Kansas City News Stack: Local Gift Of Life, MAGA Funding Mess & Swift Fashion

For close news watchers we share inspiration from biz lady, model and hottie Candice as we check pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Holiday Exchange

Community Blood Center gifting socks and beanies to donors

The Community Blood Center (CBC) is giving back this holiday season to people who are choosing to donate their blood at a time when blood supply is scarce

Mayor Q Agenda Going Forward

'I think Kansas City can walk and chew gum': Mayor looks to balance development and affordability in 2025

Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said the city can "walk and chew gum" as it balances development with affordability in 2025.

Hip-Hop Family Biz Debuts

Father of Tech N9ne, two of KC's favorite chefs inspired their drive from his Kansas City hair salon

Hassan Khalifah started "with a string," turned it into a string of businesses, then pulled the thread on his most successful venture. His children - now two chefs, an iconic Kansas City rapper, and a popular TikTok influencer - were watching everything.

Actually, Most Neighbors Want To Keep The Park

Westwood residents split over the sale of Joe D. Dennis Park

The holidays are about coming together, but in Westwood, Kansas, there's a crack in the community. You're either team "Save the Park" or team "Build the Park."

Golden Ghetto Sends EPIC Gift

'This is Christmas': Overland Park donates farmers' market pavilion to Garnett

Construction crews started removing the old pavilion at the site of Overland Park's new farmers' market and gathering space.

Show-Me Exit Strategy

'I am finally retiring': Missouri man wins big on lottery ticket purchased in Kansas City

A man is $3 million richer after buying a Missouri Lottery scratch-off at a Price Chopper in Clay County, part of Kansas City's Northland.

Swift Fashions Game Day Look

Taylor Swift cheers on Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in matchup against Texans

Pop superstar Taylor Swift is back at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs' final regular-season home game.

Angel Juxtaposition

Candice Swanepoel Was 'Super Happy' With Her 2024 VS Fashion Show Looks

Candice Swanepoel exclusively opened up to Us Weekly about returning to the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

MAGA Hot Mess Awaits?!?

Congress avoids a shutdown but leaves 'a big mess' for Trump and Republicans in 2025

Another funding bill. A debt limit extension. Major party-line bills on immigration and taxes. Nominations. Trump tried to push Congress to take the debt ceiling off his plate but failed.

Speaker Uncertain

Funding saga forecasts future struggles for Speaker Johnson

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) averted a government shutdown, but the days-long rollercoaster as the leaders cycled through multiple plans leaves serious questions about how the Speaker will manage the House GOP under President-elect Trump - and whether he can keep his gavel. The intra-party clashes that were on full display this week will be even...

White House Makes It Official

Biden signs government funding bill, averting shutdown crisis

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden signed a government funding bill on Saturday, formally averting a shutdown crisis after Congress passed the bill.

Bad Company In The Clink

Luigi Mangione - now in solitary confinement - could join the same jail unit as Diddy and SBF as soon as Monday

He may join Combs and SBF next week. For now, it's "the hole" for Mangione, who is charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

New Path After Switcheroo

US removes long-standing bounty on Syrian rebel leader | CNN Politics

The United States has removed the long-standing $10 million bounty on the de-facto leader of Syria following a high-level US delegation meeting with the former jihadist Friday.

Holy Land Under Attack Again

Missile fired from Yemen hits Israel, injures 16 - DW - 12/21/2024

A missile fired from Yemen struck an area of ​​Tel Aviv overnight, lightly injuring 16 people. The attack came less than two days after a series of Israeli airstrikes on Yemen.

Europe Fight Cont'd

Russian airports disrupted after 'massive' overnight drone exchange with Ukraine

Two Russian airports were put under flight restrictions early Saturday after authorities alleged an attack by Ukrainian drones, according to state-run news agencies.

Hollywood Legal Battle

Blake Lively accuses It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment

According to complaint, Baldoni retaliated after crisis meeting attending by Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds

Influence Behind The Scenes

'We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine

Last summer, as the release of "It Ends With Us" approached, Justin Baldoni, the director and a star of the

Mighty Tech Moves Power Garbage Content

First demonstration of quantum teleportation over busy Internet cables

Northwestern University engineers are the first to successfully demonstrate quantum teleportation over a fiber optic cable already carrying Internet traffic.

Crackdown On Box Store Gear

Lawmaker demands adult toys be banned from Target and Walmart

A PROPOSED law seeks to ban sex toys from retail stores such as Target and Walmart. One newly-elected legislator wants to introduce the ruling limiting sales to erotic businesses, such as strip clu...

Locals Act Out

Hollywood Comedy Thriller filmed in KC: "It's Fargo on Steroids"

A comedy thriller Boris is Dead is being filmed in Kansas City taking advantage of Missouri's revived film tax credit.

Hipsters Try Near Beer

Trendsetting Crossroads brewer taps another first: KC's only locally-owned non-alcoholic beer

A star on the Kansas City craft beer is setting a new baseline for inclusivity on the local brewing scene, said Eric Martens, introducing the metro's first hometown non-alcoholic beer - a product of months dedication and innovation, he added.

Weekend Deadline Awaits

Kansas Citians start last-minute shopping push ahead of Super Saturday

With fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, shoppers took advantage of the final weekend before the holiday.

South Side Carbs Reconsidered

Bountiful bagels: Find a taste of New York in Grandview and Belton

By Pete Dulin A fresh-baked bagel with a schmear of scallion cream cheese from Luca Bagel conjured a taste of home for owner Luke Salvatore. Since December 2022, Salvatore has boiled and baked doug...

Katie's Forecast For Now . . . 

Game day is sunny but cold

Saturday will have high temperatures around 36 degrees; things will warm up starting Sunday, but it will get cloudier during the week.

SZA - Drive is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.