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.
151
Why is this 17-year-old running for Kansas gove...
We talk about how the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Monday that the state’s new school finance system is unconstitutional.
27 min
152
Young, professional, and black: the Kansas City...
We discuss a recent story about social engagement among minorities in Kansas City.
17 min
153
Tyson Foods dispute, luring Amazon to Kansas City
The Tonganoxie-Tyson Foods dispute, and luring Amazon to the KC region.
27 min
154
KCI reaches a critical decision point. What hap...
We discuss the recommendation of Edgemoor Infrastructure to design and build a new airport terminal.
28 min
155
The September crisis
We discuss the many issues Congress must confront in September — with little time to do it.
37 min
156
Computer smarts from a smart computer guy
Passwords — and your security online.
22 min
157
The Kansas City streetcar, minimum wage — and t...
We discuss the results of Tuesday's election, and what they mean for the city.
31 min
158
The Sam Brownback legacy
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback steps onto a previously obscure part of the international stage.
35 min
159
Kansas City is picking a new chief of police
Kansas City now has two finalists for chief of police.
23 min
160
Living in the Bottoms and two lost KC titans
Commercial renewal driven partly by a new breed of center city-ish residents could remake Kansas City’s West Bottoms area.
29 min
161
Trading places
Sam Mellinger talks about Kansas City's airport, and Dave Helling talks about KC's baseball team.
31 min
162
When is tech not worth the bother
A baby boomer, a Generation X-er and a Millennial walk into a podcast ...
44 min
163
Data-based journalism and you
We discuss a recent database-drive story about salaries at Kansas City's City Hall.
26 min
164
Challenges for the Kansas City Police Department
We discuss changes and challenges for the Kansas City Police Department.
21 min
165
An era ends in Kansas
We unspool what happened in the Kansas capital this year, and what might yet come if Brownback vetoes key legislation.
25 min
166
The Missouri legislature goes into overtime
Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, dark money, presidential ambitions — and the special session.
30 min
167
Campus controversies from Mizzou to KU to K-State
Higher education reporter Mara Williams talks regional college campuses and their turmoil.
26 min
168
Deep Background on Sprint
We talk about the latest developments at Sprint, one of Kansas City's most important employers.
20 min
169
Unraveling the world of health care
We talk about some issues in the field, from political efforts to rework the Affordable Care act to phone apps that could cure a fever.
32 min
170
The coming campaign for the airport
We discuss the growing push for an airport vote in November.
27 min
171
From militia to sovereign citizens to alt-right
Militia, sovereign citizens, Freemen movements came before. Now the alt-right ascends, says Star reporter Judy L. Thomas in a podcast.
34 min
172
Trump's first 100 days
Members of the Star’s editorial board, who’d argued for giving President Donald Trump, weigh in on his White House tenure as he nears 100 days in the Oval Office.
32 min
173
Problems continue to plague the Jackson County ...
We discuss the newest revelations, and plans to address the jail's problems.
26 min
174
Do ‘Black Mirror,’ ‘Mr. Robot,’ ‘The Circle’ ch...
Worries about how technology changes our lives are creeping into our culture.
37 min
175
Kansas City's beer scene has been brewing for y...
Food and beverage writer Sarah Gish talks about IPAs, stouts and sours in summing up the vibrant Kansas City beer scene.
27 min