Kansas City Today

A new era for a beloved Kansas City ice cream shop Aug 22, 2025

Betty Bremser has been running Foo's Fabulous Frozen Custard for nearly 30 years, turning the Brookside locale into a dessert destination and the start of many local teens' careers. But Bremser is hanging up her scoop at the end of the month.

Bremser, who is also a French teacher at the Kansas City Academy, is selling Foo's to two former employees. She talks about the shop and her plans for the future with Steve Kraske on KCUR's Up To Date.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Frank Morris. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Inside Kansas City's new contract for bus service Aug 21, 2025

Kansas City and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority finalized a contract last week after months of fraught negotiations, avoiding a possible shutdown of bus service. But the contract brings back fares for most riders.

A new contract between the city and the transit agency puts an end to months of conflict since the last contract expired at the end of April. It means bus service will continue in Kansas City, with the addition of $2 fares for most riders. KCUR’s Savannah Hawley-Bates explains what’s in the contract — and what's not.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Madeline Fox. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Kansas City med students help refugees navigate health care Aug 20, 2025

More than 3,000 refugees in Kansas City have gotten help acclimating to their new homes since 2014 thanks to Della Lamb Community Services. Many of these new arrivals face unique health challenges, so a local crew of medical students from Kansas City University is volunteering their help.

KCUR's Noah Taborda reports on how medical students and a refugee resettlement agency are giving refugees clarity in an otherwise obscure system.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Laura Ziegler. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Prairie Village voters could 'abandon' their government Aug 19, 2025

Voters in Prairie Village, Kansas, will be faced with an unusual question on their ballots in about three months: Shall the city abandon the mayor-council form of government? We'll hear about how a fight over zoning and housing wound up in a legal battle over the city government's structure itself.

Even if voters agree to "abandon" the current structure this November, though, there's no plan for replacing it with a different model. On KCUR's Up to Date, host Brian Ellison sat down with Johnson County Post reporter Juliana Garcia to discuss the issue.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Missouri Republicans barrel toward gerrymandering Aug 18, 2025

Missouri Republican lawmakers say it's likely they'll have a special session to redraw the state’s congressional lines and eliminate Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's seat. But could the effort backfire? Plus, we'll hear from Missouri state Rep. Michael Johnson of the Legislative Black Caucus about their plans to fight redistricting.

Missouri lawmakers probably didn’t think as the summer began that they’d likely return in the fall to redraw the state’s eight congressional districts. As St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum reports, the push from President Donald Trump to gerrymander Missouri's map could have huge consequences for state politics.

Missouri state Rep. Michael Johnson, a Democrat from Kansas City, is among the lawmakers pushing back against the Republican redistricting effort. On KCUR's Up To Date, Johnson tells Brian Ellison that the Legislative Black Caucus is ready to fight.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Does the Tonganoxie Split protect Kansas City from tornadoes? Aug 15, 2025

Kansas City has seen a lot of storms this year, but the metro has avoided a devastating tornado. Some locals say there’s a reason for that: the Tonganoxie Split. But is there any scientific evidence backing up this long-standing legend?

Urban legend holds that storms break up or swerve before they bring a tornado to the Kansas City metro. Locals call it the Tonganoxie Split, named for the small town west of Kansas City. KCUR’s Maya Cederlund went looking for the answers.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Gabe Rosenberg. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox and Emily Younker.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

What's happening with the ICE detention center in Leavenworth? Aug 14, 2025

A private prison company has fought for months to open an immigration detention center in Leavenworth, Kansas. Even though a court has temporarily barred the facility from holding detainees, CoreCivic has hired dozens of detention officers and is advertising more positions.

It’s been two months since a Kansas court temporarily blocked the company CoreCivic from reopening a former private prison as an immigration detention facility. The City of Leavenworth sought the order because CoreCivic has not obtained a special use permit — a requirement the company rejects. Seemingly undeterred by the legal setbacks, CoreCivic is now on a hiring spree. Kansas News Service editor Stephen Koranda sat down with politics reporter Zane Irwin to discuss where things stand in Leavenworth.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Madeline Fox. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

The fate of voter-approved paid sick leave in Missouri Aug 13, 2025

Last November, Missouri voters approved a measure that raised the minimum wage and allowed employees to earn paid sick leave. But state lawmakers have ensured that in less than a month, the sick leave requirement is going away.

