Kansas City Week In Review

Nick Haines, Sarah Plake, Dave Helling, Eric Wesson and Steve Kraske discuss Gov. Mike Parson's new vaccine incentive program, new health department recommendations on masks, the search for solutions to Kansas City's homelessness crisis, the Medicaid expansion court case in Missouri, police funding, the push for recreational marijuana in MO, the debate over critical race theory in schools & more.

Nick Haines talks to Wyandotte Health Director Juliann Van Liew, Johnson County Health Director Dr. Sanmi Areola and Kansas City Health Director Rex Archer about the new surge in COVID-19 cases and the race to get more people vaccinated.

Nick Haines, Eric Wesson, Micheal Mahoney, Cat Reid and Dave Helling discuss new emphasis on building inspections in the wake of the condo collapse in Florida, the spike in Missouri COVID cases, gun violence and crime, upcoming elections including Overland Park and Wyandotte County mayoral races, Kansas Governor and Attorney General races, the new plaque on Jackson statue, Katz Drugstore & more.

Nick Haines, Cat Reid, Steve Kraske, Eric Wesson and Micheal Mahoney discuss the reopening of the newly renovated Truman Library, the Missouri COVID spike, the effectiveness of incentives to reduce vaccine hesitancy, changes for Missouri lottery winners, the fight over Medicaid expansion in Missouri, KCMO's homicide rate, changes to MO and KS gun laws and businesses struggling to find workers.

Nick Haines, Dia Wall, Mary Sanchez, Dave Helling and Pete Mundo discuss Quinton Lucas pledging to financially compensate African Americans for years of racial injustice, the Supreme Court ruling about Medicaid Expansion in Missouri, debate over toll roads in Johnson County, the COVID spike in Missouri, protective fencing at the Kansas governor's mansion, the Parade of Hearts & more.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Eric Wesson, Dave Helling and Micheal Mahoney discuss the expiration of emergency orders in Kansas as pandemic fatigue grows, Gov. Parson signing legislation restricting the use of emergency health orders, the debate over police funding in KCMO, KC ministers calling for a 21-day ceasefire, student reaction to the Auschwitz exhibit, JOCO debate over toll roads and more.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Eric Wesson and Steve Kraske discuss the controversy surrounding the new Quinton Lucas police funding plan that aims to bring more accountability to the police department, the status of local police reform efforts, Missouri's first Black female Supreme Court judge and Jill Biden's visit. Plus, George Guastello and Luis Ferreiro discuss the upcoming Auschwitz exhibit.

Nick Haines, Emily Manley, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss confusion about mask rules in the wake of the CDC lifting mask requirements for the fully vaccinated, efforts to raise the Missouri gas tax, protests over Missouri legislature's failure to implement voter approved Medicaid expansion, debates over gun laws and police residency, Sharice Davids endorsement impact & MO Senate candidates.

Nick Haines talks to Kansas City Streetcar Authority's Executive Director Tom Gerend about the fifth anniversary of the streetcar, progress of the streetcar line expansion and the potential for future lines connecting to the East Side in Kansas City. Plus, Mayor Quinton Lucas discusses his recent trip to Washington, D.C., his efforts to address violent crime and police reform and more.

Nick Haines, Pilar Pedraza, Pete Mundo, Dave Helling and Eric Wesson discuss inconsistent mask rules and enforcement, Rex Archer's retirement announcement, Kris Kobach's bid for Kansas Attorney General, Mayor Lucas pleading with state lawmakers for gun restrictions, the Kansas legislature response to vetoes of transgender athlete, gun and election law bills and long-term plans for KC's homeless. 

Nick Haines, Cat Reid, Micheal Mahoney, Eric Wesson and Steve Kraske discuss updates to COVID restrictions and mask mandates, recent homicides including a KCUR reporter and a local gym owner, efforts to oust Overland Park Police Chief, the impact of recent Census results on KS and MO, the proposed fetus funerals in MO, auditing COVID relief spending and Laura Kelly wielding the veto pen in Kansas.

Nick Haines, Mary Sanchez, Pete Mundo, Dave Helling and Eric Wesson discuss the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial and how it may impact local police policies, Mayor Quinton Lucas' surprise announcement about his marriage and baby, the resignation of the Missouri Health Director, key issues in the Kansas and Missouri legislative sessions, the push to address vaccine hesitancy & green initiatives.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Micheal Mahoney, Dave Helling and Eric Wesson discuss new plans for renaming streets to honor MLK, the escalating homicide and crime rates in KCMO, the charges filed against former Chiefs Assistant Coach Britt Reid, potential NCAA boycotts of Kansas in response to transgender athlete policies, housing the homeless in hotels, part shortages at Ford & vaccine passports.

Nick Haines, Cat Reid, Dave Helling, Eric Wesson and Steve Kraske discuss Tuesday's election results, low voter turnout and the implications of campaign money in KCMO school board elections, the politics of moving the MLB All-Star Game, vaccine eligibility, vaccine passports, new debates over mask mandates in Kansas, protests by KCMO's unhoused and Amanda Adkins announcing her KS 3rd District run.

Nick Haines, Linda Wagar, Eric Wesson, Pete Mundo and Lynn Horsley discuss next Tuesday's election in KCMO which includes votes for renewing the earnings tax and four seats on the school board, the expansion of vaccine eligibility in Kansas and Missouri and addressing the associated costs, Gov. Kelly being at odds with counties over mask mandates, Missouri Medicaid expansion & transgender rights.

Nick Haines, Lisa Rodriguez, Micheal Mahoney, Pete Mundo and Eric Wesson discuss Eric Greitens entering the U.S. Senate race in Missouri and the GOP's reaction, the potential ambassadorship for Claire McCaskill, the expansion of vaccine eligibility, schools considering vaccine requirements, addressing homelessness in KCMO, seeking solutions to the homicide epidemic and a progress report on KCI.

Nick Haines, Cat Reid, Steve Kraske, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the most significant surprises one year on from the start of pandemic lockdown, vaccine distribution in Kansas and Missouri, debate over vaccine requirements by employers, the evolving list of who's in and who's out in the race to fill Roy Blunt's U.S. Senate seat, the Waddell and Reed building and stimulus money projects.

Nick Haines, Dia Wall, Micheal Mahoney, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss the unexpected rolling blackouts due to extreme cold weather and the impact going forward, continued frustrations with vaccine communication and distribution, the cancellation of the St. Patrick's Day parade, how the next round of COVID relief will be allocated, proposed changes to tax incentive policy & police residency.

Nick Haines, Cat Reid, Eric Wesson, Pete Mundo and Steve Kraske look for positives in a cold and disappointing week in KC, discuss the Britt Reid car crash implications, the stances of Kansas and Missouri Senators on the impeachment trial, Roy Blunt drawing a 2022 challenger, COVID cases dropping, vaccine distribution frustrations, Mayor Lucas State of the City address, budget cuts & Carl Gerlach.

Nick Haines sits down with Mayor Quinton Lucas to discuss a variety of city issues including COVID restrictions, tax incentives and affordable housing. Then, Dave Helling and Micheal Mahoney provide analysis of Laura Kelly's proposal to fund Medicaid expansion with medical marijuana, problems with unemployment claims in KS, Gov. Parson's anger over SOS address, vaccine rollout, Josh Hawley & more.