After countless millions spent, dinners interrupted by robo-calls and every TV break filled with attack ads for the better part of a month, it's finally over...so how do you explain what happened and what happens now? Dissecting the results are Garrett Haake, Political reporter with 41 Action News; Jim McLean of KHI News Service, Topeka and Former Kansas Statehouse Bureau Chief, Topeka Capital Journal; Barbara Shelly, Columnist/Editorial Board Writer with the Kansas City Star; And Ingram's Executive Editor, Jack Cashill.  ...

Have you been too busy to focus on the election because you've been fixated on the Royals? Don't despair. All is not lost. KCPT's Nick Haines provides you with a pithy and insightful rundown of the key issues and races on both sides of state line. Joining the KCWIR team to research your Kansas and Missouri ballot choices from top to bottom are Steve Kraske of KCUR/UMKC, Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star, Steve Vockrodt from The Pitch and Eric Wesson, The Call.   UNITED STATES SENATE (KS) Let's face it, this race between Republican Pat Roberts and Independent Greg Orman sucked the oxygen and the money out of the room for most of this election season.   KANSAS GOVERNOR Remarkably, after months of campaigning, the race between incumbent Republican Governor Sam Brownback and Democrat Paul Davis remains neck and neck.   MISSOURI STATE AUDITOR Don't think for a moment all these "exciting" decisions are happening only on the Kansas side. At the top of the ballot in Missouri, wait for it...is Missouri State Auditor. If you happen to pick up your ballot and notice incumbent Republican Tom Schweich doesn't even have a Democratic opponent listed, it's not a printing error.   MISSOURI AMENDMENT #2: CHILD SEX CRIMES If you live in Missouri, did you know will be confronted with four statewide questions for you to say YEA or NAY to on Tuesday? By the way, there is no Amendment #1. But AMENDMENT #2 asks whether past criminal history should be allowed during a trial when a suspect is charged with child sex crimes?   MISSOURI AMENDMENT #3:…...

Who Should lead Johnson County? We debate the issues in Johnson County with Ed Eilert, Johnson County Chair and his opponent, former state lawmaker Patricia Lightner. Also on this edition: Light rail on the ballot and a debate that took place earlier this week between the incumbent Secretary of State for Kansas, Kris Kobach, and his challenger, Jean Kurtis Schodorf....

There have been rumors and concerns, front page stories and team coverage on radio and TV stations over Ebola in the metro. Yet, there are no confirmed cases of the deadly disease in Kansas City and a man being treated at KU Hospital was actually suffering from a different medical condition. The alarm has not stopped our area politicians from getting in on the act. US Senator Pat Roberts, fighting for his survival in Kansas, called on the President to order an immediate ban on flights from countries in West Africa. But how concerned is the Senator with the virus? News reports surfaced this week that the Senator, a member of the Senate Health committee, skipped a special briefing with top public health officials on the current status of the virus and how they were fighting it. That news development came out just as the Topeka Capital Journal reported that the Senator from Kansas missed two-thirds of his agriculture committee meetings since 2000. Also on this edition:   ROYALS FEVER The boys in blue remain the biggest story in town as they head to their first World Series in almost 30 years. Kansas City Chamber CEO Jim Heeter writes on his blog that "you cannot buy this kind of PR."  Economist Jeff Pinkerton of the Mid America Regional Council claims, "every game is like a 3 hour commercial for our community." The Washington Post dubs the Royals "America's team," a moniker picked up by news outlets and bloggers from as far away as London. Even The St. Louis Post-Dispatch calls…...

In an historic move, Johnson County becomes the first jurisdiction in the metro and in the state of Kansas to issue legal marriage licenses to gay partners.  Also on the program...news reviewers Mary Sanchez of the Kansas City Star, Steve Vockrodt of The Pitch, Garrett Haake from 41 Action News and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star dissect the Kansas U.S. Senate debate, Dan Cofran's decision not to challenge Mayor Sly James, the Kansas City Royals effect on crime and more. ...

