Deep Background

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/art

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.co

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 co

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ‘Disgus