[] [] >> IS THIS THE PICTURE YOU HAD IN MIND WHEN YOU IMAGINED WHAT OUR NEW YEAR WOULD LOOK LIKE?

>> FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION, THOSE WHO HAVE CONCERN IN WHAT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER, THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE MEANS.

>> WE OWE IT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS THAT WE HAVE A FREE ELECTION SYSTEM.

>> AND WE TRACK THE BIG NEWS MAKERS, BIG OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS STRAIGHT AHEAD.

>> AMEN AND AWOMAN.

>> THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY... AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

[] >> HELLO I'M NICK HAINES.

WELCOME AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT USUALLY THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF THE YEAR MAKE FOR A VERY SLOW NEWS WEEK.

NOT THIS YEAR.

THIS HALF HOUR FOUR PERSPECTIVES TO HELP MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL.

FROM KCMO TALK RADIO PETE MUNDO, FROM THE PAGES OF THE KANSAS CITY STAR DAVE HELLING, NATIONALLY SYNDICATED COLUMNIST FOR THE TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE MARY SANCHEZ AND THE EDITOR OF THE CALL NEWSPAPER ERIC WESSON IS WITH US.

THIS IS A PRERECORDED PROGRAM AND THINGS CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY.

THIS IS NOT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN REVIEW, SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO DISSECT EVERY POLITICAL DIMENSION OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON, BUT AS SENATORS FROM KANSAS AND MISSOURI PLAYED AN OUTSIZED ROLE IN THE CRITICAL EVENTS OF THE WEEK WE WANT TO TRACK THEIR MOTIVATIONS AND WHAT HAPPENS NOW.

ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE NOW MISSOURI SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY WAS THE FIRST SENATOR IN THE NATION TO CHALLENGE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE.

HE WILL BE JOINED BY A KANSAS DOCTOR, NOW SENATOR ROGER MARSHALL.

>> I ACTUALLY THINK IT'S VITAL WHAT WE DO.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD, TO REGISTER OBJECTIONS IS VITAL BECAUSE THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE THOSE OBJECTIONS ARE TO BE HEARD AND DEALT WITH, DEBATED AND FINALLY RESOLVED.

>> I THINK I OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, TO FUTURE GENERATIONS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAFE AND SECURE, A FREE ELECTION SYSTEM.

>> NOW HAWLEY AND MARSHALL DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE OBJECTIONS TO THE ELECTION RESULTS, EVEN AFTER PROTESTERS BREACHED THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

BOTH MUST HAVE KNOWN THEY WOULD BE RIDICULED AND CONDEMNED FOR THE MOVE.

WHAT WAS THE MOTIVATION FOR STICKING THEIR NECKS OUT?

LET'S START WITH JOSH HAWLEY, THE FIRST SENATOR TO CHALLENGE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORAL COLLEGE COUNT.

HE CLAIMED THIS WAS ABOUT HIM POSITION HIMSELF FOR A RUN FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN 2024.

IS THERE MORE THAN THAT PETE MUNDO?

>> I THINK HE MAY GENUINELY BELIEVE SOME OF WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO OR DID DO ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

LET'S BE HONEST, I THINK THE POLITICAL AMBITIONS WERE FIRST AND FOREMOST.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO SEE WHO CAN GET THE MOST OF THE REPUBLICAN AND THE TRUMP BASE IN FOUR YEARS.

JOSH HAWLEY, IT'S NO SECRET THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST IN DOING THAT.

I THINK POLITICS WERE A LEAD PLAY.

I THINK RAND PAUL, WHO IS A VERY SOLID CONSERVATIVE GUY, HE PUT IT WELL.

IF YOU ARE A BELIEVER IN STATES RIGHTS, AND YOU'RE A BELIEVER IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM, WHICH HAS BENEFITTED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THIS IS NOT A ROAD YOU WANT TO GO DOWN AND CAN OF WORMS YOU WANT TO OPEN UP.

