Kansas City Spires: Local Discounts, Wildfires & MAGA Vs. China

Quick check-in for night owl friends and early bird locals as we share some of our reading that we didn't have time to write up in this quick peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Freebies For Everybody

Kansas City leaders approve expansion of 'Fountain Card' program | Here's how it can help

Kansas City leaders approved plans to expand the "Fountain Card" program, which aims to make accessing city services easier for residents.

Artsy Investigation

Go North KC investigating how World Cup art ended up on highway in pieces

A Riverside artist who created art for World Cup watch parties had most of his artwork returned Thursday.

Classic Signage Cont'd

Original Route 66 motel sign restored in Lee's Summit, sign will go to Joplin

This year marks the centennial of Route 66, and a piece of the Mother Road's history is making its way back to the famous highway thanks to a shop in Lee's Summit.

Show-Me Allegations

Missouri judge removes Ray County prosecutor as attorney general alleges misconduct

A judge has temporarily removed Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a lawsuit alleging misconduct, conflicts of interest and neglect of duty.

Rock Chalk Suggestion

Former Kansas Supreme Court chief justice urges 'no' vote on August judicial election amendment

Kansans will vote Aug. 4 on whether to change how the state selects judges

Golden Ghetto Estate Debate

Family says $9.5M Overland Park house is 'uninhabitable' due to mold, blames homebuilder

The Cleary family says their $9.5 million custom-built dream house turned into a nightmare due to mold issues. They claim the builder is responsible.

Classic Cowtown Crafting

In With the Old arts

Although Andrew Gilliatt now lives in Bowling Green, Ohio, you can find his ceramics for sale locally at Belger Arts Center.

Bunny Bounces Back

Hugh Hefner's widow BLASTED by Friends star for comments on marriage

Hugh Hefner's widow Crystal Harris has fired back after being denounced by comedian Jon Lovitz for expressing 'regret' over her marriage to the Playboy founder.

MAGA Blames Far East For Defeat

Trump accuses China of 2020 election interference, contradicting US intel

U.S. President Donald Trump declassified documents on Thursday that he asserted showed Chinese interference in U.S. elections, reviving his long-running attacks on election security despite a U.S. intelligence assessment that found no evidence Beijing affected the 2020 vote that he lost.

Insider Prediction Payout

White House teleprompter operator made more than $100K betting on Trump's speeches: Sources

President Trump's longtime teleprompter operator is believed to have made tens of thousands of dollars by placing bets on the contents of Trump's speeches, sources say.

Tech Fight In The Desert

O'Leary, Fox News sued over data center opposition portrayal

Businessman Kevin O'Leary and Fox News are being sued by a group opposed to data center construction in Utah, alleging it aired false statements about their funding. The suit, brought against the network and television pundit by Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, Taylor Knuth and Josh Kanter, alleges that O'Leary used the...

Summer Smoke Scare

Wildfire smoke makes air unhealthy from the US Midwest to East Coast. Officials say stay inside

Heavy smoke from wildfires is darkening skies from the U.S. Midwest to the East Coast. The smoke on Thursday prompted warnings that breathing the air outside could be dangerous for people.

Iran From Forever War Redux

Marines board tanker amid blockade of Iranian ports as US expands strikes with attacks on bridges

Boarding of M/T Wen Yao in Gulf of Oman comes as expanded airstrike campaign hits five bridges in southern Iran

Politics Of Cinema

'Lord of the Rings' star defends film's lack of diversity - next movie won't have 'politically correct' cast | Blaze Media

'They know they don't want people coming in.'

Old School Climax

20 Of The Steamiest Sex Scenes With Older Women & Younger Men In Movies

See erotic sex scenes with older women and younger men in movies, including Annette Bening's nude scene in 'Being Julia' and Jennifer Lopez's sex scenes in 'The Boy Next Door.'

JoCo Rescue Aftermath

Man in critical condition after driving skid-steer into pond in Shawnee

Shawnee police rescued a construction worker from a pond after he became trapped inside a skid-steer operator.

Summer Sizzle Continues

Trending dry & hot Friday, First Warns for hazardous heat loom

We're entering into a hot and mainly dry stretch through the remainder of the week. This heat wave will attempt to bring the hottest temperatures we've seen so far this year. First Warns are in place Sunday & Monday.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.