Like baseball.

We're finally back.

Thank you, Governor.

anything like this.

Missouri lawmaker.

This is going to be so big.

Kansas City Munson Review.

Buckle up.

The week's biggest local news dissect it straight ahead.

through the generous support of AARP, Kansas City, RSM, Bob and Marlys Gali, Charitable Trust, John H. and a co trustees and by viewers like you.

Thank you.

Hello, I'm Nick Haynes.

I am thrilled to bits to be back and in a week big news to share.

construction project underway in Kansas City.

to go through this building.

in the last few days, metal fence any moment now.

Many of these walls to make room for a new look.

Kansas City, PBS with modern and cooling and cool new places to visit us.

I'll regularly going on, a heads up now just in case.

that randomly appearing And I'm not even joking.

You may not but it looks like all around me.

Fortunately, this week's guests to try and navigate they're beaming in from all over the metro.

Steve Craske is coming to us.

All right.

And also with us of our National Public joining us from his bunker District, managing the Cole newspaper, Eric Wesson.

Kansas City star, Dave Helling.

>> NICK: WE'RE MARKING A HUGE MILESTONE THIS WEEK.

TODAY MARKS THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF COVID LOCKDOWNS.

DOES IT SEEM THAT LONG?

DOES IT SEEM EVEN LONGER THAN THAT?

HERE'S HOW WE STARTED THE SHOW TWO YEARS AGO THIS VERY WEEK.

>> THE LAST TIME WE HAD OUR WEEK IN REVIEW PROGRAM, THE CITY HEALTH OFFICIAL WAS TELLING KANSAS CITIANS TO RELAX.

>> EVERYBODY CAN TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND RELAX.

>> NICK: AND NOW THE CITY'S ENTIRE PUBLIC LIFE SHUTTING DOWN.

>> I AM ORDERING ALL K THROUGH 12 SCHOOLS TO CLOSE AND CEASE IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THE CORONAVIRUS IS GOING TO BE OVER IN A WEEK OR TWO.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT THIS IS GONG TO BE HERE FOR MONTHS.

>> THERE ARE SOME WHO WILL BE ANGRY ABOUT ANY NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WILL BE CLOSED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS OR PERHAPS LONGER.

>> NICK: WHAT LESSONS HAVE WE LEARNED IN THAT TWO YEARS?

IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOWN BACK THEN IT WAS GOING TO LAST THIS LONG, WOULD WE HAVE DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY?

>> I HOPE WE WOULD HAVE DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY, NICK.

WE CERTAINLY NEEDED TO GET OUR COLLECTIVE ACTS TOGETHER, AND WE NEEDED TO FIND A WAY TO GET COORDINATED AND ACT AS ONE UNIT GOING FORWARD.

I MEAN, THERE WERE THESE DIFFERENT RULES, DIFFERENT MASK LAWS IN EVERY DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITY, DIFFERENCES IN BOTH SIDES OF THE STATE LINE, AND EVEN AS SOMEBODY WHO COVERS THE NEWS AS MUCH AS I DO, I COULDN'T KEEP TRACK OF WHAT THE DIFFERENT LAWS WERE, NICK.

>> I AGREE THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PLAYBOOK.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF THINGS DIDN'T GET OUT AS FAST AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, AND WE POLITICIZED IT.

>> I THINK SO MUCH OF THIS TENSION AND THE POLITICAL SPOT WE'RE AT TODAY IS BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOSS OF INCOME, THERE WAS A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.

PEOPLE WERE GETTING SICK, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROCESS IN PLACE TO PAY THEM WHILE THEY WERE OUT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAD TO QUARANTINE FOR LONG AMOUNTS OF TIME.

NOW GOVERNMENT HAS ALL OF THIS MONEY TO PUMP INTO PROGRAMS.

WHAT IF WE HAD SPENT ALL OF THAT AT THE BEGINNING PART OF THAT PANDEMIC?

>> THERE WERE LOTS OF MISTAKES MADE, NICK, BUT IN MY VIEW, SOME OF IT, MOST OF IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE.

WE JUST HAD NEVER BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE.

WE ALSO OUGHT TO PAUSE AND REMEMBER THE PEOPLE WHO DIED FROM THIS.

THIS WASN'T JUST A PASSING PROBLEM.

THIS WAS A UNIQUE CHALLENGING PANDEMIC, AND NEARLY 20,000 MISSOURIANS DIED AS A RESULT OF IT.

>> NICK: FAST FORWARD TO TODAY.

DID YOU SEE THIS HEADLINE, BY THE WAY, KU HOSPITAL REPORTING ZERO COVID PATIENTS IN THEIR ICU, ZERO COVID PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS.

IS THIS THE WEEK THAT WE DECLARE COVID IS FINALLY IN THE REVIEW MIRROR?

EVEN THE ULTRA COVID CONSCIOUS KANSAS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS DROPPING ITS MASK MANDATE.

OTHER THAN TO CATCH A BUS OR TRANSPORTATION, IS THERE ANYPLACE YOU HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

>> INTERESTING POINT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST TENSE.

THE LAST THING I WANT TO BE IS A TYPICAL JOURNALISTIC DOOMSDAY SAYER HERE THAT WE MAY NOT BE THROUGH THIS YET, BUT WE MAY NOT BE THROUGH THIS YESTERDAY.

THE UK EXPERIENCED A NEARLY 50% INCREASE LAST WEEK IN CASES OF COVID-19.

I HAVE A BUDDY WHO WORKS AT AM SMALL COLLEGE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, ST. OLAF, COLLEGE.

THEY WENT WITHOUT MASKS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

CASES HAVE SIMPLY EXPLODED THERE ON THAT LITTLE CAMPUS IN NORTH FIELD, MINNESOTA.

AND BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR MASK AWAY FOREVER, PUT THEM IN THE ATTIC, I WOULD HANG ON TO THEM.

I'M NOT SURE WE'RE THROUGH THIS YET, AND I'M STILL WEARING MY MASK IN MY CLASSES JUST BECAUSE I THINK WE COULD BE SEEING A REBOUND ANY TIME SOON.

I'M SORRY TO BE THE GUY WHO HAS GOT TO SAY THAT, NICK.

I THINK THAT'S JUST THE REALITY.

>> NICK: BUT TWO YEARS AGO, YOU HAD THE GOVERNOR SAYING WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE SCHOOLS, FIRST IN THE COUNTRY ACTUALLY.

IT WAS KANSAS IN DOING THAT STATEWIDE.

AND THEN WE HAD THE RESTAURANTS AND BARS CLOSING DOWN IN KANSAS CITY, LISA.

COULD WE EVEN DO THAT TODAY, THOUGH?

WE SEE LAWS IN KANSAS, FOR INSTANCE, THIS WEEK TO BLOCK CITIES AND COUNTIES, FOR INSTANCE, TO IMPOSE MASK MANDATES ANY LONGER.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO TAKE SUCH EXTREME MEASURES IN THIS POLITICAL CLIMATE.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THE WAY THAT THIS HAS ALL PLAYED OUT AND THAT WE ARE NOW WRITING AND PASSING LAWS THAT WILL HAMPER HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO TAKE ACTION ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN ANY SORT OF PANDEMIC MOVING FORWARD.

STEVE IS RIGHT, THAT WE'RE NOT OUT OF THIS YET.

WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH NEW VARIANTS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING DOWN THE LINE.

BUT A FULL SHUTDOWN AT THIS POINT REALLY SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE.

>> NICK: AS I WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE TAPE ON WHAT WE WERE DOING TWO YEARS AGO, GUESS WHAT WE WERE DOING AROUND HERE THREE YEARS AGO THIS WEEK?

WE WERE IN THE THICK OF DEBATE SEASON TO PICK A NEW MAYOR OF KANSAS CITY.

WE ARE NOW ONLY A YEAR AWAY.

THINK BACK TO THREE YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, AND WE WERE ACTUALLY SCRAMBLING AROUND HERE TO FIND ENOUGH PODIUMS TO ACCOMMODATE 11 CANDIDATES, 11 OF THEM.

HOW COME WITH A YEAR OUT, ERIC, FROM THIS NEXT ELECTION, NO ONE HAS PUBLICLY COME FORWARD TO SAY THEY'RE RUNNING AGAINST QUINTON LUCAS?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I WOULD THINK THAT IF YOU READ THE BLOGS AND READ FACEBOOK POSTS AND COMMENTS, THEY WOULD BE LINED UP AROUND THE BLOCK HOW THEY DON'T LIKE SOME OF HIS POLICIES DURING THE MASK MANDATE, HIS REACTION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT I JUST BELIEVE THAT IT'S EASY TO SIT AT HOME AND ARM CHAIR QUARTERBACK IT THAN IT IS TO ACTUALLY GET IN THE RACE.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE ISSUE, NICK.

WHAT ERIC JUST SAID, HE PROBABLY WILL WIN AGAIN.

