[] [] >> MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS, AMID CONFLICTS OF CONTRACTS AT THE NEW AIRPORT, THE MAYOR ON THE LOSING END OF A SPAT OVER POLICE FUNDING.

>> I'M DISAPPOINTED.

DESPITE ALL OF OUR BATTLES, I DON'T THINK WE MADE A SINGLE KANSAS CITIAN SAFER.

>> MAYOR LUCAS JOINS US THIS HOUR AS WE GET NEWS ON THE HEADLINES.

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

THANK YOU.

[] >> WELCOME EVERYONE, I'M NICK HAINES.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

WE CAN ASK REPORTERS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK OR ASK THE MAN IN CHARGE.

WE CHOSEN THAT ROUTE, MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS JOINING US THIS WEEK.

IT'S BEEN A LONG WEEK FOR YOU?

>> AN INTERESTING ONE.

ALWAYS A FUN WEEK IN KANSAS CITY.

>> WE WERE NOT EXPECTING THE DECISION ABOUT THE POLICE FUNDING DISPUTE.

IS THAT SPAT OVER AFTER FIVE MONTHS?

THE JUDGE IN THE CASE SAID THE CITY SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN THE MONEY FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN FOLLOWING THAT STORY, HERE'S A RECAP.

>> THE BREAKING NEWS, WE HAVE A DECISION IN THE LAWSUIT OVER THE KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET.

A JUDGE SIDED WITH THE POLICE BOARD SAYING THE CITY CANNOT REDIRECT $42 MILLION FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

>> WHAT THE JUDGE DID TODAY IS TO SAY THAT THE CITY'S ATTEMPT TO GO AROUND THAT PROCESS WAS IMPROPER.

THIS WAS A VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

>> SO WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT RULING?

DID YOU CALL UP THE POLICE CHIEF AND THE POLICE BOARD?

LET'S GRAB A BEER YOU SAID AND BURY THE HATCHET.

>> I THINK I WILL SAY THIS FIRST.

WHAT THE JUDGE RULED IS THAT TAKING THE MONEY OUT IN MAY OR I GUESS REALLOCATING THE MONEY IN MAY WAS NOT THE PROPER TIME.

HOWEVER, IT CAN BE DONE AT THE NORMAL BUDGET TIME, WHICH WOULD BE IN MARCH.

SO WHAT WE HAVE IS A SET UP FOR THE SAME DISCUSSION TO EXIST NEXT WINTER AND NEXT SPRING.

IN TERMS OF OUTREACH, ABSOLUTELY I DID.

I SENT A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS RIGHT AFTER THE RULING WAS ISSUED AND SAID LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO TRY TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> A LETTER IS NOT THE SAME AS A BEER SUMMIT OR COME OVER FOR COFFEE OR TEA.

>> YEAH, I LIKE TO GO TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, THE POLICE COMMISSIONER.

WE ARE SCHEDULED TO HAVE THAT VISIT, THE ONE WHERE WE CAN HOPEFULLY SIT DOWN AND SAY WHAT ARE THE THINGS WE CAN AGREE ON IN MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE $42 MILLION DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME?

WAS IT IN A LOCK BOX IN YOUR OFFICE?

ARE YOU GOING TO HAND THAT OVER CEREMONIOUSLY?

>> IT NEVER WENT ANYWHERE OTHER THAN WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE.

WE SAID IN THE BEGINNING THAT IT WAS MONEY THAT WILL STAY WITH THE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, SO WE MAY HAVE THE SAME FIGHT AGAIN, IT GOES TO RECRUITING, HIRING OFFICERS, IT GOES TO INCREASING OFFICER PAY, AND IT GOES TO HELP FUND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

THEY ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY ASKS FOR ALL THE TIME, NOT INCREASES IN COMMAND STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION.

>> THROUGH ALL OF THESE DISPUTES AND LAWSUITS, IN THE FIVE MONTHS, IT DIDN'T MAKE ANYBODY IN KANSAS CITY ANY SAFER BUT TAKING THE MONEY AND SETTING IT SIDE IN A COMMUNITY SERVICE FUND, HOW DID THAT MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER?

