[♪♪] >> IT HAS BEEN A MISERABLE WEEK, IS THERE ANY DISAGREEMENT ON THAT?

>> I THINK I HAVE BEEN BEATEN.

>> IT'S A BAD DAY TO HAVE A BAD DAY.

>> DESPITE THE DISAPPOINTMENT, WE LOOK FOR SOME SUNSHINE AMIDST THE GLOOM.

WE LOOK FOR THE WEEK'S MOST POSITIVE STORIES.

>> LET'S GET TO 2022.

>> DON'T WORRY, WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN OUR MISSION TO DISSECT THE MOST IMPACTFUL NEWS AND ISSUES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ON BOTH SIDES OF STATE LINES.

IT'S AN ACTION PACKED "WEEK IN REVIEW" AND IT STARTS NOW.

>> "WEEK IN REVIEW" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF DAVE AND JAMIE COMINGS, WILKERSON INSURANCE, CHARITABLE TRUST, AND BANK OF AMERICA N.A.

CO TRUSTEES AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

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

WE SURVIVED THE WEEKEND, THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING.

TRACKING THE WEEK'S BIGGEST MOMENTS AND HEADLINES AND NEWS MAKERS.

OUR STEVE KRASKE, ALSO KNOWN AS MR.

UP-TO-DATE KCUR-FM.

PETE MUNDO IS WITH US.

THIS WAS A WEEK OF GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT IN KANSAS CITY.

THIS IS HOW ONE KANSAS CITIAN REACTED TO THE NEWS.

HOW DID YOU FEEL IT WASN'T JUST A LOPSIDED LOST IN THE SUPER BOWL?

WE WERE BATTLING THE WORSE WEATHER OF THE SEASON AND CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?

IT'S NOT EXPECTED TO GET ABOVE FREEZING UNTIL SATURDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

WHILE THINGS MAY APPEAR GLOOMY, WE'RE GOING TO START THE SHOW THIS WEEK BY FORCING OUR PANELISTS TO PICK OUT SOMETHING POSITIVE FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK.

WAS THERE AN INSPIRING UPSIDE FROM THE SUPER BOWL OR AN UPLIFTING STORY FROM THE ICEBOX-LIKE CONDITIONS WE EXPERIENCED THIS WEEK?

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE BIG PAYCHECK BONUSES THAT TOW TRUCK DRIVERS GOT THIS WEEK IN KANSAS CITY.

STEVE, DO SOMETHING TO LOWER OUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND UP LIFT US.

>> IT'S BEEN A ROUGH WEEK NICK, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

I WOULD POINT TO THIS NUGGET REGARDING NEXT YEAR'S KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SEASON.

THEY HAVE INSTALLED THE CHIEFS AS THE FAVORITES TO WIN NEXT YEAR'S SUPER BOWL.

>> NICK, WE STILL HAVE A ROYAL BABY ON THE WAY AND I'M REFERRING TO PATRICK MAHOME'S BABY.

>> PATRICK IS HAVING A NEW OFFENSIVE LINE SO HE DOESN'T HAVE TO RUN 500 YARDS SCRAMBLING AROUND IN THE BACK FIELD TRYING TO KEEP FROM GETTING SLAUGHTERED.

>> NICK, HOW ABOUT THIS?

I KNOW WE CAN'T TALK ANY GOOD NEWS ABOUT COVID-19, BUT IN THE KANSAS CITY METRO, WE'RE DOWN ALMOST 70% IN CASES, ALMOST 80% IN CASES IN TERMS OF THE SEVEN DAY ROLLING AVERAGE FROM ITS PEAK IN EARLY NOVEMBER.

I THINK THAT IS OUTSTANDING NEWS, WE SHOULD BE WRITING HEADLINE AFTER HEADLINE ABOUT BUT WE CAN'T DO IT.

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT DURING THIS PROGRAM BUT AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE ARE A LOT OF NEGATIVE, IMPACTFUL STORIES GOING AS WELL.

A 5-YEAR-OLD NAMED ARIEL WAS GETTING A LOT OF NATIONAL COVERAGE THIS WEEK.

SHE WAS FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE AFTER GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CRASH WITH BRITT REID.