I MEAN, THIS GUY HAS SIMPLY OUT-HUSTLED EVERY OTHER POLITICIAN IN THE CITY.

I SAID THIS BEFORE IN THE PROGRAM, MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS IS EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME.

HE'S TAKEN SOME RISKS.

HE'S NOT BEEN A PLAY IT SAFE POLITICIAN AT ALL.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ADMIRE THAT ABOUT HIM.

LISTEN, A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL SAY HE BLOWS WITH THE WIND.

HAVING SAID THAT, I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY EMERGE, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY RUMORS OF ANYBODY EMERGING HERE.

>> NICK: HAVE YOU HEARD ANY RUMORS, DAVE?

>> A COUPLE.

I THINK THERE IS SOME EXPECTATION THAT SOMEONE FROM THE NORTHLAND WILL RUN.

HEATHER HALL'S NAME COMES UP A LOT.

BUT IT'S VERY HARD IN KANSAS CITY, NICK, TO DISLODGE AN INCUMBENT MAYOR.

WE'VE LEARNED THAT OVER MANY, MANY YEARS.

MARK FUNKHOUSER WAS THE ONLY INCUMBENT WHO SOUGHT REELECTION WHO LOST.

THE OTHERS HAVE ALL FACED TOKEN OPPOSITION.

IT'S POSSIBLE THAT QUINTON LUCAS WILL ENJOY THE SAME OUTCOME.

HE'S BROADLY POPULAR, HASN'T HAD ANY SCANDALS REALLY, HASN'T MADE HUGE MISTAKES.

HE'S THE ODDS ON FAVORITE.

>> NICK: LISA, YOU WERE COVERING CITY HALL WHAT HE WAS RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES, GET OFF THE F.B.I.

'S TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS LIST, GET HOMICIDES LOWER THAN 100.

YET SINCE HE'S BEEN MAYOR, WE'VE NEVER HAD FEWER THAN 150 HOMICIDES IN KANSAS CITY.

AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS TERM, WE WERE TOLD HE'S GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT.

IF HE DOESN'T DELIVER ON THAT, HE WON'T GET A SECOND TERM.

GUESS WHAT?

DO WE NOT CARE ABOUT HOMICIDES IN THE CITY?

>> I THINK WHEN HE WAS STARTING HIS TERM WE DIDN'T KNOW THE MASSIVE STORY THAT WAS THE PANDEMIC THAT WAS COMING, AND I THINK HIS LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE PANDEMIC HAS PROBABLY OVERSHADOWED ANY OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT OR ANY OTHER STRUGGLE THAT HE'S HAD TO WORK THROUGH.

NOW, GETTING OFF OF THE F.B.I.

'S LIST AND DROPPING HOMICIDES LOWER THAN 100 IS STILL GOING TO BE A PRIORITY.

IT IS STILL HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN HE GOT ELECTED, HE HAD SUPPORT OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.

HE HAD SUPPORT FROM THE NORTHLAND.

I THINK AT THIS POINT, THAT OPPOSITION HAS NOW SOLIDIFIED.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING, THOUGH.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A NUMBER OF FACTORS THERE, SO WE'VE GOT HOMICIDES GOING THROUGH THE ROOF.

WE ARE NO LONGER GETTING ANY SUPPORT, ERIC, FROM THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.

NO LONGER GETTING SUPPORT FROM THE NORTHLAND.

SOME PEOPLE WOULD VIEW THAT AS A WINNING COALITION FOR ANOTHER CANDIDATE TO WIN THAT ELECTION.

>> YEAH, BUT THEN AGAIN, YOU KNOW, HE'S MADE SOME GOOD MOVES WITH SOME OF THE BASES IN THE NORTHLAND.

HE'S TRIED TO GIVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RAISES OR HE'S GIVEN THEM RAISES.

HE'S MADE MEASURES TO HIRE MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

HE'S EXTENDED THE OLIVE BRANCH, BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT HIM THAT PEOPLE DON'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, HE'S A HUSTLER.

HE'S GOING TO BE DOOR KNOCKING.

HE'S GOING TO BE KISSING BABIES.

HE'S GOING TO BE HELPING OLD LADIES ACROSS THE STREET.

HE'S GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND AGGRESSIVELY GO.

LIKE LAST TIME HE RAN, I THOUGHT HE HAD A TWIN.

HE WAS EVERYWHERE AT THE SAME TIME.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO COME FOR HIM, YOU BETTER BE PREPARED TO HUSTLE.

>> NICK: IT HAS BEEN SPRING BREAK THIS WEEK FOR SCHOOLS OF OUR AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND UNIVERSITIES.

