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Let's talk about Missouri politics Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

The Kansas City Star's lead political reporter Jason Hancock joins the podcast this week to talk about politics in Missouri — and little bit about Kansas politics too. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Missouri GOP, fighting redistricting changes, courts unlikely ally: Black Democrats - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228882609.html The Equal Rights Amendment is one state short of ratification. Will it be Missouri? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article229485094.html Auditor: Missouri revenue agency broke the law by changing tax withholding tables - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228736164.html Why would Missouri voters decide whether St. Louis City and County should merge? - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dave-helling/article224078030.html

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We look at a free speech case at UMKC, Sprint's merger plans and KC's downtown hotels Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

An anti-transgender speech delivered at the University of Missouri-Kansas City was orchestrated by an outside conservative group trying to cause disruption, student leaders said last week. Reporter Mará Rose Williams helps us unpack what's happened since the controversial event. Also, reporter Steve Vockrodt is here to discuss the latest in the Sprint and T-Mobile merger as well as his recent story on new data that shows a lack of demand for hotels in Kansas City. For further reading: Protester at right-wing UMKC event arrested, but was speaker hoping for a disruption? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article229180734.html UMKC chancellor response to conservative speaker attack faces backlash in Missouri Legislature - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article229345909.html Report says Sprint and T-Mobile merger is in trouble, but company leaders disagree - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article229364509.html After a glut of new hotels in KC, a realization: There’s now more supply than demand - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article229135804.html

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Was first part of Kansas' session a win for Gov. Laura Kelly? Apr 10, 2019

Show notes

Reporter Jonathan Shorman joins us to talk about the first part of the Kansas legislature's session and discuss how effective Gov. Laura Kelly has been. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Kansas conservatives fail again in quest for big changes to school funding, oversight - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228883624.html Could first pay raise in almost 20 years get more Kansas dentists to take Medicaid? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article228795669.html $90M more for Kansas schools? Plan in Gov. Kelly’s hands after lawmakers approve deal - https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article228851664.html

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Kansas City picks finalists in mayor race; Sly James’s pre-K plan is rejected Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

Kansas City Councilwoman Jolie Justus and Councilman Quinton Lucas emerged victorious Tuesday night from a pack of 11 candidates for mayor and will face each other in June for a general election. And current Mayor Sly James fought hard for a 3/8-cent sales tax to pay for pre-K expansion, but voters rejected the plan that would have capped his eight years in office. City Hall reporter Allison Kite and politics editor Bill Turque join the discussion this week to talk about Kansas City's primary results and the what we might see before the general election. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Council members Justus, Lucas win Kansas City mayoral primary, will face off in June - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228683379.html ‘I’m tired of being taxed’: Kansas City voters resoundingly reject mayor’s pre-K plan - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228608294.html Newcomers dominate KC school board as sole incumbent in contested race loses his seat - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228481339.html Primary Day 2019: A partial list of the winners - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228664149.html

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With Kansas City's primary election less than a week away, what does the future hold? Mar 27, 2019

Show notes

Kansas City voters will take steps to choose a new mayor and council members in the city’s primary election on April 2. City Hall reporter Allison Kite and editorial board member Melinda Henneberger are here to talk about the candidates you'll see on the ballot. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: The Star's election guide: Where to go, what to bring and what’s on the ballot - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article228379529.html Justus leads Kansas City mayoral field, but poll shows race is still ‘wide open’ - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article227983864.html 12 candidates vie for 7 seats on KC school board, but many won’t be on the ballot - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article227421729.html ‘It’s about getting ready to learn’: What to know about Sly James’ pre-K proposal - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228304534.html

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Halfway through the sessions, what are Missouri and Kansas legislatures up to? Mar 20, 2019

Show notes

Lead politics reporter Jason Hancock joins the podcast this week to get us caught up on what's happening in Missouri and Kansas legislatures now that the sessions are about half over. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Honeymoon is over for Gov. Parson and GOP lawmakers at odds on taxes and spending - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227854079.html Missouri Gov. Parson’s embattled department of revenue director resigning - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227793339.html ‘The Lord will get me to the right place’: Pompeo opens door to future Kansas run - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227693029.html Pompeo, back in Kansas, says he’ll serve Trump ‘Until he tweets me out of office’ - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228091969.html

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The scandal and changing culture surrounding college basketball and NCAA sports Mar 13, 2019

Show notes

Recently the former Adidas executive James Gatto, convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in October for funneling illegal payments to families of Kansas basketball recruits, was sentenced to nine months in prison. We look at that scandal with reporter Jesse Newell and at the shifting culture surrounding NCAA sports. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Former Adidas executive sentenced to 9 months for payments to families of KU recruits - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article227130299.html KU requests more than $1 million in restitution from convicted Adidas exec Jim Gatto - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article226877059.html Court sidebars explain defense’s claim that Kansas’ Self, Townsend knew of payments - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article220372245.html De Sousa contract with Spain pro team, payments to families discussed at Adidas trial - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article219820675.html Payments to mom, guardian of KU players alleged in college basketball bribery scandal - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article208515439.html

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Hawley insider had seat at table in Ashcroft investigation; and an update on KCK's Schlitterbahn Mar 06, 2019

Show notes

Some legal experts say Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft relied on unsound investigative techniques when he cleared U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of election law violations last week. Reporter Steve Vockrodt joins Deep Background to discuss details of those techniques and give an update on the Schlitterbahn water park in western Wyandotte County. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Hawley insider had seat at table in Secretary of State inquiry that cleared senator - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article227121274.html Ashcroft ends investigation of Josh Hawley, says he didn’t violate election law - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article226917029.html Lender says Schlitterbahn has cash flow troubles, needed money to cover legal expenses - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article226941214.html Schlitterbahn charges tossed. Judge says Kansas AG ‘irreparably tainted’ grand jury - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article226632094.html Will Schlitterbahn water park open for 2019 season? Company won’t say - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article224228640.html

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KCI single terminal construction could begin within weeks Mar 01, 2019

Show notes

The City Council has approved a deal for a new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport. The process to reach a deal on the KCI project has been tumultuous, but it appears now construction is imminent. Reporter Allison Kite joins host Dave Helling to talk about the latest at KCI. For further reading: KCI single terminal construction could begin within weeks following Council approval - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article226941204.html Airport committee votes to approve agreements with KCI single terminal developer - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article226569249.html Long-awaited KCI airlines agreement comes with new price tag for terminal project - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article225915675.html Airport group may tweak KCI plan to keep promise not to use taxpayer funds - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article222369160.html

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Sheriff Darryl Forté resists legislators' questions about Jackson County's troubled jail Feb 20, 2019

Show notes

Relations between Jackson County legislators and Sheriff Darryl Forté have grown tense with Forté refusing to discuss with them his outlook on the future of the county's troubled jail that is now his responsibility. Reporter Mike Hendricks drops by to discuss his latest story on the jail, Forté and why Jackson County residents should be paying attention. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Tensions growing as Sheriff Darryl Forté resists questions about troubled jail - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article226258035.html New Jackson County jail could cost $270 million and nearly double current capacity - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article224268260.html Grand jury reports a filthy, crowded Jackson County jail. Where's the money going? - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article210766714.html Secret investigation of Jackson County jail uncovered - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article199197954.html ‘Disgusting’ conditions greeted auditor on first inspection of Jackson County jail - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article171339442.html

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