Nick Haines shares the upcoming week’s biggest news stories, before they unfold.

Missouri Capitol Building in Jefferson City

Nick’s Picks | Diapers, Troops, Fans and More …

It’s the last blast of summer for many Kansas Citians this week. Expect quiet commutes and empty desks as Labor Day’s three-day break has folks heading out early.  Many area schools are also cutting the week short. Here are some other local stories we’re keeping tabs on this week… New Laws From Diapers to Marriage…

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University of Kansas football fans will get their first look at the school's renovated stadium when the team takes on Fresno State on Saturday. Phase 1 overhauled the southwest, west and north sides of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. KU will complete a second phase at a later date. (KU rendering)

Nick’s Picks | Redistricting, Heat, Football and More …

Back to School Week Kansas students returned to the classroom last week, now it’s Back to School week for Missouri kids. Mayor Quinton Lucas was scheduled to greet students on the first day of class in the Kansas City school district today. In addition to the pain of getting up early, Missouri students will be…

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Nick’s Picks | Buses, Schools, Eats and More …

Bus Service Shutdown? Money to run the bus service in Kansas City officially runs out on Friday, leaving thousands of riders worried about how they’ll get to work. The metro’s largest bus agency, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) has been struggling to keep the service afloat after federal pandemic money dried up and…

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A view of work on a streetcar extension looking south from about 43rd and Main streets.

Nick’s Picks | USDA, LBJ, Streetcar and More …

Trump Set to Move Thousands of USDA Jobs to KC We are waiting to hear more details this week about a new plan by President Donald Trump to move thousands of federal agriculture department jobs to Kansas City. It is part of a new push by the White House to shift government offices closer to…

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Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. when he was named to the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame.

Nick’s Picks | White, Garner, Lucas and More …

Frank Decision Jackson County Executive Frank White has done something no one else has been able to accomplish over the past year. He’s managed to knock the stadium story off the front page. White’s fate has become Kansas City’s newest and biggest political drama. This week, we are waiting for a judge to rule on…

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Monarch butterflies rest on branches.

Nick’s Picks | Batteries, Recall, Butterflies and More …

Panasonic Plant Grand Opening Panasonic’s $4 billion Kansas battery plant finally begins operations this week. The company is hosting a grand opening ceremony today in De Soto with state and local leaders. The project is jam-packed with superlatives: At full capacity, the plant can churn out 66 lithium-ion batteries per second. But it’s unclear if…

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Gas might not be as cheap as it was when these pumps operated, but AAA is reporting that gas is about 24 cents a gallon cheaper than it was a year ago in the lead-up to the Fourth of July. (Mike_Birdy | Freerange Stock)

Nick’s Picks | Travel, Fireworks, Lacrosse and More …

Kicking the Can Down the Road on Stadiums A Kansas deal to fund up to 70% of the costs of new stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals expires tonight. But it looks like the teams and our political leaders have decided to kick the can down the road, yet again. Both teams have asked Kansas…

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Heat index values this week are expected to climb between 105 and 110 degrees each afternoon. (Pexels) expected to remain in the 90s all week. (Pexels)

Nick’s Picks | Stadiums, Heat, Concerts and More …

Pressure Mounts on Chiefs, Royals to Decide A deadline is forcing the owners of the Chiefs and Royals to finally pick a side: Kansas or Missouri? A Kansas offer that would pay up to 70% of the construction costs for building new stadiums for the teams expires at the end of the week. Kansas legislative…

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Friday marks the 50 years since the release of "Jaws," the film that made moviegoers terrified to enter the water. Johnson County Park & Rec is showing the film Saturday night at Shawnee Mission Park. (Flikr)

Nick’s Picks | Juneteenth, Sharks, Dragons and More …

World Cup Countdown Party Last week, we marked the one-year countdown to the World Cup. Now, get ready for the big party. Kansas City’s host committee is planning a “Countdown to the World Cup Kick-Off Event” on Sunday at the Aspiria Campus in Overland Park. That’s the former Sprint headquarters site near 119th and Metcalf….

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Members of the band Saint Motel perform at Boulevardia.

Nick’s Picks | Soccer, Caregiving, Boulevardia and More …

Scramble to Save Stadiums A special legislative session aimed at keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri enters its second week today. The Missouri Senate has voted to cover up to 50% of the costs of new or improved stadiums for the teams, but the measure has yet to be taken up by the Missouri…

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Fireworks during "Celebration at the Station".

Nick’s Picks | Fireworks, Funeral, FIFA and More …

Celebration at the Station There’s a lot to like about this week. We’ve got a three-day holiday weekend to look forward to. Memorial Day is Monday. Here at the TV station, we’re prepping for our biggest show of the year, Celebration at the Station. It’s all hands on deck for our production crews as we…

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Amazon drone deliveries appear to be on the horizon in Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas. (Amazon)

Nick’s Picks | Lawmaking, Homicide, Drones and More …

Now that there’s a new pope and Kansas City has picked a new city manager, what’s left to report on this week? Here are some newsworthy stories to watch… Missouri Legislative Session Ends Missouri lawmakers are on a sprint to the finish line this week. The legislative session officially ends on Friday. And lawmakers still…

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House decorated with a VE Day banner during the commemoration. The VE Day 75th anniversary, when Victory in Europe over the Germans was announced during World War Two, being commemorated during lockdown restrictions of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (Keith Mayhew | SOPA Images| Sipa US)| (Sipa via AP Images)

Nick’s Picks | Holidays, Decisions, Deadlines and More Big Trifectas …

3 Big Holidays We’re marking three big holidays this week, none of which qualify you for a day off. Today is Cinco de Mayo. Sunday is Mother’s Day. And Friday is Victory Day, a new holiday declared by President Donald Trump to mark the end of World War II, though the power to create public…

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Be aware: The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center on April 28, 2025, said threatening weather was possible in the Kansas City area. (Amanda Hill | NOAA Weather in Focus Photo Contest 2015)

Nick’s Picks | Storm Threat, City Manager, WWE Rumble, and More …

Brace for Severe Weather Be prepared for some bumpy weather today. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center says damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are possible. The most severe storm activity is expected north of metro KC, but our local TV meteorologists say the volatile storm path could change quickly. Picking a New Pope…

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Nick’s Picks | The Pope, Fountains, Trees, and More …

Remembering Pope Francis It’s going to be a week of mourning as Catholics around the world mark today’s passing of Pope Francis. The Argentinian-born pontiff was 88 years old. Francis’s death triggers a series of rituals and procedures. His papal ring will be destroyed, and his rooms will be sealed. He will lie in state…

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