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What changes in KC when the drinking slows

At least six Kansas City area breweries have closed since early last year, and owners say the bigger loss is the gathering space.

News

Kansas City has lost several breweries, bars and pubs in recent years, leaving fewer places for socialization. Why it matters: Americans are drinking less for good reasons, but bars and taprooms do more than just pour booze — they provide places to gather without a plan.

A West Bottoms redevelopment could look like Los Angeles

Eight mostly vacant buildings near Eighth and Madison could undergo a transformation.

A developer pursuing a multibuilding project in the West Bottoms has tackled a strikingly similar landscape before — in LA&#x27;s industrial belt.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Borman Group&#x27;s work" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thebormangroup.com/" data-vars-content-id="d641d1f1-4a1e-4d41-9e2c-f53310113971" data-vars-headline="A West Bottoms redevelopment could look like Los Angeles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thebormangroup.com/" target="_blank">The Borman Group&#x27;s work</a> out West offers a look at the potential for the project in Kansas City as Port KC considers public financing and property tax incentives for it.

Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early

The U.S. won't become majority-minority until 2046, but four rural Kansas counties and Wyandotte County are already there.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Census data" data-vars-click-url="https://ipsr.unit2.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/population/2pop29.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d68a86e0-3cfc-4b0a-a45b-220b4010d145" data-vars-headline="Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ipsr.unit2.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/population/2pop29.pdf" target="_blank">Census data</a> shows a majority-minority U.S. population is decades away, but four Kansas counties and the metro&#x27;s Wyandotte County have already crossed that line. The big picture: The shift is reshaping the state, from meatpacking towns in southwest Kansas to the metro&#x27;s urban core, part of the nationwide rural trend identified in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios analysis." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/majority-minority-rural-america-black-latino" data-vars-content-id="d68a86e0-3cfc-4b0a-a45b-220b4010d145" data-vars-headline="Rural Kansas is turning majority-minority early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/majority-minority-rural-america-black-latino" target="_self">Axios analysis.</a>

KC's last 8pm sunset is days away

Most of the country has already lost its late sunsets, but the KC metro has until Aug. 23 to 25 depending on your county.

Most Americans have already seen their final 8pm sunset of the year, but Kansas City still has about a week of late light left.The big picture: We lose a little more light every day as the Earth&#x27;s Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun until Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year.<ul><li>The farther west within a time zone you live, the later your sunsets typically run, and KC sits in the western stretch of the Central time zone.</li></ul>

KC is searching "solo travel" like never before

Searches for "solo travel" in the metro hit their highest level on record in June.

Google <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="searches" data-vars-click-url="https://trends.google.com/explore?geo=616&amp;q=solo%2520travel&amp;date=all" data-vars-content-id="75d4e37f-4618-43ac-9db2-6d253df9ff4b" data-vars-headline="KC is searching &quot;solo travel&quot; like never before" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://trends.google.com/explore?geo=616&amp;q=solo%2520travel&amp;date=all" target="_blank">searches</a> for &quot;solo travel&quot; in the Kansas City metro hit their highest recorded level in June, part of a nationwide record year.Why it matters: Traveling alone used to mean waiting for someone else&#x27;s PTO to line up. Now it&#x27;s a plan, not a fallback.

Our recs: National Climb A Mountain Day

You don't need to go west to experience rugged terrain and rolling vistas.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Climb A Mountain Day" data-vars-click-url="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/national-climb-a-mountain-day-july-30" data-vars-content-id="8b38b645-bfc4-4bf0-a4cb-76a8d98cd3fc" data-vars-headline="Our recs: National Climb A Mountain Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/national-climb-a-mountain-day-july-30" target="_blank">National Climb A Mountain Day</a>, and you don&#x27;t need to go west to experience rugged terrain and rolling vistas.The big picture: Whether you want a different (less crowded) idea for a mountain getaway or just want to stay a little closer to home, we have recommendations for an East Coast hike and one right here in Missouri.

The World Cup ends — construction in KC begins

The orange cones are back out now that the World Cup is over.

The orange cones are back out now that the World Cup is over.The big picture: Officials didn&#x27;t want construction making a mess during the tournament, but now it&#x27;s full steam ahead.

Heavy traffic expected July 3 in Kansas City

Stadium traffic and holiday travelers will hit the interstates at the same time.

Travel

Kansas City&#x27;s worst travel day this weekend could be July 3, when a World Cup crowd and the holiday rush hit the interstates at the same time.Why it matters: Fourth of July travel will be the busiest since at least 2019, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA predicts" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/06/72-2-million-americans-expected-to-travel-over-july-4th-week/" data-vars-content-id="0746af00-9dcf-4926-94b4-68b8c59f7702" data-vars-headline="Heavy traffic expected July 3 in Kansas City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/06/72-2-million-americans-expected-to-travel-over-july-4th-week/" target="_blank">AAA predicts</a>.

KC is one of the summer's hottest travel spots

Flight searches to KC are up 25% from last summer, putting the metro among the country's fastest-rising travel destinations as the World Cup nears.

Flight searches to Kansas City <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are up 25%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kayak.com/c/travel-check-in-summer/" data-vars-content-id="59f1efb7-6b3a-4013-8a66-053fd2683f92" data-vars-headline="KC is one of the summer&#x27;s hottest travel spots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kayak.com/c/travel-check-in-summer/" target="_blank">are up 25%</a> from last summer, putting the metro among the country&#x27;s fastest-rising travel destinations.Why it matters: KC rarely lands on national summer travel lists, but the World Cup, a few years of Chiefs winning and Taylor Swift hype are pulling visitors toward the metro.

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.

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.