Kansas City growth balances change and culture across 7 stories this year
The curated articles connect Kansas City's politics, urban planning, and pop culture. They show how legal disputes, city development, and cultural events intersect.
One recent lawsuit challenges how Missouri's new congressional map divides Kansas City along racial lines. Kansas City recently lifted a height restriction to allow a 20-story building on the Country Club Plaza, aiming to revitalize the area. City officials announced a stadium area makeover to improve walkways, lighting, and amenities ahead of the FIFA World Cup. In pop culture, a local farm created a corn maze honoring Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, drawing fans and celebrating their connection to the city.
These stories illustrate how decisions in government and city planning shape the community. Legal actions and new projects impact who feels included or excluded. Pop culture moments, like the Kelce–Swift corn maze, boost civic pride and bring residents together.
NO. 1: FOX SPORTS BRINGS SUPER BOWL-LEVEL SETUP TO CHIEFS-EAGLES. SEE INSIDE
A rematch of Super Bowl LIX takes place Sunday, Sept. | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez
NO. 2: GET AN EARLY LOOK AT THIS KC CORN MAZE CELEBRATING KELCE & SWIFT’S LOVE STORY
Amid continued excitement over the engagement of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift, a local farm is keeping love and football at the forefront of fall fun. | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad
NO. 3: RETURNING TO KANSAS CITY IS A REMINDER THAT EVERY ONE OF US BELONGS | OPINION
I grew up in Kansas City in the 1970s and 1980s. | Published September 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hali Lee
NO. 4: KC TO ALLOW 20-STORY BUILDING ON COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA. MAYOR WEIGHS IN
For three years, the western edge of the Country Club Plaza has sat barren and unused, becoming what Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas once called a three-acre “hole” or “pit.” On Thursday, in a unanimous vote, the Kansas City City Council voted to do away with the 130-foot height restriction on the parcel where a new Nordstrom department store had once been planned, before the company backed out in 2022. | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler
NO. 5: KC IS GIVING STADIUM DRIVE A MAKEOVER BEFORE WORLD CUP NEXT YEAR. WHAT TO EXPECT
Stadium Drive, the road leading to the Truman Sports Complex, is getting an upgrade ahead of the FIFA World Cup next year. | Published September 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins
NO. 6: THIS COMPANY GREW FROM TINY KC SHOP TO THE LARGEST MUSIC RETAILER IN THE WORLD
For almost a century, the Jenkins Music Company was a major force in the music retail industry. | Published September 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sarah Biegelsen
NO. 7: LAWSUIT CHALLENGING MISSOURI CONGRESSIONAL MAP CALLS OUT RACIAL DIVISION OF KC
A second group of Missouri voters has sued the state over the sprawling new congressional districts approved by the Senate on Friday to cap off a contentious special session. | Published September 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.