KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Congress returns to The Hill. With mid-terms looming, inflation surging, the President's rating sagging, what gets done? FOX4’s John Holt and The Kansas City Star’s Dave Helling are joined by Tal Axelrod, Political Reporter for The Hill to discuss issues looming all the way from Washington, D.C. to the Statehouse in Topeka. Congress faces the point where the calendar is shrinking if they hope to get anything accomplished before the upcoming elections. "There are a ton of things to get done in a very short timeframe. Negotiations over COVID aid, aid for Ukrain ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka on Monday for a wrap-up session that has plenty to “wrap-up.” The House and Senate adjourned after approving a budget, but that budget doesn't include funding for public education. In this week's 4Star Politics, FOX4’s John Holt and The Kansas City Star’s Dave Helling are joined by Republican House Speaker Ron Ryckman of Olathe and Democratic State Senator Cindy Holscher of Overland Park. The two Kansas lawmakers addressed some of the issues facing lawmakers as they return for what used to be known as the “veto session ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A proposal by some Missourians would change the way that you vote. The Better Elections Missouri Initiative would make just one primary in the future, no matter your political party. A spokesperson for the group, Scott Charton, said candidates from both parties would be on the same ballot, and you the voter would get to vote for your top choice. "The top four finishers would go on to November to what we call an instant runoff or what others call 'ranked choice voting,'" Charton said during 4Star Politics. "Then in November, you rank the candidates one to four or you could v ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- President Joe Biden is approaching the anniversary of his inauguration, and this week the 4Star Politics panel takes a look at his first year in office, and how effective his administration has been. FOX4's John Holt and The Kansas City Star's Dave Helling talk about a variety of topics related to the executive branch with political consultants Annie Presley and Jason Grill. While the president and his party tout accomplishments that include passage of a bi-partisan infrastructure bill and another aimed at COVID relief, his approval rating is under water, with Real Clear Po ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- This year is set to be a major one in American politics, and state politics in Missouri and Kansas are no exception. The first 2022 edition of 4Star Politics features regulars John Holt and Dave Helling, joined by Missouri politics reporter Jeanne Kuang, and Kansas politics reporter Katie Bernard, both of The Kansas City Star. Missouri lawmakers gaveled in on Wednesday, Kuang saying some lawmakers described what's about to happen as "a hurricane" with the legislature needing to pass Congressional maps in time for August primaries. Other big ticket items include a supplement ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The year started with the insurrection at the Capitol and a political shift in Washington, D.C. As 2021 comes to a close, the U.S. is still fighting record hospitalizations from COVID-19 and a political divide that's impacting every part of our country. Steve Kraske from KCUR's “Up To Date” joins FOX4’s John Holt and Dave Helling from the Kansas City Star to reflect on 2021 in this episode of 4Star Politics. COVID-19 Many are surprised that COVID-19, vaccines, and mask mandates are still being talked about as we head into the third year of the COVID-19 p ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City has been in the political spotlight over the past week. It started with a visit from President Biden to discuss his Build Back Better plan. From there it dissolved into confusion for some when Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt weighed in on area mask mandates and other COVID-19 protocols. Political analysts Annie Pressley and Rosetta Okohson join FOX 4’s John Holt and The Kansas City Star’s Dave Helling to discuss how issues are impacting us in Kansas City. It's been said that you need to pick your battles. It seems like COVID-19 protocols, includ ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial Wednesday morning honored Kansas Sen. Bob Dole. The ceremony took place a day before his casket would lie in state in the U.S. Capitol. Dole will also be honored Friday in a private memorial service with President Joe Biden in attendance and a public service at the World War II Memorial in Washington. Dole served as the national chairman of the WWII memorial and helped bring it to fruition on the national mall in D.C., but it's far from his only legacy. Dr. Bob Beatty, professor of Political Science at Washburn Universit ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Decisions are already being made with next year's midterm elections in mind. Sam Zeff from KCUR Morning Edition joins FOX4's John Holt and Dave Helling from the Kansas City Star to see how what's happening right now may have lasting implications in both Jefferson City and Topeka, Several unexpected things happened in Topeka leading up to the Thanksgiving weekend, starting with the Special Session to discuss COVID-19 and vaccine mandates. "The most surprising thing of the week was not necessarily what the legislature did, for me anyway, but for what Gov. Laura Kelly did, whi ..read more

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The Unified Government certified Tyrone Garner as the next mayor/CEO of the United Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. The final tally for the election was a difference of just 398 votes: Tyrone Garner, 8,531 David Alvey, 8,133 The Board of Elections said Garner added an additional 89 votes since election night. Those votes came from provisional ballots that are counted during canvassing following each election. Garner will be sworn into office during a ceremony on Monday, Dec. 13, at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. The event is scheduled to beg ..read more