Star opinion writer Melinda Henneberger joins her editorial board colleagues Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to discuss Sarah Gonzales-McLinn, who was only 19 when she killed Hal Sasko, the man 33 years her senior who she said treated her like his "personal Barbie doll." Gonzales-McLinn will be in court Monday, and a Douglas County District Court judge will hear evidence that might lead to a new trial.

Read Melinda's column about the case here, and thanks for listening to Deep Background.
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Sarah Gonzales-McLinn killed Hal Sasko. But did she get a fair shake from her lawyer?

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.

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Kansas City-area schools are learning along with the rest of the world how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Will coronavirus mean a lost year or more for schoolchildren? And what are we learning to take with us to the next pandemic? Start reporters Mara Rose Williams and Sarah Ritter join host Dave Helling to talk about real-world educational outcomes.
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As Christmas break approaches, what's working and what isn't with schools and COVID?

Star reporters Judy L. Thomas and Laura Bauer have published an ongoing investigation into allegations of abuse at Christian military-style boarding schools in Missouri. What role can the state play in making sure children are safe — and are rural sheriffs part of the problem?
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Teenagers abused at Missouri religious reform schools?

The realignment that Democrats had high hopes for didn't materialize this election year. President Donald Trump lost some support, but Missouri still elected Mike Parson as governor by a strong margin, and Barbara Bollier's bid to become the first Democrat Kansas sends to the U.S. Senate in a century failed. Colleen McCain Nelson, The Star's opinion page editor, and political reporter Jonathan Shorman join Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to discuss the parties' future on today's Deep Background podcast.
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Republicans had a good election night in Kansas and Missouri

The world of disinformation — false allegations and made-up facts intended to confuse voters — hasn’t gotten any better since the social media wars of the 2016 election. On today’s podcast, we talk with Star Editorial Page Editor Colleen McCain Nelson and editorial board member Melinda Henneberger, who will host Fact or Fiction: How to Spot Election Disinformation, a free live event Oct. 29 at 12:30 p.m. Visit the link to RSVP.
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How can voters fight their way out of the disinformation fog?

On today’s Deep Background podcast, reporters Jonathan Shorman and Bryan Lowry join host Dave Helling to talk about the hotly-contested races voters will decide on Nov. 3. Will a blue wave carry Barbara Bollier to the U.S. Senate? And how strong is incumbent Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who inherited his office?
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Sarah Gonzales-McLinn killed Hal Sasko. But did she get a fair shake from her lawyer?

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