Up To Date: Recent Episodes
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Up to Date focuses on pressing issues, both local and national, including politics, economics, planning and design, history and entertainment - topics that have an impact on the lives of the Greater Kansas City region.
The culinary scene just east of Kansas City proper is full of hidden gems, neighborhood mom-and-pop shops and iconic old-school joints. Here’s where to eat like a local in Independence, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit and elsewhere.
A collection of rare recordings from jazz legend Charlie Parker are featured on the new album "Charlie Parker: Bird in Kansas City." The tracks were all recorded in Kansas City in the 1940s and 1950s.
Funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act needs to be directed by Dec. 31 — or be forfeited and given back to the federal government. But for months, the Jackson County Legislature and County Executive Frank White have been in a standoff over how to use their final $70 million.
Lawrence, Kansas, educator Matt Beat, who goes by the name Mr. Beat and produces videos about American history, will be in Kansas City on Thursday to discuss his book "The Power of Our Supreme Court."
An unexpected visitor changed the trajectory of Jerry Anselmo's life. In his memoir "When the Doorbell Rang," Anselmo tells the story of losing his son, and how it spurred him to form a nonprofit raising millions for Kansas City charities.
Byron Roberson is the first Democrat in 96 years, and the first African American, to hold the office of Johnson County Sheriff. Elected in last week's election, Roberson succeeds the controversial sheriff Calvin Hayden, who had embraced far-right election conspiracies.
Missouri became the first state to overturn a near-total abortion ban through a voter referendum in last week's election. Planned Parenthood Great Plains president Emily Wales says they're ready to resume abortion services by early December, although prolonged legal battles could push that date back.
To cap a lossless season, much like their NFL counterparts, the Kansas City Chiefs Wheelchair Football Team will play in wheelchair football's national championship game on November 23 here in Kansas City. It would be their second title in four years.
Pharmacy closures nationwide are leaving some communities at risk, including in the Kansas City area. Experts say pharmacy benefit managers are what's driving drugstores out of business.
A professor of European politics at the University of Kansas says that Donald Trump's proposed tariffs could hurt consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. His victory could also spell trouble for Ukraine.
The Current finished their first regular season at CPKC Stadium in fourth place in the NWSL, a vast improvement from their second-to-last finish last year. They'll begin the postseason at home Saturday against the North Carolina Courage.
"Life Beyond Earth?", which runs through June 2025 at the Linda Hall Library, documents the scientific search for extraterrestrial life and features talks with experts in the field.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to give his reaction to election results at the national and state levels — including recent comments from Missouri governor-elect Mike Kehoe. Lucas also discussed the latest on city jail plans, the Royals stadium, and the possibility of a WNBA team coming to Kansas City.
It was a strong night for Republicans, and not just because Donald Trump recaptured the White House. Political experts from Kansas and Missouri discuss what the election results tell us on the local and national level.
A cancer diagnosis is life-changing, and even with the most supportive family and friends a personalized approach is needed. Gilda's Club Kansas City and the Balm Box company help cancer survivors and their loved ones with meaningful resources and gifts.
On Monday Night Football, the Chiefs beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a thrilling overtime game by a score of 30 to 24. Nearly halfway through the Chiefs' schedule, the team has managed to go undefeated despite injuries to several key players.
Both states have a non-partisan merit selection system where voters decide whether or not to keep a judge in office through regular retention elections. This year, a multitude of judges — including two on the Missouri Supreme Court — are up for retention on the 2024 ballot.
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have used vastly divergent communication strategies this election cycle. A rhetoric professor explains to KCUR's Up To Date what he is seeing from both campaigns.
Do you have a valid voter ID for Missouri or Kansas? Or know what you cannot wear inside a polling location? Anne Calvert, president of the local League of Women Voters, shares what you need to know as we near the last days to vote.
Americans are more stressed than normal about this year's presidential election. If you're feeling anxious waiting for results to come in, here are a few tips.
Democrat Andrew Mall and Republican Sen. Mike Thompson squared off on issues important to Johnson County in a debate on KCUR's Up To Date. The tight race could help determine the fate of the Kansas Legislature's GOP supermajority.
If adopted by Missouri voters on Nov. 5, Amendment 3 would end the state's near-total abortion ban and would cement the right to reproductive freedom in the constitution. Opponents have criticized the ballot language for being too broad — and in some cases have spread misinformation about it.
Johnson County Election Commissioner Fred Sherman discusses how his office has handled high early voting turnout, and how they plan to prepare for a busy Nov. 5.
Kansas City resident Nathan Kline is the Green Party's candidate for the U.S. Senate race in Missouri. He is running on a platform focused heavily on campaign finance reform.
From UMKC's campus to cemeteries around the metro, there's no shortage of spooky places to explore in the Kansas City metro this Halloween.
After 20 years, veteran jazz performer Tim Whitmer is out with a new album. Recorded live at the Black Dolphin, the two-disc record captures the sound and energy of Kansas City jazz.
With early voting well underway and Election Day next Tuesday, KCUR's Up To Date breaks down what you need to know about some of the biggest races in Missouri and Kansas.
ArtsKC's new arts and culture program called The Drop provides $10 tickets, free parking and more to all kinds of exciting arts events around the Kansas City metro. Membership to the program is free.
Democrat Patty Lewis and Republican Joey LaSalle are running for Missouri Senate District 7 in western Jackson County. Both candidates joined KCUR's Up To Date to debate who would best represent voters.
Johnson County has a number of competitive down-ballot races, including elections for sheriff and district attorney. But the county also has competitive races in the Kansas House and Senate, which could determine if Republicans preserve their total control of the legislature.
Expected to open in the historic Boone Theater in February 2026, the attraction will celebrate Black Americans' contributions to the film industry. The first class of inductees — including Oscar Micheaux, Harry Belafonte and Janelle Monáe — all have Kansas City ties.
This fall, Jackson County voters will elect the first Black woman to serve as Jackson County Prosecutor. Republican Tracey Chappell and Democrat Melesa Johnson are both running for the office — which is garnering a lot of attention due to the rise in property crimes.
Missourians will vote this election on a measure to ban ranked-choice and noncitizen voting, a proposal passed by the state legislature. Here's what you should know about Amendment 7.
With many Republicans promoting anti-immigrant and racist messaging in the 2024 election, and support for deportations and other tough immigration policies, the director of KC For Refugees says her community feels increasingly isolated.
Billions of dollars in development projects will begin construction around Kansas City in the next six months. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with Kansas City Manager Brian Platt about these developments, affordable housing and the latest on the streetcar extension.
The nonprofit Kansas Legal Services works to provide "equal access to justice for the most vulnerable Kansans," including helping clear records and get driver's licenses restored. A new study found that free and low-cost legal assistance is also positive for the economy at large.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, officially begins Nov. 1, but local Kansas City events kick off as early as Saturday, Oct. 19. The holiday is a chance for Kansas City's Latino community to gather and honor deceased loved ones.
With Jackson County's senior services already straining for lack of funding, and the senior population expected to get even bigger, advocates are asking Jackson County voters to approve a property tax this November to help older adults age in place.
In her new book "Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner," NPR producer Meghan Keane demystifies several myths our culture perpetuates about romantic relationships. She also provides tools to learn how to nurture the most important relationship we’ll ever have — with ourselves.
With Halloween just around the corner, three Kansas City film experts share their favorite movies to watch in October — and their thoughts on the new horror hit "The Substance."
New polling from The Midwest Newsroom and Emerson College Polling Center highlights the views of voters in four states — including Missouri and Kansas — on political and social issues like abortion, control of police, and more.
Rosilyn Temple founded KC Mothers in Charge — a nonprofit that supports the families of homicide victims — 10 years ago, after the death of her own son. Through her grief, she found purpose by ensuring no family felt the confusion and loneliness she did standing at the crime scene.
Missouri's Republican Sen. Josh Hawley has repeatedly called out his Democratic opponent Lucas Kunce for not endorsing a presidential candidate. But Kunce says the Senate race is about Missouri, not presidential politics. He spoke with KCUR's Up To Date about his priorities in the 2024 election.
Soup is maybe the quintessential comfort food, especially when the weather gets colder. At these Kansas City restaurants, you’ll find hearty pozole, flavor-packed ramen, creamy New England clam chowder and more.
Quade is the Democratic leader of the Missouri House of Representatives and is her party's nominee to replace Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who is term-limited. Here's where she stands on some of the most important issues facing the state, including control of the KCPD and abortion rights.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art aims to respond to growing community needs and increasingly diverse visitors with its next major expansion. It has launched an international competition to find a designer for the project.
Democrats in Kansas hope that 2024 is the year they finally break the Republican supermajority in the Kansas Legislature, which has been able to override Gov. Laura Kelly's veto on several key issues.
Since his daughter Jaime was killed, along with 16 others, in the 2018 mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, Fred Guttenberg has been an outspoken advocate for gun control. He's coming to Kansas City on Monday for a community forum hosted by Grandparents for Gun Safety.
Angela Wildflower grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and has since gone on to perform in Broadway productions and popular television series. She plays the iconic jazz singer in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill," which runs through Oct. 27 at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
In the year since Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack, Israel's war in Gaza has killed 42,000 Palestinians and led to a humanitarian crisis. KCUR's Up To Date spoke to members of Kansas City's Palestinian community about how they're feeling and how the war has impacted them.
Today marks one year since the Hamas terrorist attack that killed over 1,200 people in Israel, and sparked a war that's killed 42,000 people in Gaza and more in Lebanon. Jews in Kansas City shared with KCUR's Up To Date how the past year of conflict has reshaped their community.
As conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates in Lebanon, members of Kansas City's Lebanese community say they're worried for their loved ones still in the country. Rayan Makarem says his evening routine now consists of watching the war and texting his friends and family members.
The Kansas City Royals have defeated the Baltimore Orioles in two straight games in the 2024 American League Wild Card Series. Now, they'll move on to face the New York Yankees in the next round.
Youth are being blamed of an increase in property crimes in Kansas City, and the Jackson County Family Court confirmed they've experienced a rise in the number of case referrals. But officials add that putting a person in jail isn't easy, and for youth, it's not always the best solution.
The locally-directed mockumentary "Rennie," which premieres at the Folly Theater on Oct. 11 and 12, follows Renaissance Festival workers on a quest to save their small town from a devastating flood. It was filmed at Kansas City's own fair and features an entirely local cast.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance discussed the war in the Middle East, the economy and reproductive rights Tuesday during the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle.
Pintscher is a well-known conductor and composer who previously led the renowned Parisian group Ensemble Intercontemporain. He replaces former music director Michael Stern at the helm of the Kansas City Symphony's orchestra.
Mildred's, Donutolgy and Teocali were among the dozens of Kansas City small businesses hit by property crimes in the last few months. The owners said they were frustrated by how long it took to get authorities to respond.
Few might have guessed the Kansas City Royals would be competing in the MLB playoffs in 2024, after last season's near-last-place finish. Matt LaMar, editor of Royals Review from SB Nation, told KCUR's Up To Date the key moves that led to the historic turnaround season.
Updates to facades, brick roads and shuffling of storefronts are among the plans the new Dallas-based owners have for the famous Kansas City landmark.
The beginning of this school years was "a rough couple of weeks," said John Calvert, the director of the Kansas Department of Education's Safe and Secure Schools Unit. School shooting responders must learn from mistakes of the past, he said.
Residents in De Soto, Kansas, are being affected by major infrastructure improvements spurred by the construction of a Panasonic battery plant. With $250 million in public works projects underway, community members are experiencing "construction fatigue," but city leaders say they're already seeing a return on investment from construction of the 300-acre battery factory.
Missouri bans more books from schools than any other state except Texas and Florida, according to PEN America. Margaret Atwood and “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America” author Amanda Jones visited Kansas City for Banned Books Week.
NPR's game quiz "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" will tape a sold-out show at the Kansas City Music Hall on Thursday. Host Peter Sagal recalls his last visit to Kansas City back in 2006, and gives us a glimpse of what it takes to put on the iconic news quiz.
The five-time Grammy winner and Kennedy Center honoree is the editor of "Music and Mind," a collection of essays on how music can positively impact our health. Fleming is coming to Kansas City Sept. 26-29 for a panel discussion and performances with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
The Kansas City-based publication The National Catholic Reporter has hired James Grimaldi as its new leader. He brings decades of experience in investigative reporting at major publications like The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas told KCUR's Up To Date that the city has not "adequately confronted" violent crime, but he wants to make sure that the city asks the right questions about policing.
This week, the Lenexa City Council rejected a proposal to build a homeless services center, a blow to homeless advocates in Johnson County. What went wrong, and what's the next step for tackling the county's homelessness crisis?
With five Grammy nominations under her belt, the Great Bend, Kansas, native returns to the Folly Theater on Saturday, Sept. 21, to perform her latest album, "A Kiss for Brazil," which showcases her continued love for the country's rich music.
The University of Kansas speaker series, which begins Wednesday, will center Taylor Swift to explain and explore ideas in economics, literature, political science and more.
In his new book, "Why We Love Football: A History In 100 Moments," bestselling sportswriter Joe Posnanski tells stories that range from the sport's quirkiest moments to its most historic. He says Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is "unlike anybody we've ever seen."
Missouri will become the latest state to vote on legalizing sports betting this November. Researchers from the University of Kansas fear sports betting could have a negative impact on Missouri families' finances, and increase gambling addiction.
The Northland lunch spot is owned by Chris and Heather Jones, who offer their twists on Cajun and Creole cuisine. While the restaurant struggled to get through COVID, the couple say they've seen more customers come looking for food that reminds them of "being at home."
Kansas City Public Schools has racked up $650 million in deferred maintenance. In April, the district is hoping voters will approve a more than $400 million bond to address the issue, something that hasn't happened since 1967.
Don’t let Kansas City’s ‘cowtown’ reputation deter you from diving into an array of pescatarian options. Whether you’re in the mood for something raw or prefer your fish beer-battered and fried, Kansas City’s seafood options are as diverse as they are flavorful.
Under Missouri's new rules that require plain packaging for marijuana products, items must be individually approved by the state. Licensees were up against a Sept. 1 deadline, and not all got the green light, meaning some manufacturers are sitting on products they can't sell.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled this week that Amendment 3, which would enshrine the right to abortion in Missouri's constitution, will appear on the state's November ballot after all. Abortion rights advocates say they felt "tremendous relief" after the decision.
Flash polling suggests Vice President Kamala Harris won Tuesday night's presidential debate against former President Donald Trump. But one political science expert from Kansas City questions if drawing Trump off-track was effective for convincing voters, given that "the bar is on the floor" for him.
The Kansas City-based band released their debut EP, "saturn return," this year. Led by Makayla Scott, the group says they want to make music that feels honest and authentic.
The City Union Mission downtown turns a century old this month. The CEO and executive director told KCUR's Up To Date how the city's oldest homeless shelter has adapted to meet the modern day needs of unhoused people.
The Moth's monthly storytelling open mic events, known as StorySLAMs, are coming to Kansas City, starting with a Sept. 12 date at Knuckleheads. The theme for this edition is "firsts."
Spanning several genres including cultural criticism, political commentary and memoir, "Bone of the Bone: Essays on America by a Daughter of the Working Class" compiles Smarsh's strongest work from the last decade, and solidifies her as one of the country's leading voices on socio-economic class.
Learning how to navigate important and often confusing student loan decisions can be difficult. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with two financial advisors to learn helpful tips that can make it more manageable.
Plastics labeled with resin codes between 1 and 7 used to all be eligible for recycling. Now, there's no market for some types of plastic, and nearly a quarter of what gets sent to sorting facilities can't be recycled.
Sending birds through the mail is a longstanding practice in the United States, but reports of deliveries that come too late for hatchlings to survive are getting more common. It's part of a larger trend of complaints about delays within the U.S. Postal Service.
Chester Owens, a civil rights activist who rubbed elbows with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is remembered for his work to desegregate Kansas City, Kansas, and to preserve Black history. He died last month at 91.
Several Kansas City communities are calling on police to do more about crime, amid an ongoing spike in car thefts. Graves says more severe consequences are necessary, and having more space to house city detainees could help.
Summer break has come to an end, and students and staff have made their way back into classrooms across the Kansas City metro. Superintendents from both sides of the state line joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss how they're addressing mental health challenges and cellphones in schools.
Two community organizers want to create a sense of belonging for the metro's Japanese community with its first Natsu Matsuri, this Saturday at the 12th Street Post.
Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker says her office charges about 80% of the cases it receives from the Kansas City Police Department, including property crimes. But she told KCUR's Up To Date it will take more than prosecution to solve the greater issue of crime in Kansas City.
The Kansas City organization DistrKCt IS teaches audio engineering, music production and content creation to students around the metro. It’s run by Jo Blaq, a multi-platinum producer from Wyandotte County.
The Jackson County Legislature narrowly voted against placing a stadium tax measure on the November ballot, another attempt to keep the Chiefs from leaving Kansas City. The quarter-cent sales tax would have lasted for 20 years, but left out the Royals.
During his career, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has reported from the Tiananmen Square protests in China, the Darfur genocide in Sudan and the Yemeni Civil War. The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss his new book, "Chasing Hope."
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt says construction on the KC Streetcar southern extension is in its final stages, and the route remains on track to open next year. Meanwhile, talks of potential east-west extensions are still in the works.
For nearly 25 years, Marcellus Williams has maintained his innocence in the murder of a St. Louis woman named Felicia Gayle. A plea deal that would have saved him from execution in less than a month and changed his sentence to life in prison was recently pulled by a judge.
More than 5,000 stolen auto reports have been made this year, with over 900 submitted in July. Capt. Rob Schreiber of the Kansas City Police Department told Up To Date about half of all reports are for Kias and Hyundais, which are easy to steal.
After a week of festivities in Chicago, the Democratic National Convention came to a close last night as Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination for president. We spoke with a Missouri delegate and a rhetoric professor to recap the event.
Fifteen-year-old Halley Vincent has owned Seven Stories, a bookstore in Shawnee, for almost two years. But after the building was sold to a new owner, Vincent is now trying to raise money to move.
As the season draws to a close, see what movies and shows Abby Olcese of The Pitch, film and TV critic Lonita Cook and Willy Evans of the Underground Film Festival recommend.
The Center For Recorded Music, a nonprofit based in the Kansas City area, has its own dedicated listening space for the first time in Leawood. Its founder joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss plans to use the organization's equipment and collection to educate people about music.
Kansas City Council members are working on details to fund the construction of a new jail. Next spring, voters could be asked whether to renew the public safety sales tax in order to build an estimated 250-bed rehabilitation and detention center.
A proposition to increase Missouri's minimum wage will be on the state's general election ballot in November. The initiative would also create mandated paid sick leave.
Jeff Jacobsen spent decades as a photojournalist and as a photographer for University of Kansas athletics. Since he retired in 2020, he's been working on a project to capture images of sports in all 105 counties in Kansas — and he's almost done.
Mayor Quinton Lucas told KCUR’s Up To Date that he’d like to find alternative ways to pay for the baseball team’s future stadium. “Why should every person in Jackson County pay a sales tax to support something that they may never use?”, he asked.
Missouri voters will decide in November whether to enshrine abortion rights into the state's constitution. Planned Parenthood Great Plains CEO Emily Wales expects a "tough fight," but says that people are eager to restore reproductive rights in the state.
In his new book "No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States," legal scholar Erwin Chemerinsky contends that it's high time to hold a new constitutional convention.
The number of unhoused people in Johnson County has grown significantly over the last decade. Johnson County Commission chair Mike Kelly says that a proposed Homeless Service Center — built in a former La Quinta Inn — could be a key, if other cities sign off on funding.
Dozens of cultures come together this weekend at Swope Park for a celebration filled with music, dance and lots of food.
A year after the police raid on the Marion County Record newsroom in Kansas, a survey found that even journalists were unclear about protections afforded to them under state and federal law.
The Kansas City Royals tied the worst record in team history last year, with 56 wins and 106 losses. Just one season later, they're on pace to make the playoffs.
KC Tenants announced this week that it is a founding local of the Tenant Union Federation, a national union of unions that aims to organize for renter protections at the federal level.
Local nonprofit Great Jobs KC offers college scholarships to high school students and adults from the Kansas City area. Over two-thirds of the scholarships go to students of color.
Missouri and Kansas voters went to the polls Tuesday for a number of primary elections. Among the winners was U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Lucas Kunce, who faces an uphill battle to unseat Republican incumbent Josh Hawley in November. He joined KCUR's Up To Date to talk about the race.
Vincent Orsolini's genre-blending, collaborative sound is highlighted in a new EP, "It's About Time," released last month.
Raytown South alum Quincy Hall breezed past competitors in the men's 400-meter semifinals today. Tomorrow, he goes for gold in the finals. NPR sports correspondent Becky Sullivan joined Up To Date from Paris to share the latest on the Summer Games.
The former police chief of Marion, Kansas, is facing criminal charges for his role in a raid of the Marion County Record. The raid made national headlines last year and drew attention from state investigators and First Amendment advocates.
Known for his award-winning young adult books, Khorram’s latest book is a foray into the romance genre. In “I’ll Have What He’s Having," the main characters are awkward, a little unlucky-in-love, and entirely food and wine obsessed.
Competitive primaries are driving the onslaught of negative political ads — particularly among Missouri Republicans. University of Missouri-Kansas City political scientist Dr. Beth Vonnahme analyzes the rhetoric this campaign season.
Kansas City might fancy itself a meat and potatoes sort of town, but who doesn’t crave something fresh on a sweltering summer day? Here’s where to cool down over lunch with some of the metro’s most mouthwatering caprese, wedge, and — yes! — potato salads.
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has name recognition but trails in fundraising and endorsements in his bid to replace Gov. Mike Parson. Here's where he stands on some of the biggest issues facing the state, including abortion and taxes.
Jenn White, the host of the show 1A, is coming to Kansas City this Friday to present at TEDxKC on American democracy and how it "re-wrote my family story."
A rare dinosaur discovery — a juvenile tyrannosaur— by University of Kansas paleontologists will help researchers learn more about the early lifestyle of the creatures. The KU team is in Montana completing the final excavation of the specimen that was first discovered in 2016.
The Prospect KC is partnering with the Kansas City Public Library to reopen the downtown branch's café next week, years after it closed during the pandemic. The Nook will serve as a hands-on training space for culinary students.
Brie Morgan Bauer, an Overland Park mother of three, had to get her limbs amputated after contracting streptococcal toxic shock syndrome while giving birth prematurely. She hopes that sharing her story will inspire people to "advocate for yourself, no matter what."
Mona Cliff, a Lawrence-based multidisciplinary visual artist, practices beadwork and fabric applique to create vibrant landscapes and mosaics that have ties to her Native culture. Her work is currently on display in Washington, D.C. as part of the exhibit "New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024."
Just two weeks away from the start of their 2024 preseason schedule, the Kansas City Chiefs' training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, is well underway.
A group of KCUR supporters recently visited Christopher Elbow Chocolates in the Crossroads to take the new "Cacao Experience" tour, which offers an intimate look at the local chocolatier’s bean-to-bar production process.
Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a psychiatrist and content creator based in Lee's Summit, is set to speak at TEDxKC next month.
Eigel, a state senator from Weldon Spring and a member of the far-right Missouri Freedom Caucus, was previously considered unlikely to win the Republican nomination to replace Gov. Mike Parson, but polls now show a tighter race. Here's where he stands on some of the biggest issues facing the state, including abortion, immigration, and tax cuts.
The organization charged with planning for the FIFA World Cup in Kansas City has gone through some recent leadership changes. Pam Kramer, the newly selected CEO of KC2026, said that she's "confident that we'll be prepared."
Parents play a vital role in a student's success. In her new book "Building Parent Capacity in High-Poverty Schools: Actions for Authentic," Topeka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson shares how to remove barriers that prevent parents from being involved in a student's education.
Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe is among the leading Republicans vying to replace Gov. Mike Parson, who is term-limited from running again. Here's where he stands on some of the biggest issues facing the state, including state control of the KCPD and keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.
This festival brings together local, national and international musicians for an afternoon in the Historic Northeast. It's also a graduation for young artists in the Art As Mentorship program, which is creating space for underrepresented musicians.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that cities can punish people for sleeping in public areas, and while Kansas City does not have a “no camping” ordinance in place, some residents fear the decision could spark local backlash against homeless people.
The former Missouri Secretary of State and co-host of the podcast Majority 54 says Harris' presumptive nomination for the presidential race is energizing Democrats to "do the work."
News of President Joe Biden ending his presidential re-election run leaves many Democrats rallying around Vice President Kamala Harris. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City, and the Kansas Democratic Party chair both say they will both back her campaign.
In her new book "Mom Forgot My Birthday: A Daughter's Journey Through Alzheimer's," Sonya Jury offers advice for navigating an a loved one's diagnosis through a lens of "how-not-to."
Jenny Schuetz, a senior fellow at Brookings Metro, says that changes to zoning laws and more action at the state and federal level could help address Kansas City's housing problems. Schuetz will speak at the Kansas City Public Library this coming Wednesday.
The 50-minute experimental auditory production includes original pieces played from more than 80 speakers mounted on every wall and even the floor of a dark room. The Sound Mandala runs through July 27 at the Olson Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus.
The RNC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ended on Thursday with a long and off-script speech by Republican nominee Donald Trump. Did the convention help or hurt his chances to win back the White House?
Incumbent Missouri state Sen. Barbara Washington and Brandon Ellington are facing off in the 2024 Democratic primary for the 9th Senate District. The candidates joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate on issues facing the Kansas City region and state.
Kansas City's mayor joined KCUR's Up To Date for a discussion about the future of sports in the metro — including the pressure around keeping the Chiefs and Royals, and chaos in the committee helping to organize the 2026 World Cup. But there's one thing Quinton Lucas isn't worried about: President Biden's ability to run for president.
Thelma’s Kitchen and Reconciliation Services will be reopening on 31st and Troost Avenue next week after being closed for more than two years of renovations. The cafe, which serves healthy comfort food, operates on a pay-what-you-can donation model to help feed the community.
Incumbent Kansas state Sen. David Haley and Ephren Taylor III are facing off in the 2024 Democratic primary for the 4th Senate District. The candidates joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate on the issues facing their district and the Sunflower State at large.
The legendary aviator born in Atchison, Kansas, vanished over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 while on a quest to become the first woman to fly around the world. Up To Date speaks with leading Earhart explorers about the recent high-profile search for her Lockheed Electra 10-E.
Three Democrats are facing off in the 2024 Democratic primary for Jackson County Prosecutor, after Jean Peters Baker announced she would not run for re-election. John Gromowsky and Melesa Johnson joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss issues facing the office.
This is a big election year for Missouri and Kansas, and the 2024 KC Voter Guide can help you make sense of it all. KCUR, the KC Media Collective and The Kansas City Star put together all of the information you need to make informed decisions as a voter in Jackson, Johnson, Clay, Platte and Wyandotte counties.
Breast milk is like medicine for low birth weight and at-risk babies, but not all infants have access. A human milk donation drop off site at Wyandotte County's health department is raising awareness and supporting babies in need across the Midwest.
Kansas City is home to scores of locally owned breweries, each with its own identity and approach to crafting one-of-a-kind beer. Here’s where to find some of the metro’s most crisp lagers, juiciest IPAs and richest imperial stouts.
Pat Contreras and Patty Lewis are facing off in the 2024 Democratic primary for Missouri's 7th Senate District. The candidates joined KCUR's Up To Date for a debate and to discuss what issues are facing the district.
The KC Fringe Festival, which labels itself as the largest celebration of arts and culture in the Kansas City metro, will begin its 17 days of festivities on Friday, July 12.
Lucy Donnelly of the Kansas City Public Library, Cori Smith of the BLK+BRWN Bookstore and Mark Luce of the Barstow School join us to share their favorite books to get you out of the hot sun.
Theater-goers will be in for some "surprises," says Ernie Nolan, the new artistic director of the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City. Nolan assumed the role on July 1, after the retirement of longtime direcotr Cynthia Levin.
HP Village Management bought the Country Club Plaza last month after its previous owners defaulted on loan payments. The shopping district's new owners have big plans to improve the area — including increasing security, attracting local tenants, and making it friendlier to pedestrians.
From student behavioral and emotional needs to longstanding issues with pay, teaching is challenging even in the best of circumstances. Three local elementary school teachers shared how they approached their recent first years, and how they plan to tackle the next.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat from Kansas City, expressed concerns about Joe Biden’s stumbling presidential debate performance against Donald Trump. However, he also stressed his belief that an open convention next month in Chicago could be catastrophic for his party’s chances in the 2024 election.
The Salvation Choir started as a church choir for Congolese and Tanzanian immigrants in Kansas City. Now, it's a band with over 40 members that brings its infectious Rumba sound to shows and festivals across the region.
At a Rainy Day Books event, New York Times bestselling author Hampton Sides will talk about his new book detailing the final voyage of Captain James Cook.
Violence is nothing new to Kansas City youth. The No More Bullying! program at Wayside Waifs, a no-kill shelter, wants to stop the cycle using education and prevention.
Chris Paxton received a kidney donation from his father in 1995. For two decades, he's been competing in the Olympic-style event honoring transplant recipients, donors and their families, and will now help lead a team from Missouri and Kansas.
Ella Messner set a time of 5:04.35 for the 1600-meter race — a personal record by 17 seconds — at the HOKA Festival of Miles in St. Louis this spring. It cemented her status as one of the fastest 8th grade runners in the country.
The Kansas City Royals have made a huge comeback this year after a disastrous 2023 season. Here’s how the team is performing so far, and how management plans to approach the MLB's July 30 trade deadline.
Kansas Citians had much to say after the first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. After the face-off between 81-year-old Biden and 78-year-old Trump, some KCUR listeners expressed concern about both candidates' health and integrity.
Abby Yellman starts her position next week after serving as the deputy city manager in Broomfield, Colorado.
Edward Newsome's new book, "Down Syndrome & The Power of a Father’s Love,” chronicles his life and experience raising a child with a developmental disability.
Irv Da PHENOM!’s song “Red and Yellow” has been a Kansas City anthem since its release in 2010. Now, the song has been given a second life after being picked up by Marvel for the soundtrack of “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
Unhoused residents in Kansas City are at risk due to the extreme heat sweeping across the region. Street outreach teams from local nonprofit reStart are working to provide emergency supplies and shelter from the heat.
Tanner Rose plays the eccentric chocolate maker Willy Wonka in The Coterie Theater production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," which runs through Aug. 4. When he's not playing the world's most famous chocolatier, Rose himself works at a Kansas City chocolate shop.
Young people in Kansas City are feeling the effects of violent crime. Youth Ambassadors, a Kansas City nonprofit, is helping kids work through the trauma, build resilience and have a voice in their community.
Formed in 2018, Sass-a-Brass is Kansas City's only LGBTQ+ street parade brass band, bringing an "infectious joy" to festivals, Pride events and other festivities. The group will host the second annual "People's Pride" on June 23.
Oscar-award winning filmmaker and University of Kansas professor Kevin Willmott will premiere his new documentary, "The Heroic, True-Life Adventures of Alvin Brooks," on Wednesday at the Juneteenth Film Festival at Screenland Armour.
Performances of William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar" are taking place in Southmoreland Park, next to the Nelson-Atkins, through June 30. This cautionary tale explores themes of political turmoil and betrayal.
Tax relief for Kansans will be in short order during Tuesday's special legislative session. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and top Republican lawmakers reached an agreement late last week, opening the door to iron out an incentive package to draw the Kansas City Chiefs or Royals to the Sunflower State.
When someone is in crisis, they might think to dial emergency first responders. But the counselors at the other end of 988 — the Crisis and Suicide Lifeline — may be better equipped to save both lives and money.
Middle Eastern food is bright, fresh, and aromatic, and represents a vast geographic region and an array of diverse cuisines. Here’s where to find the metro’s best shawarma, falafel, baba ghanoush and so much more.
Kansas lawmakers seem poised to try to lure the Chiefs and Royals west of the state line. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson told KCUR's Up To Date that he's not surprised — but that the state will need to do everything it can to keep the teams in Kansas City.
Before Kansas City Southern merged with Canadian Pacific last year, the railroad thrived, despite being built north to south, the "wrong direction" for a country growing westward. A new book tells the story.
Lawmakers in the state of Kansas are working to convince the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs to move to their side of the state line. Mayor Tyrone Garner says he's all-in on luring the teams to Kansas City, Kansas.
The Boulevardia Music Festival is back this weekend outside of Crown Center, featuring a blend of prominent touring artists and local musicians with Kansas City's skyline as its backdrop.
The presidential historian's new book, "An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s," chronicles the life of her late husband, Richard "Dick" Goodwin, who was a confidant of the Kennedys and a top aide to Lyndon B. Johnson. Doris Kearns Goodwin is in Kansas City this week for an author event with Rainy Day Books.
NPR's Ari Shapiro is making a trip to Kansas City for KCUR's RadioActive benefit gala on June 14. Ahead of his visit, he joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss his numerous storytelling pursuits and what it is like to co-host a public radio show for a national audience.
The Bach Aria Soloists, now in their 25th season, celebrate the music of the 17th and 18th centuries through concerts and collaborations across genres.
The presumptive next speaker of the Missouri House, Majority Leader Jon Patterson of Lee's Summit, is determined to keep the Kansas City Chiefs on his side of the state line.
Two Kansas City musicians reflect on the significance of the 18th and Vine District, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend with the induction of Roberta Flack, Patti Austin and Bob James, plus live performances by Austin and Jose Feliciano.
Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins say a bill for STAR bonds to lure the Chiefs to Kansas is in the works. The bill could be brought to the floor during the special session called by Gov. Laura Kelly to address tax cuts later this month, if there's support from rank-and-file members.
Kansas City, with help from the Gay and Lesbian Archives of Mid-America, will unveil a historical marker next Thursday in the Longfellow neighborhood highlighting the historic Womontown community that once lived there.
The centrist group was officially recognized last month as the state’s third minor party. The party's chairperson says the goal is to provide a middle ground for Kansans who don’t feel represented by Democrats or Republicans.
Bill Haw Sr., who died at the age of 85 last Thursday, will be remembered for working to preserve the Flint Hills in Kansas and contributing to the revival of Kansas City's historic West Bottoms neighborhood.
An out-of-this-world discovery led by University of Kansas grad student Alex Polanski found 15 new exoplanets and determined the mass of more than 100 others, in what is the largest one-time survey of exoplanets to date. The survey of planets contextualizes how common Earth's solar system is — which turns out, is not as common as once thought.
Outgoing Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven said recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers is a key factor to helping students succeed.
The Black Ancestors Awareness Campaign of Weston, a small but mighty nonprofit dedicated to documenting the untold stories of Weston's Black forebears, held its first Juneteenth Heritage Jubilee in 2021. Since then, the small river town just north of Kansas City has become a destination for regional Black history.
Kansas City's Vision Zero program aims to completely eliminate traffic deaths by 2030. Except last year, fatalities went up, and in 2024 they're increasing even more. Leaders say the effort comes down to greater education, political will and cash.
The Greeting Committee was formed by four Overland Park high schoolers in 2014 and has since become one of Kansas City’s most well-known and beloved indie bands. Their third studio album is coming out in June.
After a short bump in popularity after the end of World War II, incumbent President Harry Truman quickly became a lightning rod for criticism. A temporary exhibit in Independence focuses on the ensuing 1948 election, and displays more than 100 artifacts connected to the historic campaign.
Stuart Eizenstat is a diplomat, White House aide and author of the new book "The Art of Diplomacy: How American Negotiators Reached Historic Agreements that Changed the World." He discusses his concerns of U.S. isolationism, and what history might tell us about Ukraine and Gaza.
Kansas City author Phil Dixon has spent decades arguing that Major League Baseball should incorporate Negro Leagues statistics into its record books. That finally happened on Wednesday.
John Rizzo, who has served as the Missouri Senate Minority Leader since 2021, will pivot to a new role overseeing the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals stadiums complex.
In "My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future," author Alice Randall pairs her deep knowledge of the genre with her personal experience in the industry to document the often-untold stories of country's Black founders.
A $2.8 billion settlement involving the NCAA sent shockwaves throughout the college sports world last week, paving the way for colleges around the country to pay student-athletes directly for the first time.
The multi-talented musician and artist from Kansas City, Kansas, chats about her creative process, going back to school and showing up as her full authentic self.
Sarah Gonzales-McLinn was 19 when she murdered 52-year-old Harold Sasko in January 2014. He had allegedly raped her, controlled her financially, coerced her into getting plastic surgery, and held her captive in his Lawrence home for months. She is now seeking clemency on her sentence from Gov. Laura Kelly.
Shefali Luthra's new book "Undue Burden: Life and Death Decisions in Post-Roe America" tells real stories of Americans seeking abortion care in an era when the legality of the procedure differs state to state.
Compelled by their faith, military chaplains served unarmed in the trenches of battle during World War I. As Memorial Day approaches, a new exhibit at the National World War I Museum and Memorial provides an intimate look at the role of chaplains during the Great War.
Sauer Castle's iconic tower was on the brink of collapse when Mike Heitmann bought it last year. Now, the building is stabilized and waterproof, and restorations are expected to be complete in about two years.
Five months in, this year is already the most active for tornadoes in Kansas since 2019. Two EF-1 tornadoes touched down in Johnson County last week.
The new autobiography "Show Me Justice: The Happy Life Journey of Alvin Lee Sykes" documents the extraordinary story of the self-taught legal scholar from Kansas City. Sykes fought tirelessly to re-open several unsolved civil rights cold cases, including the murder of Emmett Till.
More adults are being diagnosed with autism after being misdiagnosed or simply not evaluated as kids. Even then, it's not always easy to find health providers who can offer proper support. For these two women, though, the diagnosis was actually "freeing."
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Kansas City native and 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee, is coming to town this weekend to talk about his new book. As a member of both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee, he also shared his insights on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
May 17, 2024, marked the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Black students in Topeka who attended segregated elementary schools gathered over the weekend to reflect on their experiences there.
Kansas City Council member Crispin Rea is sponsoring an ordinance to increase penalties for illegal dumping, which regularly affects vacant lots and the city's Land Bank properties.
The Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park is the site of the former Monroe Elementary School, one of four all-Black schools in Topeka before the Brown v. Board decision. Former students will gather Saturday to commemorate the ruling's 70th anniversary.
In their decades-long careers, vocalist Deborah Brown and saxophonist Bobby Watson have lived and performed around the world, but have settled down in Kansas City. They'll perform this weekend with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.
Biographer Larry Tye's new book "The Jazzmen" highlights the lives of three of the most influential jazz musicians in history — and their collective impact on American culture.
Increasing temperatures brings a heightened risk of heat stroke, fleas, ticks and other maladies. By being aware and taking some precautions, humans can protect their dogs and cats.
The Missouri Senate has been at a standstill since Monday evening when nine Democrats staged a filibuster to stop a GOP bill that would make it tougher to amend the constitution. The record-breaking filibuster comes just days before the session adjourns on Friday.
Ricky Kidd, an exoneree who works as a motivational speaker and mindset coach, will hold a workshop, "Raising Men," aimed at helping young men in Kansas City develop their ability to make responsible decisions.
City ordinances outlaw watching or participating in street racing or “sideshows” where drivers engage in illegal stunts. But the issue persists.
In a series of features from KCUR and KFF titled “The Injured,” reporters Peggy Lowe and Bram Sable-Smith are telling the stories of survivors of the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs championship parade. In the most recent installment, they spoke with three survivors who still have bullets inside of them.
Afternoon tapas, evening sushi and late-night steak frites all await you at some of the best happy hours in the metro. Here’s KCUR’s guide to wine and dine at a discount.
Kelly says she will veto the bipartisan tax bill lawmakers passed in the last hours of the 2024 legislative session. A special session to pass tax relief less impactful on future state budgets will be called, but a timeline is not yet confirmed.
In his new book "Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here," immigration expert Jonathan Blitzer highlights the U.S. foreign policy decisions that led to today's crisis at the southern border. Blitzer will be in Kansas City Tuesday for a Cockefair lecture at UMKC.
Several Kansas City government offices have been targeted by cybercrimes in recent months. A local cybersecurity adviser with the Department of Homeland Security explains why high-profile attacks are growing more frequent, and how agencies and individuals can avoid becoming victims.
The Kansas City Current is off to a great start during its first season at CPKC Stadium. The team leads the league in goals and hasn't lost a game over a month into the year.
WeCode KC is partnering with Kipp Legacy High School in Kansas City for the new program WeCodeThaBloKC, which aims to help youth from underserved communities break into the high-paying, in-demand tech industry.
Kids Feeding Kids, a program run by Pete's Garden, teaches high schooler students how to mass produce meals to serve families in their communities.
On May 1, delegates at the United Methodist Church’s General Conference voted to repeal a ban on LGBTQ clergy that stood for four decades.
Organizers submitted more than 210,000 signatures for a ballot question to approve a minimum wage hike and mandatory sick leave in Missouri. If enough signatures are verified, voters will weigh in during the August or November elections.
Kasey Rausch is a fifth generation musician who began performing at age 15. Two days after graduating from high school, she moved from Texas back to her hometown of Kansas City to live alongside her extended family while pursuing music.
The Missouri Supreme Court has ruled that a 2022 ballot measure ordering Kansas City to increase its minimum threshold for police funding "misled voters" to the point of making the election unfair. Acting on a lawsuit filed by Mayor Quinton Lucas, the court has ordered a new election.
Local queer couple Joan and Harper Rose opened Goofball Sk8boards last year in the Waldo neighborhood after feeling tired of the judgment that often comes with the skate scene. The shop and indoor park, where the Roses teach lessons, is a place to learn — and be goofy — in a safe and sober environment.
