>>> COMING UP, THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF A VERDICT MORE THAN 400 MILES AWAY.

>> SHOWING SOME PROGRESS, BUT SO MUCH MORE TO GO.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IS THAT THIS IS ONLY ONE BATTLE.

>> NICK: PLUS HE'S A MAYOR WHO FULLY SHARES SO MUCH ABOUT HIMSELF, BUT WHY SO SHY THAT HE GOT MARRIED AND HIS JOURNEY BECOMING A FATHER?

WAS IT STRESS OR WAS HE OUSTED IN FACE OF THE COVID CRISIS OF MISSOURI.

WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY, BUT WITH RECORD HOMICIDES, A PANDEMIC AND HOMELESSNESS HAVE GREEN ISSUES SLIPPED FROM THE RADAR?

THOSE STORIES AND THE REST OF THE WEEK'S BIG LOCAL HAPPENINGS OF HAPPENINGS ALL STRAIGHT AHEAD.

>> WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF DAVE AND JAMIE CUMMINGS, BARB AND MARLEY SCORELY, JOHN H. MIZE AND BANK OF AMERICA NA, COTRUSTEES, AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> NICK: HELLO, AND WELCOME.

I'M NICK HAINES, AND WE ARE HERE TO CONNECT THE DOTS ON THE MOST I AM FACTFUL STORIES IN THIS PLACE WE CALL HOME.

ROLING UP THEIR SLEEVES TO DISSECT THE WEEK'S TOP HEADLINES, FROM THE TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE, MARY SANCHEZ.

BUSY WRITING AWAY AT THIS VERY MOMENT SO HE CAN PUT OUT THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF KANSAS CITY APP AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER, THE CALL, IS ERIC WESSONMENT.

HE'S INSIDE THE CALL HQ JUST OFF 18th AND TROOST.

FROM THE STUDIOS OF KCMO TALK RADIO, PETE MUNDO IS WITH US, AND FROM THE PAGES OF YOUR KANSAS CITY STAR, DAVE HELLING.

IT WAS THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE WEEK, AND WHILE IT WAS TAKING PLACE MORE THAN 400 MILES AWAY, THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF THE DEREK CHAUVIN WERE FELT HERE.

>> I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR, TODAY WASN'T REALLY JUSTICE.

TODAY WAS HOLDING POLICE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

>> FINALLY, WE SEE JUSTICE.

>> A RENEWED PROCESS OF HOPE IN THAT THAT SYSTEM CAN SOMETIMES WORK FOR US.

>> A BLACK MALE GETS KILLED IN KANSAS CITY EVERY DAY.

WE DON'T HAVE MARCHES.

WE DON'T HAVE -- SOMETIMES THE NEWS DON'T EVEN SHOW UP.

>> NICK: JUST A SNAPSHOT OFS VOICES FOLLOWING THE VERDICT.

SO WHAT DOES THE CONVICTION OF FORMER MINNESOTA POLICE OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN MEAN HERE?

DID A GUILTY VERDICT ON ALL THREE COUNTS TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF THE POLICE CHIEF AND CHILL EFFORTS TO ADVANCE MORE SYSTEMIC POLICE REFORMS IN KANSAS CITY, ERIC?

>> NO, NOT REALLY.

I THINK THEY'RE BROWSING SOME POLICIES THIS WEEK, POLICY CHANGES.

THEY'VE GOT THE BODY CAMS.

THEY'VE GOT -- ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY TROUBLES ME MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE POLICY IS MAKING CHOKEHOLDS ILLEGAL AND PUTTING IT IN WRITING.

CHOKEHOLDS ARE ALREADY, ILLEGAL, BUT I THINK IT DOESN'T REALLY GET HIM OFF THE COOK, A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT STILL HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH KCPD.

>> NICK: YOU TALKED TO THE POLICE CHIEF ON YOUR PROGRAM ON KCMO TALK RADIO.

MY ASSUMPTION WOULD BE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE SENSE OF RELIEF FOR HIM.

>> HE DID COME OUT AND SAID THAT THE VERDICT WAS THE RIGHT ONE.

HE DID SAY THAT ON THE SHOW, SO I MEAN, MAYBE HE VIEWS IT AS THE RIGHT ONE IN PART BECAUSE IT'S A RELIEF FOR HIM.

AS YOU JUST HEARD THERE FROM ERIC, THE PEOPLE THAT WANTED HIM FIRED ON MONDAY STILL WANT HIM FIRED TODAY, SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT REALLY CHANGES THERE AT ALL.

