Steve Kraske
The Kansas City Star
Kansas City, MO, United States
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Past articles by Steve:
Could a DUI charge work in Quinton Lucas’ favor as he runs for Kansas City mayor?
The DUI case involving Quinton Lucas is unresolved four months after the Kansas City mayoral candidate was arrested in Lawrence. Now, Lucas has a decision to make: Seek an outright dismissal or accept diversion. → Read More
The no-bid fiasco: Gov. Laura Kelly left with another Sam Brownback mess to clean up
A no-bid contract awarded to CGI Technologies by Sam Brownback’s administration was supposed to improve the state’s tax processing system. But the move backfired, leaving Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly with a mess. → Read More
Former Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan once got caught in blackface. How did he survive?
A photograph of former Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan in blackface blew up the 2000 race for the U.S. Senate — then vanished as an issue. Today, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s blackface controversy isn’t going away. → Read More
‘It’s huge.’ Kansas City Public Schools superintendent delivers monster test scores
A new round of test scores shows that Superintendent Mark Bedell has Kansas City Public Schools climbing toward full accreditation. In the state report on annual performance, the district scored an impressive 82.9. → Read More
The KC Mayoral Power Rankings 3.0: As the campaign shifts into gear, who’s leading the pack?
In a race crowded with intriguing candidates, City Council member Jolie Justus remains the frontrunner. But Quinton Lucas and Stephen Miller are pressing her, and several other candidates could surprise. → Read More
No more free meals? Life in the ‘Clean Missouri’ statehouse will never be the same
Long-time Jefferson City denizens are adjusting to new “Clean Missouri” ethics rules that bar gifts to Missouri lawmakers valued at more than $5. Gone are the free tickets and fancy dinners paid for by lobbyists. → Read More
Gov. Jeff Colyer deserves (mostly) applause for his year as Kansas governor
Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer faced big challenges when he took over from Sam Brownback last year. But Colyer managed to set a new tone while signing a critical school funding bill that may have cost him his job. → Read More
They said what? The best sound bites of 2018 from Missouri and Kansas politicians
Claire McCaskill, Josh Hawley, Roy Blunt, Laura Kelly, Kevin Yoder and lots of other elected officials in Missouri and Kansas had much to say in 2018. Here are some of the year’s most memorable quotes. → Read More
More Kansas Republicans are considering defecting to the Democrats. Is this a trend?
Kansas state Sen. Babara Bollier may be the first of several moderate Republicans who say goodbye to the GOP and join the Democratic Party. If this becomes a trend, it would fundamentally change Kansas politics. → Read More
George Bush taught this reporter a lesson about the business of journalism
After a 1979 news conference, the future president got in a food line behind me, then began asking about my parents, my future and journalism. George Bush was all about the relationships. → Read More
Incoming Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has a lot to do — and not a lot of time to do it
No rest for the weary for Kansas’ new governor. Laura Kelly has a long list of tasks to complete before she takes the oath of office. And she must accomplish them in the wake of a long, grueling campaign → Read More
Republicans dominate Missouri politics now — and maybe for years to come
Even though Missouri Republicans, including Eric Greitens, Rod Jetton and John Diehl, have faced scandal after scandal, voters still back the party. That says something about the GOP’s iron grip on the state. → Read More
With McCaskill defeat, Missouri Democrats have hit rock-bottom. Now what?
Things can’t get any worse for Missouri Democrats, who now control only one statewide office. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s loss in Tuesday’s election made clear there’s no easy path for the party to regain power. → Read More
What if the blue wave fizzles and the 2018 election settles absolutely nothing?
In the midterm election of 2018, little made sense. Republicans, who should be down on their luck, stand to gain Senate seats even if they lose the House. Voters may be more tribalized than ever before. → Read More
Greg Orman on Kris Kobach: `His incompetence scares me’
Greg Orman, independent candidate for Kansas governor, discussed issues with The Star’s editorial board. He’s said he’s unconvinced that Kris Kobach and Laura Kelly have the right experience to run the state. → Read More
Here’s the county that could decide Kansas’ next governor
Wyandotte County has a long history of lousy voter turnout, and that has cost Democrats. In November, the county could make the difference in the governor’s race and the 3rd District race for Congress. → Read More
The most important vote you’ll cast in Missouri elections isn’t what you think it is
Passing the Clean Missouri plan in the November election will have a more lasting impact on state politics than anything else this year — including the Senate race between Claire McCaskill and Josh Hawley. → Read More
No wonder Republicans are desperate: Their power may be slipping away
Republicans are on top in Washington and back home in Missouri. But developments surrounding Brett Kavanaugh and the Clean Missouri initiative may mean that much of their authority will soon be gone. → Read More
After a summer in hiding, is former Gov. Eric Greitens already plotting a comeback?
Eric Greitens is said to have made phone calls to financial backers to explore a comeback run for MIssouri governor. The idea is laughable, but Greitens just might be ambitious enough to try it. → Read More
Think Jason Kander has the KC mayor’s race locked up? Not so fast
At the first Kansas City mayoral forum, seven candidates not named Jason Kander demonstrated that the race for the city’s top office won’t be a slow-motion coronation for the former U.S. Senate candidate. → Read More