Axios Kansas City

February 03, 2026
It's Tuesday, but that's OK.
β Today's weather: Partly sunny, with a high of 37 and a low of 25.
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Today's newsletter is 982 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: πTake a jog below ground
What began as a limestone mine boring into the cliffs above the Missouri River has become a sprawling underground complex β and home to one of Kansas City's most distinctive races.
The big picture: The annual Groundhog Run winds through miles of tunnels reaching under Worlds of Fun, blending a long-running charity event with a glimpse into the scale and ambition of the Hunt family β one of the richest in America.
- I went to explore how this subterranean world came to be β and to experience it firsthand as a runner.
Zoom in: The race β which took place Sunday β is held at SubTropolis, a business park established by Lamar Hunt in 1964 now totaling more than 9 million square feet of developed space.
- "It's the largest underground business complex in the world," development firm Hunt Midwest communications manager Zach Murdock tells Axios, adding that he doubts even a secret military base would be as big.
Context: The development followed Hunt's move to Kansas City, a relocation that reshaped the region with the founding of the Chiefs.
- Hunt founded Hunt Midwest and later built Worlds of Fun on top of SubTropolis.
- The race route, Murdock says, passes beneath the Mamba roller coaster β a detail I was grateful to learn after the fact.
- The race started in 1982 as a benefit for Ability KC, then known as Children's TLC, to fuel donations that help people with physical disabilities.

Between the lines: The Hunt family found wealth by digging into the ground even before SubTropolis, with Lamar Hunt's father striking it big in the oil business.
- As of early 2025, the Hunt family was worth $24.8 billion β with more than $7 billion coming from SubTropolis and the Chiefs.
What's inside: Massive 25-foot-wide stone pillars prop up the ceiling (ground?), each one numbered.
- "Street" names include Hushpuckney, named after a regional type of rock. The speed limit is 15 mph β which I didn't quite reach.
- Unlit tunnels blocked by barriers and rubble disappear into inky darkness.
π Travis' thought bubble: Between a runner dressed as a bat and a gopher mascot, it wasn't hard to remember where I was β more than 100 feet underground.

2. π½οΈ Black Garlic dishes flavor and variety
Goat, oxtail, whole snapper and salmon share the menu at a Midtown restaurant that blends Caribbean and Ethiopian cooking.
Why it matters: We're starting Axios KC's February spotlight on Black-owned businesses at Black Garlic, a restaurant that stands out for the sheer range of what comes out of its kitchen, from Haitian staples to Ethiopian tibs.
What to expect: Chef Cherven Desauguste runs a kitchen that leans into protein, bright acidity and spice that builds.
- The Caribbean menu features slow-cooked meats and smoky flavors, seasoned to add some heat and topped with rich sauces.
- The Ethiopian dishes include a lineup of tibs (including chicken and lamb), joined by misir wot and mushroom tibs, all designed for eating with injera.
- This is a rum bar, so expect tropical drinks that lean on the sweeter side.

What to try: I tried the Surf Duo, which pairs seared salmon and shrimp with caramelized onions, Brussels sprouts and roasted potatoes, finished with a lemon butter sauce ($34).
- The hibiscus mojito mixes fresh lime, Bacardi Lime, Bacardi Silver, hibiscus and mint and manages to taste clean and refreshing rather than sweet and heavy like most rum cocktails ($16).

3. β²οΈ Water fountain: Money back in your pocket
βΎοΈ Tonight, the KC MLB Urban Youth Academy will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day with mentorship and sports clinics designed to empower young girls. (Press release)
π Missouri approved $3 million in tax credits for Starlight Theatre, meaning residents who donated to the venue can get half of their contribution back as a state tax credit. (Press release)
β³οΈ Prairie Villages' former Macy's has a new tenant β a golf game startup called GolfTRK, featuring high-tech simulators. (Kansas City Business Journal)
4. π§ Slick sidewalks sticking around
It's been more than a week since a winter storm brought snowfall and bitter cold to KC β so why are some sidewalks still slick with icy snow?
Why it matters: Folks shouldn't have to walk around fearful of hurting themselves or their pride due to a painful and embarrassing slip.
Zoom in: Kansas City code states property owners are required to clear snow and ice from their surrounding sidewalks "within a reasonable time."
- Public Works officer Ryan McMonigle tells Axios that sidewalks should be cleared within a couple of days, but city spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt acknowledges the rules don't define a specific time frame.
- Snow removal falls into nuisance code, which requires offenses first be reported to the city. Then, the Neighborhood Preservation Division sends notice to the owner.
Yes, but: An offending owner has 10 days to take corrective action, per the city's website.
- Only if the problem persists (and doesn't melt first) will the city act, sending a crew to clear the walk and billing the owner for the work.
Between the lines: KC doesn't stay under 32 degrees for long, meaning property owners inclined to flout the rules probably just wait it out.
- The city declined to weigh in on whether the current code's timeline was reasonable.
What we're watching: Upcoming temps in the 50s, which will (hopefully) take care of the issue.
5. π America's boom states

Household incomes in some states exploded over the past 50 years compared to others, per a report from the Urban Institute.
Zoom in: Kansas' household income rose 45.8% in that time, per the study.
- Missouri's only rose by 13.3%. That's after adjusting for inflation.
Zoom out: The most important factor tied to income change, per the report, is educational attainment.
ππ» Travis' calves are sore.
π· Abbey's favorite pastime is assembling furniture with a glass of wine.
- Guess what she's doing tonight.
Edited by Chloe Gonzales.
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