Nick’s Picks | Andretti, FIFA, Petition and More …

From Shutdown to Epstein

Now that the federal government shutdown is over, our major news outlets need another big drama to focus on. They seem to have found it in the Epstein files.

The House is expected to vote Tuesday on releasing the final documents relating to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Trump administration has been criticized for “slow walking” the files release. But in a sharp reversal over the weekend, the president says he now supports the House vote. Trump says he has nothing to hide and that the issue is “a hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics” to distract from his administration’s successes.

$40 Million Go-Kart and Entertainment Center Opens

Overland Park will be in the media spotlight this week as it opens a massive $40 million indoor go-kart and entertainment complex, right next to the former Sprint Campus.

The 84,0000-square-foot facility will feature high-speed electric Superkarts on a multi-level track, a two-story laser tag arena, a bowling alley, 7D Xperience Motion Theater and an arcade.

This is the 12^th location for Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, a growing national entertainment chain, based out of Texas.

Last week, The Capital Grille, Yard House and Meddys were announced as other tenants on the site, which has been rumored as a possible landing spot for a new Royals ballpark.

FIFA World Cup Center Opens

With the global spotlight inching closer, Kansas City opens its new FIFA World Cup Center today.

The facility, located inside Union Station, will be the training headquarters for the thousands of volunteers who have applied to welcome fans, and keep operations running smoothly during the biggest sporting event in the city’s history.

The new center will also feature interactive exhibits, World Cup memorabilia, games and selfie stations.

Trial on Missouri Petition Signatures

Missourians wanting to block the state’s newly drawn congressional map now have less than 30 days to collect 106,000 valid signatures to put the issue up for a public vote.

And the issue just got a lot more complicated. Most of the signatures already collected have been declared void by the Missouri secretary of state because they were gathered too early, allegedly violating Missouri law.

Now the dispute heads to court on Friday.

The stakes are high.

Last week, it was reported that one out-of-state group is paying signature gatherers $5,000 to stay home. Apparently, the unusual cash offer is having an impact. There are reports of signature gatherers now quitting their jobs causing major disruption for progressive groups trying to secure next year’s referendum vote.

Voter ID Heads to Missouri Supreme Court

Should voters be required to show a photo ID before casting a ballot?

Missouri’s three-year-old voter ID law heads to the Missouri Supreme Court this week in a case brought by the NAACP and the League of Women Voters, who have questioned its legality.

The justices will hear the case on Wednesday.

Last Week, Reviewed

New Jackson County Assessor?

The help wanted sign is still out for a new Jackson County assessor, nearly two weeks after the ousting of longtime director Gail McCann Beatty.

There’s growing pressure to fill the post quickly. New property tax bills start arriving in Jackson County mailboxes this week.

80^th Anniversary of Nuremberg Trials

This Thursday marks the 80^th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, which would bring to justice 22 of the most important surviving leaders of Nazi atrocities during World War II.

Now the landmark event is playing out on the big screen in a new film called “Nuremberg.”

Russell Crowe plays the trial’s most important defendant, Hitler’s handpicked successor Herman Göring, who would be sentenced to death by hanging. He would commit suicide before his scheduled execution.

In Sports News …

College hoops return to T-Mobile Center this week.

Kansas State will take on Mississippi State, and Nebraska will battle New Mexico in the semifinal round of the 2025 Hall of Fame Classic. The championship game will be played at T-Mobile Center on Friday night.

And is it too early to panic? After a tough loss against the Broncos on Sunday, the Chiefs return home to Arrowhead Sunday to take on the Indianapolis Colts. (Gametime: Noon).

K-Pop Demon Hunter in KC

KPop Demon Hunters is now officially the most watched film in Netflix history.

And one of its lead characters is heading to Kansas City this week.

May Hong, who provides Mira’s speaking voice in the animated fantasy film, is scheduled to appear at Planet Anime over the weekend.

The three-day event starts Friday at Bartle Hall.

Bah Humbug

Ebeneezer Scrooge is making his winter return to Kansas City as A Christmas Carol begins its holiday run at the KC Rep on Friday.

It’s a bittersweet year for the theater. KC acting icon Gary Neal Johnson is making his final curtain call after playing Scrooge for the past 25 years. After 1,100 performances, Johnson says, “It’s a good time to stop.”

In other holiday related happenings…

The Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village opens at Union Station on Friday with light shows, vintage streetscapes and a life-size gingerbread house.

And The Grinch and Cindy Lou-Who help turn on the holiday lights at Zona Rosa on Saturday.

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.