THE REALITY IS, THOUGH, TOO, HE'S NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE, BECAUSE THE SYSTEM THAT'S IN PLACE WOULD BE A BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

THERE'S NO EVIDENCE RIGHT NOW THAT RICK SMITH IS GOING ANYWHERE BASED ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY IN CHARGE OF POTENTIALLY GETTING RID OF HIM.

>> NICK: IF YOU'RE A POLICE OFFICER IN KANSAS CITY, MARY SANCHEZ, ANYWHERE IN OUR METROPOLITAN AREA, DID YOUR JOB GET A LITTLE EASIER OR A LOT HARDER AFTER THE VERDICT?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S AN EITHER OR QUESTION.

THE HISTORY OF POLICING IS RELATIONSHIPS, LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY.

YOU BUILD THAT DAY BY DAY, INTERACTION BY INTERACTION.

SO ONE INCIDENT, ONE HORRIFIC MURDER, DOESN'T CHANGE NECESSARILY THE SCOPE OF WHAT HAPPENS DAY TO DAY.

AND THAT'S THE SAME FOR ALL OF THESE POLICIES.

I MEAN, ERIC IS RIGHT.

SO MANY THINGS ARE ALREADY WITHIN POLICY, HOW IT'S PLAYED OUT.

IT'S POLICE CULTURE.

AND FOR ALL THE ATTENTION TO RICK SMITH, WHICH I DEEPLY UNDERSTAND THE ATTENTION AS WELL, IT'S WHAT IS THE WORKPLACE CULTURE.

WHAT DO THEY VALUE?

HOW ARE THINGS VALUED?

HOW IS THE COMMUNITY VALUED?

THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT, AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO JUST TAKE SO MUCH MORE TIME.

>> I DO THINK THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE VERDICT IN MINNEAPOLIS, AND ONE OF THEM IS, IT HINGED ALMOST COMPLETELY ON A VIDEO SHOT BY A BYSTANDER, AND POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO UNDERSTAND NOW THAT INTERACTIONS WITH THE PUBLIC WILL BE RECORDED.

SO THAT MAY HAVE MORE IMPACT ON THEIR ACTIVITIES THAN ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE.

BODY CAMERAS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

ONE OTHER THING I WOULD THROW IN VERY QUICKLY, TWO MEMBERS OF THE POLICE BOARD ARE ON EXPIRED TERMS NOW.

THEIR TIME HAS RUN OUT, AND GOVERNOR MIKE PARSONS SHOULD, SHOULD BE APPOINTING NEW MEMBERS ANY TIME SOON.

SOME TIME SOON.

THAT COULD MEAN A DIFFERENCE IN HOW THE POLICE BOARD SEES THE CHIEF.

>> NICK: WILL WE HEAR THE PITTER-PATTER OF TINY FEET IN THE KANSAS CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE?

A CRYPTIC SOCIAL MEDIA POST FROM MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS RAISED QUESTIONS OVER THE WEEKEND ABOUT WHETHER HE'S ABOUT TO BECOME A DAD.

LUCAS THIS WEEK CLEARING THE AIR.

HE'S NOT ONLY A NEW DAD, BUT HE GOT MARRIED IN A PRIVATE CEREMONY TWO WEEKS AGO.

EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR PRIVACY, BUT FOR A MAYOR WHO FREELY SHARES SO MUCH ABOUT HIMSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WHY DID HE CHOOSE TO DELAY SHARING ANY DETAILS ABOUT THIS ASPECT OF HIS LIFE, MARY SANCHEZ?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO BE JUST BRUTALLY HONEST ABOUT HOW UGLY PEOPLE CAN BE.

THE MAYOR RAN AS A SINGLE PERSON, AND WHO HE WAS DATING WAS GOING TO COME UNDER SCRUTINY, AND PEOPLE CAN BE QUITE CRUEL IF THAT PERSON DOESN'T SEEM TO FIT BY ECONOMIC, BY RACE, BY CLASS LEVEL, BY WHOEVER THEY THINK SHOULD BE WITH HIM.

I THINK COVID DEFINITELY HELPED HIM KEEP IT, SO TO SPEAK, UNDER WRAPS FOR SO LONG, BUT I WELCOME THIS NEW FAMILY TO KANSAS CITY, AND LET'S JUST SEE GOING FORWARD -- THERE ARE ALSO RESIDENCY ISSUES, WHICH IS VERY MUCH SOMETHING THAT DOES TAKE SOME PUBLIC DISCUSSION.

>> NICK: WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT IN A SECOND.

ERIC, WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT?

