KCUR (Kansas City's best news source)

Parade of Hearts will hit Kansas City in April and last through World Cup, with a focus on unity The community will get a special sneak peek of the 150 hearts in the 2026 installation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the Overland Park Convention Center.

The parade will stretch across public spaces in the metro (and beyond) in late April — from high-profile landmarks to tucked-away gems. By @startlandnews.com

Kansas Republican Party organizes April fundraiser to raffle 30 firearms in 30 days Organizers said the objective is to generate money for the party’s campaign activities and to rally support for the constitutional right of individuals to possess firearms for self-defense.

"April is going to be explosive for Kansas Republicans."

Tickets for the daily prize drawing are $50 a pop. By Kansas Reflector

Worlds of Fun in Kansas City to be sold as part of $342 million multipark deal The sale also includes Six Flags in St. Louis and five other parks.

Whee! New rides and attractions are promised.

Storms came through the Kansas City metro overnight. There were reports of tree damage and power outages. Just after midnight, Evergy reported fewer than 2,000 outages, and that number was down to a few hundred by 8 a.m.

How did you fare?

Kansas House introduces bill creating sports authority needed to complete Chiefs stadium deal Public ownership of the new Chiefs stadium would shield bonds for the project from the federal income tax.

The Kansas House introduced legislation Friday authorizing creation of a state sports authority to allow construction of a publicly owned stadium spectacular enough to convince the Kansas City Chiefs to move from Missouri to Kansas. (@kansasreflector.com)

Jackson County corrections chief resigns weeks before opening of new detention center Diana Knapp, the county’s director of corrections for eight years, is leaving just as the new $317 million county detention center is set to open this spring. Sheriff Darryl Forte said the resignation may create some uncertainty and ultimately, a new chief will be hired.

UPDATE: Kansas City’s city manager, Mario Vasquez, announced that Diana Knapp was hired to lead the city’s corrections and rehabilitation efforts. She will now be in charge of the new $25 million temporary city jail under construction in the East Bottoms.

Kansas City invented the crime of jaywalking — and then repealed it Kansas City was one of many U.S. cities with laws against jaywalking until advocates realized that police were mostly handing out tickets to Black men. Here's how Kansas City repealed its ban and reclaimed the right to jaywalk.

Kansas City was one of many U.S. cities with laws against jaywalking until advocates realized that police were mostly handing out tickets to Black men. Here's how Kansas City repealed its ban and reclaimed the right to jaywalk.

A-F grading scale for Missouri schools advances despite pushback from educators Missouri lawmakers argue that state education officials must make it easier for families to understand students' academic performance. Educators believe it disproportionately punishes districts serving socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

Schools, and not just students, could soon be graded on an "A" through "F" scale. The Missouri House approved legislation that would require state education officials to release an annual report card for public and charter schools. (@stlpublicradio.bsky.social)

Missouri House passes bill to give secretary of state election fraud investigation powers The Missouri secretary of state may be given additional subpoena power to investigate complaints of election fraud under a bill that now heads to the state Senate.

The Missouri secretary of state may be given additional subpoena power to investigate complaints of election fraud under a bill that now heads to the state Senate. (@kbianews.bsky.social)

Kansas governor will hand over SNAP recipient data to Trump administration after long fight Gov. Laura Kelly originally refused to hand over the data, leading the federal government to threaten withholding SNAP funds. The governor said she received additional privacy guarantees for how the data will be used.

Gov. Laura Kelly originally refused to hand over the data, leading the federal government to threaten withholding SNAP funds. The governor said she received additional privacy guarantees for how the data will be used. (@thebeacon.bsky.social)

A journalist who has covered the last nine World Cups on the history of the biggest event in sports World Cup games will be underway here in Kansas City in just over three months. Author Simon Kuper joined Up To Date to discuss the history of the biggest sporting event in the world and how it became the spectacle it is today.

World Cup games will be underway here in Kansas City in just over three months. Author Simon Kuper joined Up To Date to discuss the history of the biggest sporting event in the world and how it became the spectacle it is today.

A Missouri artist’s bronze bison will join the Smithsonian collection on National Mall The National History Museum commissioned Missouri artist Gary Staab for a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staab sculpted three bison on a heroic scale.

The National History Museum commissioned Missouri artist Gary Staab for a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staab sculpted three bison on a heroic scale.

Nonprofit developer sues Kansas City over the closing of troubled Sun Fresh grocery store The Sun Fresh Market at Linwood Shopping Center closed in August due to increasing issues with crime and a lack of customers. The lawsuit alleges Kansas City undermined and neglected the store, which caused it to close.

The Sun Fresh Market at Linwood Shopping Center closed in August due to increasing issues with crime and a lack of customers. The lawsuit alleges Kansas City undermined and neglected the store, which caused it to close.

Missouri anti-redistricting group says it has enough signatures for vote on gerrymandered map People Not Politicians filed open-records requests to review the collected signatures and says the minimum number required for a statewide referendum should be validated by the Missouri secretary of state.

People Not Politicians filed open-records requests to review the collected signatures and says the minimum number required for a statewide referendum should be validated by the Missouri secretary of state.

Missouri House bills would restrict bathrooms for transgender people — and ban all-gender restrooms The Republican bills would separate public restrooms and changing rooms by sex as assigned at birth, rather than gender identity. Transgender Missourians testified that the measures would put them at greater risk of assault.

Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee recently debated bills that sought to separate public restrooms and changing rooms by sex as assigned at birth, rather than gender identity. (@missouriindependent.com)

Kansas legislators want to eliminate state laws about silencers and sawed-off shotguns Multiple Kansas law enforcement organizations came out against the bill. They want stiff penalties for crimes using weapons like short-barreled shotguns and guns with suppressors.

