Kansas leaders voted yesterday to approve a deal that clears the way for the Kansas City Chiefs to move to Kansas, effectively ending the franchise's more-than-60-year run in Missouri.

Why it matters: In a press conference, Gov. Laura Kelly called the deal the largest economic development project in Kansas history, saying it represents a minimum of $4 billion in total development and more than 20,000 jobs.

Driving the news: Kansas lawmakers on the Legislative Coordinating Council voted unanimously to approve an incentives package that authorizes Kansas to use its Sales Tax and Revenue bond program to help finance a new Chiefs stadium and surrounding development.

• Kelly said the new stadium will be built in Wyandotte County, with a new Chiefs headquarters and practice facility planned for Olathe.

What they're saying: Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said in a statement that the team has "agreed with the State of Kansas to host Chiefs football beginning with the 2031 NFL season."

• "Today's announcement is truly historic," Kelly said, calling the agreement a "total game changer" that will impact Kansas for generations.
• Lt. Gov. David Toland said the deal represents "the largest economic win in Kansas history."

State of play: Kansas law allows the state to cover up to 70% of stadium costs using future sales tax revenue generated by the project, according to Bloomberg.

• A new stadium has been estimated to cost about $3 billion, not including practice facilities.
• Kelly said the state's portion would be paid for using revenue generated by the project, not new taxes or cuts to existing state services.

Catch up quick: The Chiefs have played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, since 1972. Their lease ends in January 2031.

What's next: The Chiefs plan to begin hiring architects and contractors in the coming months as the project moves into its design and planning phase.

• State officials did not disclose the size of the public subsidy or the exact stadium site within Wyandotte County.

Learn more

2025 was a year of rapid changes in politics, technology and the local KC landscape.

• And that's only since we launched in June.

The big picture: Here are our top story picks from the past seven months of showing up daily in your inbox with the Kansas City news that matters most.

Abbey's top picks

💪 What happens when you invest in women's sports

• KC stopped being a quiet contender and started showing up for women's sports — with sold-out Current games, record crowds at CPKC Stadium for women's rugby, and pro and youth softball events. What we found covering this: Spend time and effort on women's sports, and people will come.

❤️ Small businesses carried the city's heartbeat

• I spent time covering shops and bars where the city's personality lives, from Flagship Books to Swordfish Tom's, and the pattern felt the same. All of these shops prioritized hands-on craft, customers and an abundance of optimism.

🐈 Animal shelters turned compassion into action

• We reported on shelters cutting wait times from months to days, cafés doubling as adoption hubs and alpaca farms inviting people closer to the animals they care for.

Travis' top picks

🏆 The World Cup is coming

• The event may be in 2026, but organizers and civic leaders kicked off preparations in earnest this year with hometown posters, shuttle routes, special short-term rental permits and much more.

⚡️ The local data center footprint is expanding

• We detailed more than one multibillion-dollar deal, explained what data centers mean for your electric bills and the power grid, and even took a look behind the biometrically sealed doors.

🗳️ Local and state politics made history

• Voters recalled former Jackson County Executive Frank White. Missouri lawmakers voted to redistrict the state's congressional map. The Kansas City Council approved building the city's first jail in 16 years.

Dig deeper

As the year winds down, we asked you to share the New Year's resolutions you're willing to say out loud. Here's what you had to say:

Clearing space, literally

Lowell Hummer plans to cut the volume of her possessions in half before a move next year. She is already underway and looking forward to having less to clean, store and worry about.

Focusing on people

Michael Rebein resolved to call family members more often. He said the payoff is simple: deeper relationships with his siblings.

Looking up from the phone

Jackson Overstreet is cutting down screen time outside of work so he can read more and focus better. The books on his shelf are waiting.

Making the move official

Nikki Barger is finally moving to Kansas City in 2026. She is most excited to live closer to friends and settle into the city.

Creating again

Kadrae Smith wants to return to making content after stepping away. This time, it's live streaming and sketch comedy, with fulfillment as the goal.

Building better routines

Katie Proberts is focused on habits over outcomes. She wants a balance between work, creativity and health.

✉️ Do you have a New Year's resolution you want to share? Reply to this email and let us know.