THE KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE CRASH AND REID SAID HE HAD 2 DRINKS BEFORE DRIVEING.

HE IS THE SON OF HEAD COACH ANDY REID.

HE WANTS TO SEE IF HE IS TREATED THE SAME WAY AS ANYONE ELSE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

WAS HE?

>> WE'RE WAITING TO GET A LOT OF THE DETAILS ON THE INVESTIGATION.

THERE WAS A BRIEFING THE OTHER DAY.

POLICE WERE NOT WILLING TO ANSWER ANYTHING ABOUT THE BRITT REID CASE, SAYING IT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT HERE'S WHAT WE DO KNOW.

HE COMPLAINED OF STOMACH PAIN AT THE SCENE AND WAS TAKEN INTO THE HOSPITAL AND WENT INTO SURGERY.

THAT IMPACTS THE PROCESS.

WE KNOW THAT A BLOOD SAMPLE WAS TAKEN, BUT THE TOXICOLOGY REPORT ON THAT COULD TAKE UP TO A MONTH, JUST BECAUSE HE SAID HE HAD TAKEN -- OR HAD A COUPLE OF DRINKS DOESN'T MEAN HE WAS OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT.

WE ARE WAITING FOR TESTS TO SHOW EXACTLY WHERE HIS BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT LEVEL WAS.

ALSO, I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THE FAMILY OF THE LITTLE GIRL DID POST AN UPDATE.

SHE IS STILL IN A COMA FROM THIS CRASH.

>> THE POLICE SAY THIS MAY TAKE WEEKS TO INVESTIGATE ERIC WESSON, WHY WOULD THE CHIEFS PART WAYS WITH BRITT REID BEFORE THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE.

>> THE EXCUSE THEY USED OR THE REASON IS THAT HIS CONTRACT WAS UP ANY WAY SO THEY COULD PART WAYS WITH HIM.

IT'S GOING TO BE A BLACK EYE ON THE ORGANIZATION IF ANYTHING COMES UP OF HIM BEING IN THEIR FACILITY WHEN HE WAS DRINKING.

HE ADMITTED TO TAKING SOME PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AS WELL.

YOUR QUESTION IS, IS HE TREATED DIFFERENTLY?

YES.

I THINK UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE EVERYDAY PERSON WOULD PROBABLY BE POSTING BOND IN JACKSON COUNTY BY NOW.

>> I THINK THERE IS SOME TRUTH TO THAT, BUT I WOULD ALSO POINT OUT THAT I WOULDN'T JUMP TO A LOT OF CONCLUSIONS YET.

THIS IS A TRAGEDY ALL THE WAY AROUND, INCLUDING BRITT REID WHO IS CLEARLY STRUGGLING FROM ADDICTION NICK.

IN 2007, HE WAS SENTENCED TO 23 MONTHS IN THE SLAMMER FOR SIMILAR KINDS OF BEHAVIOR.

HE LOST HIS JOB AND THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION HERE IS OVERWHELMING.

I DON'T THINK NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH SO MUCH ATTENTION BEING PAID TO IT.

I WOULD JUST KEEP EVERYONE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS HERE BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS IS A TRAGEDY WITH A WHOLE LOT OF RAMIFICATIONS TO IT.

>> YEAH, I ECHO STEVE'S COMMENTS ENTIRELY.

I KNOW THAT DOING WHAT WE DO, WE WANT TO JUMP INTO A DIFFERENT TANGENT ON WHAT THIS MAY MEAN.

HE'S NOT WITH THE TEAM, RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THE RIGHT PLAY.

THERE IS MORE THAT WE DON'T KNOW THAN DO KNOW RIGHT NOW.

>> THE HEAD OF THE MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING ORGANIZATION WANTED TO HAVE A MEETING WITH THE HEAD OF THE CHIEFS.

DID THAT MEETING TAKE PLACE AND WHAT WAS IT THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR?

THEY HAVE A PROGRAM IN PLACE RIGHT NOW WITH CHIEFS PLAYERS TO SHOW THEM ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF DRINKING AND DRIVING, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, WELL TO MY KNOWLEDGE, I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT MEETING OCCURRED.