THOSE ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS.

POLITICAL AMBITION TOPPED THE LIST.

>> THEY SAID THAT JOSH HAWLEY WAS PULLING POLITICAL INTEREST ABOVE THE COUNTRY.

WHAT ABOUT ROGER MARSHALL?

HE'S NOT LOOKING TO BECOME PRESIDENT IN FOUR YEARS, WHY WOULD HE STICK HIS NECK OUT?

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION AND I'M NOT SURE IT'S ANSWERABLE AT THIS POINT NICK BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO SEE AN IMMEDIATE ADVANTAGE POLITICALLY FOR ROGER MARSHALL IN TAKING ONE OF HIS FIRST STEPS AS A SENATOR TO ENRAGE SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE THIS.

LET ME JUST SAY THIS ABOUT JOSH HAWLEY.

IF HE HAS PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS, WHICH I BELIEVE HE DOES, THEY TOOK AN ENORMOUS HIT BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH FOR WHAT HE SAID ON THE FLOOR, BUT THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE JUNIOR SENATOR WITH A RAISED FIST OUTSIDE THE U.S. CAPITOL WILL BE IN EVERY ADVERTISEMENT THAT SOMEBODY RUNS AGAINST HIM FOR THE REST OF HIS CAREER.

I THINK THAT IF HE HAD THOSE AMBITIONS, THEY'RE IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY NOW.

>> ERIC?

>> HERE'S MY MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION, YOU HAVE THE TWO SENATORS FROM PENNSYLVANIA THAT ENDURES THE VOTE.

HOW DO YOU HAVE A SENATOR FROM MISSOURI WHEN MISSOURI HAS A LAUNDRY LIST OF ISSUES, WORRYING ABOUT WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE IN PENNSYLVANIA DID WHO GOT ONE OF THE HIGHEST MURDER RATES IN THE COUNTRY IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI AND YOU'RE WORRYING ABOUT WHAT PENNSYLVANIA IS DOING >> BUT COULD THAT BE MARY THAT THE CONCERN IF YOU TAKE A LENIENT APPROACH ON HOW YOU COUNT VOTES IN ANY STATE, THAT WILL MAKE IT HARDER FOR THESE POLITICIANS HERE, WHETHER IT'S A JOSH HAWLEY OR ROGER MARSHALL FROM GETTING ELECTED THEMSELVES?

>> THAT'S THE ARGUMENT AND CERTAINLY HE WILL TRY TO PUT THAT FORWARD AS DAVE JUST SAID.

WE'LL SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.

YOU'RE RIGHT, SOME OF THE FOOTAGE WILL BE PLAYED AS HE TRIES TO RUN FOR OFFICE AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, WHERE IT GOES FROM HERE FRANKLY THAT'S A QUESTION FOR AMERICA RIGHT NOW.

AS MUCH AS MANY OF US WERE HORRIFIED THAT HOLLY STUCK WITH IT IN THAT ARGUMENT, THERE IS A WHOLE OTHER PORTION OF AMERICA THAT WAS NOT.

>> UH HUH.

>> AND I THINK THAT HE KNOWS THAT.

AS PEOPLE FORGET ABOUT SOME OF THESE IMAGES, HE COULD STILL PLAY THIS TO HIS ADVANTAGE.

>> WAS THERE AN UPSIDE FOR JOSH HAWLEY AND ROGER MARSHALL PETE?

>> AN UPSIDE, I THINK FOR HAWLEY AND MARSHALL AS A NEWLY ELECTED SENATOR, WHO OWES A LOT OF HIS PRIMARY WIN AND GENERAL ELECTION WIN TO TRUMP VOTERS, I THINK HE FELT LIKE HE HAD TO GO DOWN THIS ROAD.

LET ME JUST BE CLEAR.

I DO THINK THAT IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE TO HAVE SOME CONCERNS OVER SOME OF THE WAY THE STATES HANDLED THEIR VOTES.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM.

