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 televise the Kansas City Symphony’s annual outdoor concert at Union Station.

Grab a blanket or lawn chair and settle back for patriotic tunes, cannons, and fireworks in what is the largest FREE Memorial Day weekend event in the Midwest.

If you can’t be there in person on Sunday, you can watch from the comfort of your couch. Kansas City PBS broadcasts the concert live, starting at 8 p.m.

Last Week, Reviewed

Severe Storm Risk

Be ready for some bumpy weather today. The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Storm Risk Alert for Kansas City.

The greatest threat is hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes. Flash flooding is also possible.

The greatest storm threat is from 2 p.m. today through the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Workers Stripped of New Paid Leave Benefit

Try not to get sick this week.

Thousands of Missouri workers are heading back to the office and factory floor today, stripped of “paid sick leave.”

Missouri lawmakers repealed the voter-approved benefit in one of their final acts before closing down this year’s legislative session on Friday.

According to figures compiled by the Missouri Foundation for Health, 12% of Missouri employees now have no access to paid leave.

Mayor Lucas in the Middle East

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas departs for the Middle East today.

He’s taking part in a multi-day economic forum in Qatar.

The mayor’s office says his trip will come at no cost to taxpayers. But much of the visit is being paid for by the Qatari government, leading some to raise ethical questions about what they might expect in return.

While he’s there, Lucas will tour the country’s 2022 World Cup facilities to exchange ideas on security, transportation, and legacy projects. He will also visit one of two U.S. military bases in the country and have lunch with service members from Missouri and Kansas.

Funeral Services for Kit Bond

Flags across Missouri will fly at half-staff today in honor of Christopher “Kit” Bond, the former Missouri governor and U.S. Senator who died last week at the age of 86.

A public memorial service is scheduled for noon on Tuesday in the rotunda of the Missouri Capitol. Bond will lie in state in the rotunda for 24 hours following the service.

Want to be a Volunteer for the World Cup?

We’re now a little more than a year away from hosting the FIFA World Cup.

Now the help wanted sign is officially out for volunteers.

Ready to help KC host the biggest event in the city’s history?

Sign up here.

Nick Haines tracks the week’s most impactful local news stories on Week in Review, Friday nights at 7:30 pm on Kansas City PBS.