GUESS WHO ELSE WAS ON SPRING BREAK?

MISSOURI LAWMAKERS.

THAT MEANS ENDING THAT STALEMATE OVER DRAWING CONGRESSIONAL MAPS WILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK.

DID YOU KNOW MISSOURI IS NOW ONE OF ONLY FOUR STATES NOT TO APPROVE NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

THE HOLDUP REMAINS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE CONSERVATIVE CAUCUS IN THE MISSOURI SENATE WHO ARE STILL TRYING TO CLAIM ANOTHER REPUBLICAN SEAT IN WASHINGTON BY CARVING UP KANSAS CITY CONGRESSMAN EMMANUEL CLEAVER'S DISTRICT.

THIS CAN'T GO ON FOREVER.

MARCH 29th, JUST A FEW DAYS FROM NOW, IS THE DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES TO FILE FOR OFFICE IN MISSOURI.

COULDN'T THIS CAUSE AN EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE CANDIDATES FILE FOR OFFICE IN SEATS THAT BY ELECTION DAY THEY DON'T EVEN LIVE IN, STEVE?

>> YES.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN HERE, NICK.

THEY ARE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THESE DISTRICTS.

AGAIN IT'S A REMINDER TO ALL OF US ABOUT JUST HOW POLITICAL THIS PROCESS IS.

THE PUBLIC WANTS THERE TO BE EVEN STEVEN DISTRICTS.

FORGET ALL THAT.

THIS IS ABOUT POLITICAL SURVIVAL, PURE AND SIMPLE.

>> FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, I'VE ASKED YOU ON THIS PROGRAM, ERIC, IS EMMANUEL CLEAVER HAVING TROUBLE NOW GOING TO SLEEP AT NIGHT?

YOU'VE ALWAYS SAID HE WAS FINE.

HAS THAT CHANGED NOW THAT THIS HAS LINGER ON?

>> I TALKED TO HIM WHEN HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO JEFF CITY TO SIGN UP, AND HE SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE FIFTH DISTRICT WAS, AND IT'S VERY DISTURBING BECAUSE, AS A CANDIDATE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START YOUR CAMPAIGN AT, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE THE BOUNDARIES ARE GOING TO BE.

>> NICK: DID YOU GO ANYWHERE FOR SPRING BREAK, BY THE WAY?

MISSOURI GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON IS SPENDING SPRING BREAK IN LONDON ON A TRADE MISSION AT THE UK.

HERE TESS SITTING BEHIND WINSTON CHURCH CHURCHILL'S DESK.

ALL OF THIS MEANS PROGRESS IS HALTED ON A SLEW OF OTHER ISSUES, FROM FUNDING POLICE TO NEW RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION.

ALSO STILL BEING CONSIDERED ARE LAWS PERMITTING SPORTS BETTING AND A REVOTE OVER MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WE HEAR LOTS OF TALK, OF COURSE, ABOUT BILLS THAT MAY END UP GOING NOWHERE.

WHICH OF THESE ISSUES, LISA, HAS THE BEST CHANCE OF SUCCESS BEFORE LAWMAKERS LEAVE FOR THE END OF THE YEAR?

>> WITH THE FRICTION IN THE MISSOURI SENATE, MAYBE NOTHING.

I'M NOT SURE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO GET ANYTHING REALLY ACROSS THE FINISH LINE WITH THE KIND OF IN-FIGHTING WE'RE SEEING IN THE MISSOURI SENATE.

I DO -- WE ARE PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THAT POLICE FUNDING BILL.

THAT IS ONE THAT I THINK AMONG REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE THE MAJORITY THAT EVERYONE CAN AGREE ON, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THERE ARE KANSAS CITY AREA LAWMAKERS BEHIND THAT PUSH, WHICH ARE PROBABLE THE LAWMAKERS THAT IN A NORMAL YEAR WE WOULD EXPECT TO FIGHT AGAINST SUCH A MEASURE.

THAT'S ONE THAT WE'RE WATCHING CLOSELY.

>> I DO THINK YOU'LL GET SOME ABORTION LEGISLATION.

THERE MIGHT BE A REAL EFFORT TO REPEAL THE GASOLINE TAX INCREASE THAT WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR.

THERE ARE CONCERNS, OF COURSE, ABOUT THE PRICE OF GAS AND REPUBLICANS ARE STILL A LITTLE UPSET WITH THAT.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THE GOVERNOR COMES DOWN.