Missouri voters approved Proposition A, which included mandatory earned paid sick leave. Months later, the Republican-led Legislature repealed the paid sick leave policy, citing hardship for businesses. That takes effect later this month. St. Louis Public Radio’s Sarah Kellogg reports on how workers and businesses are preparing for the change — and how a proposed constitutional amendment could bring the policy back.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Peggy Lowe. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

This Kansas business is keeping marbles alive Aug 12, 2025

There’s a community of collectors, artists and kids keeping the marble culture alive in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Plus: A lucky pig in eastern Kansas managed to cheat death after jumping off a truck transporting it to a feedlot.

Kids and adults have played with marbles for generations, and marble-like games date back to ancient civilizations. Although marbles may seem a bit old-fashioned compared to today’s selection of digital and online games, the Moon Marble Co. in Kansas has been cranking out colorful orbs of small sizes since 1997 — and inviting the public to see the process. KMUW's Lu Anne Stephens reports.

About 130 million pigs are slaughtered annually in the United States. But each year, a relatively small number of them cheat death by jumping off the trucks transporting them to a feedlot or slaughterhouse. One “jumper” who was later named Gilbert was recently found along a highway in eastern Kansas. Kansas Public Radio's Matthew Algeo reports.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Peggy Lowe. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Fierce competition to be Kansas' next governor Aug 11, 2025

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly only has one more year in office, and candidates are already lining up to replace her. We’ll learn about the crowded race to succeed the Democratic governor.

Zane Irwin of the Kansas News Service spoke with Steve Kraske about who's who in the race for the Sunflower State’s top job on KCUR's daily talk show Up To Date.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Madeline Fox. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox and Emily Younker.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Lawrence and KU make their pitch to the World Cup Aug 08, 2025

The eyes of the world will soon be on Arrowhead Stadium for a World Cup quarterfinal match. But Lawrence, Kansas, is also trying to get in on the action by promoting itself as the perfect training site for a team.

The World Cup soccer tournament is coming to Kansas City next summer. A total of six games will be played at Arrowhead, drawing in hundreds of thousands of soccer fans from across the globe. The University of Kansas and the city of Lawrence are pitching the Rock Chalk Park sports complex as a training ground for a World Cup team. Kansas Public Radio's Matthew Algeo reports.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Peggy Lowe. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Thousands of Kansans may go hungry after SNAP cuts Aug 07, 2025

Changes to federal food assistance could cause thousands of Kansans to lose some or all of their benefits. The consequences for low-income families will depend now, more than ever, on state lawmakers. Plus: When you're shopping the produce section of a grocery store, you probably want to buy local — but that food probably traveled a long way to get there.

This summer, Congress passed a massive bill that lowers taxes and places new restrictions on Medicaid and SNAP. Federal food assistance helps feed almost 190,000 Kansans every year, and 40 million people nationwide. There are new limits on who is eligible for SNAP and how much of the cost the U.S. government covers. If low-income families lose benefits, they’ll rely more on food banks like Harvester’s. Zane Irwin of the Kansas News Service explains.

Stop at the produce section at your local grocery store and you’ll take a small trip around the world. Bananas from Ecuador and Costa Rica. Tomatoes, avocados and asparagus from Mexico. Bell peppers from Canada. That wasn’t always the case. In recent decades, U.S. consumers expanded their palates as favorable trade agreements led to a spike in imported goods. Now, the U.S. is on track for the largest agricultural trade deficit in the country’s history. Harvest Public Media's Molly Ashford reports.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Gabe Rosenberg. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox and Emily Younker.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

How kayakers are cleaning up the Kansas River Aug 06, 2025

Kayakers are trying to clean up garbage from the Kansas River, but new trash keeps coming. Learn about the small nonprofit group determined to protect the waterway. Plus: Extreme drought in the Midwest and Great Plains is allowing a fungus that kills trees to flourish. How are forestry crews and experts adapting to rapidly changing tree canopies?

Volunteers are restoring the beauty of sandbars on the Kansas River by removing literal tons of decades-old garbage. From the Kansas News Service podcast Up From Dust, Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports.