THESE THINGS WERE PUSHED TO JUDGES AND THE COURTS AND THE SUPREME COURT DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE IT UP.

YOU CANNOT LIKE THAT.

PEOPLE CANNOT LIKE THAT, BUT THE SYSTEM DID PLAY ITSELF OUT.

I THINK THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT HAS TO BE FROM ALL OF THIS.

>> COULD THERE BE THIS OTHER REACTION TAKING PLACE AND WE SEEN IT, THE MISSOURI CONGRESSWOMAN CALLING FOR JOSH HAWLEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE UNITED STATES SENATE?

WE HAVE SHARICE IN KANSAS CALLING FOR THE REMOVAL OF DONALD TRUMP FROM OFFICE.

ARE THEY OVERPLAYING THEIR HAND?

>> YES.

THERE IS TALK OF USING THE 25TH AMENDMENT TO REMOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I MEAN THERE IS A LOT OF TALK OF JUST UNIQUE, UNPRECEDENTED STEPS BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, I DON'T THINK JOSH HAWLEY WILL BE REMOVED.

I DON'T THINK HE WILL QUIT.

LET'S BE CLEAR, THERE WAS NO FRAUD IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT.

IT IS RIDICULOUS AND WRONG TO CONCLUDE BY ANY MEASURE THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS NOT DEFEATED BY JOE BIDEN ON NOVEMBER 3RD.

>> IT WASN'T JUST AREA REPUBLICANS MAKING NEWS THIS WEEK, SO WAS KANSAS CITY DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN EMANUEL CLEAVER, BUT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

>> HE IS DRAWING NATIONAL ATTENTION FOR A PRAYER.

>> AMEN AND AWOMAN.

>> REPORTER: NEWT GINGRICH SAID THE RADICAL MESSAGE HAS BEGUN.

>> HE SAID IT WAS A LIGHTHEARTED PUN, SO WHY DID IT DRAW SO MUCH CRITICISM PETE MUNDO?

>> I THINK IT WAS AN EASY WAY TO GOOF.

IF I'M EMANUEL CLEAVER, I WOULDN'T DO STAND UP COMEDY.

HIS DELIVERY FELL FLAT.

HE WAS GOING TONGUE AND CHEEK AND MOST PEOPLE THAT CRITIQUED HIM, IT FELL FLAT.

>> WAS HE SURPRISED BY THE BACKLASH?

>> NO, HE JUST BLEW IT OFF AS PEOPLE NOT HAVING A SENSE OF HUMOR BECAUSE THE WAY HE DID IT.

HE FELT IT WAS LIGHT HEARTED IN THE MOMENT.

THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE OFFENDED.

I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HIM.

I GOT A TEXT FROM HIM YESTERDAY WHILE THEY WERE MOVING THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS OUT OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

HE SEEMED LIKE HE WAS OAK.

>> THE PRAYER CAME ON THE SAME DAY THEY DECIDED TO REMOVE HE OR SHE TO THE DOCUMENT, STRIP GENDER TERMS LIKE MOTHER, FATHER, HUSBAND OR WIFE FROM HOUSE RULES.

WAS EMANUEL CLEAVER'S PRAYERS CAUGHT IN THE CROSS FIRE OF THAT?

>> YES, AND SOME OF THE PUSHBACK, AND I AGREE WITH PETE, THE DELIVERY DIDN'T QUITE WORK VERBALLY.

THERE IS AN AWFUL LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT TO SEE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE RECOGNIZED.

THEY ARE ARGUING ABOUT GAY AND LESBIAN.

THAT WHOLE WORLD OF WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF ACCEPTANCE AND LANGUAGE MATTERS.

>> FRONT LINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN KANSAS CITY WERE GETTING THEIR COVID 19 VACCINE.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ON HOW THE SHOTS ARE DISTRIBUTED AND WHO.

