Deep Background

As Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton prepare for their historic first debate, Kansas City Star reporters Dave Helling, Steve Kraske and Scott Canon dissect the campaigns' approach.  What must the Democrat accomplish?  What are Trump's challenges?  And how has the media covered this unique campaign?  All on Deep Background, the Star's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Sens. Bob Dole and Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas shared a stage Sept. 17 at the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. DIOP director Bill Lacy moderates the discussion.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Helling, Scott Canon and Steve Kraske discuss the relationship among Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and down-ballot candidates in Missouri and Kansas. Also on the Deep Background agenda: the meaning of Phyllis Schlafly, who died this week at 92. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Deep Background podcast, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon meets with the Kansas City Star's editorial board and reporters for a wide-ranging and candid discussion of his eight years in office — and what the future may hold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nationally-known pollster Neil Newhouse joins the Deep Background gang to talk about the 2016 election.  Then:  Is Missouri really in play between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton?  Reporters Dave Helling, Steve Kraske, and Scott Canon talk about the race 10 weeks before election day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City Star reporters Katy Bergen, Laura Bauer and Steve Vockrodt join Dave Helling to discuss the tragic death of a ten year old boy at the Schlitterbahn water park, and what may have contributed to the accident. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may have heard about problems people have living in homeowners associations. Perhaps you’ve had problems yourself. But you may not know that there is a growing sense that HOA problems have become a national housing crisis. The Kansas City Star spent more than six months reporting on problems in HOAs, the reasons behind them, and what critics say needs to happen next. To read more of The Star’s stories, visit our special project page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City Star reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon and Steve Kraske of the Star and KCUR's "Up to Date" discuss election results in Kansas and Missouri, the just-passed political conventions, and the candidacy of Donald Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kansas City Star's Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of the Star and KCUR's Up to Date report from Philadelphia, as Democrats gather for their national convention. They wrap up the Republican convention, too.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kansas City Star's Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of KCUR report from Day One of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland — the anti-Trump rebellion, and what's next for the party.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political reporters Dave Helling and Scott Canon of the Kansas City Star and Steve Kraske of KCUR's "Up to Date" discuss the unsettled Republican convention, which starts Monday in Cleveland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Deep Background crew looks at the scene ahead of the national political conventions for both parties.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kansas City Star's Lynn Horsley joins KCUR's Steve Kraske and the Star's Dave Helling to talk about Kansas City Mayor Sly James, guns, violent crime, development on the city's east side, and mass transit.  Also:  a look at the upcoming special session in Topeka.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City Star reporters Dave Helling, Scott Canon, and Jason Hancock discuss the latest developments in the presidential race — including the candidates' standing in Missouri and Kansas.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City Star reporter Dave Helling and Steve Kraske of KCUR's Up to Date talk about the final decisions in the 2016 presidential primary season:  Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump.  Plus:  the Missouri governor's race, and the Kansas special session on education funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City Star reporters Scott Canon and Dave Helling, and Steve Kraske of KCUR discuss pension payments to state lawmakers, legislative pay, the unusual nature of state races — and the Kansas reaction to the school funding ruling.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Helling, Steve Kraske, and Scott Canon discuss the push for an independent or third-party candidate in the presidential election. Could it happen? If not, why not?  Listen to the Kansas City Star's latest podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Helling and Scott Canon of the Star, and Steve Kraske of KCUR and the Star, discuss the damage from the continuing battle for the Democratic presidential nomination between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.  The reporters also discuss Gov. Jay Nixon's legacy in Missouri, and the Democrats' problems in the state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City Star reporter Eric Adler reads a story that he and Laura Bauer wrote in May 2011 in the days following the Joplin tornado that killed 161 people and injured more than 1,000. Their story, "Condition Gray" is about the horror and heroics inside St. John's Medical Center as Joplin's tornado ravaged the hospital May 22,  2011. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas City Star reporters Eric Adler and Laura Bauer recall covering Joplin in the first few hours after a massive EF5 tornado swept through the city on May 22, 2011 and killed 161 people. The tornado, with 200 mph winds, has been recorded as the seventh deadliest storm in recorded history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices