Deep Background

Kansas City Star reporter Katie Moore and editorial board member Dave Helling traveled more than 1,000 miles across the state to tell the stories of poor defendants' rights being trampled by Missouri's justice system. On this week's podcast, we look at their project which found Missouri's underfunded public defender system fails to uphold peoples' constitutional rights. Read the series: Defenseless: Missouri justice system violates the Constitution every day - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/article237130749.html Before their day in court, poor people charged with crimes can spend years in jail - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article237036709.html With overloaded Missouri public defenders, you only get a ‘sliver of an attorney’ - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article237036919.html Missouri judge says: Represent yourself in court or plead guilty to save time - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article237037159.html Public defenders ordered to violate ethics to keep defe

Lead political reporter Jason Hancock joins the podcast today to give a preview of what's in store for the Missouri legislature in 2020. We also spend some time looking at the Galloway-Parson Missouri governor race. Missouri statehouse reporter Crystal Thomas, who has been covering the state's proceedings over Planned Parenthood's license and restrictions to abortion, also joins the podcast to get us up-to-date on the latest in both cases. For further reading: Missouri’s abortion restrictions will face scrutiny at congressional hearing - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article237320744.html Trump, abortion will weigh heavily on Galloway-Parson Missouri governor race in 2020 - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article236904008.html Missouri health director kept spreadsheet of Planned Parenthood patients’ periods - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article236773058.html Missouri governor won’t investigate health department spreadsheet with pa

What did Kansas City's voters say Tuesday about The Paseo? And what are Johnson County voters saying about their communities? Johnson County beat reporter Sarah Ritter joins this post-election Deep Background podcast to discuss the issues. Dave Helling, of the Star's Editorial Board, hosts. For further reading: Kansas City voters reject Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., restore The Paseo as street name - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article237026484.html Save the Paseo group protests MLK Blvd. rally at KC church, days before Nov. 5 vote - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article236990619.html Challengers defeat incumbents in many Johnson County races, but not JCCC board - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article237028034.html Editorial: KC emphatically rejected Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. So, now what? - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article237070109.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City residents will vote on whether to restore The Paseo, a historic boulevard that was renamed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The issue, put on the ballot by petition, will appear as Question 5. The Star's politics editor, Bill Turque, joins Deep Background to examine the decision put before voters and what implications it may have down the road. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: ‘Now the stakes are even higher’: citywide vote on MLK Blvd. or Paseo approaches - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article236322773.html Published Jan. 24, 2019: After months of delay, Kansas City Council renames The Paseo for Martin Luther King - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article225015775.html Published May 20, 2018: Panel supports naming new KCI airport for MLK, offers 63rd Street as second option - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article211536509.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch

Lead political reporter Jason Hancock joins co-hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra to talk about Kansas' Senate race. We look at what's going on with Mike Pompeo, Kris Kobach, Susan Wagle, Roger Marshall, Barbara Bollier and much more. For further reading: ‘The big enchilada’: Sebelius, backing Bollier, holds power with Kansas Democrats - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article236491863.html Kobach’s campaign paid Kansan known to post racist comments on white nationalist site - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article236355618.html Democrat Barry Grissom drops out of Kansas Senate race, endorses Bollier - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article236359218.html Dave Helling: Is Democrat Barbara Bollier rooting for Kris Kobach in GOP Senate race? She should be - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dave-helling/article236524858.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 13-year-old Johnson County eighth-grader who was arrested for pointing a finger gun at classmates was handcuffed, arrested and charged with a felony. Education reporter Mará Rose Williams is here to discuss the latest. And after threatening to evict the Kansas City T-Bones from the taxpayer-owned stadium, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas followed through by padlocking the gates early Monday morning. Business reporter Kevin Hardy gives an update on what's next for the T-Bones. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: Pointing a finger gun lands 13-year-old Johnson County student in handcuffs Overland Park 13-year-old who pointed finger gun might avoid original felony charge Wyandotte County padlocks T-Bones stadium, evicts team for months of unpaid rent KCK may spend $1M on stadium as part of lease with new Kansas City T-Bones owner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two people have died in Kansas and one person has died in Missouri from a mysterious vaping-related illness. The same illness has resulted in hundreds of cases nationwide. But what do we really know about vaping or what's causing people to become ill? Healthcare reporter Lisa Gutierrez joins co-hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra to talk about what we know about vaping so far and how people are reacting to the latest headlines. For further reading: Pressure in Kansas builds for new regulation with vaping-related illness on rise https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article235563052.html Missouri records first vaping-related death https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article235273962.html Another Kansas resident dies from vaping illness as state reports nine cases https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article235403172.html Meth found in vaping devices used by high school students in Utah, officials say https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article23

