KANSAS CITY'S BIGGEST HALLOWEEN PARTY TAKES OVER THE KC LIVE! BLOCK

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so KC Live! is making a whole weekend of it.

🎧 Friday, Oct. 30: MEDUZA, the Grammy-nominated Italian house trio, at 7 PM

🧟 Saturday, Oct. 31: End of Days, Kansas City's biggest Halloween party, at 6 PM (21+)

On Saturday, the whole Power & Light block goes post-apocalyptic. One ticket gets you free cover at 10+ bars and nightclubs.

Pick your ticket:

• General Admission: free cover from 7 to 10 PM
• VIP: free cover until midnight, plus all-inclusive drinks from 7 to 11 PM
• Premium VIP: free cover until close, premium drinks, and a private lounge at No Other Pub with an appetizer buffet and reserved costume contest viewing

💰 The costume contest pays out $10,000 in cash and prizes. This is the year to go all out.

🎶 DJ Travisty spins all night.

Use code KCLIVE for the lowest price.

This Week in KC

KCI IS GETTING ITS FIRST NONSTOP TO SAN JUAN

Southwest Airlines will fly nonstop from Kansas City International to San Juan, Puerto Rico, once a week on Saturdays starting in June 2027. It is KCI's first-ever nonstop route to San Juan. Southwest has launched 10 new nonstop routes from KCI since the new terminal opened in 2023, including Montego Bay, Punta Cana and Los Cabos. Mayor Quinton Lucas said the route lets Kansas Citians "trade barbecue smoke for ocean breezes."

Original source: Kansas City Aviation Department release​

KU HEALTH SYSTEM PLANS A NEW TOWER AS BEDS RUN SHORT

The University of Kansas Health System is planning a new medical tower on its Kansas City, Kansas campus, the Kansas City Business Journal reported Oct. 2. According to the report, the hospital is turning away hundreds of patients a month because it does not have enough beds. The Business Journal story is paywalled, and the tower's size, cost and timeline have not been made public in coverage we could read. Separately, the health system's website says a 2,300-space parking garage is under construction on its 39th and Rainbow campus, with completion in 2028.

Original sources: Kansas City Business Journal, tower report (paywalled) | KU Health System, garage​

LEAWOOD'S "SNARKY IN THE SUBURBS" IS PLAYING NBC'S THE TRAITORS

Leawood writer Sherry Kuehl is one of 22 contestants on NBC's "The Traitors: New Blood," picked from more than 80,000 applicants. She survived the first four episodes of the show, with up to a $250,000 prize on the line. Episode 5 aired Thursday, Oct. 8, and past episodes stream on Peacock. Kuehl, a former reporter, writes the blog Snarky in the Suburbs, Axios Kansas City reported.

Original source: NBC, official cast page​

Other sources: Axios Kansas City​

FIVE LISTENING SESSIONS LET KANSAS CITY RESIDENTS WEIGH IN ON THE NEXT KCPD CHIEF

The Kansas City Public Safety Coalition is hosting five community sessions for the Board of Police Commissioners as it searches for a successor to Chief Stacey Graves, who announced her retirement in July. All run 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Oct. 15 at Northland Neighborhoods, Oct. 20 at Friendship Baptist Church, Oct. 22 at the Propeller Building of Samuel U. Rodgers, Oct. 29 at Union Station and Nov. 5 at United Believers Community Church. RSVP through kcchamber.com or info@kcchamber.com.

Original source: Board of Police Commissioners release, posted by the KC Chamber​

Other sources: KCTV5 | KSHB​

THE HASHIE AWARDS ARE LEAVING LA, AND KANSAS CITY IS THEIR FIRST HOST CITY

Social Media Club, which created the Hashie Awards in 2014, has opened the awards to global submissions and will hold an in-person celebration in Kansas City in May 2027, the first stop in the Hashies' national expansion, Startland News reported. The event is expected to draw about 100 marketers, creators and business leaders. Organizers are recruiting Kansas City sponsors, judges and venues, and entries are open through Dec. 15. Jessica Sewing, who relaunched the Kansas City chapter a year ago, is hosting a Creator Brunch Oct. 24 at Mae's Tavern for local creatives. Startland did not report a venue or exact date for the May event.

