The 41 Files

This case spans more than a decade from the time Kara Kopetsky went missing to now, when Kylr Yust is going to trial for her and Jessica Runions’ murders. 41 Action News reporters Sarah Plake, Andres Gutierrez and Andy Alcock join podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn to discuss how they’ve each covered developments in this long journey toward resolution. See omnystudio.com/li...

Kylr Yust was charged with the murders of Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions. The evidence seems to be mounting, but there are also claims of errors in the investigation. Another issue arises: The witness who turned Kylr in for burning Jessica’s car, his own stepbrother, dies suddenly in jail. Podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn are joined by 41 Action News investigator Andy Alcock...

It’s 2016 and Jessica Runions goes out to a party. She never comes home. Party-goers tell police they saw her leave with Kylr Yust, the man being questioned for the disappearance of Kara Kopetsky from the same community in 2007. Kylr is eventually taken into custody for burning Jessica’s car, but it’s several months before a mushroom hunter stumbles upon her body. And not far awa...

It’s May 4, 2007, when 17-year-old Kara Kopetsky walks out of Belton High School, never to be seen again. Her mom and step-father, Rhonda and Jim Beckford, have no idea where their daughter has gone, and neither does anyone else. Kara had recently received an order of protection against on-and-off boyfriend Kylr Yust, and her phone records show he may have been the last person to speak with...

This week’s guest on Faith in KC is Reverend Rose Schwab, minister at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness interviews Father Luis Suarez for this week's Faith in KC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this edition of Faith in KC, 41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness sits down with Bobbi Jo Reed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Faith in KC, 41 Action News Today Anchor Taylor Hemness interviews Susan Paynter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Faith in KC, 41 Action News anchor Taylor Hemness spoke to Karen Noel, CEO of Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, about the work the chapter does and the role that faith plays in all of it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rev. Adam Hamilton, founder and lead pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, joins 41 Action News anchor Taylor Hemness this week to talk about the concept of the "mega-church," as well as the reasons he sees people coming to faith or religion this year and walking away. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest Faith in KC, Taylor Hemness speaks with Imam Dr. Abdelhamid Algizawi about the five pillars of Islam and how they've been impacted during the course of the pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christians believe Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ — but that part of the holiday tradition is not always easy to convey to children, who are most often excited about Christmas for entirely different reasons. 41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness talks with OP Church children’s minister Michele Dill about the topic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness interviewed Rabbi Doug Alpert in this week's Faith in KC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of his Faith in KC series, 41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness interviewed Mindy Corporon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people are experiencing anxiety and mental fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders. In this episode, 41 Action News Anchors Taylor Hemness and Cynthia Newsome join reporter Jordan Betts to facilitate a conversation about finding balance with experts from a variety of mental health fields. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what it takes to bring you local stories from the Super Bowl? In this episode, 41 Action News Anchor Taylor Hemness talks to the people you don't see about the weeks of planning needed to bring you in-depth coverage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than a year after her daughter’s death, a local mother is struggling to obtain information from law enforcement about what happened to her youngest child, 26-year-old Noelle Ishkuntana. 41 Action News anchor Taylor Hemness hears the story from reporter Sarah Plake, who’s been following the case closely. This podcast contains a discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, s...

The Chiefs Kingdom is in full deployment at training camp in St. Joseph. In this week’s 41 Files, host Taylor Hemness talks to reporter McKenzie Nelson about the record turnout from fans and what to expect for fans planning a trip. At the 16:15 mark, Taylor talks about his recent trip to Tyler, Texas, a place he’s spent time and a place where Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes grew up. Produced by...

In this week’s edition of the 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporter Andres Gutierrez to talk about a bizarre case in Caldwell County, Missouri where two brothers from Wisconsin who were in the area on business disappeared. At the 15-minute mark, reporter Sarah Plake joined the conversation to talk about an ICE arrest in Kansas City that was broadcast live on Facebook. As a bo...

The National Football League announced Friday morning that Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill did not violate the league’s code of conduct policy, clearing Hill to return to the team. In this week’s 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by 4th and 1 Chiefs podcast host Tod Palmer to discuss the news. Produced by Sam Hartle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than a year after Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana, state and local officials are in the process of establishing the rules of what the state’s medical marijuana industry will look like. In this week’s edition of the 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporter Nick Starling to discuss KCMO’s medical marijuana rules. Later, we play a segment from the 4th...

As confusion and questions of the Jackson County, Missouri property tax assessment process mount, property owners are left with just days to file their appeal. In this week’s 41 Files, reporter Sarah Plake talks about the latest developments in the property tax saga. Elsewhere in the podcast, host Taylor Hemness and reporter McKenzie Nelson talk about Kansas City’s Women’s World Cup fever and reci...

In a special edition of the 41 Files podcast, we recap Tuesday night’s race for Kansas City mayor, which saw Quinton Lucas outlast fellow council member Jolie Justus. Reporters Cat Reid and Steven Dial talk surprises and what’s next for Kansas City. Hosted and produced by Sam Hartle. Music: Get Funky by Songzu. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest 41 Files podcast profile, we sat down with Kala Linck and Zach Elkinton to talk about their podcast, Bar Hoppin' and House Shoppin’, which details Kansas City’s restaurant and bar scene and the couple’s months-long journey to buy a house. Music by Songzu - Clap Your Hands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tens of thousands of Jackson County property owners received notice this month that the value of their property jumped, sometimes by more than double. On this edition of the 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporter Steven Dial to recap Schlitterbahn and USDA news. Then, reporter Sarah Plake hops on to detail spikes in property values. Produced by Sam Hartle. Music courtesy PMOL...