Plus, Royals' Fan Appreciation Night returns this Saturday.
 
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Today’s Forecast

40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.
 

🚗 Robot ruled roads

How Kansas City is prepping for self-driving cars
pexels-matt-weissinger Tesla driving
Zooming into the future like Jet Jetson. | Photo by Matt Weissinger, Pexels.
Self-driving car technology has revved up in recent years.

Las Vegas has an autonomous vehicle (AVs) public shuttle service. Amazon implemented artificial-intelligence systems in its trucks. And Teslas are inching closer to complete independence of human drivers.

AVs haven’t made headlines in the heartland — but that doesn’t mean they won’t. That’s why the Mid-America Research Council (MARC) studied how our region can prepare for self-driving cars.

Here’s what they found.

🚧 Getting our roads ready

To get our transit system ready the answer is simple: take care of our current roads.

“The vehicles are being developed to work on the streets we already have,” Amanda Graor told us. She’s the chief innovation officer and deputy director of research services at MARC, and lead on this research.

“The only investment that might be prioritized for AV development right now is making sure the road signs are readable, making sure the lines on the road are painted, or making sure the curbs are in good condition,” said Graor. “And that’s stuff that’s beneficial for everyone.”

🛑 Potential roadblocks

But MARC had more complex issues to decipher. Potential roadblocks they found included:
  • Cross-county implementation — what happens if counties have different regulations?
  • The digital divide — how do we make services accessible to those without smartphones?
  • Disability access — accessibility regulations would need to be implemented.

🟢 Green lights

But on the flip side, they also noted multiple positives to the new technology (green lights, if you will).
  • Expanding public transportation — on-demand self-driving cars could reach routes traditional busses don’t.
  • Convenience — summoning a self-driving car at any time would be unmatched service.
  • Freedom — people with disabilities, older adults who no longer drive, or people without cars could have more independence.
So while the KC metro isn’t racing into the self-driving car craze, MARC plans for us to be ready when we do.

With all this prepping, Batman himself would be proud.
Asked

Do you see yourself being a passenger of a self-driving car?
A. Yes, I love trying new technology.
B. No, it’s not for me.
C. I would need more information first.
D. Something else (Tell, us.)
Share your thoughts
City of Overland Park
 
Events
Tuesday, Sept. 26
  • Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing - The Exhibition | Tuesday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Oct. 1 | 10 a.m. | Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Ste. 400, Kansas City, MO | $0-$24 | Enjoy the story of the web slinger from his origins in 1962 to his modern-day adventures through original art, interactive displays, photo ops, and more.
  • Justice at War | Tuesday, Sept. 26-Wednesday, Oct. 11 | Times vary | Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Ave., #144, Kansas City, MO | $12-$15 | In this interactive stage drama a Japanese girl sues the U.S. government over its internment camps.
  • Avenged Sevenfold | Tuesday, Sept. 26 | 7 p.m. | T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO | $34.50-$124.50 | Headbang your heart out to this heavy metal rock group.
Wednesday, Sept. 27
  • Sign With Baby | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | Times vary | East Room, Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St., Leavenworth, KS | Free | Sing songs, read stories and learn simple sign language with babies up to two years old.
  • Dance Speaks: Jekyll & Hyde | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 5:15-7 p.m. | 500 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO | $12 | Listen to a panel from the KC Ballet about its performance of “Jekyll & Hyde.”
Thursday, Sept. 28
  • Paint Your Pet | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 7-9 p.m. | No Other Pub, 1370 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $40 | Enjoy a beverage of choice while painting a portrait of your furry friend.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Traffic
  • BLVD Revel Run returns this Saturday, Sept. 30 to KCMO. To keep runners safe, the following roads will be closed from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday: Southwest Boulevard, Baltimore Avenue, 17th Street, 20th Street, W. Pennway Street, and Summit Street. (The Pitch KC)
Sports
  • Royals’ Fan Appreciation Night is back. Beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, the first 2,500 fans to enter can take a photo on the field with their favorite player. The first 10,000 fans will receive a special hat. Plus, there will be giveaways galore.
Health
  • New versions of the COVID-19 and flu vaccines have received FDA approval and are being rolled out. You can find them at major pharmacies across the KC metro. Check out this map to find a location near you. (Shawnee Mission Post)
Eat
  • A sweet deal. Sweet Peaches Cobblers can now be found at concessions stands 112, 136, and 303 in GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Based in Independence, MO, the peach cobbler biz launched during the COVID-19 pandemic selling toppings, take-n-bakes, and hot-n-ready cobblers inspired by owner Denisha Jones’ grandmother’s recipe. (KSHB)
Development
  • The City of Lenexa, KS is building the Lenexa Justice Center. The $73 million project will host its police department + training facility, municipal court, a dispatch call center, space for mental health co-responders, dedicated detective areas, and a public meeting room. The project anticipates a June 2024 completion. (Kansas City Star)
Biz
  • Sunny with a chance of solar power. Solar company GAF Energy is planning a sales + customer operations center in KC, bringing with it dozens of jobs. The company specializes in Timberline Solar products, a nailable solar shingle. The timeline and exact location for the center has not been shared. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Active
  • Date night is only as good as where you go, which is why BRKTHROUGH needs to be added to your activity list — stat. With 35+ themed challenge rooms to break out of, it just may help you break out of a rut, too. Book your date.*
Finance
  • Peek the perks. A $200 welcome bonus, unlimited cash back, and 0% interest into 2024 all with no annual fee almost sounds too good to be true — but this card has it all.*
Wellness
  • Why optimize hormones as you age? You can improve strength, bone density, libido, blood pressure, and mood. Learn about your testosterone levels with Wellcore’s At-Home Assessment Kit.*
 
Drink

☕ A whole latte coffee

Your guide to Kansas City’s coffee shops
KCtoday_ASE Coffee
Grandview has a new name in delicious local roasts: ASE. | Photo via ASE Coffee
For richer or pour over, Kansas City’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning.

Since pumpkin spice season in full bloom, try refreshing yourself on KC’s coffee scene. This way you can savor all the flavors across the metro.

Espresso yourself

Messenger Coffee, various locations | Messenger has a farm to direct relationship, roasting the beans right here in the 816.

Parisi Coffee, various locations | Fun fact: Parisi owns and operates one of the largest green coffee storage + coffee roasting facilities in the Midwest.

Roasts to boast

The Roasterie, various locations | They don’t just boast their roasts, they give Kansas City the spotlight too with the Kansas City Blend.

Rochester Roasting and Brewing Company, 2129 Washington St., KCMO | This spot offers fresh beans, talented baristas, and other options like beer + tea.

Oddly Correct, 4141 Troost Ave., KCMO | Try one of Oddly Correct’s unique blends like the BAD DOG Signature Roast.
16 more coffee shops
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The Wrap
 
Charmaine Merriweather.png

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine
From the editor
The local theaters are debuting their new seasons and I am so pumped. I’m starting to fill in my calendar with shows to go watch now. I was a theater kid (and a theater adult), but I had to take a step back to focus on my writing and on-screen acting.

You might see me return to the stage soon, though. I miss performing live theater so much. There’s nothing else like it.
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