Politics

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota is reconsidering his initial pledge not to seek a full term in the position. The filing deadline is Tuesday at 5 p.m. (Josh Merchant | The Beacon)

Nick’s Picks | Filings, Openings, Holidays and More …

Political Filing Frenzy Get ready for a major reshuffling of Kansas City’s political decks this week. Tuesday at 5 p.m. is the deadline for Missouri candidates to file for office in this year’s midterm elections. And with a new congressional map now in play, it’s triggering a frantic last-minute political scramble. Here’s the breakdown of…

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Opponents of a proposed new data center in Independence, Missouri, were unable to derail City Council approval. They are hoping a judge will OK their legal fight. (Savannah Hawley-Bates | KCUR 89.3)

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…

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The notion of Christian Nationalism reflects a "willful disregard" for the First Amendment, said one area educator.(Lee Edwin Coursey | The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs)

Tackling the Scourge of Christian Nationalism

In recent decades, Christian Nationalism’s warped ideas have begun to attract the attention of scholars and teachers at universities and seminaries here in the Heartland. They’re trying to understand both its appeal and its dangers and to give students the tools necessary to make their own judgments about whether it’s good old basic Americanism or,…

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The Kansas City Police Department is rolling out new uniforms this week. It's the first update in more than four decades. (Kansas City Police Department)

Nick’s Picks | Flu, Speeches, Protests and More …

Flu Surge Halts Surgeries Kansas City hospitals are cancelling hundreds of elective surgeries this week as they struggle to keep up with a surge of respiratory illnesses brought on by what the CDC is now calling the most brutal flu season in 25 years. The flood of hospitalizations is tied to a new influenza strain,…

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Nick’s Picks | A 2026 Top 10 List

The first day back after a big holiday is never easy. Your inbox is overflowing, your brain hasn’t caught up yet, and coffee is doing all the heavy lifting. We’ve got you. To ease you back into reality, here’s a handy (and mildly entertaining) guide to the 10 biggest projects and cultural moments headed your…

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Scarves aloft, Ali Samaniego, at left, and Veronica Brewer celebrate at a regionwide watch party for the final draw. In the countdown to the FIFA World Cup, the event drew a crowd Friday morning to KC Live! in the Power & Light District. (Julie Denesha | KCUR 89.3)

Nick’s Picks | Soccer, Signatures, Supplements and More …

Reworking World Cup Plans  Now that we know which World Cup teams will be coming to Kansas City, are local officials about to redraw the game plan?   While a formal announcement could come later this week, the Kansas City World Cup Host Committee is dialing up its fan projections after drawing the reigning World Cup champions, Argentina and European soccer powerhouse,…

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Royals’ mascot, Sluggerrr, rode near the front of the parade to get the crowd riled up following the Kansas City Royals' victory in the 2015 World Series. (Photo: Hilary Becker | Flatland)

Nick’s Picks | Voting, Listening, Remembering and More …

Tuesday is Election Day It may not be a pivotal national election year, but on Tuesday, Americans head to the ballot box to decide thousands of local races and issue questions. America’s Longest Government Shutdown? If no deal is struck in Washington by Tuesday night, we’ll be living through the longest government shutdown in American…

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It's that time of year again. Get ready for lots of kids coming to the door for candy. Halloween is Friday. (Reddit)

Nick’s Picks | Furloughs, Fans, Fright and More …

Shutdown Gets Serious We’re about to start week five of the federal government shutdown. With no clear end in sight, the impact is about to get even more serious. Stadium Decision? Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has scheduled meetings this week with leaders from the Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Is a deal finally at…

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Although the Greater Kansas City Pastors Association is still being formed, its leaders decided it was important to call a recent press conference and denounce efforts by Missouri state legislators to gerrymander the congressional district that Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II now represents. (Reprinted with permission from The Kansas City Star)

Taking ‘Bold Political Stances’ To Fight Injustices

It didn’t take long for the new Greater Kansas City Pastors Association to spring into action. As The Kansas City Star reported in early September, just one “day after thousands of people descended on the Missouri Capitol to demonstrate their outrage over congressional maps aimed at minimizing Kansas City’s voting power,” the new pastors’ group…

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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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