Civic Affairs

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is trading stadium talks for the Bloomberg CityLab in Madrid, Spain, this week. (Wikimedia Commons)

Nick’s Picks | Downtown, Spain, Jackson County, and More …

Next Steps on New Royals Ballpark Who’s got the toughest assignment in Kansas City right now? Try City Manager Mario Vasquez who’s been tasked this week with turning a new Royals stadium plan into something resembling an actual deal. Despite all the smiles and celebrations last week, many of the details are fuzzy and some…

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Tree-lined streets are one of the appeals of Prairie Village, Kansas. (Emily Woodring | Flatland

Are Kansas City-Area municipalities doing enough to protect our trees?

How much do Kansas Citians love their trees? So much so that neighbors have been known to mourn the loss of giants like “Frank,” the historic burr oak that had to come down earlier this year in the Historic Northeast. However, some area residents — and elected officials — contend municipalities are not doing enough…

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Making Murals That Make a Difference

The North Kansas City Police Department sits on Howell Street in a rather plain building, but is anything but ordinary inside, where a huge piece of art prompts people to pause and take it all in. The pause comes in front of a mural that features a black and white American flag, a thin blue…

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The Kansas City Police Department is rolling out new uniforms this week. It's the first update in more than four decades. (Kansas City Police Department)

Nick’s Picks | Flu, Speeches, Protests and More …

Flu Surge Halts Surgeries Kansas City hospitals are cancelling hundreds of elective surgeries this week as they struggle to keep up with a surge of respiratory illnesses brought on by what the CDC is now calling the most brutal flu season in 25 years. The flood of hospitalizations is tied to a new influenza strain,…

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Nick’s Picks | A 2026 Top 10 List

The first day back after a big holiday is never easy. Your inbox is overflowing, your brain hasn’t caught up yet, and coffee is doing all the heavy lifting. We’ve got you. To ease you back into reality, here’s a handy (and mildly entertaining) guide to the 10 biggest projects and cultural moments headed your…

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