Kansas City's stadium fight moved from talk to paperwork this week, while a monorail plan, a record year for rabid bats and two long-running closings rounded out the news. Here's what's making headlines:

🏟️ The Royals' stadium financing reached City Hall, and the council held off on letting voters weigh in on future stadium deals.

🚝 A petition to put a monorail from KCI to downtown on the April ballot was held over typos.

🎡 Gardner rezoned 214 acres for a proposed $1.5 billion entertainment district.

🦇 Kansas City has found more rabid bats this year than in any year in over a decade.

🏈 Land prices near the future Chiefs stadium in Wyandotte County are already climbing, and one riding academy had to move.

🥩 Anton's serves its last meal today after 14 years in the Crossroads.

🧁 A Plaza cupcake shop closes Saturday after 15 years.

☕ Mokas Coffee opens its first ever franchise in Olathe next week.

🛒 The Lee's Summit Costco opens October 2, the day after Midtown's closes.

🎬 A Kansas City made film opens in AMC theaters nationwide October 2.

🎂 A 90-year-old Chiefs fan celebrated her birthday where she's spent 63 seasons, the B Red Lot at Arrowhead.

⚾ The Royals' final home weekend starts tonight.

These are just some of the stories making headlines around Kansas City this week. Scroll down for all the details!

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This Week in KC

🦇 SEVEN RABID BATS FOUND IN KANSAS CITY THIS YEAR, THE MOST IN OVER A DECADE

The Kansas City Health Department has confirmed 7 rabies-positive bats in 2026, the highest count in more than 10 years. It has given 52% more rabies vaccinations than it did in 2025. Don't touch a bat, even a dead one. If you're bitten, scratched or have direct contact, get medical care right away and call KC Animal Control at 816-513-1313.

🐾 TWO NORTHLAND GIRL SCOUTS TURNED A NEWSPAPER BOX INTO A 24/7 PET MICROCHIP SCANNER
Girl Scouts Lexi and Effy built the Northland's first 24/7 microchip scanning station outside the Northland Animal Welfare Society clinic. The old newspaper dispenser holds a scanner and a QR code that links to a pet search site. Find a stray at any hour, scan it and look up the owner online.

🏈 A KCK AGENT SAYS THE CHIEFS STADIUM IS ALREADY PUSHING WYCO TOWARD A SELLER'S MARKET
Ben Hassine of Carthage Real Estate Group told FOX4 the commercial market around the future stadium site near The Legends is shifting toward sellers. One client's property sat listed for years, drew an offer above asking, then came off the market to wait. Nearby homeowners told FOX4 their main worry is taxes. The $3 billion domed stadium is set to open for the 2031 NFL season.

🐎 A BONNER SPRINGS RIDING ACADEMY BOUGHT ITS OWN RANCH AFTER LAND NEAR THE CHIEFS SITE DOUBLED

Great Plains Adaptive Riding Academy, which has served riders with special needs since 2013, is moving to a permanent property about 10 miles away, just across the Wyandotte County line. Executive director Laurie Mosier told FOX4 local land prices "just about doubled" after the Chiefs announced their move, so she and the lead instructor sold their own homes to buy it. Plans include an indoor arena, a trail riding area and an inclusive garden, with the full move expected by the end of the year. The academy has 36 riders.

🏨 HOLLYWOOD CASINO BREAKS GROUND ON A 140-ROOM HOTEL AT KANSAS SPEEDWAY

Kansas Entertainment, the PENN Entertainment and NASCAR joint venture, breaks ground Friday, Sept. 25 on a hotel of about 140 rooms connected to the casino's west entrance. It will be part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio, developed by Prime Group US and run by Shaner Hotels. Opening is expected in 2028. No project cost has been released.

🎬 KC-MADE MOVIE RISE AND SHINE HITS AMC THEATRES NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 2
Rise and Shine is the first Kansas City production to use Missouri's Motion Media Tax Credit. The filmmakers say it created 118 jobs, 94 for Missouri residents. Look for St. Teresa's Academy, Andre's Chocolates and the old Westport Middle School gym on screen. It stars Tony winner Rachel Bay Jones and Ana Sharp, an actress with cerebral palsy, in her first feature.

