Kansas City Friday Link Pool: Sanctions, Suburban Inferno & Staying Dry

Amid this otherwise freezing Friday we celebrate hottie Olivia and her fashionista body of work as we check pop culture, community news and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Hipsters Help Locals Stay Sober

SipSteady's Dry Vibes Weekend marks the start of a sober sensation in KC

Dry Vibes Weekend. // photo by Samantha Levi A sober Virgil in a bright white pants and blazer over a leather half tank, Sarah Pretorius guides me through a darkened room populated by neon half-lit figures flitting around a first-floor room of The Fontaine Hotel and into the world of the zero-proof lifestyle.

Suburban Blaze Report

Lee's Summit duplex fire under investigation as suspicious

Authorities in Lee's Summit, along with the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office, are investigating a Thursday night duplex fire believed to be suspicious. According to a release from the Lee's Summit Fire Department, firefighters were called to a duplex near Northwest Maple Street and Northwest Main Street.

Local History Well Remembered

Flipping through pages of Kansas City Black History project

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Black history in Kansas City often centers around longtime journalist and activist Lucile Bluford , 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and Henry Perry , the father of Kansas City barbecue. But these figures only make up a fraction of Black lives that helped place Kansas City on the map, which is where the "Kansas City Black History" project comes in.

Advocacy Amid Conflict

Kansas City's Ukrainian community doesn't want you to forget about the Russian war

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine last February, the Ukrainian Club of Kansas City knew it had to act. The community group came together to create Stand With Ukraine KC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing aid for Ukrainians both here and abroad.

Tech Connects Kansas City Voters

KC candidates focus of virtual election forums

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Absentee voting is open for registered voters who fall into one of six categories. No excuse early voting for all registered voters in Missouri begins March 21. The Kansas City, Missouri, primary will take place on April 4. Voters will chose a mayor and candidates to fill all 12 city council seats.

Fashion Icon & Baller Beau Good Life Pix

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey spend a romantic vacation in Mexico

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers are enjoying the vacation season on the beaches of Los Cabos in Mexico. Culpo posted stories on her social media accounts showing Olivia and her sister Sophia on a yacht while sunbathing in bikinis.

Prez Confronts Critical Questions

Biden faces political threat with East Palestine train derailment

President Biden and the White House face a political threat over the fallout from the administration's response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment that has left residents of East Palestine, Ohio, scared and frustrated. Republicans have gone on the attack over the Feb. 3 derailment, questioning the urgency of the administration's response and asking why...

White House Talks Russian Crackdown

Biden to announce sweeping new sanctions against Russia one year into Ukraine war

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden plans to announce sweeping new sanctions Friday against Russia on the one-year anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the measures will target "key sectors that generate revenue for Putin," additional Russian banks, Russia's defense technology industry and actors in third-party countries attempting to evade U.S.

MAGA Still Rules GOP

Trump set to remain 2024 favorite as GOP rivals walk on eggshells

The GOP's 2024 presidential field has an inertia problem. The big picture: Former President Trump is a wounded front-runner who Republicans privately fear will lose to President Biden if he's the nominee. But he won't go away until a Republican challenger steps into the middle of the ring to dislodge him, and so far, every viable contender is pulling their punches.

Confronting Identity Politics

Rep. Judy Chu hits back at Texas Republican over 'racist' remarks questioning her loyalty to U.S.

Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, blasted GOP Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas on Thursday over comments he made this week questioning her loyalty to the United States.

South Of The Border Party Time In Peril

Is Mexico travel safe? What to know about visiting Cabo, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and more

With its warm climate, beautiful beaches and proximity to the U.S., Mexico is a popular tourist destination for many Americans. However, recent incidents may have some people wondering if they should reconsider their travel plans. During the past few months, taxi drivers have been harassing Ubers in Cancun and there was the death of three Americans in Mexico City in October.

European War Anniversary Marked

Grief and defiance in Kyiv on first anniversary of war in Ukraine

iudmyla Bikus recalled how she had tried to dissuade her son Andrii from joining the army. That was in March, weeks after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, one year ago today. "Andrii told me: 'Mum if I don't go then who will?'" Bikus said. She added: "He was a golden boy.

Culture War Ruined Vaxx

Celebrities may have helped shape anti-vaccine opinions during Covid-19 pandemic, study finds | CNN

Covid-19 vaccines are known to be safe and effective, and they're available for free, but many Americans in the US refuse to get them -- and a recent study suggests that celebrities may share some of the blame for people's mistrust.

Another Hollywood Snow Job

Los Angeles under first blizzard warning since 1989

Parts of usually balmy southern California are under their first blizzard warning since 1989. Forecasters are predicting record snowfall of up to 8ft (2.4m) in mountains to the east of Los Angeles by Saturday. A massive storm has already brought major blizzards and temperatures below freezing to much of the northern US.

Audience Demand Grizzly Entertainment

Box Office: 'Cocaine Bear' Earns $2 Million in Previews

" Cocaine Bear " is snorting up a solid opening weekend. The R-rated action-comedy earned $2 million in Thursday previews at the domestic box office. Universal's bloody, real-life tale about a black bear on a cocaine-fueled rampage is projected to open with $15 million to $17 million this weekend.

Will Audiences Connect With Tech Smut?!?

AI is transforming porn industry: It 'will never be as interesting'

A new type of pornstar is coming - in more ways than one. Amid fears Chat GPT will put white-collar workers out of their jobs, epic advances in artificial intelligence technology could also render X-rated entertainers obsolete in the near future.

KC Fed Data Shows SLIGHT Progress

Tenth District Manufacturing Activity Was Flat in February

Download Article Tenth District manufacturing activity was flat, and expectations for future activity were modest (Chart 1, Tables 1 & 2). Monthly and annual survey price indexes continued to increase slightly, and expectations for future raw material and finished goods prices also rose.

Coach Talks Exit Strategy

'It was time to move on': Eric Bieniemy explains why he left Chiefs for Commanders

ASHBURN, Va. - Many supporters of Eric Bieniemy, including those who have seen his coaching career as an indictment on the shortage of racial diversity among NFL head coaches, were disappointed he joined the Washington Commanders as the offensive coordinator, the same job he held with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City Super Bowl Cost Cutting Time Arrives

The Chiefs need salary-cap space. Where can they find it?

While various sources currently disagree about the Kansas City Chiefs' current salary-cap space, they absolutely agree the team will need more as it enters the offseason. Arrowhead Pride currently estimates the Chiefs are $526,000 under the cap - though other analysts believe Kansas City is now somewhat over the cap.

Meet Local Queen Of Keyboard

Four Inane Questions with freelance rockstar Julie Cortés

Courtesy photo Human thesaurus-and self-proclaimed freelance rockstar-Julie Cortés is one of the metro's most prolific writers. In fact, she "lives, breathes, teaches, speaks, and coaches on all things creative self-employment," says Cortés. Besides running her own business for 25 years, Cortés is the founder and president of The Freelance Exchange of KC-a professional trade organization for advertising/marketing freelancers.

Possiblity Of Freezing Rain Or Maybe Snow Tonight

Freezing drizzle possible Friday evening, temperatures warm up for the weekend

A wide variety of weather is possible for the Kansas City area over the next 48 hours. Friday evening could be a little messy on the roads. Freezing drizzle and sleet are possible from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. Light ice accumulation is possible, and some surfaces could become slick.

Quasi - Doomscrollers is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.