Kansas City Thursday Night News Link Sit Down: Blame Game & Goodbye Big Ragu

Right now we hope that close readers of the blog will enjoy this not-too-late remembrance of an iconic Jenny McCarthy advert clap back as we share not-too-late news from today that we didn't have time to debate . . . 

For insomniacs and early morning newshounds: TKC shares community news, pop culture and top headlines . . . 

Local Biz Enjoys Comeback Despite Omicron Threat

Locally owned KC businesses jolly about holiday sales

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - Nationwide, Black Friday shopping sales numbers for 2021 failed to improve to pre-pandemic levels. In Kansas City, we found the opposite when surveying some small, local businesses in Brookside. All three business owners said 2021 was better than both 2020 and 2019.

Courthouse Convenience 

Jackson County extends weekend hours for tax collection

For the fourth straight year, Jackson County will offer extended weekend hours for tax collection at the historic courthouse in Independence on two Saturdays in December. The Historic Truman Courthouse, located at 112 W. Lexington in Independence, will be open from 8 a.m. - Noon on December 11 and December 18.

Show-Me Former Guv Shame Spiral

Watchdog files 2nd complaint against Senate hopeful Greitens

A federal elections watchdog group on Wednesday filed another complaint against former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, alleging that money from his old gubernatorial campaign was illegally spent on kickstarting his campaign to run for retiring U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt's seat.

Teaching Rock Chalk Life Lesson

Schmidt: Kansas universities violating state's new COVID law

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has notified state education officials that some public universities are violating a state law passed last week that loosened requirements for obtaining medical and religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccinations.Schmidt wrote a letter last week to Kansas Board of Regents President Blake Flanders, with copies sent to the University of Kansas Chancellor Doug Girod and Kansas State University President Richard Myers.Schmidt said "at least some" public universities are violating the new law but specifically mentioned the University of Kansas and Kansas State.

MO Debate Over News

Records: Missouri planned to thank glitch-finding journalist

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Just before Missouri Gov. Mike Parson condemned a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter for exposing a state database flaw, records show the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education was instead preparing to thank him for finding the glitch.

Kansas City Health Check

Local man who never smoked pushes for lung cancer awareness after diagnosis

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- November was lung cancer awareness month. A local man is working to raise awareness and change perceptions here in Kansas City. Don Gallagher is fighting stage 3b lung cancer which has slowly metastisized.

Battling Late Night Blaze

Firefighters in Johnson County battle large house fire Spring Hill

SPRING HILL, KS (KCTV) --- Firefighters in Johnson County battled a significant fire late Thursday night. The fire was reported in the 18000 Block of W. 207th Street in Spring Hill. The fire began around 10 p.m. on Thursday. There's no reports yet of injuries.

Meth Town Tribute Despite Renewed Pandemic Fear

The Truman Library finally reopens after massive renovation and COVID-19 shutdown

Thursday is the reopening of the reopening of the Harry S. Truman presidential library and museum. After a long renovation, the library opened in early July. Then it closed up shop again before the end of the month because of the pandemic.It's been a long time in the works, but barring something unforeseen, this opening of the Truman Library should be for good.The library closed for a massive renovation in July of 2019.

Hottie Jenny Reconsidered

I Am Genuinely Curious If You Think These 35 Extremely Divisive Celebrities Are Karens Or Not

"I'd like to see the manager" -literally any of these famous people.

Can't Blame MAGA Anymore?!?

Analysis: Why Donald Trump won't save Democrats in 2022

Tying Republican candidates to former President Donald Trump won't save Democrats from a midterm Armageddon, according to one prominent party pollster.

White House Plans 'Science & Speed" Against COVID

Biden unveils 'winter plan' for fighting Omicron variant

46th and current president of the United States WASHINGTON - Just hours after Minnesota public health officials confirmed the nation's second case of the Omicron variant, President Biden unveiled a "winter plan" intended to combat the new coronavirus strain in the coming months.

Playing For Time

House passes bill to fund government, sending measure to avoid shutdown to the Senate

WASHINGTON - The House passed a bill Thursday to fund the government through Feb. 18 as Congress tries to stave off a shutdown that could happen Friday if lawmakers don't act. The temporary spending bill will now head to the Senate, where it will need to pass by Friday night to avoid a shutdown, which would result in the furlough of thousands of workers.

Hedgehog Endures Tragic Pr0n Life Endgame

Ron Jeremy Gets New May 2 Trial Date in Los Angeles County Rape Case

Jailed porn star Ron Jeremy has a new trial date in his serial rape case - and a new lawyer on his defense team. At a hearing in Los Angeles Wednesday, the adult film industry veteran agreed to push the start of his planned jury trial from late February to May 2.

GOODBYE BIG RAGU!!!

Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley' actor, dies at 69

Eddie Mekka, famous for his role as Carmine Ragusa on the sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," has died. He was 69. Mekka died at his home in Newhall, California, his brother, Warren Mekjian, told NBC News. It was unclear how or when he died, but Mekjian said there was no indication his death was suspicious and that he died on Friday or Saturday.

Iconic Kansas City Road Lives On

Benton Boulevard still a picturesque drive

By Michael Bushnell By 1912, Kansas City's parks and boulevards system had a budget of a little over $7 million per year. The Kessler-designed system of parks connected by wide, tree lined boulevards was a big hit with the citizenry.

Cowtown Feast Shared

The 9 Best New Restaurants in Kansas City

To make a list of Kansas City's best new restaurants, we looked at places that have opened since March 2020. We paid our own way and did not announce ourselves. We picked restaurants that offer an exceptional dining experience and enrich the city's cultural landscape.

Kegger Enjoys Career Highlight

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce second overall in Pro Bowl voting

by: Juan Cisneros Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce looks to be headed to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl! The All-Pro tight end is second overall in Pro Bowl fan voting, so far, behind Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (126,807).

Wildcat Icon Tell-All Debuts

New book on Bill Snyder is more than just about his career at KSU

Hide Transcript Show Transcript IT'S MUCH MORE PERSONAL. YOU KNOWN ILL A HONESTY. I HAVEN'T READ IT. I DON'T THAT'S NOT SURPRISING SINCE THIS NEW BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY A FRIEND WHO HAD LTOS HIS JOB AND COACH SNYDER. WANTED TO HELP HIM OUT.

News For Local Nerds

Planet Comicon KC announces first batch of celebrity guests for 2022

Adam Savage is coming to town. He's like Santa, but smarter. // Courtesy Planet Comicon KC Planet Comicon Kansas City will officially return for its 22nd year from April 22-24, 2022, at Bartle Hall. The first batch of celebrity and creator guests were first announced in late November, with more names rolling out over the next several months.

AFC Domination Undisclosed

Shh! Denver Broncos mum on 11-game losing streak to Chiefs

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - The Denver Broncos have lost 11 consecutive games to the Kansas City Chiefs since scoring two touchdowns in the final 36 seconds for a stunning 31-24 win at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 27, 2015.

As Always, Enjoy It For Now...

Record high temps won't stick around

Hide Transcript Show Transcript EXCLUSIVE LIVE RADAR AND NINE-DAY SO YOU WILL KNOW FIRST. THIS IS FIRST ALERT WEATH.ER KELLY: I CANNOT BELIEVE THE TEMPERATURES. LARA: I WAS GOING TO SAY REMIND US IT IS DECEMBER. KELLY: WELCOME BACK, BRIAN. BRYAN: GOOD TO BE BACK, FULL OF SEAFOOD FROM THE WES CTOAST.

Billboard #1 in December of 1991 Michael Jackson - Black Or White was the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for tonight . . .