>>> I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING, WE SAY THAT WE DID WRONG.

>> NICK: THE MAYOR PLEDGING TO PAY REPARATIONS FOR SLAVERY, BUT HOW WILL IT WORK?

WHO GETS THE MONEY AND WHO PICKS UP THE TAB?

PLUS AFTER ONE SETBACK AFTER ANOTHER, MISSOURI MEDICAID EXPANSION STRUCK DOWN BY A JUDGE.

IS IT REALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

STORE UP YOUR SPARE CHANGE.

OVERLAND PARK GREEN LIGHTING TOLL LANES.

AND MOVE OVER THE COW PARADE.

HERE COMES THE PARADE OF HEARTS.

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

THANK YOU.

>> NICK: WELCOME.

I'M NICK HAINES, AND THIS IS YOUR SHOW THAT CONNECTS THE DOTS FOR YOU ON THE MOST IMPACTFUL LOCAL STORIES OF OUR WEEK.

CHECKING IN WITH US ON THE BIG SCREEN, 41 ACTION NEWS ANCHOR AND REPORTER DIA WALL.

FROM THE TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE, NATIONALLY SYNDICATED COLUMNIST, MARY SANCHEZ.

KEEPING TRACK OF THE NEWS FROM BEHIND A MICROPHONE AT KCMO TALK RADIO, PETE MUNDO.

AND FROM THE PAGES OF YOUR KANSAS CITY STAR, DAVE HELLING.

A GROWING NUMBER OF KANSAS CITIANS RECENTLY GOT THE JUNE TEETH HOLIDAY OFF AS A -- JUNE TEETH HOLIDAY OFF AS A PAID VACATION DAY DAY.

BUT IS KANSAS CITY ABOUT TO MARK THE END OF SLAVERY IN A LARGER AND FAR MORE SIGNIFICANT WAY?

MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS ANNOUNCING PLANS TO PAY REPARATIONS TO BLACK RESIDENTS.

IT'S A CONTENTIOUS IDEA THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR DECADES BUT NEVER ACTED UPON, UNTIL NOW.

LUCAS IS JOIN JOINING A GROUP OF 11 MAYORS WHO HAVE SIGNED A PLEDGE TO FINANCIALLY COMPENSATE AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THEIR CITIES FOR THE PAIN, LOSS OF LIFE AND LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY BROUGHT ABOUT BY SLAVERY.

WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE AND HOW WOULD IT ACTUALLY WORK, DIA, DO WE KNOW?

>> NO.

BEFORE PEOPLE START PANICKING, WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT WOULD WORK.

RIGHT NOW THEY WANT TO HAVE A FACT FINDING COMMITTEE, DO SOME ANALYSIS AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS TO DO THIS BEFORE, WHETHER IT WAS GIVING FOLKS A BREAK ON PROPERTY TAXES OR TO INVEST IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE CITY THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM DISINVESTMENT IN THE PAST.

THIS ISN'T HAPPENING TOMORROW, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF MAYORS NOW WANT TO VOICE A COMMITMENT TO.

>> NICK: IF YOU WANT A SENSE OF WHAT THIS MAY LOOK LIKE, DAVE, WE CAN LOOK 500 MILES AWAY IN THE CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, JUST OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO.

THEY DID A PROGRAM GIVING $25,000 TO HELP WITH THINGS LIKE HOME REPAIRS, FOR INSTANCE, OR DOWN PAYMENTS ON HOMES TO BLACK RESIDENTS THERE.

IS THAT WHAT THE MAYOR HAS IN MIND OR SOMETHING EVEN BIGGER THAN THAT?

>> IF IT'S BIGGER THAN THAT, IT WILL HAVE TO BE FUNDED SOME WAY OTHER THAN JUST HAVING THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS CITY PAY FOR IT.

THIS BECOMES VERY EXPENSIVE VERY QUICKLY, AND THIS IS PART OF AN EFFORT TO NUDGE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALONG.

DIA IS RIGHT.

WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS WOULD WORK PRECISELY, AND WE DON'T KNOW REALLY WHETHER HELP FOR HOUSING, FOR EXAMPLE, IS THE BEST WAY OR JUST CASH GRANTS OR JOBS.

I DO THINK THE MAYOR HAS SAID AND WE NEED TO KEEP THIS IN MIND THAT THIS PROGRAM, HOWEVER IT SHAKES OUT, IF IT SHAKES OUT, NICK, IS NOT JUST BASED ON REPARATIONS FOR SLAVERY, BUT RATHER A LONG HISTORY OF JIM CROW, OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, BANKING DISCRIMINATION, POOR EDUCATION ON THE EAST SIDE OF KANSAS CITY.

