Deep Background

Latest Episodes:

New assessments are in: Jackson County property values spike, taxes soar Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

Jackson County’s sudden and steep boost in assessed values has home owners in Kansas City alarmed. Reporter Mike Hendricks joins the podcast to discuss the dramatic increases and talk about how people are reacting. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host.

For further reading:

In assessment shock? Don’t panic just yet. Take action to avoid that big tax hit - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article231407243.html

Property values spiked when Jackson County suddenly sought ‘equity’ in tax system - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article231770483.html

KC’s West Side feels sticker shock as home values finally meet reality and taxes soar - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article231996382.html

New class-action lawsuit challenges fairness of Jackson County reassessment process - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article232190127.html

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Kansas gets ready for the 2020 Senate race Jun 26, 2019

Show notes

The Kansas Senate race is just around the corner in 2020. Who's in? Who's out? Who's a maybe? Reporter Bryan Lowry of the McClatchy D.C. Bureau joins the podcast to discuss the race. Dave Helling hosts. This podcast was recorded on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

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Quinton Lucas will be Kansas City's next mayor. Now what? Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

The Star's Allison Kite and Bill Turque join host Dave Helling to discuss Kansas City's election results. How did Quinton Lucas win? And what's next? Plus a look at Question 1's defeat. For further reading: Quinton Lucas scores decisive win over Jolie Justus in Kansas City mayor’s race - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article231659313.html Kansas City voters say no to Question One to cap developers’ incentives - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article231658443.html In a night of blowout wins, two KC City Council races stay nail-biters to the end - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article231658408.html

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Election preview: Question 1 and the race for Kansas City Mayor Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

Kansas City voters will pick a new mayor and city council on June 18, and decide the fate of a plan to cut incentives for developers. Reporters Steve Vockrodt and Allison Kite join the podcast to discuss the issues and candidates. Also, The Star's politics editor Bill Turque is here for this pre-election edition of Deep Background. Dave Helling hosts. For further reading: Curbing rampant tax handouts or killing KC’s progress? Voters to decide incentive cap - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article231227158.html Mayoral debate: Justus, Lucas talk violent crime, inclusion, MLK Blvd. or Paseo - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article231366983.html ‘You can build change’: How Quinton Lucas would govern as Kansas City mayor - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article230752739.html Neither pushover nor agitator: How Jolie Justus would govern as Kansas City mayor - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article230647469.html

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Behind the story: Expulsion of lobbyist’s son behind Missouri Title IX bills Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

The Star reported in April that Richard McIntosh, a Missouri lobbyist, decided to change Title IX in the state after his son was accused and subsequently expelled from Washington University in St. Louis last year through the school’s Title IX process. Reporter Edward McKinley is here to talk about the story that went off "like a bomb" this session. This episode was originally published on June 5, 2019.

For further reading:

Lobbyist’s crusade to change Title IX in Missouri stems from his son’s expulsion - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228733614.html

Key advocates for Title IX changes are married to the judges who would hear appeals - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227207874.html

A St. Louis billionaire is funding dark money group behind Missouri Title IX changes - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227144794.html

‘Not a particularly good look for us:’ Missouri lawmakers say Title IX bills likely dead - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article229854239.html

Official could have heard son’s appeal of Title IX case under bill she helped draft - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article230531544.html

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Missouri may become first state without at least one abortion provider May 29, 2019

Show notes

Planned Parenthood’s St. Louis location is the last place in Missouri offering legal abortions, after a series of restrictive laws were passed. Now the organization says that facility will soon have to stop. Reporter Andy Marso joins this week's podcast to discuss this news and what could happen next. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Missouri’s last abortion provider is about to shut down, Planned Parenthood says - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article230896539.html Gov. Parson says Planned Parenthood must comply with Missouri probe of St. Louis clinic - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article230941173.html ACLU seeks to overturn Missouri abortion ban by placing question on 2020 ballot - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article230894134.html

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Kansas, Missouri part ways on abortion laws May 22, 2019

Show notes

Which state — Missouri or Kansas — is harsher on abortion rights? The answer may be a surprise. Reporter Judy Thomas and host Dave Helling discuss the changing landscape around the issue in both states, and what 2020 may mean for the issue in politics. For further reading: ‘All life has value’: Missouri Gov. Parson says he’ll sign bill banning abortion soon - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article230543009.html In major shift on abortion, could Kansas become one of the least restrictive states? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article230487959.html Q&A: What would Missouri lawmakers’ abortion bill really do? That answer and more - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article230478064.html ‘Draconian,’ ‘malicious’: KC leaders slam Missouri abortion bill but civic groups mum - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article230476309.html

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Kansas City's mayor race enters the final month before the election May 16, 2019

Show notes

Mayor candidates Jolie Justus and Quinton Lucas debated on Kansas City’s east side Tuesday night, promising more resources for affordable housing and better use of tax incentives. The two face off in mayoral election next month. City hall reporter Allison Kite is here to talk about the debate, the race and more. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: May 14 debate: Lucas and Justus, debating on East Side, promise more resources for neighborhoods - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article230397659.html May 11 debate: KC mayoral candidates talk $63M luxury hotel, crime, trash and neighborhoods - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article230299879.html

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'Luxury' hotel dispute raises the stakes in KC mayor's race May 09, 2019

Show notes

Should Kansas City subsidize a $63 million luxury hotel downtown? Reporter Steve Vockrodt and host Dave Helling discuss the specifics of the plan, and why the debate will change the discussion in the race for Kansas City mayor. For further reading: ‘It will not be built without the TIF’: Luxury hotel project due for vote next month - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/development/article230161239.html $63 million luxury hotel planned to complement Kauffman, attract high-end travel - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/development/article218260005.html Editorial: Public incentives for a new downtown luxury hotel? Kansas City should just say no - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article230116409.html

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Brain fungus death a sign of bigger problems in Kansas prisons May 01, 2019

Show notes

Healthcare reporter Andy Marso's review of oversight records for Kansas prison health care provider Corizon Health found a pattern of the contractor not meeting its obligation to provide medical attention in a timely manner. He joins host Leah Becerra to talk about his investigation for The Kansas City Star. Read the stories: Locked out of care: Brain fungus death points to extensive problems in Kansas prisons - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article229423849.html Kansas prison health contractor fails to provide enough psychiatrists, medications - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article229424464.html Fungus destroyed inmate’s brain while Kansas prison contractor did nothing, suit says - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article179322916.html

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