University of Missouri-Kansas City professor Ashim Mitra has been suspended with pay, pending an investigation, in response to The Star's report that found he exploited foreign graduate students at the School of Pharmacy. Reporters Mará Rose Williams and Mike Hendricks join Deep Background to discuss their investigation. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UMKC reacts after The Star found a professor used his students as servants

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.

News

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UMKC reacts after The Star found a professor used his students as servants

Download our free app to listen on your phone