Kansas City Local Pulse

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Friday, August fifteenth. We start today with breaking news on the overnight crash in Northeast Kansas City, where police say a pursuit of a reported stolen Hyundai Tucson near Independence Avenue and Brooklyn ended in tragedy. The vehicle sped away and crashed into a Jeep Grand Cherokee at Lexington and Wabash, just after midnight. One person inside the Jeep, a right rear seat passenger, was ejected and later died in the hospital. The rest of the passengers, including several juveniles, were taken to local hospitals with critical injuries. The driver and...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, August 14, 2025. We’re waking up to a balmy summer morning with clear skies and plenty of sunshine in store. Temperatures will peak around ninety-one today, with a mild east wind, low humidity, and nothing but blue skies overhead. It looks like the warm weather will hold steady for the next few days, and we may see it hit the mid-nineties by the weekend, so keep that sunscreen handy and plan any outdoor activities before the late afternoon.

Our top story today centers on the ongoing debate in Leavenworth re...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Sunday, August 10, 2025. We hope you are starting your day dry, but keep those umbrellas close. Thunderstorms continue moving through the city this Sunday, with a high near eighty-six and an eighty percent chance of rain throughout the day. The weather service has flagged a chance for flash flooding in parts of northern Missouri, so we will all want to stay alert if we have outdoor plans or commutes. Expect the unsettled weather to linger into Monday, so it’s a great weekend for indoor activities and local museums.

Turning to...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, August ninth, twenty twenty-five. We start the day with some breaking news out of the metro. Late last night in Kansas City, Kansas, police responded to a shooting connected to an ongoing dispute among a group of young men. The incident, thought to be tied to stolen property from last week, left one person injured but expected to recover. Police tracked a suspect to an apartment building near West 135th Street and Quivira Road in Overland Park, where the individual was taken into custody without further incident. Officers remain at...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, August ninth, and we’re starting the weekend with a lively mix of local news, weather, and happenings across our city. Let’s dive right in.

Kansas City woke up today to a hazy blend of sun and clouds, with temperatures already rising and a high expected in the mid-nineties. There's a chance we'll see late showers or a thunderstorm rolling through this afternoon, so keep an umbrella handy if you’re headed out. Expect the heat index to climb past one hundred in some spots, especially around the Pl...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Friday, August 8th. We hope you are starting your day right, because we have plenty to catch you up on.

Our top concern this morning is the heat. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the Kansas City area, as we expect temperatures to hit a sweltering ninety-six degrees this afternoon with humidity pushing the heat index even higher. Please plan your day with this in mind, especially if you are headed outdoors or working outside. Hydration is key, and if you are planning to attend...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, August 7th, 2025. We start today with the heat, as the National Weather Service expects us to reach a high near 94 degrees this afternoon, and humidity will make it feel even warmer. Tonight stays muggy, with lows dipping only to the upper 70s. We’re looking at mostly clear skies, but with these dry and hot conditions, local officials are keeping an eye on drought and wildfire risks, which remain a concern across much of the Midwest.

Turning to breaking news, Kansas City Police are rolling out new security me...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Sunday, August third.

We’re waking up to a mostly cloudy start across our neighborhoods, with temperatures heading toward a comfortable eighty. It’s a mild break from the recent heat, though we could see a touch of rain later, so if you’ve got plans outside, maybe keep an umbrella handy. The week ahead looks a bit warmer, edging back into the upper eighties and low nineties by midweek.

Our top story this morning is all about community spirit after a difficult week. Yesterday at Heathwood Park...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, August 2. We start our day with a heads-up about air quality. The Mid-America Regional Council has issued an Air Quality Alert for today due to light northeast winds blowing in dense Canadian wildfire smoke. Health officials are urging folks—especially those with asthma or respiratory conditions—to limit outdoor activity when possible. This smoke advisory is expected to linger through at least Sunday, so keep an eye out for updates from city health officials and check on neighbors who might need a little extra help.

Looking at the weat...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Friday, August first. We hope everyone is off to a great start. Today gives us a rare treat on the weather front, as we wake up to the coolest morning we’ve had in nearly a month and a half. Temperatures are starting off around sixty-six degrees, with a pleasant, partly cloudy sky and light east-northeast winds. According to local meteorologists, this is the coolest start to August in twenty-nine years. Highs today will remain on the mild side for Kansas City summer, so it’s a beautiful day to enjoy time...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, July 31, 2025. We start today with breaking news still rippling through our community. Over the weekend, a Family Dollar store collapsed near Prospect Avenue, tragically killing a 68-year-old man and leaving a woman in critical condition. Emergency crews and city officials are investigating what led to the collapse, and safety concerns about aging commercial buildings are top of mind for a lot of us this week.

Moving to city hall, today we’re talking about the new RideKC benches just installed at several Midtown and East Side bus stops. Th...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Sunday, July 27, 2025.

We are starting off with a warning. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for our entire area, taking effect from late this morning through Tuesday evening. Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper nineties, with heat index values well over one hundred and plenty of humidity to go around. Health officials are urging everyone to drink plenty of fluids, stick to air conditioning when possible, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat. If you have outdoor plans at Fairway Park or are...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, July 26, 2025. We wake up this morning to bright skies after a rough stretch of weather in the metro. On Thursday, Kansas City saw record-breaking rainfall—almost two and a half inches in a single day, matching totals not seen since 1900 and pushing July’s rainfall up among our wettest months ever. As a result, flash flooding swamped streets all over town, and the Kansas City Fire Department sprang into action with at least ten water rescues involving stranded drivers. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but several main roads—including MO-78 east o...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Friday, July 25, 2025.

We wake up today to another wet start across the metro after last night’s heavy rainfall soaks much of our area, with nearly five inches of rain reported in some spots. Flash flooding has sent city crews scrambling in Lenexa, where Santa Fe Trail Drive is still closed between Lackman Road and 107th Street due to high water and a failed stormwater pipe beneath the railroad tracks. The city is working with BNSF Railway to get repairs started as soon as possible. Flood warnings remain in ef...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, July 24. We are kicking off the day under a heat advisory, with dangerous temperatures settling in across the metro. The National Weather Service warns us to expect highs near 90, heat index values up to 104, and thunderstorms likely this afternoon and tonight, especially near Lee’s Summit and Jackson County. Rain and some heavy downpours could disrupt outdoor plans, so take it slow on the roads and keep an eye on weather alerts through the evening. While it will cool off a degree or two by Friday, hot and unsettled weather st...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Sunday, July twentieth, twenty twenty-five.

Let’s start with the weather, because this is shaping up to be a big story for our week. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for our area. We’re expecting highs today around ninety-five, with the heat index pushing us even higher. Isolated thunderstorms might roll in by the afternoon, bringing a little relief, but overall humidity and hot sun will dominate. This warning stays in effect through Wednesday evening, so please stay hydrated and check on neighbors, especially thos...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, July 19, 2025. We are waking up to extreme summer heat blanketing our city. An official extreme heat warning is now in effect through next Thursday. The National Weather Service warns that heat index values could reach or even top 106 degrees, so we all need to stay extra alert for heat-related illnesses. If you are planning to be outside today, remember to wear lightweight clothing, take breaks if you feel tired, and be sure to check up on neighbors and relatives who may need some extra care. It is especially important to...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for July 18, 2025.

We start with breaking news this morning. Overnight, police are continuing to investigate a serious incident at Penn Valley Park, where three people were found injured at a crime scene. Details are still emerging, but community safety remains a top priority in our city. In a separate update, Lawrence police are handling a tragic event on Haskell Avenue following a shooting that left two people dead and one woman critically wounded. Authorities are on alert, and neighborhoods across the metro are responding with extra caution today.

...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, July 17, 2025.

We're waking up today to some relief from the heat, as overnight thunderstorms have cooled things down, leaving us with mostly cloudy skies and a high expected around seventy-seven. Some light rain is possible this morning, and local roads could still be slick from last night's storms, so let's take it a bit slower out there. Looking ahead, things will dry out with warmer temperatures returning by Friday and climbing into the nineties by the weekend.

Overnight, storms brought heavy rain to the metro and...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Sunday, July 13, 2025.

We’re starting our day with news from City Hall as Jackson County commercial property owners face a crucial deadline. Tomorrow, July 14, is the last day to appeal property assessments, so if your business is in the Crossroads, down by Troost, or anywhere in the county, now’s the time to check your paperwork. Meanwhile, leaders in Wyandotte County are considering a proposal that could boost investment in public health, potentially bringing millions for programs right where it’s needed most.

