KC traffic might be the scariest thing you’ll face this Halloween. | Photo by @jrw_shoots
What would you do with 58 hours? Sit in traffic, apparently. That’s the average time commuters in Kansas City lost to traffic congestion in 2024, which is 8% worse than the year previous.
By the numbers
According to a recent report from Texas A&M Transportation Institute, a trip that would take 20 minutes without traffic takes...
24 minutes with traffic
24 minutes in the peak direction
29 minutes to plan for a punctual arrival
When is the worst time to drive?
Traffic is at its worst between 3 and 6 p.m. on weekdays. In the morning, 6-9 a.m. can also be dicey.
But the hands-down worst time to commute? 4 p.m. on a Thursday. 2.1% of the area’s weekly delay happens around then.
Incogni can help remove your personal information from the web. | Image via Incogni
Using hidden cameras, the BBC caught workers at a scam call center laughing at the people they were tricking.
The disturbing truth? Scammers don’t pick phone numbers at random. They buy your data from brokers.
Once your data is out there, it’s not just calls. It’s phishing, impersonation, and identity theft.
That’s why Incogni stands out. The data removal service deletes your personal info from the web, then continuously monitors and removes new data as fresh threats emerge.
Canned vegetables. Peanut butter. Brown rice. Dried fruit. Those are among the “most needed items” at KC’s Harvesters Community Food Network. The food bank’s shelves are emptier than normal, and the organization is asking locals to donate food, money, or time as they’re able.
Holiday
All treat here. On Halloween, KC Streetcar employees are handing out candy at multiple stops from 1 to 3 p.m. Snag some chocolate at UMKC, Armour Northbound, Union Hill Northbound, Union Station Southbound, or Library Northbound — and read more about the Streetcar extension while you ride. (KCTV)
Biz
An “AI factory” with a half-billion-dollar price tag is coming to Northland — and that’s just phase one. The $500 million data center from Nvidia-backed Lambda Inc. is slated to open in early 2026, with the exact location and square footage not currently public. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Environment
How long do you leave your pumpkins out? Whether you ditch them the day after Halloween or closer to Thanksgiving, you can drop off your gourds and pumpkins Nov. 1-25 at the east parking lot of the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Just be sure they’re unpainted. (Kansas City Star)
Closing
Popular spots André’s Confiserie Suisse in Overland Park and Rakar Dumpling House in Leawood have both announced closures before the end of this year. The good news? There’s still time for one last trip to both. (Johnson County Post + Kansas City Star)
Opening
Mocha Point Yemeni Coffee Co. will be rocking the suburbs, with plans to open soon at 8641 W. 135th St. in Overland Park. The St. Louis-based concept offers late-night coffee, among other draws. (Kansas City Star)
Health
Want to make a difference? The Community Blood Center is facing an unexpected shortage and is asking the public for help. Sign up to donate blood to help a neighbor in need. (Fox 4)
Community
Who turned out the lights? The beloved Western Auto sign has been dark since early July, with maintenance needs and overall costs dimming prospects for its future. Mayor Quinton Lucas told KCTV he hopes Illuminate KC might help cut the iconic lights back on before the World Cup. (KCTV)
Feel Good
Going to the chapel and we’re going to get married... for free? A venue in Northland — created by two former teachers — offers a free space for couples to tie the knot three days per week. And there’s no catch.(Kansas City Star)
Seasonal
Don’t forget to set your clocks back — Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, ushering in brighter mornings and earlier sunsets. Need help adjusting to the change? Enjoying a sun-soaked morning at a local coffee shop should do the trick.
Tech
That “unknown number” isn’t random — it’s someone who bought your data. Scammers use it for phishing, impersonation, and worse. Incogni fights back by wiping your info from the web and keeping it gone. They can’t scam who they can’t find.*
Number
21. That’s how many months you could enjoy 0% APR with a balance transfer card. Read: You can tackle credit card debt while enjoying stellar perks, like up to $200 cash back. Discover top cards + apply.*
Read
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The Buy
A foaming toilet cleaner you’ll be sad you didn’t make the switch to sooner. Splash Foam Cleaner is the fast, hands-free way to clean toilet rings, stains, and grime. The best part? It does all the hard work for you. Read: No more toilet scrubbing in your future.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
File under: things we love to see. An empty lot by the DeLaSalle Education Center in KCMO will become an urban farm thanks to students who plan to build “chicken coops, garden beds, an outdoor eatery, and more.” It will benefit students, their families, and the surrounding neighborhood, according to Fox 4.
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