Kansas City News Flare: Flaunting, Elite Love Fest & Culture War

And so we check somewhat nicer and/or bittersweet links for the late night and early morning by way of pop culture, community news and top headlines. 

Check the TKC gathering . . .

Getting Over Kansas City

Not a fan of the new KCI: Counselor offers advice for people facing a fear of flying

Now that the Kansas City International Airport has a new terminal, many want to see it.However, a fear of flying might keep some proud Kansas Citians away from KCI.Doctors say it's a very common phobia but one you can get over.For more than 17 years, University Health counselor Shawn Hollands has been talking to clients about their fear of flying."I think it's rooted more in anxiety," Hollands said.

Local Legends Resonate

Kansas City remembers legacy, mourns loss of two jazz icons

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City says a difficult goodbye to two jazz icons. Ida McBeth and Ronald McFadden both passed away this week. Both had an impact on the Kansas City community and the 18th and Vine Jazz District. Countless jazz legends took the stage at The Blue Room and moved people in more ways than one, including McBeth.

Classroom Life Lesson

This organization helps bring more Black teachers into Kansas City schools

Black students who have at least one Black teacher by the time they're in third grade are much more likely to enroll in college. That's one reason Trinity Davis started Teachers Like Me. She knew it was important for students to have representation in the classroom.

Crediting Cowtown Creators

Hollywood in KC! Missouri bill creates incentives for production companies

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City got some love from Hollywood earlier this year. HBO's smash hit "The Last of Us" featured Kansas City in episodes 4 and 5. While some establishing shots were filmed in Kansas City, scenes with the show's stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey were filmed in Alberta, Canada.

Pressing Artsy Story In The Dotte

The story behind KCK's bizarre iron statue

The story behind Kansas City, Kansas's bizarre iron statue.

Celebrate Lady Much More Successful Than TKC

Four Inane Questions with mom blogger Julie Burton

Courtesy photo She's quick and quippy, snarky and barky. Social media maven Julie Burton has made a cottage industry out of being irreverent online-and she can usually do it in 180 characters or less. In fact, she's been called one of the funniest mom bloggers in Kansas City.

Local Food Flight

These Local Restaurants Will Take Flight at the New Airport Terminal - In Kansas City

After last month's unveiling of the $1.5-billion-dollar terminal at the Kansas City Airport, it has been hard to resist the urge to book a flight going anywhere just for the chance to explore all the new local food and drink options waiting behind the airport security gates.

Hottie Fashions Interest

Bella Thorne graces the cover of Flaunt's January issue

Bella Thorne shared the cover of Flaunt's issue on her Instagram account on Wednesday. In the photo, the 25-year-old actress showed off a significant amount of skin while wearing a very revealing outfit during a photoshoot.

Today's Rigatoni Crisis 

President Biden, first lady's restaurant order sparks strong reactions

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden raised eyebrows when they reportedly ordered the same dish at a posh D.C. restaurant in February. The Bidens went to Red Hen, an Italian restaurant in Bloomingdale. The couple ordered two bowls of the restaurant's signature rigatoni, along with grilled bread and butter, chicory salad and a few glasses of Barbera wine.

MAGA Indulges Homecoming

CPAC is a Trump love fest - he needs it to be

Already there are signs that this year's CPAC might be off to a rocky start. Some Republicans are predicting lower turnout, and at least two attendees said they were contacted this week about purchasing a $375 ticket to the marquee Ronald Reagan Dinner, headlined by Trump acolyte and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.

Lesson In Politics

School culture wars fuel top House GOP bill

House Republicans reintroduced a parental rights in education bill that nods to culture war issues in schools that have fueled enthusiasm on the right over the last few years. Designated by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as H.R. 5 in this Congress, the Parents' Bill of Rights legislation would require schools districts to post curriculum publicly, offer...

RINOS Jump Fence

These four House Republicans broke with the GOP to oppose inflation estimates bill

Four House Republicans broke from the GOP on Wednesday to oppose a bill that would require inflation estimates for certain executive orders signed by President Biden, a measure that Republican leadership brought to the floor in reaction to rising costs - which the party has blamed the White House for.

