Nick’s Picks | Brace for Winter and Political Storms The Holidays are Over, It's Back to Work
Published January 8th, 2024 at 10:06 AM
Be prepared for traffic headaches today and tomorrow as a strong winter storm drops the first significant snow of the season.
How much snow will we get?
It seems that depends on which weather forecaster you listen to. But the National Weather Service is predicting 2-5 inches, before the storm moves out early Tuesday evening. The heaviest snow is expected to fall north of I-70.
Just the threat of bad weather is wreaking havoc.
Amtrak has preemptively cancelled rail service between Kansas City and St. Louis today and Tuesday.
Heads up on more bad weather later in the week:
The National Weather Service says Kansas City could be digging out from another 5-8 inches of snow, beginning Thursday night and lasting through Friday. This second winter storm will be accompanied by bitterly cold temperatures. Lows this weekend are expected to drop below zero and into the minus numbers.
Last Week, Reviewed:
Stadium Decision Day?
Today is considered the most consequential day on the calendar for finally deciding the future of the Kansas City sports stadiums.
Have you heard that before?
Apparently, Jackson County lawmakers are serious this time.
They have scheduled a 3 p.m. vote on a new deal to to keep the Royals and Chiefs in town.
The measure would extend the current 3/8th-cent stadium sales tax for 40 years to help pay for a new Royals ballpark in downtown Kansas City. It would also finance a slew of renovations that the Chiefs want done at Arrowhead.
If passed this afternoon, it would go on the April ballot for voters to approve.
We’ve also learned that county legislators are considering a backup plan that would provide funding for just the Chiefs, leaving the Royals stadium issue to be settled at a later date.
Still unresolved is where the Royals plan to build their new sports palace.
Over the weekend, Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington said the Royals had called to say the were no longer pursuing the North Kansas City location and were “putting all their chips on the KC Star building site.”
In a story that’s been filled with more rumor than facts… we shall see!
Kansas Lawmakers Return
Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka today for the start of a new legislative session.
On Wednesday night, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly will deliver her annual state of the state address. Expanding Medicaid is at the top of Kelly’s legislative agenda. Republicans have other ideas. With the state sitting on more $2 billion in extra cash, GOP leaders in Topeka want to enact a new wave of income and property tax cuts, a move Kelly decries as reckless.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson will deliver his 2024 State of the State Address on January 24.
Hate Crimes Vote
The Kansas City council is scheduled to vote Thursday on a new hate crimes ordinance.
The measure would tack on 60 days of extra jail time on municipal offenses where bias is considered a motivating factor.
While Kansas City Police Department data shows a rise in hate-related incidents, critics of the new ordinance say such laws rarely work as intended. It’s argued, prosecutors are reluctant to charge suspects with hate crimes, even in clear-cut cases, due to the difficulty of demonstrating that conduct was motivated by bias.
Kansas Drivers License Dispute
A long-simmering dispute over Kansas drivers licenses heads to court this week.
On Wednesday, a Topeka judge will try to settle arguments over whether transgender Kansans can change the sex listed on their licenses.
Kansas is one of three states that prohibits such changes.
More from Art House:
Congress Returns To Capitol Hill
Your local members of Congress return to work today after an extended holiday break.
Topping the agenda: Resuming negotiations on aid for Ukraine and stricter immigration policy.
They’ll also be tackling a familiar problem: How to avoid another government shutdown, which could happen if lawmakers can’t agree on a new spending bill by January 20.
A Final Clash Before The Caucuses
The first votes of the 2024 Presidential campaign will be cast next week as the Iowa caucuses get underway.
But just ahead of the first-in-the-nation contest, the Republican candidates square-off in what is being described as “the final clash” before the caucuses.
Wednesday night’s debate will take place just up the road from us at Drake University in Des Moines. It will be broadcast on CNN.
Former President Donald Trump plans to skip the event. He has avoided all the GOP debates so far. The Republican frontrunner will instead participate in a live televised town hall in Des Moines that will be broadcast on Fox News.
KC Restaurant Week Begins
It’s that time of year when your favorite dining spots tempt you to give up on your New Year’s resolutions.
It’s KC Restaurant Week!
Starting Friday, more than 200 restaurants are offering cut-price, multi-course meal deals meant to entice you to eat-out during a notoriously slow season for the food industry.
Ten percent of sales are donated to local charities.
You can check out the deals and the participating restaurants at kcrestaurantweek.com.
Ready to Make Some Noise?
The NFL playoffs begin this week.
The Chiefs host the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round on Saturday night.
Game time is 7 pm at Arrowhead Stadium.
If you’re heading out to the game, don’t forget to bundle up. The temperature at Arrowhead is expected to be near zero.
Nick Haines tracks the week’s most impactful local news stories on “Kansas City Week in Review,” Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Kansas City PBS.