Football kicked off last weekend for KU and K-State and the Chiefs are counting down the days to their opener. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, we cover the college gridiron with beat writers Kellis Robinett and Shreyas Laddha who covered games in remarkable settings, with mixed results from their teams.

After a break, you’ll meet new Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney. He breaks down the Chiefs roster with Star columnist Sam McDowell and looks ahead to the Chiefs opener the following week against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Things are a little different as the Chiefs prepare for their third and final preseason game. In most years, reserves would get first-team snaps in practice. But this year, Andy Reid said he’ll play starters like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones to open Friday’s game at home against the Chicago Bears.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the change, and where the focus will be with the regular season opener two weeks away.

Also, college football season opens this weekend and Kansas schools are front and center. Kansas State will meet Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, in the traditional first game. Later that day, Kansas opens its renovated stadium against Fresno State. Will the Kansas schools play up to their roles as favorites?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is trending up and down for Chiefs preseason?

Breaking down Kansas City Chiefs' preseason opener. Who's trending? Insights on veterans, young players, and roster battles on SportsBeat KC podcast.

Chiefs preseason, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL preseason, Chiefs roster

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs will have had three weeks of training camp practices by the time the preseason opener at Arizona kicks off Saturday. “You get to see some different looks,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “It become real, and these guys are all competing for spots.”

Who needs to have big moments to improve his stock? Star columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discussed that topic and more on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.

Rookies, like first-round draft pick Josh Simmons, will get much attention Some veterans will as well, especially among non-starters.

Also, McDowell and Gregorian determine if the Royals were winners or losers at the trade deadline.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the All-Star break, Royals fans wondered if their team would be buyers or sellers. They answer was definitive. The Royals are in it to win it.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnist Vahe Gregorian breaks down the Royals’ decision to re-sign starting pitcher Seth Lugo, presumably the team’s biggest trade chip, while adding some punch to the lineup. It won’t be easy for the Royals, who are dealing with several injuries. But they’re giving themselves the best opportunity to be a playoff team.

Also, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell provides the update from training camp at Missouri Western, where the offensive line is always a hot topic.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just as the Chiefs were preparing to open training camp, several personnel matters were decided.

The Chiefs made Trey Smith the NFL’s highest paid guard with a four-year deal worth $94 million, and a few days later the team locked up defensive end George Karlaftis with a similar contract.

Also, the Chiefs likely will soon know about the status of wide receiver Rashee Rice when it comes to the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Rice was sentenced to five years probation and 30 days jail time for his role in a chain reaction car crash in Dallas last year. Now, Rice and the team await word from the NFL on a suspension.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell broke down the recent news and the ramifications for the team bidding to reach a fourth straight Super Bowl as training camp opens at Missouri Western State University this week.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a remarkable first half of the season for the Kansas City Current. With the team, like the rest of the NWSL, on its international break, let’s take stock of where things stand.

The Current is 11-2 and in first place by eight points. The team will take a six-game winning streak into the second half when league play resumes on Aug. 1.

Temwa Chawinga, second in the league with eight goals, is bidding to become the NWSL’s first repeat MVP.

The Current hasn’t been idle during the break. They’re in the midst of the Teal Rising Cup, a four-team tournament played at CPKC Stadium, and several of their players have been called up to national teams.

The list includes defender Izzy Rodriguez, who chatted with The Star on its weekly sports podcast, SportsBeat KC. Rodriguez made the most of her first USWNT appearance with a goal against Ireland in a friendly. She shares her reaction that special moment and what it will take for the Current to continue its winning ways.

Izzy Rodriguez shines for KC Current and in USWNT debut

Also on the podcast, Star soccer writer Daniel Sperry breaks down the Current and also looks ahead to the season’s second half.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The future homes of the Chiefs and Royals is becoming a Border War. Missouri and Kansas have come up with incentives to build stadiums, or renovate Arrowhead for the Chiefs.

The latest development: A letter from Chiefs President Mark Donovan asking Kansas to extend the deadline beyond June 30 for STAR bonds that would be used to pay for up to 70 percent of stadium projects.

“Together,” Donovan write, “we have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new team headquarters, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a vibrant mixed-use and entertainment district.”

This comes on the heels of Missouri passing the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, which also sweetens the deal for the teams, paying up to half for the teams’ new homes.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, veteran Kansas City sports writers Vahe Gregorian, Sam McDowell and Jesse Newell join host Blair Kerkhoff to break down the Border War competition for new or rebuilt stadiums that will cost in the billions.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs wrapped up mini-camp last week and a few items remain on the checklist for training camp, which begins at Missouri Western on July 22.

Is left tackle settled as first-round draft pick Josh Simmons recovers from an injury? Will a deal get done with guard Trey Smith? Who is leading for the final couple of spots at wide receiver?

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast presented by Underdog, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian address those issues and more as the Chiefs head into a month off before reassembling in St. Joseph.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Missouri House closed its special session last week with votes to provide funding to the Royals and the Chiefs, so a piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. But questions remain. The biggest: What do the teams want to do?

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast presented by Underdog, Star columnist Sam McDowell discussed options for the teams. The Royals want a new ballpark. But where? The Chiefs’ top choice may to be to renovate Arrowhead Stadium. Would a practice facility be involved?

Is a Kansas location an option for both teams?

The ball is in the court of the Royals and Chiefs, and awaiting the return are fans who want to know the teams’ next moves.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices