Deep Background

Latest Episodes:

What’s next for Kansas’ Schlitterbahn and Aaron Coleman? Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Two former Sporting Kansas City executives want to redevelop the closed Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, as a multi-sport complex. Would that be a good use of the Wyandotte County tax revenues they’re seeking? And what will happen to Aaron Coleman, the 19-year-old candidate for the Kansas House who has admitted to revenge porn and other misbehavior in his past? Reporter Steve Vockrodt joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan on today’s podcast.

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Mike Fannin takes us inside as coronavirus strikes his Kansas City family three times Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

When Star editor and vice president Mike Fannin's 83-year-old mother wanted to visit this summer, the coronavirus also made an appearance. She, Mike and his wife all contracted COVID-19 and they all now know firsthand it's much more than the flu. Mike is our guest on today's Deep Background podcast where he talks about his experience and how The Star is covering the pandemic for Kansas City.

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What does COVID-19 mean to Kansas City’s airport and budget? Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

While the coronavirus pandemic has many Kansas Citians hunkering down in their homes and the airline industry is largely paused, construction on the new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport soldiers on. On today’s Deep Background podcast, Star City Hall reporter Allison Kite joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to discuss the debate over minority- and women-owned firms working on the project, as well as the uncertainty ahead for Kansas City’s budget, which is facing serious revenue shortfalls.

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Missouri, Kansas schools take uncertain steps to reopen Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

K-12 schools and universities are grappling with number of unknowns as they tentatively plan to reopen for classes. As of now, most are planning to wait until after Labor Day. What if infections spike suddenly when teachers and students are sharing space again? Star reporters Mara Rose Williams and Sarah Ritter join Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to talk about the unavoidable educational dilemma on today’s Deep Background podcast.

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After second straight defeat, will Kris Kobach come back in Kansas? Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

Republican Kansas voters said no to Kris Kobach in his bid to take the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Pat Roberts. Will he be back for a third act? McClatchy reporter Bryan Lowry joins The Star’s Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to talk about that race, as well as Kansas’ primaries for U.S. House and Medicaid expansion in Missouri. It’s all on today’s Deep Background podcast.

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Rep. Steve Watkins' felony charges and no middle lane for Kansas Republicans Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

On today's Deep Background podcast, Washington correspondent Bryan Lowry talks about Kansas Rep. Steve Watkins, who was charged with three felonies for allegedly voting illegally. Also, why are there almost no Kansas Republican politicians sticking to the moderate, middle-of-the-road positions that have been a hallmark in the state for decades?

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Rural Missouri and Kansas deal with COVID-19 that was slow to arrive Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

How do people in small towns in Kansas and Missouri feel about the coronavirus pandemic? The Star’s Judy L. Thomas and Laura Bauer have been visiting those communities and they join Dave Helling on today’s podcast to discuss what they’ve learned.

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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, challenger Nicole Galloway and the return of college sports? Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

On today's podcast, The Star's lead Jefferson City political correspondent Jason Hancock joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to discuss Gov. Mike Parson, his reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, his challenge in the November election and a variety of other topics. And what is Eric Greitens' endgame?

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A Shawnee Mission principal's alleged misconduct and masks in JoCo Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

Shawnee Mission Horizons High School Principal Paul Colwell has been accused of sexist, racist and bullying behavior at the alternative school. And Johnson County commissioners took a vote recently over whether to defy Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's statewide mask order - an option counties were recently granted by the Legislature. The Star's Sarah Ritter joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan of the editorial board in a discussion of these two big Johnson County issues.

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Do developers need subsidies for a luxury downtown KC hotel? Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

Do developers need money from Kansas City to build a new luxury hotel downtown adjacent to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts? That’s their pitch to the City Council — but will anybody be willing to sign off in our coronavirus-uncertain times? Kansas City Star reporters Allison Kite and Kevin Hardy join Dave Helling and Derek Donovan of the editorial board to discuss this topic, which never seems to go away.

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