>> NICK: AS UNION STATION GETS READY TO OPEN ONE OF THE LARGEST EXHIBITS IT'S EVER PRESENTED.

WE TAKE YOU INSIDE THE NEW AUSCHWITZ EXHIBITION AND SPEAK WITH UNION STATION CEO GEORGE GUASTELLO AND THE EXHIBIT'S CREATOR.

PLUS OUR REPORTERS ARE HERE TO DISSECT NEW CLASHES OVER POLICE.

IS THE MAYOR DEFUNDING OUR POLICE OR JUST MAKING THE DEPARTMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE?

ALSO THIS HALF HOUR, KANSAS CITY MARKS ONE YEAR SINCE GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH BUT WHAT REALLY HAS CHANGED HERE?

AND DID YOU GET TO MEET THE FIRST LADY WHEN SHE WAS IN TOWN?

THE WHO, WHAT, WHY AND WHEN NEXT.

>> Nick: WELCOME EVERYONE.

I'M NICK HAINES.

WE TAKE YOU INSIDE THE AUSCHWITZ EXHIBIT LATER IN THE PROGRAM BUT FIRST TO DISSECT THE WEEK'S TOP LOCAL HEADLINES.

FROM OUR KANSAS CITY NPR AFFILIATE, NEWS DIRECTOR LISA RODRIGUEZ AND LEADING OUR AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER, "THE CALL", ERIC WESSON.

AND KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE WEEKDAYS ON KCUR FM, MR UP TO DATE STEVE KRASKE.

IS HE DEFUNDING THE POLICE OR JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE DEPARTMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE?

KANSAS CITY MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONTROVERSY THAT IS NOW RANKLING OUR STATE LAWMAKERS.

THEY WANT TO HALT HIS PLANS TO DRAMATICALLY ALTER THE WAY THE KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS FUNDED.

>> NO OTHER CITY IN THIS MISSOURI IS UNDER THE SAME SET UP.

>> THEY DEFEND RICK SMITH AND THEY DEFEND FAILURE TO REFORM.

THEY WANT US TO KEEP WRITING THESE BLANK CHECKS.

>> Nick: REPORTING ON THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HIGH ON EMOTIONAL LANGUAGE BUT FUZZY ON WHAT IT ACTUALLY MEANS.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT STATE LAW REQUIRES MISSOURI CITIES TO -- IT WILL BE $3 MILLION MORE MONEY GOING INTO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD EVERYTHING COME TOGETHER MONEY GO TOWARDS RECRUITING NEW CANDIDATES.

>> Nick: WHY ALL THE OUTRAGE?

>> THE OUTRAGE IS THAT THE POLICE AND THE BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS SEE THIS AS A POWER GRAB.

THEY HAVE CHARACTERIZED IT AS DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

THE MAYOR WILL SAY THIS NOT DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

IT TAKES ABOUT NOT BUDGET.

EVEN THE LOSS OF THAT CONTROL I THINK POLICE HAS SEEN THAT.

>> Nick: POLICE CHIEF SAY THEY WAS BLIND SIDED BY THE MOVE.

WE HAVE EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THE NORTHLAND DELEGATION IN THE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI COUNCIL VOTING AGAINST IT.

USING WORDS LIKE BETRAYAL AND SINISTER.

ISN'T IT UNUSUAL THAT THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO PROPOSE AND PAR SOMETHING WITHOUT DISCUSSING IT IN ADVANCE?

>> IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE COUNCILMEMBERS FROM THE NORTHLAND WERE SO UPSET ABOUT IT.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN UPSET ABOUT THE 174 HOMICIDES, MURDER OF BLACK MEN BY POLICE OFFICERS.

THEY NEVER ADDRESSED THEY NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

HERE ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET, IT'S A BIG ISSUE.

IT'S LIKE, HALT THE PRESSES, DO EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THAT AREA.

I BELIEVE THAT BY LAW, THEY HAVE TO GIVE THEM 20% OF THE BUDGET.

I DON'T THINK THAT THEY TOUCHED THAT 20%.