Multiple Kansas law enforcement organizations came out against the bill. They want stiff penalties for crimes using weapons like short-barreled shotguns and guns with suppressors.

The 2026 World Cup faces big challenges with only 100 days to go Will Iran compete? Will violence in Mexico flare up? And what about funding for host cities in the U.S.? With only 100 days left before it beings, the 2026 World Cup in North America is facing a lot of uncertainty.

No World Cup men's tournament has been this big before, with 48 teams set to play 104 matches across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. And no recent World Cup has been staged amidst so much global geopolitical uncertainty. (@npr.org)

Kansas City metro faces first chance for spring severe weather, including isolated tornadoes Through a round of thunderstorms Thursday night and an expected line of storms on Friday, all modes of severe weather may be possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Through a round of thunderstorms tonight and an expected line of storms on Friday, all modes of severe weather may be possible for the Kansas City area, according to the National Weather Service.

Independence says residents can't force a public vote on data center tax breaks A group of Independence residents opposed to a massive data center is gearing up to force a public vote on it. But the city argues approving their petition would violate its governing rules.

A group of Independence residents opposed to a massive data center is gearing up to force a public vote on it. But the city argues approving their petition would violate its governing rules.

KCATA has no plan yet for 'functionally free' bus fares The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority promised free bus rides for those who need it, as it brings back fares this June. But riders and nonprofits are still waiting to see how that will work. Plus: Missouri cattle farmers who contract red meat allergies from alpha-gal syndrome are suddenly put at risk by their livelihood.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority promised free bus rides for those who need it, as it brings back fares this June. But riders and nonprofits are still waiting to see how that will work.

Missouri deals with an 'electricity affordability crisis' as rising utility bills drive inflation Since 2021, electricity prices have increased nearly 40%, with the average household spending more than $1,800 on their bills in 2024.

Since 2021, electricity prices have increased nearly 40%, with the average household spending more than $1,800 on their bills in 2024. (@kbianews.bsky.social)

Missouri legislators are concerned about artificial intelligence and want regulations A Senate committee heard testimony Wednesday on legislation that would require watermarks on AI-generated content and target chatbots that provide mental health advice.

A Missouri Senate committee heard testimony Wednesday on three bills that would regulate artificial intelligence. AI is rapidly expanding, and its capabilities are unknown, said Sen. Mike Moon. (@stlpublicradio.bsky.social)

Missouri university student killed in US-Israel war with Iran Cody Khork, a student at Webster University, was a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and stationed in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. He was killed alongside five other service members in the war with Iran.

Cody Khork, a student at Webster University, was a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and stationed in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. He was killed alongside five other service members in the war with Iran. (@stlpublicradio.bsky.social)

Buying water from for-profit kiosks may come with lead, research finds Many Midwest residents distrust their tap water. Some purchase water and ice from standalone kiosks. University of Iowa researchers found at least trace levels of lead in most of these kiosks.

Many Midwest residents distrust their tap water. Some purchase water and ice from standalone kiosks. University of Iowa researchers found at least trace levels of lead in most of these kiosks.

Telehealth abortion is in the courts. Share your experience. Mifepristone is facing another major legal challenge. The NPR Network wants to hear from people who've been prescribed the medication about their experiences.

Mifepristone is facing another major legal challenge. The NPR Network wants to hear from people who've been prescribed the medication about their experiences. (@npr.org)

‘Freedom Plane’ makes first tour stop in Kansas City to show off America’s founding documents In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Kansas Citians can view some of the nation’s founding documents like Declaration of Independence and Treaty of Paris. Beginning Friday, the Freedom Plane National Tour will put the artifacts on display at the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

Beginning Friday, the Freedom Plane National Tour will put some of the nation’s founding documents, like Declaration of Independence and Treaty of Paris, on display at the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

A new Wyandotte County mental health center offers 'one-stop shop' for an area with few services Nearly 40% of respondents to a 2022 Wyandotte County assessment said mental health was the biggest concern in the community. Several health care services will soon be offered at a facility in downtown Kansas City, Kansas.

Nearly 40% of respondents to a 2022 Wyandotte County assessment said mental health was the biggest concern in the community. Several health care services will soon be offered at a facility in downtown Kansas City, Kansas.

Kansas City confirms measles case months after Kansas outbreak ends. What to know This is the first confirmed measles case in Kansas City since 2018. Although measles is one of the most contagious diseases, experts say there’s a clear way to avoid it: vaccination.

One unvaccinated adult in Kansas City has measles, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Kansas City Health Department. It’s the first confirmed measles case in Kansas City since 2018, a press release said.

Kansas City made itself the center of the 2026 World Cup. This may be its secret weapon If “hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup” were a sport in and of itself, these past few months have shown that perhaps Kansas City wants this more than other cities. Plus: Federal funding woes and other issues facing the tournament with 100 days to go.

If “hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup” were a sport in and of itself, these past few months have shown that perhaps Kansas City wants this more than other cities. Plus: Federal funding woes and other issues facing the tournament with 100 days to go.

Jackson County Legislature votes to ban immigration detention facilities, but holds ICE mask ban Despite cries that it was “performative politics,” Chair Manny Abarca said the plan puts the county on record as opposing “the caging of people.” A second measure that would have barred federal immigration agents from wearing masks was held for legal concerns.

Both plans were sponsored by Legislator Manny Abarca, who said they were moral questions despite cries that they were unenforceable. The detention bill puts the county on the record as being against "the caging of people."