Kansas City Vignette News Links August 4th, 2025



Creative Cowtown Roadwork

Kansas City artists are helping reimagine Highway 71 in an effort to reconnect neighborhoods

As part of Kansas City's efforts to explore how to reconnect the predominantly Black neighborhoods that were split by the construction of Highway 71, local artists are using their talents to visualize people's ideas.



Fuelish Mistake

Semi hauling gasoline overturns, leaks at Jesse James Farm Road, NE 138th Street

A semitruck hauling gasoline overturned Monday afternoon on Jesse James Farm Road at NE 138th Street, prompting a likely hours-long closure.


Local Democracy Redux

Elections taking place this week across Kansas City metro

Elections are coming up this week in the Kansas City metro.


Newsflash: KC Craves Safety

Survey finds Midtown residents focused on safety, neighborhood engagement

A recent survey found that Midtown residents want to see safer environments and more engaged neighbors.


Demanding JoCo Reparations

Construction next door set Johnson County home on fire. Can city regulate rebuilds?

The couple isn't alone in seeking relief from the disruption and destruction that comes with building new homes on lots next to existing homes in longstanding neighborhoods.


Fear Summer Vacay Risk

2 people seriously injured in Saturday tubing crash on Lake Winnebago

Two adults were seriously injured Saturday afternoon, Aug. 2, in a tubing incident on Lake Winnebago.


Reporting Midtown Blame Game

Engineer explains how deadly KC Family Dollar collapse could have been prevented

A 2016 car crash damaged a key support column at a Family Dollar store in Kansas City. Expert says its removal likely led to deadly July 27 collapse.


First Responder Tragic Postscript

Retired Olathe police detective killed in weekend motorcycle crash

Police have identified the victim of a deadly motorcycle crash over the weekend as retired Olathe police detective Brian Peters.


Northland Against Taxes

Platte County officials united in opposition to Missouri State Tax Commission order

Platte County officials are staunch in their opposition to an order from the Missouri State Tax Commission to impose an across-the-board 15% increase in residential property valuations.


Everybody Needs Baller Bucks

Chiefs fans gearing up, local businesses stocking up as football season gets closer

Local businesses are getting ready for more Chiefs fans as the preseason starts Saturday


No Shade From Climate Change

The 'King of the Great Plains' is dying. Drought is killing giant oak trees in the Midwest

Years of drought conditions in the Midwest and Great Plains have opened the door for pests and diseases that are killing trees. Now people working in parks and forests are planting new species they hope can survive the changing conditions.


Artsy Autumn Awaits

A Preview of Kansas City's 2025-2026 Arts Season - IN Kansas City Magazine

In Kansas City, it seems everything speeds up a bit in the fall-and, tried and true, the arts emerge as an escape from it all. The 2025-2026 arts season offers a wealth of choices for everyone from connoisseurs to casual concert-goers. Consider this your handy guide.

Prez Trump & Other Topics . . .



MAGA Hypes Good Jeans

Trump says he now 'loves' Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad after learning she's a registered Republican

President Trump called Sydney Sweeney's controversial American Eagle jeans ad campaign 'fantastic' upon learning she is a registered Republican voter.


Pondering Politics Of Scarcity

The vast majority of US adults are stressed about grocery costs, an AP-NORC poll finds

A new poll finds the vast majority of U.S. adults are feeling some stress about the cost of groceries, as prices continue to rise and concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs remain widespread.


Talker Corrects MAGA . . . 

Charlamagne Tha God Responds To Trump, Calls Out His "Authoritarian Strategy," But Adds, "I'm Rooting For You, But I Need You Focused"

The Breakfast Club co-host also said that he was "rooting" for Trump, but that the president needed to focus.


Pundit Probs Persist

MAGA infighting continues as Laura Loomer blasts Tucker Carlson as a 'fraud'

The two popular right-wing figureheads have been increasingly critical of each other as their positions on Trump's foreign policy continue to pull in opposite directions


Conservatives Against Socialism

Democratic support of socialist leaders is a 'suicide march,' strategist warns | Fox News Video

Former RNC press secretary Cassie Smedile and Democratic strategist Julian Epstein discuss the rise of far-left leaders in the Democratic Party on 'The Faulkner Focus.'


Outrunning Republicans?!?!!

