Kansas City Neon: Dry New Year, Tik Tok & Record Homelessness

More than a few things to consider for our late night & early morning readers. 

We hope to get back to it soon . . . But for now we wanted to share just a bit of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Sobering Party Time

Five KC places to ring in the New Year that aren't focused on alcohol

Courtesy Uptown Theater Cheers to surviving 2024! Raise a glass of champagne or sparkling white grape juice. Everything goes here in KC, but some places are better than others for those who are looking to avoid an alcohol-focused party scene. Here are our top picks (that aren't sold out) for ringing in the New Year with more entertainment or food...

Golden Ghetto Gets Richer

Beyond Panasonic: Johnson County will add 1,000-plus manufacturing jobs in 2025 - Kansas City Business Journal

Beef, butter, bread and soda; it's not a grocery list but a snapshot of what local manufacturers are hoping to create in Johnson County.

Show-Me New Rules

New Missouri laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2025

New laws and changes to existing laws on phone use while driving, minimum wage and criminal expungements are going into effect on Jan. 1 in Missouri.

Mr. Schmidt Goes To Washington

Newest Kansas Congressman prepares to head to D.C.

Does Paddy Approve?!?

KC Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt shares Patrick Mahomes' opinion of her boyfriend

Former college football quarterback turned real estate agent Cody Keith is now dating Kansas City Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt, with the billionaire suggesting that Patrick Mahomes approves of him

Super Model Shares Winter Look

Emily Ratajkowski wows in sexy selfie during her festive December

Emily Ratajkowski put on a busty display in a sultry snap for an Instagram roundup as she reflected on her busy and festive month of December.

Border Order Against White House

Court orders Biden admin to stop selling border wall materials, was 'illegally subverting' laws: Texas AG

Texas court halts Biden admin from selling border wall materials, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Friday in a News release.

MAGA Rules Internets

Trump urges Supreme Court to hit pause on a law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. next month

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case on Jan. 10. The law is set to take effect on Jan. 19, one day before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.

Street Life Confronts Americans

U.S. homelessness jumps to another record high, amid affordable housing shortage

The annual federal count finds more than 770,000 people living in shelters or outside. It cites rising rents and the recent surge in migrants as key factors behind the increase.

Crash Postscript

Survivors of Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash report hearing bangs, explosions during flight

The Azerbaijan Airlines passenger aircraft crashed near Kazakhstan's Aktau Airport on Wednesday morning, killing 38 of the 67 people on board, Kazakh officials said.

Far East Fodder

Ukraine war briefing: 'Human wave' of North Korean troops being sent to their deaths, says US

Kyiv reports heavy casualties among Pyongyang's soldiers in Russia while Washington accuses generals of seeing the troops as 'expendable'. What we know on day 1,039

Holy Land Life Lessons

Armed for survival: How Oct 7 Hamas massacre transformed gun culture in Israel

In the wake of the unprecedented October. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, Israelis are having to grapple with the new reality of firearm ownership in a country where owning guns was once uncommon.

Late Night Snack

Food News: What's new in December 2024

Food news: Here's what's new in Kansas City food and drink for December 2024 from restaurant openings and closings to other news.

Haze Shade Of Winter Redux

Kansas City weather: Fog continuing into Saturday, mild temperatures this weekend

Clouds and fog are sticking around overnight Friday into Saturday morning. Here's what you can expect this weekend:

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.