HE'S A PRETTY GOOD -- PRETTY AGGRESSIVE SUPPORTER OF THAT TAX.

SO YOU MAY SEE SOME OF THAT.

AND YOU WILL SEE LOTS OF STUFF ON THE BALL ON THE.

I THINK YOU'LL GET MEDICAID EXPANSION REPEAL ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING ABOUT THE KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ON THE BALLOT, IF ANY CHANGES ARE MADE, SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES ARE MADE ON THE KANSAS CITY POLICE FUNDING FRONT.

SO I THINK THE BALLOT WILL BE CROWDED IN NOVEMBER.

THAT MAY BE THE MOST THAT THE LEGISLATURE ACCOMPLISHES THIS YEAR.

>> NICK: WILL THE BIG KANSAS MYSTERY FINALLY BE REVEALED THIS WEEK?

LAST MONTH WE WERE TOLD THAT A FINAL DECISION WILL BE MADE BY MID MARCH ON WHETHER A NEW MASSIVE MANUFACTURING FACILITY WILL MOVE TO KANSAS.

STATE LAWMAKERS, YOU MAY REMEMBER, POURED MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN INCENTIVES TO LURE AN UNNAMED EMPLOYER, PROMISING UP TO 4,000 PERMANENT JOBS.

IT IS MID MARCH RIGHT NOW, ISN'T IT?

AND THE COMPANY, BY THE WAY IS STILL SHROUDED IN SECRECY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS RUMOR AFTER RUMOR ABOUT PANASONIC BEING THAT MYSTERY COMING.

WHY ARE WE STILL IN THE DARK, STEVE?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REASON IS.

I'M NOT SURE ANYBODY DOES.

THE COMPANY WILL DO WHAT THE COMPANY IS GOING TO DO WHEN IT'S READY TO DO IT, NICK.

I THINK EVERY JOURNALIST TICK ORGANIZATION THIS SIDE OF THE MISSISSIPPI AND BETWEEN HERE AND THE ROCKIES IS READY TO GO WITH THIS STORY WHENEVER IT'S ANNOUNCED BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A BIG DEAL.

SO MUCH MONEY, SUCH A BIG INVESTMENT, THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, NICK.

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING THE DELAY.

>> IT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT THAT WE FIND OUT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER IN KANSAS WHETHER THIS COMPANY IS COMING.

WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, NICK, BECAUSE OF ALL THE TAX MONEY AND INCENTIVES THAT THE LEGISLATURE SET ASIDE, SOME LAWMAKERS ARE USING THAT AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO CUT THE FOOD SALES TAX, WHICH GOVERNOR LAWYER A KELLY HAS PROPOSED AND, FOR THAT MATTER, DEREK SCHMIDT.

SOME SAY LOOK, WE CAN'T CUT FOOD SALES TAXES.

WE JUST GAVE THIS MONEY TO THAT COMPANY.

IF THAT COMPANY ISN'T COMING, THAT MONEY IS FREED UP FOR OTHER THINGS ON TAXES, INCLUDING REDUCTION OF THE FOOD SALES TAX.

SO IT'S CRITICAL WE FIND THAT OUT BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE GETS READY TO ADJOURN SOME TIME IN APRIL.

>> NICK: WHILE WE WAIT FOR THAT FINAL DECISION, KANSAS LAWMAKERS ARE DEALING WITH A VERY PACKED PLATE.

>> IT'S NOW TIME FOR US TO START HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT PUTTING SOME RESTRICTIONS AND NOT ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BUY THESE FIRE ARMS.

>> NICK: AFTER A SHOOTING AT OLATHE EAST HIGH SCHOOL, THERE IS A PUSH TO BAN SO-CALLED GHOST GUNS IN THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE.

US UP FOR DEBATE, BILLS BANNING FUTURE MASK MANDATES, SANCTUARY CITIES AND MUNICIPAL ID CARS.

ALSO WORTH PAYING ATTENTION TO IS A MEASURE ADDING TOUGHER CRIMINAL PENALTIES AGAINST ANYONE WHO ASSAULTS A HEALTH CARE WORKER, AND A LAST MINUTE EFFORT TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT IS PUSHING A WAY TO CHANGE THE WAY KANSAS SUPREME COURT JUSTICES ARE SUPPORTED, AND STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE IS A BILL BANNING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM COMPETING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

WHICH OF THESE ISSUES -- AGAIN, WE HEAR LOTS OF HEADLINES ALL OF THE TIME.

WE ALSO GET PANICKED ABOUT THEM.

JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS PROPOSED DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING ANYWHERE.

WHICH OF THESE ISSUES IS MOST LIKELY TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, IF ANY, IN KANSAS.

YOU WEREN'T VERY OPTIMISTIC ON THE MISSOURI SIDE.

HOW ABOUT ON THE KANSAS CITY SIDE, LISA?

>> I THINK ON THE KANSAS SIDE IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY.

THE REPUBLICANS IN THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE HAVE ALREADY PROVEN THEY CAN RANGEL ENOUGH VOTES TO OVERRIDE A VETO, SO I THINK ANYTHING THAT THEY REALLY WANT TO TAKE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE THEY CAN.

IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, LAST SESSION THE LEGISLATURE DID PASS THESE TRANS SPORTS BILLS THAT WAS VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR.

I THINK THOSE HAVE A GREAT CHANCE OF PASSING AGAIN.

THE SANCTUARY CITIES LAW, IF REPUBLICANS WANT TO GIVE A BOOST TO THEIR LIKELY CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEREK SCHMIDT, THAT MAYBE HAS A POSSIBILITY OF GETTING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> I THINK THEY'LL PASS THAT BILL THAT SAYS IF YOU ATTACK A HEALTH CARE WORKER IN KANSAS, NICK, IT'S EQUAL TO ATTACKING A POLICE OFFICER.

HORRENDOUS STORIES ABOUT HOW VULNERABLE OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE.

HAVEN'T SEEN ANY OPPOSITION TO THAT BILL YET.

I THINK IT WILL PASS.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE THE GUN ISSUE PASSING, THOUGH, ERIC.

>> AND THAT'S THE ONE THAT I THOUGHT WOULD PASS.

THAT GHOST GUN ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS, WHERE YOU'VE GOT ANYBODY, WHETHER HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, WHETHER THEY'RE KIDS, ANYBODY CAN GO ONLINE AND BUY ONE OF THOSE GUNS.

THEY COME IN FOUR PIECES.

THEY PUT THEM TOGETHER.

THEY HAVE NO SERIAL NUMBER ON THEM.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN DETECT THEM GOING THROUGH METAL DETECTORS AS WE SAW AT OLATHE, UNLESS THEY HAVE BULLETS IN THEM.

>> YOU KNOW, NICK, ERIC MAKES A GREAT POINT ABOUT GHOST GUNS, BUT THREE LETTERS FOR YOU, NICK, NRA.

I DON'T THINK THEY FAVOR THAT BILL.

I'D BE SURPRISED IF IT GOES VERY FAR.

>> NICK: IN OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK, THE BASEBALL LOCKOUT IS FINALLY OVER, AND THE ROYALS MADE A DELAYED TRIP THIS WEEK TO BEGIN SPRING TRAINING IN ARIZONA, BUT WHILE THERE'S GLEE FROM BASEBALL FANS, ARE STORM CLOUDS GATHERING?

WILL THE DISRUPTION MAKE IT HARDER FOR THE ROYALS OWNERSHIP TEAM TO ASK THE PUBLIC FOR CASH TO HELP BUILD A NEW DOWNTOWN BALLPARK?

AND WHAT ABOUT THAT NEW BILL NOW MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS THAT BLOCKS PUBLIC SUBSIDIES FOR STADIUMS, MORE SPECIFICALLY IT ENDS THAT TAX EXEMPT STATUS ON MUNICIPAL BONDS THAT'S USED TO FINANCE NEW SPORTS FACILITIES.

DOES THAT NEW NO-TAX SUBSIDIES FOR STADIUMS ACT -- >> ASSUMING THEY USE A MUNICIPAL BOND MECHANISM TO PAY FOR IT, WHICH IS TYPICALLY WHAT STADIUM BUILDERS DO, NICK, BECAUSE THEY'RE TAX EXEMPT AND THEY LOWER THE COST OF THE PROJECT, AND THAT'S WHAT WOULD BE INVOLVED HERE.

BUT LET ME TELL YOU THIS.

I DON'T WANT TO BE TOO COY ABOUT IT, BUT THERE IS ENORMOUS MOVEMENT ON DOWNTOWN BASEBALL IN KANSAS CITY NOW, TAKING PLACE NOW.

THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE REACHED A VERY HIGH LEVEL.

THE MOMENTUM IS VERY STRONG, AND I WOULD JUST SUGGEST THAT VIEWERS SHOULD PAY CLOSE ATTENTION OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO WHAT'S BEING TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF DOWNTOWN BASEBALL.

