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How law enforcement is stopping drones at the World Cup

In KC, 14 drones have been seized, resulting in 5 federal criminal citations.

News

Drones are no longer simply toys for hobbyists and for cameras in the sky — they&#x27;re real threats to public safety and large-scale security, experts tell Axios.Why it matters: U.S. leaders are pushing for hostile drone defense programs across the country, including in Kansas City, where police are using military-grade tech and working with federal law enforcement to patrol the air.

Beer and water at KC Stadium is expensive

There is a wild variance in prices across U.S. host cities.

Thirsty? If you&#x27;re at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kansas City Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/06/08/fifa-banners-arrowhead-chiefs-signs-kc-missouri" data-vars-content-id="c1176083-6b04-4218-a56e-b6fbf1d97a6c" data-vars-headline="Beer and water at KC Stadium is expensive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/06/08/fifa-banners-arrowhead-chiefs-signs-kc-missouri" target="_self">Kansas City Stadium</a> for a World Cup match, you&#x27;ll pay at least $18.39 for a beer.Why it matters: There is a wild variance in prices for food, water and other drinks across the 11 U.S. cities hosting the World Cup this year.

Kansas City rewrites conversion therapy ban after court ruling

KC leaders are advancing a rewritten ban built to survive the Supreme Court ruling that struck down the last one.

Kansas City leaders are advancing a rewritten conversion therapy ban built to survive the Supreme Court ruling that struck down the last one, this time without naming the practice it targets.Why it matters: Conversion therapy, the discredited effort to change someone&#x27;s sexual orientation or gender identity, leaves LGBTQ+ youth more than twice as likely to attempt suicide, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the Trevor Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/the-trevor-project-publishes-new-journal-article-on-the-dangers-of-conversion-therapy/" data-vars-content-id="a0688dd3-e4f9-48c5-94d7-f1243f938754" data-vars-headline="Kansas City rewrites conversion therapy ban after court ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/the-trevor-project-publishes-new-journal-article-on-the-dangers-of-conversion-therapy/" target="_blank">per the Trevor Project</a>.

Dutch march in KC was the biggest in the country

Crowds hopped to "Links Rechts" and unleashed orange smoke and confetti.

The biggest Dutch march in the U.S. to date took place in Kansas City on Thursday.The big picture: The Power and Light District <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="says" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBHvRFjrJS/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="213ee287-09ed-496e-9167-1dcd214228de" data-vars-headline="Dutch march in KC was the biggest in the country" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBHvRFjrJS/?img_index=1" target="_blank">says</a> roughly 22,000 fans turned out, stretching down Grand Avenue as far as the eye could see.

World Cup fans love KC. Tourism leaders want more of that.

Politicians are banking on positive fan interactions to improve America's image.

The World Cup is America&#x27;s chance to win back foreign visitors amid falling international tourism and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unpopular" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260406-why-some-travellers-are-rethinking-trips-to-the-us" data-vars-content-id="e343e24e-4e15-4ac3-927b-530a2a8d3b6c" data-vars-headline="World Cup fans love KC. Tourism leaders want more of that." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260406-why-some-travellers-are-rethinking-trips-to-the-us" target="_blank">unpopular</a> federal policies, national and local tourism leaders said at a Visit KC panel Tuesday.Why it matters: Locals are welcoming foreign fans in Kansas City and across the country, and politicians are banking on those positive interactions to improve America&#x27;s image.

KCI warns of heavy traffic this summer

Summer travel demand and World Cup visitors could clog lines.

Travelers should expect heavy traffic at KCI through July, especially around World Cup game days, airport officials say.Why it matters: Travelers could encounter longer lines and delays as large groups of tournament travelers clog lines and summer trips push security into overdrive.

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.

Business travel keeps KC tourism economy steady

Visit KC's 2025 tourism outlook showed marketing efforts yielded smaller returns.

