>> COMING UP...THE LINE TO GET YOUR FREE VACCINATION DONUT WAS PROBABLY LONGER THIS WEEK THAN THE LINE AT YOUR LOCAL POLLING STATION.

>> NO MATTER, WE TRACK WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY AT THE BALLOT BOX AND WHY.

>> PLUS, OUR TWO GOVERNORS ARE EMPHATIC, NO TO VACCINE PASSPORTS.

>> WE'LL NEVER DO THAT MANDATED.

ALSO THIS HALF HOUR... WITH KANSAS NOW DITCHING MASK MANDATES, IS THE PRESSURE NOW BUILDING ON OUR SCHOOLS?

>> THE GENTLEMAN IN THE BACK EITHER WEARS A MASK OR LEAVES.

>> AND STRAIGHT AHEAD...

THE HOMELESS REFUSING TO BACK DOWN AND KANSAS CITY ALL-STAR DREAMS DASHED, COULD THERE BE MORE DISAPPOINTMENT AHEAD?

>> "WEEK IN REVIEW" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF DAVE AND JAMIE COMINGS, BOB AND MARLICE, BANK OF AMERICA CO TRUSTEES, AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

[♪♪] >> WELCOME EVERYONE NICK HAINES, YOUR HOST AND GUIDE THROUGH THE WEEK'S MOST IMPACTFUL NEWS STORIES DISSECTED BY THE JOURNALISTS WHO REPORT AND COVER THOSE STORIES.

CHECKING IN WITH US ON THE BIG SCREEN THIS WEEK MR.

UP-TO-DATE ON KCUR FM STEVE KRASKE.

FROM THE INVESTIGATION UNIT AT 41 ACTION NEWS, CAT REID.

FROM THE KANSAS CITY CALL NEWSPAPER ERIC WESSON AND FROM THE PAGES OF YOUR KANSAS CITY STAR DAVE HELLING.

KANSAS CITIANS WENT TO THE POLLS THIS WEEK BUT THERE WERE LONGER LINES OUTSIDE KRISPY KREME THAN YOUR POLLING STATION.

10% OF VOTERS BOTHERING TO SHOW UP TO CAST A BALLOT.

>> WHILE THERE WAS NOT A BIG TURNOUT, THERE WERE PLENTY OF BIG WINS.

77% OF VOTERS SAID YES TO RENEWING THE EARNINGS TASK.

THE SCHOOL BOARD IS OUSTED BY VOTERS.

THE FIRST BLACK SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, AND THE LEE SUMMIT SCHOOL BOARD HAS TWO BLACK ELECTED MEMBERS AFTER DENNIS CARPENTER HANDED IN HIS RESIGNATION TO AN ALL WHITE BOARD AND HAPPY WITH HIS PLANS TO EXPAND RACIAL EQUITY PROGRAMS.

>> JUST SOME OF THE TRENDS, STEVE KRASKE, THE BIGGEST SURPRISE AND LESSONS ON THIS LAST ELECTION WAS WHAT?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO POINT TO THE FACT NICK THAT LOW TURNOUT ELECTIONS, UNEXPECTED THINGS HAPPEN.

THE UPSET OF PATTY AS THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE SCHOOL BOARD WOULD RANK REALLY HIGH UP THERE.

JUST THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MOMENT.

KANSAS CITY'S LARGEST REVENUE SOURCE, THE EARNINGS TAX IS CONTINGENT ON AN ELECTION IN WHICH 8% OR 10% OF VOTERS TURN OUT.

IF YOU'RE THE MAYOR OF THIS CITY OR A COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU AREN'T GOING TO REST VERY EASILY ANY ELECTION TIME WHEN THAT EARNINGS TAX IS ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN AN UPSET COULD HAPPEN.

PEOPLE WOULD TURN AGAINST IT AND THROW THAT REVENUE SOURCE OUT THE WINDOW.

>> AND ISN'T THAT WHY DAVE HELLING THAT IN KANSAS THEY MOVED LOCAL ELECTION FROM THIS TIME OF YEAR AND MOVED THEM TO NOVEMBER IN HOPES OF GETTING A HIGHER TURNOUT?

