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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Kansas City.

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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.

News

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>.

KC's guide to Memorial Day weekend

Cheer on KC's pro teams, spend time outdoors, or lean into the holiday's patriotic traditions.

Things to Do

Memorial Day marks a weekend of remembrance and the unofficial start of summer.The big picture: Whether you want to cheer on KC&#x27;s pro teams, spend time outdoors, or lean into the holiday&#x27;s patriotic traditions, there&#x27;s no shortage of options this weekend.

Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend

AAA predicts this will be the busiest Memorial Day ever for travel.

Travel

Consider staying off Kansas City highways Thursday and Friday afternoons if you want to avoid the worst <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" target="_self">Memorial Day weekend</a> traffic, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="INRIX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/memorial-day-travel-forecast-safety-tips.html" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/memorial-day-travel-forecast-safety-tips.html" target="_blank">INRIX</a> forecasts.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA predicts" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/05/45-million-americans-planning-memorial-day-weekend-getaways/" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/05/45-million-americans-planning-memorial-day-weekend-getaways/" target="_blank">AAA predicts</a> this will be the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busiest Memorial Day ever" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/memorial-day-travel-forecast-record-aaa" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/memorial-day-travel-forecast-record-aaa" target="_self">busiest Memorial Day ever</a> for travel — meaning your departure time could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make or break" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="729b3ad1-a1d1-4e88-a782-8dee7001c9c2" data-vars-headline="Worst times to drive in KC this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">make or break</a> your trip.

CPKC Pavilion is an ode to the Missouri River

The transit hub was intentionally designed to reflect the river nearby.

It&#x27;s hard to miss the newly opened KC Streetcar stop down at Berkley Riverfront, whether you&#x27;re stepping off under its reflective roof or gaping at the glowing pylons at night.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CPKC " data-vars-click-url="https://portkc.com/project/cpkc-pavilion-at-berkley-riverfront/" data-vars-content-id="63cfd0a1-6626-4e91-aa80-df42941fdb5e" data-vars-headline="CPKC Pavilion is an ode to the Missouri River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portkc.com/project/cpkc-pavilion-at-berkley-riverfront/" target="_blank">CPKC </a>Pavilion is more than just a shiny new transit hub. It&#x27;s a work of art symbolizing the Missouri River flowing nearby.

KC Current cuts game day shuttles

Team leaders want fans to use the KC Streetcar's Riverfront Extension.

The KC Current will no longer offer game day shuttles, with team leaders encouraging fans to take the KC Streetcar now that the Riverfront Extension is open.Why it matters: Fans accustomed to using the free shuttles are going to have to make other plans, which may include earlier arrivals and later departures.

Current Landing debuts town square, watch parties

It's built to host watch parties on a video board the size of an apartment.

The Kansas City Current debuted its new town square at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Current Landing" data-vars-click-url="https://currentlanding.com/" data-vars-content-id="6a30e7d4-8b4b-410e-8d3f-05712444daa9" data-vars-headline="Current Landing debuts town square, watch parties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://currentlanding.com/" target="_blank">Current Landing</a>, including a video board the size of an apartment.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the team&#x27;s gathering space outside the stadium, built to host watch parties and act as the welcome mat to everything teal.

Dutch super fan visits KC and describes World Cup energy

We interviewed Oranje Suit Man, who goes to every Netherlands game.

The World Cup is &quot;going to make the Super Bowl look like your local beach volleyball event,&quot; according to the Oranje Suit Man.Why it matters: The Netherlands will be on Kansas City&#x27;s doorstep in less than two months, with the team base camping in Riverside and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="group stage match" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/12/08/these-kc-restaurants-serve-the-food-of-world-cup-visiting-countries" data-vars-content-id="4d50e7d4-f92c-41aa-8b11-83864f759d2c" data-vars-headline="Dutch super fan visits KC and describes World Cup energy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/12/08/these-kc-restaurants-serve-the-food-of-world-cup-visiting-countries" target="_self">group stage match</a> scheduled against Tunisia.

