Nick Haines

Stories by Nick Haines

The National World War I Museum and Memorial.

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…

Royals’ mascot, Sluggerrr, rode near the front of the parade to get the crowd riled up following the Kansas City Royals' victory in the 2015 World Series. (Photo: Hilary Becker | Flatland)

Nick’s Picks | Voting, Listening, Remembering and More …

Tuesday is Election Day It may not be a pivotal national election year, but on Tuesday, Americans head to the ballot box to decide thousands of local races and issue questions. America’s Longest Government Shutdown? If no deal is struck in Washington by Tuesday night, we’ll be living through the longest government shutdown in American…

It's that time of year again. Get ready for lots of kids coming to the door for candy. Halloween is Friday. (Reddit)

Nick’s Picks | Furloughs, Fans, Fright and More …

Shutdown Gets Serious We’re about to start week five of the federal government shutdown. With no clear end in sight, the impact is about to get even more serious. Stadium Decision? Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has scheduled meetings this week with leaders from the Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Is a deal finally at…

Streetcar 802 sits idle on Main Street near Country Club Plaza where it was undergoing testing on the Main Street extension on Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Carlos Moreno | KCUR 89.3)

Nick’s Picks | Streetcar, Shutdown, Voting and More …

Big Streetcar Opening Ceremony After more than three years of pain and disruption, Kansas City’s new streetcar extension line finally opens this week, allowing passengers to ride all the way down to the Country Club Plaza and on to UMKC. A grand opening ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. on Friday at the new Plaza…

People use the moving sidewalks at the new Kansas City International Airport terminal.

Nick’s Picks | White, Shutdown, KCI and More …

Frank White’s Replacement We may find out today who is replacing Frank White as Jackson County executive. Two weeks after voters ousted him from office, county lawmakers are scheduled to meet this afternoon to consider their pick for the job. Nearly a dozen candidates have applied for the interim leader post, which will last only…

Former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes celebrates in July 2018 when the city names the Grand Ballroom in the convention center in her honor. (File photo)

Nick’s Picks | Barnes, Redistricting, Shutdown and More …

Kay Barnes Replaces White This week, former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes will officially roll up her sleeves to temporarily lead Jackson County government. She will take over from Frank White, who was ousted by voters in a special recall election last week. But the official handover won’t take place until the results of that…

Cars and trucks fuel up at a massive Buc-ee's gas station and convenience store.

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.”…

Fall colors at peak blaze.

Nick’s Picks | Fall, Streetcar, Recall and More …

Good morning, it’s the First Day of Fall. And Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts tonight. Here are some of the local news and trends we’re tracking this week… New Missouri Map Awaits Governor’s Pen Missouri’s new congressional map is stuck in limbo, more than a week after lawmakers approved a rare mid-decade redistricting…

Nick’s Picks | Steak, Jail, Tower and More …

New Missouri Map Signing Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is promising to sign a new congressional map this week that would make it tougher for Kansas City Congressman Emanuel Cleaver to win reelection. Kehoe is also expected to sign a ballot reform measure that raises the bar for passing citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. If approved by voters…

Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, also known as The Queen of Haunts, poses on the steps of The Beast haunted house.

Nick’s Picks | Gerrymandering, Brewing, Haunting and More …

Final Redistricting Vote Missouri lawmakers are expected to sign off this week on a new congressional map that could force out Kansas City Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. The full House is expected to vote on the measure today. If approved, some dramatic changes are on the way. Downtown Kansas City, the Plaza, and Brookside would all…