>> IT'S LIKE, HEY, HE TALKS FAMILY, BUT NOW WE HAVE A CHILD BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK OR THAT KIND OF THING, SO I THINK IT WAS A LOT IMAGE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SAYING, TOO, SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT HE'S GOING TO RUN FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

AND I THINK HE WANTED TO KIND OF, YOU KNOW, PUT HIMSELF IN A POSITION WHERE THAT'S NOT ON THE TABLE AS A DISCUSSION TO SPEAK AGAINST HIM RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

>> NICK: MY ASSUMPTION IS, THOUGH, NOW THAT THIS HAS COME TO LIGHT, WOULD HE REALLY WANT TO BE PART OF A HUGE AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE, DAVE HELLING?

>> WELL, HE'S BEEN A LITTLE NONCOMMITTAL ON THIS.

HE TEASES A LITTLE BIT.

I'M SURE HE'S TAKING A LOOK AT IT, NICK.

BUT I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT TAKE THAN MY FRIEND ERIC WESSON ON THE RELATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

I AGREE THAT POLITICIANS HAVE A ZONE OF PRIVACY THAT WE NEED TO RESPECT, BUT TO KEEP THIS SO SECRET FOR SO LONG IN A PUBLIC POSITION SUCH AS THE ONE THE MAYOR OCCUPIES, IT WILL GIVE VOTERS IN MISSOURI SOME REASON TO THINK, WELL, WHAT ELSE MIGHT HE BE HIDING OR WHAT OTHER THINGS IS NOT BEING TRANSPARENT ABOUT.

I WAS SHOCKED, AS ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE IN KANSAS CITY WAS WHEN THIS STORY CAME OUT, AND MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, THIS IS -- THESE ARE NOT THE STEPS OF SOMEONE WHO IS PONDERING A MAJOR CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

THAT'S MY VIEW.

>> NICK: PETE, YOUR REACTION TO THAT.

>> ALL I CAN SAY IS, I THINK THE ONLY GROUP HERE WITH A TODDLER AT HOME AND ANOTHER ONE COMING IN TWO WEEKS, DON'T RUN FOR U.S. SENATE.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A HORRIBLE IDEA, HORRIBLE IDEA.

>> NICK: YOU ALREADY MENTIONED THIS, MARY SANCHEZ.

HIS NEW WIFE IS THE HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WYANDOTTE COUNTY, WHICH BY THE WAY FOR DECADES HAS HAD A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT ON ALL EMPLOYEES, AND OF COURSE, THE MAYOR IS REQUIRED TO LIVE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, WHICH DOES BRING UP SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE DOES THIS POWER COUPLE LIVE.

>> I MEAN, THE RUMOR IS THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BUY A HOME IN MY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS COLEMAN HIGHLANDS, WHICH IS A WONDERFUL HISTORIC DISTRICT, AND I'M SURE THE COMMUNITY -- THE RESIDENTS THERE WOULD WELCOME THEM AND OFFER BABY-SITTING SERVICES EVEN.

I THINK I WOULD SUSPECT THAT SHE WILL PROBABLY FIND A NEW JOB SOON WHEN SHE COMES OFF MATERNITY LEAVE.

THE MAYOR IS NOT GOING TO VACANT HIS MAYORAL POST.

>> NICK: WHY NOT MOVE OVER TO WYANDOTTE COUNTY AND TAKE A POSITION THERE?

WHY SHOULD THE WOMAN HAVE TO GIVE UP HER JOB?

>> WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, AND WHY SHOULD -- TO SATISFY EAGER VOTERS, PEOPLE NEED TO BE MARRIED AND LOOK LIKE THEY'RE ALL ON BOARD AS A MARRIED COUPLE?

>> NICK: HE'S BEEN ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE FACES IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI'S HANDLING OF THE COVID CRISIS.

NOW HE'S GONE.

MISSOURI HEALTH DIRECTOR DR. RANDALL WILLIAMS ABRUPTLY RESIGNING THIS WEEK.

ARE WE ANY THE WISER AS TO WHY HE'S GONE?

>> I WOULD SAY CUMULATIVE.

HE CAME INTO THE CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA WITH A BACKGROUND THAT WAS QUESTIONABLE.

AT THE TIME I CAN REMEMBER THINKING, WELL, THAT KIND OF DISAPPEARED FAIRLY QUICKLY, AND THEN JUST THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

IT WAS ANOTHER ISSUE, ANOTHER ISSUE, ANOTHER ISSUE.

>> I THINK MARY IS SPOT ON THERE WITH THAT, THOUGH, A SCAPEGOAT, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY, USED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH HOW THE ROLLOUT TOOK PLACE WITH THE VACCINES, WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY CLUNKY TO PUT IT POLITELY, AND HE WAS ON THIN ICE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE ALREADY, AND THAT WAS ULTIMATELY THE CALL THERE TO MOVE ON, BUT IT'S WEIRD HOW IT KIND OF CAME OUT, AND IT WAS VERY MATTER OF FACT, STATUS QUO, AS IF WE WERE ALL SUPPOSED TO EXPECT THIS WHEN IT ALL CAME OUT OF LEFT FIELD.

