Nick’s Picks | Verdict, Shutdown, Buc-ee’s and More …

Frank White Recall Election

Voters will finally deliver their verdict this week on Jackson County Executive Frank White.  A special recall election is set for Tuesday.

Recall supporters are angry at White over his handling of property assessments. Opponents counter that the construction lobby is trying to clear the path for a “sweetheart stadium deal.”

Watch a Kansas City PBS town hall on the recall here.

If White is ousted from office, it will be up to the chair of the Jackson County legislature to pick a temporary replacement. The county legislature would then need to vote to appoint White’s successor to serve through the remaining 14 months of his term.

If White survives the vote, he has vowed not to seek reelection in 2026.

Recall elections are still relatively rare in American politics.

Last year, there were 108 recalls across the country. 77 of those leaders were removed from office. 31 survived. But just as interestingly, 16 officials resigned before the election. And one leader, in Flint, Michigan, died before the recall vote was held.

Last Week, Reviewed

Government Shutdown Looms

More than 30,000 federal workers in Kansas City could find themselves furloughed without pay this week as the nation hurtles towards another government shutdown.

If no deal is struck by midnight on Tuesday, benefits will be delayed, air travel may be disrupted, national parks shuttered, and Food and Drug Administration inspections halted.

The White House is also threatening a mass firing of federal workers if Congress can’t agree on a last-minute deal.

In Other National News You Can Use …

• President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this morning to discuss the next steps in Gaza.
• Federal forces will begin moving into Memphis today as part of a Trump administration crime crackdown. The White House is promising to have federal troops on the ground in Portland by the end of the week.
• Wednesday is the first day of October, so it’s officially time to start brainstorming a clever Halloween costume.
• Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day, starts at sundown on Wednesday.

In Sports News …

That’s All Folks: So, no October ball, after all! The MLB playoffs swing into action on Tuesday, but without the Kansas City Royals, who will be watching the postseason from the sidelines.

Oh well. There’s always next year.  Mark your calendar now: Opening Day is set for March 26, the earliest start in franchise history.

Blowout Win: And the Chiefs are officially out of the basement after a convincing win over the Ravens on Sunday. It settled the nerves of many Kansas City fans after a rocky start to the season. No Chiefs football this week. The team’s next game won’t be until Oct. 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Buc-ee’s Construction Set to Begin This Week

After months of delays and false starts, work is set to begin this week on Kansas City’s first Buc-ee’s.

The Texas-based gas-station chain with a cult-like following is opening a Costco-sized travel center with 120 gas pumps, next to the Kansas Speedway.  But apparently, what gets people most excited are its food offerings, from its popular smoked brisket sandwiches to its “Beaver Nuggets.”

But you’ll have to be patient.

Kansas City’s first Buc-ee’s location isn’t scheduled to open until 2027. It’s unclear why it should take two years to build a gas station. Even the Empire State Building was finished in less time (410 days).

The Pink Pony Club Arrives in KC

Kansas City doesn’t put splashy vinyl wraps on its streetcars for just anyone. It’s usually reserved for our sports teams and major events. Which means there must be something special about Chappell Roan.

The Missouri-born singer performs two sell-out concerts at Liberty Memorial, starting Friday night.

Kansas City is one of just three stops on her fall tour, alongside New York and Los Angeles.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says he will be at Friday’s show. No word from his office about whether he’ll also be at Union Station on Friday night, for Taylor Swift’s new album release party.

Be aware, it’s going to be crazy busy in Kansas City on Friday. It’s First Fridays in the Crossroads. And steps away, KC Oktoberfest begins at Crown Center.

Nick Haines tracks Kansas City’s most impactful, confusing and downright head-scratching stories on Week in Review, Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. on Kansas City PBS.