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Kansas City Alerts

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

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Get smarter, faster on what matters in Kansas City with Travis Meier and Abbey Higginbotham.

Axios Kansas City

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A bridge in Kansas is being compared to The High Line in NYC

The bridge entertainment district — which includes a restaurant, beer garden and event space — is set to open April 1.

News

A decommissioned railroad bridge over the Kansas River is being transformed in a way that &quot;feels very similar&quot; to New York City&#x27;s High Line, Friends of the High Line executive director Alan van Capelle tells Axios.Why it matters: The one-of-a-kind project in Kansas City has garnered local and national support for its ambition and design, and could provide a blueprint for future transformational projects.

What to know about the KC Royals' 2026 season

Opening Day, giveaways and streaming highlight the Royals' 2026 season.

Baseball is back and the Royals open the 2026 season after finishing 82-80 last year, missing the postseason.The big picture: The Royals&#x27; season runs through late September, with regular home games and a packed calendar for fans.

🍬 KC shops rolling out Easter goodies

Check out these local holiday sweets ahead of April 5.

Food and Drink

Easter is hopping closer, and for some, that means candy.The big picture: Local confectioners are rolling out seasonal sweet treats as residents seek to stock their baskets.

Amazon is building "air traffic control for drones" as it eyes expansion

Prime Air isn't just a cool way to get packages — it's part of an expanding tech network.

Business

Amazon officials say a fulfillment center in Kansas City, Kansas, is the first of many local launch sites for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drone delivery program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/02/10/amazon-launches-drone-delivery-metro" data-vars-content-id="872c49aa-7f4f-4354-a675-cd19ec4156b0" data-vars-headline="Amazon is building &quot;air traffic control for drones&quot; as it eyes expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/02/10/amazon-launches-drone-delivery-metro" target="_self">drone delivery program</a>, which took to the skies earlier this year.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not just a cool way to get packages — it&#x27;s part of an expanding network of drone airspace technology that&#x27;s delivering items within hours and integrating with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first responders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/02/kansas-city-police-will-use-drones-as-first-responders" data-vars-content-id="872c49aa-7f4f-4354-a675-cd19ec4156b0" data-vars-headline="Amazon is building &quot;air traffic control for drones&quot; as it eyes expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/02/kansas-city-police-will-use-drones-as-first-responders" target="_self">first responders</a>.

Why ICE agents aren't coming to KCI

KCI has avoided the staffing issues seen at other airports during the partial DHS shutdown.

Travel

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents won&#x27;t be sent to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kansas City International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/02/02/kci-airport-economic-impact-2024" data-vars-content-id="8f37d396-79ac-4a4a-a89c-3ac2687d5ee3" data-vars-headline="Why ICE agents aren&#x27;t coming to KCI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/02/02/kci-airport-economic-impact-2024" target="_self">Kansas City International Airport</a> during the partial Department of Homeland Security <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/12/shutdown-homeland-security-senate-negotiations" data-vars-content-id="8f37d396-79ac-4a4a-a89c-3ac2687d5ee3" data-vars-headline="Why ICE agents aren&#x27;t coming to KCI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/12/shutdown-homeland-security-senate-negotiations" target="_self">shutdown</a> because of the way it staffs its checkpoints.The big picture: ICE agents were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sent" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/trump-ice-agents-airports-tsa-dhs-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="8f37d396-79ac-4a4a-a89c-3ac2687d5ee3" data-vars-headline="Why ICE agents aren&#x27;t coming to KCI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/trump-ice-agents-airports-tsa-dhs-shutdown" target="_self">sent</a> to more than a dozen airports Monday, including hubs like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/23/houston-ice-airport-security-tsa-bush-hobby" data-vars-content-id="8f37d396-79ac-4a4a-a89c-3ac2687d5ee3" data-vars-headline="Why ICE agents aren&#x27;t coming to KCI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/23/houston-ice-airport-security-tsa-bush-hobby" target="_self">Houston</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atlanta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/03/23/atlanta-airport-tsa-screening-delays-government-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="8f37d396-79ac-4a4a-a89c-3ac2687d5ee3" data-vars-headline="Why ICE agents aren&#x27;t coming to KCI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/03/23/atlanta-airport-tsa-screening-delays-government-shutdown" target="_self">Atlanta</a> and Chicago, to help manage crowds.

Johnson County launches its own World Cup platform

JoCo wants to connect people to local hot spots with rides and things to do.

Johnson County leaders are working to unify the county&#x27;s suburbs for the World Cup with the formation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Johnson County United" data-vars-click-url="https://www.johnsoncountyunited.com/" data-vars-content-id="d37fd99d-9022-4ef8-9487-2fc81064541a" data-vars-headline="Johnson County launches its own World Cup platform" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.johnsoncountyunited.com/" target="_blank">Johnson County United</a>. Why it matters: It&#x27;s JoCo&#x27;s way to get people engaging with its cities and hot spots, offering rides and things to do for visitors and residents.

How to navigate Johnson County's new express lanes

The $572 million project wraps up roughly three years of construction.

Johnson County drivers will see new express lanes on U.S. 69 open this Saturday as part of an effort to reduce congestion.Why it matters: The $572 million project wraps up roughly three years of construction and is intended to address an increasing number of cars on one of the busiest highways in the metro, per the Kansas Department of Transportation

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 Streetcar Takes" wants your hottest opinions

The new comedy series asks riders to defend their spiciest opinions on board.

A new weekly comedy interview series on the KC Streetcar is built around one question: What&#x27;s your hot take?The big picture: A viral New York show proved that public transit plus strong opinions makes for addictive internet content, and KC now has its own version built for Midwest voices.

First look: KCI has become a $6.3B economic engine

The airport helped support nearly 40,000 jobs and saw record passenger traffic in 2024.

Kansas City International Airport (KCI) generated $6.3 billion in economic output in 2024, according to a new study first shared with Axios.Why it matters: The airport directly supports tens of thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions in tax revenue, and Kansas City&#x27;s ability to handle rising travel tied to major events and economic growth.

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.

Streetcar Stops: Armour is about to be bicycle heaven

Green bike lanes point the way to homes, coffee shops, a bookstore and more.

Transit

A new streetcar stop located at one of the most populated parts of Midtown is on its way to becoming a bicyclist&#x27;s paradise.The big picture: We&#x27;re exploring the connectivity and rider experience of the KC Streetcar&#x27;s Main Street Extension.

How KC hopes to avoid World Cup transportation headaches

KC2026's transit plan aims to get fans where they want to go with little disruption to daily local life.

KC2026 on Tuesday unveiled its World Cup transit plan, which aims to get fans where they want to go with little disruption to daily life.Why it matters: Getting around town during the World Cup could be a transportation nightmare, but KC2026 said its plan will keep things smooth for visiting fans and locals alike.

Streetcar stops: Union Hill is a hub for what's next

This new streetcar stop sits at the nexus of demolition, development and transit changes.

The second new streetcar stop south of Union Station is at the nexus of new developments — and a quick jaunt from Martini Corner.The big picture: We&#x27;re exploring the connectivity and rider experience of the KC Streetcar&#x27;s Main Street Extension.

Transit 🚗

Why ICE agents aren't coming to KCI

Johnson County launches its own World Cup platform

How to navigate Johnson County's new express lanes

KC Mayor Lucas rolls out $2.5B budget for 2026

"KC Streetcar Takes" wants your hottest opinions