Deep Background

Latest Episodes:

What we know about Missouri's duck boat tragedy. Also, Donald Trump visits KC Jul 25, 2018

Show notes

Seventeen people were killed in a Table Rock Lake duck boat accident Thursday, July 19. Today, Reporters Laura Bauer and Judy Thomas update us on what we know so far and what they're working to find out. Also, reporter Allison Kite gives us an inside look at Trump's Tuesday visit to Kansas City. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.

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Breaking down KC's 9 mayoral candidates' challenges Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

Reporter Steve Vockrodt joins co-hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra to take an early look at the candidates running for mayor in Kansas City.

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Worlds of Fun’s pollution limits are loosened; VP Mike Pence visits KC Jul 12, 2018

Show notes

Reporter Kelsey Ryan talks about her story looking at how Worlds of Fun’s regulated pollution limits have been loosened by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. And reporter Bryan Lowry describes the scene at Vice President Mike Pence's raucous event Wednesday in Kansas City that highlighted the stark political division in the country. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.

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The primary elections, one month away Jul 05, 2018

Show notes

Dave Helling of the Star's Editorial Board and chief political reporter Bryan Lowry survey the big races in Kansas and Missouri as the Aug. 7 primary approaches.

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The changing race for Kansas City mayor Jun 27, 2018

Show notes

Dave Helling of the Star's editorial board chats with Steve Vockrodt and Bill Turque about Jason Kander's entry into the Kansas City mayor's race.

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Updates from KC city hall: Streetcar expansion, KCI and more Jun 20, 2018

Show notes

The Star's city hall reporter Bill Turque joins co-hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra to talk about the recent KC streetcar vote to expand the line to UMKC, the city's mayoral race, the plan to build a new terminal at KCI airport and more.

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Sales tax, pre-K education — and what's up with Clay County's government? Jun 13, 2018

Show notes

Education reporter Mará Rose Williams joins the discussion this week to talk about the plan for a new sales tax hike to expand early childhood (pre-K) education. And data reporter Kelsey Ryan tells us why Clay County citizens are gathering signatures for a petition to the Missouri State Auditor. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host Deep Background.

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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson enters the honeymoon stage Jun 06, 2018

Show notes

Missouri statehouse reporter Jason Hancock talks about Missouri's new Gov. Mike Parson with co-hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra. They also talk about what happens next with former Gov. Eric Greitens and his scandals.

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Missouri says goodbye to Gov. Eric Greitens, hello to Mike Parson May 30, 2018

Show notes

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens resigned Tuesday — effective at 5 p.m. Friday — his career buried under an avalanche of scandal and felony charges. The Star's lead political reporter Bryan Lowry is here to talk with co-hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra about the resignation, the scandals and Mike Parson, the man who will become Missouri's next governor.

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Greitens scandals, Missouri's Senate race — and problems at KC's Schlitterbahn water park May 23, 2018

Show notes

The Star's Leah Becerra and Dave Helling talk with Bryan Lowry about the scandals surrounding Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, and their impact on the state's Senate race. Steve Vockrodt also joins the discussion to talk about an audit of safety issues at Kansas City's Schlitterbahn water park.

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