Nick’s Picks | Holidays, Decisions, Deadlines and More Big Trifectas …

3 Big Holidays

We’re marking three big holidays this week, none of which qualify you for a day off.

Today is Cinco de Mayo.

Sunday is Mother’s Day.

And Friday is Victory Day, a new holiday declared by President Donald Trump to mark the end of World War II, though the power to create public holidays rests with Congress.

Friday marks the 80^th anniversary of Germany’s surrender in 1945. The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum is holding multiple events to honor the occasion. The museum will be free on Thursday, Truman’s birthday.

Thursday’s events at the Truman Library include a screening and panel discussion of Kansas City PBS’ upcoming documentary, Winning the War. Space is limited, but you can still join the waitlist.

Last Week, Reviewed

3 Big Decisions

#1: Waiting for white smoke: The conclave to choose the next pope begins on Wednesday.

Over the weekend, Vatican workers installed the renowned chimney that will signal the outcome. Black smoke means no candidate has received the necessary two-thirds vote of cardinals. If white smoke is spotted, folks will know a new pope has been selected. The New York Times says it’s an open field.

But it won’t be Donald Trump. The president says he was only joking when he posted an AI-generated photo of himself as the new pontiff.

#2: Picking a new city manager: It’s not just the Catholic Church that’s picking a new leader.  Kansas City is getting ready to pick a new city manager this week, after ousting Brian Platt.

The Kansas City Council is expected to vote by Thursday.

 Last week, three long-time insiders were interviewed for the $208,000 a year job.

In addition to Acting City Manager Kimiko Gilmore, the other finalists are Assistant City Manager Mario Vasquez and Pat Klein, the recently retired head of the aviation department.

#3: Frank White recall: We should know this week whether a petition effort to recall Jackson County Executive Frank White has been successful.

Last month, organizers submitted nearly 60,000 signatures to the county election board. To trigger a recall election, at least 43,000 valid signatures are required.

Election officials say this is the week we should learn the outcome.

If the signatures are approved, it would then be up to voters to decide. A snap election could be held in August.

3 Big Deadlines

#1: REAL ID: The deadline to get a REAL ID to fly domestically in the U.S. is Wednesday.After 20 years of extended deadlines, over half of Missourians still don’t have one.

The Department of Homeland Security says if you show up at an airport on Wednesday without a REAL ID driver’s license, you “can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.”

#2: Student Loans: For the first time in five years, the government is restarting collections on student loans. Starting today, the government will begin docking tax refunds and garnishing the paychecks of more than 5 million Americans who have defaulted on their college debt, including thousands in Kansas and Missouri. The government halted collection efforts after COVID-19 hit in 2020.

#3: Renaming Troost: The Kansas City Council is resurrecting its push to rename Troost Avenue, the street long derided as the city’s racial dividing line.

The council’s Neighborhood Committee will consider a plan Tuesday to change its name to Truth Avenue. A public hearing on the issue starts at noon in the City Council chambers.

3 Big Happenings in KC

#1: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will be in town this week.

The court’s newest member will collect The Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award at a noon luncheon Thursday at the downtown Marriott Hotel.

#2: Pop superstar Katy Perry plays T-Mobile Center on Saturday night.

#3: The nation’s top racecar drivers are zooming in to KC. It’s one of those rare NASCAR weekends at the Kansas Speedway.

And in other sports news…

It’s Opening Day for the Kansas City Monarchs on Friday. There’s a Satchel Paige bobblehead giveaway, pre-game skydivers, and a post-game fireworks display to celebrate the start of the season at Legends Field.

Nick Haines tracks the week’s most impactful local news stories on Week in Review, Friday nights at 7:30 pm on Kansas City PBS.