Deep Background
A news and politics podcast by the Kansas City Star's reporters, including in-depth commentary and analysis. It's a deeper look at news and issues in Kansas and Missouri.
26
Is Kansas City ready to end the lockdown and ge...
People seem to be tired of sheltering in their homes.
34 min
27
Kansas City declares a COVID-19 coronavirus eme...
The Star's Katie Bernard and Eric Adler talk about the local reaction to the WHO pandemic.
28 min
28
Joe Biden makes up lost ground. What lies ahead...
And how deep red is Missouri in 2020?
30 min
29
Being a Kansas City police officer is a tough j...
Toriano Porter of The Star's editorial board talks about the Kansas City Police Department
30 min
30
Quinton Lucas’ first KC budget and Cerner’s unh...
The fire and police departments get the lion's share of Kansas City's general fund.
28 min
31
Chiefs parade, Shawnee Mission teachers and Ove...
The Star's Sarah Ritter talks about news in Johnson County
33 min
32
Kansas Republicans head to their state conventi...
The Star's Michael Ryan shares his insights into important GOP races in the Sunflower State
34 min
33
What's the state of newspaper endorsements of p...
Why did The New York Times pick two Democrats for the primary? And will The Star endorse?
23 min
34
A huge organic grain scam and trouble at Kansas...
Mike Hendricks discusses the deception of Randy Constant and Steve Vockrodt talks about two UMB scandals
40 min
35
Quinton Lucas gears up to fight violent crime, ...
The Star's Allison Kite and Kevin Hardy join the Deep Background podcast
25 min
36
A Star investigation into our broken foster car...
Reporters Judy L. Thomas and Laura Bauer discuss their "Throwaway Kids" series
28 min
37
Sarah Gonzales-McLinn killed Hal Sasko. But did...
Melinda Henneberger discusses the notorious Lawrence, Kansas, murder case.
25 min
38
The strange case of Carol Dille, and a huge dev...
Kansas City's "rat house" and a controversial new Overland Park project
40 min
39
Conservative student voices getting louder on c...
Are GenZers more conservative than millennials?
45 min
40
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly discusses her prior...
Gov. Kelly recently sat down for an interview with members of The Kansas City Star's Editorial Board.
36 min
41
Missouri's public defender system fails to prot...
A new series tells the stories of poor defendants' rights being trampled by Missouri's justice system.
28 min
42
What's ahead for the Missouri legislature — and...
Time to get caught up on what's happening in politics in Missouri.
42 min
43
The MLK vote in Kansas City, and changes in Joh...
We take a look at what voters decided on election day in this week's podcast.
27 min
44
Kansas City will decide: Dr. Martin Luther King...
Voters will make their choice on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
26 min
45
Who will replace Pat Roberts? An early look at ...
We look at what's going on with Mike Pompeo, Kris Kobach, Susan Wagle, Roger Marshall, Barbara Bollier and much more.
32 min
46
Outrage over 13-year-old's felony charge for fi...
Reporters who've been covering these two developing stories join the podcast to talk about the latest updates.
31 min
47
Let's talk about vaping: What we know, what we ...
What do we really know about vaping or what's causing people to become ill?
31 min
48
After Icelandair drops Kansas City service, sho...
Icelandair’s seasonal service from Kansas City to Keflavik will end after only two years due to "commercial reasons."
27 min
49
KC city manager Troy Schulte is leaving. What d...
Kansas City’s long-time city manager Troy Schulte announced he will retire when his contract expires early next year.
24 min
50
KCP&L will soon become Evergy. Here's what that...
KCP&L and Westar are expected to officially become Evergy in October.
22 min