I THINK THAT THE MONEY THAT THEY ARE TAKING IS THAT ACCESS MONEY THAT THEY GIVE TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

>> Nick: WE HAVE 20% BY LAW HAVE TO BE SPENT ON CITY SERVICES.

$40 MILLION WILL BE PUT INTO WHAT THEY ARE CALLING THIS COMMUNITY FUND.

HOW IS THAT MONEY GOING TO BE SPENT?

>> AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T HAVE FIRM ANSWERS ON HOW THAT WILL BE SPENT.

THE MAYOR HAS TALKED ABOUT MORE COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVES OR SOCIAL SERVICES OR MENTAL HEALTH.

I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT LAST QUESTION, THIS WAS A PRETTY UNPRECEDENTED MOVE.

IN THE MAYOR FIGURED HE HAD ONE HOT TO GET THIS THROUGH WHEN HE HAD MAJORITY OF THE VOTE DONE.

IT REALLY WAS JUST THE PROCEDURAL MOVE THAT TICKED OFF THIS WHOLE THING.

HE HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF IT.

IT DIDN'T GET ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONY.

I THINK THAT MAY BE A FAIR CRITIQUE.

I THINK HE SAW HIS OPPORTUNITY AND KNEW HE HAD TO DO IT RIGHT AWAY.

>> Nick: STEVE, THE CITY IS GETTING $200 MILLION EXTRA DOLLARS IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC AID.

WAS IT NECESSARY TO MESS WITH ANY OF THIS POLICE FUNDING?

>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

THIS MOVE WAS DONE INTENTIONALLY.

IT WAS A BIG MOVE.

TESTIFIES A MOVE THAT -- IT WAS A MOVE HE KNEW WOULD GET ATTENTION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THIS FROM THE MAYOR'S PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS A GUY WHO IS FRUSTRATED.

HE HAS A CITY UNDER SIEGE WITH HOMICIDE.

HE CAN'T CONTROL HIS OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE STATE CONTROLS IT.

HE CAN'T CONTROL HOW THE MONEY GETS SPENT BECAUSE THE BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS CONTROLS THAT MONEY.

HE KNOWS HE'S VULNERABLE ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN HIS CITY.

HE DOESN'T HAVE MANY OPTIONS.

THIS WAS FUNDING TO SHAKE UP THE STATS QUO, TO SHOW HE'S TRYING TO ENGAGE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO POLICE AND VIOLENCE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

THERE'S NO OTHER ISSUE THAT HE'S MORE VULNERABLE ONGOING FORWARD THAN THIS PARTICULAR ONE.

HE'S MADE COUPLE OF SMALL BOARD MOVES.

THIS IS A BIGGER ONE DESIGNED TO SHOW THE CITY THAT HE'S ON TOP OF THE ISSUE.

>> Nick: I'M ASSUMING HE WANTS TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

HE GOT WHOLE BUNCH OF NEW PEOPLE LOOKING FOR HIM TO LOSE AT THE POLLS NEXT TIME HE RUNS?

>> EXACTLY.

HE'LL HAVE A TOUGH REELECTION BID.

IF HE DECIDES TO DO IT.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT IN LISTENING TO ALL THE CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS TALK ABOUT AND THE MAYOR HIMSELF WHEN HE WAS ON MY SHOW, WAS ACCOUNTABILITY.

THEY JUST PRETTY MUCH WRITE A CHECK FOR $248 MILLION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WHAT EXACTLY DO THEY DO WITH THAT MONEY?

THERE'S NO LINE ITEM AND BY LAW, CITY COUNCIL HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN SPENDING HABITS FOR THE CITY OF KANSAS CITY.

THEY CAN'T GET A LINE ITEM REQUEST.

THEY JUST WRITE HIM A CHECK EVERY MONTH OR HOWEVER OFTEN THEY PAY THEM.

HERE YOU GUYS GO OUT AND DO WHATEVER YOU DO.

IT WILL BE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> Nick: HOW WILL IT REDUCE HOMICIDES IN KANSAS CITY MAKE ANYBODY SAFER?

THEY FIDDLED WITH THE WAY THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT IN THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT?

>> BECAUSE NOW THEY CAN ADDRESS SOME SPECIFIC ISSUES.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT DOING THAT.