THERE ARE SOME REPORTS OF CRITICAL CARE WORKERS STILL WAITING FOR THE VACCINE, WHICH SPARKED CRITICISM FROM LAURA KELLY AND MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS.

IT DIDN'T SET WELL WITH "WEEK IN REVIEW" VIEWER JOHN.

HE SAID THERE ARE SENIORS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS STILT WAITING TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

THAT IS EXTREMELY SELFISH.

DOES IT SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE WHEN THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS GET THE FIRST DIBBS AHEAD OF FIRST RESPONDERS AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS DAVE?

>> WELL, I THINK THE MAYOR HAS SAID AND I THINK THERE IS TRUTH IN THIS.

IT'S NOT JUST THE MAYOR BUT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OTHERS.

TAKING PICTURES OF THEM GETTING THE VACCINE IS A PRETTY GOOD THING.

IT WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO GET, PARTICULARLY AFRICAN AMERICAN WHO ARE SKEPTICAL OF THE VACCINE, SEEING THE MAYOR GET THE SHOT WAS PROBABLY A GOOD THING.

LOOK, THE SHOT HE GOT IS NOT REALLY DEPRIVING SOMEONE ELSE OF THE VACCINATION BECAUSE THE ROLLOUT HAS BEEN SO CHAOTIC.

THERE HAVE BEEN ALMOST 18 MILLION DOSES OF VACCINE DELIVERED TO THE STATE, 5 MILLION HAVE ACTUALLY GONE INTO ARMS AT THIS POINT, AND AT THIS PACE, IT WILL TAKE EIGHT YEARS TO INOCULATE EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT ISSUE.

I THINK THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT THE MAYOR, BUT IN THE LONG RUN, I DON'T THINK IT WAS THAT DESTRUCTIVE.

>> IT WAS HAPPENING IN A WEEK WHERE KANSAS CITY GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY PUT OUT A LIST OF THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATE AND KANSAS COMES DEAD BOTTOM.

>> YES, OSAGE COUNTY SAYING THEY DIDN'T SEE ANY OF IT YET.

IT'S BEEN A POOR LEADERSHIP JOB BETWEEN RANKING LAST IN THE COUNTRY IN GETTING THE VACCINE OUT, LAST IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY, NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST IN THE 50 STATES IN TERMS OF TESTING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO CRITIQUE HOW POLITICIANS AND GOVERNORS HAVE HANDLED THIS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ONE OF THE WORSE JOBS IS LAURA KELLY IN KANSAS.

>> OSAGE COUNTY GOT VACCINES, BUT IT JUST DIDN'T GO TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

JUST TO CLEAR UP THAT RECORD.

BUT THE OVERALL CRITICISM OF LAURA KELLY IS VERY VALID, IN PART BECAUSE SHE BLAMED THIS ON A PAPERWORK, SOFTWARE, TRAINING PROBLEM.

SHE USES A LOT OF DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK EXCUSES FOR NOT ONLY THIS, BUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE THIS YEAR, TESTING IN THE STATE OF KANSAS, DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINE, AND AT SOME POINT, THE BUCK HAS TO STOP AND IT HAS TO STOP WITH LAURA KELLY.

IN THIS CASE, I THINK THE CRITICISM HAS SOME VALIDITY.

>> THIS IS MORE FLEXIBLE THAN I THOUGHT MARY.

EVEN FOR THE MEDICAL WORKERS IT'S AN HONOR SYSTEM.

THERE ARE REPORTS OF ADMINISTRATORS GETTING THE VACCINE BEFORE THOSE IN THE COVID WARD.

>> ANY TIME YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO OVERREACH AND TAKE SOMETHING THAT ISN'T THERE, HUMAN NATURE DOES PLAY IN.

