Kansas City Spotlight: Making Local Plans & MAGA Money Moves

We're recycling our favorite winter banner because it's SUPPOSED to warm up this week . . . And this hope leads us to our latest roundup of pop culture, community reporting and to headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Talking MAGA Cash Choices

Small business owners in Kansas City say tariff uncertainty has already cost them, regardless of court rulings

Small business owners in Kansas City say tariff uncertainty has already cost them, regardless of Supreme Court rulings eliminating some tariffs.

Local Chicanery Sparks Inferno

Chicken coop heat lamp believed to have started fire in Independence

Independence and Fort Osage firefighters battled a house fire early Monday, believed to have started in a chicken coop.

Agenda Setting Update . . . 

Nick’s Picks | Maps, Lawsuits, Sporting and More . . .

Missouri's election map in limbo as congressional filing approaches, more drama over Kansas "bathroom bill," former KC Star plant repurposed, and more ..

Golden Ghetto Gets Break

Johnson County residents to receive property tax assessments this week

This week, residential and commercial property owners in Johnson County, Kansas, will begin receiving annual notices in the mail.

Historic Stash Exposed

Kansas City filmmaker shares untold story of city's first Black millionaire in new docudrama

A local filmmaker is working to expand the story of Sarah Rector, Kansas City, Missouri's, first Black millionaire, through an upcoming docudrama called "Aunt Sister: The Legacy of Sarah Rector."

Cinematic Skivvies Debut . . . 

This Wuthering Heights Lingerie Collab Is Very Sexy

British brand, Lounge, has released an official Wuthering Heights lingerie collaboration ahead of the cinematic release.

White House Economics Updated

Trump's New Tariffs Shift Focus to Balance of Payments; Economists See No Crisis

US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.

Left Coast Plays It Cool . . . 

Newsom's message to the Democratic Party: Be more 'culturally normal' | CNN Politics

California Governor Gavin Newsom sits down with CNN's Dana Bash to talk about the future of the Democratic Party. He says the party should be "less prone to spending disproportionate amount of time on pronouns, identity politics.

Old School Actor Keeps Ruining EPIC Body Of Work . . . 

Anti-Trump Host Claims She's In Tears After De Niro Rant - You Be The Judge

Actor Robert De Niro was so sincere in his hatred for President Donald Trump that he apparently brought MS NOW host Nicolle Wallace to tears - and choked up a little himself - during a recent interview.

Republican Crisis Of Conscience

GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales faces pressure from party over affair allegations

The Texas Republican is facing calls from fellow House Republicans to resign, following allegations of an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.

South Of Border Standoff Cont'd

El Mencho: At least 25 National Guards killed in violence after death of Mexican drug lord

Violence has erupted across Mexico since a powerful drug cartel boss died after being captured by special forces.

Rocketman Refuels . . . 

Kim reelected to top post of North Korea's ruling party as it hails his nuclear buildup

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been reelected to the top post of the ruling Workers' Party, with delegates crediting him for bolstering the country's nuclear arsenal and strengthening its regional standing.

Dealing With Vlad Described

Ukraine negotiator tells BBC how it feels to sit over the table from Russia

Serhii Kyslytsia is among those trying to negotiate an end to the conflict, which is entering its fifth year.

Royal Pain Exposed In Scandal

'We've been paying for happy endings for Andrew for years': the inside story of a royal disgrace, by his biographer

Andrew Lownie spent years investigating the greed and excesses of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson for his book Entitled. Here, the writer reveals the barriers he faced in getting to the truth

Oldest Profession Fears AI

Nevada brothel workers are unionizing to protect their digital rights

Management's new contract demands "everything"-and could hand their likenesses over to AI porn and sex bots.

Border War Pix On Ice

Photos: KC Mavericks defeat Wichita Thunder to grab 11 game win streak

ansas City Mavericks won 1-0 over the Wichita Thunder on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. The only goal of the game came from Bobo Carpenter, who scored the winner in overtime. With this win, the Mavericks have 11 straight victories in the ECHL, and 15 straight home wins.

Awaiting Local Bounce

Big warmup Tuesday in Kansas City; mild week ahead

After a chilly Monday, things warm back up Tuesday, though the day will start on a cold note.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.