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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Kansas City.

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How and where to go plogging in Kansas City

With Earth Day this month, you can celebrate nature while contributing to a healthier planet.

Climate

You&#x27;ve heard of jogging. You&#x27;ve heard of picking up litter. Combine the two, and you get &quot;plogging.&quot;Why it matters: Earth Day is this month, and locals are looking for ways to celebrate nature while contributing to a healthier planet.

Thousands could lose Medicaid in Missouri, Kansas

New rules could leave thousands without coverage by 2027.

News

Missouri and Kansas are adjusting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Medicaid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health" data-vars-content-id="1f619b0c-d2f5-416e-bd1e-10b9d1a09d67" data-vars-headline="Thousands could lose Medicaid in Missouri, Kansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health" target="_self">Medicaid</a> budgets ahead of federal changes expected to cut coverage for thousands of people.

🍬 KC shops rolling out Easter goodies

Check out these local holiday sweets ahead of April 5.

Food and Drink

Easter is hopping closer, and for some, that means candy.The big picture: Local confectioners are rolling out seasonal sweet treats as residents seek to stock their baskets.

A bridge in Kansas is being compared to The High Line in NYC

The bridge entertainment district — which includes a restaurant, beer garden and event space — is set to open April 1.

A decommissioned railroad bridge over the Kansas River is being transformed in a way that &quot;feels very similar&quot; to New York City&#x27;s High Line, Friends of the High Line executive director Alan van Capelle tells Axios.Why it matters: The one-of-a-kind project in Kansas City has garnered local and national support for its ambition and design, and could provide a blueprint for future transformational projects.

KC knows its liquor and our history proves it

From gin to whiskey, these distilleries reflect KC's liquor roots.

Kansas City&#x27;s liquor history shows up in what you&#x27;re drinking, from revived pre-Prohibition <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whiskey styles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mymcpl.org/blogs/history-whiskey-kc" data-vars-content-id="b7f270ad-c286-4782-8883-8f7f62b50c39" data-vars-headline="KC knows its liquor and our history proves it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mymcpl.org/blogs/history-whiskey-kc" target="_blank">whiskey styles</a> to spirits shaped by bootlegging. Here are a few distilleries to visit.

First look: River House sets the menu for Rock Island Bridge

River House brings smoked chicken, oysters and cocktails to the bridge.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock Island Bridge" data-vars-click-url="https://rockislandkc.com/" data-vars-content-id="093d72ad-9ef6-4d44-9884-cd2caa337563" data-vars-headline="First look: River House sets the menu for Rock Island Bridge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rockislandkc.com/" target="_blank">Rock Island Bridge</a> opens Wednesday with a restaurant and walk-up window built to make food part of the draw, not an afterthought.The big picture: Kansas City has no shortage of places with a view, and Rock Island provides just that. However, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="River House" data-vars-click-url="https://answerharbor.com/2025/12/22/the-riverhouse-a-waterfront-menu-worth-exploring/?fi=0&amp;cid=3c4ac6a6-e084-40ba-8d49-57498b22786e&amp;sub=riverhouserestaurant.com&amp;utm_source=riverhouserestaurant.com&amp;hide_featured=1" data-vars-content-id="093d72ad-9ef6-4d44-9884-cd2caa337563" data-vars-headline="First look: River House sets the menu for Rock Island Bridge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://answerharbor.com/2025/12/22/the-riverhouse-a-waterfront-menu-worth-exploring/?fi=0&amp;cid=3c4ac6a6-e084-40ba-8d49-57498b22786e&amp;sub=riverhouserestaurant.com&amp;utm_source=riverhouserestaurant.com&amp;hide_featured=1" target="_blank">River House</a> is betting people will come back for smoked chicken, oysters, cocktails and food designed to fit a night over the river.

Dear Donna combines fine dining with chill weekend brunch

The husband-and-wife James Beard semifinalists' concept replaces Happy Gillis in Columbus Park.

Casual brunch meets James Beard-nominated cuisine at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dear Donna" data-vars-click-url="https://www.deardonnakc.com/" data-vars-content-id="99ca77a1-ff23-472b-aa86-e66a73d30fde" data-vars-headline="Dear Donna combines fine dining with chill weekend brunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.deardonnakc.com/" target="_blank">Dear Donna</a>, a new restaurant near downtown KC.Why it matters: The concept replaces Happy Gillis, a long-time and well-loved breakfast and lunch spot tucked into the Columbus Park neighborhood.

Kansas coffee company eyes big expansion starting in Olathe

The folks behind Freddy's massive growth are turning their eyes toward coffee.

A small-town Kansas coffee shop is set for big-time expansion, with its first franchise location planned to open in Olathe this year.Why it matters: The move marks a broader growth push backed by a Wichita restaurant industry magnate and a franchise group planning six regional locations.

