Kansas City News Swing: Good Deeds & MAGA Loses Popular Vote

Right now golfer, presenter and celeb hottie Paige inspires us to tee off on pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Holiday Help Offered

The Season of Giving: 6 Volunteer Opportunities in KC - IN Kansas City Magazine

As you enjoy the spoils of the holidays-gifts, meals, family, and warmth-consider helping other Kansas Citians do the same by volunteering with one of the following organizations. You might be surprised at just how good it makes you feel. To submit a volunteer opportunity we missed . . .

Suburban Hard Times Cont'd

This Lee's Summit mom says that parenting is 'more complicated' than it used to be

Raising kids is harder now than 10-15 years ago, so much so that the U.S. Surgeon General issued a health advisory about parenting. A Kansas City mental health expert and parent discuss the modern day challenges to raising children.

Locals Against Solar

'Shut it down': Henry County residents angry about new solar farm, lack of transparency from county commission

Residents in Henry County are frustrated about a new solar farm being built in their backyard. They are worried it will disrupt their way of life and create environmental concerns for the area.

Show-Me Weed Mistake

Labeling error led to Missouri recall of cannabis gummies * Missouri Independent

Missouri cannabis regulators responded to a complaint that the food-coloring ingredient wasn't listed on the label of some gummies.

Asking Kansas City Boss Lady

Four Inane Questions with Square Peg Marketing & Branding CEO Kim Kramer

Pinging The Pitch's Best of KC 2024 winning Square Peg Marketing & Branding CEO Kim Kramer with out Four Inane Questions.

Diva Claps Back

Paige Spiranac Claps Back at 'Just Play Golf' Demand from Sexist Troll Amid a Steamy Holiday Announcement

Paige Spiranac's witty reply to her critique, who criticized her for wearing a bikini, gained love over Instagram.

Dems Remain Disheartened

Hunter Biden pardon will undermine party's 'self-proclaimed authority' on rule of law: Democratic strategist

Democratic strategist Julian Epstein says President Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter, undermines "Democrats' self-proclaimed authority on the rule of law."

No MAGA Mandate?!?

Trump falls just below 50% in popular vote, but gets more than in past elections

This year's popular-vote margin is the second-closest since 1968 and still tightening. It shows just how closely divided the country is politically, and that any shift to the right is marginal.

GOP Cuts Coming Soon?!?

House Republican: 'Hard decisions' needed on Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) said Tuesday that lawmakers will ultimately face tough choices on spending in next year's unified GOP government, suggesting cuts may be coming to social welfare programs. "We're gonna have to have some hard decisions. We gotta bring the Democrats in to talk about Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare.

Politicos Share Pandemic Postscript 

House Covid-19 panel releases final report criticizing public health response to the pandemic | CNN

A Republican-led House committee investigating broad aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects in the US released a final report Monday summarizing its two-year effort, saying it hoped the work would "serve as a road map for Congress, the Executive Branch, and the private sector to prepare for and respond to future pandemics."

MAGA Confronts Money Probs

Congress faces shutdown dilemma that could mess with Trump's first 100 days

Congress faces a Dec. 20 deadline to avert a government shutdown and is expected to kick the funding fight til early 2025 when President-elect Donald Trump will be in office.

Great White North Leads Coalition Against Tougher U.S. Trade 

Trudeau meets rivals as he seeks united front in face of Trump tariff threat

Canadian government scrambles to ward off tariffs as prime minister briefs politicians on meeting with Trump

More Cash For War In Europe

U.S. will send Ukraine $725 million more in arms

President Joe Biden has pledged to spend all of the military assistance funds Congress approved this year for Ukraine before the end of his administration on Jan. 20, 2025.

Holy Land Fights Off Attacks

Israel threatens to 'go deeper' into Lebanon as strikes strain ceasefire | CNN

As tit-for-tat strikes strain a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah less than a week since it went into effect, Israel's defense minister on Tuesday threatened to directly target the Lebanese state should the agreement fall apart.

Far East Upheaval Emerges

South Korea parliament rejects president's martial law declaration

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared martial law in an unannounced late night address broadcast live on YTN television.

Down Under Fact Check Up Top 

I'm a doctor - here's the truth about TikTok's 'natural boob job' trend

An Aussie doctor has revealed the truth about a viral TikTok claim that one key food item can miraculously boost women's breast sizes.

Inspiring Middle-Class X-Mas Envy

Christmas Trees to Inspire - IN Kansas City Magazine

If your family celebrates Christmas, you probably took the Thanksgiving holiday to find a fresh tree (a memorable moment for most) or to take your faux or vintage tree out of the box. Whether yours is fresh or vintage, here are some holiday trees to inspire.

Community Conversation Reconsidered

Black men's mental health takes center stage in Kansas City, helping the underserved | Opinion

"Black Men, Can We Talk?" is a monthly gathering from the University of Kansas Medical Center's Center for African American Health. From Toriano Porter:

Still Serving Country Club Plaza

All in the family: the next generation takes over JJ's on the plaza

JJ's on the plaza has a new owner. The 40-year-old iconic plaza restaurant is passing hands from uncle to nephew.

Local Holiday Sophistication

Classical KC host Frank Byrne on why the holidays and classical music go so well together

Frank Byrne, the former executive director of the Kansas City Symphony, is the host of "From the Archives" on KCUR's sister station Classical KC. He joined Up To Date to discuss classical holiday music and his career in the industry.

Temperature Uptick Right Now

Sunshine, chilly, high 40 degrees

Mostly clear to partly sunny skies this afternoon with a stronger southerly wind increasing temperatures to the upper 30s and lower 40s with occasional gusts into this evening.

Sierra Ferrell - American Dreaming is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.