>> RIGHT, GENERALLY SPEAKING NICK, HIGHER TURNOUTS ARE ALWAYS BETTER FOR GOVERNMENT THAN LOWER TURNOUTS.

THE MORE PEOPLE VOTE, THE BETTER THE DECISION MAKING TENDS TO BE.

BY CONTRAST, PEOPLE THAT RUN ELECTIONS LIKE LOW TURNOUT ELECTIONS BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE WHO THEIR BASE SUPPORTERS ARE AND GET THEM TO THE POLLS.

THAT'S BEEN THE CASE FOR THE EARNINGS TAX ELECTION IN KANSAS CITY.

THOSE WHO SUPPORT IT, THEY DON'T PAY IT.

THEY TEND TO BE RETIRED AND AGAIN THE EARNINGS TAX ISN'T ASSESSED AGAINST UNEARNED INCOME.

SO THE POLITICAL THINKING HERE IS VERY CLEAR.

I'M NOT SURE IT'S THE BEST THING FOR DEMOCRACY.

>> CAT, WHAT WAS THE BIG SURPRISE AND LESSON FROM TUESDAY'S VOTE?

>> I WOULD LOOK AT THE SCHOOL BOARD RACES IN KANSAS CITY AND THE INFLUENCE THAT BLACK KC HAD ON THIS RACE, WHICH IS A 501C4 GROUP.

THEY PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THESE SCHOOL BOARD RACES.

WE STILL DON'T KNOW THE ORIGINS OF THE MONEY, ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT REQUIRED TO BE DISCLOSED.

I THINK THAT GROUP IS GOING TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT AS TIME GOES ON AND FUTURE SCHOOL BOARD RACES.

I ALSO JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT ABOUT THE EARNINGS TAX.

THERE REALLY WAS NO FORMAL OR ANY CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE EARNINGS TAX AS I KNOW IN THE PAST THERE HAD BEEN MORE VOCAL OPPOSITION TO IT.

I THINK THAT HELPED THE MARGIN OF VICTORY FOR THE EARNINGS TAX THIS TIME AROUND.

>> ERIC?

>> I AGREE WITH CAT.

I THINK $150,000 INTO A SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION IS VERY, WHAT'S THE RIGHT WORD, INTERESTING.

I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE HAPPEN, THE OTHER TWO CANDIDATES -- I THINK THE OTHER TWO SEATS BECOME OPEN IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER $150,000 TO $200,000.

IT MAKES YOU WONDER, IS THIS ABOUT THE KIDS OR IS THIS ABOUT CHANGING OVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS INTO CHARTER SCHOOLS?

IS THIS WHAT THE PEOPLE REALLY WANTED TO DO?

I THINK THAT'S THE MOST COMPELLING THING THAT I TOOK FROM THE ELECTION.

IT WAS GOING TO BE THE CAP.

YOU HAVE $150,000, MOST PEOPLE WOULD CALL IT DARK MONEY.

FOR A SCHOOL BOARD RACE, WHICH IS REALLY A VOLUNTEER POSITION, WHY WOULD THEY DUMP THAT MUCH MONEY IN THAT RACE?

>> WELL ALSO THIS WEEK, KANSAS CITY OFFICIALS WERE SALIVATING OVER THE PROSPECT OF HOSTING THE ALL-STAR GAME AGAIN.

IT WAS HERE IN 2012, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DANGLED THE PROSPECT AFTER ABRUPTLY YANKING THE JUNE EVENT OVER CONTROVERSY.

THE ALL-STAR GAME IS HEADED TO DENVER.

WAS THIS JUST WISHFUL THINKING DAVE HELLING OR DID KANSAS CITY THINK THEY HAD A CHANCE TO HOST?

>> I THINK IT WAS WISHFUL THINKING, BUT I THINK SOME PEOPLE IN KANSAS CITY THOUGHT THERE MAY BE SOME REASON THAT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WOULD WANT TO COME HERE, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF THE MUSEUM AND THE 100th ANNIVERSARY THAT WAS MISSED BECAUSE OF COVID.

THERE WAS SOME THOUGHT THAT IF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WANTED TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NEGRO LEAGUE PLAYERS, THEN THEY COULD DO SO HERE.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT CHANGING THEIR ELECTION LAWS AND MAKING IT HARDER TO VOTE.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL MAY HAVE FOUND ITSELF IN THE SAME BOAT IF EITHER STATE DID THOSE THINGS.

