opposition calling for a halt to new projects.Why it matters: Kansas has rolled out tax incentives to attract massive data centers, but concerns over their water, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="energy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/06/midwest-power-grid-transmission-summer-heat-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="9ae9d87c-ff04-48e5-b087-37932673b533" data-vars-headline="Data center battle heats up in Kansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/06/midwest-power-grid-transmission-summer-heat-data-centers" target="_self">energy</a> and land use are turning the projects into an issue in the governor&#x27;s race.

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.

What KCMO's empty City Council seat means

A sudden vacancy at City Council Tuesday has triggered a search for a replacement.

Mayor Quinton Lucas is searching for an interim City Council member after announcing a sudden vacancy this week. Why it matters: Whoever fills the seat will only serve for 11 months but may have a large role in shaping the city for years to come.

Politics 🇺🇸

Missouri joins Kansas in early voting

Your guide to Kansas' close Senate race

Missouri ballot questions reignite issues decided by voters

Final Royals stadium hurdles cleared, Mayor Lucas says

Heartland abuse survivors still fighting for the right to sue