Nick’s Picks | Veterans, Mission Gateway, Big Sonia and More …

Shutdown Deal on the Way

Is America’s longest government shutdown about to end?

It could be over by the end of the week, after a group of eight Democrats agree to join Senate Republicans in a vote to reopen the government, at least through January.

The deal comes without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, which were at the center of the standoff, but it does ensure food aid and veterans benefits are funded through the end of 2026.

House members have been told to return to the Capitol by tomorrow to vote on the package.

In the meantime, thousands of Kansas City food aid recipients are still in limbo and travelers heading to KCI could still experience shutdown related flight cancellations and delays.

Banks and Post Offices Closed

It’s going to be a four-day week for many Kansas Citians. Veteran’s Day is on Tuesday.

Banks and post offices will be closed. And there’ll be no mail delivery.

I usually add that federal government buildings will also be closed, but it’s not clear how many agencies are even open right now, amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

In honor of the holiday, the National World War I Museum & Memorial is offering free admission for all veterans and active-duty military through Tuesday, along with half-price admission for everyone else.

New Kansas Election Law Takes Effect

Nearly a week after Election Day, there are several school board races in Johnson County that are still close to call. Local election officials won’t certify the results until Thursday, when provisional and mail-in ballots are finally counted.

This is the last election before a new Kansas law takes effect that ends the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots.

Currently, Kansas election officials count late arriving votes, as long as they’re postmarked by Election Day. 

Starting now, if a mail-in ballot comes in after Election Day, it will no longer be counted.

Mission Gateway Project Heads to Court

Could there finally be a resolution this week for Kansas City’s most famous “hole-in-the-ground”?

A bench trial is scheduled today in a foreclosure lawsuit brought against the developers of the Mission Gateway project. The outcome could finally free the city of Mission to move on after decades of inaction.

Nearly 20 years after the Mission Mall was torn down in Johnson County, the prime plot of land remains an unfinished building site; the victim of multiple failed development projects and a painful series of delays, promises and postponements.

Last Week, Reviewed

College Football at Children’s Mercy Park

A different shaped ball takes over Children’s Mercy Park this week. The home of Sporting KC makes way for college football this weekend.

Two powerhouse programs are set to clash on Saturday as the Pitt State Gorillas take on the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats.

In other sports news…

March Madness comes early to T-Mobile Center as Kansas City plays host to the Women’s Hoops Invitational on Saturday. It’s a woman’s basketball doubleheader featuring Kansas vs. Missouri and Missouri State vs. Wichita State.

The Chiefs are back in action on Sunday, when they face the Broncos in Denver. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says he’ll be at the game. (Kick Off 3:25 p.m.)

And the NWSL Playoffs continue this weekend, but without Kansas City. The Current’s season came to a stunning close Sunday in an overtime loss to Gotham F.C. 

Ken Burns Film

Ken Burns is back.

Public Television’s best-known filmmaker releases his latest documentary epic this week.

“The American Revolution” is a deep dive into the country’s origin story.

Burns has been working on the project for nearly a decade. The six-part, 12-hour series premieres Sunday night at 7 on Kansas City PBS.

Big Sonia’s 100^th Birthday

Speaking of documentaries…the eponymous star of Big Sonia turns 100 this week.

And there’s a big bash to celebrate.

Sonia Warshawski is the diminutive former owner of a clothing alterations shop in Overland Park with a remarkable story, surviving multiple Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz.

The Glenwood Theater will reshow the award-winning film about her life, along with a director and cast Q&A at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday. Apparently, Sonia is planning to be at both shows.

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