KC patios to grab a seat this spring

These patios make it easy to grab a drink and stay awhile this spring.

Things to Do

Kansas City may hit 90 degrees this weekend, which means everyone suddenly has the same idea: Sit outside with a drink and don&#x27;t go home anytime soon.The big picture: The first hot weekend of the year turns every decent patio into a waiting game. These are spots where you can show up, grab a seat and not feel rushed out.

How Black pitmasters built KC barbecue

KC barbecue grew from railroads, stockyards and Black culinary innovation.

Kansas City&#x27;s booming barbecue scene traces back to railroads, stockyards and Black pitmasters who turned the butcher&#x27;s leftovers into a defining local tradition.Why it matters: Barbecue is central to KC&#x27;s identity, but many people don&#x27;t realize how deeply it&#x27;s rooted in Black culture and entrepreneurship.

Eating our way through Big 12 tourney food

The Big 12 is more than just basketball — it's memories and meals.

The Big 12 tournaments are bringing some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Eats" data-vars-click-url="https://big12sports.com/news/2026/2/26/big-12-announces-fan-experiences-entertainment-and-community-programming-for-2026-phillips-66-big-12-mens-and-womens-basketball-tournaments.aspx" data-vars-content-id="9e4ee37f-13c1-4218-86c4-e3858fd1fa82" data-vars-headline="Eating our way through Big 12 tourney food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://big12sports.com/news/2026/2/26/big-12-announces-fan-experiences-entertainment-and-community-programming-for-2026-phillips-66-big-12-mens-and-womens-basketball-tournaments.aspx" target="_blank">Big Eats</a> to the Power &amp; Light District with the creation of school-specific snacks, milkshakes and food-related apparel.Why it matters: It&#x27;s something both fans with tickets and downtown revelers can sink their teeth into over the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next two weeks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/03/big-12-tournament-fan-fest-new-tech-kansas-city" data-vars-content-id="9e4ee37f-13c1-4218-86c4-e3858fd1fa82" data-vars-headline="Eating our way through Big 12 tourney food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/03/big-12-tournament-fan-fest-new-tech-kansas-city" target="_self">next two weeks</a>.

Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space

The North KC brewery adds one more local craft beer business back to KC.

A new brewery has quietly opened in North Kansas City in place of The Big Rip, a brewhouse that generated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lots of buzz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kansascity.com/site-services/newsletters/lets-dish-nl/article312824873.html" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kansascity.com/site-services/newsletters/lets-dish-nl/article312824873.html" target="_blank">lots of buzz</a> when it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced its closure" data-vars-click-url="https://kansascitymag.com/restaurant-5/" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kansascitymag.com/restaurant-5/" target="_blank">announced its closure</a> last summer.Why it matters: Its transformation and reopening as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Up North Brewery" data-vars-click-url="https://upnorthbrewery.ourmenu.com/" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://upnorthbrewery.ourmenu.com/" target="_blank">Up North Brewery</a> adds one more local craft beer business back to KC, bucking the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/27/kansas-city-craft-breweries-2024-production" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/27/kansas-city-craft-breweries-2024-production" target="_self">national trend</a> of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contracting industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" data-vars-content-id="373f35a0-f25d-45d8-8a50-e2efcf0b42a1" data-vars-headline="Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" target="_self">contracting industry</a>.

New chicken kitchen anchors Vine Street Brewing

Vine Street Chicken Co. opens after a year-and-a-half restaurant vacancy.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vine Street Brewing" data-vars-click-url="https://vinestbrewing.com/" data-vars-content-id="c4b52015-06b6-4e18-8b9c-037b9ca77e14" data-vars-headline="New chicken kitchen anchors Vine Street Brewing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vinestbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Vine Street Brewing</a> just welcomed a new permanent food concept, filling an important gap in the brew house&#x27;s business after a year-and-a-half <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant vacancy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startlandnews.com/2024/08/2000-vine-prospect-kc/" data-vars-content-id="c4b52015-06b6-4e18-8b9c-037b9ca77e14" data-vars-headline="New chicken kitchen anchors Vine Street Brewing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startlandnews.com/2024/08/2000-vine-prospect-kc/" target="_blank">restaurant vacancy</a>.Why it matters: We&#x27;re continuing our February spotlight on Black-owned businesses with a look at Missouri&#x27;s first Black-owned brewery and its partnership with the new Vine Street Chicken Co.

Food and Drink 🍽

KC knows its liquor and our history proves it

First look: River House sets the menu for Rock Island Bridge

🍬 KC shops rolling out Easter goodies

Dear Donna combines fine dining with chill weekend brunch

Kansas coffee company eyes big expansion starting in Olathe