Weather is always on our mi...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, July 12th. We hope our listeners are staying cool as we kick off another weekend in the Heartland. There is plenty happening across our city, so let’s get right to it.

First, we start with breaking news from the city. Kansas City has just launched its first “Revive the Vine” newsletter, a new weekly update spotlighting developments and events in the historic 18th and Vine District. This is part of ongoing efforts to revitalize one of our city’s most cherished neighborhoods, so keep an eye out for ways...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Friday, July 11, 2025.

We start today with a call for transparency after last month’s fatal police shooting in Lenexa. The Kansas ACLU is urging Lenexa Police to release body camera footage of the incident that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Jose Enrique Cartagena Chacon, a Grandview resident. The shooting happened at the Lenexa Crossing Apartments on West 97th Terrace after officers responded to a 911 call about a person with a gun. The case remains under investigation by the Johnson County Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigation Team, and two of...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, July tenth.

We wake up to another hot and mostly clear summer day, with temperatures reaching into the mid nineties. Humidity stays high, so it’s going to feel even hotter, and we recommend everyone stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity during the peak heat this afternoon. Clouds will start to build later today ahead of storms expected tomorrow, with heavier rain and possible thunderstorms heading into the Friday evening commute and sticking around to cool us off over the weekend.

Turning to city news, there’s a...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

We start today with a major update from City Hall that could change the future of Kansas City sports. Lawmakers have granted the Chiefs and the Royals six more months to decide whether they will move their stadiums to the Kansas side of the metro. Last year, Kansas approved a deal that could cover up to seventy percent of stadium costs using sales tax revenue. The new extension keeps both teams in play for Kansas incentives, while Missouri already passed a package to cover half the costs...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Tuesday, July 8th, 2025.

We begin today with big news on the stadium front. The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals now have six more months to decide if they’ll move across state lines. Kansas legislators voted yesterday to extend the deadline for the teams to accept a proposal that would cover up to seventy percent of the cost for new stadiums in Kansas. Missouri, meanwhile, is still fighting to keep both teams with its own offer covering half the cost. The teams haven’t announced a decision yet, and thei...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, July 5th, 2025.

We hope everyone had a safe and festive Independence Day. Fireworks lit up the metro sky last night, with crowds gathering at the National World War I Museum and Memorial for the Stars and Stripes Picnic, while festivities continued throughout neighborhoods from Martin Creek Park to Bishop Miege High School. If you missed the big shows, don’t worry—some celebrations continue today, so check your local listings if you want to keep the holiday spirit going a little longer. Transit services like KC Streetcar and Ride...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Friday, July 4th, 2025.

We wake up on Independence Day with excitement in the air and a full slate of celebrations ahead. All city buildings are closed today, so city hall business will pause except for solid waste facilities, and there will be no regular trash pickup until tomorrow. RideKC buses and the KC Streetcar are running on holiday schedules, so be sure to double check before heading out.

Weather for the Fourth looks hot and clear, perfect for outdoor fun and fireworks. Temperatures will climb into the...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, July 3. As we wake up today, Kansas City is buzzing with anticipation for the long holiday weekend, and there is much to talk about around town.

We begin with breaking news from Blue Ridge Boulevard, where a standoff between police and suspects ended peacefully overnight after a tense day. Three officers from the Kansas City Police Department's SWAT team remain in the hospital, recovering after being shot while serving a search warrant. Police have three people in custody. Public safety remains a top concern as we head into...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Tuesday, July 1st, 2025.

We wake this morning to a true Kansas City summer. Expect hot and sunny conditions across the metro, with highs brushing 91 degrees by mid-afternoon. It will be warm early and heat quickly, so if you’re heading out to work, summer camps, or one of our many parks, be sure to stay hydrated and take a break in the shade when you can. Looking ahead, the heatwave continues through the week, with temperatures staying in the low 90s. It’s also a good idea to check in o...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, June 28, 2025.

We wake up today with the city under summer’s spell and a bit of rain in the forecast. Temperatures start in the mid-80s and, with showers rolling through, you’ll want to pack an umbrella if heading out. This pattern of heat with some storms is expected to stick with us over the next few days, so keep an eye on the sky if you have outdoor plans.

Our top story today is all about community investment. Kansas City’s Health Department has launch...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Friday, June 27, 2025.