Original sources: Social Media Club Kansas City, events | The Hashie Awards​

HOSPITALS NEXT TO THE ROYALS BALLPARK SITE ARE ALREADY PLANNING AROUND CONSTRUCTION

University Health CEO Charlie Shields told KSHB 41 that the Royals, Children's Mercy, Ronald McDonald House and UMKC have been meeting almost every two weeks to plan around demolition, construction and game day traffic, including where trucks will exit the former Hallmark site and where cranes will sit. The zoning ordinance the council passed Thursday, Oct. 8 requires an Events Traffic Management Plan that maintains emergency vehicle access to the hospitals. It must be approved before the stadium gets a certificate of occupancy and resubmitted every year. Shields said the Kansas City Fire Department provides 95% of ambulance service to the campus.

Original sources: KSHB 41 original reporting, 2026-10-08 | KCMO Legistar, Ord. 260705

🏢 DEVELOPMENT SCENE

KANSAS CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THE FINANCING AND REZONING FOR THE ROYALS' CROWN CENTER BALLPARK

The Kansas City Council passed all three measures behind the Royals' proposed downtown ballpark on Thursday, Oct. 8. The rezoning passed 13-0, and the tax increment financing plan and bond authorization each passed 11-2, with Nathan Willett and Johnathan Duncan voting no. Mayor Quinton Lucas called it "one of the best deals in Major League Baseball for a local market."

The Missouri Development Finance Board will issue special obligation bonds that the city must repay. KCUR reports the package is $615.2 million, and City Manager's office documents show the city will owe $1.393 billion over the life of the loan.

The TIF redirects much of the growth in tax collections above a 2025 baseline across a stadium impact area for 30 years. Duncan said the $1.393 billion is twice what taxpayers were told the city is investing.

Royals leaders expect groundbreaking in the first quarter of 2027 and an Opening Day 2030 debut, though the team still needs state approval. Still unresolved: the challenge to the state stadium law before the Missouri Supreme Court, and an April 2027 city vote on whether future stadium deals need voter approval. Lucas says that measure would not apply to the Royals project; the petitioners disagree.

Original sources: KCMO Legistar, Ord. 260705 | Ord. 260888 | Ord. 260889​

Other sources: KCTV5, Oct. 8 | KCUR, Oct. 8 | KCTV5, Oct. 5​
​

MORE DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

• MISSION: LOCAL DEVELOPER EYES THE MALL SITE. R.H. Johnson Company has an agreement that contemplates acquiring the roughly 17-acre Mission Mall site once foreclosure ends. No sale date is set, and the city says there is no development plan or timeline.
  Original source: City of Mission, 2026-10-07​
  Other sources: Johnson County Post​
• WYANDOTTE COUNTY: UG OPTS OUT OF PARTS OF THE STADIUM AUTHORITY LAW.Commissioners voted 9-0 Thursday to opt out of provisions of House Bill 2466, including the mayor's appointment to the authority and local permit and inspection requirements. The proposed Chiefs stadium is estimated at $3 billion.
  Original source: Unified Government special meeting agenda, Oct. 8 (not readable by us)
  Other sources: KCTV5​
• IVANHOE: PROMISE PLACE BREAKS GROUND. The $28 million project at 4423 Olive St. will bring 85 affordable homes, with completion expected in summer 2028.
  Original source: Nash Group and Vecino Group groundbreaking announcement (not located; cited by KCTV5)
  Other sources: KCTV5​
• OVERLAND PARK: PARKS SALES TAX MOVES FORWARD. The Committee of the Whole voted 9-3 on Oct. 5 for a quarter-cent tax projected to raise about $176 million over 10 years, with a mail-in election set for March 2, 2027.
  Original source: City of Overland Park, Oct. 5 Committee of the Whole packet (not readable by us)
  Other sources: Johnson County Post​
• QUALITY HILL: DATA CENTER ON HOLD. The 384-foot plan at 10th and Central, which the City Plan Commission voted down Aug. 5, is held in committee until Oct. 13.
  Original source: KCMO Legistar, Ord. 260870​
• DOWNTOWN OVERLAND PARK: OLD WINSTEAD'S LOT GOES VERTICAL. Hunt Midwest broke ground this week on Canvas, a 227-unit apartment building at 8036 Metcalf Ave. with ground-floor retail and restaurant space. It is expected to open in early 2029.
  Original source: Hunt Midwest​
  Other sources: KSHB​
• INDEPENDENCE: DILLONS COMING TO BOLGER SQUARE. The City Council voted unanimously Oct. 5 to rezone the former JCPenney to general commercial. Phillips Edison Group plans a full-service Dillons with a pharmacy and fuel center. No opening date has been disclosed.
  Original source: City of Independence council materials​
  Other sources: KSHB​
• BEACON HILL: THE MABION OPENS. City leaders cut the ribbon Wednesday, Oct. 7 on the $19.3 million building at 2732 Forest Ave. It has 57 apartments, 11 of them supportive housing for families exiting homelessness, with rents at 60 percent of area median income or lower.
  Original source: Vecino Group, project release (2024; confirms 57 units and $19.3M)
  Other sources: KCTV5, Oct. 7 (ribbon cutting and address)

