‘Side Quest Dad’ goes viral showing off Kansas City (and its weather) to World Cup watchers ^25.8%

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR - By Suzanne Hogan, Halle Jackson - 6/24/2026, 4:00 AM

Halo Effect 26.2% - Sunk Cost Effect 18.2% - In-Group Bias 16.4%

Oliver Wright never thought he’d go viral for going about the heat. “I knew the humidity out here is something different. I've been here for 15 years,” said Wright, a British soccer fan living in Kansas City who makes videos online as @SideQuestDad. But ahead of the World Cup and the arrival of international teams and visitors, he posted... more

Hours before their World Cup match, these fans are unfazed by Curaçao's underdog status ^35.1%

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR - By Steph Conquest-Ware, Halle Jackson, Laura Ziegler - 6/20/2026, 7:28 PM

Biased Writer Voice 22.7% - Framing Effect 15.3% - Anecdotal 14.4%

Clara Barrios loves to root for an underdog. Dressed in blue Curaçao and maroon Venezuela jerseys, Barrios and her family waded through the yellow shirts – Ecuador fans – at Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Festival on Saturday afternoon. They had traveled from Roswell, New Mexico, to support the team. Though they have Venezuelan roots, Curaçao is... more

Curaçao fans arrive in Kansas City excited for World Cup match: ‘Coming for the win’ ^14.1%

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR - By Halle Jackson - 6/20/2026, 9:00 AM

Appeal to Emotion 29% - Biased Writer Voice 21% - Optimism Bias 19.1%

As soon as the first passengers from Curaçao cleared customs, the party started. Armed with a portable speaker and tons of energy, fans from the island nation turned the Kansas City International Airport’s baggage claim into a welcome bash Friday afternoon – playing music, hugging and dancing. “Being at the World Cup is a symbol of... more

Kansas City still expects 650,000 World Cup visitors. How will we know how many actually come? ^32.6%

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR - By Halle Jackson - 6/1/2026, 9:00 AM

Appeal to Authority 19.4% - Hasty Generalization 11.4% - Anchoring Bias 10.1%

June and July will bring moments of truth for Mikel Ruder. He’s general manager of the Crossroads Hotel in downtown Kansas City and he’s been planning for World Cup fans to hit town for two years. He’s mapped possible scenarios for how he’ll welcome the visitors. Now that it’s almost here, he’s juggling excitement and nerves. “It’s so... more

For Kansas City trumpeter Alber, making music is a beautiful ‘curse’ ^3.3%

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR - By Steve Kraske, Halle Jackson - 5/10/2026, 4:00 AM

Framing Effect 21.1% - Pessimism Bias 12.1% - Optimism Bias 11.7%

KC Soundcheck is KCUR's spotlight for Kansas City musicians on the rise, as heard on Up To Date. Who should we interview next? Send us a text at 816-601-4777. Alberto Racanati says he’s “cursed” by music. “Being a musician, in my view, is like a blessing and a curse at the same time,” Racanati told KCUR’s Up To Date. “It's a blessing,... more

A Crown Center ballpark? How Kansas City feels about the Royals stadium proposal ^50.3%

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR - By Steve Kraske, Zach Wilson, Elizabeth Ruiz, Halle Jackson - 4/23/2026, 4:18 PM

Negativity Bias 20.8% - Appeal to Emotion 14.7% - Attempt to Sell a Product or Service 10%

The Kansas City Royals announced in a press conference on Wednesday their intention to build a stadium at Crown Center, in a partnership with Hallmark that will transform both the business complex and the surrounding neighborhoods. One week prior, when Kansas City Council voted on a $600 million bond proposal, some council members were... more

What will happen to the Chiefs and Royals stadiums when they leave? Jackson County is making a plan ^0%

KCUR - By Halle Jackson - 3/26/2026, 7:10 PM

Optimism Bias 25.1% - Overconfidence Bias 5.5% - Status Quo Bias 4%

The Kansas City Chiefs are moving to Kansas. The Royals are committed to leaving Kauffman Stadium. Neither team intends to play at the Truman Sports Complex after their stadium leases expire in 2031. What happens to the area after that? Jackson County is making a plan. County Executive Phil LeVota announced Thursday the creation of a... more

Missouri's gerrymandered map goes on trial this week. Here’s where the many cases stand ^77.3%

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR - By Steve Kraske, Halle Jackson - 2/9/2026, 10:35 PM

Is the redrawn congressional map that Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law last year already in effect? That depends on who you ask. Republicans have insisted that the new map has already taken effect. Passed in a special session in response to pressure from President Donald Trump, the map splits Kansas City into three parts and aims... more