>> IT NEVER HAPPENED.

THE CITY AGREED TO SAY LET'S WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS ALL WORKS OUT AND IF IT COMES OUT IN OUR FAVOR, WE WILL WORK TOGETHER SOONER.

IF NOT, WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT FIVE MONTHS TO ADDRESS THE SAME THING.

FOR ME, HOW DYNAMIC CAN WE BE TO STOP THE PANDEMIC IN KANSAS CITY?

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE AS CREATIVE AS POSSIBLE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT EVERY PROGRAMMATIC EFFORT WE HAVE.

>> JUST THE LAST WEEK, WE ARE AT A MILESTONE MOMENT, THE LOWEST NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS IN ALMOST 25 YEARS OF OUR HISTORY.

WHAT DOES THIS DO, ALL OF THIS DECISION THIS WEEK TO ACTUALLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREETS?

>> IN SOME WAYS, THE BOARD'S ACTIONS OF THE LAWSUIT WAS PENNY WISE.

THE DISPUTE ASKED WHO THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI BUDGETING IS RESOLVED.

THERE ARE ORDINANCES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL THAT LOOKS TO ADJUST THE BUDGET IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FAVOR.

THE JUDGE LAID OUT THAT ALTHOUGH WE HAD DECADES OF THE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS, THE CITY CAN'T DO THAT GOING FORWARD.

WHAT YOU WILL NOT SEE IS INCREASED FUNDING FOR KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

AT LEAST UNTIL WE CAN GET TO THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TO FUND THOSE ADDITIONAL OFFICERS.

HE RE'S AN IMPORTANT PART IN CONNECTION WITH ALL OF IT.

THE CITY AS APPROPRIATED ENOUGH FUNDING FOR 1,413 OFFICERS.

WHY IF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL GAVE YOU THAT MUCH MONEY, WHY AREN'T THOSE POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREET?

>> HE ACTUALLY WANTED TO HOLD THE POLICE ACCOUNTABLE THE SAME WAY YOU DID BUT REALIZED THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE THAT BE THE ISSUE THAT WAS GOING TO DEFINE HIS ENTIRE TIME AND HE WANTED TO DO OTHER THINGS.

HE JUST DIDN'T WANT THE DISTRACTION OF THAT.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT ON IN THIS TERM WHEN YOU KNEW IT WAS GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE UNHAPPY.

>> HE FOUND OTHER DISTRACTIONS WITH HIS TERM.

I THINK VIOLENT CRIME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN KANSAS CITY.

WE CANNOT BE IN THE TOP TEN MOST DANGEROUS CITIES LIST YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

I SAID THIS WHEN I WAS RUNNING AND I STILL BELIEVE IT.

MAYBE IT'S THE NEIGHBORHOODS I GREW UP IN.

THIS IMPACTS LOTS OF LIVES.

WE HAD MORE THAN 4,000 PEOPLE MURDERED SINCE I WAS A CHILD.

IT'S NOT PUTTING THE BLAME ON THE POLICE OR COMMUNITY, BUT WE SHOULD SAY HOW CAN WE WORK OUR BEST TO ADDRESS IT?

YOU CAN HAVE STREETCARS GOING EVERYWHERE, BUT IF YOU HAVE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DYING IN THE COMMUNITY EVERY YEAR, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GETTING SHOT, I DON'T THINK WE RESOLVED ANYTHING WE NEEDED TO AND YOU WILL HAVE PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO LIVE IN KANSAS CITY BECAUSE THEY, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR CHILDREN CANNOT FEEL SAFE.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE MAYOR, AND YOU DIDN'T EXPECT A PANDEMIC WHEN YOU TOOK OVER.

DID YOU ANTICIPATE THAT FIGHTING OVER WHAT TYPES OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS AND STORES WOULD BE AT THE AIRPORT WOULD LEAD TO MORE ANGRY WORDS AND WALKOUTS THAN ANYTHING YOU DEALT WITH?

