Nick’s Picks | DNC in Chicago, KC Symphony Takes Europe, KCPS Seeks New Funds As the DNC begins in Chicago, KC public schools seek additional funding and a homeless shelter in JOCO faces a new challenge.

Trump VP pick in KC 

The road to the White House finally cuts through Kansas City this week. 

Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance will be in Johnson County on Thursday. 

He is headlining a fundraising reception at a private home in Mission Hills. 

Currently, Vance has no plans to meet with the public while he’s here unless you’re willing to write a big check. 

The invitation lists a minimum $5,000 donation to attend. 

Expect to pay $10,000 for a photo with Vance.  

The Kansas Republican Party says there are no other local events scheduled with Vance at this time.  

Democratic National Convention Begins 

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas will be in the Windy City for most of the week, as the Democratic National Convention begins today in Chicago. 

Lucas is one of Missouri’s official convention delegates, alongside Kansas City Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II. 

Governor Laura Kelly and Congresswoman Sharice Davids lead the Kansas delegation. 

What’s on deck? 

TONIGHT: President Biden and former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton will make primetime addresses.   

TUESDAY: Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama share their thoughts. 

WEDNESDAY: Running-mate Tim Walz joins former President Bill Clinton to relay some key points. 

THURSDAY: Kamala Harris formally accepts her party’s nomination on the convention’s final night. 

What to watch out for:

Organizers are bracing for disruption from thousands of protesters demonstrating against the war in Gaza.  

The four-day convention is taking place at United Center, home stadium of the Chicago Bulls.  

Kansas City PBS will provide nightly primetime coverage starting at 7 p.m.  

Stadium Plans Still Stalled? 

With so many of our local elected leaders at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, don’t expect any big decisions coming out of KC’s corridors of power this week.   

That includes any new movement on a Royals’ ballpark.  

Last week a new stadium site was proposed at Washington Square Park, which sits directly between Union Station and Crown Center. While the site choice was equally praised and panned by the public, Missouri Governor Mike Parson expressed frustration with the Royals’ indecision.  

He says the team must decide on a path forward soon if it expects any financial help from the state. 

We’ll dissect the latest developments on the stadium plan on Week in Review, Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Kansas City PBS.  

Back to School 

Thousands of Missouri school kids head back to the classroom today.  

It’s also the first day of classes at UMKC, K-State and the University of Missouri. 

If you’re a Jayhawk, you can kick back and enjoy the summer vibes for another week.   

KU and Johnson County Community College start their fall semesters next Monday. 

KC Schools on the Ballot 

Are you willing to pay more in taxes to help fund your local schools? 

Leaders in the Kansas City, Missouri, Public School District say voters haven’t approved any extra money for building improvements in nearly 60 years, and they’re now getting desperate. 

The district is holding a town hall meeting this week to outline plans for a new ballot measure to fix up schools and ensure every classroom has working air-conditioning. 

If approved, it would cost the owner of a $200,000 home around $230 more in property taxes. The measure would go before voters in April.  

You can find out more about the plan at a public meeting this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the KCPS Board of Education building, 2901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO. 

JOCO Homeless Shelter Hits New Snag  

Plans to open Johnson County’s first permanent homeless shelter have hit another snag. 

County leaders want to turn a La Quinta hotel in Lenexa into a year-round bed space for up to 50 homeless families. 

But this Thursday, the City of Lenexa is expected to release a report denying a permit for the project. 

It’s just the latest in a series of setbacks for Johnson County officials who have committed to functionally ending homelessness by 2029. 

Just recently, the shelter project got caught up in the immigration debate, amid concerns it would house “illegal migrants.”  

No More Hearts 

It’s the end of the line for Kansas City’s Parade of Hearts. 

Organizers behind the oversized heart-shaped sculptures are pulling the plug on the community art project. 

This week, the final hearts will be sold off in an online auction. Bidding ends this Friday. 

The Parade of Hearts plans to make a big return in 2026 with a brand-new sculpture project. 

What do you think the new shape should be? 

As the World Cup will be here in 2026, I have a hunch we could be trading in the giant hearts for jumbo-sized soccer balls. 

KC Symphony Starts First-Ever European Tour 

Over the years, Kansas City has hosted scores of top European orchestras.  

Now our local musicians are taking over Europe’s prestigious concert halls. 

This week, the Kansas City Symphony begins its first-ever European tour, with stops in Berlin, Amsterdam and Hamburg. 

Before boarding a plane and paying excess baggage fees for their instruments, the Symphony will perform a European Send-Off Concert at Kauffman Center on Wednesday night. 

5 Things to do Around Town This Week

Chiefs vs Bears: The Chiefs play their final pre-season game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Game time at Arrowhead is 7:20 p.m. 

Big country names grace the stage: Country music stars Zach Bryan and Dierks Bentley perform at the T-Mobile Center this week.  

KC turns green: Punk rock band Green Day take the stage at the Azura Amphitheater on Tuesday night. 

“Bird” is the word: Kansas City is hosting its annual tribute to Charlie Parker this week. The late jazz great was born in KCK. He would have turned 104 this month. On Saturday, the Folly Theater presents, Spotlight: Charlie Parker, a celebration event hosted by jazz historian Chuck Haddix, with performances from the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. 

Parkville Days: Pack up your blanket or lawn chairs and head to the Missouri River this weekend for Parkville Days. Free music, food trucks, crafts and fair rides take over Parkville’s English Landing Park. Parkville Days starts Friday evening and runs through Sunday.