Deep Background

Kansas City-area schools are learning along with the rest of the world how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Will coronavirus mean a lost year or more for schoolchildren? And what are we learning to take with us to the next pandemic? Start reporters Mara Rose Williams and Sarah Ritter join host Dave Helling to talk about real-world educational outcomes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Star reporters Judy L. Thomas and Laura Bauer have published an ongoing investigation into allegations of abuse at Christian military-style boarding schools in Missouri. What role can the state play in making sure children are safe — and are rural sheriffs part of the problem? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The realignment that Democrats had high hopes for didn't materialize this election year. President Donald Trump lost some support, but Missouri still elected Mike Parson as governor by a strong margin, and Barbara Bollier's bid to become the first Democrat Kansas sends to the U.S. Senate in a century failed. Colleen McCain Nelson, The Star's opinion page editor, and political reporter Jonathan Shorman join Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to discuss the parties' future on today's Deep Background podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world of disinformation — false allegations and made-up facts intended to confuse voters — hasn’t gotten any better since the social media wars of the 2016 election. On today’s podcast, we talk with Star Editorial Page Editor Colleen McCain Nelson and editorial board member Melinda Henneberger, who will host Fact or Fiction: How to Spot Election Disinformation, a free live event Oct. 29 at 12:30 p.m. Visit the link to RSVP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Deep Background podcast, reporters Jonathan Shorman and Bryan Lowry join host Dave Helling to talk about the hotly-contested races voters will decide on Nov. 3. Will a blue wave carry Barbara Bollier to the U.S. Senate? And how strong is incumbent Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who inherited his office? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Deep Background podcast, Kansas City Star reporter Kevin Hardy joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to talk about how Kansas City is faring as residents and businesses work through the coronavirus pandemic. Will the area's recovery be easier than many people had feared? They also discuss home sales in Johnson County, Kansas, which are showing no signs of slowing down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Coleman, a 20-year-old Wyandotte County candidate who won the primary for the Kansas House, is sticking in the race, despite calls for him to drop out after revenge porn and other abuses in his past have surfaced. Star reporter Steve Vockrodt joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan on today’s Deep Background to talk about that race, and also to discuss the future of tax abatements and other incentives for developers in Kansas City. What does the future hold in the coronavirus pandemic and beyond? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many pressing political questions as Election Day draws near. In just six weeks, Kansans will send strongly conservative Republican Roger Marshall or moderate former Republican Barbara Bollier to fill retiring Pat Roberts’ seat. And how does the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg play into the larger picture? McClatchy reporter Bryan Lowry joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan of The Star Editorial Board on today’s Deep Background podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The schools are back in session, and distance learning is still with us. The Star's Mara Rose Williams and Kevin Hardy have been reporting on the difficulties many families are encountering as they try to help kids learn from home. We now know not everybody has good computers and high-speed internet access. It's not just a rural issue, and it's serious wherever students don't have the tools to get the education they need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Kansas City Chiefs open Arrowhead Stadium to a seriously limited crowd Thursday, all eyes will be on the reigning Super Bowl champs. What will players do for the national anthem, and will the fans abide by new team rules regarding Native American imagery. And then, of course, there's the specter of COVID-19. Star sportswriter Blair Kerkhoff joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan of the editorial board for a spirited discussion of Kansas City's big night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two former Sporting Kansas City executives want to redevelop the closed Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas, as a multi-sport complex. Would that be a good use of the Wyandotte County tax revenues they’re seeking? And what will happen to Aaron Coleman, the 19-year-old candidate for the Kansas House who has admitted to revenge porn and other misbehavior in his past? Reporter Steve Vockrodt joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan on today’s podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Star editor and vice president Mike Fannin's 83-year-old mother wanted to visit this summer, the coronavirus also made an appearance. She, Mike and his wife all contracted COVID-19 and they all now know firsthand it's much more than the flu. Mike is our guest on today's Deep Background podcast where he talks about his experience and how The Star is covering the pandemic for Kansas City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the coronavirus pandemic has many Kansas Citians hunkering down in their homes and the airline industry is largely paused, construction on the new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport soldiers on. On today’s Deep Background podcast, Star City Hall reporter Allison Kite joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to discuss the debate over minority- and women-owned firms working on the project, as well as the uncertainty ahead for Kansas City’s budget, which is facing serious revenue shortfalls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

K-12 schools and universities are grappling with number of unknowns as they tentatively plan to reopen for classes. As of now, most are planning to wait until after Labor Day. What if infections spike suddenly when teachers and students are sharing space again? Star reporters Mara Rose Williams and Sarah Ritter join Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to talk about the unavoidable educational dilemma on today’s Deep Background podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican Kansas voters said no to Kris Kobach in his bid to take the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Pat Roberts. Will he be back for a third act? McClatchy reporter Bryan Lowry joins The Star’s Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to talk about that race, as well as Kansas’ primaries for U.S. House and Medicaid expansion in Missouri. It’s all on today’s Deep Background podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Deep Background podcast, Washington correspondent Bryan Lowry talks about Kansas Rep. Steve Watkins, who was charged with three felonies for allegedly voting illegally. Also, why are there almost no Kansas Republican politicians sticking to the moderate, middle-of-the-road positions that have been a hallmark in the state for decades? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do people in small towns in Kansas and Missouri feel about the coronavirus pandemic? The Star’s Judy L. Thomas and Laura Bauer have been visiting those communities and they join Dave Helling on today’s podcast to discuss what they’ve learned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's podcast, The Star's lead Jefferson City political correspondent Jason Hancock joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan to discuss Gov. Mike Parson, his reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, his challenge in the November election and a variety of other topics. And what is Eric Greitens' endgame? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawnee Mission Horizons High School Principal Paul Colwell has been accused of sexist, racist and bullying behavior at the alternative school. And Johnson County commissioners took a vote recently over whether to defy Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's statewide mask order - an option counties were recently granted by the Legislature. The Star's Sarah Ritter joins Dave Helling and Derek Donovan of the editorial board in a discussion of these two big Johnson County issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do developers need money from Kansas City to build a new luxury hotel downtown adjacent to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts? That’s their pitch to the City Council — but will anybody be willing to sign off in our coronavirus-uncertain times? Kansas City Star reporters Allison Kite and Kevin Hardy join Dave Helling and Derek Donovan of the editorial board to discuss this topic, which never seems to go away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices