It's Thursday. Let's dive in.

🌧️ Today's weather: Chance of storms, with highs in the low 80s.

🎧 Sounds like: "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield.

This newsletter is 992 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Missouri's top election official could be held in contempt of the state Supreme Court after telling county clerks to use a congressional map the court says never became law.

Why it matters: KC's congressional seat was thrown into chaos Tuesday, the day of the November ballot deadline, when a U.S. Supreme Court justice and a federal judge issued orders that cancel each other out.

Catch up quick: Republican lawmakers redrew Missouri's districts last year, but a group called People Not Politicians gathered more than 300,000 signatures on a petition to force a public vote on it.

• Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the petition in August and ran the primary on the new map, but the Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously Sept. 3 that the petition was valid and the 2025 map was suspended.
• The court put the referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot as Proposition A and ordered November's election back to the 2022 lines.

Driving the news: Missouri asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene, but Justice Brett Kavanaugh declined Tuesday.

• By 4:45pm, Hoskins was sending clerks the data to restore the 2022 lines, People Not Politicians executive director Richard von Glahn said in a statement to Axios.
• After Kavanaugh's decision, Chief U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark in St. Louis ordered Hoskins to use the 2025 map anyway.
• Clark was ruling in a separate suit from Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Onder and state Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville), Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's opponent, and wrote that switching maps after the August primary would "wreak havoc" on the election.

Later Tuesday, Hoskins emailed election officials, telling them to use the 2025 map.

• Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said the state is "prepared to follow and comply with Chief Judge Clark's order."
• Brattin praised Clark's order and said he's continuing his 5th District campaign.

Before the night was over, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered Hoskins to appear in person today and explain why his email doesn't violate its ruling.

• Hoskins asked a federal judge to excuse him from today's hearing.

The latest: A federal appeals court yesterday refused to block Clark's order, so People Not Politicians took the request to Kavanaugh.

What they're saying

Red Friday is actually Red Thursday this year, as the Chiefs and Ronald McDonald House Kansas City launch their annual flag fundraiser today ahead of the season opener.

Why it matters: The annual event combines our passion for football with a good cause — raising money for the families of children receiving medical care in KC.

The big picture: This year's limited-edition flag features the words "How 'Bout Those Chiefs," a phrase often used by head coach Andy Reid.

• They're sold at McDonald's around the metro, and proceeds directly benefit RMHKC, with past years raising as much as $1 million.

Context: The Chiefs open the season at home against the Denver Broncos on Monday, but organizers say "Red Monday" didn't quite fit the vibe.

• Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a day organizers say should be reserved for remembrance.

What they're saying: Today can be a day that's all about the "razzle dazzle" of the Chiefs Kingdom and Ronald McDonald House, RMHKC chief executive Tami Greenberg tells Axios.

By the numbers: Each flag goes for $5 in person or $10 online.

• The team prints a limited number of flags that inevitably sell out, although that number isn't publicized.
• The fundraiser has generated more than $7.5 million in the past 13 years, per the Chiefs.

Follow the money: You don't have to go far, since all the funds stay in KC, Greenberg says.

• RMHKC operates 94 beds and helps thousands of families per year, covering the lodging costs for families who travel to KC for care.

Keep reading

🏙️ A historic building downtown at 13th and Oak is now open as an 84-room boutique Aiden hotel by Best Western, featuring murals and an original bank vault. (Press release)

🍽️ Kansas City Restaurant Week will return Jan. 8-18, adding an eleventh day with proceeds this time benefiting Pete's Garden. (Press release)

🏈 K-State's mascot went viral after attempting 394 pushups in the team's 71-3 win last weekend. It was the team's first 70-plus score since 2000. (Wichita Eagle)

Officials yesterday broke ground on a pedestrian bridge project that will connect residents north of Brush Creek to Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Why it matters: The park is on the south side of Brush Creek, and the only way to get there is by car or using sidewalks along busy and dangerous roadways.

• The bridge will create a direct route accessible only to pedestrians.
• Parks and Recreation deputy director James Wong tells Axios they will also install a pedestrian crossing on Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard.

Context: The construction is at least five years in the making, after the park opened in 2021 and public conversations for the bridge began.

Zoom in: The bridge's path will be clear, per the Parks department, and will include new trail connections, improved lighting, and imagery depicting Martin Luther King Jr.

Follow the money: The bridge will cost roughly $4.6 million.

• Funds come from a $2.8 million federal grant via the Missouri Department of Transportation and local public improvement funds for the 3rd and 5th districts — which share a border along Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard.

What they're saying: "This bridge will allow seniors, it will allow children and the residents of affordable housing to make it across Brush Creek, and then go and enjoy this wonderful park," Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) said at the ceremony.

What's next: Leaders hope to complete the bridge next year.

🌧️ Abbey is loving this rain.

🐶 Travis' dog does not love the thunder.

Edited by Tyler Buchanan.