Two minutes of fame!

Yours truly! And, yeah, my eyes are closed. I'm scared of the Underground.

The huge, possibly career-shaping story that I've been hinting at is here -- and with it, my broadcast television commentary debut on the 6 p.m. KCTV-5 newscast. Thanks to the efforts and connections of a great new friend (and PR principle, natch), anchor Surae Chinn (and fearless photog Chuck) traveled to the mean streets of Leavenworth to explore "The Underground."

We're talking a below-ground streetscape. Storefronts. Pathways. Windows. Doors. Evidence of some sort of commerce, estimated to have taken place in the late 1800s has been hushed inside these stone structures, and yet with equal parts persistence, curiosity and plain ol' stubborness, I've started to uncover the story -- and it's the cover feature on the latest issue of LV Mag.

As of right now, explanations for the storefronts are scarce. Theories, of course, abound like crazy. Underground railroad suppliers, hideouts for prison-fleeing fugitives, secretive retailers built for blacks only -- the rumors are endless. And although I've developed my own hypothesis, the immense amount of information has made for a continuing series, and I plan to provide more answers in the October/November issue of the magazine.

It's the kind of story that you hope comes along at least once in your career. And the chance to appear on TV; well, that's just icing on a sweet, sweet cake. Let me know what you think, and I'll keep you updated on what might be the ultimate buried treasure. Leavenworth -- not just forts and prisons anymore!