YOU CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT KANSAS CITY'S HISTORY, AND THE BIFURCATION OF THIS COMMUNITY ALONG TROOST CONTINUES TO HAUNT THE COMMUNITY, AND SO I THINK THE IDEA OF REPARATIONS WOULD BE AT LEAST IN SOME WAY TO TRY AND BRIDGE THAT GAP AND BRING THOSE -- THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THOSE TRACKS CLOSER TO PARODY WITH EVERYONE ELSE IN KANSAS CITY.

>> NICK: BUT BRINGING THIS UP NOW, THOUGH, PETE MUNDO, DOES THIS CREATE ANOTHER POLITICAL DIVIDE IN THE CITY PARTICULARLY AS IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT ON THE HEELS OF THE EFFORT BY THE MAYOR TO REMOVE SOME FUNDING FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUT IT INTO COMMUNITY PROGRAMS?

>> WELL, WHAT IT DOES, NICK, SIMILAR TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT 42 MILLION-DOLLAR ISSUE IS IT'S SCANT ON DETAILS, WHICH MY COLLEAGUES NOTED, WHICH ALLOWS PEOPLE TO DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS.

THERE'S BEEN THERE BIG PUSH BACK, PEOPLE MISINTERPRETING WHAT WE WANT, WHETHER POLICE FUNDING OR REPARATIONS.

IN FAIRNESS, THERE WERE NO DETAILS PROVIDED AND NO SPECIFIC DETAILS PROVIDED ON WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.

NOW I ASKED THE MAYOR ABOUT IT ON MY SHOW THURSDAY MORNING, AND HE TALKED MORE ABOUT A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT ANGLE, WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM TRUE REPARATIONS.

SO IF WE'RE TALKING COMMUNITY INVESTMENT, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

HOW MUCH MONEY?

WHERE EXACTLY?

WE STILL DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT INFORMATION.

SO YES, IT CREATES POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS, BUT I THINK PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE THE ROLLOUTS OF THESE GRAND PLANS AND GRAND IDEAS ARE LIMITED IN THE DETAILS THEY PROVIDE, WHICH THEN ALLOWS PEOPLE TO DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS.

>> NICK: AND WHAT WILL THAT END UP MEANING FOR MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS?

WILL IT HELP OR HURT HIM?

>> IT MIGHT HURT HIM.

AS PETE IS POINTING OUT, PEOPLE CAN FILL IN THEIR OWN BLANKS.

THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS.

REPARATIONS IS AN IDEA, A CONCEPT.

THERE IS NO EXACT PLAN FOR HOW IT SHOULD COME ABOUT.

THE CONVERSATION IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT, BECAUSE SO OFTEN WHAT WE'RE MISSING IS THAT TRUE UNDERSTANDING THAT CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION DID NOT END THE IMPACT, AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SLAVERY, AS DAVE POINTED OUT.

KANSAS CITY HAS A VERY UNIQUE AND SPECIFIC HISTORY THAT PLAYS OUT ALONG HOUSING PATTERNS.

IT PLAYS OUT AROUND EDUCATION, AND IT'S THAT LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND ACTUAL ADMITTANCE TO THAT THAT KEEPS HOLDING CERTAIN COMMUNITIES BACK.

>> THE ONE THING I WOULD WANT TO ADD ON THAT POINT IS, YES, THERE ARE A FEW DETAILS, BUT THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THEY ARE CREATING A FACT FINDING COMMITTEE.

THEY ARE GOING TO GO TO THE COMMUNITY TO SOLICIT IDEAS ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT REPARATIONS HOW LONG IN THIS COUNTRY?

THERE'S NEVER A GOOD TIME, AND IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE POLITICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS.

>> NICK: IT'S BEEN ONE SETBACK AFTER ANOTHER FOR THAT PLAN APPROVED BY VOTERS TO EXPAND MEDICAID IN MISSOURI.

BUT WAS IT DELIVERED A DEADLY BODY BLOW THIS WEEK WHEN A MISSOURI JUDGE STRUCK DOWN THE ENTIRE MEASURE AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT DIDN'T INCLUDE A WAY TO PAY FOR THE NEARLY 300,000 MISSOURIANS WHO ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH COVERAGE.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW, DAVE HELLING?

>> IT GOES TO AN APPEALS COURT.

IT MAY GO DIRECTLY TO THE MISSOURI SUPREME COURT.

WE'RE NOT SURE.

THERE IS A BIT OF A DEADLINE ON JULY 1, NICK, SO THERE WILL BE SOME EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO SIGN UP FOR EXPANDED MEDICAID CAN ACTUALLY DO SO.

I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT INCIDENTALLY, AND THIS WILL BE OF INTEREST TO YOUR VIEWERS, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE JUDGE RULED THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL IS BASED ON KANSAS CITY VERSUS CLAY CHASTAIN, AND YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT HE'S BEEN TO THE COURTS OVER AND OVER AND OVER, AND WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAD SAID AT ONE POINT IS YOU CAN'T PASS SOMETHING BY INITIATIVE THAT HAS AN INDIRECT COST, AND THEY USED THE CHASTAIN PLAN FOR LIGHT RAIL AS THE EXAMPLE, BUT THE JUDGE USED IT IN HIS OPINION YESTERDAY ABOUT MEDICAID.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY.

>> NICK: I WAS LOOKING, PETE MUNDO, AT OTHER STATES WHO HAD PASSED MEDICAID EXPANSION.

DID THEY HAVE THIS FUNDING MECHANISM IN PLACE, UTAH IN 2018?

THEY WERE INCREASING THE STATE SALES TAX TO DO.

THAT OREGON IN 2018, A HIKE IN TAXES ON HEALTH CARE INSURANCE AND TAX ON REVENUE IN HOSPITALS.

SO OTHER PLACES HAVE PUT THAT FUNDING MECHANISM IN PLACE.

SO ARE WE HEADING TO A POINT THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY GO ON THE BALLOT AGAIN AND THEY PUT A FUNDING MECHANISM IN PLACE?

>> I'M NOT SURE, NICK.

TALKING TO LEGISLATORS DOWN THERE AS THEY GOT THE SPECIAL SESSION STARTED ON WEDNESDAY, THERE SEEMED TO BE QUITE A BIT OF CONFUSION FROM THEM AS WHAT NEXT STEPS WILL LOOK LIKE.

YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE FOCUS ON IT IN A SPECIAL SESSION AT LEAST MIGHT CLEAR UP SOME OF THESE ANSWERS.

>> THIS BATTLE, BY THE WAY, IS TAKING PLACE IN THE SENATE, PRIMARILY IN JEFF CITY, NICK.

THERE IS A HANDFUL OF VERY CONSERVATIVE SENATORS, AND THEY WANT TO ATTACH ANTI-CONTRACEPTION LANGUAGE TO ANY BILL THAT REAUTHORIZES THIS TAX, AND THERE'S JUST -- THERE AREN'T THE VOTES TO DO IT OR NOT TO DO IT.

THAT'S WHERE THE HANGUP IS.

SO MY GUESS IS THEY'LL REACH SOME AGREEMENT.

THE GOVERNOR WAS REALLY BLUFFING A LITTLE BIT WHEN HE SAID, HEY, I'M GOING TO MAKE ALL OF THESE CUTS, BECAUSE HE KNEW HE HAD TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.

HE DID SO, AND I THINK AT THE DEADLINE, THEY'LL COME UP WITH SOME ANSWERS.

>> NICK: WE DISCUSSED THIS LAST WEEK.

NOW THE LARGEST CITY IN JOHNSON COUNTY HAS GONE FORWARD AND APPROVED WHAT SOME HAVE DERISIVELY CALLED LEXUS LANES.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE EXPRESS TOLL LANES ON OVERLAND PARK'S MOST CONGESTED STRETCH OF ROADWAY.

>> IT WILL BE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF THIS COUNCIL SINCE THE CITY WAS FOUNDED.

>> THE VOTERS DON'T WANT TOLLS.

IF YOU THING THEY DO, PUT IT ON A BALLOT.

DON'T TAKE A SAMPLE POLL.

>> YES, THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE EXPRESSING THEIR DISPLEASURE, BUT DOES THIS VOTE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, PETE, SIGNAL YOU BETTER START KEEPING YOUR SPARE CHANGE, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BE PAYING ANYWHERE FROM 30 CENTS TO A DOLLAR 75 EVERY TIME YOU TRAVEL ON 69 HIGHWAY?

>> YEAH, NICK.

I THINK THIS THING IS GOING TO END UP HAPPENING HERE.

IT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE IT AFTER THAT 10-2 VOTE.

KDOT IS IN THE MIX.

AND THE YOU'VE GOT A TIMELINE IN PLACE WHERE YOU WOULD START CONSTRUCTION IN 2025, AND IT WOULD BE IN PLACE BY 2027.

IT CERTAINLY IS CONTROVERSIAL.

FIRST OFF, BY 2027, YOU SEE THE GROWTH DOWN 69.

YOU'RE GOING TO NEED FOUR LANES ON BOTH SIDES ANYWAY, AND IT ALSO OPENS UP CONCERNS ABOUT, HEY, IF YOU'VE GOT THE MONEY, YOU PAY THE $3 ROUND TRIP.

YOU DON'T THINK TWICE ABOUT IT.

BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOU CAN'T.

THE LEXUS LANE IS A VERY FAIR THING TO CALL IT AND CERTAINLY APPEARS IT'S NOT AS POPULAR AS YOU WOULD BELIEVE BASED ON THE 10-2 VOTE IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> IT WAS CRITICS WHO DOMINATED THAT HEARING, DIA WALL, BUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW.

AND THE ARGUMENT IS BEING MADE, A, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING IF YOU JUST WANT TO BE IN THE REGULAR LANE.

THIS IS ONLY FOR THE NEW LANE BEING CREATE.

>> DAVE: NOTHING MOTIVATES YOU TO SHOW UP TO A MEETING AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD LIKE ANGER.

SO GENERALLY AT THESE MEETINGS, YOU HAVE THE MOST RILED UP AND FRUSTRATED FOLKS.

YES, IN A SENSE, YOU ARE RIGHT.

IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE THESE EXPRESS LANES, BUT THE PROBLEM IS TRAFFIC IS BACKED UP, SO YOU CREATE THIS SYSTEM WHERE TO PETE'S POINT, THE PEOPLE WHAT CAN AFFORD TO PAY $3 A DAY ROUND TRIP, THAT'S 60 BUCKS A MONTH.

>> NICK: THIS MIGHT BE THE TIME YOU COULD BE BEGGING YOUR EMPLOYER, CAN I WORK FROM HOME SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANY FEES.

DAVE HELLING, IT WAS INTERESTING LOOKING AT THAT VOTE, IT WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUS.

BUT ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO IS NOW RUNNING TO REPLACE KARL GERLACH AS MAYOR OF OVERLAND PARK, VOTED NO ON IT.

IF HE WERE TO SUCCEED IN THE MAYOR'S RACE THIS YEAR, IS IT POSSIBLE HE COULD REVERSE COURSE ON THIS?

>> WELL, NOT ALONE, OF COURSE, BUT HE MIGHT TRY TO REVERSE COURSE OR GIVE THE CITY ANOTHER CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AS THEY GET CLOSER TO CONSTRUCTION, NICK, AND THERE ARE OTHER UNANSWERED QUESTIONS THAT COULD BE RAISED.

BUT THERE IS A -- IN THIS COUNTRY FOR USER FEES.

WE ARE AT A TURNING POINT IN HOW WE FINANCE THESE PROJECTS EVERYWHERE IN AMERICA, BECAUSE GAS TAXES AREN'T GENERATING THE REVENUE THEY USED TO.

CARS GET BETTER MILEAGE.

ELECTRIC CARS ARE ON THE WAY.

ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS ARE JUMBLED UP, AND WE'RE SEEING HOW IT PLAYED OUT.

>> NICK: MARY, DOES THIS OPEN THE FLOODGATES, THOUGH, IF OVERLAND PARK GOES FORWARD WITH THIS AS THEY HAVE AT THE CITY COUNCIL LEVEL THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES IN OUR METRO WILL SAY, LET'S DO THAT TOO AND WE'LL START LOOKING A LITTLE BIT LIKE NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY HERE.

>> WELL, IF OTHER COMMUNITIES SEE THAT IT WORKS THERE, THEN PERHAPS.

IF THEY SEE IT IMPLODE IN SOME WAY, WHETHER IT'S POLITICALLY OR JUST THE INFRASTRUCTURE ITSELF, THEN NO, BUT WHAT THIS REALLY CALLS FOR IS JUST THE BROADER CONVERSATION ABOUT KANSAS CITY, ABOUT TRANSPORTATION, ABOUT HOW FAR OUT WE BUILD AND HOW LONG THAT IS SUSTAINABLE.

THAT'S THE OTHER CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS TO BE HAD AS WE GO FORWARD WITH ALL OF THIS.

>> NICK: EVEN THOUGH BARS AND RESTAURANTS ARE PACKED AND FEW PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS INSIDE STORES, LOCAL HEALTH LEADERS ARE SENDING OUT A REMINDER THAT COVID STILL EXISTS AND SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL DYING FROM THE VIRUS HERE IN THE METRO.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE NEW HEALTH DATA COMPILED FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES THAT FINDS MISSOURI IS NOW LEADING THE NATION IN NEW COVID CASES.

MISSOURI ALSO RANKS NO.

1 FOR THE HIGHEST RATE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS FROM COVID.

WHILE THE HEADLINES LOOK ALARMING, ISN'T IT, THOUGH, THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED AND DYING OF COVID IN MISSOURI JUST A SMALL FRACTION OF WHERE WE WERE BACK IN DECEMBER, FOR INSTANCE, AROUND CHRISTMAS WEEK, PETE?

>> YEAH, NICK.

IT IS A FRACTION WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO WHERE WE'VE BEEN, AND WE'VE CERTAINLY BENDED THAT CURVE MANY TIMES OVER, AND YES THINGS ARE GETTING BACK -- THEY BASICALLY ARE BACK TO NORMAL.

YOU CAN GO TO A FULL KAUFFMAN STADIUM, IF YOU WANT.

THE CHIEFS ARE GOING TO BE FULL.

CONCERTS ARE BACK.

THERE'S THIS GENERAL ATTITUDE OF A VACCINE IS READILY AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY WHO WANTS IT RELATIVELY EASILY, AND THOSE AT THIS POINT WHO AREN'T INTERESTED IN THAT ARE TAKING A RISK, DEPENDING ON THEIR AGE AND THEIR HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS.

I THINK MOST OF US HAVE TO JUST LET THEM LIVE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE I CAN'T GRASP THE IDEA OF PRESSURING SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO SOMETHING BASED ON WHAT MY BELIEFS ARE IF I FEEL LIKE I PROTECTED MYSELF.

>> NICK: I'M ENJOYING SEEING YOUR FACE DURING THAT DIA.

>> OKAY.

HOLD ON.

LET'S BACK IT UP.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE THAT HAS AFFECTED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, KILLED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS.

OKAY?

SO YES, VACCINE READILY AVAILABLE IF YOU WANT IT.

THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE EVERY RIGHT, AND THAT IS THEIR CHOICE.

BUT YOUR CHOICE AFFECTS ME.

YOUR CHOICE AFFECTS THE NEIGHBOR.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE TO GET IN A BOAT TOGETHER AND ROW.

>> OH, I WOULD RESPOND TO THAT JUST BY SAYING I THINK ABOUT THE VACCINE AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND AT 99% EFFECTIVENESS, THERE'S NOT OVERWHELMING DATA THAT VACCINATED PEOPLE ARE GETTING INFECTED AND VERY ILL FROM UNVACCINATED PEOPLE CARRYING COVID, SO UNTIL I SEE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE OF THAT, I THINK THAT THE POINT OF THE VACCINES IS THAT THEY WORK AND IS THAT WE CAN GO BACK TO LIVING OUR LIVES, AND THOSE THAT PARTICIPATE OR CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THEM ARE MAKING A DECISION THAT THEY'RE ENTITLED TO MAKE THAT MAY NOT BE IN THE BEST HEALTH INTEREST, BUT IT'S NOT MY JOB TO LOOK OUT FOR THEIR HEALTH.

>> IF I CAN JUST JUMP IN QUICKLY JUST WITH A PERSONAL STORY.

I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDFATHER AGAIN IN AUGUST.

MY DAUGHTER IS GOING TO GIVE BIRTH TO A YOUNG GIRL.

SHE CAN'T GET A VACCINE.

SHE IS EXPOSED TO COVID AT BIRTH BECAUSE SHE CAN'T BE VACCINATED, AND IF THERE ARE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE WHO COULD INFECT MY GRANDDAUGHTER, THAT AFFECTS ME AND HER.

>> AND IF I COULD CHIME IN, NICK, AS SOMEONE WHO JUST HAD A NEWBORN AS WELL, THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE NURSE, A SINGLE DOCTOR, WHO SAID ANYTHING TO ME, OR ANYTHING TO MY WIFE OR I THAT SAID ANYTHING ABOUT OUR NEWBORN OR OUR 2 AND A HALF-YEAR-OLD AND COVID OR THE TRANSMISSION.

>> DID YOU GET THE SHOT, PETE?

>> WHAT'S THAT?

>> DID YOU GET THE SHOT?

>> NO, I'VE NOT YET.

>> NICK: AND THAT IS HIS RIGHT, DAVE, RIGHT?

>> NOT MANDATORY IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THEN PETE AND ALL OF US HAVE TO DECIDE THE LEVEL OF RISK WE WANT TO EXPOSE OUR FAMILY TO.

>> BUT I WILL ADD TO THAT AND SAY THAT WORK HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR US AND IT WILL BE ON THE AGENDA WHEN THAT REQUIREMENT DOES COME, AND THAT IS THEIR RIGHT AS WELL AS AN EMPLOYER.

BUT THAT DOES NOT TAKE AWAY FROM MY ORIGINAL POINT, INSTEAD OF DEFLECTING, WHICH IS THAT THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES NEVER SAID A WORD TO ME OR MY WIFE ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND COVID AND PROTECTION FROM IT.

>> NICK: LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE CONVERSATION ABOUT PROTECTION, BUT IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY.

A METAL FENCE ERECTED AROUND CONGRESS FOLLOWING JANUARY'S SIEGE AT THE CAPITOL MAY SOON BE COMING DOWN, BUT IN KANSAS, A NEW METAL PROTECTIVE FENCE IS GOING UP TO PROTECT THE GOVERNOR.

