Travis Meier
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Reporter for Axios Kansas City. Journalism, mountain biking, saxophone, coffee. Ideas + opinions are my own.
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Articles by Travis Meier
KC cyclists want safer streets to ride
We asked if readers know how to ride a bike , and they said yes — but some said they choose not to because of street quality and path access. Why it matters: Biking is credited with improving health and connectivity, and metro-wide pushes seek to increase the activity in a town that ranks below the national average for bike miles per person Zoom in: Readers use bicycles for leisure, exercise and transportation, but others have given up biking over safety concerns and a lack of infrastructure.
KC cyclists want safer streets to ride
We asked if readers know how to ride a bike, and they said yes — but some said they choose not to because of street quality and path access. Why it matters: Biking is credited with improving health and connectivity, and metro-wide pushes seek to increase the activity in a town that ranks below the national average for bike miles per person. Zoom in: Readers use bicycles for leisure, exercise and transportation, but others have given up biking over safety concerns and a lack of infrastructure.
The word of the year is "maxxing." Let's make it local.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios "Maxxing" has been named Dictionary.com's2026 Word of the Year, reflecting a culture obsessed with getting the most out of everything. The big picture: From self-improvement to everyday activities, there's a "maxxing" for just about everything. Context: Use of the term on social media surged nearly 700% in the first seven months of 2026, per Dictionary.com. "Looksmaxxing," or trying to become more attractive, saw an even bigger jump of more than 1,000%.
Vance, Trump make unusual Kansas push amid tight Senate race
Photo illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios. Photos: Justin Sullivan, Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images. Vice President Vance was back in Kansas on Monday, marking the state's third visit from either Vance or President Trump in a little over a month. Why it matters: The visits come amid heightened political pressure in Kansas, where the Cook Political Report shifted the Senate race to a toss-up in early October. The state hasn't elected a Democratic senator for 94 years.
UT's approach to AI in the classroom
State of play: UT has spent the past couple of years following an "AI Forward, AI Responsible" framework that encourages students to become fluent in AI without becoming dependent on it, Julie Schell, the university's assistant vice provost of academic technology, tells Axios. "We want students to be highly fluent and sophisticated in their approaches to AI," Schell says.
Early voting spikes across KC for the 2026 midterms
Chart: Travis Meier/Axios; Data: Johnson County Election Board Early voting is surging in Johnson County, with a roughly 68% increase in in-person ballots cast compared with the same point in the 2022 midterms. The big picture: The jump signals strong participation in this year's elections amid consequential decisions in Kansas and Missouri, though it remains to be seen if overall turnout will increase or if voters are simply casting their ballots sooner.
Baby boxes are growing nationally. KC just got its first.
Kansas City's first baby box will make it easier for parents in crisis to safely surrender their infants. Why it matters: Missouri already allows parents to legally surrender newborns at designated locations. The baby box offers an anonymous alternative for those unwilling or unable to make a face-to-face handoff. Women navigating difficult decisions only have a handful of options for legally relinquishing a child, and the baby box is meant to provide a safe alternative and prevent tragedy.
Midtown houses are dressing up for Halloween
It even has monstrous eyelashes. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios Anyone who remembers the movie "Monster House" will be thrilled, delighted and maybe a little frightened to come across KC's very own Halloween-bedecked homes. Why it matters: These creepy creations deserve some kudos, and so does the prolific KC house design that provides the perfect bones. Flashback: Shirtwaist houses went up across KC's original neighborhoods, from Hyde Park to Brookside, mostly in the early 1900s.
KC funds jail operations, increases officer pay
Kansas City leaders moved Thursday to prioritize a permanent city jail and boost pay for correctional officers as they try to rebuild the city's detention system. Why it matters: Kansas City has spent years contracting with county jails, sending people in custody more than an hour away. Staffing and opening a permanent facility would be a major change.
Endangered buildings list highlights historic preservation fights
Kansas City leaders are tightening historic preservation laws as recent high-profile demolitions spark pushback from residents and preservationists. Why it matters: "Demolition by neglect," where owners let buildings fall into disrepair to bypass historic protections, can affect a city's identity and reduce affordable housing, according to a report the city manager's office released this year.
Endangered buildings list highlights historic preservation fights
Kansas City leaders are tightening historic preservation laws as recent high-profile demolitions spark pushback from residents and preservationists. Why it matters: "Demolition by neglect," where owners let buildings fall into disrepair to bypass historic protections, can affect a city's identity and reduce affordable housing, according to a report the city manager's office released this year.
Plenty of people don't ride bikes. Some never learned.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios I was surprised to learn during a recent meeting with Midwest Axios reporters that several colleagues never learned how to ride a bicycle. The big picture: Even as more Americans straddle the saddle, learning to ride remains elusive — and unappealing — for some. Kansas City isn't the biggest biking down, but recent efforts are encouraging more riders. A YouGov survey found 8% of adults don't know how, even though apparently the most recent data is from 2015.
KC counties adopt AI assistants
Wyandotte and Jackson counties are using AI chatbots to respond to residents' questions faster. Why it matters: Local governments say a deluge of basic questions bogs down employees and increases wait times for residents seeking information. Driving the news: The Unified Government (UG) of KCK and Wyandotte County recently added a chatbot built by Granicus, a digital government platform, to its Treasury page.
Pushback grows against local AI graphics
AI-generated graphics are drawing scrutiny from Kansas City residents and the mayor. Why it matters: Recent incidents highlight how outsourcing artwork to AI can lead to backlash amid negative public sentiment over generated content. Driving the news: Mayor Quinton Lucas on Tuesday said city departments "don't have to use AI slop with fake skylines," referencing KC Fire Department posts that were labeled "AI content" and included incorrect images of the city.
Pushback grows against local AI graphics
AI-generated graphics are drawing scrutiny from Kansas City residents and the mayor. Why it matters: Recent incidents highlight how outsourcing artwork to AI can lead to backlash amid negative public sentiment over generated content. Driving the news: Mayor Quinton Lucas on Tuesday said city departments "don't have to use AI slop with fake skylines," referencing KC Fire Department posts that were labeled "AI content" and included incorrect images of the city.
Take your drinks on a bus to the Chiefs game
Beers, buses, beating other teams. Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images A new Arrowhead shuttle service is targeting visitors and fans who don't want to futz with Ubers or put a pause on pregaming. The big picture: Rally OurBus launched this year in KC, and demand has already fueled the launch of more charter buses and an extra pickup spot as the Chiefs go 5-0. How it works: Riders pay $80-$85 to hop on at one of four hotel locations in the Crossroads and Crown Center.
The needle is moving on KC's literacy problem
Educators are harnessing KC's sports town identity in the classroom, combining personalized tutoring with Royals players and stadium visits to boost motivation for reading comprehension. Why it matters: Child literacy rates are tied to success later in life, but test data shows only 26% of KCMO's public school third graders read at grade level.
Time is running out to visit the Steamboat Arabia Museum
The Steamboat Arabia Museum that has anchored the City Market for 30 years faces an uncertain future when its lease expires in November. Why it matters: If you're like me, who hadn't visited until this week, time is running out. State of play: The museum's lease ends Nov. 13, and the museum posted on Facebook, "We do not know what will happen on Nov. 14." Museum owners have been discussing expansion since 2016, and the City Market began exploring other uses for the space in 2023.
Scoop: Rainy Day Books expanding to 3 stores
Rainy Day Books and Made In KC opened their first combined store downtown on Thursday, and owner Tyler Enders tells Axios a third book store location is planned for Lenexa. Why it matters: The longstanding Fairway shop known for its high-profile author events is expanding across KC, pairing books with locally crafted merch after Enders and an investment group bought the business in 2022.