BUSINESS SCENE

NOW OPEN

📚 A 126-YEAR-OLD OLATHE HOUSE IS NOW A TWO-STORY BOOKSTORE PAINTED ROMANCE PINK

3 of Cups Bookstore & Commons is open at 101 W. Cedar St. in downtown Olathe, in a 126-year-old house painted romance pink. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Original source: 3 of Cups Bookstore & Commons​

Other sources: Johnson County Post, Oct. 2 | Johnson County Post, Sept. 10​

♟️ KANSAS CITY'S FIRST CHESS PARK IS OPEN ON THE ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE, AND IT IS FREE

Kansas City Chess Park opened Oct. 3 on the Rock Island Bridge over the Kansas River. Play is free, with tables and chess sets on site, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Enter at 1799 American Royal Drive.

Original source: Rock Island Bridge release, posted by the KC Chamber, 2026-10-02​

Other sources: KSHB​

COMING SOON

☕ A NORTH KANSAS CITY COFFEE SHOP OPENS MONDAY STAFFED BY ADULTS LEARNING THE TRADE

Latte Life opens Monday, October 12 at 318 Armour Rd. in North Kansas City, with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. The nonprofit Life Unlimited runs it, and its first group is four adults with disabilities in a four-month skills program.

Original source: Life Unlimited, Latte Life​

Other sources: The Pitch​

💿 A MISSOURI RECORD STORE IS TAKING A STOREFRONT INSIDE OAK PARK MALL

Joe's Records is opening its first KC-area store inside Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, targeting spring 2027. It sells vinyl, CDs and rock apparel.

Original source: not located (no Joe's Records page for the Overland Park store)

Other sources: Johnson County Post (paywalled)

GROWING

🍜 A HIDDEN OVERLAND PARK THAI SPOT IS MOVING TO OLATHE AND DROPPING TABLE SERVICE

Thai Zappz is moving from 14893 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park to 111 N. Parker St. in Olathe, with plans to reopen by the end of the year. The new spot drops table service for counter ordering.

Original source: not located (thaizappz.com has no move announcement)

Other sources: Johnson County Post (paywalled)

🏪 AN AMISH GOODS STORE LOST ITS KCK BUILDING AND REOPENED SMALLER IN OLD TOWN LENEXA

The Peddler's Daughter left its Merriam Lane home in Kansas City, Kansas after its landlord reclaimed the space, and reopened in September at 13416 Santa Fe Trail Drive in Lenexa. It sells groceries and baking mixes, mostly from Amish and Mennonite producers.

Original source: not located (no business page found)

Other sources: Johnson County Post (paywalled)

WORTH KNOWING

🧸 A MIDTOWN TOY SHOP THAT LOST ITS WESTPORT LEASE REOPENED IN A SPACE SIX TIMES LARGER

Bubble Wrapp KC at 3816 Main St. describes itself as the metro's only authorized Pop Mart retailer. It opened there in April after losing its Westport Road lease and sells blind boxes and designer toys, noon to 6 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

Original source: Bubble Wrapp Toys (address only)

Other sources: Startland News​

🦓 THE KC ZOO TOOK TOP HONORS FOR SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM CAME IN SECOND

The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium won Top Honors in the Green Award category at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2026 awards, announced September 30, for its push toward net zero emissions by 2050. The Seattle Aquarium took Significant Achievement.

Original sources: AZA awards release, 2026-09-30 | AZA accreditation release, 2026-09-29​

Other sources: KCTV5​

🥨 A CROSSROADS GERMAN RESTAURANT IS SERVING A DIFFERENT SCHNITZEL ALL MONTH

Affäre at 1911 Main St. in Crossroads is running a Schnitzelfest through the end of October, with varying takes on the German classic at dinner, the Pitch reports. Dinner is 4:45 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Original source: Affäre (address and hours; Schnitzelfest is not listed on the site)

Other sources: The Pitch​

SPORTS SCENE

📅 THIS WEEKEND

⚽ SPORTING KC HOSTS PORTLAND FOR LATINO HERITAGE NIGHT SATURDAY

Sporting Kansas City plays the Portland Timbers Saturday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Sporting Park, with the match on Apple TV. It is Latino Heritage Night, and a ticket pack includes an exclusive luchador mask hat. Sporting (6-18-3) lost 2-1 at Seattle on Oct. 1.

