Plus, new Travis + Taylor documentary airing Monday.
 
February 28, 2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

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6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

43º | 3% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. | Sunset 6:09 p.m.
 
✈️ Making flying plane and simple
Photo of concourse connector at KCI
There are a few things to know before you’re hurtling along the moving walkways. | Photo by KCtoday
Ah, they grow up so fast...

While we were jet setting around the globe, KCI’s new terminal finally made its first trip around the sun. Today, Feb. 28, is the official birthday for the city’s single largest infrastructure project ever.

Now, with Spring Break around the corner, you can plan to hum “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” while waiting in the TSA security check.

Not sure what else to expect? Luckily, we’ve already toured the terminal to help make your time at KCI as smooth as possible, and we created this guide that covers everything from parking and gates to food, drink, and nonstop flights.

🛄 What to know

KCI Departures.png

Introducing your new departures zone.

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Photo by KCtoday

  • Website | This website is the key to the kingdom, its frontpage alone allows you to check flight status and parking availability.
  • TSA | Security check times will vary — 16 lanes are centrally located next to the check-in desks. You can streamline the process with TSA PreCheck.
  • Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, this interactive map will get you started. Think of the shape of the terminal like a big “H” for “home.”
  • Food and drink | Between four coffee roasters, four barbecue options, three craft breweries, two food halls, and other local favorites, this terminal features 50+ food and retail options.
  • Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.
  • Reminder | By May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID to board commercial flights in the US.
Did you know? KCI’s identifier code is actually MCI, which stands for Mid-Continent International Airport. That’s what it used to be called before the name change in 1972.

Bonus: Get lower fares by making a free account on Going. Add MCI to your notification list (you can add up to five airports on the free plan), and you’ll get emailed when flights are 40-90% cheaper than usual.
     
    Asked
     
    What seat are you in when flying?
    A. Window seat
    B. Middle seat
    C. Aisle seat
    D. I don’t have a preference
     
    Events
     
    Wednesday, Feb. 28
    • Pollination Investigation Exhibit | Wednesday, Feb. 28-Friday, May 31 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS | Free | Explore the fascinating world of pollinators including insects, birds and bats.
    Thursday, Feb. 29
    • Merrily We Roll Along | Thursday, Feb. 29-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | Goppert Theater at Avila University, 11901 Wornall Rd., KCMO | $16-$20 | Trace the story of three “Old Friends” through each milestone of their personal and professional lives in this stage play.
    Friday, March 1
    • Expo Quinceanera | Friday, March 1 | 1-5 p.m. | Stoney Creek Hotel, 18011 Bass Pro Dr., Independence, MO | $10 | Meet the best quinceanera vendors in KC and even model a dress if you’re down.
    • Sourdough Starter Workshop | Friday, March 1 | 6-7 p.m. | Iron District, 1599 Iron St., North Kansas City, MO | $30 | Learn the proper way to care for a sourdough starter and fix different issues (they will happen) + get a bit of Bertha, The Sourdough Spot’s organic starter.
    Saturday, March 2
    • Baby Shark’s Big Broadwave Tour | Saturday, March 2 | 8 a.m. | Music Hall Kansas City, 301 W. 13th St., KCMO | $20-$80 | Swim into the underwater world of the hit animated series, “Baby Shark’s Big Show!,” as audience members work with Baby Shark + friends to save the Party Puddle Theatre.
    • Femme Magik.KC. 2024 | Saturday, March 2 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Yoga Patch, 7235 Central Ave., KCMO | $15-$30 | Celebrate Women’s History Month with a day of cleansing your mind, body + spirit, and supporting local vendors.
    • Uncorked: KC Wine Fest | Saturday, March 2 | 1-9 p.m. | Union Station, KCMO | $60-$75 | Enjoy 100+ wines and bubblies from across the globe + other “outside the bottle” beverage options, a DJ, food trucks, and custom photo booths.
    • Nick Toons Party | Saturday, March 2 | 7-10 p.m. | ReRoll Tavern, 2368 Armor Rd., KCMO | $0-$12 | Celebrate the golden era of Nickelodeon cartoons (1990-2001) as you savor delicious food while testing your knowledge in music bingo to win an array of fantastic prizes.
    Click here to have your event featured.
     
     
    News Notes
     
    Weather
    • Sorry to burst your warm bubble, but it really was a false spring. Record high temps dropped into the 20s this morning along with some light snow, so expect to stay chilly until late next week. That still won’t keep us winter-weary Midwesterners from breaking out the shorts and sandals. (KMBC)
    Sports
    Ranked
    • It’s a good day in Overland Park — actually, it looks like it’s always a good day in OP according to Wallethub’s “Happiest Cities in the US.” The suburb landed top of the list, coming second only to Fremont, CA. The ranking considered emotional and physical wellbeing, income, employment, and community + environment.
    Closing
    • Bonefish Grill has closed its Northland spot in a company-wide move to shutter “underperforming locations.” Fans can still get its bang bang shrimp at the Leawood location (5021 W. 135th St.). (Kansas City Star)
    Ranked
    • Oh, baby — US News & World Report has named AdventHealth Shawnee Mission a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care. The designation considers factors like newborn complication rates among other measures. Fewer than half of participating hospitals nationwide earned this distinction.
    Community
    • Better return your books ASAP, the Shawnee Library is closing for renovations starting Saturday, March 2. Updates include exterior signage, replacing carpeting, new shelving and a study room + remodeled bathrooms. A reopening is expected for June. (FOX4)
    Finance
     
     
    Culture
     
    Best places to cry in Kansas City
    KCtoday_Crying Giant
    Cry here and someone might mistake it for performance art. | Photo by Thad Zajdowicz
    After keeping up with all those Midwestern niceties, sometimes it’s best to just let it all flow. Sob sesh or full on public breakdown, we’ve got some recommendations for A1 spots to cry your eyes out.

    After all, we’re called the City of Fountains for a reason — these waterworks are showstopping.

    The Crying Giant, Kemper Museum of Modern Art

    He may be made of metal, but this bronze man is nothing but heart. Cry it out in good company at this public sculpture but be warned — passersby will probably think you’re a performance artist.

    Funky Town KC

    Dirty conscience? If boogieing in your best bellbottoms doesn’t stop the sobs, the soap from the nightly “car wash” should at least wash the tears away.

    Casual Animal Brewing Co.

    Picture this: It’s the fourth quarter of a Chiefs playoff game and it’s not looking good. What’s more KC than crying over football into a craft IPA at a local brewery? Exactly.

    KC Wheel

    For just $18.50 a pop, you too can opt for the perfect semi-public breakdown featuring amazing views of the skyline. The private gondola should drown out the sound of any sobs.

    Know any other great places to cry in KC? Dry your eyes and drop us a line.
     
    The Buy
     
    Your must-have Stanley Quencher accessory (yes, water bottle accessories are a thing). There are straw cover caps, personalized name plates, water bottle carrier bags, and even a snack bowl that fits around your Stanley.
     
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    The Wrap
     
    Madison-McMillen.png Today’s edition by:
    Madison
    From the editor
    I’ll be visiting Chicago in a few weeks and riding by train for the first time in a long, long while. It’s too bad we don’t have an Amtrak City Guide yet... perhaps I’ll report back from my Union Station escapade with tips and tricks for a streamlined railroad adventure.
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