The clouds surrounding the U.S. Senate race finally cleared as a three-judge panel meeting in Topeka ruled that Democrats do not have to nominate a replacement candidate for Chad Taylor, who abruptly removed himself from the race last month. Hours later, a possible appeal was dropped and the state ordered local officials to print ballots and prepare voting machines. The end of the ballot dispute means Kansas voters now know their major choices in November: incumbent Republican Senator Pat Roberts and independent Greg Orman. We take a closer look at the implications. News reviewers Steve Kraske, KCUR/UMKC, Garrett Haake,  41 Action News and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star also discuss the Kansas Governor's race, the Kansas 3rd District Congressional race, transit activist Clay Chastain's latest campaign and the Jo/KCATA bus merger. Part two of this week's program focuses on the issue of police and the mentally ill. In the first six months of this year, the Kansas City, Missouri police department took nearly 1300 calls regarding people who were suicidal. On average, that’s around seven calls per day. In a new local documentary, KCPT took a closer look at the growing role Kansas City police are now playing as they try pick up the pieces in a broken mental health system. We dissect the issue further on the program with Lost Minds filmmaker Michael Price, NAMI-KC, Executive Director Guyla Stidmon and KCMO City Councilman Scott Wagner....

This week, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and his Democratic opponent Paul Davis shared the stage for the first time in a debate at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. It was a lively, contentious exchange. But how many of the candidates claims were true?  Working feverishly behind the scenes this week to check the facts: Prof. Bob Beatty, Washburn University Political Scientist; Steve Kraske, KCUR/UMKC and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star. Also on this edition of Kansas City Week in Review, Friday, September 12, 2014 at 7:30 pm and the rebroadcast Sunday at 11:00 am:   ROBERTS VS ORMAN Also debating at the Kansas State Fair for the very first time in this campaign were United States Senator Pat Roberts and Independent Party candidate Greg Orman. Absent from the stage, Democrat Chad Taylor who abruptly withdrew from the race last week.   MISSOURI VETO SESSION On the other side of state line this week, some political observers are asking does Missouri Governor Jay Nixon have any friends left in the state capitol after lawmakers overturn more than 50 of his vetoes. Nixon's fellow Democrats joined with Republicans in defeating many of his decisions. Making national news was a decision to overturn the governor's veto of a bill requiring women to wait 72 hours before having an abortion. Plus, a bill that now expands the open carrying of weapons, trains teachers to carry guns in their classrooms and lowers the age to carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 19.   IKEA OPENS IN MERRIAM For many people, the biggest news story of the week was the…...

News reviewers Steve Kraske of KCUR, Lynn Horsley and Dave Helling, both of the Kansas City Star and Scott Parks of KMBZ discuss the week's top stories, including the latest election developments on both sides of the state line plus plans to put the "I" in KCI, who pays for the Missouri National Guard's presence in Ferguson, tax breaks and streetcars....

This week's panel discusses some of the local and wider political implications of the unrest in Ferguson as well as tracks current election topics including the race for Kansas governor, Pat Robertson, and streetcars. Also this week, a refreshing string of positive news stories coming out of the Kansas City, Missouri school district.  News reviewers: Steve Kraske, KCUR; Eric Wesson, The Call; Garrett Haake, 41 Action News, and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star.  ...

Critics call it the biggest tax increase in Missouri history. Proponents call Amendment 7 on the August 5 ballot a crucial vote to improve highways, bridges and transit in the state. The 3/4 cent sales tax increase would bring in more than $5 billion dollars over 10 years and add about 8 cents to a $10 dollar purchase.It would largely fund the rebuilding of I-70 from Kansas City to St. Louis, including adding an extra lane in each direction. In our area, there's a pot of money for a new Broadway bridge and $124 million to expand the Kansas City streetcar project. PROPONENTS Jewell Patek, Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Bridgette Williams, Heavy Constructors Association OPPONENTS Linda Vogel SmithLeague of Women Voters Sheila Styron, The Whole Person   Kansas U.S. Senate candidate Milton Wolf Can he pull off a major political upset in Kansas? This week, meet the man on a quest to unseat veteran U.S. Senator Pat Roberts. We had set aside this entire show for a debate between U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and his tea party backed challenger Dr. Milton Wolf. But the Roberts campaign declined. "Given the Senator's schedule and commitments, both in Kansas and in the U.S. Senate, he would be unable to participate." —Leroy Towns, Roberts for Senate campaign Should that campaign tactic deprive his opponent of the limelight? Here at KCPT, we don't think that's fair. So, Leawood radiologist and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Kansas Dr. Milton Wolf discusses his candidacy with Nick Haines.   Next week: Who will lead Johnson…...

