Kansas City Council

A special program is bringing empty Kansas City storefronts back to life by placing entrepreneurs in prime downtown spaces to show off for an influx of international visitors. City leaders hope the program leads to long-term opportunities for small businesses and building owners.

The team reached a deal with Hallmark Cards on a "transformative project" that will create a new ballpark at Crown Center near downtown Kansas City, Royals owner John Sherman said. The announcement comes a week after the City Council passed a financing package.

Kansas City could approve a plan for a new Royals stadium located at Washington Square Park as early as Thursday. Opponents say city leaders are undermining their vote against a downtown stadium, while supporters say they're looking forward to new jobs.

Kansas City previously honored farmworker advocate and union leader César Chávez with murals and a street in his name on the Westside. But some community leaders are reconsidering after a bombshell investigation accused him of sexually abusing multiple girls and women.

On Thursday morning, officials from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement toured a warehouse in south Kansas City with aims to hold detainees there. By the afternoon, city lawmakers put in place a measure to stop such detention centers from being approved.