Icelandair’s seasonal service from Kansas City to Keflavik will end after only two years due to "commercial reasons," the airline announced earlier this week. Business reporter Kevin Hardy joins co-hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra to talk through some of the questions being raised after KCI lost its only nonstop transatlantic flight. For further reading: Icelandair drops Kansas City flight after boasting KCI’s only transatlantic service https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article235650117.html KCI announces two new international routes — including a new destination in Mexico https://www.kansascity.com/living/travel/article235715842.html Looking to save funds, KCI officials set out on long-shot request for federal loan https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article235419107.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City’s long-time city manager Troy Schulte announced he will retire when his contract expires early next year. By the time Schulte leaves at the end of February, he will have held the post — either on an interim or permanent basis — for more than a decade. City hall reporter Allison Kite and politics editor Bill Turque join co-hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra to talk about what this means for Kansas City. For further reading: Troy Schulte will retire early next year after a decade as KC city manager - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article235435002.html Editorial: Why did KC city manager Troy Schulte retire? And how will Kansas City move forward? - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article235245397.html ‘I’m not sure the votes are there’: Concerns over KC’s role in funding new office tower - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article235226752.html Cost overruns, new budget pushes price of KC’s downtown convention hotel up millions - https://www.kansa

Energy companies KCP&L and Westar are set to merge and are expected to officially become Evergy in October. Reporter Steve Vockrodt joins hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra to talk what the merger means for you. For further reading: KCP&L's note: We will soon become Evergy - https://www.kcpl.com/about-kcpl/merger-information (Published 2018) Goodbye Westar Energy and KCP&L, hello Evergy - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article211832124.html (Published 2017) Regulators deny proposed $12.2 billion merger of KCP&L and Westar - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article145577559.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri’s A+ scholarship program gives millions of dollars to students to pay for two years of college. Yet most of the money goes to those in more affluent districts and not to those who need it the most. Education reporter Mará Rose Williams joins us to talk about this recent report. Hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra also chat about college rankings and whether or not they really matter. For further reading: Missouri gives millions in college aid, but little goes to KC students needing it most - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article234663192.html U.S. News Best Colleges - https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parking and traffic concerns have some Kansas City neighborhoods fighting City Hall’s stalled plan to add bike lanes. Today we talk about the $400 million plan with city hall reporter Allison Kite and business reporter Kevin Hardy. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: ‘Rightfully confused’: Over some objections, Kansas City rolls along with bike lanes - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article234487342.html (Published 2018) For Prospect MAX bus line, it's full speed ahead, thanks to $30 million federal grant - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article208422129.html (Published 2017) From 6 lanes to 3: How Grand Boulevard’s ‘road diet’ could affect drivers, cyclists - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article176798431.html (Published 2016) Scathing audit faults Kansas City bike plan as ‘only lines on a map’ - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article122275934.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

The Kansas City Royals may soon be sold. Will they move downtown? Will they get better players? What's next for the MLB team? Hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra chat with Royals beat reporter Lynn Worthy and investigative reporter Steve Vockrodt about the implications of a sale. For further reading: Royals owner David Glass is in talks to sell team to group led by Kansas Citian - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article234449312.html Potential Royals owner John Sherman: ‘the kind of guy who would pour himself into it’ - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article234451357.html Editorial: Will the new Royals owner want a downtown stadium? Taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article234467697.html Mellinger: The Royals are for sale, and here’s why that’s a good thing for Kansas City - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article234453167.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