WORKERS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE A PERMANENT METAL FENCE AROUND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION IN TOPEKA BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

PREVIOUSLY A GATE TO RESTRICT VEHICLES FROM ENTERING, BUT ONLY A WOODEN FENCE ENCIRCLING THE PROPERTY.

WAS THERE ANY SPECIFIC THREAT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR, DAVE?

>> NOT THAT WE'RE AWARE OF.

ALTHOUGH ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS WILL TELL YOU THAT FROM TIME TO TIME THEY GET THREATS THAT THEY CONSIDER CREDIBLE.

AND MY GUESS IS THAT THIS HAS BEEN ON THE BLACKBOARD FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE WE JUST LIVE IN THAT KIND OF WORLD.

PROVIDING SECURITY FOR THE GOVERNOR IS AN IMPORTANT THING.

NOW, AS I POINTED OUT ON TWITTER LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI HAS A METAL FENCE AROUND HIS RESIDENTS.

OTHER GOVERNORS DO TOO.

THIS DOESN'T SEEM SHOCKING TO ME AS IT MIGHT TO OTHER PEOPLE.

THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN JUST WALK UP AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF THE GOVERNOR IS PROBABLY NOT SOMETHING WE CAN ENJOY IN 2020.

>> NICK: IT CERTAINLY RAISED EYEBROWS, MARY, AMONG REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO ARE LEADING THE LEGISLATURE IN TOPEKA WHO SAID THE $217,000 PROJECT HAD SOME IRONY WITH IT IN LIGHT OF DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DECISION TO BUILD A FENCE ON THE BORDER WITH MEXICO.

DOES IT SEND A CONTRADICTORY MESSAGE?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

IT'S CONTRADICTORY TO TRY AND EVEN ALIGN THOSE TWO ISSUES.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FEDERAL BORDER PROTECTION, AND THERE ARE PLACES THAT AN ACTUAL WALL AT THE ALMOST 2,000-MILE LONG BORDER ACTUALLY WORKS AND MANY OTHER PLACES WHERE IT DOESN'T.

IT'S RIDICULOUS.

WE HAVE SO MANY OTHER WAYS TO MANAGE SECURITY AT OUR BORDER SPACES TO EVEN THINK THAT PUTTING A BIT OF A METAL FENCING AROUND A GOVERNOR'S MANSION HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SAME THING IS RIDICULOUS.

>> A CONTRADICTION, PETE IN THE.

>> IS THERE A LITTLE HYPOCRISY AROUND IT?

SURE.

DO I THINK THE GOVERNOR MADE THE CALL ON THIS PERSONALLY?

NO.

DOES IT MAKE FOR GOOD SOCIAL MEDIA FODDER?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> NICK: HOW MUCH PROTECTION DO OUR POLITICIANS NEED?

HOW MUCH PROTECTION DO OUR ATHLETES NEED?

THIS WEEK, CHIEFS DEFENSIVE END FRANK CLARK IS ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA AFTER POLICE DISCOVER AN UZI SUB MACHINE GUN IN HIS BAG.

CLARK CLAIMS IT WAS HIS BODYGUARD'S.

ARE OUR LOCAL ATHLETES AT THAT MUCH RISK?

>> WHY DID YOU COME AT ME ON THAT ONE?

BROTHER, YOU'RE ROLING IN A LAMBEAU TRUCK WITH AN UZI.

NO.

1, WHY DIDN'T YOU ZIP UP THE BIG?

>> NO.

2, A LAMBEAU TRUCK IS A BIT FLASHY.

NOT SAYING YOU CAN'T ROLL HOW YOU WANT TO ROLL.

MY QUESTION IS, WHY WAS THE BODYGUARD?

I DON'T KNOW.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WEIRD INSTANCES WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE IT PLAY OUT RIGHT UP TO TRAINING CAMP.

THE LEAGUE IS PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE SOME DISCIPLINE INVOLVED HERE, WHICH IS BAD NEWS FOR CHIEFS KINGDOM WHO WANT HIM ON THE FIELD.

>> NICK: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DISCIPLINE.

THE STAR EDITORIAL BOARD CLAIMS THAT THIS SENDS SUCH A TERRIBLE MESSAGE IN A CITY PLAGUED BY GUN VIOLENCE THAT IF HE'S CONVICTED, THE CHIEFS SHOULD RELEASE HIM FROM THE TEAM.

REALLY, DAVE?

>> YES.

I MEAN, THAT WAS OUR ARGUMENT, THAT THE MESSAGE SENT BY A LEADING FIGURE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IT'S OKAY TO CARRY A SUB-MACHINE GUN IN THE BACK OF YOUR CAR IS DISQUALIFYING FOR PLAYING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.

