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Women's deepfake lawsuit targets AI porn industry

Three women, including a KC native, say their social media pictures were used to create sexual content.

News

Three women, including a Kansas City native, say in a lawsuit that pornographic videos depicting their likenesses circulated online after AI platforms were used to create sexual content based on their Instagram posts.The big picture: A new exploitative industry is harnessing AI technology to generate explicit &quot;deepfakes&quot; from PG social media photos, the lawsuit says.

Kansas coffee company eyes big expansion starting in Olathe

The folks behind Freddy's massive growth are turning their eyes toward coffee.

A small-town Kansas coffee shop is set for big-time expansion, with its first franchise location planned to open in Olathe this year.Why it matters: The move marks a broader growth push backed by a Wichita restaurant industry magnate and a franchise group planning six regional locations.

Kansas just told students to power down all day

New law blocks phones from first bell to last starting this fall.

<figure><img alt="Animated illustration of a pencil eraser erasing a smartphone." height="720" id="f13cff8a-0eb0-46a1-8b23-7cf708d2c6ef" src="https://images.axios.com/FUArAly7YDysPyifp6JJp8Rng3U=/2024/05/17/181803-1715969883691.gif" width="1280"/><figcaption>Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios</figcaption></figure>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/952/56" data-vars-content-id="31dae617-2956-4972-91e9-ce0c80d67d9e" data-vars-headline="Kansas just told students to power down all day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/952/56" target="_blank">signed</a> a statewide ban on the use of cellphones and other personal devices during the entire school day, forcing KC-area districts to rewrite rules.Why it matters: The new law extends beyond class time to include lunch, recess and passing periods. Local districts now have to figure out how to store devices, enforce the rules and absorb the costs.

New UMKC basketball coach bets on KC talent

New coach Mark Turgeon plans to keep Kansas City players home.

Sports

The University of Missouri - Kansas City hired longtime men&#x27;s college basketball coach <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mark Turgeon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/february/mark-turgeon-to-bring-big-vision-stellar-track-record-to-umkc-mens-basketball.html" data-vars-content-id="87d542fb-996c-42a7-827d-54daaf21a7f7" data-vars-headline="New UMKC basketball coach bets on KC talent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/february/mark-turgeon-to-bring-big-vision-stellar-track-record-to-umkc-mens-basketball.html" target="_blank">Mark Turgeon</a> to build up the program by keeping Kansas City&#x27;s top talent at home.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UMKC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/march/umkc-introduces-mark-turgeon-as-mens-basketball-coach.html" data-vars-content-id="87d542fb-996c-42a7-827d-54daaf21a7f7" data-vars-headline="New UMKC basketball coach bets on KC talent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/march/umkc-introduces-mark-turgeon-as-mens-basketball-coach.html" target="_blank">UMKC</a> is the city&#x27;s only Division 1 men&#x27;s basketball program, but the Roos have never reached the NCAA tournament.

KC crash data signals early signs of improvement

Serious and fatal crashes are down after four years of increases.

Travel

Kansas City traffic data shows fatal and serious injury crashes may be starting to decrease after a four-year upward trend.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a sign that KCMO&#x27;s street safety initiatives might be starting to take hold, despite the numbers lagging behind predictions and city officials saying it&#x27;s too early to tell.

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.

Weather, not crowds, could slow KCI Thanksgiving travel

Flights are full, but Midwest weather may cause disruptions through major hubs.

Kansas City International Airport (KCI) expects full flights through the holiday week, but aviation officials say the biggest disruptions will come from storms at the large airports Kansas Citians connect through.Why it matters: Most Thanksgiving delays at KCI do not start in Kansas City, KCI Aviation spokesperson Jackson Overstreet tells Axios.<ul><li>They start at the hubs feeding traffic into and out of the region, which means a clean day here does not guarantee an on-time trip.</li></ul>

KCI travelers could face flight headaches amid FAA cuts

Kansas City International Airport isn't on the FAA's flight-cut list, but most affected airports connect to KC and could still see delays and cancellations amid the government shutdown.

Kansas City International Airport (KCI) isn&#x27;t on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FAA&#x27;s list of 40 airports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-faa-administrator-bryan-bedford-outline-series" data-vars-content-id="e9b28fc2-aa06-4596-9265-ac3d3318107b" data-vars-headline="KCI travelers could face flight headaches amid FAA cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-faa-administrator-bryan-bedford-outline-series" target="_blank">FAA&#x27;s list of 40 airports</a> facing flight cuts — but local travelers could still feel the pinch.Why it matters: Thousands of passengers nationwide are expected to see significant delays and cancellations just in time for the busy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday travel season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/flights-canceled-airports-shutdown-thanksgiving" data-vars-content-id="e9b28fc2-aa06-4596-9265-ac3d3318107b" data-vars-headline="KCI travelers could face flight headaches amid FAA cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/flights-canceled-airports-shutdown-thanksgiving" target="_self">holiday travel season</a>.

MCI joins airports refusing Noem's TSA video

Kansas City International Airport joined airports nationwide citing concerns over partisan messaging.

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) joined a growing list of airports refusing to air a TSA video of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/trump-immigration-homeland-security-noem-cities" data-vars-content-id="9a3705d4-d634-4941-8551-b1728d12f99f" data-vars-headline="MCI joins airports refusing Noem&#x27;s TSA video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/trump-immigration-homeland-security-noem-cities" target="_self">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem</a> blaming Democrats for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/30/trump-housing-department-shutdown-alert" data-vars-content-id="9a3705d4-d634-4941-8551-b1728d12f99f" data-vars-headline="MCI joins airports refusing Noem&#x27;s TSA video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/30/trump-housing-department-shutdown-alert" target="_self">government shutdown.</a>Why it matters: The Trump administration released the video for airing at TSA checkpoints earlier this month, but some transportation authorities have shelved the message out of concern that it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violates the Hatch Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-republicans-trump-administration-hud" data-vars-content-id="9a3705d4-d634-4941-8551-b1728d12f99f" data-vars-headline="MCI joins airports refusing Noem&#x27;s TSA video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-republicans-trump-administration-hud" target="_self">violates the Hatch Act</a>.<ul><li>The 1939 law aims to ensure that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.</li></ul>Worth noting: Airports do regularly display videos from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, though those typically focus on safety or travel procedures, not partisan messaging, The Washington Post <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2025/10/13/kristi-noem-shutdown-video/" data-vars-content-id="9a3705d4-d634-4941-8551-b1728d12f99f" data-vars-headline="MCI joins airports refusing Noem&#x27;s TSA video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2025/10/13/kristi-noem-shutdown-video/" target="_blank">reports</a>.Zoom in: Jackson Overstreet, spokesperson for the Kansas City Aviation Department, said leadership reviewed the TSA request and determined it didn&#x27;t meet the department&#x27;s advertising standard.<ul><li>&quot;The work of the KCAD is nonpartisan and focused on making travel from MCI as simple as possible for flyers,&quot; Overstreet said.</li></ul>Zoom out: Other major airports and the officials that oversee their operations — including in Seattle, Portland, Charlotte, Las Vegas and other cities — confirmed to Axios they will not display Noem&#x27;s video. Catch up quick: Noem&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video" data-vars-click-url="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:t6ubj2wlhc34awzcymh3qpur/post/3m2uxgeoajc2t?ref_src=embed&amp;ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fiframe.nbcnews.com%252Fn04fjKr4" data-vars-content-id="9a3705d4-d634-4941-8551-b1728d12f99f" data-vars-headline="MCI joins airports refusing Noem&#x27;s TSA video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:t6ubj2wlhc34awzcymh3qpur/post/3m2uxgeoajc2t?ref_src=embed&amp;ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fiframe.nbcnews.com%252Fn04fjKr4" target="_blank">video</a> says that it is the Transportation Security Administration&#x27;s priority to ensure efficient, pleasant and safe travel — but &quot;Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government.&quot;<ul><li>Noem continues, &quot;Because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.&quot;</li><li>She then expresses &quot;hope&quot; that &quot;Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.&quot;</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;[I]t&#x27;s unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship,&quot; DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that largely echoed Noem&#x27;s message.<ul><li>McLaughlin did not directly respond to Axios&#x27; request for a response to local authorities opting against showing the video.</li></ul>Go deeper: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. flights are being delayed due to staffing shortages as the shutdown continues." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/flight-delays-shutdown-air-traffic-control-staffing-issues" data-vars-content-id="9a3705d4-d634-4941-8551-b1728d12f99f" data-vars-headline="MCI joins airports refusing Noem&#x27;s TSA video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/flight-delays-shutdown-air-traffic-control-staffing-issues" target="_self">U.S. flights are being delayed due to staffing shortages as the shutdown continues.</a>

