KC Coffee Table: Western Auto Blinks, Billionaire Tax & Iran From War Restart

Just a few items we didn't want to wait on for early evening news readers on a Friday . .  .

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Sign Of FAIL?!?!

Western Auto sign experiencing partial outage 9 days after lighting up again

The famous Western Auto sign in downtown Kansas City experienced a brief partial outage Thursday evening, nine days after it was repaired.

Progressive Drinking Games

The Bars KC invite soccer fans to support Midwest Innocence Project with a cold beer

Photo by Emma Goulding Soccer fans can now support a special cause while watching their team during soccer summer and enjoying a draft beer. The Bars KC has a limited-edition commemorative pint glass available at all four metro locations while supplies last.

KCI Copes With Crowds

Kansas City Airport sees busiest day for World Cup fan travel

Kansas City International Airport is experiencing its busiest travel day for the World Cup on Friday, with 40,000 to 45,000 passengers expected

About Sketchy Estimates

FIFA organizers say 36k people packed World Cup zone during record Oranje Fanwalk

That number is the largest turnout of any Oranje Fanwalk among World Cup host cities so far.

Actually, A Great Local Idea

Instead of meeting in churches, a Kansas City addiction recovery group tries a secular approach

Michael DePriest and the Kansas City Public Library have teamed up to develop a program they hope will help more people who are struggling. He's adapted the 12 steps to make them feel welcoming to people of all - or no - religious backgrounds.

Iran From Inevitable War Restart

U.S. strikes targets in Iran after Iranian drone attack on cargo ship, posing challenge to ceasefire

The U.S. military says it hit Iranian targets over Iran's drone attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first American strikes on Iran since the two countries formally agreed to extend a ceasefire last week.

No Fair To MAGA?!?

I Went to Trump's Great American State Fair. It Was Bleaker Than I Expected. - Washingtonian

Opening day of the Freedom 250 event in DC was sparsely attended and shockingly boring.

Left Coast Demands Cash

Gavin Newsom urges a national 'billionaires' tax' while fighting one in California

California governor calls for national tax on super-wealthy and suggests the US should own a stake in AI companies

Rent Freeze Future

NYC Rent Guidelines Board approves 2-year rent freeze, fulfilling Mamdani campaign pledge

About 1 million rent-stabilized apartments will be shielded from rent increases for the next two years after the historic vote.

Rough Life On The Back End

A Germaphobe's Guide To Eating Ass - The Stranger

In the mid-2010s, Time's pronouncement that America had reached the transgender tipping point overshadowed another startling edict from Salon a few months later: Ass was the new pussy. Licking it. Suckling it. Introducing it to a curious finger. Dicking it down with fleshy and artificial phalluses.

Crowds For Trinkets

Fans wait hours for one-of-a-kind World Cup souvenir at Kansas City's FIFA Fan Fest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Some of the longest lines at Kansas City's FIFA Fan Fest aren't for food or drinks. They're for a free keepsake that many fans say is worth waiting hours to get. As thousands continue pouring into Fan Fest, one attraction has quickly become one of the most popular experiences.

Heat Wave Coming Soon?!?

Big Changes: Heat wave loading, is our severe season finally over?

Friday stays mostly dry with highs near 80°. After a week of cooler-than-normal temperatures and frequent rain, we're turning a corner this weekend.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.