>> YOU KNOW, A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS.

I THINK THIS IS A MOLE HILL THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO MAKE INTO A MOUNTAIN.

I THINK THERE IS ONE PARTICULARLY AGGRIEVED COUNCIL MEMBER MAKING HER VOICE KNOWN, TRYING TO TALK TO STAFF ABOUT WHAT SHE THINKS IS RIGHT OR WRONG.

I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, THIS IS A STANDARD PROCUREMENT, A STANDARD PROCUREMENT WHERE SOME FOLKS HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED AND OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN.

I STAND BY OUR CITY STAFF.

I STAND BY THEIR FAIRNESS AND I DO NOT THINK CAREER CITY STAFF THAT NEVER COME ON A SHOW LIKE THIS HAVE AN IN TEREST IN GETTING THEMSELVES IN TROUBLE, LYING TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND PUBLIC AND DOING ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS CITY.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A SECRETIVE PROCESS, UNDERMINING AND THAT'S ONE OF YOUR CONCERNS FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN THEY WERE PICKING A DEVELOPER FOR THE AIRPORT.

HOW IS THIS ANY DIFFERENT?

LET'S HEAR WHAT YOU SAID FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> FOR SOME REASON EARLY IN THE PROCESS, SECRECY BECAME THE RULE AS OPPOSED TO BEING THE EXCEPTION.

FRANKLY I THINK THE MORE EYEBALLS ON SOMETHING, THE BETTER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND SOMETHING AND BETTER.

SUNLIGHT AND SUNSHINE IS THE BEST DISINFECTANT.

>> SO WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

>> I THINK THEY'RE VERY DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

FIRST WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A NO BID, BILLION DOLLARS CONTRACT FOR THE AIRPORT THAT DID NOT GO THROUGH, COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT LED BY CITY STAFF.

THIS IS DIFFERENT.

CITY COUNCIL DIRECTED THE AVIATION DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE AN R.F.P.

PEOPLE RESPOND AND THEY GO THROUGH A PROCESS THAT IS REMOVED FROM POLITICAL INTERFERENCE.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHO HAD APPLIED.

MOST COUNCIL MEMBERS DID NOT KNOW WHO APPLIED.

INSTEAD, WE HAVE A STAFF LED PROCESS.

AT THE END OF THAT, THEY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION PUBLIC TO THE CITY OF KANSAS CITY.

JUST BECAUSE LOSING BIDDERS HAVE SAID THIS IS TERRIBLE, BECAUSE I LOST, AND I WANT MORE INFORMATION BECAUSE I LOST DOESN'T MEAN THAT'S THE CASE.

>> WHAT HAPPENS NOW IF WE SEE A LAWSUIT FILED BY THOSE LOSING BIDDERS SAYING THIS PROCESS WAS SECRETIVE, IT WASN'T DONE FAIRLY.

COULD THIS DELAY WHAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE THE OPENING OF THE BRAND NEW TERMINAL.

>> I HAD A LAWYER BY TRAINING AND I PRACTICED A LOT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN A DEFENDANT IN MANY LAWSUITS IN MANY TIME AS MAYOR.

PART OF THE REASON THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE SO MUCH NOISE IS BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THEY'RE ALTERING THE POLITICAL BALANCE.

JUST TODAY IN TALKING TO YOU, I HAD MULTIPLE PEOPLE SAY MAYOR LUCAS, VOTE FOR MY BID.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S HOW THESE THINGS SHOULD BE DONE.

JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE AGGRIEVED BIDDERS AND SENDING MASS TEXT MESSAGES TO PEOPLE IN KANSAS CITY DOESN'T MEAN IT'S A FOUL PROCESS BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO FOUL IT UP.

>> I WANT TO TAKE UP A FEW OTHER ITEMS.

ONE IS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT EXTENDING THE MASK MANDATE, JACKSON COUNTY AND KANSAS CITY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER.

