As the Missouri and Kansas 2016 legislative sessions come to an end, Statehouse Blend hosts, Sam Zeff and Brian Ellison, discuss the most impactful and surprising events on both sides of the state line with the assistance of guest host, Kyle Palmer.

On this week's Statehouse Blend podcast, reporters dissect what we've seen so far and what we can expect as the Kansas Legislative session heads to a close. Guests: Bryan Lowry , Reporter, The Wichita Eagle Dave Helling , Reporter, The Kansas City Star

Since Wednesday, when Missouri Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Frankford, cast one of the deciding votes against the “religious shield” proposal, he’s been called a hero by some and a traitor by others. On the whole, though, he said reaction has been positive. “I had a lot of colleagues come up and congratulate me and say it took real courage,” Hansen told host Brian Ellison Friday on the Statehouse Blend podcast. “Different people have come up, and one told me it’s the most courage he’s seen in the building

A leader of the Missouri House Democrats says a controversial constitutional amendment to protect "religious freedom" may not have the votes to get out of committee. Last week, the House Emerging Issues Committee delayed a vote on the "religious shield" measure, SJR 39. Supporters say the proposal, if approved by the General Assembly and the voters, would protect business owners and clergy from penalties if they decline to participate in same-sex weddings on religious grounds. Rep. Jon Carpenter

Republican Kansas Sen . Kay Wolf from Prairie Village, provides an insider perspective on the historic 2015 legislative session underway in Topeka. Guests: Kay Wolf, Sen. for the 7th District , Kansas Legislature Lindsay Rice Yoshida, citizen voice Dave Helling, Reporter, The Kansas City Star

Republican Kansas Rep. John Rubin from Shawnee, provides an insider perspective on the historic 2015 legislative session underway in Topeka. Guests: John Rubin , Rep. for the 18th District , Kansas Legislature Sara Prem , citizen voice Peggy Lowe , Harvest Network Analyst, KCUR

Democrat Kansas Rep. Nancy Lusk from Overland Park, provides an insider perspective on the historic 2015 legislative session underway in Topeka. Guests: Nancy Lusk , Rep. for the 22nd District , Kansas Legislature Dave Drovetta , citizen voice Andy Marso , Reporter, Kansas Health Institute

Democrat Kansas Rep. J im Ward from Wichita, provides an insider perspective on the historic 2015 legislative session underway in Topeka. Guests: Jim Ward , Rep. for the 86th District , Kansas Legislature Scott Morgan , citizen voice Cody Newill , General Assignment Reporter, KCUR

Republican Kansas Rep. Stephanie Clayton from Overland Park, provides an insider perspective on the historic 2015 legislative session underway in Topeka. Guests: Stephanie Clayton , Rep. for the 19th District , Kansas Legislature Ryan Smith , citizen voice Brian Ellison , Host/Contributor, KCUR

Democrat Kansas Rep. Jarrod Ousley from Merriam, provides an insider perspective on the historic 2015 legislative session underway in Topeka. Guests: Jarrod Ousley , Rep. for the 24th District , Kansas Legislature Terry Blastenbrei , citizen voice Jeremy Bernfeld , Harvest Public Media Editor, KCUR