Royals ballpark designers want fans out of their cars
The Royals and design firm Populous want fans to walk, bike or take the streetcar to the new downtown stadium, a major shift from the current game-day experience. Why it matters: Kauffman Stadium ranked last in a 2025 study of MLB stadium walkability, and a 2019 ranking found it had the league's worst transit connections. Royals leaders say the new ballpark will change that. Driving the news: The team unveiled new stadium designs on Thursday, with an emphasis on multiple ways to get there.
Missouri ballot questions reignite issues decided by voters
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios A number of ballot questions may look familiar to Missouri voters who already had their say on the issues at hand. Why it matters: Voters will decide on abortion access, state taxes, which congressional map to use going forward and more in the November election. Here's a breakdown of each question in Missouri and Kansas. Missouri 🗳️ Amendment 3 asks if voters want to repeal the reproductive care and abortion rights that voters passed in 2024, 52% to 48%.
KC hopes park construction closing I-670 spurs more funding
Construction will begin this winter to build one block of Roy Blunt Luminary Park over I-670, from Wyandotte to Baltimore. Why it matters: The project will close a portion of the interstate for almost two years in order to build a fraction of the full concept, a step leaders hope will help fund the rest of it. The big picture: Both ways between I-35 and I-70, plus east and west Truman roads between Broadway and Baltimore, will close from this December through September 2028.
104-year-old building gets new life as cafe, apartments
A new coffee shop downtown is part of the historic redevelopment of a building more than a century old. Why it matters: Remedy Cafe and Bar offers a new breakfast and lunch option for downtown workers and residents, while 44 new apartments above chip away at KC's housing demand. Driving the news: Remedy officially opened last week at 10th and Walnut, with a limited food menu and coffee from Arkansas-based Onyx. The spot previously held Spokes Cafe, which is now located a block away on Main.
Green paint is trending in KC and nationwide
Next year's paint palette is getting greener and more adventurous. The big picture: Paint companies Behr, Valspar and Sherwin-Williams recently named their picks for the next big hues in home design. Behr chose Grounded, a "mossy olive," as its 2027 color of the year. Valspar went with gray-blue Cottage Door. And Sherwin-Williams chose pale green Celery. It's not just homes.
Provis sets a high bar for local coffee shops
Provis Coffee in North Kansas City literally ran out of some supplies on its first full day as it opened to a sell-out crowd. Why it matters: New coffee shops crop up across the city all the time, but Provis stands out for its attention to detail, trendy interior design and wide array of unique coffees and flavors. Driving the news: The cafe opened at the end of September after seven months of building in public, when owners shared the construction process and gathered a strong following.
Power and Light is filling up with luxury chains
Paris Baguette, an upscale South Korean bakery, is the most recent addition to a lineup of swanky chains filling downtown storefronts. Why it matters: Power and Light District leaders want to create an experience that's distinctly Kansas City, though many of the newest additions are brands with roots elsewhere. Catch up quick: The Yard Milkshake Bar, a "specialty dessert" brand from Alabama that serves indulgent treats, opened in March 2025 in PNC Plaza.
Final Royals stadium hurdles cleared, Mayor Lucas says
City Council movedthe downtown Royals stadium forward with three new ordinances that addressed financing and zoning for its Crown Center site. The big picture: The stadium was the hottest issue at Thursday's meeting, but that's not all that happened. 🏟️ Royals clear big hurdles The Council approved rezoning about 68 acres around Crown Center for the ballpark district.
I-70's closure will add a lot of time for KC commuters
If your commute takes you on I-70 in Kansas City, you're going to need a new route — and some extra time — next year. Why it matters: 105,000 daily drivers will have to find a way around the fastest, most direct route to and from downtown, and transportation officials want them to take detours that add up to 21 minutes to a one-way trip. Driving the news: The Missouri Department of Transportation held an open house on Tuesday, displaying project details including planned detours.
