Kansas City Friday Night News Lights

For our most dedicated denizens of the discourse, we share this peek at pop culture, community news and info from across the nation and around the world . . .

Kansas City Brew Backstory Well Remembered

Now a global brand, learn about Boulevard Brewery's Kansas City origin story

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Boulevard Brewery is one of the most iconic brands in Kansas City. The brewery's story begins in a bar in Paris in 1984. Kansas native John McDonald tried Belgian beer for the first time and was blown away. He returned home motivated by a new idea.

Winning Votes In The Dotte

Wyandotte County women's group leads drive-thru voter registration effort

WYANDOTTE COUNTY (KCTV) -- A group of Kansas City, Kansas, women are hitting the streets to get more people registered to vote ahead of the next deadline, all without voters having to get out of their cars.

Meth Town First Responder Suffers Pandemic Threat

Independence firefighter tests positive for coronavirus

by: FOX 4 Newsroom Posted: / Updated: INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - A firefighter has tested positive for the coronavirus, the City of Independence said in a statement on June 26. The announcement comes in the wake of several recent outbreaks and a total of 1,100 positive cases in eastern Jackson County to date.

Angels Relinquish Jewel Of Asia

Victoria's Secret Closes Hong Kong Flagship

Victoria's Secret has closed its Hong Kong flagship less than two years after its opening, another sign that the is wreaking havoc on the global retail industry. The lingerie giant's store - located in the city's luxury shopping area Causeway Bay - went dark Wednesday evening with a note posted to the door, informing shoppers of the decision.

Democratic Party Might Not Have To Wait Too Long For Biden Blunder

The election is 'Biden's to lose' as Trump alienates voters, says longtime GOP pollster

Joe Biden's Democratic campaign for the White House has gotten a boost lately because President Donald Trump is alienating voters with his divisive rhetoric, longtime Republican pollster Frank Luntz told CNBC on Friday. "This election is absolutely not over. But it's Joe Biden's to lose," Luntz said in a "Squawk Box" interview.

Forbidden European Vacay

Europe will bar Americans traveling from the US as the coronavirus pandemic spirals out of control in the states

The European Union will bar Americans from traveling to its member states because of the United States' handling of the coronavirus pandemic, The New York Times reported the development on Friday. The US is among dozens of countries excluded from a list of safe countries whose citizens may travel to Europe once the bloc reopens its borders on July 1.

Drug War Cont'd

Mexico City police chief shot in assassination attempt, blames drug cartel

MEXICO CITY - Mexico City's chief of police was shot and injured and two of his bodyguards killed in a dramatic assassination attempt early on Friday that he quickly blamed on one of Mexico's most powerful drug gangs, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

China Pushback Underway

Pompeo: US imposes restrictions on Chinese Communist Party leaders undermining Hong Kong autonomy

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced new restrictions against members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Friday, declaring that the U.S. has banned visas for CCP members affiliated with the obstruction of Hong Kong's autonomy. "President Trump promised to punish the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials who were responsible for eviscerating Hong Kong's freedoms," Pompeo said in a statement Friday.

WIDOWS CLOSED!!!

Microsoft to permanently close all of its retail stores

Microsoft is giving up on physical retail. Today the company announced plans to permanently close all Microsoft Store locations in the United States and around the world, except for four locations that will be "reimagined" as experience centers that no longer sell products.

Cowtown Ford Tough Redux

Ford plays it safe with revamped F-150, focuses on interior

DETROIT -- Six years ago, Ford made a Texas-size wager on the top-selling vehicle in America, rolling out a radical new version of the F-Series pickup with a lighter aluminum body instead of the customary steel. Now it's time for another revamp, and Ford is playing it safe with the company's crown jewel.

Meet New Activist

Rachel Gonzalez on the Streetwise podcast hell yeahhh

Rachel R. Gonzalez marching. // Photo courtesy Gonzalez. This week on the Streetwise podcast we have a reading of Liz Cook's Pandemic Body piece from our most recent issue, music from The Welterweights, and an interview with local political activist Rachel R. Gonzalez.

Clouds Move In Tonight

Heavy rain, severe thunderstorms possible overnight in Kansas City area

Good evening! We're Weather Aware overnight Friday into Saturday because as this stationary boundary approaches, strong to severe thunderstorms with heavy rain are possible. We're going to have to be a bit patient, however. I think it's well after midnight until this stuff even starts to fire up.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now . . .