WE ARE MUCH CLOSER TO A DECISION ON THAT THAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE THAT'S LINKED WITH THIS IS THE ISSUE OF SPORTS BETTING, WHICH IS ALSO BEING MOVED ON IN THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE, AND SOME PEOPLE ARGUE, BOY, YOU ARE NOW GOING TO GIVE A BRAND NEW REVENUE LINE FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SPORTS TEAMS AS PART OF THAT BILL.

ARE YOU GOING TO BE ASKING FOR MONEY?

>> I THINK THAT'S A VALID ARGUMENT, AND I THINK THESE ARE THE CONVERSATIONS, AND PARTICULARLY AS THE CITY HAS HAD MORE DISCUSSION ON TAX INCENTIVES, MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT A DOWNTOWN BASEBALL STADIUM AND HOW IT COULD BE PAID FOR, I THINK THESE ARE ARGUMENTS AND RESISTANCE THAT ANY CAMPAIGN ON A NEW STADIUM WILL FACE.

>> NICK: WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, OF COURSE, THAT ALL PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS ARE TRADE-OFFS.

WE HAVE TO CHOOSE ONE THING VERSUS ANOTHER OFTENTIMES.

SO ARE WE BETTER OFF GETTING A DOWNTOWN STADIUM OR ARE WE BETTER OFF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT TO GET A 170-FOOT CLIMATE CONTROLLED FERRIS WHEEL DOWNTOWN?

WOULD THAT BE BETTER?

IT WOULD GO IN AROUND THE ROAD FROM UNION STATION AND THE BALLET BUILDING AS PART OF WHAT IS BEING DESCRIBED AS AN URBAN PLAYGROUND WITH A WINERY, BEER GARDEN, MINI GOLF COURSE, BARS AND EATERIES.

THE FOLKS BEHIND IT ARE THE DEVELOPERS NOW WORKING TO TRANSFORM THE KANSAS CITY STAR BUILDING.

AND LIKE A ROYALS GAME AT A DOWNTOWN BALLPARK, YOU COULD SEE ALL OF THIS FOR FREE, AND THE FOOD AND DRINK CHEAPER THAN WHAT YOU GET AT THE STADIUM.

IS THIS A LONG SHOT, ERIC OR SOMETHING CITY LEADERS ARE SALIVATING OVER AND WANTING TO GET STARTED ON?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S ANYTHING ON THE FRONT BURNER RIGHT NOW.

I THINK A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IS TAKING PLACE DOWNTOWN, AND I THINK A LOT OF THINGS ARE MORE PRIORITY THAN THAT.

BUT THAT CONCEPT IS GOOD, AND IN OTHER CITIES WHERE THEY HAVE THAT TYPE OF SETUP, LIKE ORLANDO, THEY'RE PRETTY POPULAR, AND THEY GENERATE QUITE A BIT OF SALES REVENUE.

>> THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED, OF COURSE, IN KANSAS CITY, DAVE.

I REMEMBER CLAY CHASTAIN EVEN PROPOSED A FERRIS WHEEL FOR PENN VALLEY PARK, DIDN'T HE?

>> OR STAN GLACIER.

REMEMBER STAN, HE RAN FOR MAYOR AGAINST KAY BARNES.

THAT WAS HIS WHOLE PLATFORM, HUGE FERRIS WHEEL DOWN ON THE MISSOURI RIVER WHERE THE BERKLEY PARK IS TODAY.

YEAH, THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT BEFORE.

I WOULD JUST CAUTION EVERYONE WHO IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT.

THE STAR BUILDING HAS BEEN UNDER RENOVATION FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS NOW AND DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE CLOSE TO OPENING.

SO TAKE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS PROJECT WITH A BIT OF A GRAIN OF SALT AS WELL.

>> IT'S KIND OF A COOL IDEA, THOUGH.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST FUN.

I HOPE IT HAPPENS.

>> YEAH, BUT REMEMBER, WE MOCKED GLACIER RELENTLESSLY FOR HIS FERRIS WHEEL, MADE THE BUTT OF MANY, MANY JOKES.

>> HE WAS A MAN AHEAD OF HIS TIME.

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

WHAT WAS THE BIG LOCAL STORY WE MISSED?

>> IT'S A WEEK THAT SEES KANSAS CITY GO GREEN AND WHERE MARCH MADNESS BECOMES ONE OF THE PUBLIC'S BIGGEST DISTRACTIONS.

FOR SOME KANSAS CITIANS, THE PATRICK MAHOMES WEDDING IS THE MOST EXCITING NEWS OF THE WEEK.

