Week in Review

Nick Haines, Brian Ellison, Yvette Walker, Kevin Collison and Dave Helling discuss the KCMO City Council failing to address the stadium vote initiative, concerns by San Francisco Tower residents over construction impacts, using public funds for the Plaza, the ouster of KCEDC head, complaints over candidate home locations, Flock camera outrage, recalling data center supporters and Roy Blunt Park.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Charlie Keegan, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the details and remaining questions about the Royals new stadium plan, the bribery trial for Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota, the battle over Missouri redistricting, the Missouri Supreme Court ruling on Amendment 6, potential Oak Park Mall changes and the use of the barnacle for KCMO parking enforcement.

In this pledge edition of Week in Review, Nick Haines, Brian Ellison, Kacen Bayless, Abigail Vegter and Kyle Palmer examine the results of this week's primary election including the Kansas Governor and U.S. Senate races, Missouri House races and amendments in both Kansas and Missouri. Plus, they pick the biggest election surprises as well as the biggest winners and losers.

Nick Haines, Eric Wesson, Kyle Palmer, Kris Ketz and Dave Helling discuss the departure of KCMO Police Chief Stacey Graves after less than four years in the role and who might replace her, the disruption at the Royals stadium town hall meeting, the lingering questions in the new Chiefs stadium plan, the primaries for Kansas Governor and U.S. Senate and the key races in Missouri and Jackson County.

Nick Haines moderates a discussion on Kansas Amendment 4 pertaining to electing state Supreme Court justices with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Executive Director of the ACLU in Kansas Micah Kubic. Plus, Matthew Harris, Brian Ellison, Abigail Vegter and Charlie Keegan examine four Missouri amendments and five KCMO ballot questions deciding issues from income tax to funding city projects.

Nick Haines, Kevin Collison, Dave Helling, Eric Wesson and Brian Ellison discuss the conclusion of World Cup in KC and its biggest impacts and disappointments, the plan to keep the Fan Fest Heart as a permanent art installation, the next premier event Kansas City is pursuing, the biggest business developments on the horizon, extending the streetcar to KCI, the proposed 20-story data center & more.

Nick Haines, Charlie Keegan, Yvette Walker, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss the final week of Kansas City's World Cup hosting duties and lessons learned, the KC Rep considering a move to the Plaza, the mid-town Costco changing the store's business model, Clay Chastain's petition for a monorail system, Jackson County's property tax credit and Adam Hamilton's campaign fundraising milestone.

Nick Haines, Charlie Keegan, Kris Ketz, Mara Rose Williams and Dave Helling discuss the reactions to the Netherlands orange parade plus the adjustments, successes and disappointments of Kansas City's World Cup hosting duties as it reaches the halfway point, the next steps for the baseball stadium petition, a bond money request for CPKC Stadium expansion and Roger Marshall's Senate maneuver plans.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Eric Wesson, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss how well Kansas City handled its first official week of World Cup action and look at the biggest surprises and disappointments, the Butler skydiving plane crash, the Missouri congressional map, the building political tensions over data centers, the return of bus fares and the new challenges for riders and more.

Nick Haines, Kris Ketz, Brian Ellison, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the launch of the World Cup Fan Fest and the early feedback from soccer fans, the concern over crime as a violent weekend in KC leaves 12 shot and two dead, Lee's Summit cancelling annual community event indefinitely, the petition push to put new Royals stadium to a public vote and the crowded race for Kansas Governor. 

Will Kansas City meet its World Cup moment? Moderated by Nick Haines, this Kansas City PBS town hall covers what the world’s biggest sporting event means for our streets, our security, our businesses — and Kansas City’s reputation. Haines and experts have a candid conversation about what residents can expect and how police, planners and city leaders are preparing for the crowds.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Brian Ellison, Charlie Keegan and Dave Helling discuss the battle over redistricting in Missouri and its impact on Emanuel Cleaver, reconsidering the bar hours extension during World Cup, safety concerns causing Town Topic to reduce hours, the latest KCMO violent crime statistics, the Sharice Davids decision, the opening of the riverfront streetcar and more.