Students on University of Missouri campuses are protesting in solidarity with Palestinians under bombardment from Israel in the Gaza strip.
Legendary Kansas City jazz singer Queen Bey died last Monday. Her performances left an indelible mark on the city's jazz scene with her larger-than-life stage presence and stunning voice.
The Supreme Court of the United States will decide this summer if unhoused people can be fined or arrested for sleeping outside. Local government officials, including some in Kansas City, say enforcement of encampments is needed to address the crisis. But advocates say criminalization is a waste of resources.
The Kansas City Council unanimously approved $70.9 million in funding for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. Bus and paratransit rides will stay at zero fare at least until the contract expires on April 30, 2025, but the bus system faces a deficit once federal funds run out.
Kansas City G.I.F.T. is a local nonprofit working to address the racial wealth gap in our metro by helping Black entrepreneurs build and sustain their small businesses. While they provide grants, the organization's business center also provides free business coaching, accounting, marketing and more.
The Kansas City Chiefs will have seven picks in tonight's NFL Draft to determine which young players will play alongside Patrick Mahomes in the team's quest for its third straight championship.
In honor of National Volunteer Week April 21-27, three returned Peace Corps Volunteers from Kansas City shared what the Peace Corps experience was about for them.
The first ever Black Comedy Festival KC will take place from April 25-28, mainly in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine district. Festival organizers say it’s the first festival to highlight black comics in the region, as well as the first to feature several different forms of comedy.
Port KC and the KC Current on Monday announced a district to surround CPKC stadium, which opened last month. The development will break ground at the end of this year and wrap up before the World Cup in 2026.
Families and caregivers might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do after a child receives a diagnosis like autism. Children's Mercy Hospital launched a new program to increase support and guidance; helping families navigate resources and early interventions.
Fifty-four years after the first annual Earth Day, many people are making environmental sustainability their business. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with Kansas Citians whose livelihood is saving the planet.
Kansas News Service environmental reporter Celia Llopis-Jepsen spent two years researching and reporting the first episode of Up From Dust. The newly launched podcast tells the stories of the Kansans who are addressing environmental crises.
More than half of U.S. adults said that they’ve listened to an audiobook at some point. The industry is continuing to expand, and Up To Date’s panelists have a diverse range of recommendations for every listener’s needs.
The U.S. Postal Service has experienced delays in mail delivery around the country, including Missouri and Kansas. As Missouri Congressman Sam Graves pushes for federal legislation to protect citizens, he says it is time to bring in a new postmaster general.
Owning a home today is more expensive than ever and disproportionately out of reach for people of color. Civic Saint in Kansas City wants to use tiny homes to help close the gap and protect the environment.
A group of Kansas City homeowners sued the National Association of Realtors in 2019 over what they said were inflated commission fees. The powerful trade group, which denies wrongdoing, agreed in March to pay $418 million in damages and to adjust its commission practices, which could transform the way Americans buy and sell homes.
The Kansas City nonprofit Fathers Assisting Mothers is working to address the maternal mortality crisis that hits hardest among Black women by enlisting expectant fathers to advocate for partners of color throughout pregnancy.
A group of Black leaders in Kansas City is circulating a petition to potentially rescind City Manager Brian Platt's new contract extension, alleging racist practices in his leadership. Platt told KCUR there is always work to be done on racial equity, but said he has not created a racial divide in his administration.
Stories For All, a digital storytelling project run by the Hall Center for the Humanities at the University of Kansas, is celebrating the end of its current funding period with a festival spotlighting work from its more than 40 community partners.
Whether you’re looking for a pour-over, a latte or a cold brew, Kansas City’s rich and robust coffee shop scene has something for everyone. These are some of the best spots in the metro to get your caffeine fix — and grab a bite, too.
Erika Cecilia Noguera is the owner of Doña Fina Café, a Kansas City coffee company that roasts and sells beans grown on her family's farm in Guatemala. She says Doña Fina — which is named for her great-grandmother — is about telling the story of coffee, and of the people who make it.
Death is inevitable, so why don't more people plan for it? The nonprofit KC End of Life is teaching people how to prepare for passing, and how a doula can support everyone through the difficult times.
As November 2024 nears, Kansas and Missouri pollsters say that transparency is one key factor for determining a poll's quality.
People in Gaza are faced with a mounting humanitarian crisis. Heart to Heart International, a Lenexa-based nonprofit, is sending aid packages to the region, but it's difficult to get relief to those in need because of bureaucratic hurdles and safety risks.
Technologies like AI and social media are rapidly changing, impacting the content we consume and how we interact with each other. "Facing the Future," a series of talks at the Mid-Continent Public Library, aims to help Kansas Citians navigate them.
SevenDays, a Kansas City area organization that works to overcome hate by promoting kindness, will hold multiple events this week in the area, including a Community Kindness Festival on April 14. This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of a series of antisemitic shootings in Overland Park.
Local documentary filmmaker Dave Kendall produced "Hot Times in the Heartland" with his company, Prairie Hollow Productions. The film is a comprehensive look at how the climate crisis is impacting the Kansas City region and how local changemakers are working to counter it.
While Englewood Arts offers classes in drawing, ceramics, and glass blowing, it isn't your typical arts center. It's also leading the way for affordable housing in Independence.
Gov. Mike Parson on Monday confirmed the state will carry out the scheduled execution of Brian Dorsey on Tuesday, April 9. More than 150 people spoke out in support of sparing Dorsey’s life, including over 70 corrections officers and a retired Missouri Supreme Court judge. Dorsey was convicted of murdering his cousin and her husband in 2006.
The Overland Park nonprofit Gift of Life works to educate the public about living organ donation and support donors and recipients through the transplant process.
The documentary "Girls State," a follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2020 film "Boys State," centers on young women in Missouri as they navigate politics and create a mock government. The film is streaming now on Apple TV+.
People experiencing grief cannot be expected to fall neatly into stages and timetables. The way experts look at and characterize grief is changing, including the newly recognized prolonged grief disorder.
Voters in Jackson County voted by nearly a three to two margin to oppose the Royals and Chiefs' 3/8th-cent stadium sales tax extension. KC Tenants, the citywide tenants union in Kansas City, played a big role in the "vote no" campaign.
Kansas City will witness a partial eclipse on Monday, April 8, with about an 89% obscuration of the sun. Some parts of Southeast Missouri, including Poplar Bluff, will experience the last total eclipse in the U.S. until 2044.
In Tuesday's election, 58% of voters opposed the 3/8ths-cent sales tax. The tax would have funded a downtown ballpark for the Royals and renovations to Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.
The GOP remade itself into a much more conservative party in the 1970's. The new podcast series "Landslide" highlights how that transition began — including an episode on the highly consequential 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City.
A small Kansas newspaper, the Marion County Record, was the target of a raid by the local police force last August. Now, the paper is suing the police and other government officials arguing that they violated the First Amendment.
Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, and those who care for someone with the disease often need help navigating services. A new Alzheimer's Association report offers insight on how to make the process easier.
KMBC 9 will air a new documentary about the Kansas City Current's historic new stadium, the first ever built for a women's sport. "A Pitch Fit For A Queen" is set to broadcast on April 10th.
Jackson County residents and leaders are split on how they'll vote on the 3/8th-cent sales tax that will fund stadium projects for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. KCUR journalists share what they've heard and where negotiations stand with lease and community benefits agreements.
Disabled people face nearly double the rate of unemployment compared to those without a disability, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job coaches can be difficult to come by, but these direct support services can help people with disabilities navigate employment challenges.
Jackson County Executive Frank White says voters don't have enough information on the 3/8ths-cent stadium sales tax to make an informed decision on April 2nd.
Just five days ahead of the 3/8th-cents sales tax vote in Jackson County that would help provide funding for a new Royals downtown ballpark, the Up To Date team broadcasted from Kauffman Stadium on Opening Day.
Many people who work and play in the Crossroads Arts District are concerned a downtown baseball stadium would close local businesses and disrupt the neighborhood's character. Jackson County residents will vote April 2 on whether to extend a 3/8th-cent sales tax to fund a new ballpark there.
MO Hives KC has 10 Kansas City locations that facilitate bee pollination for neighborhood gardens as well as a small apiary at Gov. Mike Parson’s residence.
The Jackson County Legislature is unlikely to vote on a community benefits agreement or leases in advance of the April 2 election determining funding for the Chiefs and the Royals stadium projects.
NPR's Sarah McCammon is out with a new book that dissects how she left the religion of her youth titled "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living and Leaving the White Evangelical Church."
Ramadan, which began March 10, is a sacred and joyous time for followers of Islam. However, with the war in Gaza nearing its sixth month — and with no ceasefire in sight — some Kansas City Muslims say the holy month is different this year.
Business owners in the teardown zone of the Royals' proposed Crossroads baseball stadium will be forced to relocate if voters approve the 3/8th-cent sales tax on the April 2 ballot. While the location has upset some property owners and tenants in the area, others say it's good for the neighborhood.
A KCUR and Midwest Newsroom investigation reveals the chain of events that ended in a police sniper shooting and killing 2-year-old Clesslyn Crawford in 2022.
For more than 10 years, Ensemble Ibérica has brought the musical landscape of southwestern Europe and beyond to Kansas City.
Artificial intelligence has been incorporated into the day-to-day work of many Kansas Citians. While it has the capacity to streamline tasks, cut costs and reduce the workload in mundane, repetitive tasks, AI’s rapid development is heightening concerns about content originality, production and security.
"The History Chicks," hosted by Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider since 2011, now boasts tens of thousands of listeners worldwide.
Servicemembers with post-traumatic stress disorder can find healing through re-experiencing traumatic events. A psychologist at a Veterans Affairs hospital and a play at Kansas City's Unicorn Theatre share how virtual reality might help combat veterans overcome the trauma of war.
More than 300 people attended the two-day KC United for Safety symposium aimed at creating a comprehensive plan to address violent crime in Kansas City. Organizers hope to share their recommendations in April.
The Rabbit Hole, which opened on March 12 in North Kansas City’s Iron District, is the first museum in the country to bring a century of children’s literature to life. The immersive venue transports visitors of all ages into the worlds of “Goodnight Moon,” “Last Stop on Market Street” and so much more.
Katie Crutchfield achieved her dreams with the release of Waxahatchee's breakthrough album "Saint Cloud" in 2020. Now, she'll build on them with a new album, "Tigers Blood," out March 22.
After two years of construction, the Kansas City Current is about to take to the pitch for a historic home opener in the first ever stadium built expressly for a women's sport. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with diehard supporters to hear how they're preparing for the team's opener against Portland on Saturday.
U.S. women who work full-time make just 84 cents on the dollar compared to non-Hispanic, white men in the same roles. United Women Empowerment, an organization based here in Kansas City, is challenging employers to address those inequities.
Royals owner John Sherman said the team is negotiating multiple agreements ahead of the April 2 Jackson County vote on a sales tax to help finance a new downtown ballpark.
Teachers, families and students in Missouri's Independence School District are adjusting to a four-day school week this year. Superintendent Dr. Dale Herl said data shows benefits to the shorter school week, but opinions from parents and staff are mixed.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expects to vote yes when he heads to the polls on April 2 to vote on the 3/8-cent stadium sales tax extension. But with many questions still up in the air about how a downtown ballpark would impact small businesses and more, the mayor wants answers sooner rather than later.
Hypoxia is the medical term for when there is insufficient oxygen in the body. Kansas hasn't executed someone since 1965, and Attorney General Kris Kobach is pushing to legalize the method first used in Alabama this January. Critics call it cruel and akin to suffocation.
At the end of January, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City announced that Jessica May would soon become its new executive director. She says the museum already feels like home.
Elected officials, law enforcement and community organizations will come together on Friday and Saturday for a public safety symposium and community forum on public safety and violence in Kansas City. The goal of the event is to "build on one comprehensive plan" to address those issues.
A series of upcoming talks from the International Relations Council will explore the intersections of sports and geopolitics in Kansas City and nationwide. Experts say access and intentionality are critical as the city poises itself to host World Cup matches in 2026.
Kansas grasslands provide a unique wildfire risk that’s heightened by increasingly warmer temperatures in all seasons. A rainy, overcast day can pivot to prime conditions for an active fire spread within 24 hours.
Since opening last June, the compact ramen shop near 119th Street and Metcalf Avenue has become a destination for its rich flavors and and lively atmosphere. KC Craft Ramen has also become a gathering place for Kansas City's Asian community.
Kansas’ second-largest city is a food-lover’s paradise with some of the best Asian food in the metro, including Chinese dim sum and all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. There’s no shortage of classic barbecue joints and fine-dining establishments either.
A recent Pew Research Center study estimated that 36.2 million Latinos will be eligible to vote in 2024, making them the largest racial or ethnic minority voting bloc in the United States. As Latino communities in the Kansas City metro grow in size, advocacy groups and supportive elected officials are working to educate and empower potential voters.
Kansas could be the first state to pilot the SOUL Family Legal Permanency Option, which would give foster youth 16 and up a say in who supports them as they transition into adulthood. A bill that would implement the program has a hearing in a Senate committee tomorrow.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson commuted the sentence of former Chiefs coach Britt Reid, the son of the team's head coach Andy Reid, on Friday. He was handed a three-year sentence in 2022 for a drunk driving accident that permanently injured 5-year-old Ariel Young.
De Soto, Kansas, was selected by the company Panasonic as the site of its $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant in 2022, bringing 4,000 new jobs to the region. Now, just over one year away from the plant's planned opening, numerous public and private infrastructure developments are well underway in preparation.
Low-wage workers and their allies are pushing for a strong community benefits agreement from the Royals as the team pursues a new stadium in the Crossroads neighborhood of downtown Kansas City. So far, they say the Royals don't have their vote.
The Kansas City Council approved the creation of an Office of Language Access in a 12-1 vote last month. Stakeholders hope the office will be comprehensive and implemented in every corner of local government.
The practice of preserving food via canning has been around for two centuries, but has experienced a revival in interest. Here’s how two Kansas Citians are keeping the practice alive in two very different ways.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals have announced their desired stadium plans, but questions still remain. Jim Rowland, the executive director of the Jackson County Sport Complex Authority, said the teams are in a "dicey situation" without passage of a 40-year, 3/8th-cent sales tax.
Leap day babies, also known as leaplings, celebrate their true birthdays once every four years. A panel of leaplings joined Up To Date to discuss how they commemorate their special days.
Kansas City journalist Ebony Reed and co-author Louise Story explain original data they curated for their new book, “Fifteen Cents on the Dollar: How Americans Made the Black-White Wealth Gap.”
A recent poll said nearly a third of voters didn't support either former President Donald Trump or President Joe Biden. But third-party or independent candidates still don't have a serious path forward, and in Kansas, lawmakers want to make it more difficult for them to make the ballot for statewide office.
At 88, Calvin Trillin is still writing and touring across the United States to promote his work. Trillin will appear in his hometown of Kansas City for a Rainy Day Books event on Feb. 28.
In Missouri, a child must be born before a divorce can be finalized, and advocates fear this can keep people in domestic violence situations from being able to leave their abusers. Representative Ashley Aune of Kansas City introduced a bill earlier this February that would undo the statute.
Christina Sanabria didn't think she'd have a career in performing arts. The Johnson County native recently won her second Grammy for children's music as part of the duo 123 Andrés, whose album "We Grow Together Preschool Songs" won Best Children’s Album of the Year.
With a budget surplus and a looming election, Republicans and Democrats in the Kansas Legislature have said it's necessary to pass tax relief this session. Journalists who cover the Kansas Statehouse have insights into how that might happen.
The Kansas legislature has taken up several bills this session that the ACLU says would make casting ballots harder. The House Committee on Elections' chair says the goal is to improve Kansans' confidence in elections, and that many of the measures won't make it to a vote on the floor.
Reyes served in many Kansas City community organizations and was dedicated to bridging the gap between its Spanish- and English-speaking residents. Her children are dedicated to continuing her legacy.
Two local U.S. representatives — Republican Mark Alford and Democrat Emanuel Cleaver — hope to address the fentanyl crisis in Missouri and around the country.
Business owners in the Crossroads area, where the Royals want to build a $2 billion stadium and entertainment complex, fear the district known as a haven for artists will lose its character. "You can imagine people who are counting on this neighborhood for their livelihood, are very worried and concerned about how this plan is going to affect them," said one owner.
The 2023 National Geographic documentary “The Space Race” explores the history of Black astronauts, including Kansas City’s own Ed Dwight. Local nonprofit aSTEAM Village is screening the movie to fund their trip to the 50th National Society of Black Engineers convention in Atlanta.
Clay Bauske has served as the curator of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum for over 40 years and is set to retire at the end of the month. During his time in the role, museum curation has changed dramatically — but he argues that how we view President Truman has also shifted over these last four decades.
Former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander doesn't know what law might have stopped the mass shooting at Kansas City's Union Station. And rather than propose new laws, Kander told Up To Date the first step should be to remove a law that protects gun companies and manufacturers from civil litigation.
Khalia Davis started as The Coterie's new producing artistic director on Feb. 1. Before landing in Kansas City, Davis helped lead the Bay Area Children’s Theatre in Oakland, California. Her appointment comes a year after her predecessor died by suicide amidst accusations of sexual abuse.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said her office will work closely with the juvenile court, which has charged two minors in connection with the mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally last week. The prosecutor discussed legal challenges she anticipates with the case and ways she'd like to see gun policy change in the state.
This weekend at the Westin Crown Center Hotel, conference centers and hotel rooms will turn into concert venues as a part of Folk Alliance International’s annual conference. It bills itself as the largest gathering of the folk music industry and community in the world.
The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens aims to be an educational hub for conservation-focused farming practices in the Midwest.
Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a beloved DJ and leader in Kansas City’s Latino community, was shot and killed at the Chief’s Super Bowl victory parade at Union Station on Feb. 14. “She was a big-hearted person,” Galvan’s brother, Beto Lopez, told KCUR's Up To Date.
One person was killed and 22 others were injured on Wednesday during a mass shooting that occurred at the end of the Chiefs championship parade and rally. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with government officials at the local, state and federal levels to get their reactions to what happened.
As monetary donations roll in from across the country, one local organization has a different ask. The Kansas City Pioneers, an esports team, are collecting gaming systems for kids who were hospitalized at Children’s Mercy.
Tens of thousands of people were caught up in the melee after the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday. KCUR’s Up To Date spoke with just a handful of them to learn about the terrifying experience, and find out what they took away from it.
A mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs championship rally forever changed how we will view what was supposed to be an exciting day for the city. Before the beginning of the parade, Up To Date broadcasted along the parade's route on Grand Avenue.
Love comes in all shapes, sizes, and plotlines. Up To Date's panel of romance readers recommends celebrating non-traditional love stories this Valentine's Day.
Elizabeth Kolbert, the Pulitzer-winning author of "The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History" and a staff writer for The New Yorker, says there are no easy choices when it comes to dealing with water shortages in Kansas, but changes are necessary. Kolbert will speak at the Linda Hall library Tuesday, Feb. 13.
On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 25 to 22 to win their third title in five years.
Books have the ability to take you to another time. This month on Up To Date, author Steve Paul, and BLK + BRWN bookstore owner Cori Smith share the literature that brought them to the 1930s Harlem jazz scene, the 1980s war on drugs, through the twists and turns of the life of a mad genius and more.
Lost between the years of playground kid and independent high schooler are the transitional years of middle school. Author Phyllis Fagell shares resources to help parents and adolescents communicate and cope through the years when kids are impressionable and trying to fit in.
As Kansas City gears up for the 2026 World Cup, some residents are concerned that the metro’s public transit system can’t keep up with a rapidly growing city. KCATA CEO Frank White III speaks about how the transportation authority is preparing.
The documentarian's latest project titled “The American Buffalo” is a two-part, four-hour series that follows the story of this iconic symbol of the West across more than 10,000 years of history.
Chair Shelly Lowe, the first Native American and only second woman to head the National Endowment for the Humanities, toured Kansas City’s museums and libraries this week.
Missouri joined a handful of states labeling emergency dispatchers as "first responders." Along with the new label comes advanced access to mental health resources and the formal naming of PTSD as an occupational hazard for the profession.
The Kansas Corporation Commission approved a set of energy efficiency programs for Evergy customers last week. The state currently ranks 49th nationwide for its energy efficiency policies and programs, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.
PV United, a group opposed to proposals to increase affordable housing in Prairie Village, circulated three petitions that would change the city's government and zoning rules. A judge this week gave an oral ruling on which petitions could appear on the ballot in November, but later contradicted that decision in her written ruling.
As of August, Kansas City had 3,636 open investigations into child abuse and neglect. Across the state, there are more than 10,000 cases that have been open more than 45 days after being reported. Missouri officials acknowledge the problem and that fixing it isn't easy.
