Join moderator Nick Haines and this week’s panel for a behind the scenes look at Kansas City’s top news stories.
KC Week in Review
May 11, 2012
THIS WEEK: Friday, May 11th 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
KC CORPORATE ICON TO BE SOLD TO CHINA?: After spending millions to lure AMC from downtown to Kansas is AMC about to be sold to China? A front page story in the Kansas City Star this week reveals that the nation’s second largest theater chain which has been headquartered in Kansas City since 1920 could soon be purchased by a Chinese conglomerate. What does all this mean for Kansas City?
UPDATE TRANSIT: We won’t know until summer what a Jackson County commuter rail plan might look like. And no one has proposed a ballot issue to fund a rail system, much less set a date for an election. Yet according to a front page story in the Star this week, Jackson County government officials are spending half a million dollars on TV ads and an awareness campaign to promote rail transit in the county. How does this square with KC’s plan for a streetcar line? Is there room for both? Are either of them feasible?
UMKC NAME CHANGE: UMKC is considering changing its name to the University of Kansas City. Officials say the name change would help it emerge from the sizable shadow of the Missouri campus in Columbia. The school has used its current name since it joined the four-campus University of Missouri system nearly 50 years ago.
ROMNEY IN KC: Mitt Romney was in town Thursday. The presumptive Republican nominee for President did not appear though in public – his visit was totally private. No public rallies and big speeches – why?
SHOT SPOTTER TECHNOLOGY COMES TO KC: It’s a high-tech anti-crime system that uses sensors to spot gunshots and let’s police know almost exactly where those bullets were fired. Kansas City officials have been talking about the system for years, but they’ve finally got the money to install the equipment. So how is this supposed to work and will it really reduce violent crime in Kansas City?
TOUGH PR CALL FOR GOLDEN OX: As Bottomline Communications reports this week, sometimes public relations decisions can be complicated. You make the call on this one. You are the PR person for the Golden Ox, one of Kansas City’s landmark restaurants and a downtown fixture since 1949. Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, says it wants to come in and substitute your world-famous steaks for theirs and film customers’ reactions. On the one hand, your restaurant will be featured in ads across the country. It will certainly increase your restaurant’s exposure. On the other hand, you know that only those customers who rave about the Walmart steaks will be included in the commercials. What would you do? WATCH THE AD
LONG LINES AT DMV: Why should it take 8 hours to wait in line this week to renew your license plates or register your vehicles in Johnson County?
THIS WEEK’S NEWS REVIEWERS:
Kevin Collison
Kansas City Star
Chris Hernandez
41 Action News
Stacey Cameron
KCTV5
Dave Helling
Kansas City Star
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
KC Week in Review
May 4, 2012
THIS WEEK: Friday, May 4th 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
MAYOR JAMES @ 1 YEAR: Kansas City Mayor Sly James marks his first full year in office this week as the top elected leader in Kansas City, MO. We issue a report card.
DON’T SAY GAY: A Missouri Republican lawmaker makes it public that he is gay this week after getting angry with his party over a bill in Jefferson City that would restrict all discussion of sexual orientation in public schools. It has been dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill. According to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Republican Zach Wyatt, who raises cattle in northern Missouri, is now the only openly gay Republican currently serving in a state legislature in the United States.
BROWNBACK POLL NUMBERS: A new Survey USA poll in Kansas gives Governor Sam Brownback lower approval ratings than President Barack Obama. How can that be when the state is overwhelmingly Republican?
YODER CALLS FOR PAY CUT: Kansas 3rd District Republican Congressman Kevin Yoder thinks Congress ought to cut its pay by five percent. Not only that, he wants lawmakers to eliminate their automatic cost-of-living increases as well.
LEGOLAND OPENS BUT NEW POLICY CAUSES STIR: The Legoland Discovery Center officially opens its doors this past weekend at Crown Center. But one of its policies is raising eyebrows. The attraction is not admitting adults unless they are accompanied by a child.
RAISING LOWEST IN NATION TOBACCO TAX: Anti-smoking advocates are expected to turn in petition signatures this weekend for a November ballot initiative asking voters to raise Missouri’s tax on a pack of cigarettes to 90 cents from the current 17 cents. That’s the lowest in the nation. It’s failed twice on the statewide ballot previously. Why do backers believe the 2012 election would be different?
