Kansas City Friday Follow-Up: Westport Revival, Politics & Weekend Plans

We're working on a couple of important stories for a bit later in the morning . . . Right now we want to share news that's local and worth consideration but, thankfully, might not start debate or spark a slap fight.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Repurposing Iconic Structure

This $250M bid to revive a Midtown historic landmark adds living spaces to Westport school campus

A newly announced development - the largest mixed-use project in Midtown - is expected to bring fresh activity to the vacant hallways of a historic Kansas City school, further anchoring community within a multi-building, street-spanning campus that already includes a Plexpod coworking and events venue.

Lunch Lady Stays Winning

Local woman uses Chiefs signs to help pay off student lunch debt

OLATHE, Kan. - It started back at the AFC Championship game when the Kansas City Chiefs won and moved on to the Super Bowl. The owner of Annie's Barn, LeAnne Stowe was awaiting Chiefs t-shirts, and decided to make signs to sell, instead. Turns out, they were a hit!

Costs Drowning Faith Community

KC church billed thousands for water it says it didn't use. Now its pantry is struggling

Ron Carter has been a member of Linwood United Church in Kansas City for 36 years. In all his time as treasurer, he has never seen water bills like the nearly $2,000 the church owed KC Water in January, or the over $1,800 it owes now.

Show-Me Tax Cut Question

'Does Missouri value seniors or not?': Lawmakers float real property tax exemptions for older Missourians

With costs rising across the board, Missouri lawmakers are considering proposals to bring property tax exemptions for those at retirement age, as part of an effort to provide economic relief to people with fixed or low incomes.

Kansas Progressive Posturing Over Paperwork

The top contender to lead Kansas Democrats is under fire over campaign spending, resume

A candidate endorsed by top Kansas Democrats to lead the state party faces allegations that she failed to pay the campaign manager of her bid for statewide office last year, has exaggerated her credentials and that she spent political donations in unconventional ways.

Show-Me Vice Profit Motive

Kansas City's sports bars hoping Missouri joins the legal sports gambling arena soon

When sports gambling first became legal a little more than a mile away from just across the state line, The Granfalloon didn't think it was a big deal. But it turns out that little by little, The Plaza sports bar started to notice customers were heading for the exits on big sporting days.

Kansas Karen Clause Cont'd

Parental rights bill panned by educators gains traction in Kansas House - Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA - Kansas House lawmakers moved forward on a form of parent's rights legislation, one that would allow parents to pull their children out of any classes they found offensive without repercussions to the child's grades. Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, an Ottawa Republican, introduced an amended form of the bill on the House floor Wednesday.

Local Artsy Renaissance

The Nelson-Atkins is rolling out a new and immersive way to experience classic works of art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is about to give visitors a chance to see classic paintings from a new perspective."It's called A" Beautiful Disruption."We tried to really disrupt the idea of a gallery," Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art's Rachel Nicholson said.

Shining Off

For a KCI shoeshine man, new terminal brings the end of an era

Rick Evans has set up his shoeshine stand near the Delta gates for more than a decade. He's always enjoyed the way a freshly shined pair of shoes seems to complete a sharp outfit. His business was not selected for the new terminal, however.

Cowtown Connection To History

Kansas City man reflects on decades of friendship with former President Jimmy Carter

A Kansas City man is remembering his long friendship with former President Jimmy Carter.Former Jackson County legislator Scott Burnett and his wife Rhonda met unknown candidate Jimmy Carter in 1975.It was long before Carter's big grin was known to most."And I walked up to him.

Pioneer Well Remembered

Honoring, remembering Boston Daniels; first Black police chief of Kansas City, Kansas

KANSAS CITY, ,Kan. - A sunny afternoon at Boston Daniels Park in Kansas City, Kansas reveals that the space has seen better days. Chipped stone, cracked sidewalks, and a sign with a broken post causing it to be slanted to one side honor a man who did his best to keep his community on the straight and narrow.

Ideas For Winter Warmup

10 Things To Do In KC This Weekend, February 23-26

Here are ten great things to do in Kansas City this weekend, February 23-26, including: Ukrainian folk-punk band DakhaBrakha, Japanese performance group Kodo and KC Brew Fest at Union Station.

Royal Considerations Reviewed

Predictions, redux

I was digging around in my archives a few weeks ago and found this piece from November of 2021, when I made ten predictions for the 2022 Royals and the Kansas City sports scene. Usually, a writer tries to forget about those predictions, but I tend to look back now and then and here's how the prognostications fared.

SELFIE CELEBRATION FOREVER!!!

Union Station extends Chiefs photo opportunities through weekend

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Chiefs Kingdom will have one last chance to revel in the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII victory - at least at Kansas City's Union Station. Union Station has been a central place for fans to take photos with Chiefs memorabilia or stock up on merchandise.

JoCo Demands Taco Expansion

Tiki Taco opens third area location in Overland Park - Kansas City Business Journal

Tiki Taco is bringing its California vibe to downtown Overland Park. The planned late summer opening will mark the local restaurant's third area location. "We have pretty lofty goals for this brand," co-owner Lyndon Wade said. "This was never planned to be a one-off taco shop."

Baller Enjoys Finer Things

Tamba Hali traded cleats for beats; former Chiefs linebacker's latest music release runs from the field to the fine arts

Tamba Hali spent his entire 12-year NFL career with Kansas City. Now - as an Afrobeat recording artist - the home of the Chiefs still factors heavily into his career.

Mahomes Wishes Well

Patrick Mahomes defends Eric Bieniemy after criticism: 'One of the greatest coaches of all time'

LeSean McCoy's disparaging remarks about Eric Bieniemy were met with swift backlash. But Bieniemy's most prominent and high-profile supporter came Thursday when two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes gave his former offensive coordinator a rousing endorsement on social media. "There should be no questions on how great of a man/coach Coach Bienemy is.

Helping Pupper In Peril

KC Pet Project and animal control rescue freezing dog from the brink of death

After a call last week to check on an abused animal, KC Pet Project responded and did all they could to save a freezing dog. Some of the images in the video above may be troubling.The animal shelter says the pup likely only had minutes to live when it was rescued by an animal control officer."We all thought that she was deceased," KC Pet Project's Tori Fugate said.

Hype Buffet Inside The loop

Downtown Council to celebrate 'Place Matters' at Annual Luncheon - Downtown Council of Kansas City

The Downtown Council of Kansas City will feature New York Times best-selling author as the keynote speaker for its 2023 Dan Gardner Downtown KC Annual Luncheon in April.

Stepping Up Local Artistry

Setting the Stage channels motion, history through Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey

The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey brought their educational multimedia dance show Setting the Stage to the Gem Theater on Feb. 22, 2023. The show is a look at Black history through the lens of dance and music.

Freezing Forecast For Now

Frigid cold temperatures for your Friday

GEAR, ALL OF IT IS COLDER THAN YESTERDAY. YOU KNOW, BY A LOT AND SOME SPOTS WHERE AT 12 DEGREES HERE IN KANSAS CITY WITH A BRISK NORTH BREEZE, YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL THAT FEELS LIKE NEGATIVE THREE RIGHT NOW IN KANSAS CITY. NEGATIVE FIVE.

Developing . . .