>> ISN'T THAT A CAUTIONARY TALE DAVE?

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, WHETHER IT'S A KANSAS LEGISLATURE OR MISSOURI LEGISLATURE, IT MAY BE RESTRICTING TRANSGENDER RIGHTS OR CHANGING ELECTION LAWS OR AN ILL TIMED STEVE KRASKE POLICE SHOOTING HERE IN KANSAS CITY AND THAT MAY INFLUENCE THE NFL DRAFT IN 2023.

THEY WILL PULL THAT FROM US.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE A GOOD POINT NICK.

I THINK THE ENDURING LESSON HERE IS SIMPLE AND THAT IS IF YOU DISRESPECT PEOPLE, IF YOU DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE, WE'RE SEEING A NEW AWAKENING, IF YOU WILL, AMONG CORPORATE AMERICA, CORPORATE HEADS SAYING WE AREN'T GOING TO STAND BY THAT IN SUPPORT EVENTS IN STATES THAT UNDER TAKE THOSE KINDS OF ACTIVITIES.

>> DOESN'T THAT HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON A CITY LIKE KANSAS CITY, TO BID ON THESE BIG EVENTS CAT?

>> I DON'T THINK IF THE NFL WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, WOULD BEHAVE THE SAME WAY AS THE MLB IN MOVING A DRAFT.

I THINK IT JUST VARIES DEPENDING ON WHAT THE EVENT IS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE HOW IT PANS OUT.

>> ERIC, IT WAS RECENTLY THAT THE MAYOR WAS TRYING TO GET ON A TEMPORARY BASIS THE TORONTO NBA TEAM TO COME AND HOUSE THEMSELVES HERE BECAUSE TRAVELING FROM CANADA TO THE UNITED STATES WAS SO PROBLEMATIC DURING THE PANDEMIC.

DIDN'T WE HAVE BLACK LEADERS SAY NO NBA, DON'T COME HERE BECAUSE OF TREATMENT OF BLACK PEOPLE IN MISSOURI?

>> YEAH, YOU HAVE THE URBAN LEAGUE, THEY SENT A LETTER TO THE NBA OFFICIALS SAYING THERE ARE TOO MANY PROBLEMS HERE AND THIS WAS DURING THE UNREST AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER.

I AGREE WITH DAVE.

I THOUGHT THEY WOULD COME HERE AND DO THE ALL-STAR GAME HERE JUST OUT OF RECOGNITION.

>> NOW THERE WAS A RECENT STORY THAT CLAIMED A SHOCKING NUMBER OF AMERICANS WEREN'T SIGNING UP FOR THE VACCINE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE ELIGIBLE.

THIS WEEK, YOU ARE LEFT IN NO DOUBT, IF YOU LIVE IN KANSAS OR MISSOURI, IT NO LONGER MATTERS HOW OLD YOU ARE, OR WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING OR YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY.

IF YOU'RE 16 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, YOU QUALIFY.

THERE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM QUALIFYING AND SNAGGING A SHOT.

THEY FAVOR THOSE WITH SMART PHONES, READY TRANSPORTATION AND THE LUXURY OF DROPPING EVERYTHING AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE.

IT DOESN'T EXPLAIN STEVE KRASKE WHY IN THEY HAVE HALF AS NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

>> YES, I TALKED TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH TRANSPORTATION ISSUES TO GET TO VACCINATION SITES.

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST A REALITY OF LIFE IN A COUNTY THAT'S PROBABLY THE POOREST COUNTY IN THE KANSAS CITY METRO.

IT CLEARLY REMAINS A BIG ISSUE.

>> SO HALF AS MANY PEOPLE, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE LOOSEST RULES FOR COVID VACCINATIONS IN THE ENTIRE METROPOLITAN AREA.

YOU CAN SHOW UP, NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.

>> I THINK THAT WAS AN EFFORT TO BATTLE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY'RE BATTLING MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE VACCINE AND THEY'RE LAUNCHING A COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN AROUND THAT.

THAT'S A FACTOR TO CONSIDER AS WELL.