I DON'T BELIEVE SO AT THIS POINT, BUT THEY REALLY SAID THEY WANT TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THEIR EFFORTS WITH THE CHIEFS AND NOT JUST FOCUS ON THE PLAYERS BUT ALSO FOCUS ON STAFF MEMBERS AND THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION.

THEY SAY THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE FROM THE TOP OF THE CHIEFS' ORGANIZATION.

THAT WAS THE GOAL ON WHY THEY WANT TO MEET WITH THEM.

>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IS UNDERWAY AND AGAINST THE ODDS, A REPUBLICAN GROUP ARE TRYING TO CONVINCE THE G.O.P.

MEMBERS TO CONVICT, TARGETING SENATORS THEY BELIEVE COULD FLIP.

ON THAT LIST IS KANSAS SENATOR JERRY MORAN.

>> SENATOR MORE RAN, DONALD TRUMP INCITED AN ATTACK ON OUR CAPITOL.

IT IS UP TO YOU TO CONVICT AND DISQUALIFY HIM.

>> ALL RIGHT, STEVE KRASKE WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I DON'T THINK SENATOR MORAN SAID A LOT ABOUT THIS NICK.

I THINK IT WOULD BE STUNNING IF HE VOTES WITH THE DEMOCRATS ON THIS IMPEACHMENT THING.

DONALD TRUMP CARRIED THE STATE OF KANSAS EASILY IN NOVEMBER.

I THINK SENATOR MORAN WILL GO WITH THE FLOW ON THIS THING.

ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE A SURPRISE.

>> PETE MUNDO, WHAT ABOUT JOSH HAWLEY OR ROY BLUNT, WAS IT BECAUSE -- WHAT WAS IT ABOUT JERRY MORAN?

>> HE MAY BE VIEWED AS THE MOST MODERATE OF THE BUNCH POSSIBLY AND HE IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

TO FOLLOW UP ON STEVE'S POINT, I I MEAN FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT GOING IN 2022, HE IS FAR MORE LIKELY, IF HE VOTES TO CONVICT DONALD TRUMP, LOSE A PRIMARY IN KANSAS THAN HE IS TO LOSE A GENERAL ELECTION IN KANSAS.

HE HAS TO GET TO A PRIMARY FIRST IF HE WANTS TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD.

HE DOESN'T WANT A PRIMARY.

YOU SAW ROBERT MARSHALL WIN BY DOUBLE DIGITS.

SENATOR MORAN IS IN A SAFE SPOT RIGHT NOW IF HE HANGS WITH THE PARTY, SO TO SPEAK.

>> NICK, EVERY KANSAS REPUBLICAN IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OBJECTED TO THE CERTIFYING OF THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

JERRY DID NOT.

HE WAS THE ONLY OUTLIER THERE.

THAT MAY BE ONE MORE REASON WHY HE WAS TARGETED HERE, THAT HE MAY BE MORE PERSUADABLE.

>> ROY BLUNT IS NOW BEING CHALLENGED FOR ELECTION NEXT YEAR, A FORMER STATE SENATOR FROM KANSAS CITY.

HE IS SEEKING THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION NEXT YEAR IN MISSOURI.

>> WHEN HE RAISED HIS FIST AND BETRAYED OUR DEMOCRACY, JOSH HAWLEY SHOWED US WHO HE IS.

>> I'M SCOTT AND I BELIEVE IN A MISSOURI WHERE WE RAISE OUR HANDS TO SUPPORT VOTING RIGHTS AND NOT INSURRECTION.

>> IT'S INTERESTING THAT SCOTT SIFTON IS FOCUSED ON JOSH HAWLEY WHEN HE IS RUNNING AGAINST BLUNT.

IS HE CONFUSED ON WHAT RACE HE'S RUNNING?

>> I DON'T THINK SO NICK.

HE MENTIONED SENATOR ROY BLUNT ON THE AD.

THIS IS A WAY TO PUT JOSH HAWLEY ON THE BALLOT.

THAT IS THE EFFORT TO LINK SENATOR BLUNT WITH SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY.

LATER ON IN THE AD HE REFERS TO BLUNT AS ONE OF HAWLEY'S HENCHMEN.