Drought in the middle of the country is opening the door for pests and pathogens that can kill trees. That’s particularly true of a fungus that’s found on oak tree bark, which can turn deadly after extremely dry weather. Harvest Public Media contributor Jackie Ourada reports on how that’s impacting bur oak trees, once known as the "King of the Great Plains."

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Gabe Rosenberg. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox and Emily Younker.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Accessing non-medical gender-affirming care in Missouri Aug 05, 2025

Missouri has banned medical gender-affirming health care for youth and some adults since 2023. But there are plenty of other forms of gender-affirming care happening in the state, and advocates say it’s saving lives. Plus: Missouri’s Medicaid program is about to go through a major change with the advent of federally imposed work requirements.

In 2023, the Missouri Legislature passed a law banning medical gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapy, surgeries and puberty blockers. The ban impacts minors, as well as incarcerated adults and those using Medicaid. Advocates say non-medical forms of gender affirmation, such as haircuts, clothing choices, makeup or facial hair, are important when medical care is inaccessible. KBIA's Rebecca Smith spoke with the owners of some businesses that provide that care.

The Trump administration's recently enacted tax and spending bill requires Medicaid enrollees to work, be in school or volunteer in order to qualify. And although critics of such requirements believe they exist to kick eligible people out of the health care program, Missouri’s Medicaid director contends they could be implemented in an unobtrusive way. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Missouri lawmakers vs. Missouri voters Aug 04, 2025

The Missouri legislature spent a lot of time in the spring working to un-do laws that voters passed on November’s ballot — including paid sick leave and abortion. Now, a group called Respect Missouri Voters wants to stop lawmakers in Jefferson City from doing that.

KCUR's Steve Kraske spoke with the Benjamin Singer, CEO of Show-Me Integrity and co-founder of Respect Missouri Voters, about the bipartisan and volunteer-run coalition aiming to protect citizen-led ballot measures from being overturned.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Meet the summer regulars at one Kansas City pool Aug 01, 2025

The Springs Aquatic Center in Kansas City is a popular place for kids to cool off or take a dive. Hear from the families spending their summer poolside. Plus: This year's All-Star game displayed an automated system to help umpires call balls and strikes. Could this system be used by the Kansas City Royals in future seasons?

We bring you an occasional series about Kansas City’s neighborhood spots, and the people who bring them to life. Reporter Jodi Fortino introduces us to the kids who are swimming, sliding and diving their summer days away at the Springs Aquatic Center.

This year's All-Star game featured a heavily debated topic in recent years: an automated system to help umpires call balls and strikes, called ABS. Though nothing official has been announced, there are indications the new system will be used by the Kansas City Royals and other Major League Baseball teams next season. Greg Echlin has more.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

What led to the Family Dollar store collapse? Jul 31, 2025

A Family Dollar store in Kansas City collapsed last weekend, killing a 68-year-old man and critically injuring a 50-year-old woman. Two days before the collapse, a city building inspector was dispatched to the property.

Multiple people raised concerns about the structural integrity of the Broadway Boulevard store before it partially collapsed Sunday. "The roof is weakened to such an extent that it could compromise the load bearing capability of the entire roof support system," a Kansas City inspector wrote. The inspector said the entire building was in danger.

KCUR's Up To Date host Steve Kraske asked investigative reporter Sam Zeff about what led up to the collapse.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

GOP redistricting could target Kansas City's U.S. House seat Jul 30, 2025

Missouri is one of many states facing pressure from President Donald Trump to redistrict before the 2026 midterm elections. The 5th Congressional District, which encompasses Kansas City, could be targeted.

The state of Missouri is divided into eight congressional districts, six of which are held by Republicans and two by Democrats. Missouri lawmakers are being pressured by Trump to target Democratic Rep. Emanual Cleaver's seat in the 5th Congressional District, which represents Kansas City. It is part of a larger push to redistrict in multiple states to keep Republicans in power, even if the 2026 midterms are strong for Democrats.

Up To Date host Steve Kraske sat down with Missouri Independent deputy editor Rudi Keller and University of Missouri-Kansas City political science professor Greg Vonnahme to discuss the issue.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

How Black teens feel about a new law protecting natural hair Jul 29, 2025

Missouri recently became the 28th state to pass the CROWN Act, banning discrimination against Black students' hair. We'll head to a Kansas City salon to hear how local teens are reacting. Plus: Farmers worry that Trump's on-and-off tariffs could hurt America's reputation with one of their biggest buyers, China.