Far East Tech Bows To White House

TikTok sets a new default screen-time limit for teen users

The tech giant TikTok has announced new safeguards for teen users as social media companies face growing calls to better protect young people online. The changes are meant to help teens limit their screen time and be more intentional about how much of their day they spend on TikTok, the company said on Wednesday.

Vlad Advances

Ukraine clings to Bakhmut but time may be running out as Russians advance

March 2 (Reuters) - Ukrainian forces hung onto their positions in the ruined eastern city of Bakhmut early on Thursday under constant attack from Russian troops amid signs time might be running out. Russia says seizing Bakhmut would open the way to fully controlling the rest of the strategic Donbas industrial region bordering Russia, one of the main objectives of its invasion a year ago on Feb.

Tech Fight For Future

'Four Battlegrounds' shaping the U.S. and China's AI race

Artificial intelligence has already brought us killer robots, chat bots that can pen government speeches, programs that can process data faster than our mammalian minds, and software that can make apparently original art upon request. So it makes sense that world powers are racing to dominate this new technological landscape.

Axis Arms Race Ahead

What could Chinese artillery and ammo mean for Putin's war in Ukraine?

While it was difficult to ascertain the current level of ammunition stocks at Russia's disposal, O'Brien said, "They certainly have used far more than they were originally thinking." Russia was firing about 20,000 artillery rounds a day, a senior U.S. official told NBC News in November.

Star Suffered Tragic Attack

Jena Malone Reveals She Was Sexually Assaulted by 'Someone I Had Worked with' While Making Hunger Games

Jena Malone is sharing her truth. In an Instagram post Tuesday, the 38-year-old actress said she was dealing with "a swirling mix of emotions" as she posted a photo from the French countryside, taken immediately after wrapping 2015's The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 , the final film in the blockbuster series.

Hip-Hop Endures COVID Crisis

Macklemore gets candid on addiction, relapse amid COVID shutdown: 'I listened to that voice'

Macklemore is opening up about his struggles with addiction and recent relapse. The rapper, 39, revealed on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" that he relapsed when the COVID-19 pandemic kept him from attending in-person 12-step meetings.

Social Media Poking & Prodding For Security Vulnerabilities 

Why Are 'Porn Stars' Liking Your Instagram Stories?

A cybersecurity expert explains those strange but flattering notifications.

Local Elite Party For The Bard

HASF Romantic Revels Gala 2023 - In Kansas City

Romantic Revels, a benefit for the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (HASF), was held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza on February 11th. Guests enjoyed cocktails, a gourmet dinner, a silent auction, and dancing.

Roller Coaster Rollback

Here's your chance to be among the first riders of the new Zambezi Zinger

Hide Transcript Show Transcript LEARN MORE. SOMETHING NEW AND EXCITING IS ALMOST READY FOR THRILL SEEKERS. ME IN KANSAS CITY. THE NEWLY IMAGINED ZAMBEZI ZEGNA ZINGER AT WORLDS OF FUN IN A NEW CONTEST, THE THEME PARK IS LOOKING FOR THE ROLLER COASTERS.

High Class Local Schedule

Four Art Events Not to Miss in March - In Kansas City

Captured Through April 30 at the World War I Museum, you can witness a side of war too often neglected-the experience of soldiers who are captured and the enemy who captured them. From 1914 to 1918, nearly 9-million people were prisoners of war around the world, as the fighting erupted in western Europe as well...

Farewell To Classy Furball

Bandit Barnardo

Hear ye, hear ye! A fine canine has departed this Earth.Bandit Barnardo launched himself over the rainbow bridge, via an endless supply of noxious gasses, straight into black hole form. A large void, if you will. For eleven years, Bandit lovingly wrapped his stink around our family and friends.

Ahead Of The Storm . . . 

Quiet night ahead of upcoming rain and snow

ROAD CONDITIONS YOU MENTIONED. WE DO HAVE A LIGHT MIX THAT WE'LL BE WATCHING. THEY'LL START DEVELOPING HERE OVER THE NEXT REALLY FEW HOURS. WE'RE ALREADY SEEING SOME OF THAT ON RADAR. A LOT OF IT NOT QUITE MAKING IT DOWN TO THE GROUND COMPLETELY, BUT THAT WILL BE CHANGING, HEADING THROUGH THE EVENING.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.