Opening day at The K was a success for the Royals, who beat the Minnesota Twins in the first home game. But only a handful of home openers at Kauffman Stadium remain for the team that’s actively looking for a new stadium. So where will it be built — and why has it taken this long?

Royals principal owner John Sherman addressed those questions before Monday’s game. Star columnists San McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discussed the topic on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Then, between games and base camps, at least 10 national teams will spend time in Kansas City during the FIFA World Cup. None is smaller — or perhaps more excited — than the Caribbean island nation of Curacao.

By area and population, it’s the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup.

Gilbert Martina, president of the Curacao Football Federation, told us how his team is preparing for the global stage … and Kansas City.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:15 — John Sherman’s latest update on a new Royals stadium

11:04 — How Royals looked on Opening day at The K

17:31 — Curacao’s World Cup journey & what KC can expect

36:20 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

Kansas basketball’s NCAA Tournament run came to a heartbreaking end with a buzzer-beating loss to St. John’s in the second round. Now, the Jayhawks await word from Bill Self on his coaching future due to the heart issues he’s been battling since 2022.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Sam McDowell discusses what’s in store for the Jayhawks this offseason and how the program might handle a coaching search.

Also, opening day for the Royals is Friday and beat writer Jaylon Thompson breaks down the roster, where the team has improved over last year, and how Royals players’ success in the World Baseball Classic — there were many — can carry into the upcoming season.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:20 — The struggles that led to KU’s early March Madness exit

9:57 — Is this the end of the Bill Self era?

20:08 — The Royals players who shined at World Baseball Classic

33:36 — What else is on Blair’s radar?

Kansas freshman sensation Darryn Peterson has had anything but a dull season. At times, he’s looked like the best player in college basketball. At others, he’s frustrated fans — and possibly his coach — by missing games for any number of ailments.

So what’s going on behind the scenes with Peterson? Has his NBA Draft stock fallen? And what’s the deal with the cramping that has persisted for almost the entirety of his freshman year?

The Star’s Shreyas Laddha dove into these topics — and more — in a feature on the KU basketball star. We discuss Peterson’s tumultuous season on SportsBeat KC, the podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

1:16 — Why did Peterson miss so much time this season?

6:45 — Peterson’s NBA future

8:48 — Is KU on upset watch vs. Cal Baptist?