Your Tuesday briefing for everything happening in Leawood

Leawood, Kansas | March 2, 2026 | 4 min read

🍷 A Speakeasy Just Opened at Mission Farms

The Blacklist is a Victorian-style wine bar with a hidden speakeasy in back, now open at Mission Farms. Wine flights, craft cocktails, dim lighting. It opened quietly in January and just landed in the JoCo Post's business roundup. If date night needs a refresh, this is it. JoCo Post

🚗 Lee Boulevard Is Officially 30 MPH

Council voted unanimously. New signs went up Feb. 20. The speed limit drops from 35 to 30 between 83rd and 103rd, four months after 10-year-old Duke Ommert was killed crossing the road. The city also approved new traffic signals at Brookwood Elementary (103rd and Pawnee Lane). They'll review the change in six months. JoCo Post

⚽ Leawood's $750K World Cup Plan

The city launched "For the Goal" -- its prep package for the 650,000 visitors expected in KC this summer. Highlights: $10,000 grants for up to five local businesses with 25 or fewer employees, a planned bus route to Town Center and Ranch Mart, a 3v3 soccer tournament at City Park, and public viewing events for match days. KSHB, Leawood For the Goal

🏛️ 96th and Lee Gets a Timeline

The city laid out the schedule for the old City Hall and Fire Station #1 site at 96th and Lee. April 27 work session. May 12 community open house at The Wave at 106. May 26 Planning Commission. The plan: tear down old City Hall, keep the fire station as community space, add trails, play areas, and a demonstration garden. Mark your calendar if you want a say. Leawood.org

🏈 Kelce Decision Expected This Week

Andy Reid told reporters there's "communication" with Travis Kelce and they're "proceeding." Reports have him leaning toward a 14th season. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are eyeing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III when free agency opens March 11. Mahomes restructured to free up $43M in cap space. Busy offseason ahead. KSHB | Arrowhead Pride

⚽ Sporting KC Draws 2-2 in Home Opener

Better than last week's 3-0 loss at San Jose. Dejan Joveljic scored twice Saturday against Columbus at Children's Mercy Park. The young squad showed fight. KC Current opens their season March 14 at CPKC Stadium. Sporting KC

🎓 Bishop Miege Names New President

Archbishop Naumann appointed Mike Riley, effective July 1. Riley taught social studies at Miege about 20 years ago and has spent 13 years in Catholic school leadership since. He and his family attend Curé of Ars in Leawood. JoCo Post

4821 W 122nd Ter -- $498,000
4 bed | 4 bath | 2,216 sqft
Four bedrooms and four baths under $500K in Leawood. That's not a typo.

9408 Wenonga Rd -- $985,000
4 bed | 4 bath | 3,529 sqft
Remodeled ranch walking distance to Ranchmart. Over 3,100 sqft on the main level alone. The primary suite addition is worth the visit.

12601 Pawnee Ln -- $1,200,000
4 bed | 4.5 bath | 5,772 sqft
Golf course lot with a finished basement, wet bar, and second kitchen. Nearly 6,000 square feet. If you've been waiting for the right spot on the course, this is it.

🏛️ March 30, 1855 -- The Rigged Election That Started Bleeding Kansas
171 years ago this month, about 5,000 armed Missourians crossed into Kansas Territory and stuffed ballot boxes across the region. Kansas had 2,905 eligible voters. Pro-slavery candidates got 5,427 votes. The fraudulently elected "Bogus Legislature" met that July at the Shawnee Indian Mission in Fairway -- 10 minutes from Leawood, still standing today at 53rd and Mission Road. It's a state historic site you can visit today. The chaos that followed cost more than 200 lives and pushed the country toward Civil War. History happened right next door. Civil War on the Western Border

That's the week. Grab an umbrella, Leawood.

-- James

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P.P.S. Winterlude Jazz Festival at JCCC this weekend, March 7-8. Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra headline Sunday night. Two-day pass is $50. Info

P.P.P.S. Titanic: An Immersive Voyage at Union Station through April 19. 200+ artifacts, a lifeboat you can sit in, optional VR dive to the wreck. Adults $28, kids $20. Tickets

P.P.P.P.S. State of the City recap: Mayor Elkins talked parks, flood work, World Cup prep, and America 250 celebrations. If you missed it, the city will post the full address at leawood.org.