>> NICK: I DID SEE A STORY WITH THE HEADLINE, EXHAUSTED, FRUSTRATED, FACING PERSONAL THREATS AND POLITICAL PRESSURE, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS NATIONWIDE ARE DEPARTING THEIR POSTS AT RECORD NUMBERS.

>> WELL, THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

AND I'M NOT SURE WE HAVE THE FULL STORY YET ON WHAT THIS RESIGNATION WAS ABOUT, NICK.

THE GOVERNOR IS BEING TIGHT-LIPPED ABOUT IT, SO IS RANDALL WILLIAMS.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PIECES IN MOTION DOWN IN JEFFERSON CITY WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO INVOLVING MIKE PARSONS THAT WE DON'T HAVE COMPLETE CLARITY ON.

>> NICK: THERE ARE A LOT OF CRITICAL QUESTIONS AS DAVE HELLING POINTS OUT, SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS RIGHT NOW, NOT JUST IN JEFFERSON CITY, BUT TOPEKA TOO.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME QUICK ANSWERS FROM OUR PANEL ON FIVE BIG QUESTIONS DOMINATING THE AGENDA IN BOTH STATES.

QUESTION NO.

1 IS WHETHER KANSAS GOVERNOR LAWYER LA KELLY WILL SIGN OR VETO A TRANSGENDER SPORTS BILL THAT LAWMAKERS SENT TO HER DESK?

WHILE WEARING A HARDHAT AT A CEMENT PLANT THIS WEEK, SHE MAKES IT CLEAR SHE'S NO FAN.

LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT TO OVERRULE THE GOLFER IN WHEN THEY RETURN FOR THEIR VETO SESSION IN MAY.

DO THEY HAVE THE VOTES?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE VOTES TO OVERRIDE THIS VETO, AND THEY'RE JUST GOING TO BE SHY BY A COUPLE.

SO I WOULD EXPECT THE GOVERNOR TO VETO THIS, AS YOU MENTIONED THERE, NICK, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'RE AT THAT ABILITY TO OVERRIDE THE VETO RIGHT NOW.

>> NICK: WHICH LEADS TO QUESTION NO.

1.

WHAT ABOUT MISSOURI?

WILL LAWMAKERS IN JEFFERSON CITY FOLLOW THEIR COLLEAGUES IN KANSAS?

OR WILL THREATS OF BOYCOTTS FROM SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS HALT PLANS FOR A SIMILAR TRANSGENDER ATHLETE BAN IN THE SHOW ME STATE?

>> MISSOURI IS PART OF THIS WHOLE MOVEMENT TO STICK THEIR NOSE IN EDUCATION POLICY.

MOST SYSTEMS MANAGE THIS ALREADY.

THEY ALREADY HANDLED AN ISSUE OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS, BECAUSE EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE NATION PROBABLY HAS ADDRESSED THIS OR WILL SHORTLY.

FRANKLY, AS SOMEONE WHO WAS A HIGH SCHOOL FEMALE ATHLETE, WE DON'T NEED POLITICIANS JUMPING IN TRYING TO SAVE OUR SPORTS.

>> NICK: IN MISSOURI, IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT'S PLANNED, DAVE HELLING.

DOES THAT MEAN YOU AND I WILL BE VOTING ON THAT NEXT YEAR AT THE BALLOT BOX?

>> WE'LL SEE.

THERE ARE VARIOUS VEHICLES GOING THROUGH JEFFERSON CITY NOW ON THIS ISSUE, NICK.

I THINK YOU'RE SEEING THE DYNAMIC OF SOME BUSINESSES WHO SAY, LOOK, IF MISSOURI OR KANSAS GETS THE REPUTATION OF BEING ANTI-TRANS STUDENTS OR CLOSE MINDED ON THESE ISSUES THAT THEY'LL TAKE THEIR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE.

AS I TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK, LAURA KELLY WAS REALLY TALKING ABOUT RECRUITING PERMANENT BUSINESSES, NOT JUST THE NCAA TOURNAMENT OR FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL.

IT'S THE IDEA THAT SOME BUSINESSES THAT MIGHT OPEN FACTORIES OR OFFICES HERE WOULD NOT DO SO BECAUSE OF THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT ARE WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH BOTH STATEHOUSES.

>> NICK: AND IT'S NOT JUST THE TRANSGENDER ISSUE, PETE MUNDO, BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE IT IN KANSAS AS WE GO TO QUESTION 3, WHICH IS REALLY ABOUT CHANGES THAT HAVE COME TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK ON THE STATE'S ELECTION RULES THAT WOULD CERTAINLY STOP A STATE ELECTION OFFICIAL FROM UNILATERALLY DECIDING I'M GOING TO CHANGE THE DATE FOR WHEN YOU CAN BRING IN MAIL-IN BALLOTS.

IT'S GOING TO CERTAINLY MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE PUT THEIR BALLOT TOGETHER.

DO LAWMAKERS HAVE THE VOTES TO OVERTURN THAT AND WILL COMPANIES, BY THE WAY, ALSO THEN SAY, WE'RE GOING TO BOYCOTT KANSAS BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE THAT RULE CHANGE?

>> I'D BE SURPRISED IF YOU HAD MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PUSHBACK FROM COMPANIES IN THE STATE OUT OF THE GATES ON THAT.

I'M NOT CLEAR JUST YET ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY COULD OVERRIDE IT.

I DO THINK IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT THEY HAD THE MOST OVERRIDE THAN THE TRANSGENDER BILL WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

YOU'RE SEEING THIS OBVIOUSLY GAIN ENTHUSIASM IN A LOT OF REPUBLICAN-LEANING STATES, SO IT SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE THIS IS ON GOVERNOR KELLY'S DESK.

I IMAGINE SHE WILL TURN THIS ONE DOWN AS WELL.

>> ARE WE ABOUT TO SEE ON QUESTION 4 A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE OF A FUNDING VOTER APPROVED MEDICAID EXPANSION?

>> I THINK THIS BODY HAS VERY CLEARLY CHOSEN NOT TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

>> IF THEY WANTED FUNDS FOR THIS SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAM, THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN US A FUNDING SOURCE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

>> NICK: JUST A SNAPSHOT OF THE CONVERSATION GOING ON IN JEFFERSON CITY THIS WEEK, BUT FOR ALL THE TALK WITH THREATS OF LAWSUITS, WILL LEGISLATURE FINALLY FIND THE MONEY THIS WEEK, DAVE?

>> THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE TIED LAST NIGHT 7 TO 7, NICK, ON A BILL THAT ADDED SOME MONEY IN FOR MEDICATION EXPANSION.

SO THERE IS SOME THOUGHT THAT IT WILL BE FOUGHT OUT ON THE FLOOR, AND IF THEY CAN GET THE EXPANSION MONEY IN THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS BILL, THEN THE HOUSE WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO, BUT ABSENT THAT, WE'RE HEADED FOR THE COURTHOUSE AND A LONG DIFFICULT, LONG BATTLE OVER WHAT THE VOTERS SAID THEY WANTED TO SEE HAPPEN IN MISSOURI.

>> YOU KNOW, I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVES, BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, OVER THE PAST WEEK, AND NONE OF THEM GAVE ME A CLEAR REASON WHY MEDICAID EXPANSION IS SUCH AN ISSUE.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THEY GIVE YOU THIS SONG AND DANCE, AND THEY DANCED AROUND, WELL, THE FUNDING.

OKAY, BUT VOTERS APPROVED IT.

VOTED WANT IT.

YOUR CONSTITUENTS NEED IT.

SO WHY NOT SUPPORT?

THERE ISN'T A CLEAR ANSWER AS TO WHY.

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY.

IT CAN'T BE ABOUT MONEY.

THERE'S PLENTY OF MONEY TO DO.

PLENTY OF MONEY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS WRITING MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CHECKS FOR STATES TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

IT'S MORE THAN THAT.

THEY JUST DON'T THINK HEALTH INSURANCE SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE WORKING POOR.

>> NICK: IF IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY, WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

>> IT IS ABOUT WHAT IT DOES TO THE STATE BUDGET A LOT OF STATES THAT HAVE EXPANDED IT HAVE SEEN IT GO WAY BEYOND THAN WHAT THEY ANTICIPATED.

THERE STILL IS A COST ON THEIR END.

IF THESE NUMBERS DO GO ABOVE THE EXPECTATION, WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?

MISSOURI HAS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM FROM SOMEWHERE.

>> PETE IS VERY RIGHT.

THAT'S WHERE THE ARGUMENT HAS BEEN.

THE PANDEMIC HAS HELPED THE SHIFT OCCUR.

THE VOTERS HAVE APPROVED THIS.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

SPIT IN THE FACE OF VOTERS?

BUT THE PUBLIC SEES THE NEED MORE AND MORE TO HELP OUT LOWER INCOME PEOPLE WITH HEALTH CARE.