SOCIAL WORKERS, THEY ARE REALLY ON SOCIAL WORKERS.

THEY CAN ADDRESS THOSE THINGS.

THEY CAN GET TO THE CORE ROOT OF HOMICIDES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A NUMBER OF LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES, THOUGH.

ONE IS THAT THE WHOLE IDEA OF REGAINING CONTROL OF THE KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, THAT IS OUT THE WINDOW.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE UPSET.

THERE'S A BIG CONTROVERSY HERE.

THAT IDEA IS NOT GOING FORWARD.

HE'S NOW SEEN IT BEING ANTI-POLICE.

THAT WON'T WASH IN STATE LIKE MISSOURI.

WHAT LUKA SAW THIS AS A SHORT-TERM RAMIFICATIONS OUTWEIGH THE LONG-TERM.

>> Nick: WHAT HAPPENS IF THE STATE LEGISLATURE COMES IN?

THEY ARE VERY ANGELRY -- ANGRY ABOUT THIS.

WHAT COULD THE STATE DO?

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

THE REPUBLICANS, ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHLAND HAVE CALLED ON GOVERNOR MIKE PARSONS TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS THIS.

THEY WANT TO GO ABOUT IT BY ADDRESSING THAT 20% THRESHOLD THAT ERIC MENTIONED EARLIER.

TO SAY THE MINIMUM WAS 20%, NOW YOU GOT TO SPEND 25%.

THEY ARE TRYING BY ANY MEANS TO GET THAT MONEY BACK UNDER CONTROL OF THE BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS.

>> Nick: THE MAYOR'S RESPONSE WAS TO COME TO KANSAS CITY.

LET'S DO A WALKING TOUR TOGETHER SO YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE HARDEST HIT BY VIOLENCE.

ANY LAWMAKERS TAKEN UP ON IT AT THIS POINT?

>> NO, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS COMES OUT, GET SOME POPCORN, AND SIT BACK AND WATCH THE FESTIVITIES.

>> Nick: IT'S INTERESTING TIMING FOR THIS.

MARCHS AND RALLIES AROUND KANSAS CITY THIS WEEK MARKING THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE GEORGE FLOYD AT THE HANDS OF MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER.

IT ALSO HEIGHTENED DEMANDS FOR POLICE REFORM.

12 MONTHS ON, WHAT HAS ACTUALLY CHANGED IN KANSAS CITY?

IS THIS FUNDING THE BIGGEST CHANGE OR IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE?

>> I THINK ON A POLICY LEVEL, I THINK THIS FUNDING CHANGE PROBABLY IS THE BIGGEST THING THAT HAPPENED AS FAR AS GOVERNMENT AND POLICY GOES.

WE'VE SEEN SOME OTHER INCREMENTAL CHANGES.

WE'VE SEEN DECRIMINALIZATION OF JAYWALKING.

WE SEEN DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA ON A LARGER SCALE, POLICY ASIDE, WHAT CHANGES IS MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND IN KANSAS CITY THEIR EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE AWARE THAT SYSTEMIC RACISM IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND IT'S VERY ALIVE TODAY, WHETHER THEY KNEW THAT ALL ALONG AND DECIDED TO GET INVOLVED AND PROTEST OR REALIZING THEIR OWN PRIVILEGE AND JUST STARTING TO EXAMINE POLICING AND RACE RELATIONS.

I THINK THAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE THAT HAPPENED.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE CANNOT IGNORE AND CLOSE OUR EYES TO.

>> Nick: 12 MONTHS AGO, THE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ROUTINELY WEARING BODY CAMERAS.

94 NOW.

THEY ARE PUT IN PLACE A BRAND NEW POLICY IN TERMS OF HOW THEY POLICE PROTEST MOVEMENTS IN KANSAS CITY AND THEY NEED TO NOT HAVE -- THEY NEED TO HAVE A BUFFER ZONES.

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CHANGES TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE BODY CAMERAS IS A BIG ONE.

THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME NOW.

EVERY POLICE OFFICER, PATROL OFFICER HAS ONE OUTSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INVESTIGATE POLICE SHOOTINGS.

THAT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED.