For the first time, Women and laypeople will be represented as delegates at the Synod of Bishops, where they will help Pope Francis in deciding the direction of the Catholic Church.
A climate action plan for the Kansas City region set a goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This Saturday, local leaders and community members will gather for a climate summit to celebrate what's already been achieved and identify goals for the future.
Kansas City's longest-operating Black newspaper, The Call, is partnering with other Black-focused media organizations like the Kansas City Defender and Cascade Media Group to diversify voices and increase digital engagement.
The Kansas City Underground Film Festival kicks off this week, offering an opportunity for movies produced locally and around the world to be screened in front of a Kansas City audience. "[We] really love independent, low-budget movies, especially ones that really highlight ingenuity and inventiveness," said co-founder Willy Evans.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson spoke to KCUR's Up To Date about the case of Kansas City Police officer Eric DeValkenaere, the expansion of I-70, the 2024 gubernatorial race, and Kansas City's new gun ordinances.
Up To Date’s food panelists and barbecue enthusiasts from around Kansas City recommend their favorite places to get ribs, brisket, pork, chicken and sides in the metro.
Keelon Vann plays guitar and brings a unique sound to the Kansas City music scene. Love, Mae C. has performed all across the metro, and her music was featured on the second season of the Peacock sitcom “Bel Air.”
Royals leaders have released renderings of their much anticipated new stadium, although they have yet to announce the final location for the $2 billion project. Kansas City-area residents aren't all convinced they should be the ones to pay for a move, especially because the team is on the verge of the franchise's worst season in history.
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt has an ambitious goal to make the city a nationwide leader in sustainability, including an effort to build the largest municipally-owned solar farm in the country. "We've got too much to lose at this point with health and quality of life issues that we're seeing around here," Platt said.
New Growth Transit connects Missouri's rural residents who can't get to their medical and health care appointments with a network of volunteer drivers.
A third of missing women in the U.S. are Black. In Jackson County, the death of Jaynie Crosdale, who was reported missing in January and found in the Missouri River in June, renews concerns about how cases of missing Black women are handled by Kansas City Police and other local law enforcement.
Baseball has remained in the American psyche for almost 150 years, but why has it persisted? Joe Posnanski answers that question in his new book, "Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments."
Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are increasing, and Black mothers are at an even greater risk. EleVATE, a group prenatal care program at University Health in Kansas City, aims to improve the positive outcomes of at-risk individuals.
A new school year brings new challenges to Kansas City-area districts. Ongoing problems, like staffing shortages and school safety, continue to weigh on administration while heat waves make learning hazardous.
Since she was appointed head of the Kansas City Police Department eight months ago, Chief Stacey Graves said, reducing violent crime continues to be the top priority.
University of Kansas associate professor Nicole Hodges Persley's new book illuminates hip-hop’s historical and contemporary significance to musical theater — even beyond "Hamilton."
Rabbi Michael Zedek outlines his reasoning for embracing the here and now and valuing the gift of life in his new book, "Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey To Everyday Spirituality."
Multiple factors are contributing to lower rates of reading proficiency for students in Missouri and nationwide, including lingering disruptions from the pandemic. Educators and advocates say that a solution to the literacy "crisis" needs to come from the whole community.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II isn't optimistic that Kansas City would expand the streetcar to the airport, because of the high cost and land acquisition it would require. But he has a more feasible solution to get residents to KCI while addressing the city's affordable housing concerns.
Women gained the right to vote in 1920. But Black women didn't get the full right until 1965, even though they'd been involved in the fight since the 1800s. That's the topic of an event in Kansas City this Sunday honoring local Black suffragists.
Since deploying to Maui, Hawaii, Kansas City-based Operation BBQ Relief has served more than 20,500 free, hot meals to relief workers, first responders and survivors impacted by the island's deadly wildfires.
College students are gearing up to head back to campus for another school year, but for first-years, the transition to a university setting and dorm living can be a hard one.
Prairie Village is as divided as ever as city leaders explore options for affordable housing in the Johnson County suburb. But some residents are pushing back against the plans — and even attempting to overhaul City Council.
The Lawrence City Commission will take a final vote on Aug. 22 to pass the CROWN Act, which stands for "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." The ordinance would protect Black people from race-related hair discrimination in the workplace.
Following the police raid of the Marion County Record, the editors of two small-town Kansas newspapers, the Iola Register and the Marysville Advocate, joined Up To Date to discuss what it takes to keep local publications going in a culture increasingly hostile toward the media.
An investigation by the Kansas City Star found that Marion County Police Chief Gideon Cody, who was behind the highly-criticized raid on the local newspaper, left his previous job at the Kansas City Police Department under scrutiny. Cody faced a demotion and was being investigated for his sexist treatment of a fellow officer.
Politicians in Missouri and Kansas have concentrated attacks on a variety of LGBTQ+ issues this year, including restrictions on drag performances. But queens in Kansas City are still determined to spread joy, love and acceptance.
An independent review of the state’s child welfare system published Monday shows the number of foster kids sleeping in offices last year increased by 54% compared to 2021.
The Marion County attorney withdrew the search warrant that police used to justify a raid on the Marion County Record last Friday, and all seized items were returned. But, the newspaper's lawyer says the fight isn't over.
Kansas City is nearly 1000 miles away from an ocean but the Sobela Ocean Aquarium, a new addition to the city's zoo, will allow visitors to view more than 8000 aquatic animals and learn about conservation efforts. The aquarium opens to the public in September.
Postpartum depression affects approximately one-in-seven women and one-in-10 men. This fall, a newly approved medication could change how patients experiencing perinatal or postpartum mood and anxiety disorder are treated.
July 2023 marked the hottest month on record. As climate conditions worsen and extreme weather events spread across the globe, so do uncommon diseases. Health experts warn of the health consequences of not addressing climate change.
Today marks a big political milestone for the Biden administration: the one-year anniversary of the president's signing of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Spotlight: Charlie Parker 2023 welcomes jazz fans from all over the world to celebrate the iconic saxophonist with a series of concerts, educational opportunities and jam sessions.
Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant started The Prospect KC in 2019 to address systemic inequitality on Kansas City’s east side through food. Now, the nonprofit is launching a culinary training program that will teach valuable skills in the kitchen.
Police seized computers, cell phones and documents during raids on the offices of the Marion County Record and the home of its publisher on Friday. Now, the lawyer for the newspaper is speaking out.
As pro-choice advocates push for more reproductive rights, Republicans in Missouri and Ohio are undertaking attempts to thwart those efforts.
COVID has been having a "summer surge." Dr. Marvia Jones, director of the Kansas City Health Department, says that the increase in new cases could be linked to a new variant and more travel.
Police raided the offices of the Marion County Record and the home of its publisher in an unprecedented and potentially illegal move that is being called a violation of First Amendment rights.
It's been over 100 days since the writers' strike in Hollywood started over an ongoing labor dispute between the Writers Guild of America, and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
This year marks hip-hop's 50th anniversary, and rappers SleazyWorld Skyy and Shay Lyriq are the latest Kansas City artists making their mark on the national scene.
Independence, Missouri, is beautifying the city through the work of individuals facing housing instability. Independence T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R., a supported employment program, offers an array of support, including an hourly wage, housing fund and meals, for individuals willing to work along Independence roadways.
Artists have long used their work to advocate for a better world, and these Kansas City creatives think that solutions to one of today’s biggest issues — gun violence — can be found through art.
Ahead of a members-only speaking event held by American Public Square in Kansas City, Washington political journalist Margaret Talev discussed the state of American democracy, startling data on political divisions and how journalists should approach these issues.
Evergy says Missouri customers need to choose from four new time-based payment plans by this October or will automatically be defaulted into one. Under the default plan, power used from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in summer months will cost four times more than other hours.
A new global study, published in Nature, found microplastics in every lake sampled — no matter how remote. A researcher from the University of Kansas talks about how local bodies of water stack up.
Kansas City's Doug Frost is one of only four people in the world to hold the title of both master sommelier and master of wine. Frost joined Up To Date armed with hand-selected wines which he brought to pair with a four-course meal at Earl's Premier.
Seven hundred seventy million of the National Archives' 13.5 billion pages of records are currently stored around the Kansas City metro. Dr. Colleen Shogan, recently named Archivist of the United States, wants to make them more accessible, both online and in-person.
Extended time behind bars can make it difficult to keep up in the fast-paced digital age. A University of Kansas program received a $1.6 million grant to teach women who have been imprisoned computer skills to prepare them for the workforce and to help reduce recidivism.
Midtown is home to many of Kansas City’s best-known restaurants and bars, but it has its fair share of hidden treasures to offer, including cool coffee shops, neighborhood dives and family businesses.
Kansas City's professional bull riding team, the Outlaws, will test their skills and luck in front of their hometown crowd. The city is home to one of just eight teams in the Professional Bull Riders organization.
A MidAmerica Nazarene University football lineman died from what his family calls "heat-related injuries." He was just 19 years old. In just the past few years, several Kansas college football players have died from heat stroke following summer practices.
The "Decade" exhibition at Haw Contemporary art gallery in the West Bottoms will feature new and old works from over 40 artists to commemorate its first decade in business.
Development in recent years has transformed the county's west side. And though the county still sees many challenges, especially to the east, community stakeholders are optimistic about paths to the future.
Before Tuesday's inauguration for a second term as the mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas held a community listening session for mothers who have been affected by gun violence. He also announced new proposed intervention efforts and restrictions on firearms for minors.
Courtney and Phil Wasson are not professional boat racers, but for several years the duo has competed together in the MR340, the world’s longest non-stop river race. It begins in Kansas City and goes for 340 miles down the Missouri River.
Recently re-elected Mayor Quinton Lucas and the new Kansas City Council will be sworn in Tuesday morning — signaling the start of their four-year term. But for the six newcomers, including Johnathan Duncan and Crispin Rea, preparation began weeks ago.
Trivia has gotten so popular in Kansas City, both the casual and competitive can find a place to play any night of the week.
The box office double-punch of "Barbenheimer" isn't the only thing worth talking about in movie industry. Two Kansas City movie critics discuss what's worth watching at home and in theaters. Plus, when viewers might feel the effects of the Hollywood strikes.
Kansas City is poised to have its deadliest year since 2020. Three area high schoolers — Madison Peppers, Bryan Mayer and Mia Myers-Ray — think that education and opportunity are an important part of the solution to gun violence in our region.
The blockbuster "Oppenheimer" has renewed interest in the history of U.S. efforts to create atomic weapons during World War II. President Harry S. Truman, a native of the Kansas City area, never doubted his decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
Kansas City's history runs deeper than jazz and barbecue. Three years before the Stonewall Riots sparked the gay rights movement, LGBTQ leaders from across the country met in Kansas City to discuss community advocacy and activism. A newly launched self-guided tour highlights important points from the city's LGBTQ history.
In April, Kansas City voters approved a 3% tax on recreational marijuana revenue —1% of which will go towards finding solutions for houseless population. The city's homelessness prevention coordinator shared ideas of how the funding might be used.
The U.S. Supreme Court effectively ended affirmative action in higher education last month. While many colleges in Missouri aren’t making significant changes to their admissions and scholarship processes, some university officials say it will impact diversity in higher education.
The state's microbusiness license program is supposed to give Missourians from disadvantaged communities a chance to enter the recreational marijuana industry.
Battling bipolar disorder, Jeremy Auman at times has struggled to remain hopeful. Auman is sharing his highs and lows on stage at Kansas City's 19th annual Fringe Festival, aiming to help others be more empathetic and understanding.
The late Bob Dole would have turned 100 years old on July 22. We looked back on his life and legacy as a U.S. Senator, Republican presidential nominee and native Kansan.
Since the beginning of last year, a Kansas tax subsidy law known as APEX has allowed the state to use incentives to lure big companies like Panasonic and Integra. But the law may not be extended any longer, putting big development deals in jeopardy.
A 1975 protest at a McDonald’s restaurant in Kansas City emerged from years of escalating tension — between Black community members and their city, and between McDonald’s and the neighborhoods it inhabited. But this particular location was also one of the first Black-owned fast-food franchises in the country, an accomplishment born from its own struggle for inclusion.
The city of Mission said it decided to terminate its deal to bring a $270 million mixed-use development to the long-vacant Mission Gateway site, after the owner failed to pay almost half a million dollars in property taxes by deadline.
The White Castle chain began in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas, where its ingenious small burgers kicked off a national craze and inspired imitators of all shapes and sizes. But over a century later, White Castle has entirely vanished from its home state. And the story of how it introduced America to the hamburger has largely been overshadowed by its fast food rivals.
Kansas City’s first Pride parade in 1977 was spearheaded by Lea Hopkins, whose organizing sparked a wider gay rights movement that continues today. But it was only a few weeks after that successful event that Hopkins found herself on the defense again, when a prominent anti-gay activist came on a crusade through town.
Five months after celebrating their Super Bowl victory in the streets of Kansas City, the Chiefs are heading to their annual training camp in St. Joseph. Under quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the odds are looking good for another strong season.
From molds and yeasts to the mushrooms we fear and love, fungi are connected to life and death on our planet — but they're often misunderstood. We only know about 10% of the estimated 3.8 million species that exist. Mycologist Giuliana Furci wants us to separate “fungal fact” from “fungal fiction," and give this kingdom the legal recognition it deserves.
The Kansas City council held its final legislative meeting of the term on Thursday. It was the final gathering for members who were not reelected.
We tend to think of getting older as inevitable, but what if it’s actually something we can control? Researchers like David Sinclair and Nir Barzilai have discovered some of the secrets to reversing aging, found animals who defy our understandings of life, and turned old mice young again. But even if humans could live forever, should we?
Republican Senator Holly Thompson of Scott City sponsored legislation to decriminalize the harm reduction tool. She hopes this will help lower opioid overdoses.
Sex trafficking, which millions of people worldwide will be depicted in a musical at Kansas City's Fringe Festival the last two weeks of July. Cast and crew involved in the production share how they were introduced to and affected by the subject.
In the Missouri General Assembly, only 12 of 34 senators are women. In the House of Representatives, only 45 of the 163 members are women. No woman has ever been elected governor. Missouri Representatives Jamie Johnson and Patty Lewis, both Democrats of Kansas City, say more women should run for statewide office.
Kansas City is on pace to have more homicides this year than last, and reports of gun deaths are a weekly, if not daily, occurrence. But local leaders like Mayor Quinton Lucas say they’re restricted by state policies that make it impossible to pass local regulations — and they want to change that.
Eric Dorfman has taught at major universities, headed renowned natural history museums, and now, he's leading one of the world's premier science research libraries.
Missouri state Rep. Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat who serves as the House minority leader, announced her gubernatorial candidacy earlier this week. She says her primary issues are childcare and health care access, and defending public education.
After more 20 years working for Kansas City's longest-running Black newspaper, Eric Wesson had his offer to buy the paper turned down. Now he's started his own publication focused on the Black community, The Next Page KC.
Recent graduates Brooklynn Hato and Clare Bradley took home the title of "High School National Champions" at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Mesa, Arizona, last month.
As construction on the KC Streetcar extension to UMKC continues, crews are now working 24/7 on emergency repairs to address a track failure on the line above I-670. It will take weeks to complete the repairs, and service is suspended in the meantime.
To some, Aniseto Herrera-Lyell is a fourth-grade teacher. To others, he's KC Sunshine, a performer known for his Michael Jackson impersonation. But to the whole country, he's Mr. Gay America 2022. Herrera-Lyell won the title in October.
The garnishes in these mixed drinks are bigger, and the flavors are bolder — they might even be 'fat-washed' or clarified with Hidden Valley Ranch. Whether they include alcohol or are making mocktails, bars and bartenders are becoming more creative than ever.
Fans from across the Kansas City metro and beyond are celebrating Taylor Swift's two concerts at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend with events, menu specials and more. VisitKC says the shows are expected to generate $46 million in direct spending for the local economy.
Matt Otto, a Kansas City jazz saxophonist and professor of jazz studies at the University of Kansas, is out with his new album "Kansas City Trio" that primarily focuses on standards.
After years of undervaluing homes, Jackson County's recent property tax assessment saw the value of properties increase by an average of 30%, while some owners saw spikes of more than 200%. The deadline to file an appeal is July 10.
Cassie Taylor is set to debut her new record, "Desire," this fall. The release comes after taking a break from music and finding her true identity in different professions such as songwriting, photography and now modeling for Playboy.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. Now, borrowers in Kansas City and around the country are figuring out what that means for them.
As a KCUR caller points out, our first experience with books is often when they're read to us by an adult. So yes, audiobooks count as reading. Our collection of book enthusiasts discuss the makings of a good audiobook and what they recommend listening to.
Mayor Quinton Lucas easily defeated his opponent, Clay Chastain, to serve another four years as Kansas City's mayor. He joined Up To Date to discuss challenges the city faces and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said a graphic designer can refuse to serve same-sex couples.
Grassroots tenant union KC Tenants has made affordable housing a top concern in Kansas City. Now, the political arm of the group, KC Tenants Power, has flexed some of its sway in city elections.
The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 80% of Kansas and 60% of Missouri are experiencing at least moderate drought. In Kansas City, that drought is partially due to a blocking pattern — a weather system that keeps others from moving in.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action on Thursday, outlawing race as a factor in college admissions. It was a 6-3 decision split between the conservative and liberal wings of the court.
A stone’s throw away from Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine district sits the 2400 block of Montgall Avenue. The now overlooked neighborhood was once home to some of the city’s most prominent Black figures of the 20th century.
A steep increase in assessed property tax value has some Jackson County residents concerned they could lose their home. Experts share ways to challenge the assessment through individual appeals and legal action.
After serving two separate stints on the Kansas City Council, bookending her 12 years as Jackson County executive, Katheryn Shields is prevented by term limits from remaining on the council.
Kansas City teen DJ Yearwood is the campaign director of Vote16MO, an initiative to lower the voting age in municipal and school board elections in Missouri. The group wants to get a measure on the ballot by November 2024.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has continued to take on an aggressive role as the state's top legal officer, challenging positions laid out by the federal government that don't directly affect the state. An attorney and former Missouri Attorney General staffer explains the role of attorney general and how it's changed over the years.
Troost Avenue is known as Kansas City’s dividing line, long associated with the city’s history of racial segregation and slavery. But as new residents move in and more businesses open, the community balances optimism and fear of gentrification.
Leah Rothestein, co-author of "Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law," examines ways in which local governments can take steps to remedy socioeconomic issues that are the result of racist policies.
The nine-banded armadillo, which is native to Central and South America, has been migrating north for decades as average temperatures rise. And because of the mild winter Kansas City just had, it’s likely residents in the metro will notice more armadillos than usual in the coming months.
In post-Roe America, Kansas has become one of the most traveled to states for abortion care. Despite nearly 60% of Kansans voting to protect the constitutional right to abortion last August, Republican lawmakers have passed several anti-abortion laws this year.
The UpDown Nightlife app connects users to bars, clubs and breweries around the metro. In other words, it’s aimed at helping people have a fun night.
Scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City have made a major breakthrough in discovering how Huntington's disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder, forms in the brain.
Crispin Rea and Justin Short are vying to be the next 4th District At-Large representative on the Kansas City Council, taking over the seat that Katheryn Shields currently holds. Ahead of the June 20 election, both joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss their views on the issues facing the city.
Give Black KC is an annual fundraiser that focuses on providing funds for high-impact organizations on the east side of Troost Avenue.
Events Saturday and Sunday in Kansas City celebrate the emancipation of enslaved Africans in America and provide opportunities for families to research their history.
A bill proposed by Missouri state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville) would increase and widen the state's compensation for exonerees under the condition they not file a lawsuit. But Tricia Rojo Bushnell, executive director for the Midwest Innocence Project, said the bill still won't fix many of the state's problems.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker sent a letter to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson urging him to not pardon a former Kansas City Police detective who killed Cameron Lamb in 2019. DeValkenaere was the first KCPD officer to ever be convicted in the fatal shooting of Black man.
KCUR's community engagement team is holding listening sessions and interviews across Kansas City, as part of a year-long initiative to learn how diverse Kansas Citians feel about guns and the rising rates of gun violence, and to hopefully find solutions to the issue.
Johnson County-raised filmmaker Sav Rodgers first saw the 1998 romantic comedy "Chasing Amy" at the age of 12. Now he's prepared for the whole world to see his documentary, "Chasing Chasing Amy," about the film and its meaning to LGBTQ culture at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
The Kansas City Royals — and every other team in Major League Baseball, for that matter — factor advanced statistics into almost every decision they make. That's a far cry from where the game was just two decades ago.
Jenay Manley, a single mom and organizer with KC Tenants, is running for Kansas City Council’s 2nd District At-Large seat against Lindsay French, a lead designer at TJP Strategies. If elected on June 20, Manley would be the first Black person to represent the Northland on City Council.
As summer creeps in, so do heaps of fresh produce at local farmers markets. KCUR's food writers are back with ideas for where to find fresh, at-home ingredients, and where to grab a meal made with locally-sourced produce.
