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Deep Background
By The Kansas City StarNews
Deep Background episodes
- Let's talk about Missouri politics
The Kansas City Star's lead political reporter Jason Hancock joins the podcast this week to talk about politics in Missouri — and little bit about Kansas politics too. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
For further reading:Missouri GOP, fighting redistricting changes, courts unlikely ally: Black Democrats - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228882609.htmlThe Equal Rights Amendment is one state short of ratification. Will it be Missouri? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article229485094.htmlAuditor: Missouri revenue agency broke the law by changing tax withholding tables - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228736164.htmlWhy would Missouri voters decide whether St. Louis City and County should merge? - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dave-helling/article224078030.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 min - We look at a free speech case at UMKC, Sprint's merger plans and KC's downtown hotels
An anti-transgender speech delivered at the University of Missouri-Kansas City was orchestrated by an outside conservative group trying to cause disruption, student leaders said last week. Reporter Mará Rose Williams helps us unpack what's happened since the controversial event. Also, reporter Steve Vockrodt is here to discuss the latest in the Sprint and T-Mobile merger as well as his recent story on new data that shows a lack of demand for hotels in Kansas City.
For further reading:Protester at right-wing UMKC event arrested, but was speaker hoping for a disruption? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article229180734.htmlUMKC chancellor response to conservative speaker attack faces backlash in Missouri Legislature - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article229345909.htmlReport says Sprint and T-Mobile merger is in trouble, but company leaders disagree - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article229364509.htmlAfter a glut of new hotels in KC, a realization: There’s now more supply than demand - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article229135804.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
43 min - Was first part of Kansas' session a win for Gov. Laura Kelly?
Reporter Jonathan Shorman joins us to talk about the first part of the Kansas legislature's session and discuss how effective Gov. Laura Kelly has been. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
For further reading:Kansas conservatives fail again in quest for big changes to school funding, oversight - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228883624.htmlCould first pay raise in almost 20 years get more Kansas dentists to take Medicaid? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article228795669.html$90M more for Kansas schools? Plan in Gov. Kelly’s hands after lawmakers approve deal - https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article228851664.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
32 min - Kansas City picks finalists in mayor race; Sly James’s pre-K plan is rejected
Kansas City Councilwoman Jolie Justus and Councilman Quinton Lucas emerged victorious Tuesday night from a pack of 11 candidates for mayor and will face each other in June for a general election. And current Mayor Sly James fought hard for a 3/8-cent sales tax to pay for pre-K expansion, but voters rejected the plan that would have capped his eight years in office. City Hall reporter Allison Kite and politics editor Bill Turque join the discussion this week to talk about Kansas City's primary results and the what we might see before the general election. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
For further reading:Council members Justus, Lucas win Kansas City mayoral primary, will face off in June - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228683379.html‘I’m tired of being taxed’: Kansas City voters resoundingly reject mayor’s pre-K plan - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228608294.htmlNewcomers dominate KC school board as sole incumbent in contested race loses his seat - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228481339.htmlPrimary Day 2019: A partial list of the winners - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228664149.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
44 min - With Kansas City's primary election less than a week away, what does the future hold?
Kansas City voters will take steps to choose a new mayor and council members in the city’s primary election on April 2. City Hall reporter Allison Kite and editorial board member Melinda Henneberger are here to talk about the candidates you'll see on the ballot. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
For further reading:The Star's election guide: Where to go, what to bring and what’s on the ballot - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228379529.htmlJustus leads Kansas City mayoral field, but poll shows race is still ‘wide open’ - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article227983864.html12 candidates vie for 7 seats on KC school board, but many won’t be on the ballot - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article227421729.html‘It’s about getting ready to learn’: What to know about Sly James’ pre-K proposal - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228304534.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
36 min - Halfway through the sessions, what are Missouri and Kansas legislatures up to?