Missouri wants nuclear power to revamp its energy future
Missouri is facing an energy crunch as demand skyrockets and production faces cuts due to aging power plants. Why it matters: Failing to meet future energy demands would raise the state's already increasing reliance on imported energy, which could trigger higher bills and a less reliable power grid. The big picture: Missouri's new State Energy Plan lays out policy that would boost in-state production, and it's leaning heavily on building nuclear reactors.
A KC country artist and a Chiefs player walk into a podcast studio
Country artist and former "The Voice" contestant Casi Joy has a new gig since moving back home from Nashville to Kansas City: podcast host.
KC isn't much of a biking town — yet
Kansas Citians don't do a lot of biking, according to transportation data firm StreetLight's analysis, but efforts are underway to change that. The big picture: Locals bike an average of 13 miles a year, well below the national average of 23 miles. That puts us in the bottom quarter of miles traveled per capita among the country's 100 largest cities. Zoom in: Kansas City is working on a new bikeways and trails plan, which would add bike lanes and connect existing trails across the city.
Kansas City home sales fall as buyers pull back
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios Fewer people bought homes in Kansas City in August compared with a year ago, according to data released last week by Homes.com. Why it matters: Buyers appear to be pulling back as prices squeeze spending power and jobs stall. By the numbers: The number of homes sold in the KC metro dropped 7.4% year-over-year to below pre-pandemic levels.
Independence is putting its best ghostly foot forward
Independence is known for its historic sites and ghostly legends, and this Halloween season, Visit Independence is making it easy to make a day of them. The big picture: Paranormal Pursuit, a self-guided virtual tour with points and prizes, launched last week with 13 locations. It's a compilation of some of the oldest (and most haunted) sites in the metro, including the Vaile Mansion, the 1859 Jail Museum and the Woodlawn Cemetery.
KC book clubs are getting "weird"
Book club events on Eventbrite jumped 33% during the first half of this year compared with last — driven largely by "hyper niche" meetups, the platform tells Axios. Why it matters: These clubs are as much about finding community as finishing the book. The big picture: "The definition of a 'book club' is splitting into a dozen different directions, expanding to fit all kinds of readers, interests and social appetites," Eventbrite general manager Andrea Parodi tells Axios.
Library borrowing in MO, KS beat national average
Data: Institute of Museum and Library Services Public Libraries Survey; Note: Reporting periods and adherence to survey definitions can vary by state; "No data" states did not report electronic material circulation; Map: Sami Sparber/Axios Kansans and Missourians make about the same number of library checkouts per person, federal data shows.
Fall festivals across KC this weekend
It's fall's first weekend in Kansas City, and pretty much everywhere you look, the metro is celebrating. The big picture: Between fall festivals and art parties in the city and across the region, you can't say "there's nothing to do." Yes, but: Storms are threatening to put a damper on Friday and Saturday, so check for updates before you venture out.
What it's like going to KC Ren Fest
There's only one place in Kansas City where you can sip mead and wield a turkey leg while watching jousters, jesters and jugglers. Why it matters: The KC Renaissance Festival has been around for 50 seasons as one of the Midwest's premier events for make-believe and post-medieval revelry. Context: Ye ol' party began in 1977 thanks to the Kansas City Art Institute. It has since grown from 8,500 attendees to more than 200,000 each year, and is now owned by Minneapolis-based Mid-America Festivals.
Satisfaction in Kansas City up in all but two categories
Kansas Citians think the city is doing a better job now than in any of the past six years, according to annual resident survey results. Why it matters: KCMO isn't perfect, and folks have the usual gripes about road conditions, but they generally see things trending in the right direction. The big picture: The ETC Institute survey, which has been given in 500 cities since 1999, serves as a temperature check for how residents feel about city services.
Fall in KC: Probably warmer and wetter
Cooler KC temperatures feel like a relief after so many 90-degree days, but fall forecasts still expect above-normal temperatures for the region. Why it matters: It's part of recent fall trends in KC, plus the El Niño weather pattern causing higher temperatures and more storms across the U.S. The big picture: The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center says Kansas City has a 33% to 40% chance of above average temperatures October through December, per a forecast released Thursday.