THIS WEEK’S NEWS REVIEWERS:
Steve Kraske
The Star/KCUR
Chris Hernandez
41 Action News
Mary Sanchez
Kansas City Star
Dave Helling
Kansas City Star
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
KC Week in Review
April 20th, 2012
THIS WEEK: Friday, April 20th 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
GOOD LUCK GETTING SEATS TO ALL-STAR GAME: Kansas Citians are now getting excited about hosting the All-Star game this July but have you tried to get a ticket? Well you can’t. There’s none to be had. They’ve all gone. With nearly three months to go before the first pitch, neither the Royals nor Major League Baseball has any seats at Kauffman Stadium left to sell just as the tickets were about to go on sale to the general public.
KC MAYOR’S FAMILY WOES: His son has caused him embarrassment. Now his brother is making the headlines after pistol whipping another family member after a funeral. The Mayor issues a twitter message: “I’m willing 2b accountable 4 my actions. Can’t control others.” Are these strictly private matters? Or do they impact his public role as the city’s top elected official?
JOHNSON COUNTY’S “FAUX FARMS” COSTING TAXPAYERS BIG: A front page story in the Kansas City Star reports on the growing trend in Johnson County that allows developers to classify their land as agricultural by planting a few Christmas trees or a small wheat crop as they wait for a future Starbucks, big-box retailer or a new high-price sub-division to go up. And it represents a great deal. The Star reports on how a 20-acre plot in Olathe owned by Walmart, if zoned for commercial development, would be taxed at $89,000. But last year, the retailer payed just $53 in taxes. Who’s harmed by the practice and why are Kansas lawmakers so reluctant to clamp down on “faux farms?”
MISSOURI BILL CRIMINALIZES “UNFLATTERING” FARM VIDEO: The Missouri House greenlights legislation this week that would make it a crime to produce videos portraying poor conditions at agricultural facilities in the state. The proposed “Ag-Gag Law” creates the new crime of Agricultural Production Facility Interference, making it illegal to produce or distribute video occurring on a farm without the consent of the owner. Violators could be subject to six months to four years in prison. Supporters say the measure is needed to stop activists producing propaganda against agriculture. Opponents of the bill said some of those undercover investigations have helped improve conditions at agricultural facilities.
THIS WEEK’S NEWS REVIEWERS:
Stacey Cameron
KCTV5
Chris Hernandez
41 Action News
Dana Wright
NEWSRADIO 98.1 FM KMBZ
Dave Helling
Kansas City Star
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
KC Week in Revew
April 13, 2012
THIS WEEK: Friday, April 13th 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
THE RESULTS ARE IN: It did take more than a week, but we finally know who actually is serving on the Kansas City Missouri School Board. After the votes for the write in candidates were tallied up, Airick Leonard West retained his seat and will remain as the board’s president. Duane Kelly lost his seat after 12 years. In all three new board members will be helping shape the future direction of the district.
GIVING MAYOR ROLE IN SCHOOL DISTRICT AFFAIRS: Newly reappointed school board president Airick Leonard West proposes a bold plan to radically reshape the board and give Mayor James a greater say in running the district. The board would shrink in size and elections would shift to August to attract more voters. But what difference would these changes make?
CLEAVER AND THE CAR WASH: What’s the big deal about Kansas City Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and a car wash he owns in Grandview? Why would taxpayers be on the hook for more than a million dollars to cover a bad loan on the business? How does this impact Cleaver’s political career?
MISSOURI GOVERNOR’S CANDIDATE: How willing is the public to overlook the personal financial problems experienced by political candidates and public officials? In the race for Missouri Governor, Dave Spence, the main Republican candidate trying to unseat Jay Nixon, is running on a simple platform: He’s a businessman, and Missouri is a business. But an examination of tax and finance records shows that his companies have been late paying property, personal property, manufacturers’ and other taxes totaling tens of thousands of dollars dating to 1995, and as recently as 2010. This is the same candidate who claimed on his campaign materials that he had a degree in economics but later acknowledged it was a degree in home economics. How are these latest revelations impacting his campaign?
