Deep Background

Latest Episodes:

Scandal surrounds former Chief Kareem Hunt — and is right-to-work being resurrected in Missouri? Dec 05, 2018

Show notes

Reporter Steve Vockrodt provides an update on the scandal surrounding former Kansas City Chiefs player Kareem Hunt. And Hunter Woodall visits to talk about a bill that was filed by an incoming Republican Missouri senator to revive right-to-work after voters said "no" to it. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.

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The politics of snow removal — and a look at Missouri's money challenges Nov 28, 2018

Show notes

Many of Kansas City's streets are still icy three days after the fall blizzard that hit the area. Reporter Robert Cronkleton explains why this snow storm is still an issue for the city and what you can do to get your street cleared. Also, reporter Hunter Woodall is headed to Jefferson City to cover Missouri politics. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.

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UMKC reacts after The Star found a professor used his students as servants Nov 20, 2018

Show notes

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.

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Missouri made medical marijuana legal — now what? Nov 14, 2018

Show notes

In Missouri, voters approved medical marijuana last week when they passed Amendment 2. But Missourians can't start smoking just yet. This week, Reporters Tony Rizzo and Andy Marso discuss the state's next steps and whether or not Kansans will be able to partake. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.

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Midterm election analysis for Kansas and Missouri's big races Nov 07, 2018

Show notes

Kansas and Missouri voters went to the polls on Tuesday. Now, we have our midterm election results in everything from the Kansas governor’s race to Missouri's race over a U.S. Senate seat. Reporters Bryan Lowry, Allison Kite and Lindsay Wise join our hosts to analyze the results.

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Behind the scenes of The Star's true crime series on Robert Gross Oct 31, 2018

Show notes

A serial killer in Kansas City, never caught for a murder, attacked women over a period of five decades. Reporters Ian Cummings, Glenn E. Rice and Tony Rizzo discuss their six-part series on Robert Gross. Dave Helling hosts.

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Bonus episode: A look at Missouri and Kansas midterm election issues, candidates Oct 31, 2018

Show notes

With one week before the November election, we talk to Jason Hancock and Hunter Woodall about the issues and races that voters will be deciding in Missouri and Kansas. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host this bonus episode of Deep Background.

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KC public schools want to sponsor more charters. And an update on the Schlitterbahn cases Oct 24, 2018

Show notes

This week, our podcast hosts chat with reporters about how Kansas City Public School District is looking to take a giant leap into the charter school business. Also, we talk about the implications of last week’s acquittal of two Schlitterbahn maintenance workers.

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How the editorial board decides who to endorse. And a look at politics in JoCo Oct 17, 2018

Show notes

It's election season, so this week The Star's editorial page editor Colleen McCain Nelson joins the podcast to explain how the editorial board chooses which candidates it will endorse. Also, reporter Lynn Horsley talks about what races Johnson County will be voting on during the November election. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.

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A 'blue wave' in Kansas? Plus, the state takes over 21 struggling nursing homes Oct 10, 2018

Show notes

Could a ‘blue wave’ be coming to red Kansas? Reporter Eric Adler drops by to discuss his recent story ahead of the midterm election. And, normally, Kansas might have to take legal control of one or two nursing homes. This year, the state has taken more than 21. Reporter Andy Marso explains the implications of this. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.

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