Also Saturday: Missouri hosts Texas A&M at 11 a.m. on ABC, K-State hosts Houston at 2:30 p.m. on FOX, and Kansas visits Utah at 9:15 p.m.

Original sources: Sporting KC weekly schedule | Sporting KC Seattle recap | Mizzou | K-State | KU​

🏈 THE CHIEFS ARE 4-0 AND OFF THIS WEEKEND

Kansas City beat the Raiders 30-27 in Las Vegas on Oct. 4 to move to 4-0, in the most-watched NFL game of the 2026 season at 28.448 million viewers, CBS said. Running back Kenneth Walker (177 rushing yards, two touchdowns) was named a FedEx Air & Ground NFL Player of the Week, and punter Matt Araiza was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. The Chiefs are on their bye and return Sunday, Oct. 18 against the Chargers at Arrowhead, 3:25 p.m. on CBS.

Original sources: Chiefs game recap | Chiefs on Araiza | Chiefs schedule​

Other sources: KCTV5 game story (AP) | KCTV5 viewership, citing CBS​

⚽ DEBINHA'S HAT TRICK LIFTS THE CURRENT TO FIFTH

Debinha scored in the 46th, 53rd and 75th minutes as the KC Current beat Bay FC 5-1 at CPKC Stadium on Oct. 3, the club's first hat trick entirely inside one half. The Current (44 points) sit fifth in the NWSL and are off this weekend for the international window, with Michelle Cooper on the USWNT roster. They return Saturday, Oct. 17 at Utah.

Original sources: KC Current match recap | U.S. Soccer roster release​

⚽ CURRENT II STANDOUT AVERY CLARK JOINS THE FIRST TEAM FOR THE FINAL STRETCH

The KC Current announced Thursday, Oct. 8 that Current II midfielder Avery Clark signed a short-term contract putting her on the first-team roster through the end of 2026. Clark scored a team-high 16 goals for Current II this season and was named Most Outstanding Player of the WPSL final. She joins with three regular-season matches left, starting Saturday, Oct. 17 at Utah.

Original source: KC Current release​

⚾ 20 YEARS AFTER BUCK O'NEIL'S DEATH, HIS SEAT AT THE K STILL HONORS THE COMMUNITY

Buck O'Neil died Oct. 6, 2006. His seat at Kauffman Stadium, the only red seat in the ballpark, is filled at every Royals home game by a community member nominated through the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat Program.

Original source: Royals, Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat Program​

Other sources: KCTV5​

🏫 KC WOLF AND THE CHIEFS CHEERLEADERS HELP LAUNCH TEAM UP FOR MATH AT CENTER ELEMENTARY

KC Wolf and the Chiefs Cheerleaders helped launch Team Up for Math at Center Elementary, KCTV5 reported Oct. 7. Volunteer mentors from Burns & McDonnell pair with third graders to practice math through board and card games. Center School District is the first to launch the program, backed by a $625,000, five-year commitment built on a partnership among Burns & McDonnell, the KC STEM Alliance and the Chiefs.

Original source: Burns & McDonnell release, 2026-10-07​

Other sources: KCTV5 (Center Elementary event)

🏈 SAN ANTONIO NAMES A STREET FOR A SUPER BOWL IV CHIEF

San Antonio City Council voted Oct. 1 to rename Splashtown Drive as Willie Mitchell Drive, honoring the San Antonio native and former Chiefs cornerback. Mitchell played in Super Bowl I and won a ring when the Chiefs beat the Vikings in Super Bowl IV.

Original source: City of San Antonio, District 2 rename request, April 2026 (the Oct. 1 council vote record was not located)

Other sources: KSAT | KCTV5​

⏳ THE COUNTDOWN

• Oct 10: Sporting KC vs. Portland, 7:30 p.m.
• Oct 16: KC Mavericks open vs. Rapid City at Cable Dahmer Arena, 7:05 p.m.
• Oct 17: Current at Utah, 5:30 p.m. on ION; Kansas at K-State, 11 a.m. on FS1
• Oct 18: Chiefs vs. Chargers, 3:25 p.m. on CBS
• Oct 25: Current vs. Washington Spirit, 4 p.m. on ESPN, final home match

REAL ESTATE SCENE

​SPONSORED BY MOVING TO KC​