Lead politics reporter Jason Hancock joins the podcast this week to get us caught up on what's happening in Missouri and Kansas legislatures now that the sessions are about half over. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
For further reading:Honeymoon is over for Gov. Parson and GOP lawmakers at odds on taxes and spending - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227854079.htmlMissouri Gov. Parson’s embattled department of revenue director resigning - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227793339.html‘The Lord will get me to the right place’: Pompeo opens door to future Kansas run - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227693029.htmlPompeo, back in Kansas, says he’ll serve Trump ‘Until he tweets me out of office’ - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228091969.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
42 min - The scandal and changing culture surrounding college basketball and NCAA sports
Recently the former Adidas executive James Gatto, convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in October for funneling illegal payments to families of Kansas basketball recruits, was sentenced to nine months in prison. We look at that scandal with reporter Jesse Newell and at the shifting culture surrounding NCAA sports. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
For further reading:Former Adidas executive sentenced to 9 months for payments to families of KU recruits - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article227130299.htmlKU requests more than $1 million in restitution from convicted Adidas exec Jim Gatto - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article226877059.htmlCourt sidebars explain defense’s claim that Kansas’ Self, Townsend knew of payments - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article220372245.htmlDe Sousa contract with Spain pro team, payments to families discussed at Adidas trial - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article219820675.htmlPayments to mom, guardian of KU players alleged in college basketball bribery scandal - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article208515439.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
38 min - Hawley insider had seat at table in Ashcroft investigation; and an update on KCK's Schlitterbahn
Some legal experts say Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft relied on unsound investigative techniques when he cleared U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of election law violations last week. Reporter Steve Vockrodt joins Deep Background to discuss details of those techniques and give an update on the Schlitterbahn water park in western Wyandotte County. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
For further reading:Hawley insider had seat at table in Secretary of State inquiry that cleared senator - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227121274.htmlAshcroft ends investigation of Josh Hawley, says he didn’t violate election law - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article226917029.htmlLender says Schlitterbahn has cash flow troubles, needed money to cover legal expenses - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article226941214.htmlSchlitterbahn charges tossed. Judge says Kansas AG ‘irreparably tainted’ grand jury - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article226632094.htmlWill Schlitterbahn water park open for 2019 season? Company won’t say - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article224228640.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
37 min - KCI single terminal construction could begin within weeks
The City Council has approved a deal for a new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport. The process to reach a deal on the KCI project has been tumultuous, but it appears now construction is imminent. Reporter Allison Kite joins host Dave Helling to talk about the latest at KCI.
For further reading:KCI single terminal construction could begin within weeks following Council approval - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article226941204.htmlAirport committee votes to approve agreements with KCI single terminal developer - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article226569249.htmlLong-awaited KCI airlines agreement comes with new price tag for terminal project - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article225915675.htmlAirport group may tweak KCI plan to keep promise not to use taxpayer funds - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article222369160.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 min - Sheriff Darryl Forté resists legislators' questions about Jackson County's troubled jail
Relations between Jackson County legislators and Sheriff Darryl Forté have grown tense with Forté refusing to discuss with them his outlook on the future of the county's troubled jail that is now his responsibility. Reporter Mike Hendricks drops by to discuss his latest story on the jail, Forté and why Jackson County residents should be paying attention. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
For further reading:Tensions growing as Sheriff Darryl Forté resists questions about troubled jail - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article226258035.htmlNew Jackson County jail could cost $270 million and nearly double current capacity - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article224268260.htmlGrand jury reports a filthy, crowded Jackson County jail. Where's the money going? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article210766714.htmlSecret investigation of Jackson County jail uncovered - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article199197954.html‘Disgusting’ conditions greeted auditor on first inspection of Jackson County jail - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article171339442.htmlLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
19 min
About Deep Background
From the publisher's feed
A news and politics podcast by the Kansas City Star's reporters, including in-depth commentary and analysis. It's a deeper look at news and issues in Kansas and Missouri.