Marissa Gencarelli says that winning the national James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery speaks to Mexican diversity and the importance of the "humble tortilla."
Valerie Lemmie discusses how people can build trust in their communities and continue the battle of keeping democracy alive.
The open seat is being vacated by Lee Barnes, Jr., who is term-limited out. Voters will choose between Michael Kelley, a political newcomer, and former Hickman Mills school board member Darrell Curls.
Performances of William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" begin at Southmoreland Park on June 13. This story features exotic creatures, conjuring, comedy, a love story, live music and beautiful language.
Kookin’ Cousins Kitchen, a Kansas City-based kitchen rental and culinary instruction facility, opened its doors in March of this year. Since then, it’s offered residents the chance to hone their cooking skills through a series of classes, and test out their ideas for new restaurants and businesses.
Yarl, who was shot in early April, is recovering from his physical injuries. His mother says his mental recovery has been tough.
Cynthia Levin started at the Unicorn Theatre in 1979. Now, 45 years later, she is preparing to step down as the producing artistic director.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly took on Kansas' GOP-led Legislature, vetoing more bills than any Kansas governor in nearly three decades. She shared her thoughts on the legislative session and what she's working on during the off season.
The Missouri Legislature proposed 48 Anti-LGBTQ bills this year, trailing only Texas, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Two openly gay lawmakers say the state has a long way to go toward making it a suitable environment for transgender residents.
Last year, Ruby Jean's Juicery owner Chris Goode began his push to change Troost Avenue, named after a slaveholder, to Truth Avenue. Now, the Kansas City Council is taking steps toward making the name change a reality.
Lawrence-based, Oscar-winning director Kevin Willmott and KCUR's C.J. Janovy and Sam Zeff discuss the making of the documentary "No Place Like Home: The Struggle Against Hate in Kansas."
Ahead of his comedy shows in Kansas City on June 2 and 3, Roy Wood Jr. recalled what it was like to host the White House Correspondent's Dinner and discussed why he'd be honored if he was selected as the next host of "The Daily Show."
The undergraduate seminar, called “The Sociology of Taylor Swift,” will examine the nature of American celebrity and the singer-songwriter’s community of superfans.
A former Army captain shares how he celebrates the lives of soldiers who died under his command, and how Kansas Citians can take part in honoring military men and women who have died while serving this country.
The former U.S. Senator who represented Missouri from 2011 to 2023 told Up To Date he has “no doubt” a deal to raise the debt ceiling will be made between President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy before money likely runs out in early June. The debt ceiling currently stands at $31.4 trillion.
Opponents of the death penalty want Missouri to abolish the practice. They say it's not a deterrent — the system is flawed and it gives too much power to the government.
After Kansas City declared itself a sanctuary city for gender-affirming care, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey opined to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners that they must enforce a ban on gender affirming care. But Mayor Quinton Lucas says the city won't budge on that issue.
Jeff Hiller, the breakout star of “Somebody Somewhere,” had grown used to playing bit parts. The show, streaming on MAX, has given him a chance to explore a deeper character.
Voters in the 6th District, which includes the Country Club Plaza, Brookside and Waldo, will choose between Dan Tarwater and Johnathan Duncan to fill the open seat during the June 20 general election.
Law enforcement agencies must be careful when they use social media. The public depends on the information from law enforcement to stay safe in violent situations such as active shooters, mass shootings and kidnappings.
Ryan Bernsten set out on a 23,000 mile journey to every U.S. state to listen to the stories of everyday Americans and understand their political beliefs. Then, he picked Kansas City to settle down. His new book shares what he learned in the process.
As Kansas City sees increasing rates of gun violence, some local officials and activists are looking for ways to help the formerly incarcerated reenter the work force, clean their record, and find a way out of "a cycle of violent crime.”
This year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival is expected to be three times bigger than last year’s. Through vendors and performances, the Cafe Cà Phê owner wants to showcase the many different cultures included in the label and help others connect with each other.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas chose entrepreneur Kemet Coleman to represent Kansas City at the Young Men of Color Roundtable at the White House this week.
Logan Richardson is recognized for his genre-bending approach to jazz and Black American music. In his latest album, 'Holy Water,’ his music continues to confront deep emotion.
20 years after scientists finished the sequencing of the first human genome, scientists around the world — including from the Stowers Institute in Kansas City — have taken another monumental step.
Washington Post opinion columnist David Von Drehle's newest nonfiction book, "The Book of Charlie," highlights the life of his former neighbor in Kansas City: Dr. Charlie White, who lived to the age of 109.
Julie Carr dives through her family history to discover the connection between populism and racism in her new book "Mud, Blood and Ghosts."
A bill that would provide tax incentives for major filmmakers to shoot movies in Missouri awaits Gov. Mike Parson’s signature.
The new book from Taylor Kay Phillips, a Kansas City-born writer living in New York City, explains what it means to take a short drive (at least eight hours), how to talk sports (until you’re six feet under) and how to use “Ope! Lemme just squeeze right past ya” in casual conversation.
The federal public health emergency over COVID, declared in 2020, came to an end on May 11. Health officials say the expiration of the order means that vaccines and tests are no longer being provided free from the federal government.
Kansas has been seeing fewer tornadoes in recent years, but is that a permanent change? One reporter explains the lull and why experts are more worried about other extreme weather threats in the region — like flooding.
Kansas City is hosting a mental health conference open to the public focusing on education, innovations, recovery and more. Speakers from two sessions share how they're focusing on mental health in the region.
A new book from NPR's Steve Drummond looks at how the Truman Committee, run by a relatively unknown U.S. Sen. Harry Truman, investigated wartime corruption, changed the country's efforts in World War II and ultimately helped launch Truman into the president's office.
The Kansas legislature has adjourned after an eventful session in Topeka, which included numerous anti-trans bills, and a large number of vetoes and Republican overrides.
Just a short jaunt across the state line is an overlooked food scene. Explore all the offerings of Kansas City, Kansas — including Mexican restaurants, meat markets, dive bars, Chinese food, a donut shop and more.
A new podcast from KCUR Studios and the Stowers Institute called "Seeking A Scientist with Kate The Chemist" is out now wherever you get your podcasts.
Britt Adair, a Kansas City punk musician, died suddenly May 1. As the Kansas City music community grapples with her death, musicians close to her shared what drew so many people to Adair and how much she cared for her community.
Bank of America donated $1 million to kick off the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s $25 million capital campaign for a new building to house its education center.
Kansas City business owner Godfrey Riddle recently appeared on Peacock's new reality show, "The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning." He says appearing on the show not only helped him declutter and redesign his basement, but also allowed him to fortify his purpose in life.
Veterans reflect on their role in the Iraq War, 20 years after President George W. Bush announced the U.S. had accomplished its mission in the country.
New superintendent Jennifer Collier says that as part of the district's strategic plan Blueprint 2030, Kansas City Public Schools will look to pass a local bond measure to raise taxpayer funds for the construction of new buildings.
The NFL Draft started in 1936 with no media coverage, but has blossomed to a nationally televised event that is the largest non sporting event in America bringing hundreds of thousands of football fans to Kansas City
An out-of-state developer’s plan to redevelop over 20 acres in the West Bottoms has some saying the area is about to become the next Crossroads Arts District. But the historic neighborhood’s small business community have raised concerns that the rapid change will price them out of the area.
Massive crowds are expected to surround Union Station for the NFL Draft this week. The Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, a NFL Salute to Service Partner, invited one Kansas family to honor a service member killed in action by announcing the Chiefs' third-round draft pick.
Missouri's attorney general issued an emergency ruling broadly restricting transgender health care. A political reporter describes the challenges to the ruling and a transwoman living in the state describes the fear and uncertainty of within the trans-community.
Unique Sixteen and Marjai Neal are poets, both born and raised in Kansas City. One uses poetry to fight injustice and the other discovered the arts through hardship.
Kansas City was once home to a robust streetcar system. Then, the arrival of the car caused it, along with most other American cities, to plan cityscapes for automobiles. As Kansas City works on extending its solo streetcar line, one transit historian says it's time for cities like ours to give residents significantly more options.
A local defense attorney said it's possible Lester's defense team will say Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old who shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl on his doorstep, had a right to use deadly force to protect his property. That's because of the 'castle doctrine.'
Advocates for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse say that events revolving around alcohol consumption, like the Super Bowl or NFL Draft, can escalate violence against women.
Christopher Elbow opened Christopher Elbow Chocolates in 2003. After two decades, he's producing 25 tons of chocolate per year and shows no signs of slowing down.
Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager living in Kansas City's Northland, was shot twice after accidentally ringing the doorbell of the wrong home. 84-year-old named Andrew Lester is charged with two felonies in the shooting. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to talk about the specifics of the case.
It’s been just over two months since dispensaries started selling recreational marijuana in Missouri and despite shortages, business is booming. Now the industry must grapple with perhaps its biggest hurdle since legalization: banks.
Kansas City Public Library's Kaite Stover, author Steve Paul, and BLK + BRWN bookstore owner Cori Smith share their favorite books of the moment, spanning true crime and romance to poetry and biography.
Making films isn't easy and it can be tougher if you’re a filmmaker of color. Meet three of the people who are bringing their vision to Kansas City projects.
Jason Kander is set to receive the Good Neighbor Award from the Truman Foundation next month. The Afghanistan veteran and former Missouri Secretary of State joins a group of honorees that includes Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, top journalists, humanitarians and even U.S. presidents.
Justice Gatson, founder and director of Reale Justice Network, said it’s been an emotional several days for Kansas City Black communities. Gatson was one of hundreds of protesters who have been calling on the Kansas City Police Department to arrest Ralph Yarl's shooter — and now she's calling on the police chief to resign.
Kate Cosentino, an Overland Park native who now lives in Nashville, got three judges to turn their chairs for her on season 23 of the music competition show "The Voice."
If you don't know about Kathy Nelson, you should. She was born and raised right here in Kansas City, and was just named one of USA Today’s "2023 Women of the Year."
A new clothing store in Olathe isn't your run-of-the-mill thrift shop. Angel Clothing Foundation is helping outfit individuals in need in a boutique-style setting, at no cost to the customer.
Cindy Holh has been with the Kansas City Public Library since 2017, and currently serves as its director of policy analysis and operational support.
Local KSHB-TV anchor and reporter Gabriella Pagan suddenly disappeared from television last year. She told Up To Date she had to leave her career in journalism to confront childhood trauma and abuse in her past. That’s how she became an advocate for kids in Jackson County’s Family Court system.
The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, Kansas, will feature the only Lockheed Martin Model 10 Electra still in existence. This model is identical to the plane Earhart flew on her final flight in 1937.
Following recent mass shootings in Louisville and Nashville, Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) is calling for Congress to revive the federal ban on assault weapons.
The exams, which occur on anesthetized patients without their knowledge, are often done by medical and nursing students who are told to perform them by their superiors. While non-consensual pelvic, prostate and anal exams remain legal in 29 states, legislation that seeks to ban the practice has gained traction in Missouri.
Kevin Wake is sharing his experience being denied proper treatment in an emergency room in order to draw attention to health disparities faced by sickle cell patients.
CNN senior Supreme Court analyst Joan Biskupic dives into the highest court in the land's hard conservative shift in her new book, "Nine Black Robes: Inside the Supreme Court's Drive to the Right and Its Historic Consequences."
It's Ramadan, one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar. The Dialogue Institute, a local nonprofit, has partnered with 33 different organizations to hold community fast-breaking dinners, called iftars.
Spring is a magical time in Kansas City. To take full advantage of all the season has to offer, Up To Date asked food writers and enthusiasts to share their favorite places across the metro to dine al fresco.
A diversion program in Cass County's Juvenile Court system aims to steer kids away from the negative impact of a criminal record while simultaneously teaching other youth volunteers about the law.
Many Kansas City metro residents are still not convinced that what put into their recycle bins ends up actually recycled. According to the Department of Public Works, this lack of confidence is one of the reasons why usage of recycling services has declined in recent years.
Kansas City is about a week behind schedule for vegetable planting because of an exceptionally chilly March, but gardeners don't have to wait any longer. Local horticulturist Dennis Patton shares his tips on how to get the most out of your lawn and garden this spring.
In both Kansas and Missouri, lawmakers are focusing heavily on the state budget, education issues, and targeting the rights of transgender residents.
Employment for workers with disabilities has reached a record high, but one Kansas City mom says it's not enough. Local groups are taking a more individualized approach to hiring, and finding ways to erase barriers.
As Kansas City prepares to host its first-ever NFL Draft, and fresh off the Chiefs' Super Bowl win, tight end Travis Kelce is adding to the festivities with a "Kelce Jam" on April 28.
After joining the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1990, Dr. Ellen Ochoa has flown in space four times and logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit. Ochoa is visiting Kansas City in April for an event at the Linda Hall Library.
After spending six years as the mayor of Roeland Park, Kansas, Mike Kelly was elected in November to be the next chairman of the Johnson County Commission. Just three months into the job, he's set to give his first State of the County address next week.
After finishing last in the American League Central Division last season, the Kansas City Royals made big moves behind the scenes in order to turn things around in 2023.
An after-school program teaches kids life skills through constructing lowrider bikes. Its founder, Martin Cervantes, says he was once a troubled kid himself.
Supporters of Missouri House Bill 253, which proposes an open enrollment system in the state's public schools, say the legislation gives parents the right to choose where their students are educated. But critics on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns. They say open enrollment would shut down struggling districts and further segregate schools.
Bryson Bruce, a graduate of Lee's Summit West High School and the University of Missouri, grew up performing in plays and musicals around the Kansas City area. Now he's a touring cast member in one of the most popular musicals of our time: "Hamilton."
Missouri is one of several states that have introduced legislation to ban gender-affirming care for minors, despite medical professionals declaring the care necessary for transgender children. A Kansas City-area doctor explains what trans healthcare is.
Up To Date spoke with Jackson County Executive Frank White and Legislators Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer about their commitment to reintroduce an ordinance that would ban anti-gay "conversion therapy" on minors.
The Kansas City Royals hope to build a new downtown ballpark and entertainment district. Community residents say they should have input and establish an agreement to protect future workers.
Incumbent Councilman Eric Bunch is seeking re-election. He's being challenged by his former legislative aide and a former member of the Missouri House of Representatives.
The parents of a trans, non-binary teen tell their story as lawmakers in Jefferson City work to pass a slew of anti-trans bills.
Mayor Quinton Lucas touts Kansas City's ability to attract big events like the NFL Draft and the 2026 World Cup. But he worries that the "hateful rhetoric" and anti-LGBTQ policies coming out of statehouses in Missouri and Kansas could drive some residents and major gatherings away.
Reporters in both Kansas and Missouri are dealing with a new wave of restrictions aimed at their ability to inform the public on how officials are spending their tax dollars.
Clancy Martin’s new book “How Not to Kill Yourself” takes a bold and unflinching look at what he calls the suicidal mind. Combining aspects of memoir and social inquiry, the book underscores one big idea: We need to be talking about suicide.
The Mid-America Regional Council's "Give 5" program hopes to lessen the effects of the "silver tsunami" by giving retirees a way to contribute their time and talents to the nonprofit sector.
While it’s already illegal for health care providers to practice "conversion therapy" on minors in Kansas City and Independence, Ordinance 5711 would make it against the law across all of Jackson County. It’d also make it easier for survivors to seek justice by providing a clear way to report abuse.
The Kansas House narrowly passed a "school choice" bill that will allow families of K-12 students to access upwards of $5,000 in state funding for alternatives to public education — including private schools and homeschooling. The Kansas State Board of Education opposes the bill, saying there's no way to track how students are doing.
In her new memoir, "Blindsided: Essays From The Only Black Woman in the Room," Dawn Downey battles a mental war between sensing racism and denying it.
Earlier this week Silicon Valley Bank in California and Signature Bank in New York collapsed, prompting the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to take them into receivership. Then, it caused the stock of UMB Bank in Kansas City to drop.
Ikey Suave has only been serious about music for a few years, but after he realized his talent he hasn't looked back. Neo-soul performer Jass has worked to earn fans beyond her immediate community.
Kansas City is known worldwide as a jazz town, home to the likes of Charlie Parker, Andy Kirk and Count Basie. But what about the women who helped shape the genre? To celebrate Women’s History Month, Up To Date looked at some of the city’s most iconic female jazz luminaries.
Legislation that would prohibit colleges from hiring diversity, equity and inclusion consultants and remove diversity questions from hiring requirements was heard by a House committee last week.
The chatbot has educators scrambling to make sure students don't use it to cheat. Two UMKC professors think one way to address the issue is to incorporate the new technology into lesson plans rather than ban it.
Mike Burke, an attorney, former Kansas City Councilman and mayoral candidate who was well known for his forward-thinking approach to economic development, passed away Sunday.
A Chicago-based Catholic law firm called the Thomas More Society has spent decades focused on their main mission: outlawing all abortions. Part of their strategy also includes casting doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections. Former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, whose law license was suspended indefinitely by the Kansas Supreme Court in 2013, is among their strategists.
Kansas and Missouri announced their first confirmed positive COVID-19 cases on Mar. 7, 2020. A registered respiratory therapist shares her experience caring for patients — some of whom refused proper treatment — in a Kansas hospital.
Psilocybin, the psychedelic drug commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms," is outlawed in most states, including Missouri, but a Republican legislator is trying to change that. He shares how the drug could be used to treat some ailments.
With a new airport terminal opening and the ongoing expansion of the streetcar line, Kansas City transportation has been making headlines. Our food writers share their favorite places to grab a bite while on the go.
Judge Philip Journey of Sedgwick County regularly hears domestic violence cases. He decided to propose a set of bills to the Kansas legislature that he believes would reduce these incidents and help victims.
McBeth, who died Wednesday at age 70, was known for her captivating stage presence and deep, commanding voice. She was a mentor and role model for younger generations of Black women coming up in the Kansas City jazz scene.
McFadden, was one-half of the internationally known McFadden Brothers. He died, passed unexpectedly after a performance with his brother Lonnie McFadden at the Loews Hotel in downtown Kansas City.
The Kansas City skywalk disaster in 1981 killed 114 people and become one of the most closely-covered events in the city's history. A new book uses the writing of a key player in the disaster to tell an untold story about the tragedy.
District 1 Legislator Manny Abarca IV told Up To Date the county executive doesn't attend meetings and isn't transparent about the annual budget. White's office said that's not true.
Kansas City-based Teachers Like Me has a specific goal, which is to recruit, develop and retain Black teachers. It’s starting to see some success.
The Jackson County Republican Party considered censuring state Rep. Chris Sander, a Lone Jack Republican, after he introduced an amendment changing the Missouri Constitution’s language defining marriage.
During heart health awareness month, a cardiologist shares what's known about SCAD, a condition that led one woman to suffer three cardiac events in three years. It's the leading cause of heart attacks in women under 50.
As the war in Ukraine passes its one year mark, former Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst says sending U.S. weapons can speed the end of the fighting.
Qasim Rahimi came to Kansas City in June 2021 after the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took over. Rahimi is a member of the Hazara, an ethnic minority group that has faced decades of violent persecution at the hands of the Taliban, and now he’s working to warn the world about the genocide being carried out against his people.
Feb. 28 is the first day of operations at Kansas City International Airport's new state-of-the-art single terminal. Former Kansas City Mayor Sly James, who was instrumental in getting the project off the ground, says travelers will be "stunned" by the terminal's artwork and facilities.
These reading lists include a comic mystery that will appeal to fans of "Knives Out" and "Glass Onion," a Civil Rights trilogy and classics from Shakespeare and Virginia Woolf.
A Kansas City woman turned her own family’s struggle into a way to help her community get better access to healthy food. Her idea just earned her $100,000 from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund.
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine last February, the Ukrainian Club of Kansas City knew it had to act. The community group came together to create Stand With Ukraine KC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing aid for Ukrainians both here and abroad.
Under a new Biden administration policy, immigrants fleeing persecution or violence will be required to first apply for asylum from outside the U.S. Immigration advocates are critical of the policy, which is schedule to go into effect in May, and compare it to the policies of former President Trump.
John Mearsheimer, professor of political science at the University of Chicago, believes the priority of the U.S. in Ukraine should be de-escalation, and that it should shift its focus to China, which he calls the bigger threat.
Noor Haideri, a 16-year-old high school junior from Overland Park, won first prize and a $250,000 college scholarship from the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, for a science video she created about blue light and how it disrupts our sleep cycle.
The federal COVID-19 public health emergency will end in May, and with it some significant policy changes around health insurance and public benefits. Kansas City's health director shares what's changing and what residents should do before then.
Protest is part of American history, and only more visible over the last decade thanks to social media. But protests over police violence and racism, including the Black Lives Matter movement, have not necessarily led to widespread improvements. So how effective is modern protesting, and what needs to happen to bring about change?
Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley says he wants to take aim at "Big Tech" by raising the minimum age requirement to use social media from 13 to 16. But how likely is it that Congress will act?