WE SEEN THAT ALREADY, WHICH THIS IS PARTLY WHY YOU NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP AT THAT STATE LEVEL SO WE'RE IN A HORRIBLE PLACE, WHERE WE NEED TO HAVE LEADERSHIP REALLY STEP UP AND ENSURE THAT THESE SYSTEMS ARE THERE SO THE PEOPLE GET THE VACCINES.

>> I WANT TO MOVE IN BUT I WANT TO BRING IN ERIC WESSON FOR A MOMENT.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN TO SEE THE MAYOR GETTING THE VACCINE BECAUSE OF CONCERNS.

WAS THERE ANYONE WHO LOOKED AT THAT AND SAID I WAS CONCERNED BEFORE AND NOW I WANT THE VACCINE?

>> NOBODY THAT I TALKED TO OR HEARD FROM.

I GUESS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A ROLLOUT OF MEDIA TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND MINORITIES TO TAKE THE SHOT.

BECAUSE HE TOOK IT, I DON'T FEEL LIKE I NEED TO RUN AND GET IN LINE.

>> IT'S BEEN A BAD WEEK FOR RETAIL IN KANSAS CITY.

TIFFANY & CO.

ANNOUNCED THEY'RE DEPARTING THE COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA AND HELZBERG DIAMONDS WILL CLOSE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

THERE IS A SEVEN DAY A WEEK CURFEW AT ONE OF OUR LARGER SHOPPING MALLS AFTER 3:00 P.M.

HITS KEEPS COMING FOR THEIR ANCHOR STORES.

MACY'S ANNOUNCED THEY'RE LEAVING THE CENTER.

THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT STORIES BUT PROMPTING LARGER CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR LOCAL SHOPPING CENTERS.

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENCE CENTERS OR OF THE COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA?

>> WELL, YES, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ON THIS SHOW BEFORE.

INDEPENDENCE CENTER MAY BE THE TARGET.

BANISTER MALL WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE 8TH WONDERS OF THE WORLD AND NOW IT'S BEEN BULLDOZED.

INDEPENDENCE CENTER MAY FIND A SIMILAR FACE.

BRICK AND MORTAR RETAIL IS UNDER PRESSURE AND THE PLAZA IS NOT IMMUNE FROM THAT NICK.

I WOULD BE VERY WORRIED IF I WERE KANSAS CITY OFFICIALS ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THAT INSTITUTION AND TRANSITIONING FROM IN PERSON RETAIL TO SOMETHING ELSE IN THAT ICONIC DISTRICT.

>> NOW I WOULD BE REMISED IF I DIDN'T MENTION IN THE "WEEK IN REVIEW" WHAT INSTITUTION MAY DISAPPEAR IN KANSAS CITY IN 2021.

ERIC WESSON YOU SAID MACY'S.

>> I ABSOLUTELY DO, YOU CAN THANK ME LATER.

YOU KNOW, INDEPENDENCE MALL IS BASICALLY AS DAVE SAID, IT'S ON THE SAME COURSE AS BANISTER MALL.

IT'S JUST IN A DIFFERENT TIMEFRAME.

MACY'S WAS ITS ANCHOR BUT IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, MAYBE TWO YEARS, IT'S LIKE A GHOST TOWN GOING IN THERE.

I GO THERE ALL THE TIME TO BUY MY COLOGNE.

JUST WATCHING THE TRANSITION NOW WITH PEOPLE AND NEW OWNERSHIP OF THE MALL, THEY CHANGE THE SECURITY.

THE SECURITY IS NOT AS TIGHT AS IT WAS WHEN THE OTHER OWNERS HAD IT.

YOU GET THIS ELEMENT IN THERE NOW THAT IS CREATING ANOTHER BANISTER MALL.

>> AND CURFEW FIXES THAT, NO TEENAGERS AFTER 3:00 P.M. PETE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR 2021, UPGRADE THE COLOGNE.

THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

AS TO WHAT DAVE SAID, THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO KANSAS CITY.

YOU HAVE COVID ON TOP OF THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WERE ALREADY SHOPPING MORE ONLINE LEADING UP TO ALL THIS.