THERE'S A DIRECTOR THAT SAYS IF AN OFFICER IS INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING THAT OTHERS CAN STEP IN AND DEAL WITH THAT.

THAT'S SOMETHING TOO.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT, SEISMIC CHANGE THAT LISA POINTS TO SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED HERE.

IT'S SIGNIFICANT.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A GAP WITH THE EAST SIDE COMMUNITY FOLKS SAYING, THERE'S STILL A LACK OF TRUST.

THERE'S NOT ACCOUNTABILITY.

DESPITE THESE CHANGES, DESPITE THIS BIG SWEEPING CHANGE, SOMETHING STILL SEEMS TO BE MISSING IN KANSAS CITY THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> Nick: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DEMAND REMAIN AND SATISFIED?

>> POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE BIGGEST ONE, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S US AGAINST THEM KIND OF MINDSET AND MENTALITY.

CHIEF OF POLICE OFTEN GET JUDGED PRIMARILY ON HOW THEY ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME.

RICK SMITH HASN'T HAD TO ADDRESS THAT.

THE BOARD HASN'T MADE HIM ADDRESS THAT.

ONE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO MENTION THAT WE HAD IN THE LAST SEGMENT WAS, MAYOR LUCAS WANTS A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO THIS.

I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO SET THE STAGE FOR THAT BECAUSE HE ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW.

KANSAS CITY IS THE ONLY MAJOR CITY IN THE COUNTRY THAT DOESN'T CONTROL ITS OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I THINK HE BELIEVES, BEING A CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER, THAT THERE ARE SOME EQUAL PROTECTION CLAIMS THAT HE CAN MAKE IF THEY DECIDE TO PURSUE THIS A LEGAL MATTER.

>> Nick: IF THERE'S A LAWSUIT FILED, HE THINKS HE'LL WIN AND THERE WILL FINALLY ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL OF POLICE IN KANSAS CITY?

>> I DON'T THINK HE CAN WIN.

I THINK HE CAN CREATE A CONVERSATION.

YOU CANNOT ASK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO LOOK AT THEIR BUDGET AND THEY ASKING YOU FOR MONEY?

SOMETHING NOT RIGHT THERE.

I AGREE WITH YOU.

>> Nick: IN WEEK IN JUSTICE AND RACE AND POLICING HAVE TOPPED NEWS STORIES AROUND THE COUNTRY, WHAT ARE WE TO MAKE THIS WEEK OF MISSOURI GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON MAKING HISTORY AS HE APPOINTS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

>> WHAT THIS APPOINT DOES SHOW THIS GOVERNOR HAS THE COURAGE TO MAKE SUCH AN APPOINTMENT.

THE DAUGHTER OF A FIREMAN WHO WORKED AND LIVE IN A SEGREGATED ENGINE HOUSE WHEN HE WORKED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THIS IS A VERY HAPPY DAY FOR MY MOM, MYSELF AND MY ENTIRE FAMILY.

>> Nick: LISA RODRIGUEZ, HOW CONSEQUENTIAL IS THAT?

>> I THINK IT'S A HUGE MOVE IN PARTICULARLY, SIGNIFICANT THIS WEEK AS WE REFLECT ON THE YEAR THAT HAS BEEN.

SINCE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE MISSOURI SUPREME COURT.

ONLY THE THIRD AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SERVE ON THAT HIGH COURT.

I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY A SIGNIFICANT MOVE.

I THINK LOT OF PEOPLE WERE REALLY PROUD TO SEE AND PROBABLY THOUGHT IT'S ABOUT TIME.

>> Nick: MANY STATES NEVER HAD ANYBODY OF COLOR ON THE HIGHER BENCH.

KANSAS NEVER HAD A BLACK PERSON SERVE ON THE HIGH COURT IN CAN'T?

-- KANSAS.

>> IT'S A BIG DEAL.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR EVERYBODY.

HAVING SAID THAT, ALMOST 200 YEARS IN MISSOURI, WE HAD EXACTLY TWO AFRICAN-AMERICAN JUDGES AND NO AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN ON THE HIGH COURT.

TO SAY THAT IT'S LONG OVERDUE IS PUTTING IT MILDLY.

>> Nick: SHOULDN'T BE CELEBRATING SOME PROGRESS HERE?

ERIC, HOW DID YOU SIZE THIS UP?

>> I SIZED IT UP AS THE PEOPLE THAT MADE THE RECOMMENDATION FOR HER TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORTED HER NOMINATION.

I THINK THAT THEY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

I THINK EVERYBODY IS HAPPY AND PROUD THAT FINALLY IN 2021, MISSOURI HAS CROSSED THAT LINE.

>> Nick: IT'S BEEN QUITE SOME TIME SINCE KANSAS CITY HAD ANY HIGH-PROFILE POLITICAL VISITS.

THIS WEEK, FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN FLIES INTO TOWN.

SHE'S VISITING A VACCINE CLINIC AT PENN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF VACCINE CLINICS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WHY HERE?

>> THIS IS PART OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT THE FIRST LADY IS PROMOTING BETWEEN RETAIL PHARMACIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES SPECIFICALLY IN MCC AND NUMBER OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN.

THE FIRST TWO AS PART OF THAT PROGRAM.

IT'S PART OF A BLENDING OF THOSE PRIORITIES, THE FIRST LADY HAVING BEEN A COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROFESSOR, KIND OF FALLS IN LINE THERE.

I WILL SAY, INITIALLY, I WAS WONDERING THE SAME THING.

WHY KANSAS CITY AND WHY MISSOURI >> Nick: WHY NOT OVER HERE.

I'M NOT GOING TO GET AN ADVANTAGE TO JILL BIDEN.

SHE COULD HAVE DONE FUNDRAISER FOR LAURA KELLY THE GOVERNOR.

WHO NEEDS A BOOST NOW.

>> SHE COULD HAVE, ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S NOT LOST ON ME EMMANUEL CLEAVER WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN OF CONGRESS TO ENDORSE JOE BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT.

THIS IS A SMALL WAY TO REPAY HIM FOR THAT GESTURE.

>> Nick: FROM THE CALL ERIC WESSON FROM KCUR NEWS LISA RODRIGUEZ AND STEVE KRASKE THANKS FOR CHECKING IN WITH US ON OUR WEEK'S TOP STORIES.

UP NEXT, WE HEAD INSIDE THE NEW AUSCHWITZ EXHIBIT GETTING READY TO OPEN AT UNION STATION.

THIS IS WEEK IN REVIEW.

HAVE YOU BEEN OVER TO UNION STATION RECENTLY?

JUST INSTALLED OUTSIDE ITS MAIN DOORS A WINDOWLESS WORLD WAR TWO GERMAN BOXCAR THE LIKES OF WHICH WOULD HAVE TRANSPORTED MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO THEIR DEATHS AT AUSCHWITZ AND OTHER NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

IT SETS THE SCENE FOR WHAT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TRAVELING EXHIBITS EVER TO COME TO UNION STATION.

AND SOME WOULD ARGUE IT'S MOST IMPORTANT AS IT CHRONICLES THE LARGEST DOCUMENTED MASS MURDER SITE IN HUMAN HISTORY.

IT'S BEEN AT LEAST FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING FOR UNION STATION CEO GEORGE GUASTELLO.

ALSO WITH IS THE EXHIBITOR'S CURATOR AND DIRECTOR, LUIS FERRARO WHO JUST FLEW IN TO KANSAS CITY AHEAD OF THE EXHIBITON'S OPENING.

I DID WANT TO START WITH YOU GEORGE.

WE GOT SO MANY CALLS AND COMPLAINTS FROM VIEWERS SAYING WHY FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN WE DON'T HAVE MASK MANDATES.

HEALTH ORDERS ARE EXPIRING.

WHY WAS THAT CANCELED?

>> WE WERE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S EASY TO LOOK BACK AND SAY WHY DIDN'T THEY DO IT.

>> Nick: THE EXHIBIT IS A MEMORIAL AS WE THINK ABOUT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

IS THAT THE BIGGEST EXHIBIT YOU DONE?

>> LARGEST EXHIBIT WE'VE MOUNTED IN OUR 20 YEARS.

PROBABLY I WOULD SAY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THAT WILL CHANGE OUR COMMUNITY AND REALLY BRING A DIFFERENCE TO OUR TOWN.

>> Nick: EXTRAORDINARY THAT THERE'S ONLY TWO PLACES THIS EXHIBIT IS SHOWN IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT.

IT SEEMS ODD TO SOME PEOPLE WHY WE'RE THE ONLY SECOND CITY IN THE COUNTRY TO GET THIS EXHIBIT.

WHY?

>> IN 2015 WE WERE IN ATLANTA.

THERE WERE HAND FULL OF MUSEUMS AND PROMOTERS THAT WERE LISTENING.

RIGHT AFTER THOSE TWO MEETINGS, THEY CAME TO ME AND THEY SAID WE ARE FROM KANSAS CITY, UNION STATION.

IT'S A SPECIAL EXHIBITION FOR US.

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO HAS THE SAME COMMITMENT.

>> Nick: IF YOU WATCHED DOCUMENTARIES WITH THE HOLOCAUST, IF YOU READ SO MANY BOOKSES NOW ABOUT AUSCHWITZ AND THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS, WHAT DOES THAT LEARN GOING THROUGH THIS EXHIBIT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, NOT EVERYBODY CAN TRAVEL TO AUSCHWITZ.

WHAT WE ARE BRINGING IS HISTORY.

SOMEBODY HAS NO PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLOCAUST OR AUSCHWITZ, WE UNDERSTAND HOW A PLACE LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN AND HOW IT WAS POSSIBLE.

SOMEBODY WHO IS AN EXPERT -- WE HAVE MANY HISTORIANS COMING TO THE EXHIBITION THAT COULD DELIVER THIS PARTICULAR ARTIFACT OR THAT PARTICULAR ANGLE INTO ONE STORY.

>> Nick: WHAT THE MOST MEANINGFUL ARTIFACT THAT RESONATES WITH YOU?

>> WE HAVE FOR INSTANCE, A HUGE -- -- [INDISCERNIBLE] TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CHILD, GOING INTO THE GAS CHAMBER AND HE WAS TOLD TO UNDRESS AND TO PUT HIS THINGS TOGETHER SHE HE COULD THEN DECIDE HE WAS GOING OUT OF AUSCHWITZ.

IT SPEAKS INTO DIFFERENT ANGLES.

>> Nick: IF YOU YOU ALREADY KNOW THE STORY, GEORGE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO EXPERIENCE AT UNION STATION AUSCHWITZ EXHIBIT THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW?

>> I THINK WHAT YOU WILL START TO LEARN IS WHY KANSAS CITY WAS SO IMPORTANT.

THIS WAS TRUMAN'S TOWN WHEN WE SEE THE DISPLACED PEOPLE, THEY CAME TO KANSAS CITY BECAUSE OF TRUMAN.

WHERE DID THEY COME?

FROM UNION STATION.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT LEFT THE CAMP THAT WALKED ON THOSE HISTORIC FLOORS.

>> Nick: WE HAVAL DOCUMENTARY THAT WE'RE PRODUCING ALONGSIDE THE EXHIBIT WHICH LOOKS AT THAT KANSAS CITY STORY.

MORE THAN A FEW OF THOSE SURVIVORS WERE SENT TO KANSAS CITY A PLACE THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT.

>> I NEVER HEARD THE NAME.

IN EUROPE, THEY KNOW NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES AND MAYBE BOSTON OR CHICAGO.

>> WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE MAP AND WE SAY PRESIDENT TRUMAN FROM MISSOURI, KANSAS CITY, HEART OF AMERICA.

LET'S GO TO KANSAS CITY.

KANSAS CITY HERE I COME.

♪ >> Nick: HEAR MORE STORIES FROM KANSAS CITY HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE NEW DOCUMENTARY, ALL THESE DELICATE SORROWS.

IT PREMIERES JUNE 17TH AT 7 HERE ON KANSAS CITY PBS.

THE AUSCHWITZ EXHIBIT OPENS AT UNION STATION ON JUNE 14TH.

YOU GOT LOT OF SALES FOR THIS.

HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO OTHER EXHIBITS THAT YOU PUT ON?

THIS IS A REALLY HEAVY SUBJECT MATTER.

>> IT IS, DIANA WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE EXHIBITION, WE SOLD OVER 103,000 FOR 88 DAYS.

ALREADY THE COMMUNITY HAS REACHED OUT.

WE'VE SOLD NEARLY 50,000 PRESALE TICKET.

WE HAVE NO TICKETS LEFT ON SATURDAY THROUGH AUGUST.

THE COMMUNITY HAS EMBRACED OVER 38 STATES.

THOSE TICKETS COME FROM.

THIS WILL BE OUR SINGLE LARGEST EXHIBITION.

>> Nick: YOU SAW ONE REVIEW FROM WHEN THE SHOW WAS IN NEW YORK CITY.

SOMEBODY SAY IT WAS A RELENTLESS EXPERIENCE.

AFTER HOUR AND A HALF, I MARVELED.

I POINT IN THIS HOLOCAUST STORY.

HOW LONG THE AVERAGE VISITOR TAKES TO GO THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE?

>> IT WOULD TAKE AROUND TWO HOURS.

>> Nick: WHAT WAS THE CHALLENGE, BIGGEST OBSTACLE IN GETTING ALL THOSE INSTITUTIONS TO SAY, YES, WHEN YOU PUT THIS TOGETHER?

>> IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT WAS DONE.

I THINK FOR ALL OF THEM, IT'S THE FIRST TIME ACTUALLY THAT THEY WORKED TOGETHER.

>> Nick: IF YOU WENT TO AUSCHWITZ IN POLAND, THAT'S A FREE EXPERIENCE.

IT DIDN'T COST VISITORS TO GO THERE.

THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON D.C.

IT WILL COST $23.50 DOME IN HERE.

THE FACT THAT YOU ARE CHARGING PEOPLE BASED ON A STORY THAT CAUSE SO MUCH MISERY IN PEOPLE'S LIVES?

YOU ARE A FOR PROFIT COMPANY?

>> YES.

[INDISCERNIBLE] >> Nick: ARE WE FURTHERING HOLOCAUST EDUCATION IN KANSAS CITY IF WE PURCHASE A TICKET?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WE TALKED, WHY IS UNION STATION LOSING SO MUCH MONEY.

WHEN ARE THE DOORS GOING TO CLOSE?

WE PROMISE YOU WE'LL DO IT ON OUR OWN.

WE GET NO STATE, FEDERAL OR LOCAL DOLLARS.

YOU WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, THIS NEARLY COST $2 MILLION TO BRING TO THIS COMMUNITY.

WE RAISED MONEY.

COULDN'T EVEN COVER THE COST OF THE EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD STAYING HERE FOR FIVE WEEKS TO HAND BUILD A MUSEUM IN UNION STATION.

THIS IS A WAY THE GRAND LADY IS GIVING THAT GIFT BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Nick: YOU TRY TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY TO COME TO IT.

ARE THERE SOME PEOPLE YOU SAY SHOULDN'T GO?

>> WE RECOMMEND OVER 12 YOU SHOULD COME.

EVEN UNDER 12, WE DON'T BELIEVE IT'S APPROPRIATE.

THAT'S A FAMILY DECISION.

I WILL SHARE WITH YOU, WE'RE PUTTING PROGRAMS FOR EBT.

IF YOU HAVE AN EBT CARD AND YOU SHOW THE CARD, YOU CAN SEE THIS EXHIBITION FOR $5.

>> Nick: THAT USED TO BE CALL THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.

>> ALL THIS MONEY TO ENSURE EVERY UNDERSERVED SCHOOL IN GREATER KANSAS CITY AREA FROM SEVENTH GRADE TO HIGH SCHOOL CAN COME TO THIS EXHIBITION FOR FREE.

>> NICK: UNION STATION CEO GEORGE GUASTELLO AND EXHIBIT CREATOR AND DIRECTOR LUIS FERRARO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS STORY WITH US.

THAT EXHIBIT OPENING MONDAY JUNE 14th AT UNION STATION.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EDITION OF THE PROGRAM.

I'M NICK HAINES, FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KANSAS CITY PBS, BE