Nick’s Picks

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

A new exhibit at the Kansas City Zoo is allowing visitors to come "nose to nose" with its long-necked residents. (Wikimedia Commons)

Nick’s Picks | Veep, Zoo, Fireworks and More …

Vance Lands in KC U.S. Vice President JD Vance touches down in Kansas City today to tout the Trump administration’s economic policies. According to the White House, Vance will tour Milbank Manufacturing, a nearly 100-year-old electrical parts company in northeast Kansas City, Missouri, before delivering remarks on tariffs, tax cuts and efforts to boost American-made…

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The spotlight is on the Missouri Supreme Court this week as it takes up the redrawn congressional map. (Wikimedia Commons)

Nick’s Picks | Map, Plaza, Liquor and More …

Missouri’s New Congressional Map Faces High Stakes Court Test Missouri’s newly redrawn congressional map lands before the state Supreme Court this week in a trio of cases that could decide who controls key seats in Congress next year. On Tuesday, the seven-member court will hear arguments over whether the Republican-backed map can be used in…

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The shutdown of Spirit Airlines will impact Kansas City travelers. The budget carrier flew to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas from KCI Airport. (Wikimedia Commons)

Nick’s Picks | Building, Politicking, Grounding and More …

Fan Fest Construction Begins With just 35 days until the World Cup kicks off, Kansas City’s tournament transformation shifts into high gear this week. Construction crews and heavy equipment are moving onto the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial as work begins on FIFA’s expansive Fan Fest site. Workers are closing off the…

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Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is trading stadium talks for the Bloomberg CityLab in Madrid, Spain, this week. (Wikimedia Commons)

Nick’s Picks | Downtown, Spain, Jackson County, and More …

Next Steps on New Royals Ballpark Who’s got the toughest assignment in Kansas City right now? Try City Manager Mario Vasquez who’s been tasked this week with turning a new Royals stadium plan into something resembling an actual deal. Despite all the smiles and celebrations last week, many of the details are fuzzy and some…

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With Earth Day this week, downtown Kansas City at dusk is a reminder of how beautiful nature can be even in an urban environment. (Wikimedia Commons)

Nick’s Picks | Baseball, Education, Conservation and More …

Stadium: What’s Next The push for a new downtown ballpark heads to Jefferson City this week. Kansas City leaders are looking for a number: How much is the state willing to put toward a new home for the Kansas City Royals at Washington Square Park? Right now, there are more questions than answers around the…

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Lawrence High School students and residents protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 27, 2026, at 19th and Louisiana Street across from the high school. (Photo by Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)

Nick’s Picks | Sports, Liquor, Bans and More …

New Royals Ballpark Two years after a failed stadium vote, Kansas City leaders are trying to get a new Royals ballpark plan across the finish line this week. The city council’s finance committee takes its first swing Tuesday at the $1.9 billion proposal, with a full council vote expected on Thursday. Mayor Quinton Lucas unveiled…

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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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A basketball arena filled with fans.

Nick’s Picks | March Madness, Jail Opens, St. Paddy’s & More

The Madness Begins ‘Tis the season for buzzer beaters, broken brackets and according to HR experts, plummeting productivity. Welcome to March Madness! The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships tip off this week. KU and Mizzou play their first games late Friday night in the men’s tournament. Missouri State is the only local team to…

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Leaders in Leavenworth, Kansas, are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to reopen a former CoreCivic facility as a federal immigration detention center. (Morgan Chilson | Kansas Reflector)

Nick’s Picks | Sports, Immigration, Booze and More …

Big 12 Takes Over Downtown It’s that time of year when workplaces start clearing out early to chase a bouncing orange ball. The Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship rolls into town this week… the first sign that March Madness is on the way. K-State takes the court at T-Mobile Center on Tuesday. KU plays Thursday….

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