Our readers like the Crown Center ballpark plan

The responses signal a rebound in public sentiment from 2024.

We asked readers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/23/royals-stadium-crown-center-reader-survey" data-vars-content-id="68f61f35-ae47-4723-8495-ff6209ecee8e" data-vars-headline="Our readers like the Crown Center ballpark 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/2026/04/23/royals-stadium-crown-center-reader-survey" target="_self">last week</a> to tell us what they thought of the Royals stadium plan at Crown Center, and the results were overwhelmingly positive.Why it matters: The responses signal a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rebound in public sentiment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/22/royals-hallmark-crown-center-stadium-downtown" data-vars-content-id="68f61f35-ae47-4723-8495-ff6209ecee8e" data-vars-headline="Our readers like the Crown Center ballpark 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/2026/04/22/royals-hallmark-crown-center-stadium-downtown" target="_self">rebound in public sentiment</a> from 2024, even as many questions are left unanswered.

Why the WNBA is returning to KC after two decades

It's also nine months after the WNBA passed on Kansas City for expansion.

Nine months after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WNBA passed on Kansas City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/07/08/kansas-city-wnba-expansion" data-vars-content-id="5d179a2a-1cb3-4001-b4c8-b3aa178725eb" data-vars-headline="Why the WNBA is returning to KC after two decades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/07/08/kansas-city-wnba-expansion" target="_self">WNBA passed on Kansas City</a> for expansion, the league returns Monday night with a preseason game between the Minnesota Lynx and Nigeria&#x27;s national team.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first WNBA game in the city since the Detroit Shock faced the Lynx at Municipal Stadium in 2005, and officials hope a strong turnout strengthens the city&#x27;s case for a future franchise.

The Royals' stadium deal just got its redemption arc

The Royals and Hallmark Cards are teaming up on a $3 billion ballpark district at Crown Center, a sharp reset from the 2024 Crossroads plan that voters rejected.

Sports

The Royals have ended two years of stadium speculation with a new Crown Center plan, a sharp reset from the 2024 Crossroads push that taxpayers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rejected" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/20/downtown-stadium-sees-more-crossroads-support-than-before" data-vars-content-id="25657810-ff38-43f0-b138-9e332f0635a7" data-vars-headline="The Royals&#x27; stadium deal just got its redemption arc" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/04/20/downtown-stadium-sees-more-crossroads-support-than-before" target="_self">rejected</a>.Why it matters: The $3 billion plan, unveiled Wednesday, is the largest public-private partnership in Kansas City history.<ul><li>The Royals and private investors, including Hallmark, will fund up to two-thirds of the tab, rather than asking voters for a tax hike.</li></ul>

Royals and Hallmark announce downtown stadium

The Royals and Hallmark Cards said they will create an 85-acre ballpark district.

The Royals today announced on Wednesday morning that they plan to build a new stadium downtown in partnership with Hallmark.The big picture: The Royals and Hallmark Cards said they will create an 85-acre ballpark district downtown, including &quot;reimagined headquarters&quot; for both.

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.

USA Women's Rugby returns to KC

Last year, 10,518 rugby fans packed CPKC Stadium and made history. Friday night, the USA Women's Rugby team is back.

Kansas City broke the U.S. attendance record for women&#x27;s rugby last year. Now, Team USA returns to CPKC Stadium to see if the city can do it again.The big picture: USA Women&#x27;s Rugby players say KC keeps getting chosen for major rugby matches because the city shows up for women&#x27;s sports, and the numbers prove it.

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.

Sports 🏅

KC Current cuts game day shuttles

Current Landing debuts town square, watch parties

Dutch super fan visits KC and describes World Cup energy

Our readers like the Crown Center ballpark plan

Why the WNBA is returning to KC after two decades