As Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton prepare for their historic first debate, Kansas City Star reporters Dave Helling, Steve Kraske and Scott Canon dissect the campaigns' approach.  What must the Democrat accomplish?  What are Trump's challenges?  And how has the media covered this unique campaign?  All on Deep Background, the Star's podcast.

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Former Sens. Bob Dole and Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas shared a stage Sept. 17 at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. DIOP director Bill Lacy moderates the discussion.  

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Dave Helling, Scott Canon and Steve Kraske discuss the relationship among Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and down-ballot candidates in Missouri and Kansas. Also on the Deep Background agenda: the meaning of Phyllis Schlafly, who died this week at 92.

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On this Deep Background podcast, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon meets with the Kansas City Star's editorial board and reporters for a wide-ranging and candid discussion of his eight years in office — and what the future may hold.

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Nationally-known pollster Neil Newhouse joins the Deep Background gang to talk about the 2016 election.  Then:  Is Missouri really in play between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton?  Reporters Dave Helling, Steve Kraske, and Scott Canon talk about the race 10 weeks before election day.

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Kansas City Star reporters Katy Bergen, Laura Bauer and Steve Vockrodt join Dave Helling to discuss the tragic death of a ten year old boy at the Schlitterbahn water park, and what may have contributed to the accident.

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You may have heard about problems people have living in homeowners associations. Perhaps you’ve had problems yourself. But you may not know that there is a growing sense that HOA problems have become a national housing crisis. The Kansas City Star spent more than six months reporting on problems in HOAs, the reasons behind them, and what critics say needs to happen next. To read more of The Star’s stories, visit our special project page.

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Kansas City Star reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon and Steve Kraske of the Star and KCUR's "Up to Date" discuss election results in Kansas and Missouri, the just-passed political conventions, and the candidacy of Donald Trump. 

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The Kansas City Star's Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of the Star and KCUR's Up to Date report from Philadelphia, as Democrats gather for their national convention. They wrap up the Republican convention, too. 

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The Kansas City Star's Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of KCUR report from Day One of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland — the anti-Trump rebellion, and what's next for the party.  

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