DID I MISREAD THIS?

YOU SAID THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME WE EXTEND THE MASK MANDATE IN KANSAS CITY?

>> IT'S MY PREFERENCE WE GET THERE.

WE'RE ACTUALLY ON A GOOD TRAJECTORY IN KANSAS CITY AGAIN WHERE WE'RE GETTING OUR INFECTION RATE BELOW THE NUMBER THAT THE C.D.C.

RECOMMENDS WE HAVE A MASK MANDATE IN PLACE.

>> WOULD WE TRADE IN THAT RESTRICTION FOR ANOTHER ONE?

I SEE THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, THIS VERY WEEK NOW IMPOSING A NEW SWEEPING VACCINE REQUIREMENT TO GO INTO ANY PUBLIC SPACES.

IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED, YOU CAN'T GO TO A BAR OR RESTAURANT, YOU CAN'T GO TO A GYM OR A LAKERS GAME.

WOULD YOU OPPOSE OR WELCOME THAT MOVE IN KANSAS CITY?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR KANSAS CITY RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE.

WE HAVE LARGELY LOOKED AT THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DO THAT.

UNDER THE CURRENT KANSAS CITY MASK MANDATE, MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED INSIDE IF EVERYONE IS VACCINATED.

I ENCOURAGE MORE BUSINESSES TO FOLLOW THAT APPROACH.

>> WE HAVE MORE THAN 500 REFUGEES FROM AFGHANISTAN COMING TO KANSAS CITY.

WE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

WE KNOW THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING $1,200 STIPEND FOR THE FAMILIES.

THAT WON'T LAST THEM THAT LONG.

IS TAX DOLLARS FROM KANSAS CITY GOING TO BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT THOSE AFGHAN EVACUEES COMING INTO KANSAS CITY.

>> THE ANSWER IS NO.

WE HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY GENEROUS COMMUNITY IN KANSAS CITY, CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAVE BEEN THE ORGANIZATIONS HELPING THESE FOLKS GET RESETTLED.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT, YOU CAN TALK TO THOSE ORGANIZATIONS BUT THEY'RE NOT DIRECT LOCAL TAXPAYER FUNDS HELPING PAY FOR THIS.

>> DID I MISS THIS?

ARE YOU STILL A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE?

>> MY PRIMARY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI IS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

I ADDRESS GENERATIONAL PROBLEMS IN KANSAS CITY.

I HAVE ADDRESSED AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROADS, YOU'RE SEEING CONSTRUCTION EVERYWHERE.

WE HAD A GOOD TWO YEARS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO TWO MORE YEARS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

I WANT TO BE THE BEST MAYOR I CAN BE, INCLUDING THE NEXT MAYORAL RACE YOU REPORTED I'M RUNNING IN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AS THE AIRLINES LIKE TO SAY, I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPANIES YOU CAN FLY WITH TODAY, THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING KANSAS CITY PBS.

>> YOU'RE WATCHING "KANSAS CITY WEEK IN REVIEW."

[] >>> AS THE MAYOR AND HIS SECURITY DETAIL SWIFTLY EXIT THE STUDIO, POPPING UP ON OUR BIG DIGITAL SCREEN FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OFFICE AND KITCHEN CHAIRS IS THE KANSAS CITY STAR DAVE HELLING, PETE MUNDO FROM KCMO TALK RADIO AND FROM THE NUCLEAR BUNKER INSIDE THE CALL NEWSPAPER ERIC WESSON.

ERIC, YOU ARE ALL DRESSED UP.

>> HEY.

>> WHAT ANNOYS ME A LITTLE BIT IS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED BY CBS NEWS NATIONALLY.

YOU JUST DONE THAT INTERVIEW AND THEY CAN GET YOU TO PUT A SHIRT AND TIE AND JACKET BACK ON AND I CAN'T?

>> FROM NOW ON, I'M PUTTING IT BACK ON.

>> WHAT WERE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

THIS WASN'T ABOUT EVENTS AT CITY HALL.

>> NO, IT WAS ABOUT KEVIN STRICKLAND.

WHAT I CAN SURE YOU TUNE IN.

>> WE HEARD THE MAYOR LAY OUT HIS VIEWS, HIS DISAPPOINTMENTS AND FRUSTRATIONS OVER THE POLICE FUNDING DISPUTE AND THE CONTRACTOR AND STORES AT THE K.C.I.

HOW HAS THE MAYOR BEEN HURT OR HELPED BY TAKING A HARD LINE ON BOTH OF THESE ISSUES DAVE.

>> LET'S TAKE THE POLICE LAWSUIT FIRST.

IT DEPENDS REALLY NICK ON WHETHER OR NOT THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL DECIDE TO APPEAL THE DECISION BY JUDGE PATRICK CAMPBELL.

I GET THE SENSE THAT THE MAYOR WANTS THE IMMEDIATE CONTROVERSY TO GO AWAY SO IT'S POSSIBLE THEY WON'T APPEAL.

JUST PUT THE MONEY BACK AND MOVE ON.

THE REAL BATTLE, AND I WRITTEN THIS OVER AND OVER, IS NEXT YEAR.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BRUISED EGOS ON THIS PROCESS ON THE POLICE FUNDING DISPUTE AND FOOD FIGHT AT THE CONCESSIONS PETE MUNDO.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO SEEK VOTERS UNTIL 2023.

WILL VOTERS HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE FUSS AT THE FOOD JOINTS AT THE AIRPORT OR THE FUNDING OF THE POLICE.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THE NORTHLAND IS GOING TO FORGET ABOUT THIS POLICE VOTE, NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE THEY WANTED IT AT 20% OF THE BUDGET BUT THE PROCESS AND HOW IT WENT DOWN WITH THE SHADY, ALLEGEDLY SHADY, NOT TELLING THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, ONLY KEVIN O'NEILL FOUND OUT.

IT'S THAT SIDE OF THIS THAT WILL RUB PEOPLE THE WRONG WAY FOR A LONG TIME.

THE ONLY PERSON WHO IS LESS SAFE OUT OF THIS, THE LAST FOUR MONTHS IS THE MAYOR OF RE ELECTION CHANCES.

>> DO YOU AGREE ERIC?

YOU HAVE TO BEAT SOMEBODY WITH SOMEONE AND NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD AT THIS POINT TO CHALLENGE HIM.

>> HE MIGHT HAVE TO KNOCK ON A FEW MORE DOORS AND HUSTLE A LITTLE LONGER, BUT AGAIN IT DEPENDS ON WHO THEY RUN AGAINST.

>> HE'S STILL AN OVERWHELMING FAVORITE NICK AND ERIC, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

I WOULD SAY IT'S LESS SAFE THAN IT WAS FIVE OR SIX MONTHS AGO.

>> WILL PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THIS, EVEN AT THE AIRPORT, WHEN YOU THINK OF THE FOOD FIGHT ABOUT THESE CONCESSIONS THAT HAS BEEN TAKING UP A LOT OF INK SPACE IN THE KANSAS CITY STAR RIGHT NOW.

THAT WILL OPEN IN MARCH OF 2023.

HE WON'T BE SEEKING ELECTION IN THE PRIMARY UNTIL APRIL OF THAT YEAR.

WON'T PEOPLE BE HAPPY AT THAT POINT?

THE AIRPORT IS OPEN.

>> IF IT OPENS AND EVERYONE IS HAPPY, THEN WE WILL HAVE MOVED ON.

IF THERE ARE HICCUPS, IF THE OPENING IS DELAYED OR THE CONCESSIONS WINNER DOESN'T BUILD UP THE SPACES AND MEET THE PROMISES THAT IT HAS MADE TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY MARCH OF 2023, IT WILL BE SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAYOR'S RACE.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN QUINTON LUCAS AND JOLIE JUSTUS FACED OFF.

