Week in Review

Nick Haines, Eric Wesson, Dave Helling, Savannah Hawley-Bates and Brian Ellison discuss the legacy of Mayor Quinton and his remaining to do list, new push by area business leaders for a decision on stadiums, naming the South Loop Project in honor of Roy Blunt, the Kansas flat tax, cracking down on ATVs, Missouri lawmakers walking back green initiatives, the local implications of tariffs and more.

Nick Haines, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Dave Helling, Jonathan Shorman and Brian Ellison discuss the surprises and disappointments from Tuesday's election including big wins for KC schools and new jail efforts, the potential to host Women's World Cup or Rugby World Cup,  the veto session in the Kansas, the battle over abortion rights in Missouri, the search for bus service solutions and public health.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Brian Ellison, Kris Ketz and Eric Wesson discuss next week's election in Kansas City including the public safety tax for a new jail and the school bond issue for building improvements, Clark Hunt's comments on the stadium issue, recent ruling about property tax refunds in Jackson County, claims made in guest editorial by Frank White and the Kansas legislative session.

Nick Haines, Yvette Walker, Kevin Collison, Pete Mundo and Dave Helling discuss the spread of speculation and misinformation about the  stadium locations as new information lags, the Missouri legislature pushback on Prop A's minimum wage hike, Kansas eliminating the mail in ballot grace period, the termination of KCMO City Manager Brian Platt and the ongoing concerns about bus service in KC.

Nick Haines, Dave Helling, Savannah Hawley-Bates, Brian Ellison and Eric Wesson discuss the KCMO city council's decision on the future of City Manager Brian Platt, looming cuts to KCATA bus service to correct a $30 million budget shortfall, the outlook for recently fired federal workers, Kansas lawmakers consider electing judges, Wyandotte County examines earnings tax and more.

Nick Haines, Mary Sanchez, Patrick Tuohey, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss the contentious town hall recently hosted by Rep. Mark Alford in the wake of federal cuts, the ultimatum for schools in regard to DEI programs, the lingering silence in talks of future plans for stadiums, Gov. Kehoe's crime crackdown, debate over an immigrant detention center, timing for MO sports betting and more.

Nick Haines, Jonathan Shorman, Brian Ellison, Kris Ketz and Eric Wesson discuss the economic ripple effect of IRS layoffs, the impact of federal funding cuts on local agencies, the Ivanhoe farmers market and World Cup transportation, the South Loop Project status, the resuming of abortions in Missouri, deputizing KBI officers as ICE agents, transgender restrictions and Sherman's stadium tease.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Eric Wesson, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss the local implications of federal job reductions and cuts to federal funding, the spike in homicides and crime and the debate over how to address the problem, rising concerns about ICE raids and how a local lawmaker has responded, the expiring truce in the Kansas and Missouri business border war and red light cameras.

Nick Haines, Yvette Walker, Kris Ketz, Pete Mundo and Dave Helling discuss lessons learned from previous Super Bowls and adjustments to potential celebration after last year's shooting, lingering questions about stadiums and their locations, the Missouri bill that would incentivize turning in undocumented workers, the DOGE impact on local federal workers, Lucas State of the City and Dayton Moore.

Nick Haines talks to Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, about the final 500 days of preparations before FIFA World Cup 26 and over half a million spectators arrive in Kansas City including necessary changes to GEHA Field at Arrowhead, transit logistics and coordinating security. Plus, Meg Cunningham, Jonathan Shorman and Dave Helling discuss Gov. Kehoe's first State of the State, Trump's DEI ban and more.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Eric Wesson, Jonathan Shorman and Brian Ellison discuss local reaction to Trump's inauguration, potential benefits and drawbacks for KC including implications for the Panasonic Plant, bipartisan support for addressing late mail service, bus funding and service reductions, the latest Plaza closings, Missouri lawmakers looking to overturn landlord restrictions and more.

Nick Haines, Brian Ellison, Kris Ketz, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the inauguration speech of Missouri's new governor Mike Kehoe and his stance on immigration, Gov. Laura Kelly's inauguration speech, the future for Mike Parson after 30 years in elected office, the rising frustration over business break-ins, historic firsts in Johnson and Jackson Counties and sports mania in KC.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Brian Ellison, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the storm's impact on city services and lingering snow removal issues, Mike Parson commuting the sentence of convicted police officer Eric DeValkenaere, Mike Kehoe priorities as Missouri Governor, top issues for Missouri and Kansas lawmakers, Scott Schwab entering Kansas gubernatorial race and new laws for new year.