🏢 DEVELOPMENT SCENE

KANSAS CITY'S COUNCIL TAKES UP BOTH SIDES OF THE STADIUM QUESTION
The financing for the Royals' downtown ballpark reached the Kansas City Council as legislation Thursday. Three measures sponsored by Mayor Quinton Lucas were introduced at the September 24 meeting. Ordinance 260888 would approve the Downtown Stadium TIF Plan. Ordinance 260889 would authorize Missouri Development Finance Board bonds covering up to $560 million in stadium costs, and its title appropriates $642,063,135 in bond proceeds as the city's contribution. Item 260890 would designate the plan's first redevelopment area. None of these was a vote. The council sent all three to committee. Clerk records list them, along with the Crown Center rezoning (260705) that has been held since early September, for the Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on September 29.

Also on the agenda was Ordinance 260858, which started as a Missouri Workers Power petition. It would ask voters on April 6, 2027 whether future stadiums and arenas with 2,500 or more seats need voter approval before they get city money, bonds or tax breaks. The council held it for one week, along with a separate transit sales tax ballot measure, after a closed session for legal advice on the ballot questions. City staff said they want the petition-driven measures handled the same way. It is expected back Thursday, October 1. Lucas told KCTV5 he opposes it because future councils need flexibility, and said that in his view it would not reach the Royals or KC Current projects. The petitioners disagree.

Sources: KCMO City Clerk | KCTV5 | FOX4

GARDNER REZONED 214 ACRES FOR A $1.5 BILLION ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, AND THE HARD PART IS STILL AHEAD

Gardner's council voted unanimously September 21 to rezone land east of I-35 between 167th and 175th streets for Velocity Arts. The plans include a 15,000 seat concert pavilion, a 6,000 seat esports arena, a 10 acre lagoon and a 300 key hotel. City staff said Gardner can't currently provide power, water or sewer service to the site. The STAR bonds the developer is pursuing have not been approved, and county airport officials still have to review the plan.

Sources: KCTV5 | FOX4

BELTON'S $250 MILLION UPTOWN BONDS CLEARED A FIRST VOTE

Belton's council gave first-reading approval September 22 to $250 million in Chapter 100 bonds for the Uptown entertainment district. The district would include about 600 homes, a movie theater and a go-kart track above an arcade. KSHB reports the deal abates about $56 million in property taxes over 20 years, roughly $35 million of it owed to the Belton School District. The final vote is expected in about two weeks.

Sources: KSHB 41 | KCTV5

UMKC BROKE GROUND ON A $41 MILLION CONSERVATORY EXPANSION

The first phase of the Olson Conservatory expansion broke ground September 23 and will stretch toward Volker Boulevard. Construction is expected to take about 18 months.

Sources: KCUR | UMKC

THE NEW NEGRO LEAGUES MUSEUM HAS A BUILDER

Russell Construction and Vazquez Grayson will build the new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum at 18th and Vine, along with the 144 room Pennant Hotel next door. No cost or timeline has been released.

Sources: KCTV5 | KSHB 41

THREE JOHNSON COUNTY HOUSING PLANS MOVED THIS WEEK

In Overland Park, more than 1,200 homes could go inside the Corporate Woods office park, with the planning commission tentatively set to take it up October 12. In Mission, the council sent the expanded Foxridge apartment plan, now more than 650 units, back to the planning commission after residents pushed back. Shawnee rezoned 17 acres on Midland Drive, empty since 1974, for 168 apartments.

Source: Johnson County Post

Business Scene

NOW OPEN

A POP UP LIP BAR TOOK A PERMANENT STOREFRONT IN DOWNTOWN OVERLAND PARK

Bespoke Beaute Lab opened last weekend at 7224 W. 79th St., after two years of popping up around the metro. Pick from 30 shades, choose gloss, bullet or liquid, add glitter, plumper, SPF or a scent, and it is mixed at the counter. Up to 10 people can build at once, which is why it is already booking bachelorette parties. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Sources: Johnson County Post (9/22) | Startland News (8/13)

A HOT CHICKEN WINDOW MOVED INTO A DAIQUIRI BAR'S KITCHEN FOR GOOD AT MARTINI CORNER

The Daiquiri District opened Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 408 E. 31st St. near Martini Corner, in the old Barrio Taqueria space, with Howlin' Fowls running the kitchen: tenders, wings and shrimp next to build-your-own frozen daiquiris. Owner James Thomas says the partnership is permanent, not an opening-week collaboration. He built the brand as Brain Freeze Mobile Daiquiri Shop and got the 3,000 square foot room through Open Doors!, the city's vacant-storefront program, with an upstairs lounge and rooftop still to come.

