Kansas lawmakers are gathering for the critical 2018 session. The Star's Hunter Woodall and Dave Helling of the editorial board take a look at who's up, who's down, what's next — and what Kansans can expect as the fascinating political season unfolds.

The Star's Jason Hancock and Dave Helling take a deep dive into Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens' first year in office -- a year marked by secrecy and controversy.  What's next?  The podcast takes a look at that question too.

Dave Helling and Steve Vockrodt discuss the latest bizarre twist in the long fight over a new airport terminal. What's happened so far?  What's next? Go behind the headlines, on Deep Background.

What does the election of a Democrat in Alabama mean for races in Missouri and Kansas? The Star's Bryan Lowry chews that over with Dave Helling of the editorial board. Then Helling talks with reporters Mike Hendricks and Steve Vockrodt about their story involving former Jackson County executive Mike Sanders’ kickback scheme.

Kelsey Ryan and Bryan Lowry of the Star join Dave Helling of the editorial board to discuss the spate of sexual harassment cases involving state politicians, then Bryan and Dave discuss the political landscape in Kansas and Missouri in 2018.

Kansas may be the most secretive state in the country, a Kansas City Star investigation shows. Reporters Laura Bauer and Judy Thomas join Dave Helling to discuss the investigative series.

What have we learned from the KCI vote? Star reporters Bill Turque and Steve Vockrodt unwind the landslide victory of the terminal proposal for KCI — who won, who lost, and what it means for the future. Dave Helling of the Star's editorial board hosts.

Reporters Eric Adler, Steve Vockrodt and Bill Turque discuss the campaign for a new KCI terminal — and what other cities have done for air travelers.

Host: Dave Helling of the Star's editorial board.

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.

The Kansas City Star's Steve Vockrodt and Dave Helling of the Editorial Board discuss the recommendation of Edgemoor Infrastructure to design and build a new airport terminal.  A look back, and a look ahead.

Lindsay Wise of the McClatchy DC Bureau, Brian Lowry of the Kansas City Star, and Dave Helling of the Star's editorial board discuss the many issues Congress must confront in September -- with little time to do it.  A lively discussion.

Hunter Woodall, the Star’s Topeka correspondent, and political writer Bryan Lowry sat in on the “Deep Background” podcast to unspool what happened in the Kansas capital this year, and what might yet come if Brownback vetoes key legislation.

Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, dark money, presidential ambitions -- and the special session.  Join Jason Hancock and Dave Helling of The Kansas City Star as they discuss these topics and more on Deep Background.

Members of the Star’s editorial board, who’d argued for giving President Donald Trump, weigh in on his White House tenure as he nears 100 days in the Oval Office.

Kansas City voters will decide whether to spend $800 million in the coming decades to fix infrastructure, mitigate flooding, replace an animal shelter and comply with federal rules on disability accommodation. They'll also decide whether to eliminate potential jail sentences for municipal charges on marijuana possession.

Jason Hancock, Bryan Lowry, and Dave Helling dissect the first half of the Missouri legislative session and the first two months of Eric Greitens' term as governor.

Bryan Lowry, the new lead political reporter for the Star, joins the Deep Background podcast to talk about Gov. Sam Brownback and the Kansas Legislature's efforts to find a way out of a budget hole. Then the conversation turns to Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and his unconventional approach to governing.

Dave Helling, Colleen McCain Nelson, and Melinda Hennenberger of The Kansas City Star's editorial board discuss the eventful first ten days of President Donald Trump's administration. It's time to take him literally.

The Kansas City Council is asking voters in an April election to raise property taxes for fixing streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure improvements. Voters will also consider a small hike in the sales tax to boost economic development on the city's east side. City Hall reporter Lynn Horsley explains what's going on.

Dave Helling and Scott Canon talk with the Star's new editorial page editor, Colleen Nelson, about 2016 campaign coverage.  Nelson covered the Clinton campaign and the Obama White House for the Wall Street Journal.

The Kansas City Star's Washington correspondent, Lindsay Wise, joins Dave Helling and Scott Canon to discuss the local impact of the Donald Trump transition.