Nick Haines, Isabella Ledonne, Brian Ellison, Kris Ketz and Dave Helling discuss reports about underwhelming hotel reservation numbers for the World Cup, construction crews beginning process of removing branding from World Cup stadiums, new vacancies on the Plaza, the latest city pushing back against data centers, the push in Missouri to increase the speed limit and Missouri ballot issues.

Nick Haines, Charlie Keegan, Brian Ellison, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the shakeup in the race for Jackson County Executive, viewer questions about naming rights for the new Royals stadium and the impact of a stadium on nearby hospitals, Adam Hamilton entering US Senate race as a Democrat, Laura Kelly's last hurrah, Emmanuel Cleaver and redistricting map & World Cup attendance estimates.

Nick Haines, Brian Ellison, Eric Wesson, Pete Mundo and Dave Helling discuss the long awaited announcement that the Royals will build a new stadium in Crown Center in partnership with Hallmark, the push in the Missouri legislature to eliminate income tax and Adam Hamilton delaying his decision on a run for U.S. Senate to challenge Roger Marshall.

Nick Haines convenes local policymakers, developers and environmental advocates to dig into the thorny issues raised in the Kansas City PBS documentary, The Politics of Trees. The public also weighs in, directly questioning decision-makers in a candid exchange about tree loss, extreme weather and the ongoing tug-of-war between rapid development and protecting Kansas City’s shrinking tree canopy.To view the documentary, visit The Politics of Trees at KansasCityPBS.org.

Nick Haines, Charlie Keegan, Eric Wesson, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss details, questions and concerns related to moving Royals stadium to Washington Square Park, a push for a petition initiative to put stadium to a vote, Royals considering Crown Center purchase for entertainment district, World Cup security and lack of a temporary jail facility, the Kansas legislative session and more.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Kris Ketz, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the results of this week's election including KC earnings tax and mayors of Independence and Lee's Summit, a new update on Royals stadium relocation, KCMO City Hall's bias audit of local media, the pushback on new data centers, sports complex losing state funds, mini liquor bottle debate, 71 Highway future & more.

Nick Haines, Kacen Bayless, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the retirement of Sam Graves, Chris Stigall and Nathan Willet jumping into race to fill Graves vacancy, the decision by Mayor Quinton Lucas to not challenge Mark Allford, Phil Levota's about-face on running for Jackson County Executive, the Rock Island Bridge opening, Oracle layoffs, gas tax and symphony venue.

Nick Haines, Charlie Keegan, David Hudnall, Eric Wesson and Patrick Tuohey discuss the vote to renew Kansas City's earning tax, the Missouri legislature push to eliminate income tax, the Missouri Supreme Court greenlighting a new congressional map, the ban on cell phones in Kansas schools, renaming Avenida César E Chávez, the latest on the midtown Costco, KCI security and empty Plaza storefronts.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Kacen Bayliss, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the stalled Royals stadium location decision, the Chiefs push for a sports authority in Kansas, the FBI investigation at City Hall and its implications for 2027 mayoral race, Darryl Forte considering run for mayor, Adam Hamilton eyeing Kansas Senate run, Jackson County jail capacity and symphony exploring Plaza venue.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Charlie Keegan, Kyle Palmer and Dave Helling discuss the first toll road in the metro area as 69 Highway in Overland Park opens, the restrictions in the Kansas bathroom bill, John Sherman expressing new urgency in the stadium decision, the Missouri redistricting battle, changes for KC Costco, arson attempt at potential ICE facility and data center resistance.

Nick Haines, Eric Wesson, Kris Ketz, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss the last State of the City from Mayor Quinton Lucas and his top remaining priorities, KC ranking highest per capita of homeless among major cities, next year's mayoral race, Royals stadium talk stagnation, dollar hot dog night at the K, the launch of Amazon drone delivery, political math for Sharice Davids & minimum wage.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Brian Ellison, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the response from the public in Olathe and Wyandotte County on the Chiefs stadium deal , plans for an ICE detention center in Leavenworth, the push for ICE restrictions, KCMO budget problems, placing restrictions on some liquor sales, adding citizenship status to driver's license and England's World Cup team.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Eric Graves, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the Royals announcing the Aspira campus is no longer in consideration, the Chiefs narrowing search for architecture firm, the Kansas bathroom bill, the future for Sharice Davids, the latest on ICE detention center, Lucas joining lawsuit to block use of federal agents, reopening the city funded grocery store and more.

