The 41 Files

This case spans more than a decade from the time Kara Kopetsky went missing to now, when Kylr Yust is going to trial for her and Jessica Runions’ murders. 41 Action News reporters Sarah Plake, Andres Gutierrez and Andy Alcock join podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn to discuss how they’ve each covered developments in this long journey toward resolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kylr Yust was charged with the murders of Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions. The evidence seems to be mounting, but there are also claims of errors in the investigation. Another issue arises: The witness who turned Kylr in for burning Jessica’s car, his own stepbrother, dies suddenly in jail. Podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn are joined by 41 Action News investigator Andy Alcock to discuss the different pieces of evidence in the case and some of the discrepancies in the story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s 2016 and Jessica Runions goes out to a party. She never comes home. Party-goers tell police they saw her leave with Kylr Yust, the man being questioned for the disappearance of Kara Kopetsky from the same community in 2007. Kylr is eventually taken into custody for burning Jessica’s car, but it’s several months before a mushroom hunter stumbles upon her body. And not far away, a second set of remains if found: those of Kara Kopetsky. Podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn take a look at the similarities in the girls’ disappearances and talk to 41 Action News reporter Sarah Plake about what it was like the day the girls were found.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s May 4, 2007, when 17-year-old Kara Kopetsky walks out of Belton High School, never to be seen again. Her mom and step-father, Rhonda and Jim Beckford, have no idea where their daughter has gone, and neither does anyone else. Kara had recently received an order of protection against on-and-off boyfriend Kylr Yust, and her phone records show he may have been the last person to speak with her. Podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn break down the details of Kara’s disappearance and different witness statements alleging that Kylr Yust admitted to doing something sinister. This is the first episode of “Journey for Justice: The Trial of Kylr Yust” on 41 Files by 41 Action News.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s guest on Faith in KC is Reverend Rose Schwab, minister at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness interviews Father Luis Suarez for this week's Faith in KC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this edition of Faith in KC, 41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness sits down with Bobbi Jo Reed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Faith in KC, 41 Action News Today Anchor Taylor Hemness interviews Susan Paynter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Faith in KC, 41 Action News anchor Taylor Hemness spoke to Karen Noel, CEO of Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, about the work the chapter does and the role that faith plays in all of it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rev. Adam Hamilton, founder and lead pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, joins 41 Action News anchor Taylor Hemness this week to talk about the concept of the "mega-church," as well as the reasons he sees people coming to faith or religion this year and walking away.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest Faith in KC, Taylor Hemness speaks with Imam Dr. Abdelhamid Algizawi about the five pillars of Islam and how they've been impacted during the course of the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christians believe Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ — but that part of the holiday tradition is not always easy to convey to children, who are most often excited about Christmas for entirely different reasons. 41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness talks with OP Church children’s minister Michele Dill about the topic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness interviewed Rabbi Doug Alpert in this week's Faith in KC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of his Faith in KC series, 41 Action News Today anchor Taylor Hemness interviewed Mindy Corporon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people are experiencing anxiety and mental fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders. In this episode, 41 Action News Anchors Taylor Hemness and Cynthia Newsome join reporter Jordan Betts to facilitate a conversation about finding balance with experts from a variety of mental health fields.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what it takes to bring you local stories from the Super Bowl?In this episode, 41 Action News Anchor Taylor Hemness talks to the people you don't see about the weeks of planning needed to bring you in-depth coverage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than a year after her daughter’s death, a local mother is struggling to obtain information from law enforcement about what happened to her youngest child, 26-year-old Noelle Ishkuntana. 41 Action News anchor Taylor Hemness hears the story from reporter Sarah Plake, who’s been following the case closely. This podcast contains a discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, someone is available. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chiefs Kingdom is in full deployment at training camp in St. Joseph. In this week’s 41 Files, host Taylor Hemness talks to reporter McKenzie Nelson about the record turnout from fans and what to expect for fans planning a trip. At the 16:15 mark, Taylor talks about his recent trip to Tyler, Texas, a place he’s spent time and a place where Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes grew up. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s edition of the 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporter Andres Gutierrez to talk about a bizarre case in Caldwell County, Missouri where two brothers from Wisconsin who were in the area on business disappeared. At the 15-minute mark, reporter Sarah Plake joined the conversation to talk about an ICE arrest in Kansas City that was broadcast live on Facebook. As a bonus segment at the 29-minute mark, Taylor narrates a technical challenge. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Football League announced Friday morning that Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill did not violate the league’s code of conduct policy, clearing Hill to return to the team. In this week’s 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by 4th and 1 Chiefs podcast host Tod Palmer to discuss the news. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than a year after Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana, state and local officials are in the process of establishing the rules of what the state’s medical marijuana industry will look like. In this week’s edition of the 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporter Nick Starling to discuss KCMO’s medical marijuana rules. Later, we play a segment from the 4th and 1 Chiefs podcast as they talk about this week’s news involving Tyreek Hill. Music: Yah Mon by Song Zu. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As confusion and questions of the Jackson County, Missouri property tax assessment process mount, property owners are left with just days to file their appeal. In this week’s 41 Files, reporter Sarah Plake talks about the latest developments in the property tax saga. Elsewhere in the podcast, host Taylor Hemness and reporter McKenzie Nelson talk about Kansas City’s Women’s World Cup fever and recirculation buttons in cars. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special edition of the 41 Files podcast, we recap Tuesday night’s race for Kansas City mayor, which saw Quinton Lucas outlast fellow council member Jolie Justus. Reporters Cat Reid and Steven Dial talk surprises and what’s next for Kansas City. Hosted and produced by Sam Hartle. Music: Get Funky by Songzu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest 41 Files podcast profile, we sat down with Kala Linck and Zach Elkinton to talk about their podcast, Bar Hoppin' and House Shoppin’, which details Kansas City’s restaurant and bar scene and the couple’s months-long journey to buy a house. Music by Songzu - Clap Your Hands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tens of thousands of Jackson County property owners received notice this month that the value of their property jumped, sometimes by more than double. On this edition of the 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporter Steven Dial to recap Schlitterbahn and USDA news. Then, reporter Sarah Plake hops on to detail spikes in property values. Produced by Sam Hartle. Music courtesy PMOL - Sell it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As this spring’s flooding enters the summer, citizens and politicians are increasingly turning their focus for changes to the United States Army Corps of Engineers. In this week’s episode of the 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporters Cat Reid and Steven Dial to talk about the heat facing the corps and how we got to this point. Produced by Sam Hartle. Music by PMOL's Seeking Answers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents in Kansas and Missouri saw first-hand the destructive nature of tornadoes that tore through parts of Lawrence, Linwood and Jefferson City the last two weeks. They also saw neighbors helping neighbors. Meteorologist Gerard Jebaily and reporters Ariel Rothfield, Steven Dial and Sarah Plake talk about covering the storms. Hosted and produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s 41 Files podcast, Kansas City Mayoral hopefuls Quinton Lucas and Jolie Justus swing by for an interview ahead of the June 18 general election. Hosted by Taylor Hemness, with reporters Steven Dial and Cat Reid. Produced by Hailey Godburn and Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even with the votes likely in hand, there was still plenty of drama at the Missouri capitol Friday as legislators approved an abortion ban on pregnancies past eight weeks. 41 Action News reporter Steven Dial was in Jefferson City during the vote and provided an update on the drama surrounding the vote. Later, at 13:30, Christa Dubill joined the podcast to give an update on her recent story surrounding young men and addiction. Hosted by Taylor Hemness. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special Mother’s Day edition of the 41 Files podcast, we sat down with three moms from the Kansas City area – B.J. Thomas, Jan Marrs and Sylvia Harrell – who have experienced a trauma that has brought them together in hopes to spare other moms the same experience. Host Taylor Hemness and reporter Jordan Betts spoke to the trio as part of Betts’ ongoing coverage of the mom’s efforts to raise awareness and help other families. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About one in 10 of us deal with some sort of substance abuse. For those that have asked for help, the path to recovery is full of road blocks, setbacks and heartbreak. Despite the hurdles, a human with hope remains. In this week’s edition of the 41 Files podcast, we detail the addiction and recovery journey of Henry Costigan. We’re also joined in the studio by Henry’s mom, Kathy Costigan, and Kevin O’Grady, founder of the Midwest Recovery Center. Hosted by Taylor Hemness and Christa Dubill. Produced by Sam Hartle. (Music: Stephen Green, PMOL 165)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent report by 41 Action News investigator Jessica McMaster detailed the zip codes in Kansas City, Missouri with the highest percentage of children testing positive for lead. In this week’s 41 Files podcast, McMaster joins host Taylor Hemness to discuss her story. They are joined in studio by Amy Roberts, program manager for the Kansas City Health Department’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Homes Program. Produced by Sam HartleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special Thursday edition of the 41 Files podcast, reporter Ariel Rothfield and 4th and 1 Chiefs podcast host Tod Palmer sit down to discuss the announcement Wednesday by Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe his belief that a crime occurred in his review of a child abuse investigation, but that he didn’t have evidence to charge anyone, including Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Hosted and produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reporters Cat Reid and Charlie Keegan discuss the fire that gutted Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and why the moment resonated even in Kansas City with host Tod Palmer. We also discussed smart-meter shenanigans in Independence and how the Kearney School District handled a recent threat by a student on the latest 