Nick’s Picks | World Cup, Data Centers, Juneteenth and More …

First World Cup Game in KC

It’s a historic week in Kansas City. After a decade of planning, Kansas City is hosting its first World Cup game.

Defending champion Argentina face Algeria on Tuesday night at Kansas City Stadium—FIFA’s temporary rebranding of Arrowhead.

Kickoff is at 8 p.m.

For many fans, it’ll also be their first look at the stadium’s soccer makeover. Chiefs branding has disappeared, the field has been widened, and roughly 3,500 seats have been removed to make room for FIFA’s larger pitch.

If you haven’t got tickets, you can catch the action for free at the FIFA Fan Fest on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, or at one of the many watch parties popping up across the metro.

In other World Cup news…

England’s World Cup squad has its equipment back after cleats, soccer balls and other gear disappeared en route to the team’s training base at Swope Park. Prosecutors have charged two Texas truck drivers in the alleged heist.

And Team USA is back on the pitch Friday, taking on Australia as hopes continue to build for a deep American run in the tournament. Kickoff is 2 p.m. on Friday in Seattle.

12 Killed in Skydiving Plane Crash

Federal investigators are on the ground in Butler, Missouri, today after a skydiving plane carrying 12 people crashed shortly after takeoff Sunday, killing everyone on board.

The aircraft, operated by Skydive Kansas City, went down moments after departing Butler Memorial Airport, about an hour south of Kansas City.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims as they work to notify next of kin.

Last Week Reviewed

Royal Visit

Kansas City is getting a royal visit this week.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands will be here for Kansas City’s second World Cup match between Curaçao and Ecuador on Saturday.

Why that game, you ask?

Curaçao may sit in the Caribbean Sea, just 30 miles off the Venezuelan coast, but it’s a Dutch island, officially part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Another Type of Royal Visit

England’s national team is swapping football for baseball this week.

The Three Lions are headed to Kauffman Stadium on Sunday to watch the Royals take on the Cardinals.

A spokesperson for the Royals says they’d love to see the English soccer stars play a little catch—or even step into the batter’s box before first pitch.

The Ecuador national team plans to be at The K on Thursday.

6-Month Date Center Ban

Jackson County lawmakers are expected to vote Monday on a six-month pause on new data center development.

County leaders had been considering a much shorter moratorium but opted for a longer timeout while they review regulations, hear from residents and industry experts, and decide how these massive projects fit into the county’s future.

In National and International News

• President Donald Trump heads to Europe this week with what he says is a deal in his pocket to end the months-long Iran war. Trump is in France for the G7 summit of leading nations on Wednesday.
• Former president Barack Obama’s new presidential museum opens Friday on Chicago’s South Side.
• This week, the U.S. Supreme Court enters its final sprint before summer recess with 23 decisions still to hand down, including closely watched cases involving birthright citizenship, presidential firing authority and mail ballot deadlines. The next batch of opinions is expected on Thursday.
• The New York Knicks championship ticker-tape parade is scheduled for Thursday in downtown Manhattan. And the Caroline Hurricanes host their Stanley Cup victory parade through downtown Raleigh on Saturday.

KC Gets the Shakes

Just because the World Cup is taking over the city, it doesn’t mean some of our biggest events have gone into hibernation.

The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival returns Tuesday night at Southmoreland Park, next to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This year, the festival presents one of the Bard’s darkest tragedies and shortest plays, Macbeth.

Pack your blanket and lawn chairs, the festival is free.

Juneteenth Holiday

For many Kansas Citians, it’s a four-day workweek as the nation observes Juneteenth on Friday, the federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States.

The city’s biggest celebration is the Juneteenth Heritage Festival, kicking off Friday with a weekend of history, music, food and local artists in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.

And with the World Cup bringing even more attention to Kansas City, this year’s festival has landed a marquee act: Grammy-winning rapper Common takes the stage Saturday night.

A New Team Takes the Field

Move over Chiefs, Royals, Current and Sporting KC… there’s a new team in town.

The KC Diamonds make their home debut Wednesday against the Florida Vibe at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Diamonds are the metro’s first professional softball team and one of seven founding clubs in the new Professional Softball League.

Paul Simon Tops Big Celebrities in KC

He could be called music royalty. Folk rock legend Paul Simon brings his six decades long song list to Starlight Theater Tuesday night.

Then comes Weird Al Yankovic, performing Friday at the new Morton Amphitheater as part of his “Bigger & Weirder” tour.

Also Friday, WWE SmackDown body-slams its way into T-Mobile Center.

And after storms washed out last weekend’s planned appearance, The Chainsmokers are getting a second shot, performing Sunday night at the FIFA Fan Fest. The concert is free.

Nick Haines tracks the metro’s most impactful, confusing and downright head-scratching local news stories on Week in Review, Friday nights at 7:30 pm on Kansas City PBS.