Deep Background

The Star's lead political reporter Bryan Lowry — just back from St. Louis — is here to discuss the latest twists in the Eric Greitens case with co-hosts Leah Becerra and Dave Helling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite some progress, Kansas legislators are still using methods that many consider deceptive. The Star's mid-November series, "Why so secret, Kansas?" found the state has one of the nation's darkest governments. Reporters Hunter Woodall, Laura Bauer and Judy Thomas discuss the legislative session that recently ended and what comes next. Leah Becerra fills in for Dave Helling as host. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's Mark Davis and Deep Background host Dave Helling discuss the proposed Sprint/T-Mobile merger, including the chances it passes Washington's test, and what it means for Kansas City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Hendricks and Steve Vockrodt of the Star join host Dave Helling to talk about recent scandals in Jackson County, and what changes are under discussion to end the problems in the county's government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's Missouri statehouse reporter Jason Hancock joins host Dave Helling to discuss the latest involving Missouri Governor Eric Greitens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hunter Woodall, The Star's Topeka correspondent, joins host Dave Helling to discuss the rollicking last-minute debate over funding schools in Kansas. The argument isn't over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's Aaron Randle, Jenee Osterheldt and Mará Rose Williams talk with host Dave Helling about the renaming of the Paseo, the Quindaro ruins, and the state of race relations 50 years after the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's Steve Vockrodt and host Dave Helling discuss the issues surrounding criminal charges filed over the death of 10-year-old Caleb Schwab at a Kansas City area waterpark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's political reporter Bryan Lowry and host Dave Helling discuss the Kris Kobach-voting rights trial in Kansas City and take up the debate over school funding in Kansas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hundreds of young couples have come to Missouri to marry. Why? Reporter Eric Adler discusses his series on Missouri's child brides, and how policymakers see the issue. Then, lead political reporter Bryan Lowry talks about Mike Pompeo, who is poised to take over U.S. secretary of state. The Star's Dave Helling hosts the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's Blair Kerkhoff and host Dave Helling take a look at the Big 12 tournament — and its future in Kansas City. They also talk about the state of college basketball, and what may happen once the games are over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was indicted recently by a St. Louis grand jury on felony invasion of privacy. Jason Hancock, who has been covering this story for The Star, talks with host Dave Helling about the legal case against Greitens, recent updates in this developing story and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's Lynn Horsely and Dave Helling of the editorial board discuss skyrocketing home prices in parts of Johnson County — what it means for homebuyers, city councils, schools, and all taxpayers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's reporters Bill Turque and Steve Vockrodt join Dave Helling of the Editorial Board to discuss the dramatic vote that saved Edgemoor's bid for a new airport terminal. Turque, Vockrodt and Helling explore the political ramifications of the vote — and what lies ahead for the troubled KCI project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's chief political correspondent, Bryan Lowry, joins editorial board member and host Dave Helling to talk about the 2018 Senate race in Missouri — where it stands today, and where it's headed. The clock is ticking, and the surprises keep coming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Star's editorial board members Dave Helling, Mary Sanchez, and Toriano Porter for a discussion of the style and substance of President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lindsay Wise of McClatchy's Washington bureau joins Dave Helling of the Star's editorial board to discuss the U.S. Senate's razor-thin confirmation of Sam Brownback's bid to become a religious ambassador for the U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's political reporter Bryan Lowry joins Dave Helling of the editorial board to discuss the sexual scandal surrounding Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and, in Kansas, Gov. Sam Brownback's change of heart on school finance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas lawmakers are gathering for the critical 2018 session. The Star's Hunter Woodall and Dave Helling of the editorial board take a look at who's up, who's down, what's next — and what Kansans can expect as the fascinating political season unfolds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Star's Jason Hancock and Dave Helling take a deep dive into Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens' first year in office — a year marked by secrecy and controversy.  What's next?  The podcast takes a look at that question too. This episode was originally published Thursday Dec. 28, 2017. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices