The Buzz

The latest political rumblings from KC to DC.

Pence urges Missouri AG Josh Hawley to challenge McCaskill for Senate

about 5 hours ago

about 8 hours ago Missouri Treasurer Eric Schmitt told reporters Tuesday, July 11, 2017, that Illinois lawmakers had created a budget disaster in recent years. But to many political observers, the news conference had just as much to do with raising his profile as he considers a run for U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill.

about 1 day ago Candidates in the Kansas City region are raising record amounts of money ahead of the 2018 election when races in both Kansas and Missouri will play a key role in determining control of Congress.

about 1 day ago On July 12, more than 50,000 people, sites and organizations will take part in the net neutrality “day of action,” an online protest being organized by multiple internet advocacy groups.

about 4 days ago This week, The Star’s Bryan Lowry and The Wichita Eagle’s Jonathan Shorman talk about their time in Palco, Kan., following U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran’s Thursday town hall.

about 4 days ago U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran talks about the role small hospitals play in rural communities during a town hall in Palco, Kan.

about 7 hours ago Sen. Jerry Moran’s town hall in Palco, Kan., on Thursday, July 6, 2017, was in a room meant to house 65 people. But roughly 150 showed up in a town with a population of less than 300.

about 4 days ago U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran discusses his opposition to the current version of the GOP health care bill and the amount of media attention around his town hall.

about 1 week ago A privacy group is challenging Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s attempt to receive a large amount of voter data on behalf of a presidential voting commission. July 4, 2017

about 1 week ago A national group of civil rights attorneys says that Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach may have violated a federal law by promoting his work on President Donald Trump’s voter commission on his campaign website.

about 1 week ago Shawn Sullivan, Kansas’ state budget director, posted a GIF of Kanye West after the state released a new revenue report showing it topping tax collection projections for the month and fiscal year.

about 1 week ago Ken Selzer, who was first elected insurance commissioner in 2014, joins a growing list of Republican candidates who have either already announced campaigns or have floated their interest in the race to the media.

about 1 week ago U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner won’t pursue a run against U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2018, a move that likely clears the way for Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley to enter the race.

about 1 week ago Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state, sent letters to every state requesting names, addresses, voting history and other personal information. On Friday, June 30, 2017, he said Kansas, for now, won’t be sharing Social Security information with the commission he helps lead.

about 1 week ago Buzz blog contributors, who cover politics for The Star, chat about recent political news from Kansas, Missouri or our nation’s capital.

about 1 week ago U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a Missouri Republican, says that allowing transgender soldiers to serve costs taxpayers too much money.

Beyond the Bubble: Do voters care about Comey?

about 4 weeks ago On this week’s episode of Beyond the Bubble, campaign strategists assess the political fallout of Jim Comey’s allegations against President Donald Trump while Democrats wonder whether the liberal left is overplaying its hand.

about 1 week ago Join Jason Hanock and Dave Helling for a discussion of Missouri politics on Deep Background.

about 1 month ago Higher education reporter Mará Rose Williams talks regional college campuses and their turmoil.

about 1 month ago Dave Helling and Mark Davis talk about the future of Sprint, one of Kansas City’s most important companies.