>> YOU HEAR ABOUT REACHING OUT TO UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES AND YOU SAID THEY HAD A VACCINATION EVENT AT THE NEGRO LEAGUE MUSEUM AND 90% OR MORE WERE WHITE PEOPLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THERE.

HAVE YOU NOTICED A CHANGE NOW?

>> NO, IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME.

IT'S NOT AS MANY PEOPLE NOW, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME.

I DO STILL THINK THEY DO NEED TO DO BETTER MARKETING IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> I WOULD ADD TO THAT NICK THAT THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE SEEMS TO BE CENTERED AROUND THE IDEA THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO A COMPUTER, EVERYONE HAS E-MAIL ACCOUNTS, EVERYBODY HAS A SMART PHONE, EVERYBODY HAS SOME SORT OF DIGITAL INTERFACE, IF YOU WILL, WITH A HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

THAT JUST ISN'T TRUE.

I MEAN WE RAN INTO THIS WITH SCHOOLS TOO WHERE EVERYBODY JUST ASSUMED, WELL WE CAN GO TO ONLINE LEARNING BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS A COMPUTER.

THAT JUST ISN'T THE CASE, PARTICULARLY MORE ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

SO TO DEPEND ON THAT STRUCTURE TO GET -- TO GET VACCINES INTO ARMS, THAT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING AND WE'RE SEEING A RESULT OF SOME OF THAT.

>> NOW THE QUESTION IS, WHY THERE IS TALKS ABOUT MAKING VACCINES MANDATORY, DR. ANTHONY FAUCI SAID THEY WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY PLANS ON A VACCINE PASSPORT.

>> IF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WANTS TO DO THAT, I AM FINE WITH THAT.

IF A BUSINESS OWNER OR SOMEONE WANTS TO.

AS FAR AS THE STATE GOES, WE WON'T MANDATE VACCINE PASSPORTS.

>> SO EVEN THOUGH BUSINESSES WANT TO DO THAT, BUT IF THE STATE AREN'T GOING TO DO IT, DOES THAT TAKE THE WIND OUT OF THEIR SAILS CAT?

IT WILL MAKE THEM BE RELUCTANT TO IMPOSE POLICIES ON THEIR STAFF THAT THEY HAVE TO BE JABBED OR THEY DON'T GET A JAB FOR INSTANCE?

>> I THINK SOME PRIVATE COMPANIES WILL STILL CONSIDER DOING THIS, BUT WHAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IS IF THE LEGISLATURE TAKES ACTION TO BAN VACCINE PASSPORTS.

I KNOW THE MISSOURI SENATE TOOK SOME STEPS TOWARDS THAT.

IN KANSAS, THEY'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PREVENT AN EMPLOYER FROM PENALIZING AN EMPLOYEE THAT CHOOSES NOT TO GET THE VACCINE.

IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> CAN I THROW THIS IN?

GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON WAS TO THE LEFT OF HIS PARTY WHEN HE SAID IN ESSENCE, PRIVATE BUSINESSES, IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, GO AHEAD.

THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE WANT TO PROHIBIT BUSINESSES FROM REQUIRING VACCINE PROOF BEFORE YOU GO TO THE MOVIES OR BEFORE YOU GET A JOB OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT'S THE REAL REND TO -- TREND TO WATCH, NOT WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT ISSUES VACCINE PASSPORTS OR NOT.

>> AND I WANT TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THIS STEVE BECAUSE YOU WEAR THE HAT OF A JOURNALIST AND PROFESSOR AT A UNIVERSITY IN OUR REGION.

UMKC IS SAYING NO WE'RE NOT GOING TO REQUIRE STUDENTS TO BE VACCINATED.

I KNOW OVER THIS PANDEMIC YEAR, YOU HAVE BEEN TEACHING ONLINE, HAVEN'T YOU?

DOES THAT MEAN THEY WANT YOU TO COME BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, EVEN WITH UNVACCINATED STUDENTS COMING THIS FALL?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY NICK.

THE WORD HERE ON CAMPUS IS THAT THEY WANT US TO GO BACK IN PERSON IN THE FALL AND PERSONALLY I CAN'T WAIT.

I AM SO TIRED OF ZOOM CALLS.

