Nick’s Picks | Maps, Lawsuits, Sporting and More …

Missouri Map Throws Candidates Into Limbo

It’s going to be a confusing political week in Missouri, as campaign season officially kicks off with a giant question mark.

Candidates can start filing for Congress on Tuesday — but thanks to an unresolved court fight, they don’t know the exact boundaries of the districts they hope to represent.

Lawmakers redrew the state’s political map last fall in a move widely viewed as targeting Kansas City Democrat Emanuel Cleaver. That new map is tied up in court, leaving campaigns in wait-and-see mode.

Adding to the confusion is a referendum effort aimed at scrapping the map altogether. The Missouri secretary of state has until August to decide whether enough valid signatures were submitted to send the issue to voters.

Unless a judge makes a swift ruling today, the political lines for Missouri’s mid-term elections are anything but clear.

Last Week Reviewed

Trump’s State of the Union

Now that the Winter Games are over, a new primetime spectacle takes center stage.

On Tuesday night, Donald Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term, laying out his agenda before a joint session of Congress.

But this year’s speech comes with some extra drama. For the first time since the Supreme Court rolled back much of his global tariff policy, the justices will be seated just feet away.

Expect pointed references to that ruling, along with familiar themes: affordability, immigration enforcement, and possible military action against Iran.

Trump is also adding some Olympic shine to the night — inviting the U.S. gold-medal–winning hockey team to sit as his special guests in the House chamber. 

State of the Union | Tuesday, 8 pm. | Watch live on Kansas City PBS

Clintons To Testify in Epstein Probe

The spotlight turns back to the Clintons this week.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are set to testify about their past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The former first couple will sit for sworn depositions before the House Oversight Committee on Thursday and Friday.

The closed-door sessions will be recorded, with video expected to be released later.

Bill Clinton has denied any wrongdoing, though questions persist over his past travel on Epstein’s private jet.

Legal Fight Brews Over Kansas Bathroom Law

A courtroom clash is looming over Kansas’ new bathroom law.

At least two advocacy groups say they’re preparing to file lawsuits this week challenging the measure, which requires transgender Kansans to use restrooms and locker rooms that match their sex at birth.

The law also bans multi-stall unisex bathrooms in government buildings, public schools, libraries, and state-owned sports venues — including the proposed new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs in Wyandotte County.

Supporters argue the law protects women’s rights.

Opponents, including the ACLU of Kansas, call it discriminatory and say there’s no evidence bathroom bans make anyone safer.

From Printing Plant to ‘Party Place’

The presses have stopped — the party’s about to start.

The Kansas City Star’s former glass printing building is getting a playful new purpose this week. Where papers once rolled off the presses, you’ll now find a mega game center with ping pong, darts, billiards, shuffleboard and foosball — plus a full bar.

Ricochet Opens Tuesday.

The iconic building at 16th and McGee streets is already the home of Nebius, a Dutch based artificial intelligence company.

Sporting KC Home Opener

Soccer is officially back.

Sporting KC hosts its home opener on Saturday in what will be the biggest year for soccer in Kansas City history.

The World Cup is already shaking up the schedule. To accommodate the tournament, Major League Soccer will take a seven-week break from May 25 to July 16.

Sporting KC vs. Columbus | Sporting Park | Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Nick Haines tracks the week’s 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.