Kansas City Overview: Road Work, Covid Mask Redux & World Vs. Vlad

For right now we share a bunch of stuff we've been thinking about today for our late night denizens as we consider pop culture, community news and headlines ahead of the morning update.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Street Life Weekend Ahead

Urgent bridge repairs to impact I-70 in KC this weekend

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Urgent repairs needed for a section of Interstate 70 will impact weekend traffic. The Missouri Department of Transportation said crews will work to repair expansion joints on the Manchester Bridge. The repair work will impact the far right lane of eastbound Interstate 70 along the Manchester Bridge.

Tech Creeper Captured

Man who traveled to KC to have sex with 12-year-old from Instagram will spend decade in prison

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - An Ohio man who traveled to Kansas City to have sex with a 12-year-old girl he saw on Instagram will spend a decade in prison after unwittingly messaging her mother and an FBI employee. The U.S. Department of Justice said 35-year-old Timothy M.

Show-Me Candidate Showdown

Eric Greitens' custody case scheduled for court developments Friday

Former Missouri Gov. and U.S. Senate Candidate Eric Greitens' attorney filed a list of exhibits to defend his client ahead of a scheduled trial in Greitens' custody arrangement case with his ex-wife. In the case, Sheena Greitens, under oath, has accused Greitens of abusive behavior toward her and their children.

Quick Kansas Tech Turnaround

De Soto: Panasonic battery plant could open in just two years

DE SOTO, Kan. - Nine-thousand acres. That's how big the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant site is. Panasonic's new electronic vehicle battery facility is supposed to cover just 300 acres of it, less than 10%. "There's still environmental remediation going on on portions of the property," City Administrator Mike Brungardt said in an interview with FOX4 Thursday.

Sister Chefs Earn Retirement

The sisters behind Kansas City's Jones Bar-B-Q say they're calling it a career

Jones Bar-B-Q drew national attention thanks to an appearance on the Netflix revival of "Queer Eye."The sisters who own the restaurant have now put it up for sale. In a surprise announcement, the sisters say they're getting out of the barbecue business.For the past four decades, the Jones sisters have been cooking, chopping and serving up barbecue in Kansas City.

Hottie Hits Half Century Mark

Sofia Vergara turns 50: A look at how the star rose to fame in Hollywood

Sofia Vergara is 50! The Colombian actress and model's rise to fame in Hollywood is different from other celebrities. From being approached on a beach in Colombia for a Pepsi commercial to being the highest paid actress in the world in 2020, Vergara experienced challenges along the way.

White House Dislike Trending

What's Behind Biden's Record-Low Approval Rating?

In games such as golf, you win by scoring lower than any of your opponents. But in the realm of presidential job approval, such an approach is a recipe for political upheaval, as President Biden has found over the past few months.

Triumphant Lady Remembered

Ivana Trump, Former Wife of Donald Trump, Is Dead at 73

She helped build his real estate empire, and the two became known as New York's quintessential 1980s power couple. Ivana Trump, the glamorous Czech-American businesswoman whose high-profile marriage to Donald J. Trump in the 1980s established them as one of New York's quintessential power couples of that era, died on Thursday at her home in Manhattan.

Flack Directs American Angst

Kellyanne Conway says neither Kamala nor Biden 'inspire confidence or demonstrate competence'

Former Trump senior counselor Kellyanne Conway went after Democrats on " Hannity" Thursday for their "terrible" policies as Americans nationwide continue to feel the effects of inflation.

Loyal Opposition Stays Winning

Manchin won't support climate or tax provisions in Democrats' economic bill

Sen. Joe Manchin and his staff told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his staff "unequivocally" on Thursday the West Virginia Democrat won't support the climate or tax provisions of a Democratic economic package that the two had been negotiating for months, according to two sources familiar with the talks.

COVID Mask Comeback

More than 1 in 2 Americans now live in an area where CDC urges indoor masking to curb COVID-19 surges

More than half of Americans now live in communities where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges indoor masking and other measures to curb a surge in COVID-19, according to figures published Thursday by the agency. Fifty-five percent of the country's population now live in areas of "high" COVID-19 Community Levels, up from 32% last week, according to the CDC's weekly update.