Kansas City&#x27;s tourism softened last year alongside a broader national slowdown, even as increasing business travel buoyed regional spending.The big picture: Tourism is still a major local economic driver, despite fewer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international travelers" data-vars-click-url="https://fortune.com/2026/04/17/international-tourism-to-us-fell-last-year-world-cup-worries/" data-vars-content-id="0e7aa3ba-9f9a-491b-966a-5158d0cdead5" data-vars-headline="Business travel keeps KC tourism economy steady" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fortune.com/2026/04/17/international-tourism-to-us-fell-last-year-world-cup-worries/" target="_blank">international travelers</a> coming to the U.S.

What's really going on with World Cup hotel bookings

A recent report saying most KC hotels are underbooked isn't the full story, officials say.

A report that most Kansas City hotels are underbooked for the World Cup isn&#x27;t the full story, organizers and tourism officials tell Axios.Why it matters: Leaders have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long said" data-vars-click-url="https://kansascityfwc26.com/kc2026-hits-its-stride-smallest-host-city-sets-high-standard-for-fifa-world-cup-readiness/" data-vars-content-id="bd33533f-0c1f-48de-b29e-547f42286242" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s really going on with World Cup hotel bookings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kansascityfwc26.com/kc2026-hits-its-stride-smallest-host-city-sets-high-standard-for-fifa-world-cup-readiness/" target="_blank">long said</a> the World Cup will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors who will spend money across the metro, but last week poor hotel numbers grabbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="headlines" data-vars-click-url="https://fox4kc.com/sports/2026-world-cup/kansas-city-ranks-as-weakest-world-cup-market-new-report/" data-vars-content-id="bd33533f-0c1f-48de-b29e-547f42286242" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s really going on with World Cup hotel bookings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox4kc.com/sports/2026-world-cup/kansas-city-ranks-as-weakest-world-cup-market-new-report/" target="_blank">headlines</a>, fueled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="naysayers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david-hudnall/article315633699.html" data-vars-content-id="bd33533f-0c1f-48de-b29e-547f42286242" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s really going on with World Cup hotel bookings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david-hudnall/article315633699.html" target="_blank">naysayers</a> and filled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local businesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article315626455.html" data-vars-content-id="bd33533f-0c1f-48de-b29e-547f42286242" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s really going on with World Cup hotel bookings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article315626455.html" target="_blank">local businesses</a> with unease.

It's pothole season. Here's how to change a flat tire

Guides

Over the weekend, I went through an official Midwest rite of passage. I hit a hole in the road and got a flat.<ul><li>It&#x27;s the most wonderful time of the year: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pothole season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.modot.org/node/83597" data-vars-content-id="b5ff3968-26a5-47ca-a152-0f36e4a694be" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s pothole season. Here&#x27;s how to change a flat tire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.modot.org/node/83597" target="_blank">pothole season</a>.</li></ul>

Visa bonds threaten KC's World Cup international turnout

The Trump administration is requiring fans from 50 countries to post up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. for the World Cup.

Kansas City&#x27;s international visitor turnout for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/07/how-the-world-cup-could-give-kc-a-long-term-boost" data-vars-content-id="c1934883-44a8-4525-853e-568546847701" data-vars-headline="Visa bonds threaten KC&#x27;s World Cup international turnout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/01/07/how-the-world-cup-could-give-kc-a-long-term-boost" target="_self">World Cup</a> faces uncertainty after the Trump administration began requiring fans from 50 countries to pay up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.Why it matters: FIFA told host cities to expect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roughly half" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2026/04/07/world-cup-visas-entry-bonds-kc-economic-impact.html" data-vars-content-id="c1934883-44a8-4525-853e-568546847701" data-vars-headline="Visa bonds threaten KC&#x27;s World Cup international turnout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2026/04/07/world-cup-visas-entry-bonds-kc-economic-impact.html" target="_blank">roughly half</a> of all visitors to come from abroad, including fans from Algeria and Tunisia, which are set to play matches here. This barrier to entry puts KC&#x27;s projected $653 million economic boost at risk.

Why ICE agents aren't coming to KCI

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

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.

KC crash data signals early signs of improvement

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

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.

🌆 Quote du jour: Beyond the matches

Tourism officials hope World Cup brings repeat travelers to Kansas City 

A table that shows Memorial Day weekend 2026 road traffic forecasts by day. Worst driving windows are Thursdayfrom noon to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and Monday from noon to 5 p.m.