THAT'S AN EFFORT TO PLAYOFF THE CRITICISM AROUND JOSH HAWLEY CURRENTLY.

>> DID ROY BLUNT WAKE UP A COLD SWEAT NOW THAT HE KNOWS A DEMOCRAT NAMED SCOTT SIFTON IS RUNNING AGAINST HIM?

>> SCOTT WHO?

NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

HE'S PRETTY ROOTED IN WHAT HE'S GOT TO DO.

PEOPLE WILL STILL RALLY AROUND HIM.

IT'S INTERESTING -- IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO WATCH WHAT HE DOES DURING THE IMPEACHMENT BECAUSE HE KIND OF SEEMS LIKE HE'S ON THE FENCE, BUT HE ALSO SEEMS LIKE HE IS SUPPORTING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> NICK, ROY BLUNT IS NOT THE LEAST BIT WORRIED ABOUT SCOTT SIFTON, A VERY LITTLE KNOWN DEMOCRAT THAT WAS A FORMER STATE SENATOR.

SCOTT SIFTON HAS A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF HIM.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WHAT HAS ROY BLUNT'S ATTENTION RIGHT NOW IS A POTENTIAL CHALLENGE FROM FORMER GOVERNOR ERIC, WHO SAID HE MAY GET BACK INTO POLITICS.

THIS HIGH PROFILE SENATE RACE IN 2022 MAY BE THE TICKET THAT ERIC IS LOOKING FOR.

I DON'T THINK ERIC COULD BEAT ROY BLUNT BUT HE WOULD HAVE HIS ATTENTION.

>> I READ AN INTERESTING THOUGHT PIECE THAT CLAIMS THE NEWS MEDIA IS FAR MORE LIKELY TO REPORT STORIES ABOUT SURGING STATISTICS THAN WHEN THE NUMBERS ARE MOVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

HOW OFTEN DO WE SAY THE NUMBERS ARE PLUMMETING?

IT'S USUALLY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER AND PLUMMETING TEMPERATURES.

IT WAS TALKING ABOUT COVID STATISTICS.

ARE WE GUILTY OF REPORTING THE NUMBERS THAT GO UP AND NOT THE ONES THAT GO DOWN.

KANSAS CITY REPORTED THE LOWEST NUMBER OF COVID CASES SINCE OCTOBER.

THEY ALSO REPORTED THE SHARPING DECLINE IN CORONAVIRUS HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THEY FELL BY NEARLY 19% IN THE LAST WEEK, THE BIGGEST DROP SINCE LAST FALL ACCORDING TO THE MID AMERICA COUNCIL.

ONLY ONE COUNTY SAW AN INCREASE, CLAY COUNTY.

WHAT ARE PUBLIC OFFICIALS DOING WITH THIS INFORMATION?

IS THERE AN EFFORT TO RELAX BUSINESS RESTRICTIONS OR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAN GATHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DURING THIS PANDEMIC CAT REID?

>> WE DID SEE SOME CHANGES IN JANUARY ALREADY IN THE KANSAS CITY METRO AREA.

THERE IS A SENSE NOW NOW MAY NOT BE THE TIME TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, THE GAS PEDAL.

THIS IS WHERE WE SEE THE NUMBERS GO DOWN.

>> SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OUR AREA ARE EASING UP ON THE RESTRICTIONS, COMING BACK FULL TIME IN THE BLUE VALLEY.

THEY VOTE ON THAT.

THEY WILL BRING EVERY SINGLE STUDENT BACK TO THE CLASSROOMS, BUT IS IT ONLY SCHOOLS PETE MUNDO THAT ARE RELAXING THE RULES?

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, THAT LOOKS TO BE THE CASE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM SOME OF OUR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES ON THAT.

IT MAKES SENSE.

WHEN THE C.D.C.

DIRECTOR COMES OUT THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND SAYS WE CAN DO THIS, KIDS NEED TO GET BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, THIS IS TOO DAMAGING.

GET THEM IN THERE AND WE CAN DO IT SAFELY BEFORE THE TEACHERS ARE VACCINATED, THAT'S HITTING HOME FOR A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND FRUSTRATED PARENTS AS WELL.

WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN RESTAURANT AND BAR TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JANUARY.

I WOULD PUSH BACK ON THIS NOTION THAT THE ONLY REASON NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN IS BECAUSE WE'RE ALL FINALLY MASKING UP AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>> DISNEY ON ICE THIS WEEKEND STEVE KRASKE, THEY WERE TOLD BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT THEY HAD TO SHUT DOWN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEIR SHOWS BECAUSE OF LOTS OF VIOLATIONS, REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF COVID RULES.

DOES THAT HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY ARTS ORGANIZATIONS TO COME BACK DURING THIS PERIOD OF THE PANDEMIC, WHO MAY HAVE IDEAS ABOUT RETURNING TO PERFORMANCES?

>> I THINK NICK, IT'S ONE MORE SHOT THAT YOU CAN'T GO BACK TO NORMAL ANYWHERE TOO QUICKLY HERE.

I COULDN'T AGREE ANYMORE STRONGLY WITH MY COLLEAGUES HERE.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN A BUMP FROM THE SUPER BOWL NICK.

A LOT OF PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS EXPECT THAT IS COMING.

LIKEWISE, WE HAD THESE VARIANT STRAINS OF THE CORONAVIRUS POPPING UP, COMING FROM OVERSEAS THAT ARE RAISING NEW CONCERNS THAT THEY'RE EASILY SPREAD AND THAT KIND OF THING.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO EASE UP OFF THE GAS AND IT'S A TIME TO HUNKER DOWN AND GET THROUGH FEBRUARY.

>> CIRCLING BACK TO DISNEY ON ICE, I THINK IT WAS A GOOD SIGN THAT THE EVENT WAS PLANNED TO BE HELD AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AGREED IT COULD BE HELD IF THEY FOLLOW THESE CERTAIN RULES.

I THINK THAT DOES SHOW THEY ARE NOT MESSING AROUND.

IF YOU WEREN'T FOLLOWING THE RULES, THEY WILL CANCEL YOUR EVENT.

SO IF YOU'RE CREATING A PLAN AND AGREEING TO SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING EVERY STEP, OTHERWISE YOU COULD FACE A CANCELATION.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS -- I THOUGHT THEY CANCELED IT BECAUSE THE PERFORMERS WERE TESTING POSITIVE.

I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS FOR A VIOLATION OF RULES.

I THOUGHT SEVERAL OF THE PERFORMERS TESTED POSITIVE AND THAT'S WHY THEY CANCELED IT.

>> BUT THEY DIDN'T TELL THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

>> OH.

>> WHICH WAS A BREACH OF THE RULES.

I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE STILL WAITING FOR YOUR TURN TO GET THE VACCINE, SO WHO IS IN FRONT OF YOU?

IF YOU LIVE IN KANSAS, IN ADDITION TO SENIORS, PRISON INMATES ARE GETTING THEIR SHOTS.

THIS IS A DECISION THAT HAS BEEN CONDEMNED BY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN TOPEKA.

THEY SAID IT'S WRONG FOR CONVICTED CRIMINAL TO BE IN THE FRONT OF THE LINE AHEAD OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KANSAN WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

WHAT IS GOVERNOR KELLY'S RESPONSE STEVE?

>> I THINK GOVERNOR KELLY IS SAYING WE HAD A MAJOR OUTBREAK IN THE PRISONS, A BIG NUMBER THERE.

IT'S NOT JUST THE PRISONERS, IT'S STATE EMPLOYEES, STATE OFFICIALS, DELIVERY PEOPLE THAT COME IN AND OUT OF THOSE PRISONS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND IT'S A CAUTIONARY MOVE.

IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF THE PRISONERS, YOU OPEN THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL KINDS OF POTENTIAL LITIGATION FOR SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS, NOT TAKING CARE OF THEM AS YOU WOULD MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND YOU KNOW, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THEY ARE JUST PEOPLE HERE TOO.

THEY ARE IN A DIFFICULT PLACE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE PACKED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.

>> BUT A LOT OF THIS IN TERMS OF WHO IS GETTING VACCINATED DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE PETE MUNDO.