After Black residents criticized how Kansas City Police were not taking their concerns seriously, Bishop Tony Caldwell and his community group, the Justice and Dignity Center, say they've created a new app aimed at finding missing people.
A crime prevention bill supported by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce passed through the House of Representatives this month. But most Missouri Democrats say it will do little to actually prevent crime and gun violence.
World-touring jazz trumpeter Hermon Mehari is back in Kansas City to perform music from his new album "ASMARA," inspired by his family's Eritrean roots, at the Folly Theater.
The report was commissioned in 2020 after the Kansas City Star published a year-long investigation exposing discrimination against Black and women firefighters.
A Kansas Republican wants to give families more choice over where their children are educated, but one opponent says H.B. 2218 takes funding away from public schools and gives taxpayer dollars away with no government oversight.
A judge in St. Louis ruled on Tuesday that Lamar Johnson should be freed after two people provided testimony that absolved Johnson in the 1994 killing of Marcus Boyd.
Super Bowl champions for the second time, the Kansas City Chiefs drew fans out of bed and into the streets, some even overnight, to claim their spots along the parade route. Up To Date broadcast live from the parade route to speak with fans, sports writers and the 2022 Chiefs Fan of the Year about the team's banner year.
Mayor Quinton Lucas thinks Kansas City needs to do more to address its fire department's culture, one week after a report detailed persistent incidences of racist and sexist harassment within the department.
The FDA banned donations entirely during the HIV epidemic in the early 1980s when little was known about AIDS. But the risk of transfusion-related transmission hasn’t been a real concern for decades. Kansas City University professor Dr. Benjamin Grin says the government’s holdout on changing guidelines is in part because of a lingering stigma.
The Kansas City Chiefs, in last-second fashion, won Super Bowl LVII in Arizona over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. What does it mean for the city and fanbase?
Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt’s dedication to discovering Black athletes dates back to the 1960s, from selecting a Black player first in the 1963 AFL draft to hiring the first full-time African American pro scout.
For the first time since the pandemic began, Kansas City University medical students returned to a Kenyan clinic to help diagnose and treat patients as part of the school's global health outreach program. Two students share what the experience taught them and how it influenced their medical careers.
Photographer Jeremiah Ariaz embarked on a journey across Kansas, capturing the newspaper offices that serve rural communities, and speaking to what their shrinking staffs mean for democracy in America.
Missouri allowed the first dispensaries to begin selling recreational marijuana this past Friday, which permits anyone over the age of 21 to purchase. But now those incarcerated for marijuana offenses are struggling to get their records expunged.
A month into his 10th term in Congress, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver shares why it appears so many elected officials have mishandled classified documents, why he was angered by the process to elect a Speaker of the House and how his office is handling complaints of unsafe living conditions at a Kansas City apartment complex.
Insulin costs less than $2 per vial to make yet is sold for between $300-$700, according to a new court filing from Jackson County. The county is suing drugmakers like Eli Lilly and distributors like CVS Caremark for keeping the price of the life-saving drug artificially high.
Whether it's Indian biryani, Chinese dim sum, Filipino lumpia, or Korean bibimbap, Kansas City’s diverse Asian food scene has you covered.
Multiple Kansas City-area schools have reported incidents of racist vandalism and discriminatory comments in recent weeks. "We have to talk about white supremacy being normalized in these districts," says Kansas City Defender founder Ryan Sorrell.
Kansas City G.I.F.T provides grants to Black-owned businesses in the community. Last year, they presented $460,000 to 21 different Black-owned businesses, including Blueprint KC, The Next Paige Talent Management and Production, and Equal Minded Café.
Mayor Michael Boehm will retire after serving five terms as Lenexa's mayor — the longest serving mayor in the city's history. Since he took office, the city's population has grown by nearly 20,000 residents and the downtown has been reimagined.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey says "all legal options are on the table" to punish Columbia Public Schools for a drag show that around 30 students also attended. The school district and the drag performance group Nclusion Plus have repeatedly rebutted the Attorney General's claims, explaining that the show was "G-rated" and not sexual in nature.
Short on staff, experience and pay, the head of the Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services is asking state lawmakers to help alleviate the strain on the public defenders system.
The program provides free musical instruments and lessons to children living in Kansas City's Historic Northeast neighborhood. Some of the program's graduates are now headed to music school.
The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will play despite a high ankle sprain as the Chiefs attempt to reach their third Super Bowl in the last four seasons.
The Plaza Area Council is bringing together community stakeholders to revitalize Kansas City's historic shopping district and surrounding neighborhoods, and make it more "inclusive and diverse" for the future.
Pope Francis recently called for the decriminalization of homosexuality around the world, saying the Catholic Church should work to put an end to anti-LGBTQ laws. What could that mean for the Catholic Church's relationship with the LGBTQ community?
A study conducted by the Stowers Institute for Medical Research examined the genetic adaptations in Mexican river fish that were trapped underground over 160,000 years ago. The changes in the fishes’ muscle metabolism could help shed light on the long-term effects of physical inactivity in humans.
After a long debate at the Missouri House, women lawmakers will face a tougher dress code when they return to the floor. But Democrats criticized Republicans for spending time restricting women's clothing.
Shortly after retiring from her political career, Sally Faith was diagnosed with early-stage dementia. In her new book, she describes her fears about the disease, how she's exercising her brain and why she's sharing her story now.
On Jan. 9, Candice Alcaraz, a former assistant district attorney, was sworn in as the first Black female judge in the history of Wyandotte County, Kansas.
The KC Pioneers and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City began a partnership to help connect kids in Kansas City with career opportunities in the world of esports. The groups also collaborated to build an esports lounge in northeast Kansas City, Kansas, and hold multiple youth esports tournaments.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says improvements to Interstate 70 and expanded access to child care for working families are his top priorities this year.
The University of Kansas School of Nursing was one of the first institutions of higher education and the sole nursing school to launch a virtual “Metaversity” through Meta’s Immersive Learning project.
Leaders from 13 different religious organizations have joined a lawsuit filed by the National Women's Law Center and Americans United for Separation of Church and State challenging Missouri’s abortion laws. Two leaders from Kansas City say the trigger ban and other restrictions violate their congregations' religious freedom.
The Independence school board voted in December to adopt a four-day school week starting next school year, leaving some parents concerned and frustrated. But since the change was announced, school officials say teaching applications have increased exponentially.
Under an ordinance passed by Kansas City Council this month, the city has 90 days to form a commission tasked with looking into slavery reparations for Black residents.
Students at The Kansas State School for the Blind in Kansas City, Kansas, participated in the public television competition Make48, where teams have just two days to prototype, build and present their invention.
Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stormed several key government buildings in Brazil’s capital city on January 8.Members of Kansas City’s Brazilian Community now worry about how their home country will deal with deepening political divides.
Margaret Sullivan, author of "Newsroom Confidential: Lessons (and Worries) from an Ink-Stained Life," discusses American's mistrust in the media and the media's role in preserving democracy.
The Kansas City LGBTQ Commission recently released a letter urging the Jackson County Legislature to ban "conversion therapy." Justice Horn, chair of the LGBTQ Commission, believes recent changes in the legislature makes them ready to pass such a ban.
Kansas City's new crime prevention program, Partners for Peace, brings together social service providers and local law enforcement with the hopes of reducing the city's homicide rate.
The new short documentary "Parker" features members of a Kansas City family who decided to change their last names to match their father's. It's set to premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Musician Danny Cox faced discrimination while touring in Missouri in the 1960s, while public servant Al Brooks marched across the city during the 1968 riots. They've seen firsthand the long arc of the Civil Rights Movement, and how the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is still ongoing in Kansas City.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says that millions of dollars in revenue could be generated if voters in April approve taxes on recreational marijuana and short-term rentals. But how would that money be used?
The Kansas City Police Department and Missouri Department of Transportation are encouraging truck drivers to take an active role in reporting human trafficking. The departments are part of a week-long collaborative effort to educate and raise awareness about trafficking.
While abortion was almost completely banned in Missouri after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, several Republican lawmakers are already working to further restrict access to reproductive health care.
Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, says she'll introduce legislation this week to get rid of the statute of limitations for crimes involving sexual misconduct and abuse. She also criticized leaders of the Catholic Church for failing to support previous efforts to do so.
Esther George, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will retire at the end of January after a 40-year career at the bank. She leaves as the U.S. faces a challenging economic landscape.
The CleanAirNow Coalition was one of many environmental groups that, along with 16 U.S. states, sued the U.S. Postal Service over their plan to purchase heavily-polluting gasoline trucks. Now the USPS will electrify its fleet of mail delivery vehicles.
Vegan and vegetarian diets are getting more popular in Kansas City, and options at local restaurants are expanding. From sandwiches that mimic their meat-made counterparts to dishes where vegetables are the star, there's something for everyone.
Rod Fleeman, a mainstay of the Kansas City jazz scene and a longtime sideman, is out with his first album under his own name: "Saturday Afternoon Live at Green Lady Lounge."
After a series of unsuccessful votes this week, the narrow Republican majority in the U.S. House has failed to unite around a single nominee for speaker of the House.
After 45 years in television and print journalism, Dave Helling has retired. The former political reporter shares how the city has evolved during his tenure.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is still in critical condition after he went into cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan has passed away at the age of 89. Stephan served as attorney general from 1979 to 1995, when a sexual harassment scandal ended his political career.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is determined to work across the aisle with Republicans as Kansas state lawmakers return to the capitol on January 9.
The Missouri General Assembly begins its 2023 session on Wednesday in Jefferson City, where Republican Gov. Mike Parson and a GOP supermajority in both chambers will consider hundreds of proposed bills.
Burkley Hoover has published her first book at the age of nine. Tilted “Here Comes Football: A Kids Guide To The Game,” it covers the history and mechanics of the sport and includes interviews with several professional players.
Stacey Graves is first woman in the nearly 150 year history of the KCPD to be named a permanent chief of the department. She says she plans to focus on creating new opportunities to improve community engagement and relationships with the department.
Mirroring federal legislation passed on Dec. 8, Missouri Rep. Chris Sander, a Republican from Lone Jack, has pre-filed a bill to recognize marriage between two individuals.
Missouri legislators on both sides of the aisle are filing bills that would take steps to restrict ownership of the state's farmland by foreign corporations.
The new year is often a time when people set weight loss goals by trying new diets trends. One Kansas City doctor shares what to expect from fad diets and exercise, and the new medication used to treat chronic obesity.
Medical marijuana is known to treat patients with ailing conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Kansas City budtender Dani Kobularcik shares how her diagnosis opened doors for a new career.
Two Kansas City-area animal shelters say their kennels are full, and in one shelter, animals are living in offices and training rooms.
An intense storm is expected to bring 2-4 inches of snow and wind gusts of around 40 mph to the Kansas City area overnight. We asked the experts about how to deal with the weather — whether you're traveling, staying at home, or without a home.
Doug Frost, a Master Sommelier and Master of Wine, returns with his recommendations for holiday reds, whites and sparkling wines — including one pick from right here in Missouri.
A city council ordinance currently in committee would establish a commission to look into slavery reparations for Black Kansas Citians.
From music to theater to biographies, three Kansas City readers share what's on their book list this winter.
Republican Roy Blunt, Missouri's senior senator, will leave office next month after serving in Washington, D.C. since 1997.
Jamie Johnson and Anthony Ealy will be the first Black members of the Missouri House of Representatives from Platte County and Grandview when they get sworn in next month.
The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners selected Stacey Graves, a 25-year veteran of the department, as the next police chief of the KCPD. But some community members remain critical of the hiring process.
Once considered predominantly a men's disease, heart disease kills more women each year than cancer. One Kansas City doctor says that men and women are mistakenly prescribe different preventative treatment regimens.
An expert debunks the myths behind attention spans and shares how "we can train our minds" to stay focused.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly won her re-election bid against Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt last month. Now, she's looking ahead to the 2023 legislative session, where Republicans continue to hold all the power in the Kansas House and Senate.
Is there a song you can't stop humming? KCUR listeners put together this list of inescapable tunes, including "Good As Hell" by Lizzo, "Last Christmas" by Wham! and "Take Ur Place" by Kye Colors.
Jay Ashcroft argues his proposed restrictions on "non-age-appropriate materials" in libraries will give parents more power over what their kids consume. Library administrators say the rule would force them to take on a “big brother status,” and threaten equal access to information for all children.
Clients from First Call, an alcohol and drug prevention and recovery organization, sat down with actors from the Unicorn Theatre to help the cast of "Clyde's" gain insight into the experiences of individuals trying to rebuild their life after getting out of prison.
Rockette Mindy Moeller says she keeps coming back to Radio City each season because she's "not done learning."
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says the Board of Police Commissioners could choose the KCPD's next police chief as soon as Tuesday, but he has "not made a decision" on who he will support for the position.
Michael Smith's path from a childhood in Texas to award-winning Kansas City chef and restauranteur had stops in France, Italy and cities across America.
Marc Myers' book "Anatomy of 55 More Songs: The Oral History of Top Hits That Changed Rock, Pop, Soul" reveals why it was the 21st of September for Earth, Wind and Fire's hit song and who inspired the heartbreak behind "She's Gone" by Hall & Oates.
The proposal by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft would threaten the funding of libraries over "non-age-appropriate materials" for minors. But former library administrators say the rules are "redundant and unnecessary."
Our film critics share their favorite holiday movies that, even years later, still uphold the spirit of the season.
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard two major cases: one that could alter who has the authority to regulate federal elections, and another that addresses whether applying public accommodation laws to artists violates the First Amendment. What kind of impact could these cases potentially have?
The trio is bringing the timeless soundtrack to the holiday favorite "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to Kansas City this December.
Some community members have expressed disproval about recommendations to modify residential zoning guidelines in Prairie Village. But others say the proposal will help the city to be more affordable, inclusive and diverse.
The Kansas City Chiefs nominate Missourian native as NFL Fan of the Year for her advancements in equitable breast cancer treatment.
Curt Herrman of Manhattan, Kansas, holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Kansas City Chiefs memorabilia.
Google's artificial intelligence is showing promising results in breast cancer detection. In testing, the software logged fewer false positives and false negatives than radiologists.
Whether you’re looking for a place to take the whole family out this holiday season, or just looking for a good spot to eat with all your friends, here are some of the best places in the metro for bigger party sizes.
For infantrymen like John Musgrave, the road out of Vietnam involved dehumanizing the enemy and killing them. His memoir describes his time in the war, why he joined the antiwar movement and the responsibility of citizens of a democracy.
The United States recorded its first case of AIDS in 1981. On World AIDS Day, a survivor and a physician discuss how public perception and treatment of the disease has changed over 40 years.
Fewer than 10% of Kansas City's short-term rentals, like Airbnb and Vrbo, are licensed. Residents say that has damaged their quality of life and they want the city to do something about it.
As he retires from journalism, KCUR news editor and longtime Kansas City reporter Dan Margolies reflects on his most memorable stories and extensive career.
Trish Reedy tells the story of surviving and abusive relationship, and reveals the tactics used by abusers to exert control over their partners.
With the athletic shoe business set to become a $95 billion industry by 2025, Kenneth Anand and Jared Goldstein wrote the "the legal bible" to navigate the global sneaker market.
KSHB chief meteorologist Gary Lezak delivers his last forecast December 1, and will turn his attention to running his long-range weather prediction business.
To expand sports betting across the U.S., gambling industry lobbyists used questionable arguments and lavished gifts and donations on state lawmakers — notably in Kansas. Meanwhile, the taxable revenue from those sports bets has nearly disappeared.
Leawood, Kansas, native Charlie Janssen has qualified for hiking’s 'Triple Crown' award, which recognizes hikers who have completed three of the country’s longest trails. Janssen joins an elite group of people who have completed all three trails in a calendar year.
People of color become involved in the criminal justice system and are incarcerated at a disproportionate rate compared to white individuals. A Kansas City nonprofit is working to change that by introducing young Black people to the other side of the legal system.
Kimiko Black Gilmore, the deputy city manager of Kansas City, Missouri, is in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. She's there to learn how to be the best host possible when the event comes to Kansas City in 2026.
The CBS chief elections and campaign correspondent is looking ahead to see who will challenge Donald Trump in 2024 and whether the actions of a divided Congress next session will change how people view the two major political parties.
The military provides career stability, but service members can be relocated any number of times. This often increases the financial strain on service members and their families.
The idea for the beloved and iconic bookstore was "birthed on a bar stool less than 50 feet from its front door."
Friendsgiving is an unofficial holiday when friends get together for a celebration centered around food and fun. And some of that food might not be turkey.
After buying Twitter for $44 billion, Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues to make headlines for laying off half the staff, reinstating Trump's account and inspiring users' farewell to the social media app.
For many people, movies are a Thanksgiving Day tradition. We have suggestions to take you through the holiday season.
Kansas City Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman said a new ballpark would be a "far better investment" than renovating Kauffman Stadium. But experts say the payoffs aren't so clear, especially if taxpayers have to help foot the bill.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act mandates that school district provide services to help unhoused kids stay in school. But experts worry that the Blue Springs School District is undercounting homeless students.
The Farmer's Almanac forecasted a cold and snowy winter for people living in Kansas and Missouri.
Sports biographer Jeff Pearlman interviewed more than 700 friends, family members, coaches and others close to Bo Jackson for his new book about the acclaimed athlete.
Former President Donald Trump, who attempted to overthrow the results of the last U.S. presidential election, has announced he is running for the third consecutive election cycle.
Jewish Family Services’ food pantry is seeing demand for its services going up — right along with prices for many of the food items and products it supplies.
Cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, have been surging among children in the Kansas City area and around the country. But locally, cases could start heading in the opposite direction.
Some long-term care facilities in Kansas are closing or reducing the number of clients they can serve due to a shortage of employees. And while staffing agencies can help fill the void, one advocacy group says they're charging "extortionate prices for staffing."
Kelly joins 11 other female governors as women in Kansas and Missouri won offices at local, state and federal levels.
Erin Jeanne McDowell, author of the best-seller 'The Fearless Baker,' has a new recipe book for the savory side of baking.
Cannabis company Franklin's Stash House has partnered with Guy's Snacks and James Lemonade for new products.
James Burkee has hit the ground running, as he finds innovative ways to provide full-ride scholarships to over 200 lower-income students.
During an emergent cardiac event, receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increases the likeliness of survival. However, a study by a Saint Luke's cardiologist found that people of color are far less likely to receive CPR from bystanders than white people.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids, who represents Kansas' 3rd Congressional district, defeated Republican Amanda Adkins by 12% in the midterm election.
For Vietnam veteran Jan Scruggs, 'It's just magnificent to do something that's had such incredible impact.'
The Show Me State voted to legalize recreational marijuana. Here's how Missouri will transition to the retail sale of weed and expunge old convictions.
KCUR editors discuss their approach to the station's political coverage during the 2022 midterm election.
Four political scientists from Kansas and Missouri broke down the results in several key races and provided analysis on the biggest stories of Election Day 2022.
Meet two Kansas City artists who usually reside behind the scenes or behind their instruments, but have talents to do it all.
Nov. 9 marks 84 years since Kristallnacht, the infamous wave of antisemitic pogroms organized by the Nazi regime that served as a prelude to the Holocaust. At the time, it was among the biggest news stories in the American media.
Whether you’re craving dim sum, pasta, or empanadas, here's where to find the best dough-covered eats in the area.
The ballot measure would give the legislature the power to order Kansas City to increase the police budget. Supporters say the amendment gives needed funding to a city with growing crime rates. Critics argue it gives the state legislature control over decisions that belong to residents.
With Election Day less than a week away, political observers joined Up to Date to talk about what they're watching out for.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer's latest book examines the moral evolution of the 16th president from childhood through his time in office.
“Art and Advocacy” is one of four, 60-minute documentaries that will be released by a group called DocuCourse. The films aim to provide practical ways to advance communities.
The Kansas City housing market outlook favors sellers and properties are still going quickly, despite inflation.
The senior U.S. senator from Kansas "has thrown red meat here and there to the extreme right of his party," according to one political science professor.
In the race to be the next Jackson County Executive, incumbent Democrat Frank White Jr. is being challenged by Republican Theresa Galvin.
Author and community safety advocate points to a system which sees some victims as important and others as not.
Missouri's 6th Congressional District, which covers the entire northern part of the state from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River, has experienced a major political swing in recent decades.
In his new book "Me vs. Us: A Health Divided," Dr. Michael Stein explains how the U.S. healthcare system should prioritize the collective health.
More people might be looking for a good film or series to watch as the weather begins to cool. Up To Date invited two movie critics to share suggestions of box office hits and movies and series worth streaming from home.
The U.S. Department of Justice appoints district election officers to ensure voting is conducted without interference.
With funding from the Kansas City Public Schools, Northeast High School was selected for a pilot program to show the district the benefits of the arts and to bring a culture of marching bands back in its schools.