Nations Align Against Russia

Forty-five nations pledge to coordinate evidence of war crimes in Ukraine

THE HAGUE, July 14 (Reuters) - The United States and more than 40 other countries agreed on Thursday to coordinate investigations into suspected war crimes in Ukraine, shortly after what Kyiv said was a Russian missile strike that killed civilians far from front lines.

Hard Times Just Getting Started

Recession Fears Fuel Layoffs: Here Are The Major U.S. Ones So Far

Major U.S. companies laid off thousands of employees so far this summer, as CEOs fear soaring inflation could bring the economy into a recession. Many experts warned the U.S. may be headed toward recession following reports the economy contracted 1.6% in the first quarter of the year.

Billionaires Keep It In Family

Elon Musk's dad, 76, confirms secret second child - with his stepdaughter

Elon Musk's lusty dad, Errol, has finally revealed he sired a secret second love child with his glamorous stepdaughter, Jana Bezuidenhout. The Musk patriarch, 76, welcomed the baby girl with Jana, 35, back in 2019 - but only confirmed the news on Wednesday, bragging to the Sun: "The only thing we are on Earth for is to reproduce."

Little Lover Measures Up

My short husband is mocked for his size - but it makes sex so much better

"Short kings" aren't just reserved for spring anymore. Take it from Jesika - a 30-year-old woman from Arizona, who towers 6 inches over her 5-foot-1 husband, Hunter. Being 5 feet 7, Jesika was "a little shocked" by their height difference when the Arizona couple first met in 2020, but now height is just a number.

Lineman Calls It Career

Former Chiefs tackle Mitchell Schwartz announces retirement from NFL

Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz has announced his retirement from the NFL, releasing the news through a tweet on Thursday. "I'm officially retiring from the NFL," said Schwartz. "It's been almost two years since I injured my back. I had surgery last February and have been doing rehab ever since.

Classic Rock Contradiction

Kansas won't play in Kansas this weekend

BONNER SPRINGS, Kan. - Fans waiting to see Kansas with guests 38 Special are out of luck. The bands canceled Friday's concert in Camdenton, Missouri, and Saturday's concert in Bonner Springs at Azura Amphitheater. The concert is canceled because members of the Kansas band and others touring with the band tested positive for COVID-19.

Artsy Gift To Kansas City

Heirs of historic KC artist donate five of his paintings to the Nelson-Atkins

The family of Kansas City artist and educator Leonard Pryor are gifting five of the late artist's works to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.Pryor, who died in 2015 at the age of 91, was the first Black student enrolled at the Kansas City Art Institute."He was the first Black student enrolled at the Kansas City Art Institute, he organized exhibitions of Black artists, and he was also the first Black to be named Dean of Students at KCAI," The CEO & Directors of the Nelson-Atkins Julián Zugazagoitia, Menefee D.

Local Winner Chokes It Down

HOT DOG! Royals fan completes 18 Dollar Dog Night challenge

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Admittedly, 18-year-old Jack Shaw says he isn't that much of a baseball fan. But on Tuesday, July 12, the Overland Park native chose to go root on his hometown Kansas City Royals, but with a twist.

Cowtown Upscale Accommodation Sneak Peek

Eat, Play & Stay at 21c Museum Hotel

Nestled between the River Market and Power & Light District, 21c Museum Hotel is a 120-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, and historic restaurant all in one. Known for their sky blue penguins, outstanding exhibitions of contemporary art, and the newly reimagined Savoy restaurant, 21c is the ideal base to explore the City of Fountains.

Forecast For Now . . .

Weekend rain chances arrive early Friday

Kansas City is mostly clear, with lows near 70 overnight Thursday.A complex of some showers and thunderstorms are possible Friday morning into the early afternoon.Additional chances for storms push in Saturday evening into early Sunday. Highs will be mainly in the low 90s through the weekend. Hotter temperatures will arrive in the coming week.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.