I JUST GOT MY SECOND SHOT A COUPLE DAYS AGO, SO I WILL BE READY TO GO THIS FALL.

IF STUDENTS CHOOSE NOT TO DO IT AND WANT TO TAKE THAT RISK, THAT WILL REALLY FALL ON THEIR SHOULDERS.

>> THAT DOESN'T BOTHER YOU IF YOU HAVE HALF OF THE CLASS NOT VACCINATED?

>> IT WOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE FOR ME NICK.

>> I SEE THAT JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ARE OFFERING ALL OF THEIR STAFF $250 IF YOU HAVE PROOF OF VACCINATION, JUST TO INCENTIVIZE, WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT BEING INVOLVED WHATSOEVER.

WHAT IS UMKC OFFERING YOU?

A BRAND NEW iPHONE 12?

A BUCKET FULL OF CASH?

>> NO, NO, NO, AND NO.

NO ONE IS SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT.

I WISH THAT WAS THE CASE.

MAYBE ERIC WESSON WILL KICK FOR SOMETHING FOR GETTING THE SHOT.

>> CAT?

>> I THINK YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO SEE INCENTIVES RATHER THAN PENALTIES.

KRISPY KREME, YOU CAN GET A FREE DONUT IF YOU BRING YOUR VACCINE CARD IN.

INCENTIVES LEFT AND RIGHT.

>> WHAT I WANT IS $250 WORTH OF DONUTS.

IF I CAN GET THAT, I WOULD BE A HAPPY MAN.

>> FORGET ABOUT VACCINES, WHETHER OR NOT TO WEAR A MASK IS A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.

THIS IS THE FIRST WEEKEND WHERE THERE IS NO MASK MANDATE IN KANSAS.

THAT IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON SCHOOLS.

A STATE LAW REQUIRES SCHOOL BOARDS TO CONDUCT A HEARING IF A PARENT CHALLENGES THE DISTRICT'S COVID RULES.

THIS IS A MEETING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD IN BLUE VALLEY THIS WEEK.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO BEGIN UNTIL THE GENTLEMAN IN THE BACK EITHER WEARS A MASK OR LEAVES.

SORRY.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN REFUSING TO WEAR A MASK OR LEAVE.

>> I THINK WE WILL NEED TO CLEAR THE ROOM AND START OVER.

>> Reporter: POLICE OFFICERS CONFRONTING THE MAN FACE-TO-FACE AND AGAIN AFTER THE ROOM CLEARED.

ULTIMATELY DISTRICT PERSONNEL ANNOUNCED THE MEETING WAS OFF.

>> CONCEIVABLY COULDN'T WE SEE HUNDREDS NOW OF THESE CHALLENGES, AND YOU HAVE TO BE HEARING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD IF ONE PARENT COMPLAINS, ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING, EVEN THOUGH WE JUST GOT A FEW WEEKS LEFT OF THE SCHOOL YEAR CAT.

>> WE COULD CERTAINLY SEE MORE.

THAT'S THE MAJOR CONCERN THAT EDUCATIONAL LEADERS HAVE ABOUT THIS SYSTEM.

I THINK YOU KNOW, IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW THESE FIRST FEW PLAY OUT, IF WE START TO SEE MORE.

IT'S A BIG CONCERN.

ALSO, YOU KNOW IF THE PARENT DOESN'T LIKE THE SCHOOL BOARD'S DECISION, THEY CAN GO TO A JUDGE AND THEN THERE IS A HEARING THAT HAS TO BE HELD WITHIN 72 HOURS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A PRETTY, LIKE HIGH STANDARD THAT THEY HAVE TO MEET TO SHOW THEY USE THE MOST -- OR THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS POSSIBLE AND YOU KNOW, THAT THIS WAS A REALLY UNNECESSARY MEASURE.

>> IF THE JUDGE SAYS IT'S A LITTLE TOO PUNITIVE, THEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS TO REMOVE THEIR MASK MANDATE.

>> AT LEAST ACCORDING TO THE STATUTE.

I DOES, AS CAT SUGGESTS, SET UP AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO WILL FIND THEMSELVES RUNNING TO THE COURTHOUSE MORE OFTEN THAN THEY WANT TO.