Nick Haines dissects the convention business with the new chief of Kansas City's Convention and Visitors Association, Ronnie Burt. Also on this edition: Missouri transportation sales tax, Tea Party candidate Milt Wolf, Google Fiber comes to Overland Park and other stories with news reviewers Garrett Haake, 41 Action News, Steve Kraske, KCUR and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star....

When Mayor Sly James decided to dance on the tarmac of the downtown airport with the head of the Republican National Convention site selection committee, it was seen as a powerful symbol of Kansas City's warmth and hospitality. Combined with fireworks at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, city leaders went all out to impress. But this week, Kansas City's two-year bid for the 2016 GOP convention came to an abrupt end as it was officially eliminated from consideration. RNC leaders narrow the host cities to just two: Dallas and Cleveland. Also on the program: "Right-to-Farm" amendment in Missouri, light rail vote and streetcar ethics complaints in KC, funding education in Missouri, St. Louis tests Missouri's same sex marriage ban, Sam Brownback election update and making Liberty Memorial the nation's monument to WWI. This week's news reviewers: Jason Hancock, Jefferson City Correspondent, Kansas City Star Garrett Haake, Political Reporter, 41 Action News Barbara Shelly, Editorial Board writer, Kansas City Star Dave Helling, Reporter/Columnist, Kansas City Star...

This week a Jackson County Circuit Court judge rules that a 3-year old plan by maverick transit activist Clay Chastain to bring light rail to Kansas City should go before voters. Though the judge rules that the city should write the ballot language. Also on this edition: "Right to Try" drugs in Kansas featuring a story by PBS NewsHour, Free Library code violations in Leawood and streetcar rules discussed by this week's reviewers Steve Kraske, KCUR/UMKC, Garrett Haake, 41 Action News Steve Vockrodt, The Pitch and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star. Related article: Missouri measure would enact ‘Right to Try’ drug program for dying patients...

This week, city officials announce what is being described as the first "vertical development" on Kansas City's riverfront in more than 100 years.   After decades of inaction, a $65 million development featuring 398 luxury apartments, retail, a fitness club, pool and sky bar is detailed on a five-acre site adjacent to the Berkley Riverfront Park. Why has it taken this long for there to be development along the river, when a downtown waterway is normally considered a prized asset in most cities?   'Boulevardia" in the West Bottoms, Cantor defeat, Jane Chu's confirmation as head of the National Endowment for the Arts and other stories on the program. This week's news reviewers: Eric Wesson of The Call, Mary Sanchez of the Kansas City Star, Steve Vockrodt of The Pitch and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star....

Join Nick Haines and news reviewers Steve Kraske of KCUR, Barbara Shelly of the Kansas City Star, Garrett Haake, 41 Action News and Dave Helling of the Kansas City Star as they dissect this and other of the week's top stories....

On this week's program: Mayor Sly James proposed recognizing Kay Barnes for her contribution to making Kansas City what it is today; Kemper Arena, KU and MU rivalry rekindled, doubled traffic enforcement in KC, Cerner, Casinos and...what would take to get the Super Bowl to Kansas City?   Reviewing this week's news headlines: Neal Jones, KCTV5 Kevin Collison, Kansas City Star Steve Vockrodt, The Pitch Dave Helling, Kansas City Star  ...

Kansas City Mayor Sly James officially breaks ground this week on the downtown streetcar project; Kansas City still in the running for the RNC; Why a Hy-Vee store is creating a fuss in Leawood, Kansas;  United States Supreme Court intervention in a Missouri execution; Missouri lawmakers approve eight ballot questions for the upcoming election. And, have hospitals in Kansas or Missouri been implicated in the scandal at Veterans Administration medical facilities?  Reviewing the news this week: Steve Kraske, KCUR/UMKC Eric Wesson, The Call Scott Parks, Newsradio 98.1 FM KMBZ Dave Helling, Kansas City Star...