OTHERS SAY IT'S THE PAIN THEY'RE FEELING AT THE PUMP.

>> YES, THEY'RE OUTRAGEOUS, MAN.

>> WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A HUGE CONSOLATION, TRIPLE-A SAYS WE HAVE THE CHEAPEST GLASS IN THE COUNTRY, KANSAS COMING IN AS NO.

1, MISSOURI IN THE NO.

2 SPOT.

THERE'S NEW PUSHBACK THIS WEEK OVER HOUSING THE HOMELESS, A BOISTEROUS CROWD PROTESTS A NEW CITY PLAN TO PROTEST A TINY HOMES COMMITTEE.

AND THE AUSCHWITZ EXHIBIT FINALLY CLOSES THIS WEEK AFTER A NINE MONTH RUN.

UNION STATION SAYS IT'S THE MOST VISITED EXHIBIT IN ITS HISTORY.

NEXT UP, MAYA, CHRONICLING THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES OF THE MAYAN CULTURE.

A OPENS IN MAY.

ALL RIGHTY, DID YOU PICK ONE OF THOSE STORIES OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?

>> I PICKED A STORY THAT HAS GOTTEN SOME BUZZ OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS, AND THAT IS A SMALL RADIO STATION IN LIBERTY, MISSOURI, THAT CONTINUES TO BROADCAST AND AIR PROGRAMMING THAT'S PAID FOR BY THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, THAT'S FUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, THAT SOME SAY IS RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA.

WE HAD SOME KCUR AND MPR REPORTERS UP THERE THIS WEEK TALKING TO THE OWNER OF THAT STATION, WHO HAS NO PLANS TO STOP BROADCASTING THIS PROGRAMMING.

>> IT'S ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF HIS PROGRAMMING, BUT IT BRINGS IN A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY THAT KEEPS HIM ON THE AIR FOR THE OTHER THINGS HE WANTS TO DO.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THANK YOU, DAVE.

>> THE DISCUSSION, IF YOU WILL, NICK, OF THE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI POLICE BUDGET WILL REACH A CLIMAX OF SORTS NEXT THURSDAY, THE 24th, WHEN THE CITY HAS TO PASS A BUDGET, AND THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS GOING ON NOW ABOUT HOW TO SET ASIDE SOME MONEY FOR A COMMUNITY PROGRAM, WHETHER THAT WILL WORK, NOT WORK, WHAT THE CHECKS AND BALANCES WILL BE.

EVERYONE IN KANSAS CITY WHO CARES ABOUT THE POLICE AND CRIME SHOULD PAY ATTENTION AS THAT DEBATE UNFOLDS OVER THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS.

>> NICK: ERIC.

>> I HAD SEVERAL THINGS.

ONE, THE HEARTS, THE ART HEARTS, 150 OF THEM SPREAD ACROSS KANSAS CITY AND THE CITY MANAGER SAID, YOU KNOW, GO FIND ALL 150 OF THEM.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.

AND AFTER THEY TAKE THEM DOWN, THEY'RE GOING TO SELL THEM.

BUT ALSO, STEVE POTTER RETIRING FROM THE LIBRARY SYSTEM HERE IN JACKSON COUNTY AND PLATTE COUNTY AND CLAY.

I THINK HE'S DONE A LOT FOR THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.

>> STEVE.

>> NICK, I PICK SOMETHING ELSE TOO.

POLICE VACANCY RATES IN SOME NORTHEAST JOHNSON COUNTY CITIES, PRAIRIE VILLAGE, SHAWNEE, OVERLAND PARK, RATES FOUR TIMES HIGHER THAN THEY TYPICALLY ARE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

LISTEN, POLICE HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF HITS IN THIS COUNTRY IN RECENT YEARS, MANY DESERVEDLY SO.

HAVING SAID THAT, THERE'S A PRICE ON THE BACK END, AND WE MAY BE SEEING IT NOW WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE'S ABILITIES TO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR OWN HOMES IN SOME COMMUNITIES IN OUR LISTENER SHIP.

>> NICK: ON THAT, WE WILL SAY OUR WEEK HAS BEEN REVIEWED, THANKS TO OUR NEWS REVIEWERS.

FROM KCUR, LISA RODRIGUEZ, AND STEVE KRASKE WHO KEEPS YOU UP-TO-DATE AT 9 ON KCUR.

ALWAYS ON CALL, ERIC WESSON FROM THE CALL, AND FROM THE KANSAS CITY STAR, DAVE HELLING.

I'M NICK HAINES.

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

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