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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.

News

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.

Girls flag football goes varsity in Kansas

Nearly 50 Kansas high schools are competing for the state's first girls flag football title this fall.

Sports

Girls flag football has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the country, and Kansas is playing its first varsity season this fall.Why it matters: Three years ago, three Kansas high schools had teams. Now nearly 50 are competing for a state title in a sport most of their schools didn&#x27;t offer when this year&#x27;s seniors were freshmen.

Travis Kelce breaks NFL record

The record for most yards after a catch came during a win against the Colts.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce broke the NFL record for most yards after a catch yesterday in a 33-30 win against the Colts.Why it matters: After a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lackluster last season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/09/14/chiefs-open-2026-season-mahomes-questions" data-vars-content-id="e6c6818c-e45a-4665-9eb7-e2c01bf8e82a" data-vars-headline="Travis Kelce breaks NFL record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/09/14/chiefs-open-2026-season-mahomes-questions" target="_self">lackluster last season</a> and concerns about his age, the 36-year-old star is showing up in a big way already this year.

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.

The Chiefs are back, and so are Taylor Swift fans

Chiefs fans showed their Swifty pride at Arrowhead on Monday.

Taylor Swift showed up at Arrowhead Monday night, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/NFL/status/2099660401579602140" data-vars-content-id="c77126c7-4c21-426a-b995-9d77a3406b53" data-vars-headline="The Chiefs are back, and so are Taylor Swift fans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2099660401579602140" target="_blank">cameras</a> didn&#x27;t waste any time plastering the popstar and newlywed all over TV. The big picture: Swift&#x27;s return brought back the celebrity buzz that&#x27;s become as much a part of Chiefs game days as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="24-hour tailgates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1093108829918499/" data-vars-content-id="c77126c7-4c21-426a-b995-9d77a3406b53" data-vars-headline="The Chiefs are back, and so are Taylor Swift fans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1093108829918499/" target="_blank">24-hour tailgates</a> — complete with fan selfies, signs and a Tom Cruise cameo.

Royals stadium funding plan details costs, timeline

The Royals are approaching the final hurdles to a downtown stadium.

Details have emerged on how Kansas City plans to pay for its $600 million commitment to the Royals&#x27; new stadium: borrow most of it and repay the debt with a multi-layered tax strategy hinging on the ballpark district&#x27;s performance. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-debated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/07/07/kansas-royals-chiefs-stadium-deadline" data-vars-content-id="215840c7-969d-4ddb-a7eb-5a7d087d0119" data-vars-headline="Royals stadium funding plan details costs, timeline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/07/07/kansas-royals-chiefs-stadium-deadline" target="_self">long-debated</a> stadium is moving closer to construction, with a timeline and builders selected even as the city works through the final details of how to pay its $600 million commitment.

Kansas City has an adventure racing scene 

Travis here. If you read my outro in yesterday&#x27;s newsletter, you&#x27;ll know that I participated in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adventure race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jcprd.com/1742/TimberRidge-Adventure-Race" data-vars-content-id="3d17ee29-d36c-42b7-92db-f26979048b58" data-vars-headline="Kansas City has an adventure racing scene " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jcprd.com/1742/TimberRidge-Adventure-Race" target="_blank">adventure race</a> at Kill Creek Park in Olathe — swapping out my reporter tools for a map and a compass.An adventure race is a competition that uses a combination of disciplines — orienteering, trekking, mountain biking, paddling, and more — to find as many hidden locations called checkpoints as fast as possible.

Mahomes is back, questions swirl as Chiefs open 2026 season

The Chiefs went 6-11 last year, the team's worst record since 2012.

It&#x27;s game day in Kansas City as the Chiefs welcome the Broncos to Arrowhead Stadium for their season opener.The big picture: Questions swirl around quarterback Patrick Mahomes&#x27; knee, tight end Travis Kelce&#x27;s age, and the team&#x27;s overall ability to win games after a deflating season last year.

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.

Red Friday shifts to Thursday ahead of Chiefs opener

Friday is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Red Friday is actually Red Thursday this year, as the Chiefs and Ronald McDonald House Kansas City launch their annual flag fundraiser ahead of the season opener.Why it matters: The annual event combines our passion for football with a good cause — raising money for the families of children receiving medical care in KC.

Mizzou's $250M stadium project closes the bowl

The Tigers are racing to keep a competitive edge in sports facilities.

Mizzou football is celebrating 100 years of Memorial Stadium this year with a new north end zone and high-end seating. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the school&#x27;s second completed stadium project in less than a decade as the Tigers race to keep a competitive edge in sports facilities.

Sports 🏅

Girls flag football goes varsity in Kansas

Travis Kelce breaks NFL record

KC looks to sports to grow its economy

The Chiefs are back, and so are Taylor Swift fans

Royals stadium funding plan details costs, timeline