Deep Background

Latest Episodes:

Previewing the 2016 GOP Convention Jul 12, 2016

Show notes

Political reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon of the Kansas City Star and Steve Kraske of KCUR's "Up to Date" discuss the unsettled Republican convention, which starts Monday in Cleveland.

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The Clinton email scandal Jul 06, 2016

Show notes

The Deep Background crew looks at the scene ahead of the national political conventions for both parties.

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Local issues: Guns, violent crime, mass transmit Jun 22, 2016

Show notes

The Kansas City Star's Lynn Horsley joins KCUR's Steve Kraske and the Star's Dave Helling to talk about Kansas City Mayor Sly James, guns, violent crime, development on the city's east side, and mass transit. Also: a look at the upcoming special session in Topeka.

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Trump and Clinton in Missouri, Kansas, and beyond Jun 15, 2016

Show notes

Kansas City Star reporters Dave Helling, Scott Canon, and Jason Hancock discuss the latest developments in the presidential race — including the candidates' standing in Missouri and Kansas.

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Halfway there Jun 08, 2016

Show notes

Kansas City Star reporter Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of KCUR's Up to Date talk about the final decisions in the 2016 presidential primary season: Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump. Plus: the Missouri governor's race, and the Kansas special session on education funding.

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Pensions, legislative pay, and the Kansas school dilemma Jun 02, 2016

Show notes

Kansas City Star reporters Scott Canon and Dave Helling, and Steve Kraske of KCUR discuss pension payments to state lawmakers, legislative pay, the unusual nature of state races — and the Kansas reaction to the school funding ruling.

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A day for independents? May 25, 2016

Show notes

Dave Helling, Steve Kraske, and Scott Canon discuss the push for an independent or third-party candidate in the presidential election. Could it happen? If not, why not? Listen to the Kansas City Star's latest podcast.

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The Democrats' dilemma May 18, 2016

Show notes

Dave Helling and Scott Canon of the Star, and Steve Kraske of KCUR and the Star, discuss the damage from the continuing battle for the Democratic presidential nomination between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. The reporters also discuss Gov. Jay Nixon's legacy in Missouri, and the Democrats' problems in the state.

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Joplin Tornado of 2011: A harrowing look inside St. John's Medical Center May 16, 2016

Show notes

Kansas City Star reporter Eric Adler reads a story that he and Laura Bauer wrote in May 2011 in the days following the Joplin tornado that killed 161 people and injured more than 1,000. Their story, "Condition Gray" is about the horror and heroics inside St. John's Medical Center as Joplin's tornado ravaged the hospital May 22, 2011.

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'It was like heading into a hellscape' May 12, 2016

Show notes

Kansas City Star reporters Eric Adler and Laura Bauer recall covering Joplin in the first few hours after a massive EF5 tornado swept through the city on May 22, 2011 and killed 161 people. The tornado, with 200 mph winds, has been recorded as the seventh deadliest storm in recorded history.

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