Nick Haines, Pete Mundo, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Yvette Walker and Dave Helling discuss concerns over locating an ICE detention center in the metro, the late decision by Mayor Lucas to change the location of the new city jail, the pushback on new data centers, a potential name change for Sporting KC's Children's Mercy Park, latest Chiefs stadium updates and World Cup teams picking KC for base camp.

Nick Haines, Kris Ketz, Brian Ellison, Charlie Keegan and Dave Helling discuss Kansas Governor Laura Kelly's final State of the State address, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe's State of the State address, legislative priorities including eliminating income tax in MO and capping property tax in KS, local response to rising tensions with ICE, new KCPD uniforms plus panelists answer viewer questions.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Dave Helling, Eric Wesson and Brian Ellison discuss a myriad of lingering questions about the Chiefs and Royals stadium decisions including financing, demolition of old stadiums and impact on the affected communities, abandoning redistricting efforts in Kansas, the push to eliminate state income taxes by Gov. Kehoe in Missouri, privatizing Plaza sidewalks and more.

Nick Haines, Dana Wright, Eric Wesson, Dave Helling and Brian Ellison reflect on 2025's most impactful stories, pick KC's Person of the Year, identify the biggest winners and losers and gaze into a crystal ball to make predictions for 2026.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Brian Ellison, Kyle Palmer and Dave Helling discuss pushback in Johnson County over stadium consideration at Aspira Campus and continued silence from team owners, the requests for tax incentives by new Plaza ownership, Lockton eyeing move to JOCO, KC's World Cup draw and new social media rules for visitors, MO and KS congressional maps, a JACO/KCMO split & more.

Nick Haines talks to Mayor Quinton Lucas as he begins his last year as mayor about some of the key issues the city must address including preparations for the biggest event in the city's history, budget issues and the future of the city's major league sports franchises. Plus, after her first year on the job, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson discusses key accomplishments and new approaches.

Nick Haines, Charlie Keegan, Brian Ellison, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss new downward trending KCPD crime figures and the lingering perception contrary to the numbers, the out-of-state group paying signature gatherers in referendum effort to quit, how local reps voted on shutdown bill, a new stadium roof consideration, Jackson County assessor search, Kansas mail in ballot change and more.

Nick Haines, Yvette Walker, Brian Ellison, Pete Mundo and Kyle Palmer discuss the biggest winners and losers in this week's election, the lessons learned from voting trends on both sides of the state line, abandoning redistricting efforts in Kansas, the speculation around potential U.S. Senate runs by Sharice Davids or Laura Kelly, the survey of Royals fans, World Cup accommodations and more. 

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Lisa Rodriguez, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss next week's election including how to select the Jackson County Assessor, the four day school week in Independence, the future of Prairie Village government, mayoral races in Wyandotte County and Overland Park as well as the launch of the streetcar extension, World Cup fan fest, SNAP benefit delays and more.

For the first time in 20 years, the race for Mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas will not feature an incumbent. Nick Haines moderates a debate of key issues like property taxes, housing, business development and consolidation itself as well as potential changes in the county and its government with candidates Rose Mulvany Henry and Christal Watson.

Nick Haines, Charlie Keegan, Eric Wesson, Kris Ketz and Dave Helling discuss the Jackson County Legislature selecting Phil LeVota as the new Jackson County Executive, the launch of the streetcar extension next week, grants to fill Plaza vacancies ahead of the World Cup, rebranding KCI in honor of Truman, KCPD deploying UTVs for patrol, the spike in domestic violence, Kansas redistricting & more.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Dave Helling, Charlie Keegan and Brian Ellison discuss a renewed push for decisions in the stadium saga in the wake of the Jackson County recall and a weekend of large crowds downtown, the swearing in of Kay Barnes as the race for Jackson County Executive gets crowded, the ripple effects of the government shutdown and redistricting efforts progressing in Kansas.

Nick Haines, Brian Ellison, Kris Ketz, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the resounding recall election results in Jackson County which ousts Frank White and has Kay Barnes taking over the leadership role in the interim, the local impacts of the government shutdown, Trump's threat to move the World Cup from dangerous cities, the deportation program using the National Guard in Missouri and more.