IF YOU HAVE A CHRONIC CONDITION IN MISSOURI, YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET THE VACCINE NOW BUT YOU CAN'T IN KANSAS.

>> I KNOW GOVERNOR KELLY IS NOT THINKING ABOUT THAT, BUT THE OPTICS ON BASED ON HOW THESE TIERS ARE BREAKING DOWN, A 63-YEAR-OLD, LET'S SAY, WHO IS A GRANDPARENT AND HASN'T SEEN THEIR GRAND KID IN 10 MONTHS HAVING TO WAIT FOR A PRISONER TO GET THE VACCINE BEFORE THEM, I DON'T THINK THAT SITS WELL WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE.

MY COLLEAGUES ARE CORRECT IN SAYING THE SPREAD HAPPENING IN PRISONS, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE OPTICS PERSPECTIVE ARE NOT WILD ABOUT THE IDEA OF BEING 63 AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET A VACCINE IN FAVOR OF PRISONERS WHO HAVE BROKEN THE LAW GETTING THE VACCINE.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT UP.

>> QUINTON LUCAS DELIVERED HIS SECOND STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS TODAY AND IT WAS COVID-19 THAT DOMINATED THE SPEECH.

HOW ABOUT A $70 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE UP BUT HE SAYS THERE WILL BE NO REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS, NO CITY WORKERS WILL BE LAID OFF, NO CITY SERVICE WILL BE ELIMINATED.

SO ERIC WESSON, HOW IS HE EXPECTING TO GET THERE?

SOMEONE HAS TO SACRIFICE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS WITH SOME OF THE BONDS.

IT'S GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE GOING TO PAY YOU NOW, WE'RE GOING TO PAY YOU LATER.

POWER AND LIGHT DISTRICT WILL BE ONE.

ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS I SAW THIS MORNING ON ONE OF THE LOCAL NEWS STATIONS IS THEY HAVE SAID THAT SOME OF THE SUBSIDIES WERE GOING TO BE CUT FROM AGENCIES.

>> LET'S LOOK AT THAT.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL TAKE A HIT, SINGLED OUT BY THE MAYOR, THE KANSAS CITY ZOO, THE STARLIGHT THEATER, AND CAT REID, THEY TALKED ABOUT CUTS LIKE THAT BEFORE AND THEN THEY COME TO CITY HALL AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO DIE IF YOU DO THIS.

THEN THEY REMOVE THOSE CUTS.

WHY WOULD THIS BE ANY DIFFERENT?

>> I DO THINK WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A PROPOSED BUDGET.

WE ALWAYS SEE THE BUDGET CHANGE.

THIS YEAR, THERE IS A LOT LESS WIGGLE ROOM TO CHANGE THINGS.

THE MONEY IS JUST NOT THERE.

THE CITY HAS TAKEN SUCH A HIT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE ALSO IF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DOES END UP DOING SOMETHING MORE FOR CITIES.

IF ANYTHING CAN COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BAIL OUT CITIES ON SALES TAX AND OTHER THINGS, WE JUST DON'T KNOW YET.

A LOT LESS WIGGLE ROOM, TIGHTER MARGINS THIS YEAR.

>> STEVE.

>> I AM GOING TO BE EAGER TO SEE WHAT MY REPORTING COLLEAGUES DIG UP IN THIS BUDGET IN THE DAYS TO COME.

MAYBE THERE ARE ISSUES IN HERE THAT HAVEN'T COME TO THE FLOOR YET.

HAVING SAID THAT NICK, QUINTON LUCAS JUST THROUGH A HAIL MARY PASS AND COMPLETED IT IN THE END ZONE TO WIN THE GAME.

THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF DOOM AND GLOOM TALKS ABOUT WHAT THIS $70 MILLION CUT WAS GOING TO MEAN FOR SERVICES COMING OUT OF CITY HALL, INCLUDING POTENTIAL CUTS TO THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, A LOT OF ANGST AND CONCERN ABOUT THAT.

IT APPEARS THAT AT THIS MOMENT, HE HAS RUN DOWN THE FIELD AND GOTTEN PAST ALL THE TACKLERS TO PRESENT A BUDGET THAT IS NOT GOING TO CAUSE TOO MUCH HARDSHIP AND TOO MANY QUARTERS.

RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS GOOD.

>> DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT PETE?

>> I THINK SO.

HERE'S THE THING NICK, I TALKED TO THE MAYOR AND HE'S PUTTING TOGETHER THIS BUDGET AS IF NO STATE BAILOUT MONEY IS COMING FROM THE FEDS.

IF HE GETS THAT, WHICH YOU KNOW, AS OF RIGHT NOW, AS OF OUR CONVERSATION, I BELIEVE THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN THE SENATE IS GOING TO GET THAT THING THROUGH ON RECONCILIATION.

THERE STILL MAY BE THE PACKAGE FROM SANTA CLAUS COMING TO BAIL THEM OUT.

>> LARRY WRITES TO US, CAN THE CITY WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME?

WHY CAN'T THEY PLOW THE STREETS AND PICK UP THE TRASH IN THE SAME WEEK?

ERIC, WHAT'S THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION?

DO YOU SEE THEY DELAYED ALL THE TRASH AND NO RECYCLING THIS WEEK?

>> LISTEN, MY TRASH WAS SUPPOSE TO BE PICKED ON MONDAY, MY TRASH IS STILL THERE.

OUR SIDE STREETS -- HERE'S THE FUNNY PART ABOUT IT, THE HEAD OF THAT DEPARTMENT LIVES RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM ME.

[LAUGHTER] >> WE STILL HAVE SNOW ON OUR STREET, OUR TRASH IS STILL THERE, THEY CANCELED RECYCLING FOR THIS.

I AM LIKE, WE STILL GOT TRASH OUT.

SO I KIND OF HAVE TO AGREE WITH THEM, I DON'T THINK THEY CAN WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT CAT.

>> THIS IS A CHANGE, MORE OF THE SOLID WASTE FOLKS WERE PULLED INTO SNOW COVERAGE AS A RESULT OF CHANGES THAT BRIAN PLATTE MADE.

I THINK THAT THIS WAS THEIR FIRST TIME PULLING MORE PEOPLE INTO IT.

WE MAY SEE THAT CHANGE AS THINGS GO ON.

IN OTHER CITIES, I SEEN THAT STORMS HAVE IMPACTED TRASH PICK UP.

WE'RE NOT ALONE, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE WORK TO IRON OUT THIS PLAN AND HOW TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE USE IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY.

>> ANOTHER AREA IN THE HEADLINES TODAY IS CARL GERLACH, WHO LED OVERLAND PARK FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR.

WHY STEVE?

>> I THINK HE'S BEEN DOING IT FOR 16 YEARS NICK.

THAT'S A LONG TIME.

LET'S PUT THAT OUT THERE.

HE WAS FACING A CHALLENGE FROM ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER WHO WAS -- WHO APPEARED POISED TO OFFER A STIFF CHANCE.

HE HAS BEEN UNDER INCREASING FIRE IN RECENT YEARS.

THERE WAS THAT STORY ABOUT THE PAY OUT FROM THE CITY OF OVERLAND PARK TO THE POLICE OFFICER WHO SHOT THE YOUNG MAN IN THE DRIVEWAY THERE, THAT RAISED SO MUCH CONCERN IN OVERLAND PARK.

IT WAS SUCH A TRAGIC STORY.

A LOT OF CONTROVERSY ABOUT THAT.

IT WAS LOOKING LIKE CARL GERLACH WOULD HAVE FACED A TOUGHER RE-ELECTION PERHAPS THAN HE WOULD HAVE IN THE PAST, BUT HAVING SAID THAT NICK, HE'S BEEN THERE, HE'S DONE THAT, AND I THINK HE'S READY TO MOVE ON.

>> CAT.

>> THE MAYOR SAID HE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT HE WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH IN HIS TIME BUT THERE IS A LOT OF SCRUTINY OVER THE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT WITH THE OFFICER THAT SHOT THE TEENAGER AND AN F.B.I.

INVESTIGATION.

THERE IS A LOT HANGING OVER THE MAYOR'S HEAD.

TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENTIONS TO RUN, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE JUMPS IN THE RACE.

