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Whiteman B-2 bombers strike Iran as Congress invests in base's future

Congress is investing billions as Whiteman prepares to host the next-gen B-21 Raider.

News

Whiteman Air Force Base, the only operational home of the Air Force&#x27;s B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, launched aircraft used in recent U.S. strikes on Iran and is now slated to host the next-generation B-21 Raider.Why it matters: Whiteman, about 70 miles southeast of Kansas City, is integral to the nation&#x27;s stealth bomber missions as Congress invests billions to transition from the B-2 to the B-21.

Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space

The North KC brewery adds one more local craft beer business back to KC.

Food and Drink

A new brewery has quietly opened in North Kansas City in place of The Big Rip, a brewhouse that generated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lots of buzz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kansascity.com/site-services/newsletters/lets-dish-nl/article312824873.html" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kansascity.com/site-services/newsletters/lets-dish-nl/article312824873.html" target="_blank">lots of buzz</a> when it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced its closure" data-vars-click-url="https://kansascitymag.com/restaurant-5/" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kansascitymag.com/restaurant-5/" target="_blank">announced its closure</a> last summer.Why it matters: Its transformation and reopening as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Up North Brewery" data-vars-click-url="https://upnorthbrewery.ourmenu.com/" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://upnorthbrewery.ourmenu.com/" target="_blank">Up North Brewery</a> adds one more local craft beer business back to KC, bucking the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/27/kansas-city-craft-breweries-2024-production" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/27/kansas-city-craft-breweries-2024-production" target="_self">national trend</a> of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contracting industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" target="_self">contracting industry</a>.

Gas prices in Kansas City jump more than 30 cents

Some stations are already charging more than $3 per gallon.

Gas prices are climbing in Kansas City, reflecting market fears and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising oil costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/oil-prices-iran-trump-rubio-mitigate-costs" data-vars-content-id="05933a0b-17b5-4333-9903-84772fe56845" data-vars-headline="Gas prices in Kansas City jump more than 30 cents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/oil-prices-iran-trump-rubio-mitigate-costs" target="_self">rising oil costs</a> resulting from U.S. and Israel <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strikes on Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" data-vars-content-id="05933a0b-17b5-4333-9903-84772fe56845" data-vars-headline="Gas prices in Kansas City jump more than 30 cents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/3-us-fighter-jets-friendly-fire-kuwait" target="_self">strikes on Iran</a>.Why it matters: Anyone who drives will see an immediate effect on their pocketbooks, while ripple effects could creep into the cost of plane tickets and heating your home.

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.

Kansas City police will use drones as first responders

Drones will be launched remotely from "nests" throughout the city.

The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) is taking to the skies thanks to a fleet of drones, a new team of pilots and special permission from the federal government.Why it matters: Police say the technology will be used to respond to emergency calls faster and help officers on the ground, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local" data-vars-click-url="https://kansascitymag.com/police-departments-around-kc-are-deploying-camerad-up-drones-and-retailers-are-using-the-devices-to-deliver-packages-is-everyone-good-with-this/" data-vars-content-id="771eb851-820b-4b25-b8c5-ae144ed685b1" data-vars-headline="Kansas City police will use drones as first responders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kansascitymag.com/police-departments-around-kc-are-deploying-camerad-up-drones-and-retailers-are-using-the-devices-to-deliver-packages-is-everyone-good-with-this/" target="_blank">local</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aclu.org/documents/eye-in-the-sky-policing-needs-strict-limits" data-vars-content-id="771eb851-820b-4b25-b8c5-ae144ed685b1" data-vars-headline="Kansas City police will use drones as first responders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aclu.org/documents/eye-in-the-sky-policing-needs-strict-limits" target="_blank">national</a> concerns over law enforcement&#x27;s expanded reach remain.

KC Mayor Lucas rolls out $2.5B budget for 2026

Public safety will remain the largest slice of the general fund at 75%.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas used his State of the City address on Wednesday to lay out a $2.5 billion budget and a list of priorities for the 2026 World Cup and day-to-day needs.

KC businesses train staff for ICE encounters as arrests surge

Kansas City business owners are prepping staff for rising ICE activity in workplaces.

Local businesses are training staff to respond to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE encounters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/15/ice-detention-expansion-kansas-city" data-vars-content-id="93d002a9-89d0-435e-bc6a-9cbed883e747" data-vars-headline="KC businesses train staff for ICE encounters as arrests surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/15/ice-detention-expansion-kansas-city" target="_self">ICE encounters</a> as immigration arrests rise across the metro and move farther into neighborhoods and workplaces.The big picture: Immigration arrests jumped 76% in Missouri and nearly tripled in Kansas last year, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deportation Data Project" data-vars-click-url="https://deportationdata.org/" data-vars-content-id="93d002a9-89d0-435e-bc6a-9cbed883e747" data-vars-headline="KC businesses train staff for ICE encounters as arrests surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://deportationdata.org/" target="_blank">Deportation Data Project</a> figures analyzed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KCTV5" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kctv5.com/2026/01/24/ice-arrests-surge-kansas-city-metro-following-trump-immigration-orders/" data-vars-content-id="93d002a9-89d0-435e-bc6a-9cbed883e747" data-vars-headline="KC businesses train staff for ICE encounters as arrests surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kctv5.com/2026/01/24/ice-arrests-surge-kansas-city-metro-following-trump-immigration-orders/" target="_blank">KCTV5</a>.<ul><li>Business owners say the shift is forcing them to prepare for law enforcement situations they never expected to encounter on the job.</li></ul>

Bitter cold weather sends more people to KC shelters

Bitter cold weather sent more people to warming centers across the metro this weekend.