>> OUR FIFTH QUESTION, BY THE WAY, WAS WILL MISSOURI LAWMAKERS SEND TO THE GOVERNOR A BILL BANNING VACCINE PASSPORTS?

REMEMBER, PETE, THIS IS ABOUT BLOCKING BUSINESSES FROM REQUIRING ANY PROOF THAT YOU'VE HAD A VACCINATION FROM YOUR EMPLOYEES OR CUSTOMERS.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT OBVIOUSLY IS VERY POLITICAL.

IT PROBABLY WILL END UP HAPPENING.

JUST MY IMPRESSION.

WE'RE SEEING THIS BREAK DOWN ON PARTY LINES EITHER WAY.

SO THAT'S HOW I SEE THAT PLAYING OUT.

>> NICK: DAVE HELLING SAID JUST A LITTLE EARLIER ON IN A QUESTION THAT THIS WAS GOING TO END UP IN THE COURTHOUSE.

DO YOU THINK ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS WILL END UP GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT IN SOME WAY?

>> MY GUESS IS THAT IF THE TRANSGENDER BILLS BECOME LAW, THE ACLU IS OTHERS SAID THEY WILL TAKE THE STATES TO COURT IF NECESSARY.

MEDICAID EXPANSION IS VERY DIFFERENT, THOUGH.

IT'S IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION CLEARLY.

THE LANGUAGE IS VERY CLEAR.

IT HAS TO BE DONE.

IF THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T PAY FOR IT, THEN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SHOW UP ON JULY 1 AND SAY WHERE'S MY MEDICAID, AND AT THAT POINT THE COURTS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE TO GET INVOLVED, AND THE STATE SUPREME COURT WILL ULTIMATELY DECIDE.

>> NICK: IN OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK, HAS THE SUPPLY FINALLY OUTSTRIPPED DEMAND?

JOHNSON COUNTY, PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS SAY DEMAND FOR THE VACCINE HAS DROPPED OFF SO SHARPLY THEY MAY HALT ALL MASS VACCINATION EVENTS AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

AT A MASS CLINIC AT INDEPENDENCE CENTER, HEALTH WORKERS PLANNED TO VACCINATE 1,000 PEOPLE, BUT ONLY 200 PEOPLE SHOWED UP.

WHAT'S NOW?

ARE PEOPLE GOING TO BE BANGING ON YOUR DOOR?

ARE WE AT THAT POINT?

BANGING ON YOUR DOOR BEGGING YOU TO GET THE VACCINE?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO GO THAT FAR.

I THINK EVERYBODY THAT WANTED ONE HAS ALREADY HAD ONE.

I THINK ONE OF THE GLITCHES THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD OVER THE PAST WEEK IS WHEN THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE WAS PULLED.

I THINK THAT KIND OF FED INTO PEOPLE'S RELUCTANCE TO TAKE IT ANYWAY, AND I THINK THEY USED THAT AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO TAKE IT.

BUT I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THEIR VACCINE IN A LOT MORE PEOPLE'S ARMS.

>> NICK: THIS IS SOME GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS TYPE SITUATION.

IT IS GREAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND HOURS TRYING TO FIND AN APPOINTMENT SLOT AVAILABLE.

BUT ONLY 1 IN 3 PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE FIRST SHOT.

THAT MEANS A HUGE NUMBER HAVE NO DESIRE AT THIS POINT TO MOVE FORWARD AND GET VACCINATED EVEN THOUGH IT COULD BE 80, 85% OF THE POPULATION THAT NEEDS TO BE TO BE ABLE TO GET HERD IMMUNITY.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT?

>> NOW WE'RE AT THE POINT WHERE THEY NEED TO SHIFT THE MESSAGE, GO TARGETED ATTENTION TO MORE DIFFERENT GROUPS, FIND DIFFERENT WAYS TO REACH THEM, BECAUSE WE JUST SIMPLY HAVE TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY.

I MEAN, IT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, AND IT NEEDS TO BE PORTRAYED AS THAT AND PLAYED OUT IN THAT WAY.

>> NICK: I DID SEE THIS WEEK, PETE MUNDO, THAT IN KANSAS MORE THAN HALF THE COUNTIES NOW, PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS THERE, ARE SAYING TO THE STATE, DON'T EVEN SEND THE VACCINE ANYMORE.

MORE THAN 60 COUNTIES SAYING WE JUST DON'T WANT IT.

WE'VE GOT ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASKED FOR IT.

THERE IS NO NEED FOR IT ANYMORE.

>> WELL, YEAH, AND OBVIOUSLY MAJORITY OF THE COUNTIES IN KANSAS ARE RURAL COUNTIES.