ADD THE PANDEMIC ON TOP OF IT, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR SOME OF THESE BIG BOX RETAIL PLACES TO HANG ON MOVING FORWARD.

I THINK A LOT OF IT WILL SHIFT ONLINE.

>> I SHOULD POINT OUT MARY, THIS WEEKEND STARTS KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT WEEK.

THERE WERE PLANS TO CANCEL THE EVENT BUT RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE DESPERATE TO GET ANYONE TO COME THROUGH THEIR DOORS.

WITH LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS WORRIED OF COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A SHUT DOWN OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS?

>> I HEARD THAT PREDICTION.

IT'S A LOW THRESHOLD OF PROFIT IN MOST RESTAURANTS AND THE PANDEMIC HAS GONE ON TOO LONG.

>> WE INTERVIEWED THE EDITORIAL BOARD BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND THEN WE TALKED TO HIM ON ANOTHER PROGRAM YESTERDAY.

YOU GET THE SENSE THAT MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS PARTICULARLY WOULD LIKE TO BACK AWAY, BUT HE'S NOT SURE HE CAN AND IN FACT MAY PRESSURE THE NEW COMMISSIONERS IN JOHNSTON COUNTY TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN THIS REGARDS.

THE PUBLIC'S APPETITE, IT'S NOT FOR MORE SHUT DOWNS OF ANY BUSINESSES BY GOVERNMENT.

HAVING SAID THAT, IF YOU DON'T FIX COVID NICK, PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO GO OUT TO EAT OR GO TO THE MOVIES OR GO TO SHOWS UNTIL THEY'RE SURE IT'S SAFE.

THAT'S BEEN TRUE FOR SIX MONTHS.

I THINK IT'S STILL TRUE NOW.

>> WHILE RETAIL MAY BE SUFFERING, THERE IS MONEY THROWN AT OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE JOHNSTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE OPENS THEIR DOORS.

IT'S BEEN THE BIGGEST CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN JOHNSTON COUNTY.

THE MEDIA FINDS FAULT, WAS THIS A PROJECT THAT DELIVERED AS PROMISED DAVE?

>> WELL, IT'S QUITE THE COURTHOUSE NICK, AS YOU I'M SURE YOU SEEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF IT WHEN THEY OPENED.

I HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THAT PROJECT FOR A LONG TIME, A BECAUSE IT WAS PAID FOR BY A SALES TAX APPROVED BY VOTERS.

SALES TAXES ARE REGRESSIVE.

THE JOHNSTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE COST TWICE AS MUCH AS THE ONE IN DOWNTOWN MISSOURI.

THAT SOUNDS EXCESSIVE WHEN OTHER INSTITUTIONS NEEDED TO TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS.

>> IT GOT LOST IN THE NEWS COVERAGE BUT PROTESTERS WERE STORMING THE U.S. CAPITOL, MISSOURI LAWMAKERS BEGAN A BRAND NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

KANSAS LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN TO TOPEKA ON MONDAY.

THEY HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, A SUPER SPREADER EVENT, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ISSUES THEY'RE DEALING WITH?

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO LEGALIZE THE SALE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

NOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING IT.

COULD WE SEE TOTAL PART LEGALIZATION ON THE BALLOT IN MISSOURI AS A RESULT OF THE SESSION?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT APPETITE WILL BE BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S UNLIKELY AS IT MAY HAVE BEEN A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

I THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN GENERAL HAS BECOME MORE OPEN TO THAT AND ALSO LET'S BE HONEST, THERE IS MONEY THERE FOR THE STATE ALL RIGHT, IN A YEAR AND TIME WHEN THESE BUDGETS ARE GETTING CRUSHED BY COVID, THESE STATES ARE LOOKING FOR MONEY UNDER EVERY SEAT CUSHION THEY CAN FIND.