Source: Startland News

CLOSING

A CROSSROADS STEAKHOUSE WENT FROM $4 MILLION A YEAR TO UNDER $1 MILLION, AND THIS IS ITS LAST WEEK

Anton's, the taproom and steakhouse at 1610 Main St., serves its last meal Friday, September 25, closing after 14 years. Revenue fell from well over $4 million a year before the pandemic to about $80,000 a month, and staff from 85 people to roughly 25. Owner Anton Kotar cited sales taxes, health department disputes, the economy and his health: "I would not open a business in Kansas City ever again," he told the Kansas City Star. Through Friday it is half price for cash customers and 25 percent off for cards.

Sources: KCTV5 (9/22) | Hoodline (9/23) | The Pitch (9/24)

A PLAZA CUPCAKE SHOP OF 15 YEARS SAYS IT COULD NOT AGREE ON A NEW LEASE

Cupcake A La Mode closes Saturday, September 26 at 4639 Wornall Rd. on the Country Club Plaza, after 15 years. Owner Jennifer Kitchens told the Kansas City Star that lease talks stalled: "There were things that we wanted to get negotiated and taken care of, but there was a lot of stalling on their end." The Plaza store is the brand's last one, with its Lee's Summit and West Plaza shops already closed.

Sources: Kansas City Star | Tony's Kansas City (9/17)

COMING SOON

A CENTRAL KANSAS COFFEE CHAIN IS FRANCHISING FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, STARTING IN OLATHE

Mokas Coffee and Eatery opens Wednesday, September 30 at 11814 S. Fellows St. in Olathe, a new 3,100 square foot space off 119th and Ridgeview. The Salina chain has never franchised in 20 years, and Christian Coleman is its first franchisee ever. A chamber ribbon cutting and a Friends and Family Day Sunday, September 27 lead in.

Sources: Mokas, PR Newswire | Johnson County Post

7 BREW IS PUTTING ITS FIFTH JOHNSON COUNTY DRIVE THRU IN AN OLD KFC

The Arkansas chain is turning the former Kentucky Fried Chicken at 11560 W. 63rd St., at 63rd and Quivira, into its first Shawnee stand, still listed as coming soon on 7 Brew's own site. It will be the chain's fifth in Johnson County, after three in Overland Park and one in Olathe, plus two on the Missouri side. Hours once open will be 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Sources: Johnson County Post (9/21) | 7 Brew

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK IS COMBINING A TANNING SALON AND A PENN STATION IN OLATHE

The Georgia chain is going into 14991 W. 119th St. at Olathe Pointe, off 119th and Black Bob, merging a former tanning salon and a Penn Station, and targeting January or February 2027 depending on construction. Sisters Jo Anne Williams and Cindy Sulzman committed to three Johnson County stores, opened their first at 91st and Metcalf in June 2025, and have a fourth planned for Bluhawk in summer 2027. Williams says Olathe customers kept driving to Overland Park and asking when one was coming to them.

Sources: Johnson County Post (9/22) | Chicken Salad Chick, PR Newswire (9/20/24)

A TEXAS FRIED CHICKEN CHAIN IS ENTERING KANSAS CITY THROUGH AN EMPTY HARDEE'S

Golden Chick, founded in San Marcos, Texas in 1967, is taking the former Hardee's at 815 S. Parker St. in Olathe, its first in Johnson County and the wider metro. Wichita is currently the chain's only Kansas store. A company representative says early 2027, still pending city approvals and construction, so this is an announcement rather than a groundbreaking, and the menu runs fried chicken, tenders, catfish, fried okra and mac and cheese.