Kansas City&#x27;s cold snap last weekend pushed shelters and warming sites to their limits, resurfacing the question of how the city can increase its shelter space.Why it matters: When temperatures plunge, getting people experiencing homelessness indoors becomes a greater safety issue.

Winter travel in KC: What to know

Snow and extreme cold could make driving, transit, and flights trickier across the KC metro. Here's what to know before you head out.

Public Safety

This weekend&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/22/stay-home-kc-snow-predictions-rise-ahead-of-winter-storm" data-vars-content-id="a5c6a997-4cd5-49c9-98dd-2ddc43263aec" data-vars-headline="Winter travel in KC: What to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/22/stay-home-kc-snow-predictions-rise-ahead-of-winter-storm" target="_self">winter storm</a> is expected to make travel around KC increasingly hazardous.The big picture: If you don&#x27;t have to travel this weekend, don&#x27;t. If you must, here&#x27;s what to know before heading out.

Inside Kansas City's efforts to reconnect the Westside

The project aims to provide a better quality of life in this historic neighborhood.

Kansas City is looking at ways to reconnect the Westside neighborhood to the greater downtown area decades after it was separated by interstates.Why it matters: The project, dubbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reconnecting the Westside" data-vars-click-url="https://reconnectwestside.com/" data-vars-content-id="c5f766bc-d723-4247-ad49-a2ca2613dc78" data-vars-headline="Inside Kansas City&#x27;s efforts to reconnect the Westside" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://reconnectwestside.com/" target="_blank">Reconnecting the Westside</a>, aims to provide a better quality of life in a historic neighborhood that can feel worlds away due to a lack of connective infrastructure.

AI scams create new risks for police

A voice-cloning scam tricked a woman into thinking her mom was held hostage.

A call convinced a Lawrence, Kansas, woman that her mother had been taken hostage, prompting police to track the call and pull over a car — only to learn it was all an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI scam" data-vars-click-url="https://lawrenceks.gov/citybeat/october-2025/ai-voice-cloning-scams-hit-lawrence-what-you-need-to-know/?utm_" data-vars-content-id="5253de33-55d8-4c6f-9385-27e78bab885c" data-vars-headline="AI scams create new risks for police" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lawrenceks.gov/citybeat/october-2025/ai-voice-cloning-scams-hit-lawrence-what-you-need-to-know/?utm_" target="_blank">AI scam</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI-powered" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="5253de33-55d8-4c6f-9385-27e78bab885c" data-vars-headline="AI scams create new risks for police" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">AI-powered</a> fraud is growing faster than police training and laws can keep pace, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="futurists tell Axios" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/14/artificial-intelligence-ai-crime-fraud-theft" data-vars-content-id="5253de33-55d8-4c6f-9385-27e78bab885c" data-vars-headline="AI scams create new risks for police" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/14/artificial-intelligence-ai-crime-fraud-theft" target="_self">futurists tell Axios</a>.

Kansas City activates winter extreme weather shelter plan

The city is adding more shelter beds as temperatures drop below freezing.

Kansas City activated its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zero KC Extreme Weather Plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2790/1746" data-vars-content-id="500df575-8012-447b-accd-457c0b3f0b90" data-vars-headline="Kansas City activates winter extreme weather shelter plan" 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/2790/1746" target="_blank">Zero KC Extreme Weather Plan</a> this week to expand shelter access and outreach as dangerous temperatures set in.Why it matters: More than 2,200 people in the KC metro are unhoused, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024 Point-in-Time Count" data-vars-click-url="https://projecthomelessconnectkc.com/" data-vars-content-id="500df575-8012-447b-accd-457c0b3f0b90" data-vars-headline="Kansas City activates winter extreme weather shelter plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://projecthomelessconnectkc.com/" target="_blank">2024 Point-in-Time Count</a>, and expanded shelter options give more people a place to go on the coldest nights.

City checks drinking water pipes at 78,000 homes

The agency tells Axios it has not found any lead service lines yet.

KC Water sent about 78,000 letters to households where the city still needs to confirm the material of the service line that brings drinking water into homes.

KC's Head Start sites risk closure as federal shutdown drags on

MARC's 17 Head Start centers are taking financial risks to stay open as the federal shutdown stalls funding — leaving more than 2,300 Kansas City families uncertain about child care.

Money

The Kansas City Head Start centers will stay open, for now, as the federal shutdown threatens to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cut off funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/16/head-start-worry-cuts" data-vars-content-id="f05a61db-b8ab-4ec3-a548-72cec1fdf646" data-vars-headline="KC&#x27;s Head Start sites risk closure as federal shutdown drags on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/16/head-start-worry-cuts" target="_self">cut off funding</a>.Why it matters: More than 2,350 children and families in the Kansas City area depend on Head Start for free early education, meals and health services — support that working parents could lose if sites close.<ul><li>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mid-America Regional Council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.marc.org/news/early-learning/marc-head-start-updates" data-vars-content-id="f05a61db-b8ab-4ec3-a548-72cec1fdf646" data-vars-headline="KC&#x27;s Head Start sites risk closure as federal shutdown drags on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.marc.org/news/early-learning/marc-head-start-updates" target="_blank">Mid-America Regional Council</a> (MARC) says the 17 Head Start sites in and around the city will continue operating past Nov. 1.</li></ul>