Commonly diagnosed in children, RSV began circulating early this year. With multiple viruses spreading at once, one doctor has a reminder about the importance of vaccines.
Two graduates of Blue Valley High School have built a career and earned millions of followers by filming their journeys into the most haunted places on Earth.
Kansas Constitutional Amendment 1, also known as the "Legislative Veto or Suspension of Executive Agency Regulations Amendment," would increase the power of the legislature while weakening the governor's office.
At 224 pages and just over 69,000 words, the current Missouri constitution is the fourth in the state's history. November's ballot will ask if voters want a new one.
Iconic Kansas Citian Alvin Brooks will be presented with the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award from the Jewish Community Relations Bureau.
In Max Fisher's new book "The Chaos Machine," he examines how social media giants like Facebook and Twitter contributed to political divisions in modern America.
For former police officer and prosecutor Chris Mann, running for Attorney General "is just a continuation of my life in public service."
Democrat Mark Ellebracht, who has represented his Northland district in the Missouri House since 2017, is running for a fourth term in office.
After evacuating New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina, Jamie Johnson rebuilt her life in Missouri. Now she wants to do "the most good that I can."
The KC Media Collective and Raytown’s Crane Brewing Company are collaborating on the “Brewshound,” a new hazy pale ale that benefits local journalism.
WeDevelopment Federal Credit Union, which opens this weekend at Linwood Shopping Center, is taking on the mission of increasing financial literacy in communities east of Troost.
After adjusting to her own loss of hearing, retired Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans is coming to Overland Park to help raise money for service dogs.
Leadership skills are built in to every level of the scouting experience, from kindergarten through grade 12.
Two Kansas City bar owners say homeless individuals aren't getting the help they need from the city and it's affecting their business.
Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration officially declared a nationwide shortage of the prescription drug Adderall.
From a flourishing career to a stay in a mental hospital, Christina Santiago's book of poetry recounts the manic and depressive episodes that resulted in her losing her job and inpatient treatment for bipolar disorder.
Two measures on the November ballot for Kansas Citians would designate a combined $175 million in bonds to go towards affordable housing, parks and fixing up Bartle Hall.
KCUR Studios has a new investigative podcast. Overlooked tells the story of former police detective Roger Golubski, who put an innocent man in prison and is accused of sexually assaulting numerous Black women in Kansas City, Kansas. For decades, it was an open secret. How could this have happened for so long, and what does justice look like for his alleged victims? Hear chapter one now, and stay tuned for a new episode this week.
As they seek the job of chairing the Johnson County Commission, a current commissioner for Johnson County's District 3 and the mayor of Roeland Park bring different agendas to the campaign trail.
With activities like dodgeball, sand volleyball, pickleball, trivia and kickball, Stonewall Sports KC provides a place of queer inclusion for the Kansas City area.
KC Tenants Power is the newly formed political arm of the nonprofit that seeks affordable housing for renters.
A KSHB investigative news team discovered some medical students are practicing invasive medical exams on unknowing patients, and it's legal on both sides of the state line.
Missouri and Massachusetts are the only states whose National Guards fall under another state department agency instead of answering directly to the governor.
Known for her observational style, Paula Poundstone believes nature has given us humor "as a coping mechanism."
The former CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, is campaigning to be first Democratic U.S. Senator from Kansas in 90 years.
"Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors" is up through the end of the year at the Truman Presidential Library and Museum.
The rate of myopia, or nearsightedness, among young people worldwide is growing at a dramatic rate. There are several theories about why this is happening.
As indicated by their busy schedules, these Kansas City DJ’ have made names for themselves in the nightlife scene and are dedicated to keeping parties going.
With Troostapalooza kicking off this weekend, critics share some of the best options for dining along this historic Kansas City avenue.
The old stereotype was that people with tattoos couldn't get good jobs, or were all thugs and criminals. Now, tattooing is a multi-billion-dollar industry.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, fentanyl overdose deaths rose 350% between 2019 and 2021. That makes fentanyl overdoses the leading cause of death in this country for people between the ages 18 and 45.
Despite large monetary bonuses, the United States Army fell 15,000 people short of its recruitment mission. Residual effects of COVID-19, low unemployment and high standards have made it difficult for the military to recruit qualified applicants.
Recreational marijuana legalization is a popular policy among Democrats, but the Missouri Democratic Party has declined to endorse the Legal Missouri 2022 ballot initiative.
As the Springfield photographer prepares to fill a Kansas City gallery with her work, collectors on both coasts are identifying with what's universal about southwestern Missouri.
Kansas is one of a few states in its region where abortion is legal. Planned Parenthood Great Plains is struggling to keep up with demand as patients travel from as far as Texas and Louisiana to receive care.
Josh Koskoff found a way to hold gun manufacturer Remington responsible for the use of its rifle in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Since his exoneration and release from prison in 2019, Ricky Kidd has developed a workshop for lawyers who bring accused people to trial. The first district attorney's office he presented it to was Jackson County's — the same one that prosecuted him.
The first episode of KCUR's Up to Date aired on Sept. 30, 2002. Two decades later, the Up To Date team remembered a few of host Steve Kraske's best and worst live interviews.
Care for children in Kansas' foster care system has been scrutinized for years. Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard says the state is making progress improving the system.
The famous New York Times series has seen its creator write a "1619" book then move to the current production of a six-part documentary on the project.
Jazz trumpeter Sean Jones is known in the jazz world as a force of nature. He’ll be in Kansas City on Sept. 30 to play with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.
The legalization of recreational marijuana is on the ballot for Missouri voters this November. But, are the specifics of the ballot measure equitable?
The arrival of Google Fiber in Kansas City highlighted the challenges the country faces when it comes to ensuring that low income household have access to the promise of world-class internet speeds.
As plastic bags congest the Earth, many people reach for paper or reusable cloth bags. However, the consequences of those can be worse than single-use plastic bags.
The comprehensive collaborative plan would work on reducing homelessness not only in Kansas City but in the region.
Kansas City has a reputation for being car dependent and unsafe for pedestrians. The city might have a long way to go before it becomes a truly walkable city, but people are working toward that change.
A project at Yale University has developed a nasal delivery method that could go beyond use for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The Democratic candidate for Missouri's District 34 Senate seat opposes the special session for tax cuts when lawmakers should be looking at "what our government should be doing for us."
Of the titles depicted on the iconic 26-foot-tall book spines on the Kansas City Public Library's parking garage, 11 have been banned or challenged in the past.
"I think we need to do a better job of understanding what are the concerns — particularly of Black officers," says Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas in response to the Department of Justice's probe into the Kansas City Police Department.
Annually, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. In addition to celebrating Hispanic history and culture, the month is a fun time to recognize Hispanic heritage through food.
Historically, the number of Kansans with health insurance was a couple of percentage points better than the United States. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, that is no longer the case.
The Democrat running for Missouri's District 8 is willing to work across the aisle with those "who truly want to represent the people."
Rinker Buck has combined history and adventure since he was a teen. His latest expedition highlighted the role of the flatboat in opening the western frontier.
As the Kansas City Council prepares a plan to address homelessness and keep unhoused people safe during the winter months, advocates worry a solution isn’t coming fast enough.
"It's hard to believe others in the department didn't know what was going on," former U.S. Attorney for Kansas Stephen R. McAllister says of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department during former Det. Roger Golubski's time there.
Emporia State University recently fired dozens of tenured faculty members. What does that mean for the future of tenure at universities in Kansas and across the nation?
Some Republican governors are sending migrants to liberal cities across the country to draw attention to immigration at the southern border of the United States.
Historically, it's been almost routine for voters to allow judges to keep their places on the bench. After recent decisions, voters are looking more closely at the power of the courts.
Missouri State University is the first university in the state to deploy a food-delivery service that uses robots.
After years of numerous allegations of coercion and sexual assault, retired KCKPD detective Roger Golubski was taken into custody by the FBI.
"Mirror Pavilion," a new sculpture by Jan Hendrix, has been unveiled on the lawn of The Nelson-Atkins Museum.
The new exhibit, "Sound and Story: 25 Years at the American Jazz Museum," will include the four pillars of the American Jazz Museum’s mission: exhibition, performance, education and research.
Native plants are crucial to the "web of life" in any environment or habitat. So, the Missouri Prairie Foundation is holding a plant sale to help people incorporate those plants into their gardens and yards.
Sept. 15 is the International Day of Democracy. Alarms are sounding that democracy in America — once the example to the world — is in danger.
It took local artist Steve Snell 88 days to paddle all 2,341 miles of the Missouri River. Along the way, he recorded video of his journey and painted more than 100 pieces of art.
The second-oldest cemetery in Kansas City was created by business leaders. Its first burial was a six-month-old girl.
Whether you read every book on your summer list or missed the reading-at-the-beach season altogether, here are some titles that are good any time.
The four day work week is gaining popularity with employers around the world — including Kansas City clothing company Charlie Hustle.
‘Toni Stone’ explores race, gender and the determination of the first of three woman to play in the Negro Leagues
The trumpet player, considered a "must watch" act by jazz fans because of his unique talent, credits local musicians for helping develop his style.
The UMKC School of Law and Athletics Department are co-sponsoring The Arc of Race in Professional & Collegiate Sports, a two-day virtual symposium featuring national and local experts.
Bill Graves, the Republican governor of Kansas from 1995 to 2003, is not backing the Republican candidate — Attorney General Derek Schmidt — in this year's governor's race.
Anthropologist and author Lucas Bessire says the influence of corporate agribusiness over the political process in Kansas has prevented policymakers from saving the Ogallala Aquifer.
A Kansas City mother is celebrating after a web security company dropped a website that harassed her child. She says online bullying laws need to change to keep up with technology.
One artist spent his early years in Panama and the other used the Spanish language as a tool to connect with the community.
Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide.
The Kansas City chapter of Full Circle wants to help young people find enthusiasm for addiction recovery.
Whether it's a torta, a BLT, bánh mì or a grinder you're craving, here's where to find the best in the metro.
The Native American athlete from Oklahoma made his athletic mark in collegiate, Olympic and professional sports.
Sgt. Ward Smith of the Kansas City Police Department says de-escalation training has been a major focus for the department in recent years.
The U.S. is experiencing a shortage of dentists. While this isn't the case in every community, the Kansas City region has plenty of "dental deserts."
Care from a clinic or hospital accounts for about 20% of a person's health, while the other 80% is affected by the community that surrounds them. That's why one medical school professor is teaching medical students about social determinants.
This year's homicide count in Kansas City surpassed 100 this month. As gun violence continues, local law enforcement agencies are taking steps to try to prevent those crimes.
Even if you do not have a government-issued photo ID and haven't voted in decades, Missouri Secretary of State John Ashcroft says if you're registered you can still cast a ballot in November.
City officials say the small city of De Soto, Kansas, is preparing for the influx of people and infrastructure that will arrive with the construction of Panasonic's battery plant.
The Marlborough Community Land Trust is building wealth for low-income individuals by rehabbing homes and selling them below market price.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has called a special legislative session for Sept. 6th that will focus on passing $700 million in income tax cuts along with a group of agricultural tax credit programs.
With a 3-2 win over the North Carolina Courage on Aug. 28, the KC Current’s unbeaten streak grew to 12 matches.
Airline issues have become all too common this summer, as airports have been busier than any time since the pandemic began.
The Jackson County Children's Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services is short hundreds of staff, resulting in overwhelmed case workers and reduced visits between biological parents and their children in foster care.
Governor Laura Kelly announced last week that Kansas will legalize sports gambling in September.
"Canaan" will be showing on Sept. 16 at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Performance Center and Sept. 17 and 18 at the White Theatre at The J.
President Joe Biden took a major step on Wednesday by canceling $10,000 in student loans for borrowers making less than $125,000 per year, and $20,000 in student loans for Pell Grant recipients.
Coach Dick Vermeil talks about his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, his time in Kansas City and his caring approach to coaching.
After the City Council passed an ordinance relaxing requirements for affordable housing, two members who opposed the policy share why they voted against the ordinance and how they'd like to see the policy better address tenants' and builders' concerns.
Legendary Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, broadcaster and Pro Football Hall of Famer died on Wednesday at the age of 87.
In January 2018, Overland Park police officer Clayton Jenison shot and killed 17-year-old John Albers as the teenager backed his family minivan out of his garage. The Washington Post has taken a deep dive into the ensuing investigation.
The Torch Carriers Conference, hosted by the National Congress of Black Women's Kansas City chapter, includes workshops and sessions to uplift Black women and girls.
Every year, the jazz community comes together to commemorate saxophonist Charlie Parker with a series of jam sessions, tributes, tours and lectures.
During this Black Philanthropy Month, one Kansas City nonprofit uses the Black community's heritage of giving to show philanthropy is not confined to the wealthiest.
By focusing on six core climate-related issues, the Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan aims to make Kansas City carbon neutral by 2040. However, energy companies say the plan limits consumer choice.
Interim KCATA President and CEO Frank White III shares his ideas for transportation improvements.
Despite Republicans' failure to repudiate Donald Trump in the wake of the insurrection at the Capitol, Rep. Adam Schiff of California is confident the nation will survive ongoing attacks on its democratic institutions.
Earlier this year, Richard Linton became president of Kansas State University after a decade as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University.
Two evangelical Christians of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection explain how their political viewpoints stray from most evangelicals and conservatives.
Kansas City vintage apparel stores WyCo Vintage and Daisy Lee Vintage talk sustainability, upcycling and reviving old fashion.
In the Missouri Senate, the Republican Party has been split into two factions—Republican leadership and the conservative caucus—since 2018. But now, the seven members of the latter group have chosen to disband.
Backed by millions of dollars from a PAC led by former U.S. Sen. Jack Danforth, independent Senate candidate John Wood views himself as the “common-sense alternative” to what he calls the extreme wing of the Republican Party.
From TikToks to reels of family, food and friends, these local content creators use social media to influence followers.
New hit single helps one artist build confidence. Another artist continues to build on previous success.
Kansas City Actors Theatre is producing the two-person play about Calvin Trillin's late wife. The play was adapted from his memoir of the same name.
As monkeypox cases climb in the U.S., learn more about symptoms, vaccines, and how the disease is reigniting stigma against gay and bisexual men.
The price of prescription drugs can prove to be a major medical hurdle for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Pharmacy of Grace is trying to bridge that gap.
A Kansas City design firm is using artwork and nature to prioritize people instead of cars at intersections across the metro. The goal is to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
Lead to Read KC uses volunteer reading mentors for one-on-one sessions to establish the "foundation for all other learning."
The new book "Iconic Restaurants of Kansas City" takes readers on a journey to discover the roots of Kansas City's favorite eateries such as the Colony Steakhouse, Allen's Drive-In and Smaks.
As Kansas City’s first Black-owned housing co-op, Parade Park helped residents pursue the American Dream of owning a home and building a community. But after 60 years, it’s uncertain if it can survive foreclosure and redevelopment.
This isn't the first time Missouri has banned abortions. Residents may have heard ghoulish tales of “Doc Annie” Smith, a physician who looms large in Missouri’s mythology for performing illegal abortions in the early 1900s. Today, the truth about her work has largely disappeared.
This isn't the first time Missouri has banned abortions. Residents may have heard ghoulish tales of “Doc Annie” Smith, a physician who looms large in Missouri’s mythology for performing illegal abortions in the early 1900s. Today, the truth about her work has largely disappeared.
Whether you like them smashed, pub style or vegetarian, Kansas City has a burger for every taste.
The MS Achievement Center, located at the University of Kansas Medical Center, provides weekly therapies and socialization for those with the neurological disease.
In July, the U.S. transitioned from a ten-digit mental health hotline to a simpler number: 988.
The goal of Kansas City's Office of Citizen Engagement is to raise awareness of grants and funds available to residents for community projects. The city's new community engagement coordinator, Gary Jones, is at the head of that effort.
Schools are finalizing schedules and prepping classrooms for the start of a new school year. Two superintendents share how they've prepared and where resources are falling short.
Headlined by the Missouri Senate race and a vote that protected abortion rights in the Kansas constitution, primary elections in both states wrapped up on Tuesday night.
When it comes to Nicolas Cage films, picking which one to watch can be hard, but library patrons are invited to do just that.
The University of Kansas recently removed Sigma Chi from its campus. KU has suspended three fraternities this year due to hazing offenses.
A health care bill that would provide benefits to veterans exposed to harmful toxins overseas was blocked by 25 U.S. Senate Republicans, including two from Missouri and one from Kansas.
A one-of-a-kind animation studio is coming to Kansas City, allowing students the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and develop portfolios for careers in the high-dollar industry.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri's 5th district has secured over $38 million in federal funding for various community projects in the Kansas City area.
Brandon Calloway is putting characters of color at the center of their own stories with his Kansas City-based publishing company Darkmoon Comics.
One lives in the front yard and the other lives in the back, but both tortoises have found a home in Brookside.
Kansas City attorney Stacy Lake has a plan to do better than the incumbent. That plan focuses on putting county residents first.
Women around the country often use period-tracking phone apps to chart their menstrual cycles.
There's talk of a possible recession, but Kansas City might fare better than other places due to the major employers it houses.
Kansas has more unaffiliated voters than registered Democrats, but the state has little data about how the group will vote in the August primary.
Since Missouri's trigger law was enacted, some medical experts are relying on law experts to legally navigate options for patients experiencing a complication during pregnancy.
After participating in local theatre and dance groups, these Kansas City natives now perform on Broadway and in national tours.
David A. Paterson says he was ready to be governor, but the media's focus on his blindness obscured what he was trying to accomplish.
Retired vascular surgeon Dr. Ted Higgins runs a surgical center in Haiti that generally sees an upwards of 20,000 patients per year. He says the humanitarian crisis the country faces is making it difficult for the Higgins Brothers Surgicenter for Hope to get patients the care they need.
Buyers beware. Lead can be found in household items, from antique salt shakers to brand-new products sitting on store shelves.
Poet, musician, scholar and community organizer Lyla June focuses on a revitalization of the Diné nation and intercultural healing.
A relatively late arrival to the Missouri Senate race, Trudy Busch Valentine now finds herself one of the frontrunners in the Democratic primary.
As it did with its original stretch of track, KC Streetcar is renewing development interest in properties along its extended route.
The McFadden Brothers were inducted into the American Jazz Walk of Fame and Candace Evans is one of the region's most popular pianists and vocalists.
Advocates in the Kansas City area talk accessibility and disability pride ahead of the Americans with Disabilities Act's (ADA) anniversary, otherwise known as Disability Independence Day.
The crystal clear images of galaxies far, far away being produced by the James Webb Telescope are stunning. But the groundbreaking information being gathered by scientists as a result of those images is the telescope's greatest benefit.
People can live in better neighborhoods without moving. Majora Carter has proven it in the South Bronx, where she was born, raised and still resides.
As Missourians and Kansans prepare to go to the polls, dozens of legislative districts in both states have failed to produce a Democratic candidate. So why aren't more Democrats running?
Sheryl Ferguson, founder of It's Time 4 Justice, has organized a public forum with the goal of starting a conversation about race with people from all walks of life.
Dogs and cats can't cool themselves as efficiently as people, making them more susceptible to heatstroke.
U.S. Senate candidate Spencer Toder is taking an uncommon approach to campaigning. He shares why he thinks his actions before the primaries will appeal to voters.
Loud Light and New Frontiers Project work with Kansas youth to spread awareness about upcoming elections, eliminate barriers to voting and motivate young people to use their voice.
Democratic candidate Lucas Kunce shares how his upbringing in a working class family and military career provide the experience Missourians will value from a U.S. Senator.
Golden State Warriors player development coach Kris Weems is proud of his Kansas City, Kansas, roots.
Since opening its doors on Troost in 2016, The Grooming Project has served over 600 people stuck in cycles of poverty.
Last week, Panasonic announced that De Soto, Kansas, has been chosen as the site of the company's new $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant.
Photographer Jim Dow partners with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to showcase roadside signs from across the country, captured over 10 years.
Former President Trump has refused to endorse Hartzler, but the U.S. Representative is confident she's the Republican who can keep a Senate seat for her party.
The 'emotional value' auction hosted by the Charlotte Street Foundation, is a new form of sale that does not involve money.
A one-time dramatic reading of Will Brumley's play "The Clinic" will take place on July 18 during KC Fringe Fest.
After two years of virtual events, the lineup for TEDxKC in August includes Harvard's Arthur C. Brooks, who will speak on the art and science of happiness.
Dr. Jennifer Collier has taken on the role of interim superintendent for Kansas City Public Schools. After the departure of longtime superintendent Mark Bedell, she says she knows "exactly what we need to do to move forward."
Panasonic announced on Wednesday it has chosen De Soto, Kansas, as the site of a massive new factory. The plant will be the largest vehicle battery production facility in the world and will cost $4 billion to construct.
A Stowers Institute researcher intent on learning how our brains work found that proteins can have more than one effect on what we remember.
The U.S. Supreme Court restricted the authority of the EPA to regulate emissions, transferring the power to Congress instead.
