Kansas City Lights: Local Connections & MAGA Ultimatums

For late night and early morning readers we share a quick peek at what we're reading by way of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Cowtown Cleans Up

Trees down, power outages have neighbors watching out for one another

Neighbors say the homeowner, where the tree fell, was forced to drive through her yard to make it to work with the tree blocking her only other way out.

Local Immigrant Song

From Syria to Kansas City: One family's journey of resilience and hope

"My wife was delivering my son in the hospital. The hospital was destroyed. A bomb. My son lost oxygen to his brain," said Faisal Almousa as he remembered the terror of life in Syria.

Legit Old School Complaint

Man says Independence hospital staff neglected grandmother for days

Kevin Hopkins said while his grandmother was sitting in the hallway, she suffered a stroke and developed several bedsores.

Check Out Scary Local Tale

Guest says he experienced paranormal activity before 'haunted' Liberty inn lost power in Wednesday's storm

Unaware of the property's reputation and needing a room, one guest had quite the experience during Wednesday's storm.

Kansas City Serves Spirits

This private speakeasy may exist on funeral grounds, but they have no plans of going six feet under

Locals Andrew Loos and Phil Worden created a space where private events can be held in the basement of Loos's funeral home.

Diva Shares Fashion Sneak Peak

Bella Hadid's racy new Frankies Bikinis collaboration drops

The 28-year-old IMG Model grew up in Malibu being childhood friends with Frankies Bikinis founder Francesca Aiello

MAGA Trade War Truce?!?

Facing market pressure and GOP pushback, Trump delays auto tariffs | CNN Politics

When President Donald Trump declared in the House Chamber this week that executives at the nation's top automakers were "so excited" about their prospects amid his new tariff regime, it did not entirely reflect the conversation he'd held with them earlier that day.

Crackdown On Tesla King?!?

GOP senators to Musk: DOGE actions will require their votes

Republican senators told tech billionaire Elon Musk at a closed-door meeting Wednesday that his aggressive moves to shrink the federal government will need a vote on Capitol Hill, sending a clear m...

EPIC Cuts For Vets

VA Plans to Fire 83,000 Employees with Musk's Help, Eliminating PACT Act Staffing Increase

If implemented, the layoffs would bring the department down to the level of employees it had before the PACT Act, the wide-ranging 2022 law that expanded VA health care and benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances.

French Twisted Against Vlad

Macron: 'Russia is a threat to France and to Europe'

In an evening address French President Emmanuel Macron said "Russia has become today, and for a long time, a threat to France and to Europe." #EuropeNews

Nobody Trusts The Science?!?

Scientists raise concerns as the US stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide

The U.S. government's decision to stop sharing air quality data from embassies and consulates worldwide is worrying some local scientists and experts who say the data was vital for people to be aware of air quality and monitor their government's progress in improving public health.

MAGA Ultimatum

Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas terrorists, demands release of hostages: 'HELL TO PAY'

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump posted a strong warning to Hamas on Truth Social, demanding the immediate release of all hostages held by the terrorist group.

KC Foodie Communique 

Letter from the Food Editor: Three years amid KC chefs, restaurateurs, brewers, and butchers

Sarah Sipple's March 2025 Letter from the Food Editor dives into all of the nitty gritty in the KC restaurant scene.

Spring Forward . . .

FIRST WARN FORECAST: Spring rebound in sight. Which days are best to be outside?

The blizzard is long-gone, and many of us are itching for more spring-like and pleasant weather to enjoy.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.