Hello Johnson County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Parents’ screen-time push, a massive data center campus, and free bubble day on the farm + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Parents push for tech balance: Shawnee Mission parents urged the school board to cut screen time, after a survey found 91% want YouTube, gaming and social media blocked on school devices, plus more computer skills -- see the screen-time push.
Big expansion strategy underway: Digital Realty announced a 600MW data center campus in De Soto, bought land for about $475 million, and acquired Columbia Capital, with 600MW solar farm planned to support the project -- explore the data campus.
Coffee chain expansion update: Shawnee’s KFC closed after 40 years. City documents show Arkansas-based 7 Brew plans to turn the longtime site at 11560 W. 63rd St. into a drive-thru coffee spot -- see what’s planned next.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Next-level game night: If your living room couch is tired of being the squad HQ, LEVELUP Arena brings dedicated gaming setups, youth coaching and camps, plus monthly Community Nights where KC gamers actually meet IRL. Show up solo or squad up, then let the scoreboard settle any friendly debates.
Backyard glow-up, anyone? Plant Marks The Pot turns Johnson County yards into livable landscapes, with custom garden design, paver patios, retaining walls, and clean-edged beds that actually stay put. Ready to retire the “weed house” vibe... their design-build pros keep it low stress and high curb appeal.
Easy local reset: Roe Park packs 40 acres of easy weekend goodness, with a big playground for the kids, lighted tennis courts for a quick rally, and paved bike-hike trail connections that make a short spin or stroll feel like a mini escape. Bring a water bottle and make “just one more lap” your mantra this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🫧 Free Bubble Day on the Farm @ Hometown Olathe Family Farm | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Free Bubble Day on the farm serves up giant bubble zones, open fields, and zero admission, every other Thursday. Let the kids sprint while you claim a shady spot, sip something cold, and remember when entertainment was soap, water, and a good breeze.
📺 Lenexa Watch Party - June 25, 2026 @ Lenexa City Center | Thursday (6/25) at 12:00 PM – Nothing beats yelling at a big screen with your neighbors, so Lenexa City Center hosts a free watch party for the world's biggest soccer tournament. Expect live matches, local eats and drinks, music and games, and team colors loud enough to rival a Chiefs tailgate.
🍖 Great Lenexa BBQ Battle @ Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park | Friday (6/26) – The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, the official Kansas State Championship, brings more than 150 teams from across the country vying for that Grand Champion crown. Expect smoke, sauce, and friendly trash talk, then go home smelling like hickory, proud, and mysteriously hungry again.
✈ 16 June Fly-in @ Gardner Municipal Airport K34 | Saturday (6/27) at 7:30 AM – Vintage planes are swooping into Gardner Airport for a laid-back fly-in with pancake breakfast and lunch. Expect chrome, prop wash, and neighborly hangar talk on the grass by the Vintage Chapter 16 hangar. No need to spot types, just enjoy the show, and the syrup.
🎨 Family Friendly Paint Class! @ Pinot's Palette Leawood | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Pinot’s Palette Leawood is hosting a family friendly paint and sip starring a very cheerful dolphin, pink by default, any color you like. No art skills required. Local artists guide you step by step, you bring your favorite people, and the wine, obviously.
🌈 6th Annual Pride Celebration @ Warren Place Venue (Gardner) | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – Gardner’s 6th Annual Pride hits Warren Place with Pride Lives Here, a family-friendly bash that feels like home, only with better outfits. Free to attend, just flash a ticket for a QR scan. Bring cash for vendors, food, tips, and prize drawings, rain or shine.
🎥 Summer Concert No. 4 "Movie Night" @ Thompson Park (Overland Park) | Sunday (6/28) at 7:00 PM – Think you know your movie themes? The Overland Park Civic Band serves a Movie Night at Thompson Park in OPKS, the fourth in their six-Sunday summer run, so bring a lawn chair, your hum-along, and enjoy big-screen favorites played live, no streaming login required.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Johnson County report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 23%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East northeast wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 79°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 73%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. This house is wildThis custom Starr Homes build in Hidden Lake Estates delivers privacy and polish on a quiet cul-de-sac, backing to treed greenspace. The vaulted great room, open layout, and luxe main-level primary suite set the tone, while the walkout lower level adds a family/media room, wet bar, and gym. Outside, the salt-water pool, fenced yard, and L-shaped 4-car garage steal the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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