Kansas City News Look: West Bottoms Rise, Remain In Mexico Stands & COVID Redux

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Speculators Stays Winning

Developer has big plans for West Bottoms - if Kansas City approves

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - City leaders will consider whether to allow a developer to build apartments, a hotel, and office space in Kansas City's West Bottoms. New York-based SomeraRoad Inc. previously said it envisions a five-phase redevelopment of more than 20 acres it now owns or controls in the historic district.

Meet The News Bosses

10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023

The newsmakers featured in Startland News' Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023 list are no strangers to our readers or their fellow entrepreneurs. They range from healthtech and sales platforms to scaling apparel brands to Esports and NFT startups and even the list's first-ever founder featured on two Startups to Watch roundups - with different ventures.

Show-Me War Against TikTok

Missouri mom says TikTok trend almost killed son

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City area mother said a TikTok trend almost killed her son. Siobhan Foreman said that and peer pressure from a classmate convinced Jonah Paige to take something nicknamed "happy pills." Foreman said happy pills are homemade drugs that kids make by mixing over the counter meds.

Weed Cases Dry Up

Kansas City municipal courts now have zero open marijuana cases. Here's what that means

Kansas City's municipal courts now have zero open or pending marijuana cases, according to city officials. Since Amendment 3 passed on Nov. 8, the city's municipal courts have worked to either dismiss or waive the fees and penalties of open and pending marijuana cases in the city.

H&R Block Sell Off

jeff-jones-hr-block-ceo-stock-sales - Kansas City Business Journal

The CEO of H&R Block Inc. recently sold shares worth more than $3.5 million. Jeff Jones reported selling shares in the Kansas City-based tax preparation giant on two consecutive days this week. On Tuesday, he sold 18,009 shares of H&R Block stock (NYSE: HRB) at an average price of approximately $42.11, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Hottie Brightens Holiday

Dana Hamm Stuns In Revealing Red Body Suit For Christmas

Following her vacation to sunny Tahiti, fitness model Dana Hamm is getting in the Christmas mood. The social media star, who has amassed over 2 million followers on Instagram alone, recently took to the platform to share a red Christmas-inspired bodysuit look with her adoring fans. "Does this qualify as a holiday look?"

Rumors Of War

Biden official told members of Congress Ukraine has ability to retake Crimea

A Biden administration official recently told members of Congress that Ukraine has the military capability to retake Crimea, but some officials are concerned any large-scale offensive that threatens Russia's hold on the peninsula could push Vladimir Putin to use nuclear weapons, say two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

Border Debate Cont'd

US judge blocks Biden bid to end 'Remain in Mexico' policy

AMARILLO, Texas -- A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from ending a Trump-era policy requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas stayed the termination until legal challenges by Texas and Missouri are settled but didn't order the policy reinstated.

Deciding Democracy

Democrats introduce bill to bar Trump from ever holding federal office again

Forty-one Democrats introduced legislation to ban former President Donald Trump from ever holding federal office again. Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-RI), a senior member of the House Committee on the Judiciary and former impeachment manager, authored the legislation. In the bill, Cicilline argues that the Jan.

Crypto Connections Exposed

These lawmakers probing FTX's collapse got donations from Sam Bankman-Fried and cronies

Accused crypto crook Sam Bankman-Fried and his FTX associates pumped nearly $95,000 in donations to at least 11 members of the House Financial Services Committee ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, federal records show. The string of individual campaign donations has raised eyebrows given the 11 lawmakers serve on the committee currently probing last month's collapse of the FTX crypto exchange.

Serving Strike Today

Starbucks workers plan a 3-day walkout at 100 U.S. stores in a unionization effort

Starbucks workers around the U.S. are planning a three-day strike starting Friday as part of their effort to unionize the coffee chain's stores. More than 1,000 baristas at 100 stores are planning to walk out, according to Starbucks Workers United, the labor group organizing the effort.

Elon Against Newsies As Many Conservatives Claim Vindication

Twitter just banned a wave of prominent journalists with no explanation

On Thursday evening, Twitter suspended a number of prominent journalists on the platform without warning or explanation.

VLAD ATTACKS!!!

Russia launches 'major missile attack' on Ukrainian energy facilities, infrastructure in multiple cities

Explosions were reported in at least three Ukrainian cities Friday as authorities said Russia launched a "major missile attack" on energy facilities and infrastructure. Local authorities on social media app Telegram said air raid alarms sounded across the country as explosions were reported in the capital of Kyiv, southern Kryvyi Rih and northeastern Kharkiv.

Pandemic Comeback 2022

COVID-19 is about to explode in China. What that could mean for the United States.

China is likely to see an explosion of COVID-19 cases in coming weeks, experts say, as the country lifts its long-standing and highly unpopular zero-COVID policy. China is extremely vulnerable right now because its population - especially older adults, who are the most likely to suffer severe disease - is undervaccinated, has no natural immunity from infection and a limited supply of treatments.

Humanity Trashes Universe

Space debris expert: Orbits will be lost-and people will die-later this decade

Up until about a decade ago, an average of 80 to 100 satellites per year were launched into varying orbits. Some reentered Earth's atmosphere quickly, while others will remain in orbit for decades. This now seems quaint.

Artsy Hearts From Many

Kansas City's Parade of Hearts is returning in 2023 with 'a very diverse collection' of artists

As executive director Jenn Nussbeck puts it: "Kansas City really took the Parade of Hearts to heart." The idea for a public art installation of 5-foot-tall heart sculptures designed by Kansas City artists launched in 2021. This year, more than 150 hearts were installed in tourist destinations and neighborhoods across the metro.

Nippy Out There . . .

Cold, blustery in the metro Friday

Hide Transcript Show Transcript NICK: IT IS A COLD MORNING. IT IS A WIND DRIVEN CULT AS WELL. WIND CHILL VALUES DONE IN THE LOW TEENS. POSSIBLY HERE IN KANSAS CITY IT IS 26 DEGREES WEST WIND AT 13 MILES PER HOUR THERE WILL BE OCCASIONAL GUSTS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE SUSTAINED WIND.

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