Deep Background

Latest Episodes:

Trading places Jul 13, 2017

Show notes

The Kansas City Star's Sam Mellinger talks about Kansas City's airport, and Dave Helling talks about Kansas City's baseball team in this Deep Background episode, "Trading Places."

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When is tech not worth the bother Jul 05, 2017

Show notes

A baby boomer, a Generation X-er and a Millennial walk into a podcast — and kick around whether everything in their lives really demands a new app or dongle. This week’s edition of “Deep Background” tackles the notion when digital age innovations are worth the trouble. A smartphone, sure. A smart refrigerator, not so much. A learning thermostat? Maybe. Star digital editors Leah Becerra and Jay Pilgreen sat in to share their thoughts on this week’s episode. Give it a download and a listen, free and free of ads, and think about subscribing.

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Data-based journalism and you Jun 28, 2017

Show notes

The Kansas City Star's Scott Canon, Kelsey Ryan, and Dave Helling discuss a recent database-drive story about salaries at Kansas City's City Hall. Why it matters to them -- and to you.

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Challenges for the Kansas City Police Department Jun 21, 2017

Show notes

Glenn Rice of the Kansas City Star and Dave Helling of the Star's editorial board discuss changes and challenges for the Kansas City Police Department, including the search for a new chief, the unsettled Board of Police Commissioners, the high crime rate, and proposed body cameras. All on Deep Background.

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An era ends in Kansas Jun 14, 2017

Show notes

Hunter Woodall, the Star’s Topeka correspondent, and political writer Bryan Lowry sat in on the “Deep Background” podcast to unspool what happened in the Kansas capital this year, and what might yet come if Brownback vetoes key legislation.

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The Missouri legislature goes into overtime Jun 07, 2017

Show notes

Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, dark money, presidential ambitions — and the special session. Join Jason Hancock and Dave Helling of The Kansas City Star as they discuss these topics and more on Deep Background.

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Campus controversies from Mizzou to KU to K-State May 31, 2017

Show notes

Higher education reporter Mara Williams talks regional college campuses and their turmoil, in higher education broadly and the particular stories developing at the universities of Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State.

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Deep Background on Sprint May 24, 2017

Show notes

The Kansas City Star's Mark Davis and Dave Helling talk about the latest developments at Sprint, one of Kansas City's most important employers.

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Unraveling the world of health care May 17, 2017

Show notes

Obamacare. Ryancare. Trumpcare. Maybe McConnellcare to come. The baffling world of modern American medicine, and the many obstacles that stand between patient and doctor, explain part of the reason the country struggles to find a political consensus on government’s role in delivering health insurance. Star health reporter Andy Marso has a wealth of knowledge about innovations in health care and the complicated system of health insurance that determines who gets coverage and how. He joined the Star’s “Deep Background” podcast to talk about some issues in the field, from political efforts to rework the Affordable Care act to phone apps that could cure a fever.

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The coming campaign for the airport May 10, 2017

Show notes

Lynn Horsley, Steve Vockrodt, and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star discuss the growing push for an airport vote in November. How will politicians, the business community — and most importantly, the public — respond? It's all on Deep Background.

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