Important races for mayor are unfolding in two of the area's biggest cities: Kansas City, Kan./Wyandotte County, and Overland Park. Join Dave Helling, Lynn Horsley and Steve Vockrodt of the Star as they discuss the campaign — and hear from the candidates, too.

For all the challenges facing Republicans in the age of Donald Trump, Democrats are still struggling to define their message and approach, particularly in red states like Kansas and Missouri. The Star discusses the Democrats' dilemma with Gov. Howard Dean, former head of the DNC, and with Star staff members covering politics in the two states.

Federal authorities recently charged several assistant college basketball coaches with bribery and other crimes, related to recruiting young athletes. It's the latest scandal facing big-time college sports and may change amateur competition forever. Blair Kerkhoff and Dave Helling of The Kansas City Star discuss those scandals, and college sports, on Deep Background.

Katy Bergen and Hunter Woodall of The Kansas City Star join Dave Helling to talk about how the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Monday that the state’s new school finance system is unconstitutional. This week's episode also includes some discussion on the Kansas governor's race, including a clip with Tyler Ruzich, who is one of the teenage candidates in the running.