THE TKC WEEKLY POWER RANKINGS!!!

Okay, so not all of us are as strong as Nicole Wilkins-Lee during her classic workout photo shoot . . . But here's a look at some of the top Kansas City power players this week.

Check it:

POLITICOS

1. Mayor-Elect Sly James - During a slow week he's still managing to keep his honeymoon period with Kansas City voters on the right track.

2. Missouri House Rep. John Rizzo - He put to rest all of the ongoing rumors that he has any sympathy or political connection to the Payday Loan Industry.

3. Gov. Jay Nixon - With a lot of money in the bank and no real challengers on the way, his strategy of keeping quiet and fading into the background seems solid.

4. City Council Dude John Sharp - He was pushing TIFS for old and busted Kansas City retail for an outdated replacement to the soccer complex this town lost . . . He was "successful" this week.

5. KCMSD Superintendent John Covington And School Board Prez Airick L. West - They spearheaded Kansas City's most blatant case of Union Busting in years.

NEWSIES

1. Darla Jaye - Online, on AM & FM and with a rabidly loyal fanbase . . . She really is The Queen Of Kansas City talk radio.

2. Christina Dubill - It takes a strong newsie to be so damn pleasant every morning.

3. Kris Ketz - The only KC Newsie with a Twitter feed you actually want to follow.

4. Charles Ferruzza - The final word in Kansas City on all things foodie.

5. Kris Merrill - I have to admit his show is growing on me . . . And I like that fact that he has a blog where he allows people to beat up on him constantly.

JACKSON COUNTY POWER PLAYERS

1. Calvin Williford - He's the man behind Mike Sanders (no fish sticks) that strangely manages to keep out of the press and keep reporting out of the Courthouse down to a minimum.

2. Paul LeVota -I have never talked to the guy, no joke, but his upcoming Missouri Senate race and high profile in the local political scene make him a powerful force in local & County politics.

3. Chris And Nick Moreno - They're already up and running with a new consulting firm. As new elections and redistricting season start up, look for their efforts to garner more attention.

3. Theresa Garza Ruiz - People thought she was down and out but this Legislator just might make a serious effort to run for County Exec. and continue her upward momentum.

4. Jim Nunnelly - This dude from The COMBAT anti-drug program has been more instrumental in picking the New County prosecutor than anybody realizes.

5. Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders - Depending on how he handles the local, Democrat revolt over Steve Bough campaign donation double dealing . . . He could salvage his so-far solid Democrat credentials. We have a strong feeling he's gonna do something more interesting than just stay quiet in order to spin the story his way.

This list has been compiled according to scientific TKC polling and market research data and it's a (mostly) weekly comprehensive guide to local powerful people.