Kansas City News Walk: Local Inferno & Political Flex Against ICE

Just like a broken-down Santa, we're trying to recharge following the big day . . . But still we wanted to share this quick jaunt by way of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

After Christmas Burnout

Fire damages 2-story carriage house in Kansas City

Kansas City Fire Department extinguishes carriage house blaze; no injuries reported.

Fans Find Meaning?!?

Why the Chiefs' Christmas game against the Broncos still mattered

Andy Reid, Chris Jones, and Travis Kelce discussed the importance of the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 17 game with the Denver Broncos.

Crafting Political Pottery

A Kansas City artist crafts fashion - and guns - out of ceramic. Her provocative career gets a new look

Linda Lighton's ceramic sculptures speak to some of the thorniest social issues of our time, like sex, feminism and gun control. A new retrospective at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Overland Park explores her work.

Startup Gambling Advice 

Retirement savings as startup capital? Little-known legal move is helping some Kansas Citians don the founder hat

Russell Luttrall estimated he needed $90,000 to open Heartland Automotive Services as he envisioned. That included equipment, signage, shop preparation and enough runway to avoid immediate cash-flow pressure. "I didn't want to start small again," he said. "If you start small, you stay small."

Taste Of Local Good Life

Kansas City master sommelier Doug Frost brings you wine recs for the holiday season

Every year during the holiday season, Kansas City's own Doug Frost joins Up To Date to discuss the state of the alcohol industry, recommend delicious options for the holidays and taste several wines.

2025 Emo Revival Cont'd

'Emo Cowgirl' Megan Moroney on Taking Creative Risks And Her 'Happier' New Music

By fearlessly following her impulses and branding savvy, Billboard's Women in Music Rulebreaker is climbing the country charts - and finding common ground with the top pop girls.

MAGA Displays Surprising Unity Ahead Of Midterms

'Loyalty over all': Trump was once known for constantly switching out his staff. Not anymore

President's professed satisfaction with his cabinet may be a reflection of how difficult it would be to get a replacement confirmed

Progressive Political Flexing

JB Pritzker Promises Democrats Will Hold ICE Agents Accountable

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker vows that when Democrats win, ICE agents will be held accountable for their actions. The statement underscores the party's focus on immigration reform and protecting human rights.

Patriotic Party Time Ahead

Times Square ball goes red, white and blue for America's 250th birthday

The 2026 Times Square ball drop will shine in red, white and blue to kick off celebrations for America's 250th birthday, with a rare second ball drop planned for July 3.

Latest Attack ALMOST Explained

What to know about the militants targeted by US airstrikes in northwest Nigeria

The United States airstrikes targeting militants affiliated with the Islamic State group in northwestern Nigeria are a major escalation of an offensive that Nigeria's overstretched military has struggled with for years.

European On Hope?!?

Trump tempers Zelensky's optimism on peace plan

President Trump downplayed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's optimism about the Ukraine leader's 20-point peace plan in an interview published Friday. "He doesn't have anything until ...

Holy Land Hot Mess Cont'd

Two killed in suspected Palestinian ramming and knife attack in Israel

Police say the attacker, from the occupied West Bank, ran over at least one person before stabbing another victim several miles away.

Cinematic Reflection . . . 

Martin Scorsese remembers Rob Reiner, calls his murder 'an obscenity'

Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese penned an essay in The New York Times on Thursday remembering his late friends Rob and Michele Reiner.

Right-Wing Podcast Circus Hits Enjoys Anti-Climax

Alex Jones Calls Out Candace Owens Over Kirk Conspiracies: 'Maybe You Were Always a Demon'

"I'm pointing the way, and I'm going to now-just because you don't like it-everything she says and does, I'm gonna rip it to pieces."

Paying For Good Company

Sex Workers Are Sharing The Non-Sexual Favors People Have Paid For, And It's Actually Really Sweet

"We ended up watching March of the Penguins , cried together during the movie, then went downstairs to the buffet."

Community Makes Bread

Overnight proof? Boujee Baker KC rising after decades in the ooey-gooey making

When Joyce Watts was a youngster, she would pretend to bake, making mud pies outside, and "hosting" a cooking show. But she left the cooking to a sibling and her mother. It wasn't until she picked up a church cookbook that she delved into cooking for her growing family.

Winter Still Coming . . . 

Warm start to weekend before a big change

Temperatures will be in the 60s today but a big change arrives on Sunday

Lady Gaga in Harlequin Live: One Night Only is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.