Kansas City Read: Power Plays, War Diplomacy & MAGA Payback

Late night storms put thousands of Kansas City locals in the dark overnight. For those precious few night owls & early birds with juice, we share a quick check of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City Struck Powerless

60,000+ without power across Kansas and Missouri following severe weather

More than 60,000 customers lost power across Kansas and Missouri after severe thunderstorms brought damaging winds to the Kansas City metro Monday night.

Billionare Memories Better?!?

Clark Hunt reflects on decades-long journey to bring World Cup to Kansas City

Clark Hunt is reflecting on the decades of work that helped bring the world's biggest sporting event to the heart of America.

Toy Train Backslapping Today

Kansas City celebrates opening of KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension

Kansas Citians are gathered at the Berkley Riverfront to celebrate the opening of the new KC Streetcar riverfront extension.

Check Out South Side Revival

Sonesta International, Denver investment firm to renovate long-vacant south Kansas City hotel

"Everybody who drives past it sees it," said Bill Rothman, owner of ACN Capital, the Denver-based the group behind the project. "It has been, I would say, a source of not positive vibes."

Hipsters Celebrate Pop Prince

Charlie Puth's Whatever's Clever! tour speaks for itself at Starlight

Charlie Puth. // photo by Daniel Fuchs Charlie Puth With Ally Salort and Daniel Seavey Starlight Theater Wednesday, May 13 Touring in support of his fourth studio album Whatever's Clever! Charlie Puth stunned at the Starlight Theater, Wednesday, May 13, with a candid performance and powerful, raw vocals.

Bieber Wife Shares Fashion Statement

Bella Hadid does yoga in tiny string bikini on luxury yacht

The model took a break from her glam appearances at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and showed her fit figure in a two-piece.

MAGA Shares Payback Money

DOJ offering $1.776 billion 'lawfare' fund to settle Trump IRS lawsuit

The Justice Department is offering $1.776 billion to "victims of lawfare and weaponization" to settle President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit.

Republican Standoff Escalates

GOP Rep. Thomas Massie defiant as Trump seeks to oust him in primary: "I'm going to win"

Massie said the president is worried about his preferred candidate Ed Gallrein's chances in the Kentucky race.

Euro War Worsens

Shifting momentum in the Russia-Ukraine war : State of the World from NPR

It has been more than four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is a war that has been grinding on without major changes in battle lines, but the conflict may have reached a turning point. There are signs that Russians are growing weary of the military operation and Ukraine has improved its drone technology, hitting deeper inside Russian territory.

Far East Flexes By Way Of Vlad

Xi's double act: Putin set to arrive in China days after Trump's departure | CNN

Less than a week after Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for US President Donald Trump, the Chinese leader is hosting another guest of honor - and this time it's a close ally.

Last Call For Controversial Cop

O.J. Simpson Detective Mark Fuhrman Dead at 74

Former LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman, who discovered the bloody glove in the O.J. Simpson murder case and later torpedoed the prosecution with his use of the n-word, is dead ... TMZ has learned.

Nervous Broad Falls Into Fidelity Infinite Loop

I'm catfishing my boyfriend - now he's cheating on me with me, I feel dirty

CATFISHING, where someone creates a fake online persona to trick others, has become pretty common with the rise of social media. While we often hear about strangers using it to pull emotional or fi...

Our Betters Set Agenda

KCPBS' Nick Haines Previews Week Ahead for May 18, 2026

A new giraffe exhibit at the Kansas City Zoo is just one of many happenings occurring in KC this week, including a visit from the U.S. vice president.

Spring Chill Arrives

Severe storms exit Kansas City area as cooler weather moves in Tuesday

After a night filled with tornado warnings, damaging winds and heavy rain, calmer weather is finally moving back into the Kansas City area. A few showers could linger into Tuesday morning before cooler and quieter conditions settle in for the middle of the week.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.