COURTS ACROSS KANSAS SHUTTERED FRIDAY: This will affect thousands who need marriage licenses, protective orders and other day-to-day necessities of life. The entire court system is being shuttered because of a Kansas legislative impasse. And there are going to be more forced court closing days ahead. State lawmakers recently adjourned their regular session of the legislature in Topeka without approving a budget for the courts. Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss ordered Kansas courts shut down and 1,500 employees furloughed without pay. The Legislature doesn’t return for its wrap up session until April 25th where most of the important issues of the session still have to be resolved. What’s happening in Topeka that’s caused such an extreme measure? As lawmakers have now completed their regular session of the legislature, what has been accomplished? Aren’t most of the major issues of the session still unresolved?
NIXON IN BRAZIL: Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is off to Brazil this weekend. He’s departing with the first lady Saturday on a five-day trade mission to Sao Paulo to expand Missouri exports to the South American country. And we are told the travel costs are being covered by the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit group funded and run by Missouri businesses that often finances gubernatorial trips related to economic development. We talked about what’s been accomplished in Kansas this session. Is there any major significant legislation that has passed in Missouri this year?
THIS WEEK’S NEWS REVIEWERS:
Steve Kraske
KC STAR/KCUR
Chris Hernandez
41 Action News
Eric Wesson
The Call
Dave Helling
Kansas City Star
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
KC Week in Review
April 6, 2012
THIS WEEK: Friday, April 6th 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
FROM INTERIM TO PERMANENT: Dr. Stephen Green this week loses the word “interim” from his title. He is officially named the new permanent superintendent of the Kansas City, MO School District
ELECTION DAY: Area voters go to the polls. We dissect the Kansas City School Board elections and why voters in Independence overwhelmingly reject a tax to support more police officers.
SEA LIFE AQUARIUM OPENS: 5,000 sea creatures find a new home in Kansas City including sharks and stingrays, as the new $15 million Sea Life Aquarium finally opens its doors today at Crown Center.
TEVA MOVES TO KANSAS: The business border battle continues as TEVA Pharmaceuticals announces its moving its headquarters and 400 employees from I-435 and Holmes Road to a brand new facility in Overland Park.
OCCUPY KC: Kansas City police and city workers evict members of the Occupy Kansas City movement from Penn Valley Park over the weekend. Occupy KC claims to be the longest continuous public occupation in the country.
HONORING FUNK: It’s been almost a year since Mark Funkhouser left his job as Kansas City’s Mayor. So why are there still no plans by members of the city council to honor his service when every other former Mayor has something named after them?
THIS WEEK’S NEWS REVIEWERS:
Dana Wright
Newsradio 98.1 FM KMBZ
Chris Hernandez
41 Action News
Eric Wesson
The Call
Dave Helling
Kansas City Star
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
KC Week in Review
March 30, 2012
THIS WEEK: Friday, March 30th 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
ABORTION FILES DUMPED: A Johnson County woman makes a disturbing discovery as she tosses her recyclables inside a yellow and green bin in front of an Overland Park elementary school: More than 1,000 private abortion records scattered on top of newspapers and magazines, containing intimate patient information. We examine the implications.
FIREFIGHTERS: “One of the sickest things I’ve seen in Kansas City politics.” That’s how the Firefighters Union President describes the vote this week by the Kansas City council to cut $7.6 million from the fire department. But will it mean laying off 105 firefighters?
35,000 ANTI-RUSH PETITIONS: Women’s rights groups delivered petitions bearing 35,000 signatures this week to the speaker of the Missouri House opposing his plan to induct Rush Limbaugh into the Hall of Famous Missourians.
KING LOUIE: Controversy in Johnson County over the decision by government leaders to purchase the closed King Louie bowling alley in Overland Park. There are plans to turn it into a national museum on suburban life. Some critics complain that with threats of libraries closing in the county there are better ways of spending $3 million.
STREETCAR BUSINESS BACKLASH: Are plans for a downtown streetcar line in Kansas City, MO facing increasing opposition from the business community? Will they openly campaign against the two-mile transit proposal?
THIS WEEK’S NEWS REVIEWERS:
Stacie Cameron
KCTV5
Ingrams Magazine
Mary Sanchez
Kansas City Star
Dave Helling
Kansas City Star
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
KC Week in Review
Friday March 23 @ 7:30pm
THIS WEEK: Friday, March 23nd 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
JAMES: Sizing up the Mayor’s first state of the city address. What did we learn?