THERE ARE PARTS OF THE URBAN COMMUNITY THAT FEEL THAT WAY AND PARTS OF THE VERY RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT FEEL THAT WAY.

THEY SEEM TO BE THE ONES THAT AGREE ON A SENSE OF VACCINE HESITANCY, WHERE A SUBURBANITES ARE VERY MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE OPEN TO IT.

>> BUT IT'S FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

I THINK SOME OF IT IN RURAL, THERE IS A HESITANCY, PERHAPS THEY DIDN'T SEE PEOPLE DYING OF IT QUITE AT THE SAME LEVELS, AND WITHIN AFRICAN AMERICAN AND LATINO POPULATIONS, THERE IS A HESITANCY BASED AROUND A DISTRUST OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

>> NICK: BUT MORE SURPRISINGLY, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VERY MUCH AT THE FRONT OF THIS, FROM HEALTH CARE WORKERS TO CORRECTIONS OFFICERS WHO ALSO HAVE VERY HIGH DEGREES OF VACCINE HESITANCY AS WELL.

>> PEOPLE WHO WORK IN NURSING HOMES AND EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES WHERE THE DEATH RATE FROM COVID WAS SO HIGH A YEAR AGO ALSO HAVE EXPRESSED SOME CONCERN ABOUT IT.

SO YES, THERE NEEDS TO BE A MUCH, MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, BUT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE, NICK, WHO JUST WON'T GET A SHOT.

THEY JUST WON'T.

THEY DON'T GET FLU SHOTS.

THEY DON'T LIKE TO BE INJECTED WITH FOREIGN SUBSTANCES.

THAT'S GOING TO MAKE RECOVERY FROM COVID BOTH PHYSICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE LONGER.

IT'S GOING TO BE MUCH MORE SPOTTY, BECAUSE PEOPLE JIMPLELY DON'T WANT TO GET SHOTS.

>> NICK: THIS WEEK MARKED EARTH DAY.

I WANTED TO ACTUALLY PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF ALL THE AMAZING IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO OUR ENVIRONMENT OVER THIS LAST YEAR.

WITH FEWER CARS ON THE ROADS, FLIGHTS GROUNDED, INDUSTRY GRINDING TO A HALT, WOULDN'T YOU THINK PLANET EARTH IS IN A SLIGHTLY BETTER SHAPE AFTER A YEAR IN LOCKDOWN?

APPARENTLY IT ISN'T AS CLEAR CUT AS THAT.

IT'S TRUE THAT EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC, GLOBAL RESTRICTIONS LED TO THE LARGEST MONTHLY REDUCTION IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN HISTORY, BUT IT DIDN'T LAST.

DECEMBER'S NUMBERS ACTUALLY EXCEEDED EMISSION LEVELS FROM THE SAME TIME A YEAR BEFORE.

ALSO OF CONCERN TO ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS IS THAT THE PANDEMIC GAVE GOVERNMENTS AN EXCUSE TO EASE UP ON ENFORCING ENVIRONMENT STANDARDS AND FOLLOWING THROUGH ON MANY GREEN INITIATIVES.

BIG COMPANIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN WALKING BACK PROMISES TO HIT ALL SORTS OF GOALS, FROM REDUCING SINGLE USE PLASTICS TO MEETING BENCHMARKS FOR MORE FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS.

I DID A NEWS ARTICLE SEARCH OF QUINTON LUCAS, ERIC WESSON, THAT LOOKED AT THE ENVIRONMENT AND CROSS REFERENCED HIS NAME WITH THINGS THAT HE HAS DONE, AND I COULD BARELY FIND ANY ARTICLES SINCE HE HAS BECOME MAYOR.

IS THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY OTHER ISSUES FROM, AGAIN, DEALING WITH COVID, HOMELESSNESS, HISTORIC RATES OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT THIS ISSUE HAS SLIPPED FROM THE RADAR SCREEN?

>> I THINK HIS HANDS HAVE BEEN SO FULL WITH COVID AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT HE PROBABLY DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> TO ERIC'S POINT, THERE IS A LOT GOING ON HERE RIGHT NOW.

WHETHER IT'S THE BASICS OF GOVERNMENT, LIKE FILLING THE POTHOLES, OR TRYING TO BRING THE HOMICIDE NUMBERS DOWN, I MEAN, THERE IS SO MUCH THAT THE GREEN MOVEMENT THAT OBVIOUSLY ALLOWED A SMALL GROUP OF VOKES IN KANSAS CITY WANT TO MAKE THE NO.

