THE TKC WEEKLY POWER RANKINGS!!!

Things are heating up and it was yet another powerful week in Kansas City. Maybe local folks weren't as strong as female fitness model Terri Turner or her photos in Flex Magazine but a great many people deserve credit for maintaining their fortitude as The Big 12, buildings and so many other Kansas City institutions collapse.

So, let's take a look at the most powerful people in Kansas City this week.

Check it:


POLITICOS

1. Jason Grill - The Missouri State Rep. worked to get an important Autism Bill signed today and he deserves a great deal of credit for his efforts to help children in Missouri.

2. City Council Dude Russ Johnson - Once again in the Legislative session, somebody stood up to Mayor Funky and his lame (lack) of leadership by press conference. Council Dude Johnson called out Funky hypocrisy given the Mayor's continued flip-flopping.

3. John McGurk - This young, local lawyer is taking on more responsibility at the Citizens Association and he is certainly a dude to watch on the local political scene who is quietly amassing powerful leadership experience and connections.

4. Anne McGregor - The 4th District At-Large City Council Candidate is not going away and her continued hustle is earning her some respect among local power players.

5. Louis Ruiz - This Kansas Democrat will get another term in the State House and he's quickly making a myriad of connections that might soon propel him to even bigger things. Keep watching this powerful, KCK resident.


NEWSIES

1. Russ Ptacek - Continues to bust the toxic Bannister Fed Complex story wide open on a regular basis. It's a tale of government missteps, local pollution and stellar investigative work.

2. Sylvia Gross - Congratulations to this local newsie, one of the most highly educated local reporters and an all around great person doing amazing things on KCUR's KC Currents. She made a powerful commitment and recently tied the knot.

3. Nadia Pflaum - My favorite humorless Pitch writer was formerly known as a "Chicken head" but as she crosses into her 30s she's now just another white lady who can hold a grudge with all her strength . . . Among other things.

4. Kevin Kietzman - The Kansas City Sports Talker got YET ANOTHER story completely wrong but I admire his strong dedication to valuing the scoop over accuracy. In my experience media watching, if he was anybody but a white man . . . He would have been fired long ago. But his staying power should be acknowledged.

5. Dave Helling - Dude tried to strong arm TKC by playing fast and loose with petty journalistic slang at a Citizens Association meeting. Admittedly, he made a strong showing despite the fact he still believes in the future of dead tree media but had to roll in the mud with your (least) favorite blogger.


LOCAL ARTISTS

1. Peregrine Honig - Despite the fact that EVERYONE HATES HER (especially TKC) this Kansas City based talent took her work national on a basic cable channel. It was a powerful bit of promotion.

2. STRETCH - He's still on the TIF Commission and his local businesses are busy as Hell and continue to kick ass. There's no doubt this is a powerful local artist doing work in a great many local venues.

3. Jennifer Janesko - Hands down, Kansas City's hottest artist with work that is nearly as visually captivating as her fine ass.

4. David Gant - One of the coolest artists in Kansas City. Dude is really just a great guy and his recent show featuring a great many local faces was certainly a big move in the right direction at the outset of his career.

5. Joe Faus - Few Kansas City artists have done as much to use art as the basis of community activism. Faus is as much activist as artist and his work regularly makes powerful statements regarding local life.

As always, this list has been compiled according to scientific TKC polling and market research data and it's the most comprehensive look at Kansas City's most powerful people.