Texas Democratic legislators flee state to protest GOP's redistricting plan

Texas Democrats fled the state Sunday, aiming to delay a plan to redraw the state's congressional map and give the GOP a bigger edge - an idea blessed by President Trump


MAGA Drains EV King

Exclusive: Tesla's brand loyalty collapsed after Musk backed Trump, data shows

Tesla for years had more repeat U.S. customers than any other major automotive brand but its loyalty has plunged since CEO Elon Musk endorsed President Donald Trump last summer, according to data from research firm S&P Global Mobility shared exclusively with Reuters.


Worth Every Penny?!?

Tesla approves share award worth $29 billion to CEO Elon Musk

Tesla has granted CEO Elon Musk shares worth about $29 billion, in a new pay deal aimed at keeping the billionaire entrepreneur at the helm during a crucial pivot from its struggling core auto business to robotaxis and humanoid robots.

Fighter jets scrambled, flares fired after planes violate Trump airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey

Three civilian planes flew in the restricted airspace Saturday, and there were four more violations on Sunday, NORAD said.


Holy Land Cry For Help

Hundreds of ex-Israeli security officials urge Trump to help end war in Gaza

Open letter calls on US president to pressure Israel to end conflict as Netanyahu mulls expanding offensive


European End Game Awaits

Trump envoy Witkoff to head to Russia for 'last chance' Ukraine talks

President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia later this week, the president told reporters on Sunday.


Outsourcing Brews For Far East

China welcomes 183 Brazil coffee sellers in wake of US tariffs

China has approved 183 new Brazilian coffee companies to export products to the Chinese market, according to a social media post of the Chinese embassy in Brazil on Saturday.


Cash Buys Ticket

State Department may require visa applicants to post bond of up to $15,000 to enter the US

The State Department is proposing requiring applicants for business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States.


Plagued By Convenience 

Plastic causing "disease and death from infancy to old age" that costs $1.5 trillion a year, report warns

Plastic pollution is a "grave, growing and under-recognized danger" to health that is costing the world at least $1.5 trillion a year, a report in the Lancet medical journals warns


Turning Down Volume Against Rocketman

South Korea begins removing border propaganda speakers in conciliatory gesture toward North

South Korea's military says it has begun removing loudspeakers along its border with rival North Korea in a move aimed at reducing tensions. The speakers had previously been used to blast anti-North Korean propaganda across the border, but the South's new liberal government halted the broadcasts in June in a conciliatory gesture as it looks to rebuild trust and revive dialogue with Pyongyang.


No Escaping Food Chain

Denmark zoo asks public to donate unwanted small pets or horses to feed captive predators

"We have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals - in terms of both animal welfare and professional integrity," Aalborg Zoo says.


Tightening Up End Game

This Butt Mask Made My Bum Firmer Than I Could've Imagined

The Chasin' Rabbits Buttshroom Bum Patch promises to plump your bum with help from a blend of mushrooms. I tried the butt mask to find out if it really works.

Many Happy Local Returns


Faithful Denial

IHOPKC founder's sister calls sex abuse allegations against him 'exotic trash'

The comments mark the first time a family member has spoken publicly about the sex abuse allegations against Mike Bickle.


Legislation Origin Story Coming Soon

A Kansas City writer is making a film about the disability rights law that paved the way for the ADA

In 1977, Judy Heumann led a 26-day occupation of a federal building that pressured the government to enforce a key civil rights law known as Section 504. Decades later, as the Missouri and Kansas attorneys general try to weaken those protections, activists are putting up another fight.


Super Bowl Return Trip Roster

Chiefs release unofficial depth chart ahead of 1st preseason game

The Kansas City Chiefs are getting ready to play their first preseason game in Arizona this week.


Prayerful Partnership

Kansas City churches join forces to bridge racial divide with joint service

On Sunday, a congregation from Lee's Summit Christian Church walked through the doors of United Believers' Community Church not as visitors, but as partners in faith.


Local Fluttering . . . 

Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens - IN Kansas City Magazine

The Festival of Butterflies ran at Powell Gardens from July 17 to August 3, 2025, celebrating pollinators through interactive exhibits and family activities. Guests explored tropical butterflies in the Conservatory, native species in the Butterfly Habitat, and new features like the Plant & Insect Lab and Lily Pad learning stop.


Actually, Decent Defender Reporting

She Didn't See Herself in KC's Food Scene-So She Built Her Own

A queer Black woman's journey from backyard pop-up to Orange by Devoured: a pizzeria that claims space, sparks joy, and leads without apology.


Warmup On The Way . . . 

It will be a little warmer than the weekend

We have a few days before the heat and humidity kick back in

Developing . . .