IF THEY DO IT RIGHT, THEY CAN RAISE SOME TAX REVENUES.

ULTIMATELY, THAT COULD BE A SELLING POINT FOR SOME REPUBLICANS WHO ARE ON THE FENCE ON THIS.

>> WE FIXATE ON WHAT HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON D.C. WITH A LOT OF IMPORTANT DECISIONS THAT AFFECT OUR LIVES ON A DAILY BASIS.

THESE ARE BILLS FILED THIS WEEK THAT WOULD MAKE IT A FELONY TO PUBLIC THE HOME ADDRESS OF A POLICE OFFICER, A BILL TO PROTECT DRIVERS WHO RUN OVER PROTESTERS, THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLS THAT WILL SHUT DOWN BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO ARE ONLY TEACHING VIRTUALLY TO FOOT THE BILL IF A PARENT DECIDED TO SEND THEIR STUDENT TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR IN PERSON LEARNING.

WHAT BILLS ARE YOU LOOKING AT ERIC?

>> IT'S THE BILL ABOUT PUTTING POLICE OFFICERS' INFORMATION OUT AND RUNNING OVER PROTESTERS.

I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME PROCESSING THE RUNNING OVER PROTESTERS.

HOW OFTEN DOES THAT HAPPEN VERSUS ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI?

>> MARY?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT COVERING LEGISLATURES THAT MEDIA HAS TO BE CAREFUL WITH IS THAT JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS INTRODUCED DOESN'T MEAN IT HAS ANY TRACTION.

YOU CAN GET HEADLINED BY WRITING ABOUT THESE, HAVING NOWHERE TO GO LEGISLATIVE PIECES WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE THAT MUCH ATTENTION.

SO YOU NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT IS REALLY BEHIND, WHAT IS THE MOTIVATION AND THE ISSUE OF DOXING WITH POLICE.

THAT IS WRAPPED IN THE BLACK LIVES MATTER, FEELINGS ABOUT THAT, FEELINGS ABOUT PROTESTS, AND ERIC IS RIGHT ABOUT LOOKING AT WHAT HAPPENS.

I DO KNOW A LOT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS VERY FEARFUL AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN FEARFUL WITHIN THEIR OWN FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY NOW.

>> DAVE?

>> WELL, I'M WATCHING MEDICAID EXPANSION NICK.

HOW WILL IT BE PAID FOR, HOW WILL IT BE IMPLEMENTED AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

IN MISSOURI, WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO REDISTRICTING.

THERE IS TALK ABOUT GERRYMANDERING EMANUEL CLEAVER'S SEAT AND SHARICE DAVIDS WITH A VETO PROOF MAJORITY.

SO REDISTRICTING IS IMPORTANT.

IT WILL GET STARTED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEN IN MISSOURI, MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> AND IN KANSAS, THERE WAS NO VIOLENCE, HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP DID RALLY AT THE STATEHOUSE IN TOPEKA.

NOW THE LEGISLATURE IS MORE CONSERVATIVE, AS A RESULT OF THE LAST ELECTION, IS THE CHANCES OF IT HAPPENING SLIM TO NONE PETE?

>> YEAH, I DON'T SEE ANY WAY.

THEY HAVE THE SUPER MAJORITY.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT ON THIS SHOW NICK.

DAVE POINTED IT OUT RIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION.

THAT WAS THE FACT THAT THE REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE DID MUCH BETTER IN PLACES LIKE JOHNSTON COUNTY, PICKING UP MORE CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS IN THESE SEATS, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE DID NOT ANTICIPATE BASED ON HOW THE DISTRICT AND AREA HAVE BEEN VOTING IN THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

THAT'S A HUGE DEAL.

EXPECT THEM TO CHALLENGE GOVERNOR KELLY ON BASICALLY EVERYTHING.

THEY ARE RAMPING UP FOR A GOVERNOR'S RACE IN 2022.

