19+ hour, 28+ min ago (648+ words) The Rus-T-Barn Christmas tree farm is experiencing an unprecedented early rush this season, nearly selling out of all its inventory ahead of Thanksgiving. Owner Lisa Tobin watched her biggest inventory in the farm's six-year existence disappear quickly. The farm opened Saturday with 215 trees and was down to about 30 within 48 hours. Cars lined up, and families piled in. Tobin told KSHB 41 News reporter Ryan Gamboa the Chiefs game provided some relief. "I just hope we have a great Black Friday because I don't think we'll be open much longer after that," Tobin said. The early demand appears to be driven by multiple factors, including rising prices for artificial trees and a growing preference for supporting local businesses. According to NPR, artificial tree dealers are warning customers to expect prices 10% to 15% higher this year due to the U.S.-China trade war. Nearly all…...

2+ day, 12+ hour ago (402+ words) Plans for the KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension were unveiled Saturday, marking the beginning of a major transformation for the Berkley Riverfront area. The new extension will stretch 0.7 miles, connecting from Third Street and the Grand Boulevard bridge to end near the midpoint of Berkley Riverfront. The stop will place visitors just a five-minute walk from CPKC Stadium, with completion timed for the World Cup. Jon Stephens is the president and CEO of Port KC. "The goal is that this will be that Monday night football, this will be that World Cup quarter final lead-in where they say live from Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States of America," Stephens said. "We want to put our best foot forward. I'm confident we will." Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas views the extension as creating a new destination for Kansas City residents…...

4+ day, 4+ hour ago (94+ words) KANSAS CITY, MO. " The Kansas City, Kansas Police department is investigating a fatal shooting that happened Thursday night. Police say they were called to the area of the 400 block of Greeley Avenue around 8-30 p.m. on a shooting call. When they arrived, police found one man outside a residence with an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. Police did not give any information on what led up to the shooting or suspect information. This is the 22nd homicide in Kansas City, Kansas this year....

4+ day, 14+ hour ago (156+ words) The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is looking for a missing 57-year-old woman last seen at about 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Northland. The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department reports a missing 57-year-old woman has been found and is safe.Police shared the news late Thursday that Wendy Hubbard had been found.If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015 Read the KSHB 41 News Mug…...

5+ day, 8+ hour ago (264+ words) WAMEGO, Kan. " While Kansas might have heard all "The Wizard of Oz" jokes, there's no escaping it. "We are a state that is internationally known because of our link to Dorothy and Oz," said Wamego's tourism and events director Cory Reeves. Wamego is the city where the Oz Museum is based, an almost two-hour drive from Kansas City, Missouri. Reeves says the success of "Wicked" has revived people's interest in Oz and made the Oz Museum more popular. They've noticed its magic too. Visitors are now younger than they used to be. "We like to celebrate all things Oz, and 'Wicked' is an important piece of that," said Clint Stueve, executive director at the Oz Museum. "Every generation has taken its opportunity to recraft that story to better fit their needs, and 'Wicked' is just another piece of that." Next…...

5+ day, 19+ hour ago (477+ words) Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians have all started noticing the new medians, green crosswalks, and angled parking spots on Broadway Boulevard between 31st and 43rd streets in Midtown Kansas City, Missouri. The city calls this new design a road diet. "This has been a four-lane racetrack," said Mark Dodd, of Big Dude's Music City, located at 38th Street and Broadway Boulevard. The road diet slims that racetrack down. Instead of five lanes of traffic, there's now one lane of travel in each direction, with a turn lane in the middle, parking on the sides and bike lanes. "I was scratching my head, thinking, who was the brainchild behind this? But I'm starting to appreciate it," Dodd admitted. However, there seems to be a bit of confusion. People have posted about the new design on Reddit. Viewer Kelly emailed the KSHB 41 newsroom asking, "Can you…...

5+ day, 19+ hour ago (132+ words) KANSAS CITY, Mo. " Police say a man shot late Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri, has died from his injuries. Around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, police received a report of a shooting in the 8200 block of President Court. Officers arrived and located an adult male unresponsive in a parking lot. EMS personnel transported the man to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. The man was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The preliminary investigation indicates the man had an interaction with one or more suspects in the parking lot of the apartment complex that led to the gunfire. The unknown suspects then fled the scene. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact detectives at 816-234-5043. Anonymous tips can be called in at 816-474-8477....

1+ week, 2+ hour ago (211+ words) KANSAS CITY, Mo. " The Overland Park City Council unanimously approved an agreement Monday night with Johnson County and the city of Lenexa to provide a new transit route to Kansas City International Airport. The new route will be a pilot program to test the effectiveness of the route between the airport and points in Overland Park and Lenexa. According to the agreement, the service will run for nine months, While it will help support the FIFA World Cup and related activities in Lenexa and Overland Park, it is for anyone to use, not just World Cup travelers. Johnson County received a $2 million federal grant to help pay for the service. The cities of Overland Park and Lenexa, as well as Johnson County also kicked in an additional $200,000 each, because the grant came with a $600,000 local match requirement. The service will…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (182+ words) Many families across Kansas City are still reeling from weeks-long delays in their SNAP benefits. Even though payments are expected to resume soon, the urgency for food assistance hasn't eased " this weekend, community groups are once again stepping up to bridge the gap. For weeks now, pantries and food programs in the metro have reported a surge in need. Without SNAP benefits, more families are turning to food centers than ever before. The community is stepping up once again for families in need. Families can go pick up fresh-produce today at Ruskin High School starting at noon. No ID or registration is needed " just pull in or walk up to receive fruits and vegetables, free of charge. If you're unable to make it to the Ruskin distribution, other food assistance sites are open across the area: SNAP benefits are expected…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (309+ words) KANSAS CITY, Mo. " The Kansas City Chiefs will be without running back Isiah Pacecho for Sunday's key AFC West battle against the Denver Broncos. Pacheco injured his knee late in the Chiefs' Oct. 27 win over the Washington Commanders, forcing him to miss the team's Nov. 2 game the following week in Buffalo. Pacecho did not participate in any of the team's practices this week. Head coach Andy Reid said Pacecho was the only player not to participate in practice on Friday. That means tackle Josh Simmons could make his return to the field Sunday. Simmons, the team's first-round draft pick earlier this year, rejoined the club over the bye week after being away from the team for several weeks to deal with a family matter. Reid told reporters Friday that he and offensive line coach Andy Heck would review video from…...