Kansas City Clasp: Celeb Life, Wartime Doubt & JoCo Diwali Party

Right now hottie Kim's fashion turnaround inspires another peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Newsflash: Pop Diva Publicity Stunt Proves Effective

Kansas City Chiefs dreamed of building an international fanbase. Then Taylor Swift came along

When the pop star wove the team's name into a song in Argentina on Saturday, millions of people around the world stopped what they were doing and took to Google.

Another Kind Of JoCo Celebration Of Lights

Shawnee temple celebrates Diwali

From noon to 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 hundreds celebrated Diwali in Shawnee at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir.

Holiday Spirit Needs Help

Johnson County Christmas Bureau in need of volunteers

With18 days until December and opening day for the holiday staple, the charity organization says it's having difficulty finding people to help out

Show-Me Salvation

Driver fends off would-be carjacker wielding an axe by asking him to pray, police say

When the suspect, Romel Taylor, brandished the weapon, the victim asked: "Will you pray with me?"

Cash Helps Hype Kansas

$500K awarded to Kansas organizations dedicated to attracting tourists

Organizations dedicated to attracting tourists to their communities have been awarded a total of $500,000 through grants from the Kansas Department of Tourism.

Moms Need MO Help . . . 

Diaper dilemma: Local non-profit group could lose its Missouri state tax credit

The non-profit, which currently serves about 5000 children a month, could potentially lose its Missouri state tax credit.

Another Last Spin Story

Overland Park record shop closing down as owners retire

Owners of Vinyl Renaissance & Audio, off 90th and Metcalf, said they're retiring and closing their Overland Park store after 20-plus years.

Can't Blame Former Prez For Trying . . . 

Trump asked for 'quid pro quo' from Kim Kardashian to score famous White House visitors: Book

Former President Donald Trump reportedly agreed to grant additional commutations for prison sentences Kim Kardashian was working on in exchange for White House visits from football stars familiar with the reality TV star, but the football players declined.

White House Reassurance

The campaign manager for Obama's 2012 reelection bid has some advice for Democrats worried about Biden's polling woes

"A year before a presidential election, it is just too early to get an accurate read on how the people will actually vote," Jim Messina wrote.

Justice, Politics & Work Rules

Compromises, loopholes and old promises: What to know about the Supreme Court's ethics code

The court's adoption of a formal code of conduct is a first - but it's unlikely to be a transformation.

Rise To Occasion?!?

Speaker Johnson faces balancing act to avoid shutdown

Disagreement among House Republicans over Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) two-step plan to extend government funding until next year is throwing Washington into uncertain territory ahead of a Friday shutdown deadline - a familiar pattern for the House GOP that is nonetheless creating for the new Speaker the first major balancing act of his tenure.

MAGA Lawyers Flip . . . 

'The boss is not going to leave': Proffer videos show ex-Trump lawyers telling Georgia prosecutors about efforts to overturn 2020 election

ABC News has obtained video excerpts of proffer interviews Georgia prosecutors held with two ex-Trump lawyers as part of plea deals they struck in the 2020 election case.

Moment Of Doubt Documented

Scoop: Internal State Dept. memo blasts Biden and U.S. policy on Israel-Hamas war

Diplomats warn in a "dissent memo" that U.S. policy is on the wrong track in the Middle East.

World's Policeman Probs Proliferate

From Gaza to Ukraine, wars and crises are piling up

How diplomats and generals are running out of bandwidth | International

Far East Figures Out Weaknesses

China is using the world's largest known online disinformation operation to harass Americans, a CNN review finds | CNN

The Chinese government has built up the world's largest known online disinformation operation and is using it to harass US residents, politicians, and businesses-at times threatening its targets with violence, a CNN review of court documents and public disclosures by social media companies has found.

South Of Border Not Really Tolerant

Mexico's first openly non-binary magistrate found dead at home

Authorities look into Jesús Ociel Baena's cause of death as activists urge full investigation into gender identity-related threats

MAGA Tech Suffers FAIL

Trump's Truth Social Has Lost $73M Since Launch, New Filing Shows

Truth Social Losses and Revenue revealed for first time as Trump social platform discloses financial data and says it is a "going concern"

Turnabout & Fair Play

We need to stop exploiting Black women through the 'Booty Paradox'

Even as the fashion industry promotes body-hugging clothes that highlight women's curvy derrieres, Black women still face the policing of their bodies.

Bloggy End Game Unpacked For Elite TKC Readers Who Don't Just React To Political Spin

Pluralistic: "Brand safety" killed Jezebel (11 Nov 2023)

Progressives: if you want to lose to conservatives, all you need to do is reflexively praise and support everything conservatives turn into a culture-war issue, without considering whether they might be right. Because sometimes...they're right.

Booze News Right Now

Two Kansas City beers named to list of 20 best in 2023

Kansas City breweries, KC Bier Co. and BKS Artisan Ales are named to Craft Beer & Brewing's "Best 20 Beers in 2023" list.

Enjoy Autumn While It Lasts

Kansas City is sunny and warm this week

Things are clear and cool Monday night, with lows in the low 40s

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.