CAUCUS CHAOS: Why almost a week after the Missouri caucuses do we not know who won? Plus, why is a Washington Post writer calling Missouri a candidate for the “worst run contest title in the 2012 nominating process?”
ALL-STAR CRACKDOWN: Why signs, vendors and food trucks are on notice as Kansas City prepares for the MLB All-Star game.
AFRICAN-CENTERED SCHOOL CONTROVERSY: Why a decision by the KCMO school district to take over the African Centered Education Collegium Campus snowballs into calls by some black leaders for a state takeover of the entire district.
OVERLAND PARK: Is the city of Overland Park so cash-strapped they now have to start charging people $5 to experience its trees and flowers? Why the City Council votes this week to charge an admission fee at the Overland Park Arboretum.
REVIEWING THE NEWS THIS WEEK:
Chris Hernandez
41 ACTION NEWS
Eric Wesson
The Call
Dave Helling
Kansas City Star
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
Kansas City Week in Review
Kansas City Week in Review is your local source and connection to the newmakers and newsanalysts in our community.
KC Week in Review
February 24 @ 7:30pm
THIS WEEK: Friday, February 24th 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
TOPIC #1: HOOPLA OVER HOLLYWOOD HEARTTHROB
The announcement is about new housing in Kansas City’s Green Impact
Zone, but most people just want to know when Brad Pitt will be in
Kansas City. (Photo credit: Architectural Digest)
TOPIC #2: HUMAN ERROR CAUSES ALARM AT THE KANSAS CITY ZOO
When two 400 pounds gorillas get loose from their enclosure and
visitors at the zoo are herded to safety inside, there’s going to be
lots of attention and questions that need answering.
TOPIC #3: ADDING SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS TO HIGH CRIME AREAS
Improved public safety or Big Brother watching you? The ACLU is
protesting a plan by Kansas City Mayor Sly James to add closed circuit surveillance cameras to high crime areas.
TOPIC #4: MISSOURI LAWMAKERS THREATENED
Kansas City isn’t the only place this week debating surveillance
cameras. It’s a hot topic of conversaiton in the Missouri legislature
where they’re looking to install them in all public areas of the state capital after a series of threats on Missouri Senators, including local lawmakers Victor Callahan and Jolie Justus.
TOPIC #5: NEW JOHNSON COUNTY SURVEY
A new public opinion poll gives a comprehensive snapshot of voter attitudes in Johnson County. It delves into the willingness of county residents to support or oppose taxes for a whole range of big ticket items from schools, libraries, expanded transit to arts programs. But what do we glean from this latest barometer reading of Johnson County voters?
TOPIC #6: FIX IT OR DISCARD IT?
Kansas City Star reporter and columnist Dave Helling deconstructs the citizen initiative process in Kansas City. With so many ways for the council to ignore citizen ballot initiatives, he examines why the city is not looking to eliminate the provision or at least reforming the process.
THIS WEEK’S NEWS REVIEWERS:
Dana Wright
Newsradio 98.1 FM KMBZ
Mary Sanchez
Kansas City Star
Chris Hernandez
41 Action News
Dave Helling
Kansas City Star
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
KC Week in Review
February 17, 2012
THIS WEEK: Friday, February 17th 2012 @ 7:30 pm
(Rebroadcast Sunday @ 11 am )
KANSAS GOVERNOR SAM BROWNBACK: He is pursuing what may be the boldest agenda of any governor in the country. But while Sam Brownback is gaining national attention for radically altering the size and scope of Kansas government, the negative headlines keep piling up at home. This half we push aside our regular reporter roundtable to hear from the Governor himself. We hit the criticisms head on to examine what makes Sam Brownback tick. Join Nick Haines for this special newsmaker edition of Kansas City Week in Review.
Sam Brownback (R)
Kansas Governor
***A NOTE FROM NICK:
Your thoughts are always important to me. Send an e-mail to nhaines@kcpt.org or share and connect at the Nick Haines page on Facebook.
Thanks for watching Kansas City Week in Review.
Nick!
