Nick Haines shares the upcoming week’s biggest news stories, before they unfold.
Nick’s Picks | Map, Recall, Trial and More …
The Missouri Supreme Court takes up a question about a local congressional district, an Independence councilman fights to keep his seat, and a long-delayed murder trial is set to get underway.
Nick’s Picks | Courts, Roads, Music and More …
New Royals Ballpark Heading to Council Vote It could be a pivotal week for the Royals’ proposed new home. The $3 billion Crown Center ballpark plan could get a final council vote Thursday, after the Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee takes up the funding and rezoning package Tuesday. Critics, including Councilmember Jonathan Duncan, say…
Nick’s Picks | Data, Contracting, Salvy and More …
The Missouri and Kansas elections are finally here, a proposed 20-story data center gets an official review, the Royals crown a new home run king, and more …
Nick’s Picks | Heat, Elections, Rodeo and More …
The heat is the big news story in Kansas City this week along with a lot of economic development news and the upcoming election on both sides of the state line
Nick’s Picks | Fan Fest, Streetcar, Liquor and More …
World Cup Begins The wait is finally over. The first ball of the 2026 World Cup will be kicked Thursday, ushering in 5 ½ weeks of competition across the United States, Canada and Mexico. It’s also opening day for Kansas City’s FIFA Fan Fest at the National World War I Museum and Memorial—our first real…
Nick’s Picks | Messi, Jail, Buses, and More …
World Cup Team(s) Arrive It’s starting to feel real. The first World Cup team has landed in Kansas City. Defending champions Argentina touched down at KCI airport on Sunday and will begin practicing today at Sporting KC’s training facility in Wyandotte County. Much of the attention, of course, is focused on Lionel Messi. The soccer…
Nick’s Picks | Veep, Zoo, Fireworks and More …
Vance Lands in KC U.S. Vice President JD Vance touches down in Kansas City today to tout the Trump administration’s economic policies. According to the White House, Vance will tour Milbank Manufacturing, a nearly 100-year-old electrical parts company in northeast Kansas City, Missouri, before delivering remarks on tariffs, tax cuts and efforts to boost American-made…
Nick’s Picks | Map, Plaza, Liquor and More …
Missouri’s New Congressional Map Faces High Stakes Court Test Missouri’s newly redrawn congressional map lands before the state Supreme Court this week in a trio of cases that could decide who controls key seats in Congress next year. On Tuesday, the seven-member court will hear arguments over whether the Republican-backed map can be used in…
Nick’s Picks | Downtown, Spain, Jackson County, and More …
Next Steps on New Royals Ballpark Who’s got the toughest assignment in Kansas City right now? Try City Manager Mario Vasquez who’s been tasked this week with turning a new Royals stadium plan into something resembling an actual deal. Despite all the smiles and celebrations last week, many of the details are fuzzy and some…
Nick’s Picks | Taxes, Elections, AI and More …
Royals Return Baseball is back…and earlier than ever. Opening Day lands Wednesday, the earliest start in MLB history. The Kansas City Royals will begin the season on the road, with a Friday opener in Atlanta. And what about that much-hyped Royals new stadium reveal in time for “Opening Day?” Yeah, right. Consider it stuck in…
Nick’s Picks | Sports, Immigration, Booze and More …
Big 12 Takes Over Downtown It’s that time of year when workplaces start clearing out early to chase a bouncing orange ball. The Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship rolls into town this week… the first sign that March Madness is on the way. K-State takes the court at T-Mobile Center on Tuesday. KU plays Thursday….
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…
Nick’s Picks | Roads, Bathrooms, Costco and More …
New Toll Road Opens Kansas City’s first toll road opens this week. Starting Saturday, you’ll pay up to $3.50 to travel the new express lanes on U.S. Highway 69 from 103rd to 151st streets in Overland Park. There are no toll booths — cameras scan your license plate, and a bill arrives by mail. KTAG…
Nick’s Picks | Baseball, Drones, Romance and More …
Royals Reveal Next week, the Kansas City Royals head to Arizona for Spring Training. And that’s the mayor’s self-imposed deadline to lock in a stadium deal. So, is this finally the week owner John Sherman steps to the plate and unveils where the Royals will build their next home? At last week’s council meeting, Mayor…
Nick’s Picks | Phil, ICE, KCPD and More …
Today is my favorite holiday of the year…Happy Groundhog Day! Apparently, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow earlier this morning, predicting six more weeks of winter. But around here it’s going to feel almost tropical. After weeks of teeth-chattering cold and snow, the deep freeze is backing off. No single-digit temps on the horizon — and…