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You won't see its name on many products but the Wichita-based conglomerate touches the lives of most Americans. Charles and David Koch took their father's oil-refining business and converted it into the second largest privately held corporation in North America. Business writer Chris Leonard discussed what has been behind the brothers' success, their past transgressions against Native Americans and environmental law, and their influence on American politics. Christopher Leonard , author of

Segment 1: Port KC wields power beyond the banks of the Missouri River. The goal of Port KC, is to drive economic development in Kansas City, Missouri, but many are questioning the agency's ability to act without answering to municipal voters or elected officials. Today, the organization's chief lends his perspective to the conversation, and defends their conduct when it comes to awarding tax incentives and taking on projects that are miles from the Port of Kansas City. Jon Stephens , CEO of

Segment 1: Nursing homes in Kansas can be a "black hole" for people with mental illness Red flags are being raised about a lack of mental health resources in Kansas, and the affect it's having on people's ability to move into independent living situations. In that state, patients who don't need to be institutionalized but aren't quite ready for independence sometimes end up in nursing homes. The problem is keeping that stop-gap measure from becoming permanent. Rocky Nichols, executive director

Segment 1: Addressing gun violence from the pulpit Local leaders looking for a fix to the gun violence problem in Kansas City have tried policy solutions of their own, and have begged for legislative action from the General Assembly in Jefferson City. Progress, though, has been limited. Will turning to a higher power help? We ask local faith leaders what role their churches have in curbing gun violence. Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III , senior pastor of St. James United Methodist Church Rev. Laurie

Segment 1: Davids discusses gun violence, antisemetism and hate, and " Sharice's Shifts " The August break that federal legislators get is often called a recess, but Rep. Sharice Davids' schedule suggests it's anything but. While back in her home district, Davids shares the concerns she's been hearing from her constituents, and the issues she's focused on for the next session. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids , D-Kansas Segment 2, beginning at 26:50: The merits of sending delinquent parents to jail Not

Segment 1: CEO of the Health Forward Foundation stepping down but says "I won't be disappearing, I will continue to be a troublemaker in some way." Dr. Bridget McCandless has been a leading health care advocate for the underserved and uninsured in the community for years. Among her proudest accomplishments is the foundation's efforts on Tobacco 21 that raised the legal purchase age of cigarettes from 18 to 21. On the other hand, McCandless said it was a "grave disappointment" that Missouri and

Segment 1: A memo from journalists in the Midwest: Stop calling us flyover country A recent blog by Peggy Lowe offered advice to coastal media outlets who continually use clichés when covering life and culture in states like Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma. The article struck a cord with other regional journalists and they agree, there's a few things fellow reporters living elsewhere should know. Not everyone in the Midwest is a farmer, try a Mexican restaurant instead of a diner for local opinions,

"Like any other injury . . . it's something you can treat and you can recover." It took almost 12 years for Jason Kander to realize he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and seek treatment for it. The former Kansas City, Missouri, mayoral candidate and his wife Diana recalled the years leading up to the diagnosis and how that time affected them individually, as a couple and as a family. Jason Kander , Veterans Community Project KC Diana Kander , co-author of " The Curiosity Muscle "

Segment 1: 'We tend to feel like we're captives in our own homes and neighborhoods,' says one neighborhood leader. Last weekend Brian Bartlett became the youngest victim of gun violence this year in Kansas City, Missouri. Today, neighborhood leaders east of Troost revealed how prevalent shootings have become, how residents are taking more action to record and report activitites in their neighborhoods, and the frustration in trying to find a solution to the gun violence. Damon Daniel , president

Segment 1: Continuing developments still don't seal the deal for a merger of Sprint and T-Mobile Last month the Justice Department gave final approval to the $26-billion deal between the communications companies. This week the Federal Communications Commission chair recommended going ahead with it. In the way is a lawsuit brought by 16 attorneys general looking to derail the proposed union. Learn what the success or failure of the merger could mean for Sprint and T-Mobile, urban and rural