THE AIRPORT WAS FRONT AND CENTER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL ON THE AGENDA.

YES, IT WILL GO AWAY IF THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS.

IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS, IT COULD BE THE CENTRAL ISSUE.

>> KANSAS CITY HASN'T BROKEN GROUND ON THE STREETCAR LINE, BUT THE STREETCAR AUTHORITY IS PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

THEY VOTED TO STUDY AN EAST WEST STREETCAR LINE.

THE PUSH WAS INITIATED BY A REQUEST FROM K.U.

HOSPITAL WHICH WANTS TO CONNECT CRITICAL MEDICAL CENTERS TOGETHER.

CHILDREN'S MERCY IS ON 24TH STREET, TRUMAN, NOW CALLED UNIVERSITY HEALTH IS ON 23RD, AND RESEARCH IS SOUTH.

HOW IS THIS GOING TO WORK?

>> THEY WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO NOT GO TO A PUBLIC VOTE AND IT DOESN'T INCREASE PEOPLE'S PROPERTY TAX TO DO IT.

SO IT WILL HAVE TO BE FULLY FUNDED.

IF YOU THINK BACK BEFORE WHEN MAYOR SLY JAMES WAS IN OFFICE, THEY TRIED TO DO IT EAST WEST LINE, CLOSE TO THAT AREA THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.

BECAUSE PEOPLE FELT IT WAS GOING TO RAISE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, THEY VOTED AGAINST IT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYMORE TAX INCREASES.

>> BUT THAT WAS IN 2014.

THAT WAS GOING TO BE CONNECTING EAST WEST ON MAIN STREET VIA LYNWOOD BOULEVARD TO PROSPECT.

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS REJECTED BY VOTERS SE VEN YEARS AGO?

>> WELL, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOME INTEREST IN MOVING THE LINE EAST AND WEST.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE STUDYING.

NICK, IF YOU PUT IN PROPERTY IN KANSAS, IN THE DISTRICT THAT PUTS THE STREETCAR TOGETHER, THE PROSPECTS BECOME ENORMOUSLY CHALLENGING BECAUSE IT CROSSES THE STATE LINE.

SO NOW WHAT BUDGET AUTHORITY, WHAT REFERENDUM CAN YOU HAVE?

WHO RUNS IT?

WHO GETS TO VOTE?

IS THE BYSTATE COMMISSION INVOLVED?

>> I THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO PAY.

>> IF THAT'S THE CASE, STATE LEGISLATORS ARE GOING TO GET INVOLVED.

IT'S WORTH STUDYING AND I THINK ERIC COULD CONFIRM THIS, IT DOES HAVE SOME VALUE TO SOME POPULATIONS.

IF YOU CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PAINLESSLY EXTEND IT EAST AND WEST, IT PROBABLY WOULD BE A GOOD THING.

>> THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO DO THIS WITH SO MUCH MONEY SLOSHING AROUND WASHINGTON FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS THE TIME TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS.

IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NECESSARILY A GOOD IDEA OR AN EFFICIENT USE OF MONEY, BUT IF THIS WAS SOME FOLKS' DREAMS FOR KANSAS CITY TO GET THIS DONE, TO ERIC'S POINT, YOU GET IT THROUGH FEDERAL DOLLARS AND YOU CAN TOUT THIS THING AS A MAJOR SUCCESS.

>> LET ME THROW THIS IN QUICKLY.

THE FEDS WILL PAY THE LARGE PART OF THE EXPANSION OF STREETCARS BUT THEY EXPECT TO SEE A LOCAL CONTRIBUTION AS WELL, LOCAL EFFORT.

THEY DON'T DO 100% FUNDING OF VIRTUALLY ANY OF THESE PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO THERE NEEDS TO BE LOCAL REVENUE.

>> ERIC, IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, ALL OF THAT TALK ABOUT A DOWNTOWN STADIUM, WHEN WE THINK OF COMMUNITY NEEDS, WOULDN'T A ROBUST STREETCAR SYSTEM BE MORE ADVANTAGE TO THE PUBLIC THAN TAKING KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AND LANDING IT DOWNTOWN?

>> WHERE AM I GOING TO TAKE THE STREETCAR?

WHAT DESTINATIONS DO I HAVE?

I SPOKE TO A LOT OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THEY SAID THEY'RE MAKING A TON OF MONEY AND IT WAS A GREAT IDEA.

>> AND IT'S A MUCH NARROWER STREET THAN GOING DOWN MAIN STREET SO IT WILL POSE SOME TECHNICAL CHALLENGES.

ON THE HEALTH FRONT, YOU WILL NEED TO WEAR A MASK LONGER.

EXTENDING THE MASK MANDATE INTO NOVEMBER, AND HUNDREDS OF WORKERS ARE FACING AN IMPORTANT DECISION, DO YOU WANT TO BE VACCINATED OR FIRED.

KANSAS CITY PRIVATE EMPLOYER HAS JOINED THE LIST OF COMPANIES REQUIRING COVID 19 VACCINATIONS.

WHAT ABOUT THE PLANS FROM OUR STATE LAWMAKERS FROM BLOCKING THESE MANDATES FROM GOING INTO EFFECT.

I HEARD THERE IS A BRAND NEW LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE IN KANSAS OF LAWMAKERS LOOKING TO DEFY THESE VACCINE MANDATES.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> I THINK THEY REALIZED THAT THE POLITICAL WILL AND WANT IS NOT THERE.

IT'S HYPOCRITICAL FROM SOME FOLKS' PERSPECTIVE TO SAY WELL, WE'RE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR DOING WHAT THEY WANT UNLESS WE DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS DOING.

THAT, YOU KNOW, MADE THIS A TIGHT ROPE AND DOES MAKE IT A CONTINUED TIGHT ROPE FOR SOME.

SO, I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF BLUSTER, A LOT OF TALK, AND IT'S QUIETLY FALLEN BY THE WAIST SIDE, TACTICALLY.

>> I THINK THERE WILL BE DISCUSSIONS NEXT YEAR IN MOST STATES ABOUT A STATUTE THAT ADDRESSES WHAT BUSINESSES CAN AND CANNOT DO.

AT THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE, THERE WILL BE A HEAVILY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME THAT THE DEATH PENALTY GRABBED THE HEADLINES.

THERE WAS ONE IN TEXAS.

MISSOURI CARRIED OUT THE SECOND EXECUTION IN THE COUNTRY THIS YEAR.

EARNEST JOHNSON CONVICTED OF A TRIPLE MURDER AT A CONVENIENT STORE IN 1994.

DEATH PENALTY ACTIVISTS TRIED TO BLOCK THE EXECUTION ON THE GROUNDS THAT HE WAS MENTALLY UNSTABLE AND POPE FRANCIS CALLED FOR A HALT TO THE EXECUTION.

THE POPE WASN'T ABLE TO CONVINCE GOVERNOR MIKE WAS HE?

>> NO, THAT'S UNUSUAL.

I BELIEVE ONCE BEFORE THE POPE HAD CONTACTED THE GOVERNOR AND HE HAD CHANGED THE POSITION AND COMMUTED A SENTENCE IN THE STATE.

>> THAT WAS CARNAHAN WHO VISITED THE POPE.

POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND SAID PLEASE SPARE THIS MAN'S LIFE.

HE DID COMMUTE THE SENTENCE.

>> SO THERE IS NO POLITICAL APPETITE AT THIS POINT TO RESTRICT THE DEATH PENALTY IN MISSOURI PETE?

>> NO, I'M NOT SEEING THAT AT ALL.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING AWAY ANY TIME SOON AND IT DIDN'T SEEM TO FALL OTHER THAN ON PARTY LINES.

>> INTERESTING BECAUSE IN KANSAS, THEY REINSTATED THE DEATH PENALTY IN 1994, 27 YEARS LATER, THEY STILL HAVEN'T EXECUTED ANYONE.

>> EVEN THE PACE OF EXECUTIONS IN MISSOURI HAS DROPPED.

EXECUTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE NOT AS COMMON AS THEY WERE FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO.

THERE IS NO REALISTIC BELIEF THAT THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE OR FOR THAT MATTER THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE WOULD REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE DEATH PENALTY OR COMMUTE THOSE SENTENCES.

>> ERIC?

>> EVERY DAY IN THE NEWSPAPER WE HEAR ABOUT IT ON A RADIO TALK SHOW WHERE A PERSON IS EXONERATED AND RELEASED FROM PRISON BASED ON WITNESS IDENTIFICATION OR SOMETHING ALONG THEIR TRIAL THAT WAS WRONG.

SOMEWHERE IN THIS COUNTRY, WE HAVE EXECUTED SOME INNOCENT PEOPLE.

WE DON'T HAVE A PERFECT SYSTEM.

I THINK THAT'S THE REAL CONVERSATION.

>> WITH THE MAYOR AS OUR NEWS MAKER GUEST EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM, WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO GO THROUGH ALL THE STORIES ON OUR AGENDA.

WHAT WAS THE STORIES WE MISSED?

>> ONE OF KANSAS CITY'S BIGGEST MYSTERY.

BABY LISA VANISHED AND NO ONE HAS BEEN CHARGED, AND THE CASE IS STILL OPEN AND THEY'RE ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING.

>>> YOU MAY REMEMBER HIS REMARK MORE THAN HIS NAME.

>> IF IT'S A LEGITIMATE RAPE, THEN THE FEMALE BODY HAS WAYS TO TRY TO SHUT THAT WHOLE THING DOWN.

>> FORMER CONGRESSMAN TODD AITKIN HAS DIED.

FOUR YEARS AFTER BEING OUSTED AS MAYOR, MARK HOLLAND IS STAGING A COMEBACK.

HE IS RUNNING FOR UNITED STATES SENATE.

HE WILL CHALLENGE JERRY MORAN WHO IS COMING UP TO RE ELECTION.

>> IF YOU DRIVE BY TRUMAN MEDICAL CENTER, IT'S BEEN RENAMED.

IT'S NOW UNIVERSITY HEALTH.

>> OKAY ERIC WESSON, DID YOU PICK ONE OF THOSE STORIES OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?

>> I PICKED SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT HOMICIDES AND COVID DEATHS, BUT ONE THING WE DON'T PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO IS CAR ACCIDENTS AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THAT.

I THINK WE'RE AT 69 THIS YEAR.

WE NEED TO START TALKING ABOUT TRAFFIC FATALITIES.

>> DAVE?

>> MY BUDDY PETE MUNDO CALLED US ALL CLOWNS AT THE KANSAS CITY STAR TODAY.

I DON'T THINK HE MEANT THAT.

SECOND, WE DID AN INTERVIEW FOR OR FOUR STAR POLITIC SHOWS WITH THE TW O MAYORAL CANDIDATES MIKE AND KIRK.

A GOOD RACE, EMPTY SEAT, INTERESTING DEBATE.

IT'S ON BOTH OF OUR WEBSITES.

>> AND PETE.

>> I GUESS I CAN CLARIFY THAT THE TAKES COULD BE CLOWNISH, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEANS INDIVIDUALS ARE CLOWNS.

YOU CAN MISSPEAK HERE AND THERE.

>> AND THE CLOWN ASSOCIATION IS APPLAUDING THE USE OF THE WORD CLOWN IN A POSITIVE WAY BECAUSE WE LOVE CLOWNS.

I DON'T WANT ANY CLOWNS BEING UPSET WITH THE SHOW.

WE WILL BE BRINGING THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES ON THE SHOW IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, ALONG WITH THE TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

WITH THAT, I'LL SAY OUR WEEK HAS BEEN REVIEWED.

I'LL SAY THANKS TO QUINTON LUCAS FOR JOINING US EARLIER.

THANK YOU.

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