Nick’s Picks | Stadium (Again), Fire, ICE and More …

Big questions loom as the week begins — from stadium drama to detention centers to a familiar cliffhanger: Are we heading for another government shutdown?

Signs of a New Royals Stadium Deal?

Could last week’s closed-door meeting between the governor, mayor, and county executive signal that a deal is finally ready to be made on a new Royals ballpark?

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says he’s optimistic. But history suggests a little skepticism may be in order. Here are some of his previous stadium predictions:

A year ago: “Both teams will be in KCMO in 2040 and long after.”

Six months ago: “I’m confident the Chiefs will remain in Missouri.”

December 19: “Talk of them moving is all smoke.”

Seventy-two hours later, the Chiefs announced their move to Kansas at a news conference with Gov. Laura Kelly.

Now Lucas says he wants a Royals deal wrapped up by the start of spring training: February 20. If you’re counting, that’s just 25 days away.

Last Week, Reviewed

ICE Detention Center Opening

Nearly two weeks after Kansas City passed a moratorium on detention centers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the issue remains up in the air this week.

The Department of Homeland Security says there are no current plans to open new facilities. But the Washington Post lists Kansas City as one of seven potential sites that could house 5,000–10,000 detainees.

Speculation has focused on a warehouse near the former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base. Kansas City-area Congressman Mark Alford says Clay County has “several sites available” if Kansas City doesn’t want it.

Are We Just Days Away from Another Government Shutdown?

Yes, this again.

A bipartisan stopgap budget deal is unraveling after the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by a Border Patrol agent. Senate Democrats are now balking at the bill’s $10 billion in ICE funding.

If Congress can’t reach agreement by midnight Friday, federal agencies will shut down for the second time in three months.

Is the Arctic Blast Done with Us Yet?

Short answer: no.

For many Kansas Citians, burst pipes, dead batteries and trips to the auto body shop are this week’s top stories after snow and bitter cold clobbers the metro.

Schools canceled classes today amid lows of minus 5 degrees and wind chills making it feel like minus 20. Expect cold starts all week, with minus-1-degree temperatures making their return Friday night.

The National Weather Service confirms Saturday’s snowfall broke a 70-year-old record, with parts of the metro buried under more than 7 inches.

Reopening Shuttered Sun Fresh

When a city-funded grocery store closed on Prospect Avenue last year, we were told one of the big lessons is that government shouldn’t try to get into the grocery business. So why is Lucas pushing a vote to reopen the Sun Fresh store on Linwood that has been plagued by violence, theft, rampant drug use and public sex?

The City Council is set to approve a new operator and additional funding at its weekly meeting on Thursday. The goal is to open the store by mid-April.

Also, on City Hall’s to-do list this week: Saving the Midtown Costco, which turns 25 this month.

There’s growing concern the warehouse could be converted into a Costco Business Center—a move that would strip out the pharmacy, food court, alcohol sales, and many of the customer-friendly staples, from clothes to toys.

Lucas Named Head of Democratic Mayors Group

Lucas, already a vocal presence on national issues from immigration enforcement to international affairs, is stepping into a bigger spotlight.

This week, Lucas takes over leadership of the Democratic Mayor’s Association, giving him a higher-profile platform to shape policy debates beyond Kansas City.

Lucas will spend much of the week in Washington, D.C., where his schedule includes a Thursday meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

New Fire Chief Takes Over

Kansas City has a new fire chief — and while it’s not the same headline-grabber as hiring a police chief, this one comes with heat.

Craig Buckley begins his first day today amid community backlash from groups like the Urban League, who are incensed that no internal candidates, women, or minorities were finalists for the KCFD’s top spot.

Buckley, who has been serving as the interim fire chief in Orlando, will earn more than $300,000 a year in Kansas City.

But with the bump in pay comes major headaches.

He inherits a department in turmoil, still grieving over the stabbing death of a firefighter in the back of an ambulance last year, criminal cases against some within the ranks, and multiple lawsuits alleging discrimination and retaliation.

Welcome to the job.

Southwest Airlines Makes Its Big Change

Southwest Airlines officially says goodbye to “open seating” this week, more than a year after announcing the change.

Starting Tuesday, Southwest will begin assigning seats on flights — ending a decades-long tradition that helped define the brand. The move matters locally: Southwest is Kansas City’s dominant airline, operating more than half of all flights out of KCI.

And the Grammy Goes to …

Music’s biggest night is just around the corner.

Comedian Trevor Noah hosts the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday from downtown L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena.

Kendrick Lamar leads the 2026 Grammy Nominations with nine nods, followed by Lady Gaga with seven.

Royals Rally Returns

The countdown to baseball season officially starts this week as the Royals Rally returns for its fourth year at Kauffman Stadium.

The family-friendly event provides fans with up-close access to Royals players, games, ballpark food and roundtable discussions with Royals stars and coaches. According to the website, every ticketed guest is guaranteed at least one autograph.

Saturday’s event takes place indoors, which is good, because The K’s field is torn up as the Royals move its outfield wall 8-10 feet. They say the shrunk down field could earn them about 30 more home runs a season.

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