Kansas City Strut: Data Center Drawback & Iran From MAGA Resistance

It's almost officially Summer and so we celebrate model, fitness influencer and Insta hottie Sommer as we take another peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City Tech Walkback

Northland AI data center withdraws bond application with Port KC

An AI data center that was set to operate in Kansas City's Northland has withdrawn its bond application from Port KC.

Local Upscale History Crashes

KC Art Institute acquires historic Southmoreland mansion brothers sought to demolish

Funds for the acquisition, the school said, were provided by the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee, with additional funds provided by the Vawter family, which had owned the home for the last 65 of its 113 years.

Show-Me Sinking Feeling

Blue Summit businesses demand flooding fix after 23rd Street floods again

"We called the city, we called MoDOT, but nobody takes responsibility," said one business employee in the area.

Kansas Documentation Redux

Kansas has invalidated some transgender Kansans' driver's licenses - but not all * Kansas Reflector

The Kansas Department of Revenue - the state agency that oversees driver's licenses - sent out letters invalidating some, but not all, transgender Kansans' licenses following the passage of Senate Bill 244.

Locals Hold Court

The Charm of the Courtyard - IN Kansas City Magazine

Does your home have a place for a courtyard? These backyard (or sometimes front yard) open-air enclosures create a natural space for gathering and entertaining. Often paved with stone or pea gravel, they take outdoor living up a notch. Here's some inspiration for you. A Nature Lovers Preserve Naturally enclosed by three sides of this...

Sommer Shares Goods

Sommer Ray Takes Dirty Shirley Mainstream With New RTD Brand Tempted

Sommer Ray is officially in the drinks business with Tempted, her take on the Dirty Shirley.

MAGA Confronts Feds

Trump strips job protections from 8,000 federal workers

President Trump issued an executive order that puts some 8,000 high-ranking civil servants into a new category of employees who can be fired for any reason.

Dems Confront Campaign Probs

Democrat Who Worked with Al-Qaeda-Linked Group Wins NJ Primary

Adam Hamawy, who previously volunteered with an al-Qaeda-linked group, has won the Democratic primary for retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Drilling It Home

Trump expected to announce $700M boost for coal

President Trump is expected to announce that his administration will put about $700 million to bolster coal. Trump is set to use wartime authority under the Defense Prevention Act to dole out $425 ...

House Divided Over War

House votes to rein in Trump on Iran as war loses GOP support

In May, the Senate advanced a similar measure to force the president to end the prolonged conflict with Iran.

Iran From More Fighting

CENTCOM says US forces shot down Iranian missiles, drones across Middle East

U.S. forces defeated multiple Iranian missile and drone threats across the Middle East, CENTCOM said. American forces also conducted a self-defense strike on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island.

Rolling Toward Summer

Kansas City named 'World Cup travel hotspot' as car rentals surge locally

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just days away, and visitors are already making their way to cities throughout North America to watch the teams practice and prepare for the highly anticipated soccer tou...

No Accounting For Local Taste

100,000 empanadas and 1,000 pounds of coffee beans: KC-area vendors prep for FIFA World Cup Fan Festival

From Prairie Village to KCK to Overland Park, local restaurants get their shot at a global FIFA audience.

Gather Ye Rosebuds . . .

Rain chances increase across the Kansas City area heading into the weekend

Kansas City will see increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms through the weekend. Sunday and Monday are expected to bring the highest rain chances and could impact outdoor plans.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.