Vice President JD Vance touches down in Kansas City for a visit on Monday. (U.S Air Force)
Vice President JD Vance touches down in Kansas City for a visit on Monday. (U.S Air Force)

Nick’s Picks | Veep, Gerrymandering, Football and More …

Preparing you for the week ahead, before it happens…

September 14, 2026  |  Nick Haines  |  4 min read

Vance Lands in KC Again …

Vice President JD Vance will make two stops in the Kansas City area today, his second visit to the metro in less than four months.

The White House says Vance will visit a federal law enforcement facility in Kansas City, Missouri, to highlight the Trump administration’s crackdown on fraud.

The vice president will also join Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall at Webco Manufacturing, a custom metal fabrication company in Olathe.

The Kansas stop comes as Marshall faces a tougher than expected reelection challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton.

Marshall is also dropping hints that Vance will squeeze in a visit to a BBQ joint while he’s in town.

So, if your favorite lunch spot is suddenly surrounded by black SUVs, now you’ll know why.

Last Week Reviewed

New Twist in Missouri Map Mess

Just when you thought Missouri’s congressional map fight was finally settled, think again.

The Republican-drawn map, crafted to squeeze out Kansas City Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, is headed back to court this week.

Even after two trips to the U.S. Supreme Court, the legal battle isn’t over. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the case on an expedited basis Thursday morning in St. Louis.

And it’s not just politicians and lawyers watching the clock.

Local election officials are, too. This week is the deadline to send ballots to military and overseas voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election, leaving precious little time to figure out which congressional map they’re supposed to be using.

Kansas City Turns Red

It’s game day in Kansas City as the Chiefs welcome the Broncos to Arrowhead Stadium for their season opener.

Some fans apparently decided game day couldn’t come soon enough. KMBC 9 reports tailgaters were already lining up outside the stadium yesterday afternoon.

The biggest comeback, though, belongs to Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs quarterback returns to the field for the first time in nine months after tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee against the Los Angeles Chargers in December.

Tonight also marks the first game at Arrowhead since the Chiefs announced they’re moving across the state line to Kansas. And one piece of the old home may not be making the trip. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said last week the team’s new Wyandotte County stadium is unlikely to carry the Arrowhead name.

Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m. on KMBC 9 and ESPN.

KU Heads to London

Fresh from a bruising loss against Missouri on Friday night, KU football is now crossing the pond for the first-ever American college football game at Wembley Stadium in London.

The Jayhawks take on Arizona State at 11 a.m. Kansas City time on Saturday.

KU will earn a payout of $2.7 million for playing in the inaugural Union Jack Classic. The event’s promoters also cover the major travel expenses for the Kansas players, coaches and staff.

And the Emmy Goes To …

The 78th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are tonight.

“Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay is trading in her NYPD badge to host the award ceremony from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Two HBO shows, “The Pitt” and “Hacks,” lead this year’s nominations.

5 Big Names Take the Stage

Kansas City’s entertainment calendar is stacked with legends this week.

Call it a British invasion, with a comedy encore.

Rock royalty Eric Clapton, widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of his generation, plugs in at T-Mobile Center Thursday night.

Fellow English rocker Billy Idol performs at the new Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday.

And the British rock parade keeps rolling Saturday, when former Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant takes the stage at the Kauffman Center.

Then come the punchlines.

Jerry Seinfeld is at Starlight Theater Friday night, while Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias serves up the laughs Thursday at the Kansas State Fair.

Nick Haines picks apart the most impactful, confusing and downright head-scratching local news stories on Week in Review, Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. on Kansas City PBS.

Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.

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