YOU KNOW NICK, THE DISCUSSION ABOUT MASKS FOR THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN ONE OF THE ASTONISHING DEBATES OF MY TIME IN JOURNALISM.

IT'S JUST AMAZING HOW POLITICAL IT TURNED OUT TO BE AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING MORE EVIDENCE OF THAT NOW.

>> SOME NEWS STORIES ARE CONFUSING.

ONE STORY WAS ABOUT KANSAS CITY'S RESPONSE TO RISING HOMELESSNESS.

THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS THAT TWO HOMELESS TENT CITIES WERE BEING DISMANTLED AND THE OCCUPANTS WERE TOLD TO LEAVE AND YET THE MAYOR AND SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS NO EFFORT TO EVICT OCCUPANTS FROM THEIR MAKESHIFT HOMES.

WHICH IS IT ERIC WESSON?

>> WELL -- >> THAT'S WHY IT'S AS CLEAR AS MUD.

THE POLLS TELL IT ALL.

>> WELL, THEY POSTED IT AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WAS THE HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT DID IT, BUT THEY POSTED SOME PAPERWORK THAT LOOKED LIKE EVICTIONS.

SO I'M GOING TO SAY THAT THE MAYOR KIND OF BACK PEDDLED.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT DAY AND TIME YOU WALK UP WHICH STORY YOU BELIEVE.

>> WE JUST SAW THAT SIGN AND IT SAID YOU HAD TO BE OUT BY SUNDAY.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THEN THE MAYOR SAID NO, THAT ISN'T AN OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION, IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY IT.

I'M GOING TO READ THE MAYOR'S QUOTE.

THAT WAS JUST THE OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION, BUT I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK IT'S A TRIGGER OF ANY TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

THE HOMELESS FOLKS, TO MY WAY OF THINKING ARE BEING DEMANDING IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY WANT AND EXPECT HERE.

THEY SEEM TO THINK THEY HAVE SOME POLITICAL CLOUT.

I'M NOT CONVINCED THEY DO.

THE MAYOR IS SEWING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PATIENCE WITH THEM AS HE WORKS THROUGH THIS ISSUE.

>> CAT?

>> NO ONE IS COMMITTED TO SAYING IF THEY'RE NOT GONE BY THIS DATE, WE'RE GOING TO CLEAR THE CAMP.

THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DECIDED.

RIGHT NOW, I THINK THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH SOME SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

FOR INSTANCE, THE FOLKS IN THE ENCAMPMENT TALKED ABOUT WANTING ADDITIONAL PORTA POTTIES, ESPECIALLY AFTER CITY HALL GROUNDS.

THERE WERE BODILY FLUIDS IN THE FOUNTAINS AND THE AIR VENT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THEY'RE TALKING THROUGH AND ALSO THE MAYOR IS TALKING ABOUT MAYBE EXTENDING CONTRACTS WITH HOTELS TO HOUSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE HOUSES CURRENTLY.

SO YOU'RE SEEING A MIXTURE OF THINGS, BUT NO ONE CAN REALLY SAY WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW.

>> I THINK THAT SITUATION SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN RESOLVED WHEN THE FIRST TENT WAS OUT THERE.

THEY SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THAT.

NOW THEY ESCALATED IT TO A SITUATION OUT OF CONTROL.

>> THE MAYOR RAN AS THE MAYOR, AS HE SAID ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, THAT I'M GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR THE POOR PEOPLE OF THE CITY.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD FOR HIM THEN AS SOMEONE THAT WAS HOMELESS HIMSELF TO LOOK AT THE SITUATION AND THEN SEEN TO HAVE A STRONG ARM IN DEALING WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> WELL, THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

TWO THINGS NICK, IF ERIC WESSON DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON.

JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND.

SECOND, I TALKED TO THE MAYOR ABOUT THIS AT LENGTH THIS WEEK.

I THINK HE'S A BIT FRUSTRATED THAT ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE PROVIDED FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THESE PROTESTS ARE NOT BEING ACCEPTED.

>> YEP.

>> UNDERSTANDING OR SEEING CLEARLY WHAT THE END GAME IS DIFFICULT FOR THE MAYOR AND PEOPLE SURROUNDING THIS AREA.