Yelp ranks KC's 10 best pumpkin spice lattes
Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios Fall officially starts today, which means ordering a pumpkin spice latte (PSL) goes from "a little early, isn't it?" to fair game. The big picture: Seven of the top 10 PSLs in the KC metro are in Johnson County, according to Yelp data shared only with Axios.
Travis Kelce breaks NFL record
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Travis Kelce breaks NFL record
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce broke the NFL record for most yards after a catch yesterday in a 33-30 win against the Colts. Why it matters: After a lackluster last season and concerns about his age, the 36-year-old star is showing up in a big way already this year. By the numbers: Kelce surpassed former Rams and Colts running back Marshall Faulk for the record.
KC tech job openings exploded in 2025
The Kansas City metro is outperforming its size in tech job demand, according to a new report by the KC Tech Council. Why it matters: It's a good sign for the region's workforce, which has faced significant tech downsizing in recent years. By the numbers: Kansas City is the 31st largest metro in the nation, but it ranks No. 26 in net tech employment, beating out bigger metros like Nashville, per the report.
City Market's steamboat museum closure has been a long time coming
The Arabia Steamboat Museum's 35-year tenure in the City Market is coming to an end in November, a change that's been years in the making. Why it matters: The city's busiest and most historic farmers market has been eyeing building onto its eastern edge, including a potential hotel, though no decision has been made. The big picture: Museum owners have long acknowledged the City Market space is an imperfect fit, with a too-small space and issues with parking and noise from outdoor concerts.
"Aug-tember" temperatures strike KC
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images I'm getting really tired of the phrase "heat dome." I've heard it (and felt it) all summer long, and guess what — it's back. The big picture: Kansas City is feeling the secondhand effects of the strongest heat dome on the planet, which positioned itself over Tennessee on Wednesday, the Washington Post reports. It's part of record-high September temps that have stretched across the country and left Kansas Citians sweltering.
The Chiefs are back, and so are Taylor Swift fans
Taylor Swift showed up at Arrowhead Monday night, and cameras didn't waste any time plastering the popstar and newlywed all over TV. The big picture: Swift's return brought back the celebrity buzz that's become as much a part of Chiefs game days as 24-hour tailgates — complete with fan selfies, signs and a Tom Cruise cameo.
Royals stadium funding plan details costs, timeline
Details have emerged on how Kansas City plans to pay for its $600 million commitment to the Royals' new stadium: borrow most of it and repay the debt with a multi-layered tax strategy hinging on the ballpark district's performance. Why it matters: The long-debated stadium is moving closer to construction, with a timeline and builders selected even as the city works through the final details of how to pay its $600 million commitment.
Kansas City has an adventure racing scene
Beginning, middle and end of the TimberRidge Adventure Race. Photos: Travis Meier/Axios Travis here. If you read my outro in yesterday's newsletter, you'll know that I participated in an adventure race at Kill Creek Park in Olathe — swapping out my reporter tools for a map and a compass. An adventure race is a competition that uses a combination of disciplines — orienteering, trekking, mountain biking, paddling, and more — to find as many hidden locations called checkpoints as fast as possible.
Data center battle heats up in Kansas
The data center debate is becoming a flashpoint in Kansas politics, with a growing opposition calling for a halt to new projects. Why it matters: Kansas has rolled out tax incentives to attract massive data centers, but concerns over their water, energy and land use are turning the projects into an issue in the governor's race.
Mahomes is back, questions swirl as Chiefs open 2026 season
It's game day in Kansas City as the Chiefs welcome the Broncos to Arrowhead Stadium for their season opener. The big picture: Questions swirl around quarterback Patrick Mahomes' knee, tight end Travis Kelce's age, and the team's overall ability to win games after a deflating season last year. Mahomes spent nine months rehabbing a knee injury, and will start tonight for the first time after skipping preseason games.
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