Nick Haines, Eric Wesson, Dana Wright, Dave Helling and Kris Ketz make their picks for 2024's biggest winners and losers, KC's person of the year, which stories received too much reporting and which stories didn't receive nearly enough attention. Nick also checks the scorecard on last year's predictions and looks into the crystal ball for 2025.

Nick Haines sits down with Mayor Quinton Lucas to discuss 2024's highs and lows, to make some predictions for 2025 and to address recent criticism over expenditures and the source of the funds. Also, Dave Helling and Kris Ketz offer their thoughts on the Lucas criticisms, the Platte County sales tax for children's mental health services, renaming the downtown airport and the latest stadium news.

Nick Haines, Eric Wesson, Mary Sanchez, Brian Ellison and Dave Helling discuss Sam Graves being overlooked for POTUS cabinet and which area politicians did make the cut, the future for Mayor Lucas, the Tyrone Garner announcement and potential WYCO mayoral candidates, improvements for KCMO schools, the veto of a teen gun ban, Jackson County jail updates, latest stadium rumors and Steamboat Arabia.

Nick Haines, Jonathan Shorman, Eric Wesson, Kris Ketz and Brian Ellison discuss which area politicians might be considered for a Trump cabinet position, Governor-elect Kehoe's stance on DeValkenaere case, reductions in bus service, pushback on recently passed minimum wage measure, Missouri abortion politics, efforts to recall Frank White, potential candidates for Kansas Governor and Union Station.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Pete Mundo, Meg Cunningham and Dave Helling discuss the biggest winners and losers from Tuesday's election, the drop in voter turnout, the timing for when Missourians will see changes in access to abortion and when gamblers will be able to place their bets, the future political aspirations of local elected leaders and the potential for a WNBA team in Kansas City.

Nick Haines, Mary Sanchez, Jonathan Shorman, Eric Wesson and Brian Ellison discuss extended wait times for early voting locations and how it could discourage voters, election problems including fires at ballot drop boxes, what to expect on election night, the most ignored races including Missouri Lieutenant Governor, the balance of power in the Kansas House, retaining judges, campaign ads & more.

Kansas City PBS, in partnership with Johnson County Post and KCUR, presents a debate between the two candidates vying to represent the Kansas Third Congressional District. Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez and Kyle Palmer will moderate the debate between incumbent Congresswoman Sharice Davids and her Republican opponent Prasanth Reddy.

Nick Haines looks ahead to the upcoming ballot and dissects the list of questions awaiting voters when they step into the booth. We examine the questions on abortion and minimum wage, weigh the pros and cons of a new Ozark casino and sports betting, look at funding for aging in place, public safety, schools and children, analyze the rank choice voting ban and explain the ballot initiative process.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Scott Parks, Eric Wesson and Brian Ellison discuss how the success of the Royals and Chiefs will impact stadium discussions, new developments in the Crown Center stadium proposal, a new stadium push by Clay County, the bill for Mayor Lucas' trips to games, the Nelson-Atkins expansion, the South Loop Park project, KU professor comments, looming rent strike and more.

Nick Haines dubbed this election debate special Justice On The Ballot. In both Johnson County and Jackson County, voters will decide who will lead their respective offices in prosecuting criminals. In Jackson County, Republican Tracey Chappell and Democrat Melesa Johnson seek to replace Jean Peters Baker. In Johnson County, Democrat Vanessa Riebli challenges the incumbent Republican Steve Howe.

Nick Haines, Angie Ricono, Pete Mundo, Lisa Rodriguez and Eric Wesson discuss the twenty police recommendations to address rising crime including no partner patrols, mandatory overtime and replacing the helicopter unit with drones, the closure of East Side's first full service grocery store, Missouri's death penalty, the month-long streetcar shutdown, advanced voting and event pricing for parking.

Nick Haines, Eric Wesson, Brian Ellison, Mike Hendricks and Kris Ketz discuss the criticism from the owner of Betty Rae's Ice Cream of Mayor Quinton Lucas and his lack of leadership in response to the spike in property crimes, how KC is preparing transit options for the World Cup, plans for a homeless shelter in JOCO, police and 911 response to sideshows, the return of red light cameras and more.