Delays plague airports, but not KCI

Staffing shortages, and possibly delays, may ramp up as the shutdown drags on.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Air traffic controller shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/government-shutdown-airports-flight-delays-air-traffic" data-vars-content-id="3deb0018-e915-4b90-a6a1-28ca0a875701" data-vars-headline="Delays plague airports, but not KCI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/government-shutdown-airports-flight-delays-air-traffic" target="_self">Air traffic controller shortages</a> across the country could put more pressure on Congress to end the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/government-shutdown-politics-affordable-care-act" data-vars-content-id="3deb0018-e915-4b90-a6a1-28ca0a875701" data-vars-headline="Delays plague airports, but not KCI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/government-shutdown-politics-affordable-care-act" target="_self">government shutdown,</a> even as Kansas City International Airport keeps lines moving.Why it matters: Controller and TSA &quot;sick-outs&quot; played an under-appreciated role in ending the 2018-19 shutdown, as lawmakers faced the prospect of a snarled air traffic network, furious airline executives and an irate flying public.

KCI prepares as government shutdown continues

Most of the airport's federal workers are essential, meaning they must work without pay.

Passenger operations at Kansas City International Airport have been unaffected by the government shutdown so far, but KC&#x27;s Aviation Department says it&#x27;s preparing for &quot;any possibilities&quot; after a week of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gridlock in Congress" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-starts-senate-house-trump" data-vars-content-id="80cec1f7-fe7b-43b1-af2b-81da920b68da" data-vars-headline="KCI prepares as government shutdown continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-starts-senate-house-trump" target="_self">gridlock in Congress</a>.Why it matters: Data from previous long-lasting shutdowns suggests the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="impact on essential workers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/30/government-shutdown-air-travel-disruptions" data-vars-content-id="80cec1f7-fe7b-43b1-af2b-81da920b68da" data-vars-headline="KCI prepares as government shutdown continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/30/government-shutdown-air-travel-disruptions" target="_self">impact on essential workers</a> tends to trickle into day-to-day operations as funding remains at bay.

KCI ranked No. 4, but No. 1 to us

Kansas City International's new terminal has already boosted it into the top tier of traveler satisfaction. A new J.D. Power survey ranks KCI as the No. 4 large airport in North America.

Kansas City International Airport is the No. 4 large airport in North America for traveler satisfaction, according to a new survey by J.D. Power.

Delta adds flights as Southwest cuts routes from KCI

Delta is adding a new nonstop to Austin from KCI in 2026, while Southwest is cutting flights to Burbank, Oakland and Sacramento.

Flying out of KCI? You&#x27;ll soon have another way to Austin, but fewer chances to get to California without a layover.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Delta Air Lines announced" data-vars-click-url="https://flykc.com/newsroom/news-releases/delta-air-lines-announces-nonstop-service-to-austinfrom-kansas-city-international-airport" data-vars-content-id="28b4bfe5-17e7-4843-86bd-ea91c0b8cea7" data-vars-headline="Delta adds flights as Southwest cuts routes from KCI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flykc.com/newsroom/news-releases/delta-air-lines-announces-nonstop-service-to-austinfrom-kansas-city-international-airport" target="_blank">Delta Air Lines announced</a> it will launch nonstop service between Kansas City International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in June 2026. The route, operated by Delta Connection partner SkyWest, adds competition on a corridor Southwest already serves.