Sources: Johnson County Post (9/23) | Golden Chick locator

THE LEE'S SUMMIT COSTCO OPENS THE DAY AFTER MIDTOWN'S CLOSES

The new Costco at 10 SE Oldham Pkwy., near U.S. 50 and Missouri 291, opens Friday, October 2, five weeks later than the August 28 date Lee's Summit had been given. It anchors Phase 1 of a 77 acre development that also brings hundreds of housing units, restaurants and more than 3,000 parking spaces. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with gas, tires, a food court, pharmacy and optical.

Sources: KCTV5 (8/24) | KSHB 41 (9/19) | Costco

A NORTH KANSAS CITY COFFEE ROASTER OPENS SATURDAY WITH AN UPSTAIRS CUPPING LAB

Provis Coffee Roasters opens to the public Saturday, September 26 at 2914 N. Buchanan St. in North Kansas City's Blume development, after a Friday soft opening. The 6,000 square foot, two story cafe has bookshelves, a fireplace and an upstairs cupping lab that doubles as rentable meeting space. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, with no upcharge on alternative milks.

Sources: The Pitch (9/24) | Provis Coffee Roasters | Sprudge (5/28)

SHAWNEE WAITED SINCE 2017 FOR THIS SHOPPING CENTER, AND ITS GROCERY ANCHOR OPENS IN WEEKS

El Mercado Fresco is targeting early October at 75th and Quivira in Shawnee, anchoring the rebuilt Westbrooke Green center with a deli, bakery and fresh produce in a space that used to be a Dillons. Shawnee first approved the redevelopment with CID and TIF money in 2017, and developer PJ Guastello took it over under a new agreement in 2024 after the previous developer defaulted: "It's been a long time coming," he told KSHB. A liquor store, golf simulator, nail salon and restaurants are planned to follow.

Sources: KSHB 41 (9/24) | Johnson County Post (7/28) | Johnson County Post (9/10/25)

A BOOKSTORE THAT KEPT GETTING DELAYED PICKED HALLOWEEN FOR ITS GRAND OPENING

Hardback Books opens Saturday, October 31 at 325 E. 31st St., Suite 104, in Martini Corner, running 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop announced the date on its own Instagram after what it called unavoidable delays: "We had hoped to be open sooner than this but after some unavoidable delays we are very excited to have an opening date finalized." Specifics for the day are still to come, and it lands a block from The Daiquiri District, which opened at 408 E. 31st St. earlier this month.

Source: Hardback Books on Instagram

WORTH KNOWING

TWO SISTERS ARE RUNNING A BOBA AND STREET CORN WINDOW ON PARKVILLE'S MAIN STREET

Sabor Express, at 115 Main St. in downtown Parkville, is a walk-up window run by sisters Mari and Naydelin Chau, second generation to the family behind K-Tacos & More. The menu refuses a lane: boba, matcha, dirty Red Bulls and smoothies alongside street corn, dumplings, Sabor Fried Rice and a teriyaki bowl. "We don't want to put ourselves into one specific category," Mari told The Pitch.

Sources: The Pitch (9/21) | Hoodline (9/22)

THE MAN RUNNING 500 EMPLOYEES ACROSS Q39 ARRIVED FROM ECUADOR IN 1994

Xavier Echeverria, Q39's director of operations, came to the US from Ecuador in 1994 and finished high school in Lawrence, and KSHB reports he now oversees roughly 500 employees across the barbecue brand. Q39's own bio says he started as a dishwasher in 1998, has 26 years in hospitality and joined the company in August 2024. He helped open two Q39 locations in under six months, in Lawrence and Lee's Summit, and it lands inside Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through October 15.

Sources: KSHB 41 | Q39 team page

INDEPENDENCE IS BUILDING A NEW CHRISTMAS MARKET TO PAY BACK THE VENDORS STORMS WIPED OUT

The first Independence Square Christmas Market runs Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at CourtHouse Exchange, 113 W. Lexington Ave. SantaCaliGon vendors get first priority and free booth space, a makegood for the festival closing a day early over Labor Day weekend after storms tore through the booths. Everyone else goes on a wait list, and Visit Independence says some have already claimed space.

Sources: Independence Square Association | KSHB 41

SPORTS SCENE

📅 THIS WEEKEND

LAST CALL AT THE K: THE ROYALS' FINAL HOME WEEKEND STARTS TONIGHT

This is your last chance to catch the Royals this year. They host Cleveland tonight at 6:40 p.m., and the season ends at home Sunday. Tonight is Futures Night, with minor league award winners honored before first pitch and signing autographs at Gate A from 5 to 5:45 p.m.

