Missouri’s New Congressional Map Faces High Stakes Court Test Missouri’s newly redrawn congressional map lands before the state Supreme Court this week in a trio of cases that could decide who controls key seats in Congress next year. On Tuesday, the seven-member court will hear arguments over whether the Republican-backed map can be used in the 2026 midterms. The fallout could be enormous — for Kansas City and Washington. One ruling could open the door to a Republican takeover of longtime Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver’s seat. Another could derail President Donald Trump’s push to pad the GOP majority in the U.S. House. The clock is ticking. Local election officials must lock in August primary ballots by May 26 — meaning decisions in the three cases are likely to come quickly. Last Week Reviewed The Big Plaza Makeover Don’t expect cranes or construction crews before the World Cup, but Kansas City leaders are poised this week to finally sign off on a sweeping $1.5 billion remake of the Country Club Plaza. The debate at City Hall isn’t whether the Plaza needs help. It’s how much public assistance should come with it — and how many city rules should be tossed aside to make the numbers work. The Plaza’s new owners want permission to blow past standing height limits to build high-rise apartments and office towers. They’re also asking to privatize sidewalks inside the shopping district — a move critics fear could push out protesters and street musicians. The public gets its chance to weigh in Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. during a hearing on the 26th floor of City Hall at 414 E. 12th Street. KC Rethinking 23-Hour Boozing During World Cup Is there any better way for Kansas City to welcome World Cup fans than by approving nearly around-the-clock booze sales? Now city leaders are beginning to sober up to the downsides. The city council is set to decide this week whether Kansas City should opt out of a new state law allowing bars and liquor stores to sell alcohol 23 hours a day during the tournament. The temporary rules would allow sales from 6 a.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning — all aimed at accommodating international soccer fans. But Mayor Quinton Lucas says he’s increasingly worried about safety, public disorder, and impaired driving. The proposal now before the council would keep Kansas City’s standard closing times in place. When I talk to people about the World Cup, they’re either “off the charts” excited or deeply skeptical. If you’ve got questions, concerns or just a lot of curiosity about what’s coming, we’ve got an event for you. Kansas City PBS is teaming up with the Kansas City Public Library for “World Cup Ready?” a candid community conversation that brings together all the key decision-makers behind the city’s 2026 preparations. Join me at the KC Plaza Library May 12 at 6 pm. And come with your questions for KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer, Police Chief Stacey Graves and KCMO City Manager Mario Vasquez. Check out the details here. Another Data Center Targets Johnson County The metro’s data center boom shows no signs of slowing. Just days after public pushback thwarted plans for a 16-building data center in the city of Gardner, nearby Gardner is considering a new proposal. It heads to the city planning commission on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Business Journal reports a Texas developer has snapped up 1,400 acres near the new Panasonic EV battery plant in De Soto for yet another data center campus. The backlash isn’t just local. The New York Times reported last week that in an era of deep political division, opposition to data centers has become one of the few issues uniting Democrats and Republicans — quoting one critic who called it “the most bipartisan issue since beer.” Of course, most of us still want lightning-fast phones, endless streaming, same-day Amazon delivery and instant everything — we just don’t want the giant humming warehouse next door making it all possible. Trump Heads to China The world’s two most powerful men meet face-to-face this week as Trump travels to Beijing for a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. It’s their first in-person meeting since October — and Trump’s first trip to China since returning to the White House. On the agenda: Iran, Taiwan, trade and a growing list of global flashpoints. Trump is expected to press the Chinese leader for assurances Beijing won’t provide military support to Iran and will use its influence to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open. China has its own economic reasons to avoid further escalation. Last year, 80% of Iran’s oil exports went to China, making any disruption a direct threat to Beijing’s economy. Missouri Lawmakers Head for Home Friday is adjournment day in Jefferson City — and Missouri lawmakers are scrambling to squeeze in a final burst of legislation before heading home. The big-ticket items are already done: a new state budget and a plan to phase out Missouri’s income tax, now headed to voters for final approval. But the session’s final hours could still deliver plenty of drama. Lawmakers are weighing a last-minute push to raise Missouri’s speed limit to 75, create new criminal penalties tied to abortion, and block Kansas City from banning mini liquor bottles. Also hanging in the balance: a request from Jackson County leaders for a two-year freeze on residential property taxes. The proposal would require state action — and the legislative clock is running out. 25 Years Later, Shrek Still Rules the Swamp Movie theaters across the country are turning swamp green this week as Shrek returns to the big screen for its 25th anniversary. The Oscar-winning animated hit stomps back into Kansas City theaters on Friday — a quarter century after first proving that an ogre, a donkey and a talking gingerbread man could become box office royalty. Shrek first opened in U.S. theaters on May 18, 2001. 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. The post Nick’s Picks | Map, Plaza, Liquor and More … first appeared on Flatland. ...read more read less