THAT WILL BE HOTLY CONTESTED.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT AND I DON'T THINK SHE WILL GET A LOT DONE AND GET A LOT OF COMPROMISE.

>> AS WE WERE ON A BREAK ON THIS SHOW OVER CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR, THE KANSAS CITY STAR DEVOTED ALMOST AN ENTIRE SECTION OF THE PAPER TO AN APOLOGY.

>> A PROMINENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER IS ISSUING AN APOLOGY.

IN A FULL PAGE ARTICLE THE KANSAS CITY STAR TOLD READERS, WE ARE SORRY.

>> THE STAR ACKNOWLEDGING ITS HISTORIC ROLE DISENFRANCHISING, IGNORING AND MALIGNING GENERATIONS OF BLACK KANSAS CITY CITIZENS IN ITS COVERAGE.

IT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION BUT DID IT CHANGE MINDS LOCALLY?

ARE YOU PATTING THE KANSAS CITY STAR ON THE BACK FOR A JOB WELL DONE ERIC WESSON?

>> NO, I'M NOT.

IT'S AN APOLOGY.

I WANT TO GET TO THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

YESTERDAY WE WATCHED HORRORS OF WHITE PEOPLE STORM THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

THEY WERE INVITED IN AND PROBABLY GOT COFFEE AND DONUTS.

HAD THOSE PROTESTERS BEEN BLACK, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BLOOD BATH.

THE KANSAS CITY STAR HAS THAT'S THE REASON WHY THE CALL NEWSPAPER EXISTS.

THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA PORTRAYS BLACK PEOPLE.

>> FRANKLY, THERE IS NOTHING BRAVE OR BOLD ABOUT ADMITTING TO SOMETHING THAT OCCURRED WHEN ALMOST NO ONE WHO IS IN POSITION OF POWER WAS EVEN ALIVE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 50 TO 100 YEARS AGO EVENT, THE MOST RECENT WAS IN '77 WITH THE FLOOD.

>> NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM PETE MUNDO FIRST.

>> PEOPLE ARE APOLOGIZING FOR THINGS THEY HAD LITTLE TO NO INVOLVEMENT AS INDIVIDUALS THEMSELVES.

IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU DENY YOUR HISTORY BUT IT'S AN ODD PLACE TO BE.

>> AND QUINTON LUCAS SAID IT WAS A GREAT START.

HE APPLAUDED THE KANSAS CITY STAR AND WANTS OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO DO THE SAME THING.

WHAT CHANGE DID IT BRING ABOUT?

>> WE DON'T KNOW YET BUT I WILL SAY NICK, A REPORT WROTE ABOUT CONTRASTING WHAT HAPPENED WITH WHITE PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON AND WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE BLACK LIVES MATTER FOLKS.

SO WE'RE ON THAT TOO.

>> I THINK IT'S MORE THAN JUST HAPPENED 50 YEARS AGO.

NO, IT DIDN'T.

IT'S STILL HAPPENING.

IN JUNE, THE STAR DID AN EDITORIAL ON A SHOOTING ON 18TH AND VINE THAT HAPPENED EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND THEY WROTE IT LIKE IT JUST HAPPENED LAST WEEK.

NOW WE'RE TRYING TO GET DEVELOPMENT DOWN HERE.

DO I WANT TO GO IN A PLACE WHERE THEY'RE SHOOTING EVERY WEEK?

I DON'T THINK IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO, BUT PROBABLY 5 MONTHS AGO.

>> AND THAT IS OUR WEEK IN REVIEW, OUR THANKS TO THIS WEEK'S NEWS REVIEWERS WEEKDAYS FROM 6:00 TO 10:00 ON KCMO TALK RADIO PETE MUNDO, EVERY DAY IN YOUR KANSAS CITY STAR DAVE HELLING, FROM THE CALL NEWSPAPER ERIC WESSON AND TRIBUNE SYNDICATED COLUMNIST MARY SANCHEZ.

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