I THINK THE DISCIPLINE PROBABLY WON'T REACH THAT LEVEL.

BUT NICK, WE'VE GOT A HUGE MURDER PROBLEM IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND SOMEONE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT STORY AND SAY IN ESSENCE, HEY, IF A CHIEFS PLAYER CAN CARRY A SUB-MACHINE GUN, WHY CAN'T I?

IT'S JUST THE WRONG THING FOR A TEAM I, BY THE WAY, THAT HAS BEG PLAGUED BY GUN VIOLENCE DIRECTLY AS WELL.

WE THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS INFRACTION.

>> NICK: WE HAD A BRITISH ATHLETE THIS WEEK, MARY SANCHEZ, THAT ALSO HAD A FALL FROM GRACE IN A DIFFERENT KIND.

IT WAS A BRITISH MEDIA COMMENTATOR WHO SAID THAT THE JOB OF PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ON OUR SPORTS TEAMS IS TO PLAY A DECENT TEAM, NOT TO AUDITION TO BECOME FUTURE SAINTS.

DO WE REALLY AS A PUBLIC HAVE AN EXPECTATION THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PLAYING FOR THE CHIEFS AND THE ROYALS ARE GOING TO BE THESE MORALLY SCRUPULOUS ROLL MODELS OFF THE FIELD?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK THAT QUESTION OF.

I WISH THAT ALL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES WOULD HOLD THAT STATURE AND THAT STAGE WELL AND PERFORM BOTH ON THE FIELD AND ALSO WITHIN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES AS ROLE MODELS, BUT THEY'RE HUMAN BEINGS.

I WILL SAY ALSO THAT THE NFL BOTH STRUGGLES AND ACTUALLY REALLY WORKED A LOT WITH YOUNG PLAYERS, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SUDDENLY -- AND CLARK IS A GOOD EXAMPLE -- SUDDENLY HAVE SUCH MASSIVE WEALTH, AND THAT DRAWS A LOT OF HANGER-ONS.

PERHAPS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WHO PART OF THIS BODYGUARD TEAM WAS.

THEY WORK WITH THESE YOUNG MEN TO MANAGE THIS NEW SPACE THAT THIS WEALTH AND FAME GIVES THEM.

HE'S A YOUNG MAN.

I HOPE THAT HE CAN RECOVER FROM THIS BOTH PROFESSIONALLY, LEGALLY, IN EVERY WAY SHAPE OR FORM.

>> NICK: IF CONVICTED, SHOULD HE BE TERMINATED, PETE?

>> NO, NO.

HE'S PROBABLY LOOKING AT A FOUR GAME SUSPENSION FROM THE NFL.

TWO ON THE LOW END, SIX ON THE HIGH END.

HE'LL BE BACK BY OCTOBER.

HE'LL BE SACKING QUARTERBACKS BY MID OCTOBER, AND CHIEFS FANS WILL CHEER HIM ON AND NOBODY WILL REMEMBER THIS BY HALLOWEEN.

>> NICK: IF YOU'VE LIVED HERE A WHILE, YOU MUST REMEMBER THE COW PARADE, A MASSIVE PUBLIC ART PROJECT THAT SAW LOCAL ARTISTS PAINTING HUNDREDS OF FIBER GLASS COWS AROUND THE METRO.

IT EVEN SPAWNED ITS OWN BOOK.

NOW 19 YEARS LATER, GET READY FOR THE PARADE OF HEARTS WITH THE KC HEART NOW BECOMING AN ICONIC SYMBOL OF THE CITY.

BUSINESS AND CIVIC GROUPS ARE BANDING TOGETHER ON A NEW COMMUNITY PROJECT THAT WOULD SEE LOCAL ARTISTS SPLASH PAINT ON UP TO 200 GIGANTIC FIBERGLASS HEARTS.

NOW I REMEMBER THE COW PARADE 19 YEARS AGO, AND A NUMBER OF PROMINENT ARTISTS REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE, SAYING IT WASN'T ORIGINAL.

WE WERE SIMPLY BORROWING A PROJECT THAT WAS GOING ON IN TONS OF OTHER CITIES.

IS THIS HEART IDEA REALLY UNIQUE, MARY?

IT'S NOT UNIQUE IN THAT, YES, THESE TYPES OF PUSH-OUTS ON PUBLIC PROJECTS HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE.

I DO THINK THE HEARTS ACTUALLY FIT MORE WITH OUR LOCATION IN TERMS OF THE HEART OF AMERICA.

SO PERHAPS THERE'S MORE THAT CAN BE DONE IN THIS WITH AN ARTISTIC WAY.

COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC, WHAT'S BETTER THAN A HEART?