Following a series of recent shootings, Kansas City Manager Brian Platt said the city needs to consider "being a little more aggressive and proactive" to prevent gun violence.
Supporters of the "Value Them Both Amendment" claim that their proposal will prevent Kansas from becoming an abortion destination — but the state already holds that title.
A science expert explains the severity of monekypox and the latest on the omicron subvariant BA.5
Women share different reasons why they chose abortion, from medically necessity to personal instability.
Society often depicts pregnancy as a blissful experience, but for some moms-to-be that's not the case. One psychiatrist discusses risks and treatment for reproductive mental health.
In 1995 the Olathe School District lost its case to remove a book about teenage lesbian love from its schools. Protecting students' First Amendment right to such materials in their libraries is still ongoing.
About 2 in every 100 children born in the U.S. are conceived through IVF, which involves fertilizing an egg in a laboratory.
The former Missouri politician and veteran candidly reflects on his struggles with PTSD in a new memoir.
The Mission Project supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by fostering community and building independence.
Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth is endorsing independent candidate John Wood for Missouri's open seat, which is being vacated by Sen. Roy Blunt.
Attorneys from Cordell and Cordell law firm is hosting a seminar in the Kansas City area to help men learn how to avoid potentially costly mistakes during divorces.
Missouri voters can expect changes to the election process come November's general election. A political science professor analyzes some of the changes that will be implemented after the August primaries.
As small businesses and nonprofits increasingly occupy Troost Avenue in Kansas City, one entrepreneur is petitioning to change the street's name.
As temperatures climb, so do cravings for anything cold. From sweet to savory, and everything in between, Kansas City's food scene has almost all palates covered.
At the start of the pandemic, teachers were praised for their ability to adapt. Now large numbers of teachers are leaving the profession earlier than expected.
In celebration of Pride Month, Up To Date highlighted three local LGBTQ business owners to learn more about their companies.
A species of wiggling worms can jump a foot in the air, and they’ve spread to more than a dozen states in the Midwest, including Kansas and Missouri.
As Republican hopefuls take on each other and Democratic candidates watch them battle, a former federal prosecutor enters the fray as an independent.
The father-daughter story is set amid the red brick architecture of the city area once known for its stockyards.
Aim4Peace focuses on the neighborhood factors that most often contribute to violence, helping those who are considered at highest risk of committing offenses due to their living or employment situation.
13-year-old Izac Santos came up with a solution to help curb glass littering on his practice field at 9th and Van Brunt.
Changing your lifestyle may seem like a daunting task. But there are myriad ways—both big and small—to live more sustainably.
Some Kansas City religious groups rejoiced at the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Other faith groups were left reeling by the decision.
The U.S. Supreme Court's landmark opinion has created a flood of constitutional, legal and medical questions.
Erwin Chemerinsky thinks decisions by the high court in recent years will have a detrimental effect on its validity in the short term.
The utility company is awaiting plan approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission. Advocates say that without changes to that plan, there will be customers who fall through the cracks.
Birthday Connections is a resource allowing underserved families in Kansas City’s urban core to provide their children with meaningful birthdays.
The Missouri senator discussed the bipartisan gun legislation that he helped pass and expressed support for state-based abortion decisions.
Hundreds of bills targeting the LGBTQ community have been proposed across the country, leaving some military members, who have little say in their duty station, feeling unsafe.
Military health insurance has limitations on abortion services. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, service members will face increased challenges to receive an abortion.
U.S. Senate candidate Eric Greitens's latest digital ad encourages supporters to get a "hunting permit" to go after those who are Republican in name only.
The U.S. has waged war on global terrorism but there's no federal designation for domestic terror. A new U.S. House bill aims to help federal law enforcement agencies crack down on domestic terrorist activity.
Standup comedian Jamie Campbell, a previous Best of Fringe in Kansas City winner, will bring his dad vibes to the stage for this year's Kansas City Fringe Festival.
Quinton Lucas was at a watch party in the Power & Light District when FIFA announced that Kansas City would host the 2026 World Cup. Lucas says the atmosphere was "as euphoric an experience I've been in as ever in my life."
For three decades, Julia Lee reigned over Kansas City jazz clubs singing risqué songs “her mother taught her not to sing.” But beyond the lyrical wordplay of hits like "Snatch and Grab It," Lee was a trailblazer for Black female musicians, and forged a career on her own terms.
Research shows that the food served to incarcerated people often does not meet basic standards of nutrition and quality. That reality can result in serious health complications, eating disorders or worse.
JuneteenthKC celebrated more than 18 young women for the first annual Becoming Miss JuneteenthKC Pageant program.
FIFA selects Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium from among 22 finalists to host World Cup games in 2026.
After 20 years with the community food bank and nine years as president and CEO, Valerie Nicholson-Watson is retiring from Harvesters Community Food Network.
Whether looking local, stateside or abroad, travel experts have suggestions for where to go, how to get there and where to stay.
Last week, Sunrise Movement organizers protested outside of Kansas City Hall, calling for action on a specific climate plan being considered by the city council.
With political seasons come lots of polls. Being able to trust a poll depends on different factors that can be hard to understand without knowledge of statistics and how it was conducted.
Period products costs are on the rise due to a nationwide tampon shortage. For low-income persons, inaccessibility to menstrual supplies existed well before the shortage.
Following a string of mass shootings, many Kansas City residents said they’re nervous to go out in public, especially to crowded entertainment districts like Westport or Power & Light.
The blockbusters, independent films, documentaries and streaming options you should see.
Dr. Mark Bedell, who led Kansas City Public Schools for the last six years, oversaw the restoration of full accreditation to the district for the first time in eight years.
The Royals have not made the playoffs since their magical World Series run in 2015. After years of struggling, the Royals now possess the single worst record in baseball at 18-37.
Mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde have reinvigorated gun control advocates across the country. March For Our Lives rallies in hundreds of U.S. cities will take place Saturday to 'demand a nation free of gun violence.'
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival returns on June 14 with "Romeo and Juliet." The festival celebrates its 30th anniversary of outdoor shows in Southmoreland Park.
Although Abbott's Michigan plant has resumed production it will still be weeks before formula is back on store shelves.
Virginia Franzese's 12-year-old son recently tried to take his own life. He identifies as trans and regularly faces educational, bureaucratic and political minefields.
The Texas massacre at Robb Elementary was the 77th incident involving gunfire on school grounds this year, leaving many kids and adults around the country anxious and fearful
Juneteenth, which traditionally marks the day enslaved people in Texas learned they were free, was declared a federal holiday last year. Food traditions have grown with the holiday, and there are plenty of ways to honor Juneteenth with Kansas City chefs and restaurants.
The comedian, author and podcast host was so taken with her first experience in the Paris of the Plains that she decided to move to the U.S. and settle in, of course, New York City.
A conversation at Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art “will feel like Sunday dinners at Grandma's, except in this instance you won’t eat, but you’ll be fed.”
The new progressive grassroots organization found inspiration in the model used in Georgia to win congressional seats.
Camp Encourage is geared towards youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This is its fifteenth year of serving kids in the Kansas City metro.
Years before the Stonewall uprising, Drew Shafer started Kansas City's first gay rights organization and published the first LGBTQ magazine in the Midwest. At one point, his Kansas City home was even the “information distribution center” for the entire gay rights movement.
Family members of fallen service members share the items they've held onto that hold sentimental value and what the Memorial Day holiday means to them.
Though each person's grief at the loss of loved one is unique, we can be supportive of ourselves and of each other in processing it.
The news out of Uvalde, Texas, is upsetting to everybody, but especially to the parents of school kids who are either still in the classroom or heading back in August.
Kansas City Ballet dancer Josh Kiesel will be the sole American dancing in the senior men's division of the Helsinki International Ballet Competition.
On both sides of the state line lifeguards are in short supply despite efforts to attract qualified applicants.
Supply chain issues are hitting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry, leaving some people in Kansas City concerned about another hot summer.
No matter which kinds of outdoor activities you enjoy most, there are plenty of state parks to suit your needs on both sides of the Missouri-Kansas border.
A new certificate program at UMKC will prepare students for careers in arts administration thanks to the Theater League.
In July of 2020, Kansas City, Missouri police officer Tyler Moss was shot in the line of duty. Once given a 1% chance to live, he is now thriving as he continues recovering from the traumatic brain injury the gunshot wound caused.
Six juveniles are facing felony murder charges after a killing in Black Bob Park in Olathe. The Johnson County district attorney is seeking to try four of them — all 14-years old — as adults, an exceedingly uncommon occurrence in Kansas.
Social Venture Studio helps business owners grow their plans to make a social impact in Kansas City.
The 2021-2022 session of the Missouri General Assembly saw Republican infighting prevent consideration of priority bills.
Kansas City jazz artists say the gender imbalance in the music world continues to be evident, specifically in their genre.
When the NFL Draft comes to Kansas City in 2023, potentially hundreds of thousands of people could come with it.
In the book "Beyond Madness: The Pain and Possibilities of Serious Mental Illness," author Rachel Pruchno describes what life is like for the more than 13 million Americans living with serious mental illness.
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt shares the some of the work being done on the "transformational issues and projects and challenges" Kansas City faces.
A deep dive from the 2020 election through Joe Biden's first year as president reveals the struggle to hold the country together.
The local nonprofit Pride Haven works to provide shelter first so guests are free to focus on other aspects of their lives.
Former students of Agape Boarding School and Circle of Hope have sought to expose the operators of schools where they allege students were subject to years of abuse.
Candice Millard's fourth book took her to England and Africa as she unraveled the expedition to discover the headwaters of the Nile River.
The 2022 Kansas Mental Health Summit brought together more than 600 people to address the mental health crisis in the Kansas criminal justice system.
Veterans were exposed to toxic air from burn pits overseas and comedian Jon Stewart and the Veterans of Foreign Wars say Congress needs to approve funds to treat them.
Relying less on ads and subscriptions and more on memberships and tiered benefits may allow rural weeklies to keep reporting local news.
The Kansas City Police Department says officers have seen an increase in accidental fentanyl-related overdoses in individuals ages 15 to 24.
Founder and president Vivien Jennings, and her husband, Roger Doeren, chief operations officer, are in their 70s – and ready to retire.
With a one-party majority and a bag of legislative tricks, Kansas lawmakers conceal much of their bill-making process.
Most recently, the Lenexa, Kansas-based humanitarian aid organization sent $15 million in medical supplies to a warehouse in Slovakia, where a local organization will deliver it across the border to Ukraine.
Over 34 years Steven Potter went from night shifts processing new books at Mid-Continent Public Library to retiring after over a decade as its director.
One of these Kansas City artists moved to Los Angeles to chase his music dreams. The other uses his life experience to tell his story.
Supply and demand are driving up home prices and leaving little room for negotiation. Here are some tips on navigating the purchase or sale of a house.
CleanAirNow KC has joined 16 states and other environmental groups in lawsuits to stop the USPS from buying thousands of gasoline-powered trucks.
Mexican restaurants are abundant in the Kansas City metro area, and Central and South American restaurants are beginning to join them.
The leaked draft of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the landmark case would see a complete ban on abortion in Missouri and offer Kansas legislators the opportunity to do the same.
Cutting classes back to four days a week has grown increasingly popular with school districts in the Show-Me State.
Catalytic converters are built with platinum, palladium and rhodium — metals that have skyrocketed in value in recent years — making the car parts targets for theft.
The Guggenheim Fellowship is awarded to mid-career individuals who show exceptional promise in their field. A Flint Hills photographer and a Kansas City choreographer are among the 2022 winners.
LGBTQ safe space signs may just seem like a sticker to a lot of students, activist Justice Horn says. "But to a lot of queer students, this is their world. It means a lot."
To date, the Canna Convict Project has already secured the release of 8 Missouri citizens from prison.
A district court judge in Wyandotte County rejected the congressional map drawn by the GOP-led Kansas legislature.
It's been years since Ahmad Azizi has seen his family, which has been stranded at a resettlement camp since August. Now that they're finally headed to the U.S., are local aid agencies ready to welcome them?
Parking at the River Market during peak times can be chaotic. The city says the current system is 'upside down and backwards,' leading to the decision to start charging for parking on the weekends.
The Mutual Musicians Foundation is known for its late night jam sessions and the legends who played there.
In 2018 The Elders retired, but they didn't stop writing music including founding member Steve Phillips. When he died in 2020, the band looked at those songs and felt 'we can't just stick that on a shelf.'
Negro Leagues historian Phil Dixon has a new book about the legendary baseball player and ambassador. It allows readers to hear excerpts of recorded interviews with Buck O'Neil.
The media's influence has proven significant when it comes to wrongful conviction cases.
A new biography on Truman shows that despite being shunned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the then vice-president would go on to have a successful presidency of his own.
Local leaders from the Northland to Johnson County are working to make their communities more environmentally sustainable.
Record Store Day is this Saturday. The nationwide event features highly sought after limited-edition vinyl releases and reissues, causing a high number of music fans to flock to their local independent record stores.
The number of people suffering from allergies has increased. The cause is partly man-made and related to male trees.
In 1998, the Oscar-winning director launched the first nationwide crisis line for LGBTQ youth.
April is Financial Literacy Month and you might want to mark the occasion by talking with your children about money.
The author of "Enrique's Journey" says that, if the U.S. wants to see a shift in the number of immigrants coming to the southern border, the world must address what's driving people out of Central America.
His art work has been featured on the Peacock series "Bel-Air," displayed at the Nelson-Atkins and painted on the streets of Kansas City.
Meet two rappers who prove it's never too early or too late to take that first step on a musical journey.
The singer-songwriter's epic tells the story of rock 'n' roll and a nation undergoing a major social and cultural shift.
The condition is more commonly associated with females, but one in three Americans suffering from an eating disorder is male.
Accusations of racism in the Kansas City, Missouri police department have faith leaders calling for a culture change as the Board of Police Commissioners searches for a new chief of police.
Average starting pay for teachers in Missouri is already the lowest in the country. Now, teachers might not be receiving the raise they were hoping for.
Last month, NASA announced that it had identified 5,000 different exoplanets, planets outside of our solar system. Some of these worlds are unlike anything you'll find in our little corner of the universe.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says the current system of state control over the KCPD undermines the voices of Kansas City residents.
A unique college and career fair makes sure youth with disabilities and their parents can explore college and career options.
Kansas is in the midst of a years-long legislative debate over whether first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder can be eligible for worker's compensation.
There is no safe level of lead in children's blood, according to researchers. Yet, the toxin persists in the Midwest because of the way infrastructure and homes were built.
Attendees will include national and international guests sharing strategies from around the world to address climate change.
Mickey Cesar admits his escape plan from Kyiv, Ukraine, last month was a little ad hoc. But he didn’t think Russian President Vladimir Putin would be insane enough to attempt to take the country by force.
Despite a lockout and shortened spring training, the Royals' players, front office and workers are ready to welcome fans back to Kauffman Stadium for a season opener with no pandemic restrictions.
For some people born and raised in the middle of the country, it takes traveling to other parts of America to understand what Midwestern means. Others see the differences without ever leaving home.
A 2020 survey of parents with children under age 18 had 49% saying their kids listen to audiobooks.
An investigation by The Kansas City Star uncovered racism and discrimination against Black officers and detectives within the ranks of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.
Spring is slowly blooming in Kansas City, and with it, comes an array of fresh, brightly-colored ingredients to add to the menu. KCUR’s food writers offer recommendations for Kansas City’s freshest springtime meals.
In 2014, a Ukrainian professor at the University of Kansas and a KU graduate in Kyiv spoke with Steve Kraske as Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula.
Facing a budget shortfall in 2020, Missouri cut 200 jobs at the Department of Social Services including positions in the division overseeing abused and neglected children.
The COVID-19 pandemic sent everybody but essential employees to work from home. Now some office workers want to continue that model or have a hybrid work schedule leaving empty office spaces.
Transgender artists from Kansas and Missouri are visible in bluegrass, electronica and performative genres.
Extreme weather events and fluctuating temperatures caused by climate change are directly affecting agriculture in America's breadbasket.
The Missouri senate bill, introduced by Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R-Sikeston), aims to strengthen and broaden existing rape shield legislation.
War correspondents cover conflicts to tell the stories of people affected, to witness history or for the thrill. In return, they can sometimes find themselves in life-threatening situations.
Also called 'perceived fraudulence,' the condition is common in both men and women with minority groups showing particularly high rates of occurrence.
The spread of misinformation and disinformation on Facebook has some saying the social network has a negative impact on society.
Marshall also signaled he was unlikely to vote for Ketanji Brown Jackson's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.
There has been no systematic review of the actions of the nearly one million ethnically diverse members of the military who served in World War I.
While any number of athletes on the field and court are black, when it comes to reporters covering the action, most are white and male.
While 63% of NCAA Division I women's basketball teams have female coaches, the rate is 40% in the Big 12 conference.
The rollback of mask mandates and a return to meetings in the office brings back challenges for those who have a weak immune system or a disability.
Josh Henges says his passion for helping unhoused people started when he was just 5 years old.
Gas stoves are popular with professional and home cooks, but experts warn that unlike other gas appliances, these stoves pose a risk to your health and the environment.
The NCAA national college basketball championship tournament is underway. The odds of filling out a perfect bracket are one in 120 billion. That didn't deter the Up To Date host one bit.
In the U.S. only six months, Dr. Olga Tkachenko planned a return to Ukraine in June for her mother's birthday. Now all they have are phone calls and texts as her mother waits out the war in Poland.
A new book looks at the question: 'How should educators prepare today's students for a world that is yet to be made?'
Kansas State University will use land plots in Kansas City for its study to find ways to reduce and stabilize lead in the soil, a threat especially dangerous to children under the age of six.
One is a Grammy-winning producer and the other has been selected to represent Kansas on NBC's 'American Song Contest.'
After being interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, the annual tradition returns for its 48th appearance.
Nearly a dozen stores, both local shops and national chains, have closed their Plaza locations over the past year.
On International Women's Day three businesswomen shared the stories about their companies — and the journeys they've taken to get to where they are.
A 2014 analysis pinpoints the characteristics of individual school board members that improve a district's chances of outperforming similar districts.
"Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas" by Jennifer Raff uses DNA evidence to tell how the first peoples came to the Americas.
The March 4 shooting at Olathe East High School ended with a school administrator, a school resource officer and a student all suffering gunshot wounds.
Whitney Manney initially thought the text asking to use items from her fashion line for the series 'Bel-Air' was a joke. Now, she's overwhelmed by the attention it has brought her.
A University of Kansas study shows that, when threatened with a firearm, gun owners' opinions of gun regulations can change.
Cultural values have been weaponized by Democrats and Republicans. In rural America, less than 25% of voters say Democrats care about their community.
Dr. Marvia Jones is the first Black female to head the city's health department. She was appointed to the position last month.
As heavy sanctions are imposed on Russia, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver assesses the U.S. response, and predicts a global war if tensions continues to escalate.
Love them or hate them, catchy tunes and clever wording make these musical ads memorable for generations.
About 3 in 10 U.S. adults identify as atheists, agnostics or having no particular religious affiliation. That number is nearly double the percentage of 2007 and is higher for millennials and Gen Z.
The pandemic forced some Kansas City restaurants to close, but many are still open, serving the dishes that keep diners coming back. Here are a few of our favorites.
Proposed bills would impact Kansas’ criminal justice system, the public schools, the way the state conducts elections and the ability of transgender athletes to participate in sports.
The Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts Chamber Choir will be packing their bags for the Big Apple this April.
G.I.F.T. (Generating Income for Tomorrow) is making good on its goal to invest in Black-owned businesses in the lowest income areas in Kansas City.
The makeup, formulated for a variety of skin tones, is now being sold in 41 Target stores
As more people identify as LGBTQ, the chance that someone you know will come out to you is more likely. What you can do to be supportive and inclusive.
A recent Mother Jones article highlighted a bill co-sponsored by Tracey Mann that would extend tax breaks in opportunity zones where he owns properties.
The Tiny Desk Contest is back for 2022 and taking submissions from unsigned U.S. artists looking for a wider audience. Kansas City-area musicians, that means you!
Racial disparities in healthcare include the fact that Black women are one and a half times more likely to die of cervical cancer than white women and it doesn't stop there.
Critics of the current Black history curriculum taught in K-12 public schools say it's often limited and focuses on a Eurocentric point of view.
Kansas City’s new snow removal process has been tested as the city experienced several snowy days in recent weeks.
A new biography by friend and author Ann Parr covers the photojournalist's life from his birth in Fort Scott, Kansas, to the pinnacle of his profession.
The nonprofit works with students living in the Kansas City Public School district to increase awareness of the environment.
Educators explain the root cause of why many teachers are leaving the classroom and what can be done to improve the workplace.
CEO and Mayor Tyrone Garner discusses corruption within the police department, redistricting, taxes and infrastructure.
One is from California, the other from Springfield, Missouri, but both have found a musical home in Kansas City.