>> WE SHOULDN'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT OF HOW COMPLICATED THIS ISSUE IS, MUCH MORE INVOLVED THAN JUST PROVIDING SOMEONE A PLACE TO STAY.

THERE ARE ISSUES WITH UTILITIES GOING FORWARD, THE COST OF REFURBISHING THOSE HOMES, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE ENORMOUS HERE.

THIS IS A TOUGH ONE HERE.

DON'T EXPECT A SOLUTION THAT IS GOING TO PLEASE EVERYBODY, ANY TIME SOON.

>> BUT THERE IS AN EFFORT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN, BEYOND TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS, YES FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND ALSO FOR HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE CAT REID, THAT THE MAYOR SAYS MAY BRING IN THOUSANDS OF NEW HOMES FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS IN KANSAS CITY.

>> THAT DEPENDS IF WE GET THE TAX CREDITS AND THE GRANTS.

IT IS BASED ON AN EXPANSIVE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM THAT WOULD HELP RETROFIT HOMES, BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND PART OF THAT IS PROVIDING FUNDING TO AREAS THAT DON'T HAVE EXCLUSIONARY ZONING LAWS.

SO YOU MIGHT SEE SOME CHANGES TO ZONING TO HELP CLEAR THE WAY TO BUILD MORE HOMES.

ANOTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION QUICKLY, IN TERMS OF THE ENCAMPMENT, THEY WANT TO SEE CONCRETE POLICY CHANGE BEFORE THEY LEAVE.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT WE'LL SEE THAT CAMP DISBAND BECAUSE ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE TEMPORARY OFFERED TO THEM, THEY WANT SOMETHING LONG-TERM AND THEY WANT IT PROMISED ON PAPER.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER, BY THE WAY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HIS NAME IS JOHN AND HE LIVES IN KANSAS WHO TELLS ME EVERY SINGLE WEEK HOW MANY MINUTES I TALKED ABOUT KANSAS ISSUES AND MISSOURI ISSUE.

I WANT TO END THE PROGRAM ON A KANSAS SIDE ISSUE.

MIKE POMPEO IS BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT, HE APPEARS IN A NEW CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO THIS WEEK.

>> I KNOW LEADERSHIP, I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES.

I KNOW IT TAKES GRIT.

I KNOW A LEADER WHEN I SEE ONE AND THAT'S WHY I'M SUPPORTING AMANDA ADKINS FOR CONGRESS.

>> YOU REMEMBER HER?

THE JOHNSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN WHO LOST TO SHARICE DAVIDS LAST YEAR IN THE KANSAS THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT?

SHE WANTS A REMATCH.

SHE LOST BY 10 POINTS.

STEVE, WHY DOES ADKINS BELIEVE SHE CAN CLAIM THIS SEAT.

>> SHE COULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE THIS TIME NICK.

SHE HAS TWO THINGS GOING FOR HER SHE DIDN'T HAVE LAST TIME.

SHE MAY HAVE A NEWLY REDRAWN DISTRICT THAT MAY FAVOR REPUBLICAN OVER A DEMOCRAT, ADDING SOME REPUBLICAN VOTERS.

REPUBLICANS ARE VERY CLOSE TO GETTING A MAJORITY IN WASHINGTON.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A BIG PUSH TO REDRAW DISTRICTS THAT FAVOR REPUBLICANS IN REPUBLICAN STATES LIKE KANSAS.

IT'S A MIDTERM ELECTION NICK.

REPUBLICANS IN THEORY WILL HAVE A MUCH BETTER YEAR IN 2022 THAN THEY DID IN 2020.

>> AND THE CHANGING OF THAT DISTRICT THAT STEVE KRASKE TALKED ABOUT DAVE HELLING COULD INVOLVE CUTTING UP WINOT COUNTY, WHICH IS A DEMOCRATIC AREA TO GIVE MORE VOTES TO REPUBLICANS.

THAT SEEMS LIKE AN AUDACIOUS MOVE.

>> YEAH, YOU MAY NEED TO PUT PART OF THAT IN THE FIRST DISTRICT, WHICH STRETCHES TO THE COLORADO BORDER.

THAT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.