>> NICK: IT WOULD ALL BE RELEASED IN MARCH OF NEXT YEAR, DIA WALL, AND THE MONEY GOING TO CHARITY, SO EVEN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT'S TOO ORIGINAL, IT DOES GO TO A GOOD CAUSE.

>> YES.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

TO MARY'S POINT, IT'S BEEN A ROUGH 15 TO 18 MONTHS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND SO ANYTHING THAT CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO RALLY AROUND SOMETHING FUN, UPLIFTING, I SAY DO IT.

WHY NOT?

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

WHAT WAS THE STORY WE MISSED?

GROUNDBREAKING THIS WEEK ON THE NEW BUCK O'NEIL BRIDGE.

YOU CAN START DRIVING ON IT IN 2024.

A POPULAR METRO AREA CHILDREN'S ATTRACTION WON'T BE REOPENING.

PARADISE PARK HAS BEEN BOUGHT BY THE LEE'S SUMMIT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT WILL BECOME AN EARLY EDUCATION CENTER.

SWIMMING POOLS NOW OPENED ALL ACROSS THE METRO.

BUT THERE'S ONE PLACE YOU CAN'T SWIM.

IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, THERE ARE PROTESTS OVER A DECISION BY THE CITY NOT TO OPEN ITS ONLY PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.

THEY'RE BLAMING A SHORTAGE OF LIFEGUARDS.

AREA BUSINESSES STILL STRUGGLE TO FIND WORKERS.

NEBRASKA FURNITURE MARK NOW HIKING ITS MINIMUM WAGE TO MORE THAN $18 AN HOUR.

AND AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, STARLIGHT THEATER MAKES ITS BIG RETURN THIS WEEK.

THEY'RE FILLING EVERY SEAT AND NO MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

>> IT'S JUST NOT STARLIGHT WITHOUT THE FOLKS.

IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE THIS PLACE.

>> NICK: PETE MUNDO, DID YOU PICK ONE OF THOSE STORIES OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?

>> NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART, 18 BUCKS AN HOUR, NICK.

RADIO MIGHT HAVE TO GO SOON IF THEY KEEP RAISING THESE THINGS.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, WE TALK A LOT ABOUT ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

YES, IT'S A REAL THING, BUT WITH 9 MILLION JOBS AVAILABLE AND WAGES CONTINUING TO RISE, THE LOWEST ENDS, NOW IS THE TIME TO GET IN ON THESE ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WORKERS.

THAT'S A GOOD THING, AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT.

MISSOURI ENDING THE EXTRA 300 WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

KANSAS DID NOT.

LET'S SEE HOW IT IMPACTS.

>> NICK: MARY SANCHEZ.

>> I WOULD SAY CATS DRUGSTORE.

THERE IS A LOT OF HISTORICAL VALUE THERE THAT AT LEAST NEEDS BETTER UNDERSTOOD.

>> NICK: DIA WALL.

>> I THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THE BUCK O'NEIL BRIDGE.

HERE IS WHY.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT BRIDGE THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE BEEN IN KANSAS CITY.

I KNOW OUR TRANSIT COMMUNITY, CYCLING COMMUNITY, EVERYBODY HAD TO COME TOGETHER, SO I AM HAPPY TO SEE THIS MOVING FORWARD, BECAUSE IT IS A JUMBLE.

WE NEED BETTER ACCESS TO HIGHWAYS ACROSS THE CITY DOWN THERE, ESPECIALLY IN THAT AREA.

SO I'M EXCITED FOR IT.

>> NICK: DAVE HELLING.

>> JUST QUICKLY, THE BUCK O'NEIL BRIDGE, THE OLD ONE USED TO BE A TOLL BRIDGE.

YOU HAD TO THROW A DIME OR QUARTER IN A BUCKET TO GET ACROSS IT.

THAT HAS SOME RELEVANCE TO OUR EARLIER DISCUSSION.

MY STORY OF THE WEEK IS KANSAS CITY HAS FILED ITS RESPONSE TO THE POLICE BOARD LAWSUIT, THE $42 MILLION AMONG OTHER THINGS.

THE CITY SAYS YOU CAN'T REQUIRE CITY HALL TO PASS A BUDGET IN MARCH AND THEN NOT TOUCH IT FOR ANOTHER YEAR AS THE POLICE BOARD WANTS.

THEY SAY, LOOK, WE GO IN ALL THE TIME AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE POLICE BUDGET.

WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO HERE.

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

OUR THANKS TO DIA WALL FROM 41 ACTION NEWS, DAVE HELLING OF YOUR KANSAS CITY STAR, FROM THE TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE, MARY SANCHEZ, AND 6 TO 10 WEEKDAY MORNINGS 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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