41 Files podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the mayoral race heats up in Kansas City, Missouri, talk about economic development and tax incentives are expected to heat up, too. 41 Action News reporter Sarah Plake takes a deeper look at the audit that shined light on how much the city has and is spending on downtown parking garages in this week’s 41 Files podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week’s edition of Kansas City Podcast Profiles, we sat down with W. David Keith, host and co-producer of the Taco the Town podcast, to talk about Kansas City’s taco scene. Hosted and produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council colleagues Jolie Justus and Quinton Lucas outlasted a large field Tuesday night in the primary and will now square off against each other in June to become the city’s next mayor. In this week’s 41 Files, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporters Steven Dial and Cat Reid to recap primary night and discuss what to look for in the coming two months. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The primary election to be Kansas City, Missouri’s next mayor is set for next Tuesday, April 2. In this week’s 41 Files podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporters Cat Reid and Steven Dial to talk about their recent series, Coffee with the Candidates (www.kshb.com/kcmomayor), in which they sat down with 10 of the 11 candidates to talk about several important issues in front of Kansas City’s voters. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s edition of the 41 Files podcast, hosts Taylor Hemness and Lindsay Shively are joined by Jordan Betts to talk about the struggles residents along the Missouri River are facing as flood waters race south. Then, at the 10:30 mark, the crew switches gears to talk about Kansas City’s star role in the third season of Queer Eye.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s edition of the 41 Files podcast, host Lindsay Shively is joined by 41 Action News meteorologist Jeff Penner to talk how this year’s weather pattern is shaping up to be very similar to 1993 - a year that saw record flooding across the Midwest. Later in the podcast, reporter Cat Reid drops by to discuss the KCI single-terminal airport ahead of a March 25 groundbreaking, and how the airport is playing a role in this Spring’s mayoral election. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this edition of 41 Files’ Podcast Profiles, host Lindsay Shively talks with the co-hosts of Kansas City’s Coastless travel podcast about Kansas City’s increasingly important role in travel. Co-hosts Boyce Richardson and Melissa Yeager talk about their love of travel, how they started their podcast and preview their second season of episodes, which starts on Tuesday, March 12. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s edition of the 41 Files Kansas City Podcast, host Taylor Hemness and reporter Sarah Plake talk Kansas City’s battle against potholes following a rough winter. Kansas City, Missouri Public Works Department spokesperson Maggie Green joins the podcast to talk about how the city is dealing with the issue. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

41 Files is launching an occasional series dedicated to highlighting local podcasters. “We’re not going to make anyone a better disc golfer, but we are going to make them a happier disc golfer.” That quote epitomizes the Slappin’ Discs KC podcast, a podcast produced in Kansas City about Kansas City’s disc golf scene.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s 41 Files Kansas City podcast, we break down a groundbreaking program within the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department addressing the social services needs of the population officers work with across the city. Host Taylor Hemness is joined by fellow anchor Kevin Holmes and special guest Gina English, KCPD’s social services coordinator, to talk about the program. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s edition of the 41 Files Kansas City Podcast, host Taylor Hemness offers his pre Valentine’s Day thoughts. Later, at 04:30, reporter Tom Dempsey joins the podcast to discuss his exclusive one-on-one interview Monday with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, in which they talked about her experience, education funding, the prospects for Medicaid expansion and the budget. Then, at 23:30, reporter Steven Dial joins the podcast to talk about efforts underway in Kansas to legalize sports gaming. We end the podcast with Taylor talking about his experience of being pulled over by police at 4 a.m. Produced by Sam HartleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s edition of the 41 Files Kansas City podcast, host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporter Cat Reid to talk about Kansas City, Missouri’s recently unveiled bike master plan. Joe Blankenship and Beth Breitenstein from the city’s planning department joined to podcast to talk about the details of the plan. Later, at the 21:47 mark, reporter Charlie Keegan joins the discussion to talk about a new app in Olathe giving drivers a clear path to a green light. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s edition of the 41 Files Kansas City podcast, we’re joined by Bemidji, Minnesota (think Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox) Mayor Rita Albrecht to talk about what it’s like when its -37 degrees outside. Later, we talk with former 41 Action News meteorologist turned NBC Chicago meteorologist Kalee Dionne about conditions in the Windy City. Hosted and produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kansas City Chiefs were the story this fall and winter. 41 Files Kansas City podcast host Taylor Hemness is joined by reporter Steven Dial and sports producer Megan Strickland to talk about the season that was. Produced by Sam Hartle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of The 41 Files, reporter Steven Dial talks with Taylor Hemness and Christa Dubill about Dave Cochran, a homeless man who took time out of his day to help Kansas City Chiefs lineman Jeff Allen out of the snow before Saturday’s Chiefs game. Produced by Sam HartleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode of the 41 Files Kansas City podcast features an interview with reporter Ariel Rothfield, who recently told the story of redemption of Leavenworth, Kansas Mayor Jermaine Wilson. Hosted by Taylor Hemness. Produced by Sam HartleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.