1A

Our Across America team is digging into the issues that resonate with voters, and Kansas is a good place to look.

We spoke with Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, about passing laws in a predominantly red state. Then, we zoomed out to discuss the role Kansas will play in the 2020 presidential race.

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House Democrats have asked the IRS to release the last six years of President Trump's tax returns. Joe Biden has been told to join the "straight-arm club." And mayoral history is made in Chicago.

Around the world, Ethiopian crash investigators call for an inquiry into Boeing. The New Zealand shooting prompts Australia to pass new laws. And why did a Chinese woman at Mar-a-Lago have four cell phones, an external hard drive and a thumb drive?

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Damon Young, co-founder of VerySmartBrothas.com, says the most inspiring thing about his hometown of Pittsburgh is that it's predominantly white. "Pittsburgh is a jar of mayonnaise," he told us.

We talked with him about adolescence, politics, parenthood and why he still calls Pittsburgh home.

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The fight against gang violence has lost one of its top advocates: Nipsey Hussle. We discussed the rap star's life and legacy with his former DJ, and then took a look at the fight against gangs nationwide.

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Julián Castro wants your vote — and your attention. We spoke with him about the road to 2020 in a crowded Democratic presidential field.

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How do you rebuild your life after it suddenly ends? Comedian Jason Weems faced that dilemma far more literally than he would have ever wanted, when an asthma attack stopped his heart for five minutes while he was performing a set.

We spoke with Weems about his comeback story, and heard from listeners about how they bounced back from life-changing events.

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Oil and gas. It's a $31 billion industry in the Centennial State. But it's also a big concern to some residents.

Our Across America team spoke to several people in the Greeley, Colorado area about how the industry has affected their lives. Plus, we heard from an energy reporter who discussed how Colorado's approach to this dilemma could guide the nation.

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Mueller, measles and Mike Lee makes Ronald Reagan ride a raptor. Also, Oklahoma forces the makers of OxyContin to pay a heavy price and Senators Rubio and Romney move forward with plans for paid family leave.

Around the world, Facebook says it will ban white nationalists, weeks after the New Zealand attack. Southern Africa fights cholera after a historic cyclone. And could Prime Minister Theresa May be the first high-profile casualty of Britain's messy European divorce?

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Wealth is a touchy subject. On one hand, your ability to build wealth as you see fit has been part of our democracy. On the other, the power of the "one percent" infuriates many people.

What impact does wealth have on one's mind and morals? And what's the role of the wealthy in easing inequality?

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You might not recognize the name "Aardman Animations." But chances are, you know their work. From a cheese-loving inventor and his genius dog... to a group of chickens, yearning to be free... to a farm-dwelling, intelligent, adventurous sheep.

We talked to the co-founders about four decades of animating life.

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