We start today with a sense of momentum across our city, even as morning clouds and a chance of scattered showers keep us reaching for our umbrellas. The forecast calls for highs in the mid-eighties, and while the sun may peek out later, we’ll want to keep an eye on the weather if we’re planning lunch at the City Market or an afternoon out with family in Loose Park.

From City Hall, all eyes are on community health. Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision bars P...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, June 26, 2025.

We start with breaking news around Kansas’ gender-affirming care ban for minors. Many local families, like the one of a Kansas teen named Bri, now face tough choices as their access to medication changes overnight. Pharmacies have already stopped filling certain prescriptions, with families considering long drives to Colorado just for care. The tension was on full display at a recent protest in downtown Wichita, showing just how deeply this new law is affecting our neighbors and sparking conversations about rights and identity across the metro.

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

We begin with breaking news from City Hall, where leaders are responding to a violent weekend that left six people dead and four others injured. Mayor Quinton Lucas is calling the situation unacceptable and has put a spotlight on several businesses that have become hot spots for trouble, especially the BP Gas Station at East 35th Street and Prospect Avenue. Police have been called there over two dozen times in the past year for everything from assaults to thefts, and the city’s Public Safety Task Force sa...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, June 21, 2025.

We start today under a heat advisory that stretches until Sunday night, so let’s all take it extra easy. Temperatures will soar into the upper nineties, but the humidity is what really pushes things. If you have outdoor plans, especially with young kids or seniors, try to keep those activities early, seek shade, and don’t forget water. Expect a hot and sunny afternoon, and if you’re headed to a pool, you’re not alone—many are fully staffed this season, which is some welcome news given...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Friday, June 20, 2025.

We wake up under a heat advisory that's going to stick around through Tuesday. The National Weather Service warns us to expect heat index values over 100 degrees, so let's take it easy outdoors today. Make sure to check on neighbors, drink plenty of water, and keep pets inside when possible. If you’re working outside, try to stick to the early morning or evening hours, and remember, heat stroke is an emergency.

Over at City Hall, there’s a spotlight on property taxes. Jackson County is c...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, June 19, 2025.

As we welcome Juneteenth, city offices across Kansas City are closed today to honor this important holiday. Many of us will celebrate our shared history and progress, with a special Juneteenth gathering planned this afternoon at the Lenexa Civic Center Campus from four thirty to six thirty. It’s a time for reflection and community, so keep an eye out for events across the metro, including tributes in the historic Steptoe neighborhood and beyond.

Weather today is classic Kansas City June—expect sunny skies and a hi...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

We start with breaking news from Belton, where tight security and vocal protestors greeted Representative Mark Alford at Memorial Station last night. The congressman faced tough questions about jobs and federal program cuts, with many residents demanding clarity on the future for some of the thirty-four thousand government workers in Kansas City who may be affected by federal cuts. The town hall, which marked Alford’s hundredth public event, centered on big issues like immigration, tariffs, and accountability in government. The next stop for Congressman Alford’s town...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for June 14, 2025. We're starting off with a busy morning in Kansas City. The city is waking up to a dense fog advisory, which was in effect until 9 AM this morning, affecting central, north central, northeast, and west central Missouri. This fog has made driving conditions hazardous, so be sure to slow down and use your headlights if you're on the road.

Today, thousands are expected to participate in the "No Kings" protests across Kansas and Missouri, with several events planned in the Kansas City area. These protests are part of...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Thursday, June 12, 2025.

Let’s start with the weather. We’re waking up to a few early showers across the metro, but we can expect clearing skies and mild temperatures by midday. If you’re planning outdoor activities near Loose Park or the Plaza this afternoon, conditions should be pleasant. We’ll keep an eye on anything popping up, but overall, it’s a good day to get outside.

From City Hall, there’s fresh momentum in housing and transit. Kansas City and Kansas City, Kansas, organizations are partnering t...

Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Saturday, June 7, 2025.

The summer heat has arrived in Kansas City with temperatures expected to reach 29°C today. We're looking at sunny skies with mild conditions, though there's a possibility of scattered storms to the north. Perfect weather for the many events happening around town.

Speaking of events, Make Music Day preparations are in full swing as Kansas City gears up for its fifth celebration on June 21st. This year marks the first time the global music festival falls on a Saturday, and KC Parks and Recreation anticipates r...