Barry Grissom faces questions about his tenure as Kansas’ top federal law enforcement official after a federal judge held his former office in contempt. Reporter Steve Vockrodt is here to talk about how the scandal is clouding the Democrat’s Senate campaign. And reporter Andy Marso is here to discuss his reporting surrounding stem cell clinics charging thousands of dollars to treat everything from arthritis to Parkinson’s disease. There’s no scientific proof the treatments work. Dave Helling and Leah Becerra co-host. For further reading: ‘Head in the sand’: Grissom faces fallout from scandal on his watch as U.S. attorney - www.kansascity.com/news/politics-g…e234072672.html Peddling unproven treatments, stem cell industry ‘fleeces,’ sometimes harms patients - www.kansascity.com/news/business/h…e233635472.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday celebrated an end to the longstanding economic border war and pledged to usher in a new era of cooperation between the two states. Reporter Kevin Hardy joins hosts Dave Helling and Leah Becerra to talk about what this truce means for Kansas, Missouri and the Kansas City area. For further reading: ‘Sometimes common sense does prevail.’ Missouri, Kansas celebrate end of border war - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article233725152.html Port KC plans to ‘get in line’ with Kansas-Missouri border war ceasefire - https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article233791202.html Kansas City companies rush to cash in before border war tax breaks disappear - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article233614227.html Fewer than half of USDA workers will follow agency to Kansas City - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article232730352.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a week of violence in Kansas City that left six dead, residents and city leaders are discussing ideas to curb gun violence. Reporters Kaitlyn Schwers and Luke Nozicka covered a recent high-profile shooting at Crossroads' First Fridays and here to talk about what the mayor and other city leaders may do to confront the issue. Leah Becerra and Dave Helling co-host. For further reading: Woman shot and killed at First Fridays identified as daughter of Leawood pastor - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article233489192.html ‘Stop hiding’: KC mother begs witnesses for help finding her son’s killer - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article233536252.html ‘We live it’: In Kansas City, local leaders suggest answers to gun violence problem - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article233541357.html List of Kansas City area homicides in 2019 - https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article223986505.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

City Hall reporter Allison Kite and investigative reporter Steve Vockrodt join host Dave Helling to talk about Kansas City's new mayor, Quinton Lucas. Join them — and hear from Lucas himself — about his goals for City Hall, and what the city can expect from this change in leadership. For further reading: KC Mayor-elect Quinton Lucas pledges cooperation with Kansas during visit to Congress - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article233309007.html The challenge for Lucas: melding ‘twelve mandates’ into a majority for his agenda - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article231770338.html The hits, the misses and the swagger: summing up the Sly James era in Kansas City - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article232800067.html Melinda Henneberger: KC Mayor Sly James’ hand-off to Quinton Lucas has been more like a brush-off - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/melinda-henneberger/article233192376.html Learn more about your ad choice

Gov. Eric Greitens' use of a secret message app called Confide was revealed in 2017, but the controversy surrounding it still swirls today. This week, politics reporter Jason Hancock joins host Leah Becerra to take a deep dive into Confide, its use in Missouri government, and the fear that a recent court ruling may undermine open records laws. For further reading: ‘Dream for fans of corruption’: Greitens Confide ruling vexes transparency advocates - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article232439834.html Former Missouri Gov. Greitens’ use of Confide didn’t violate Sunshine Law, judge says - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article232418307.html Missouri lawmakers hoped to ban secret texting apps in government. Time is running out - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article230093804.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The KC city council's last meeting of the current term is this week. The Star's city hall beat reporter Allison Kite and politics editor Bill Turque are here with host Dave Helling to talk about the council members' final days. How did the members do? And what comes next? For further reading: Kansas City Council strikes deal on medical marijuana proximity to schools, churches - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article232568727.html With weeks left in office, KC Council votes pay raise for incoming members, mayor - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article232572577.html The challenge for Lucas: melding ‘twelve mandates’ into a majority for his agenda - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article231770338.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Dave Helling and investigative reporter Steve Vockrodt break down the debate over tax breaks, low-cost loans, and other goodies for private businesses. Do they work? Are they fair? Can politicians just say no? For further reading: ‘Ultimate pork project’: Kansas’ mega tax breaks don’t deliver as promised - https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article232206457.html Editorial: Kansas’ giant tax breaks are a mess. Should lawmakers finally end STAR bonds? - https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article232406617.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices