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 regarding the ICE detention center. For months, a private company has pushed to open this facility, stirring up controversy in the community. A temporary court order continues to prevent the facility from opening, keeping the issue at the forefront of local political discussions as advocates and opponents make their voices heard.

Meanwhile, at City Hall, the focus turns to our public transit system. Yesterday, Kansas City bus riders rallied downtown, calling on city leaders to continue funding for public transit. Riders and advocates gathered outside City Hall, sharing stories about how these buses connect neighborhoods and provide access to jobs, schools, and hospitals. The city council is set to review transit funding in upcoming meetings, and we’ll be watching closely. Decisions here could impact the daily routines of thousands across the metro.

Turning to business news, we’re seeing strong activity in the River Market, where two new locally-owned restaurants opened doors this week. Both spots highlight farm-to-table ingredients and are already drawing lunchtime crowds. There’s also buzz about a major retailer planning to close its outlet near Ward Parkway, which could affect nearly thirty jobs. At the same time, the Kansas City job market remains steady overall, with recent numbers showing steady hiring, especially in healthcare and logistics.

In real estate, home inventory remains tight, and median home prices are hovering around three hundred and seventy thousand dollars. New listings are picking up on the northland side, but competition for homes under four hundred thousand is fierce as buyers try to beat the next expected interest rate change.

For our young listeners and their families, congratulations go out to the Blue Springs High School robotics team. They just took first place in a regional competition, adding to Kansas City’s growing reputation as a STEM hub. And in high school sports, the Park Hill South Panthers won their season opener last night, taking the victory on home turf.

Kansas City’s music scene is lively this weekend with Jazz on the Lawn happening Friday night at the Nelson-Atkins and a free blues concert at Loose Park on Saturday. Local artists and students are leading both events, part of the larger push to connect our neighborhoods through the arts.

Our crime report for the past 24 hours is relatively calm, though police responded to a series of car break-ins along Main Street near 39th. Investigations continue, and officers are asking residents to lock vehicles and avoid leaving items in plain sight. On a positive note, police recently arrested a suspect involved in a burglary spree in the Westport district. Patrols in the area have been increased, and neighbors are hopeful for a quieter weekend ahead.

Rounding out today’s news, a feel-good community story: Volunteers from Troost Avenue came together last night to hand out backpacks and supplies to local school kids ahead of the first day of classes. Their efforts mean hundreds of students will start the year ready and confident.

Thanks for tuning in to Local Pulse today, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a local update. This has been Kansas City Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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