Nick’s Picks | USDA, LBJ, Streetcar and More … Preparing you for the week ahead, before it happens…
Published July 28th, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Above image credit: Work continues on a 16-stop, $350 million streetcar extension that will connect the River Market to the western edge of the University of Missouri-Kansas City by 2025. (Dominick Williams | Flatland)Trump Set to Move Thousands of USDA Jobs to KC
We are waiting to hear more details this week about a new plan by President Donald Trump to move thousands of federal agriculture department jobs to Kansas City.
It is part of a new push by the White House to shift government offices closer to the people they serve.
The USDA employs close to 100,000 people. It is unclear how many of those jobs will move to Kansas City.
A smaller USDA research unit relocated to Kansas City during Trump’s first term.
In addition to supporting America’s farmers and ranchers, the federal agriculture department manages food safety, national forests, wildfires, and food assistance programs.
Last Week, Reviewed
60th Anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare
Wednesday marks the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, the nation’s signature health programs that support seniors and low-income Americans.
President Lyndon Johnson signed the two programs into law at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence on July 30, 1965.
The museum will mark the milestone with free cupcakes and ice cream on Wednesday. The Truman Library will also host a conversation with LBJ’s youngest daughter, Luci Baines Johnson and Truman’s eldest grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel.
Some health care activist groups say this is not the moment to celebrate, pointing out the millions of Americans now losing Medicaid coverage as part of a package of sweeping budget cuts in Washington.
Mayor at Halftime
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is marking a milestone this week.
On Friday, he hits the midpoint of his final term. Two years from now, Kansas City will be swearing in a new mayor. And the first candidate is about to make their big campaign announcement.
City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw says she will make it official at a campaign kickoff and fundraising event on August 16.
Lucas is term-limited and cannot run again.
Early Voting Continues for KCK Mayor
Early voting continues this week in the Wyandotte County mayor’s race.
Six candidates are campaigning to succeed Tyrone Garner, who chose not to run for reelection.
Half of the county’s commission seats are also up for grabs in the Aug. 5 primary.
Awaiting Ruling in White Recall Saga
As we start a new week, we still don’t know when the Frank White recall election will take place.
A judge has yet to rule on a lawsuit filed by local election officials who say they don’t have time to conduct an August vote. They’re pushing for a delay until November.
The recall vote will decide the political future of White, who has served as the Jackson County Executive since 2016.
Mourning Sheriff’s Deputy Killed in Line of Duty
Funeral services are this week for a Wyandotte County sheriff’s deputy killed Saturday while responding to a domestic incident call.
Elijah Ming was a nine-year veteran of the department. He was 34 years old.
Streetcar Opening Date
After more than three years of traffic snarls and torn-up roads, Kansas City’s new streetcar extension is ready to roll.
The new 3.5-mile route to the Country Club Plaza and UMKC will officially open on Oct. 24.
On Thursday, Mayor Lucas will join streetcar officials along the Main Street extension to detail how the new “transit only” lanes will work.
Unlike on the existing route, streetcars will run in designated lanes, off limits to other traffic. The city is expected to announce stepped-up enforcement and increased fines for violators.
KU Ends Gender Pronouns
Fearing for its funding, the University of Kansas is eliminating gender pronouns in official communications, from emails to Zoom calls.
The new policy takes effect on Friday.
KU staff and faculty violating the rule could be terminated.
Football is Back
The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions kick off the NFL preseason in the Hall of Fame Game Thursday.
The Chiefs are not in action until next week. The team’s first pre-season matchup is on the road against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 9.
The Chiefs’ first regular-season game is a massive road trip, more than 5,000 miles away in Brazil. The Chiefs take on the LA Chargers in São Paulo on Sept. 5. It’s part of an NFL effort to grow the game in South America.
‘Tis the Season for Sequels, Reboots & Remakes
Last week, Netflix released Happy Gilmore 2.
Now after nearly 40 years, get ready for the remake of Naked Gun, the cult crime-spoof comedy starring the late Leslie Nielsen. The new version stars the remarkably similar sounding actor, Liam Neeson.
The film hits movie theaters on Friday.
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.