1 ISSUE SHOULD NOT EVEN BE IN THE TOP 10 AT THIS POINT.

>> SEVERAL YEARS AGO, NICK, THE CITY COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND PROMISING TO TRY AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, BUT GOSH, THIS IS A HARD PROBLEM, AND IT TAKES, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS, BILLIONS OF PEOPLE DOING DIFFERENT THINGS TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE REALLY.

I WOULD RECOMMEND -- YOU KNOW I'M A BIG VIEWER OF KCPT, AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THE NOVA SPECIAL ON THE CORAL REEFS THAT AIRED LAST NIGHT, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CORAL AROUND THIS GLOBE IS JUST STUNNING, AND ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT A REAL THING NEEDS TO SPEND A GOOD QUALITY HOUR OR TWO WITH THAT REPORTING.

>> NICK: WHEN YOU PUT A PROGRAM LIKE THIS TOGETHER EVERY WEEK, YOU CAN'T GET TO EVERY MAJOR STORY MAKING THE HEADLINES.

WHAT WAS THE BIG LOCAL STORY WE MISSED?

IT WAS A WEEK FOR BREAKING RECORDS.

HOW ABOUT FOR THE MOST SNOWFALL IN KANSAS CITY THIS LATE IN SPRING?

LAYING TO REST CHIEF'S HALL OF FAMER TURNED POLITICIAN.

JACKSON COUNTY, BY THE WAY, FORCED TO SHUT DOWN HIS NAMESAKE GOLF COURSE AFTER A WORKER MISAPPLIED CHEMICALS AND KILLED MOST OF THE GRASS.

LOST REVENUES AND REPAIR FEES WILL TOP $100,000.

A BIDDING WAR NOW UNDERWAY FOR KANSAS CITY'S SOUTHERN RAILROAD.

THERE'S A SECOND CANADIAN RAIL COMPANY TRYING TO TAKE OVER ONE OF OUR BIGGEST LOCAL COMPANIES.

IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING.

GROUNDBREAKING THIS WEEK ON BOTH SIDES OF STATE LINE FOR WHATABURGER.

FOUR LOCATIONS ARE SCHEDULED TO OPEN THIS FALL.

AND NO CELEBRATION AT THE STATION.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S AN OUTSIDE EVENT, THE SYMPHONY TAKING NO CHANCES AND CANCELING ITS MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT.

ALL RIGHTY, MARY SANCHEZ, DID YOU PICK ONE OF THOSE STORIES OR SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT?

>> KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN, I'VE BEEN FASCINATED BY FOREVER, FOR A COUPLE DECADES NOW.

I THINK PEOPLE OFTEN DON'T UNDERSTAND JUST HOW IMPERATIVE IT IS, THIS REGION, TO ISSUES OF TRANSPORTATION AND MOVES PRODUCT, AND KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN IS RIGHT IN PART OF THAT.

>> NICK: ERIC WESSON.

>> JOSH HAWLEY RAISED $3 MILLION IN CAMPAIGN DONATIONS, AND HE'S NOT EVEN UP FOR REELECTION YET, SO WHOEVER RUNS AGAINST HIM IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH A LOT OF MONEY WHEN HE DOES RUN IN FOUR YEARS.

>> NICK: PETE MUNDO.

>> KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ROLLED OUT THEIR TV SHOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING.

I THINK IT'S KCPD 1041, JUST TRYING TO HUMANIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

INTERESTING STRATEGY, AS WE TALKED ABOUT DIFFERENT WAYS TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND MAYBE THE PUSHBACK ON THEY DON'T GET A FAIR SHAKE IN LOCAL KANSAS CITY MEDIA.

>> NICK: WHAT IF YOU HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE, THOUGH, IT'S ON AT THE SAME TIME AS NOVA DOING OUR CLIMATE CHANGE STORY ON CORAL.

IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL STUFF WEIGHING UP DECISION ON THAT, PETE.

>> NOT FOR ME, NICK.

NOT FOR ME.

>> DAVE HELLING.

>> IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, A FEDERAL COURT HAS FOUND DISCRIMINATION IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, ORDERED THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY DAMAGES TO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST FIREFIGHTER.

FIREHOUSES ARE STILL PLACES OF REAL RACISM IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS AND KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, AND THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

>> NICK: ON THAT, WE WILL SAY OUR WEEK HAS BEEN REVIEWED.

OUR THANKS FOR NATIONALLY SYNDICATED COLUMNIST MARY SANCHEZ, WILL CALL EDITOR, ERIC WESSON, DAVE HELLING OF YOUR KANSAS CITY STAR, AND 6 TO 10 WEEKDAYS ON KCMO TALK RADIO, PETE MUNDO.

I'M NICK HAINES.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KANSAS CITY PBS, BE WELL, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

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