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's ability to handle rising travel tied to major events and economic growth.

By the numbers: Nearly 40,000 jobs in the region connect to KCI, including airport and airline workers, contractors and service jobs, generating $1.8 billion in payroll.

• KCI is responsible for $276 million in state and local tax revenue across Missouri and Kansas, according to the study.
• 2024 was its busiest year on record, with more than 12.1 million passengers.

State of play: The airport's total output grew roughly 25% since a similar 2014 study, when its impact was $5.02 billion.

• Both studies used the same methodology and were conducted by Unison Consulting.

Between the lines: As of now, the aviation department told Axios it expects passenger numbers to surpass those in June and July 2024, which were the two busiest months on record for KCI.

What they're saying: "Kansas City International Airport is the economic driver for our entire region," Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement to KCI, pointing to record travel and jobs tied to the new single terminal.

• City Manager Mario Vasquez said KCI's impact reflects Kansas City's growing presence "on the global stage."

Kansas City Aviation also reported a separate economic impact study for Kansas City Downtown Airport Wheeler Field, using 2023 data.

• Wheeler Field generated more than $625 million in economic impact.
• The airport supports nearly 2,800 jobs with $251 million in payroll.

The bottom line: KCI has moved beyond a transportation hub into one of the metro's biggest economic drivers, with billions in regional output and a record-setting year for passengers to prove it.

A scavenger hunt is on today in Missouri for fans of the show "Survivor" who want a chance at attending the finale of Season 50 in Los Angeles.

Why it matters: The show is dropping riddles to hidden immunity idols in every state, and Missouri's riddle went live on Saturday.

• Kansas, which was one of the first states to go live, is already complete.

Context: Immunity idols are important gameplay tools in "Survivor." Contestants stealthily search for them or perform tricky tasks to get them so they can be safe from elimination.

• Season 50 is a big one, bringing back famous names and getting the public involved in looking for idols.

How it works: An online map shows states that have active clues and which ones are coming up.

• Fans who solve the riddle have a narrow time frame to arrive and follow more clues to the idol.
• Successful "Survivor" sleuths can enter for a chance to win tickets to the live season finale taping.

Zoom in: Missouri's clue isn't hard — it's just on the other side of the state.

• It's open from 4pm to 9pm today.

💭 Travis' thought bubble: I'm glad they're bringing back the live finale after it was scrapped due to COVID-19.

• Still, I'd rather be on that stage than in the audience.

Flashback: Meet KC "Survivor" winner Danni Boatwright

🏛️ Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern is blocking Gov. Mike Kehoe's nominee to the KC police board, citing concerns about police accountability. (Kansas City Star)

🏙️ Mayor Quinton Lucas was appointed president of the Democratic Mayors Association, a national group representing Democratic mayors across the country. (KSHB)

⚽ A first look at Season 4 of "Ted Lasso" shows that KC scenes made the final cut after filming last summer around the city. (FOX4)

• Go deeper: "Ted Lasso" spotted filming on the Plaza

Groundhog Day is here, which means one thing beyond weather predictions: watching the same day repeat on screen. Here are five time loop movies worth watching.

"Happy Death Day"

A college student relives her birthday, which ends with her murder by a masked killer. Each reset lets her rule out suspects, change choices and survive a little longer.

• 💭 Abbey's thought bubble: Horror is my thing, and this movie nails the balance between ridiculous and unsettling.

"Looper"

In the future, criminals send victims back in time to be killed by hitmen. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a hitman until his target turns out to be his older self, played by Bruce Willis. The movie folds cause and effect into a knot.

• Also, it's set in Kansas!

Groundhog Day

We can't talk about time loop movies without mentioning the OG. Bill Murray plays a TV weatherman sent to Punxsutawney to cover Groundhog Day.

• Murray wakes up on Feb. 2 again and again with no explanation and no escape. Everyone else resets. He doesn't.

More time loop movies

Our friends at Axios Pittsburgh did the hard work so we didn't have to, rounding up what's worth knowing about Punxsutawney Phil.

Fun Phil facts: Punxsutawney Groundhog Club members, aka Phil's power brokers, claim there has only been one Phil since the tradition started 140 years ago — at least 15 times the typical lifespan of a groundhog raised in captivity. As legend goes, his permanent existence comes from an "elixir of life" that isn't shared with his wife, Phyllis, or their pups.

• He has many imitators, but their professionalism varies.

Stunning stat: His loyalists insist he has a perfect forecasting record; scientists put it closer to 35%.

💭 Abbey's thought bubble: I've always been fascinated by this magical oversized rodent, so thanks to Chrissy Suttles for doing the hard reporting.

Go deeper: I did Groundhog Day wrong so you don't have to