Nick Haines, Charlie Keegan, Dave Helling, Savannah Hawley-Bates and Eric Wesson discuss exploration of an east-west streetcar expansion line, the elevating cost of the Roy Blunt Luminary Park, the stalled Missouri redistricting map, the withholding of $10 million in food aid to Kansas, the new KCPD police lights policy, the latest on the new Jackson County jail, the business border war and more.

As the historic recall election in Jackson County approaches, Nick Haines moderates a town hall discussion to address criticisms and to discuss the expectations and implications of using this democratic tool with Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jackson County Legislators Sean Smith and Megan Smith, Urban League CEO Gwen Grant and UMKC political scientist Greg Vonnahme.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Pete Mundo, Eric Wesson and Brian Ellison discuss the quick turnaround on the new Missouri congressional map as lawmakers prepare to send to the governor's desk, the potential for a Quinton Lucas run for congress, Kansas redistricting efforts, petition initiative reform in MO, the Frank White recall vote and possible replacements and ramping up World Cup preparations.

Nick Haines, Yvette Walker, Brian Ellison, Kris Ketz and Dave Helling discuss redistricting efforts in Kansas and Missouri and the implications for Emanuel Cleaver and Sharice Davids, the push for petition initiative reform in Missouri, the latest excuses in the stadium stalemate, tensions in the Border War between Kansas and Missouri and questions about National Guard deployment in Kansas City.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Dave Helling, Charlie Keegan and Eric Wesson discuss new crime prevention tactics announced by Mayor Quinton Lucas in the wake of another violent and deadly weekend, the chilling effect of recent officer deaths on police recruitment, redistricting efforts in Kansas and Missouri, good news for KCMO schools and local IRS workers and concerns over data centers.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Dave Helling, Eric Wesson and Brian Ellison discuss the shake up in the Missouri Attorney General's office as Andrew Bailey departs and Catherine Hannaway is appointed, Frank White's reelection plans, the latest stadium update, Missouri redistricting efforts, the potential for Missouri National Guard deployment, the KCATA budget problems and the Sun Fresh closure.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Kris Ketz, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss redistricting efforts in Missouri to oust Emanuel Cleaver, Hartzell Gray entering race to challenge Cleaver, Trump's plan to move USDA jobs to KC, the shooting death of WYCO Sheriff's Deputy Elijah Ming, examining code enforcement in wake of roof collapse, Ryana Parks-Shaw entering mayoral race and streetcar fines.

Nick Haines, Patrick Tuohey, Eric Wesson, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss the successes so far for Quinton Lucas as well as what goals still remain in his last two years as Mayor, the struggles for the city subsidized Sun Fresh, calls for crime warnings for World Cup visitors, the crowded Kansas gubernatorial race, the latest on Frank While recall efforts and Trump's position on team names.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Charlie Keegan, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss the opening of the Panasonic plant in the midst of declining EV sales and expiring tax credits, Frank White's new stadium plan, the repeal of paid sick leave in Missouri, new beer laws and state funding for World Cup, local impact of federal education cuts, the mayoral election in Wyandotte County and renaming KCI.

Nick Haines, Yvette Walker, Brian Ellison, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the Frank White recall efforts and the potential obstacles, delays and replacement candidates, the ongoing stadium saga and continued lack of information from either team, the local implications of Trump's domestic policy bill and the new push to rename KCI in honor of President Truman.

Nick Haines, Eric Wesson, Brian Ellison, Scott Parks and Dave Helling discuss the continuing frustrations over delayed decisions in stadium negotiations as the Kansas offer is set to expire and a new suggestion emerges, building frustrations over the city's crime crisis, attendance at the World Cup party and new event developments, the Super Bowl parade victim lawsuit, honoring Sly James and more.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Charlie Keegan, Kris Ketz and Brian Ellison discuss the local No Kings protests and Gov. Mike Kehoe's declaration of a state of emergency despite being out of the country, lawmaker safety concerns in the wake of Minnesota shootings, the World Cup kick-off party, Andy Reid appearing in the first World Cup promo, debate over Airbnb taxes and JACO business property taxes.