Kansas City’s feud with Lyft heads to federal court. City officials are trying to put the breaks on the new ride sharing service. They claim Lyft and its pink mustached vehicles are operating illegally in the city. Its drivers, they argue, are bypassing the normal screening and certification process and  have not paid the required license taxes for their business activities. Now, a second ride sharing company has set up shop, San Francisco based UBER.  These companies operate in dozens of other cities from coast to coast. Why is it a problem here?   MICHELLE OBAMA IN TOPEKA: 60 years of Brown vs. Board of Education First Lady Michelle Obama is in Topeka. She’s marking 60 years of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education desegregation ruling. She was originally scheduled to deliver a graduation speech for high school seniors in Topeka, but that plan was scrapped after nearly two thousand people signed a petition in protest. Instead, she will deliver remarks at what is being billed as a "Senior Recognition” event.   NIXON REFUSING TO SIGN SCHOOL TRANSFER FIX A bill aimed at fixing Missouri’s school transfer law is heading to the governor’s desk, but whether Jay Nixon will sign it remains a question. Nixon opposes a provision that allows students in unaccredited schools to use public money to transfer to a private, non-religious school.   BURNS & MCDONNELL TAX BREAKS APPROVED Kansas City engineering giant Burns & McDonnell got the greenlight this week from the Kansas City Council on $41.9 million in city tax incentives to expand its…...

After a year of study, there's finally a decision. A task force appointed by Kansas City Mayor Sly James says they've wrestled with all the information and decided that the metro needs a new single terminal at KCI.   Also on this edition of KANSAS CITY WEEK IN REVIEW, Friday May 9th, 2014 at 7:30 pm and the rebroadcast Sunday at 11:00 am:   OVERRIDING NIXON... Missouri Republicans hand Governor Jay Nixon the biggest defeat of his second term, overturning his veto and forcing into law a $620 million tax cut. The debate over whether the tax reductions will lead to economic prosperity or budgetary ruin will likely rage for years. But what do the tax cuts mean to you? According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, a family of four earning $44,000 a year will get a tax cut of about $32 when the law is fully implemented. A family of four with a businessowner in the household making $100,000 a year would see a $1600 savings.   KANSAS WRAPS UP Kansas lawmakers finish their business for the year, ending their shortest annual session in 40 years. It was their briefest stint in Topeka since 1974. We track the session's biggest accomplishments and let-downs.   SHOULD KANSAS CITY'S POOREST RESIDENTS BE FORCED TO QUIT SMOKING? In a story that's attracting national attention, Kansas City is drawing praise and scorn this week for imposing a smoking ban in all public housing. The new policy, which goes into effect July 1, will affect more than 1,700 residential units and about 5,000…...

An FBI probe into the activities of top advisers to Kansas Governor Sam Brownback tops our look at the week’s news.   According to a breaking story in the Topeka Capital Journal, federal agents have spent months investigating influence peddling including behind the scenes financial arrangements related to Brownback's privatization of the state's $3 billion Medicaid program. We examine what's at stake. Also on this edition of KANSAS CITY WEEK IN REVIEW, Friday, May 2nd 2014 at 7:30 pm and the rebroadcast Sunday at 11 am:   NIXON'S PROUDEST MOMENT... Kansas City's Ford plant makes national news this week as it begins production on the brand new Ford transit van. It's part of a $1.1 billion investment the automaker has made at the Claycomo plant. Ford is banking on the new vehicle transforming its commercial product line. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon told assembly line workers that approval of the auto bill that provided $100 million in tax breaks for the Claycomo plant over 10 years was the highlight and proudest moment of his time in office.     THE POLITICS OF TAX BREAKS: BURNS & MAC It was a synagogue for more than forty years before Congregation Beth Shalom moved to Johnson County. But plans by one of Kansas City’s largest engineering firms to demolish the property are causing controversy. Is giving more than $41 million in tax breaks to one of Kansas City's most financially successful companies a good use of TIF incentives, particularly as Burns and McDonnell is using the tax break to build an addition next to its world headquarters on Ward Parkway?…...