Good morning, this is Kansas City Local Pulse for Sunday, November 24, 2024.

We're starting with some breaking news from the past few days. A driver was killed late Friday night on I-70 in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, in a tragic accident that has left many in our community shaken[1]. Additionally, a man in a wheelchair was hit and killed Wednesday night trying to cross U.S. 49 Highway, highlighting the need for increased safety measures on our roads.

In local education news, the Park Hill School District is in the final phase of redistricting, causing concern among parents about the potential impact on their children's education[1]. Meanwhile, the KCPS board has approved a bond proposal, asking voters to help upgrade facilities, which could bring significant improvements to our local schools.

On the job market front, we don't have any major hiring announcements or new job postings to report today. However, it's worth noting that Kansas has launched a new system to process unemployment claims, which should help streamline the process for those in need[1].

In real estate, 19 Kansas City-area Minit Marts have been sold and will be rebranded to Phillips 66, marking a significant change in our local convenience store landscape[1]. Additionally, the Kansas City South Loop project continues with drilling and digging test holes, which could pave the way for new development in the area.

From city hall, we have news that the majority of Jackson County legislators skipped a meeting on Wednesday, raising questions about their commitment to addressing local issues[1]. On a more positive note, the KCZoo has announced a new $30 million giraffe complex set to open in May 2026, which promises to be a fantastic addition to our city's attractions.

Weather-wise, today is expected to be cloudy with rain possible, so make sure to check the forecast before heading out. This could impact outdoor activities and events, so it's a good idea to have a backup plan.

In new business activity, we have the opening of a new Chick-fil-A in Shawnee, which is participating in the 2024 Season of Hope[1]. On the other hand, Hooters has closed several underperforming locations in the area, reflecting the changing landscape of our local dining scene.

Looking ahead to community events, there are plenty of things to do in Kansas City this weekend, including the Cirque du Soleil's ''Twas the Night Before..." show, which is sure to bring holiday spirit to our city[1][5].

In local school achievements, we have news that the Lee’s Summit Citizen Advisory Committee has recommended school consolidation, which could have significant implications for our local education system[1].

On a feel-good note, a local jeweler is using her designs to raise awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women, highlighting the power of art to make a difference in our community[2].

In today's crime report, we have news of a man pleading guilty in a 2023 shots fired incident at Oak Park Mall, and police are investigating a shooting near Southwest Boulevard[1][3]. We also have reports of a hit and run crash on 71 Highway in Kansas City, which resulted in one fatality.

This has been Kansas City Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.