>> WHEN YOU PUT A PROGRAM LIKE THIS EVERY WEEK, YOU CAN'T GET TO EVERY LOCAL STORY.

WHAT WAS THE BIG STORY WE MISSED?

REMEMBERING FORMER CHIEFS COACH.

HE DIES THIS WEEK AT THE AGE OF 77.

HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER DISEASE SIX YEARS AGO.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

TIFFANY IS REVERSING COURSE, THEY'RE STAYING ON THE PLAZA AFTER ALL.

KANSAS MAKING NATIONAL NEWS OVER A BILL TO CRIMINALIZE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

THE MEASURE HAS BEEN PRONOUNCED DEAD, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

IT'S THE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN KANSAS CITY AND THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND NEW WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY.

WHAT ABOUT CELEBRATING VALENTINE'S DAY DURING A PANDEMIC?

AREA BUSINESSES ARE TRYING TO GET CREATIVE.

A NEW SURVEY FINDS 24% OF US WILL CELEBRATE WITH AN EVENING OUT THIS WEEKEND.

>> ALL RIGHT CAT REID, DID YOU PICK ONE OF THOSE STORIES OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?

>> I'M GOING TO SAY SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND THAT'S THE BITTER COLD IMPACTING PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES IN OUR CITY AND THE WARMING CENTER THAT IS UNDERWAY AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON HOW THAT'S GOING.

>> IT'S INTERESTING ON THE WARMING CENTER, THE TURNING OF THE CONVENTION CENTER, IT'S ONE NEGATIVE HEADLINE AFTER ANOTHER, INSTEAD OF PATTING THE MAYOR ON THE BACK FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN.

>> WE SEEN CONCERNS.

PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES AND SECURITY ISSUES.

I THINK THAT IS ALL STILL BEING FIGURED OUT.

THERE HAVE BEEN BUMPS ON THE ROAD WITH THE ROLLOUT ON THAT.

>> PETE MUNDO.

>> WITH KANSAS IN MISSOURI, THIS LEGISLATIVE CYCLE, 2 OF 22 STATES THAT FUNDED SCHOOLS AND NOT SYSTEMS.

IF THERE IS ANYTHING POSITIVE THAT CAME OUT OF COVID, IT COULD BE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR MILLIONS OF KIDS IN THIS COUNTRY AND FUNDING THEM AND THEIR PARENTS DIRECTLY INSTEAD OF THE SYSTEMS IN PLACE.

>> THEY'RE UPSET BECAUSE THE MANY SCHOOLS ARE BEING CLOSED DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND THEY NEED MORE CHOICE TO GO TO A SCHOOL THAT'S OPEN.

>> YES, AND FOLKS THAT CAN AFFORD IT HAD SCHOOL CHOICE.

THEY CAN DO THE PODS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, BUT THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT, THEY HAVE NO CHOICE.

WE'RE SEEING THAT GAP GROW IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS.

>> ERIC.

>> I'M GOING TO SAY TAKING CHARLIE PARKER'S SAXOPHONE DOWN TO WALT DISNEY WORLD, LOANING IT TO THEM AND NO INDICATION THAT WE'RE GETTING ANY FINANCIAL RECOURSE FOR THAT.

THE MUSEUM GOT TWO OR THREE EXHIBITS.

WHY WOULD YOU TAKE ONE AND DONATE IT TO SOME PLACE?

THEY NEED TO EXPLAIN IT MORE.

>> I'M GOING TO GO WITH THE MARTY STORY.

I THINK HE PULLED THE CHIEFS OUT OF THE ABYSS FOLLOWING THEIR FIRST SUPER BOWL WIN.

A FINE MAN, A GREAT COACH, FINISHED EIGHTH ALL TIME ON THE NFL COACHES WINNING LIST, AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AND BIG LOSS FOR THE TEAM AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> WITH THAT I WILL SAY OUR "WEEK IN REVIEW."

41 ACTION NEWS REPORTER CAT REID ON CALL FROM THE KANSAS CITY CALL ERIC WESSON, KEEPING YOU UPDATE ON KCUR F.M.

STEVE KRASKE AND ROCKING A 4-HOUR SHIFT ON WEEKDAYS PETE MUNDO.

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

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

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