EVERYONE WHO WATCHES THIS SHOW NICK NEEDS TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE REDISTRICTING EFFORTS OF THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL OVER THE NEXT 6 TO 12 MONTHS BECAUSE IT WILL DICTATE A LOT OF HOW WE'RE REPRESENTED IN WASHINGTON AND FOR THAT MATTER, INTO TOPEKA AND JEFFERSON.

>> LOTS OF LAWSUITS.

>> YEAH.

>> 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?

[♪♪] >> STILL A BIG NO FOR MISSOURI LAWMAKERS FOR FUNDING MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> THE LONG TIME LEADER OF THE GUADALUPE CENTER RETIRES.

AN OUTSIDE FIRM HAS BEEN HIRED TO LAUNCH A WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION.

>> REMEMBER THIS WOMAN?

SHE TRIED TO UNSEAT.

NOW NOMINATED TO LEAD THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.

>> AND THE KANSAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL CANCELED FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW AMID CONTINUING COVID CONCERNS.

IF AN OUTDOOR FESTIVAL IN JUNE CAN'T HAPPEN, SOME SEE IT AS A WORRYING SIGN THAT BRINGING BACK PERFORMERS AND BIG AUDIENCES WILL BE TOUGHER THAN EXPECTED.

>> ERIC WESSON, WAS IT ONE OF THOSE STORIES OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?

>> SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THIS WEEK TO TAKE A TOUR AS WE REACHED THE HALFWAY POINT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A PHENOMENAL PLACE TO BE INTRODUCED TO KANSAS CITY AND WHEN YOU LEAVE, YOU WILL HAVE EVERLASTING MEMORIES OF KANSAS CITY.

>> CAT?

>> I'M GOING WITH SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, WHICH IS A HIGH PROFILE TRIAL GOING ON IN OUR AREA, THE TRIAL OF KYLER IN CASS COUNTY, ACCUSED OF KILLING CARA AND JESSICA.

WE RECENTLY WON A HUGE 1ST AMENDMENT VICTORY THAT TELEVISION STATIONS AND MEDIA IN KANSAS CITY TO GET A CAMERA IN THE COURTROOM TO COVER THAT TRIAL EVERY STEP.

>> STEVE.

>> MEDICAID EXPANSION IN MISSOURI NICK.

VOTERS LAST AUGUST APPROVED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN MISSOURI TO EXPAND MEDICAID, JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE MISSOURI HOUSE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO FUND IT.

IT'S AN UNBELIEVABLE DEVELOPMENT.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE MISSOURI STATE SENATE DOES.

>> DAVE HELLING.

>> CAT REID HAD AN IMPORTANT STORY ABOUT THE AIRPORT THIS WEEK, TALKING ABOUT THE EFFORTS TO MEET NBE AND WBE GOALS.

IT APPEARS BOTH OF THOSE GOALS ARE BEING MET, JUST BARELY, BUT THEY ARE BEING MET.

ONLY 13% OF THE WORKFORCE AT THE AIRPORT IS ACTUALLY LIVING IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

THAT WILL CAUSE SOME HEARTACHE FOR SOME PEOPLE.

A BREAKING STORY THAT RICK SMITH, THE POLICE CHIEF MAY END UP AT A FUNDRAISER FOR THE JACKSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 17TH.

THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE NO END OF HEART BURN IN THE CORRIDORS OF CITY HALL, MAYOR LUCAS HAS CRITICIZED IT.

>> YEAH, AND THOSE RUNNING FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

>> AND FAMOUSLY RAISED GUNS DURING A GEORGE FLOYD PROTEST.

>> WE DON'T PRERECORD THIS PROGRAM THAT AFTER ALL OF THE FUSS, RICK SMITH MAY END UP SAYING, YOU WERE MISTAKEN.

I'M NOT GOING, I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

THERE WE HAVE IT, THAT IS OUR WEEK AND IT HAS BEEN REVIEWED.

OUR THANKS TO CAT REID FROM 41 ACTION NEWS, ALWAYS ON CALL AT THE KANSAS CITY CALL ERIC WESSON, THE KANSAS CITY STAR DAVE HELLING AND KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE WEEKDAYS AT 9:00 ON KCUR FM STEVE KRASKE.

AND I'M NICK HAINES, FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KANSAS CITY PBS, BE WELL, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

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