Kansas City Rise: MAGA Epstein Name Game & Fighting Future

Most of the work on the blog today was performed behind the scenes.

However . . .

We'll always love our shift worker & insomniac readers most of all . . . And so we wanted to share a few tidbits we've been checking by way of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

We hope to have more for the morning update . . .  

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Another EPIC Local Hangout 

New 90,000-square-foot entertainment venue coming to Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City

A new entertainment venue is coming to Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Golden Ghetto Tribute

Overland Park woman swept away in flash floods remembered as a 'servant of the poor'

Loved ones gathered to remember the 62-year-old woman who died in flash flooding in Overland Park this week. Anupama Vaidya's journal entries, on display at her funeral, showed a persistent penning from a philosopher's heart.

Today's Disaster Averted

Kansas City, Missouri, firefighters credit employees for preventing 'disastrous fire'

Firefighters in Kansas City, Missouri, are crediting the actions of quick-thinking employees in preventing what could have been a "disastrous fire" Wednesday afternoon.

Neighbors Fight Future Flights

Cass Co. Commissioners weigh feedback on Arrowhead Airpark development

Cass County Commissioners considered requests for a special-use permit and rezoning in connection with the proposed Arrowhead Airpark development in rural Cass County

KCUR Against MAGA Again

Trump administration kills $5 billion loan for Grain Belt Express through Kansas and Missouri

The U.S. Department of Energy said it canceled a loan guarantee for the transmission project, which would transport wind energy generated in Kansas to Missouri and other Midwest states, because it was not a responsible use of taxpayer money. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley had advocated for the cancellation.

Meth Town Hot Mess

Independence homeowners face costly sewage backups after flash flooding

Nearly a week after flash flooding ravaged parts of the metro area, some Independence residents are dealing with the aftermath.

Local Movie Star Hope Rises

Kansas City's film, TV industry growing with 'Ted Lasso,' new rooftop cinema

Rooftop Cinema Club, a national and international open-air cinema company, is setting up shop in Kansas City as the film and TV industry is buzzing with excitement.

TKC's Favorite Celeb Trend . . . 

Demi Rose In Cheeky Bikini Teases 'Suns Out, Buns Out'

Model Demi Rose showed off a cheeky display in her thong bikini and teased fans with more views of her curvy hourglass figure.

White House Name Game Starts

Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Donald Trump in May that his name appeared in investigative files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Clap Back At Old Boss

Gabbard's unprecedented claim: A president led a 'treasonous conspiracy'

No previous U.S. spy chief has made such an allegation against a chief executive. Democrats dismissed it as "a weak attempt at distraction" from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Ivy League Deals With Prez

Columbia University agrees to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump to restore federal funding

Columbia University has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government.

Tech Future Battleground Cont'd

Trump's new AI policies keep culture war focus on tech companies

A new executive order instructs tech companies to address what the White House sees as "woke AI." Receiving future federal contracts could hinge on whether AI firms respond.

Iran From WWIII

Iran doubles down on refusal to end nuclear program, ready for war with Israel

Iran's President Pezeshkian reaffirms Tehran won't abandon its nuclear program while rejecting nuclear weapon ambition, as European powers prepare for talks amid threat of U.N. sanctions.

Outrage Against Wartime Prez

Ukraine erupts with anger at Zelenskyy, threatening wartime unity

The move to curb anti-corruption agencies risked "endangering the values of freedom, democracy in our country and the future of our children," one Ukrainian told NBC News.

Local Happy Place Today

Kansas City man reunited with dog after more than a year apart

KC Pet Project reunited Jaxon with his owner, Troy, after 16 months apart. The shelter shared the story to promote KC Pet Project Day

Notes From Baller Beginnings 

Chiefs' training camp observations from Wednesday's Day 2

Everything that went down during Kansas City's second training camp practice in St. Joseph.

Rain To End The Week

Kansas City weather: Scattered storms bring flooding risk Thursday, Friday

A few showers are possible Thursday morning, but scattered storms Thursday night could bring additional flooding concerns for parts of the Kansas City metro.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.