Also this weekend: The Current host Denver Summit FC Saturday at 11:30 a.m. on CBS. The Chiefs play in Miami Sunday at noon on CBS.

Source: MLB.com

THE CURRENT COULD FALL OUT OF A PLAYOFF SPOT SATURDAY

The KC Current sit eighth in the NWSL, holding the last playoff spot with 38 points and five regular season games left. Denver Summit FC is three points back and, CBS Sports reports, would pass Kansas City on goal difference with a win at CPKC Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is 11:30 a.m. on CBS and Paramount+. Standings could shift again before then depending on Friday's Seattle vs. Boston result.

Source: CBS Sports (9/25)

🎙️ THE STORY

SHE'S 90, AND SHE STILL NEVER MISSES A TAILGATE

Lois Sheil bought her first Chiefs season tickets 63 years ago. Sunday night she celebrated her 90th birthday in the B Red Lot at Arrowhead, surrounded by 6 kids, 18 grandkids and 30 great-grandkids, with two more on the way. KC Wolf stopped by to wish her a happy birthday on national TV.

That same night, Taylor Swift wore a $40 vintage Chiefs tank to the game. After NBC showed it on air, it sold out in every size in less than 24 hours. Two very different fans, and a pretty good picture of what Arrowhead is.

Sources: KSHB 41 | FOX4

🏟️ OFF THE FIELD

NEBRASKA IS BRINGING ITS 2027 OPENER TO ARROWHEAD

The Huskers play Miami (Ohio) there on August 27, 2027, while their own stadium is being renovated. Expect a lot of red in town, just a different shade.

Sources: Chiefs.com | Huskers.com

"SPORTS IS OUR EXPORT": KC LEADERS WANT THE CITY KNOWN FOR IT THE WAY NASHVILLE IS KNOWN FOR MUSIC

That was the pitch at a Back2KC panel at CPKC Stadium on Friday, September 18. KC2026 board vice president Neal Sharma called the World Cup the launch pad, not the finish line, and named sports media, sports tech, sports health and youth sports as the next lanes. KC Diamonds owner Jeremy McDowell said the new pro softball team at Legends drew the biggest crowds in the sport in its first year.

Source: Startland News

THE BALLPARK, FAN VERSION

The Royals' downtown stadium financing was formally introduced at City Hall Thursday, with no vote on the deal itself. KSHB reports the city's promised share would be paid from future tax revenue in a new "stadium impact area" running roughly from Truman Road to 31st Street and from State Line Road to Brooklyn Avenue. The public gets its first shot at it Tuesday, September 29 at 10:30 a.m., at a hearing before the council's finance committee.

The council also held the measure asking voters whether they should get the final say on future stadium deals, and it is expected back Thursday, October 1. Nothing changes at the K yet. The full story is in Development Scene.

Source: KSHB 41

⏳ THE COUNTDOWN

Sept 29, 10:30 a.m.: public hearing on the Royals financing at the council's finance committee
Oct 1: the stadium public vote measure is expected back before the full council
Oct 16: the KC Mavericks open their season
Nov 23: FIFA names the 2031 Women's World Cup host

💬 YOUR TURN

Should KC voters get the final say on future stadium deals? Hit reply and tell us.

Watch Now

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If you have $500,000 to spend in Kansas City, the hard part isn't finding a house. It's figuring out what you're willing to give up. My family just made this exact call, moving from Waldo to Brookside for more space without losing the neighborhood, so here's what that same budget really buys across six very different parts of the metro.

REAL ESTATE SCENE

SPONSORED BY MOVING TO KC

🎯 REAL ESTATE SCENE

SPONSORED BY MOVING TO KC

Spacious Thousand Oaks Home with Luxury Finishes

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The finished walkout lower level offers flexible living space and a non-conforming bedroom perfect for guests or a private suite. Outside, enjoy a screened-in porch with fireplace, expansive composite deck, and a private backyard backing to wooded greenspace. Residents also have access to pools, trails, tennis courts, playgrounds, and clubhouse amenities.