10.26.2023

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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.

🤖 The future is KC

Kansas City region makes history as one of the first federal Tech Hubs

Kansas City is poised to help lead the nation’s tech future. | Photo by @amirabdul_

Go ahead and add “City of the Future” to KC’s list of nicknames. Kansas City — along with the full region stretching from Columbia, MO, to Manhattan, KS — is now a designated Tech Hub.

That means the federal government will help our region become a global contender in the tech space.

What is the Tech Hubs program?

The Tech Hubs program was created in 2022 as a part of the CHIPS and Science Act. It will invest $10 billion into some of the 31 chosen regions over five years.

But it isn’t just going to rain money. You’ll notice we said some of the 31 regions. All designated Tech Hubs will now compete to make it into Phase 2 of the program. Those who get to Phase 2 can apply for project grants to access said $10 billion.

Important note: All 31 hubs will remain designated Tech Hubs regardless of Phase 2 status, and get the benefits that come along with it.

How our region was chosen

Our regional proposal was submitted by the Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub). The collective is made up of BioNexus KC and its 60+ partner organizations.

They rallied for the KC region to become the international spot for vaccine production and more preventative tech. Now, KC BioHub’s dream just might come true.

How will being a Tech Hub impact KC?

Since our region is officially a Tech Hub, the federal government promises benefits such as access to federal + international funding and support.

And, if KC BioHub is able to secure Tech Hub grants, ~10,000 high-paying manufacturing jobs that don’t require a college degree may be created.

Stay tuned. We’ll find out if KC BioHub makes it to Phase 2 of the Tech Hubs program in early 2024.

Asked

What’s one dish your family always eats on Thanksgiving?

And you can’t say turkey — that’s cheating.

Tell us what you gobble gobble

Events

Thursday, Oct. 26

Pumpkin Fest | Thursday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 29 | Times vary | Faulkner’s Ranch, 10600 Raytown Rd., Kansas City, MO | $15-$25 | Enjoy old-fashioned fall fun while picking pumpkins and trying delicious food + drinks.

Friday, Oct. 27

Goodwill Waldo Store Grand Opening Events | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Free entry | Goodwill Waldo Store, 8230 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO | Celebrate the grand opening of Goodwill’s new Waldo location with refreshments, live music, special discounts, and more.*
Halloween PopUp: Blood Lust | Friday, Oct. 27 | 6-11:30 p.m. | Tiki Manor, 1701 Locust St., Kansas City, MO | $10-$75 | Enjoy bewitching cocktails, reserve mausoleums, and dress as a vampire for a chance to win a $50 Parlor gift card.
The Dancing World: Carrying the Ancestors’ Stories | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28 | Times vary | Westport Center for the Arts, 1014 W. 39th St., Kansas City, MO | Free | This performance explores both personal ancestors and ancestral heritage as historical change makers who have paved a way for the next generation.
P!NK | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | T-Mobile Center | $64.95-$324.95 | Learn to love again with the rock star herself.

Saturday, Oct. 28

Cocoa and Coloring | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Cornerstone Coffee, 100 S. Bridge St., Smithville, MO | Free | Bring the kiddos for coloring sheets and crayons, then smile with pride when their completed works are put on display.

Sunday, Oct. 29

Nail Trim Fundraiser | Sunday, Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Melissa’s Second Chances, 7426 Nieman Rd., Shawnee, KS | $15 | Get a nail trim for your kitty, pooch, guinea pig, or bunny — and pick up a Halloween costume for them, too.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The City of KCMO is receiving $15 billion in funding from the Department of Transportation for infrastructure improvements. Proposed projects include building a fixed rail line from downtown to KCI, Vision Zero support, and reconnecting neighborhoods east of Troost divided by Highway 71. (KCUR)

Sports

It’s been 10 years in the making. Sporting KC are the Audi 2023 MLS Cup champions. Last night, the team claimed victory with a shootout, beating San Jose 4-2 in penalty kicks. This is the third time Sporting KC has won the cup. The last time was in 2013.

Ranked

KC is the place to be. Lonely Planet dropped its “Best in Travel 2024" list and KCMO was named the No. 10 best city in the world to visit. Factors that secured the spot include the upgraded airport, extended streetcar line, building the KC Current stadium, and (of course) the barbecue.

Coming Soon

Soon you’ll see a new face on the Country Club Plaza. Face Foundrié is set to open its first KC metro location at 608 W. 48th St. The biz offers services such as facials, chemical peels, eyebrow tinting, and lash lifts. An opening date is TBA.

Plan Ahead

The Kauffman Center of Performing Arts will host a tasty Winter Wonderland pop-up in its Founders’ Lounge restaurant from Friday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 23. Menu items include holiday waldorf, lobster pot pie, and sticky toffee pudding. Reservations open Thursday, Nov. 2.

Real Estate

An affordable housing + fitness center complex is in the works in the East Crossroads — southeast of Truman Road and Holmes. The project will host studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments, with 20% of the homes reserved for people making a max of 60% of Area Median Income. A timeline is TBA.(City Scene KC)

Listen

In episode 13 of the Bench to Bedside podcast, host Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down for a conversation with Dr. Bret Freudenthal, an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, to talk about DNA and its crucial role in the development and progression of cancer. Stream the podcast.*

Sports

Rep your favorite team and kick off the 2023 football season at Blade & Timber. Enjoy craft cocktails, tasty lumbersnacks + watch your team dominate the gridiron. Bonus: Get 15% off your reservation every Sunday throughout football season when you wear your team’s jersey.*

Seasonal

🎃 Winner winner pumpkin dinner

See the winning pumpkin from our 2023 jack-o-lantern contest

Always watching pumpkin entry kc today 2023 pumpkin carving intiative

Always Watching. | Submitted by Reader Grey, S.

After receiving 300+ votes, we offically have a winner for our Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Winner: “Always Watching” by reader Grey S.

Why does it feel like somebody’s watching me? If you have this creepy pumpkin on your porch, you know why.

Grey S.’ attention to detail and pure artistry definitely caught our readers’ eyes. This pupil pumpkin was ripe for the pickin’. Try saying that five times fast.

Congrats to Grey S. and thank you to everyone who submitted.

See the other finalists

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine

From the editor

I’m going to be honest — I didn’t think building a rail line to KCI before the World Cup came to KC was possible. But now, with the funding from the Department of Transportation, I see the vision.

I’m going to follow those funds closely and see how the city decides to distribute them. I wonder if we’ll get to vote on it?

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