Hair salons and their Black clients are relieved Missouri has passed a law prohibiting discrimination against natural hair styles for Black people. The CROWN Act bans hair discrimination in schools, but not in the workplace. KCUR's Brandon Azim visited one salon to talk to clients about the new law.

China is a destination for many of the U.S. specialty agricultural products that have fewer options for sales at home and abroad. Negotiations between the U.S. and China over a new trade agreement have meant months of uncertainty and have left some specialty producers worrying about the future. Harvest Public Media's Hope Kirwan reports.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Why is a national Christian group targeting a Missouri school board? Jul 28, 2025

Two members of the St. Joseph, Missouri, school board say they’ve been harassed because of their progressive political beliefs. They say they're being targeted by a multimillion-dollar national organization dedicated to promoting Christianity in public schools.

Over the past couple of years, volunteer school board members in St. Joseph, Missouri say they’ve faced harassment from community members and a multimillion-dollar national Christian organization because of their political beliefs. KCUR’s Nomin Ujiyediin has been investigating their experiences, and told KCUR’s Madeline Fox it’s part of a broader national trend of school boards and other local elected officials dealing with increased negative attention.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

The Kansas senator who helped pass the ADA Jul 25, 2025

The late Kansas Sen. Bob Dole was a champion for disability rights. One of his biggest accomplishments was getting the Americans with Disabilities Act passed, 35 years ago this week. We'll look back on the role Kansas played in this landmark civil rights law.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law 35 years ago this Saturday. It’s the first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities, and it almost didn’t pass. It took years of protests, and advocates from across the country, including the late Republican Sen. Bob Dole. From the KCUR podcast A People’s History of Kansas City, Mackenzie Martin has the story.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Traveling hours to see a doctor in Kansas Jul 24, 2025

In western Kansas, rural hospitals have been closing or are perpetually understaffed, leaving residents to drive anywhere from an hour to multiple hours for doctors appointments. Plus: Scientists are working on a new framework that factors climate trends into how we think about drought.

Western Kansas is the place for a quiet, rural lifestyle. But with that comes shortages when you need to see a doctor. Rural Kansans on average travel twice as far for medical care than their urban counterparts. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that largely due to this difference in access to health care, rural residents are more likely to die early than urban residents. Calen Moore of the Kansas News Service reports.

Drought is defined as an abnormal period of dryness. But climate change means today’s normal might not be the same as yesterday’s. Climatologists are now coming together to figure out how to characterize drought because their proclamations have real, practical consequences. Some federal policies that give farmers emergency relief money are tied to the drought monitor. Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk's Harshawn Ratanpal reports.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

How public media funding cuts are hurting rural stations Jul 23, 2025

Public radio and television stations in rural areas may be hit the hardest after Congress clawed back $1 billion for public broadcasting.

High Plains Public Radio, which broadcasts in western Kansas, lost 15% of its operating costs, according to executive director Quentin Hope. And in southern Missouri, general manager Rachel Knight says Ozarks Public Radio has lost 10% of its budget and Ozarks Public Television has lost one-third of its budget.

Hope and Knight sat down with Up To Date host Steve Kraske to discuss the impacts of the rescission on their rural stations.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Will the US privatize the Postal Service? Jul 22, 2025

Talks of overhauling the U.S. Postal Service have picked up since President Donald Trump began his second term. With service cutbacks already underway and privatization on the table, rural residents are bracing for more disruptions. Plus: There are more than 40 species of fireflies in Missouri, but for the past few years, people have been concerned about the populations diminishing.

As a government agency providing a public service, the U.S. Postal Service is not required to make a profit. But it is not supposed to lose money, either, which it has done every year since 2007, according to its annual reports. Rural communities have already experienced cuts as a means of pulling the Postal Service out of the red, and the current administration has also resurrected the issue of privatization. The Midwest Newsroom's Nick Loomis reports on growing concerns from rural residents.

Many Missourians probably have memories of sitting outside on hot summer nights watching lightning bugs. But during the past few years, there have been reports of fewer insects, which is why many Missourians have shared their surprise and pleasure at seeming to see more this year. KBIA's Rebecca Smith reports on the reemergence of fireflies in Missouri.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

What the federal funding clawback means for KCUR Jul 21, 2025

Congress has approved a plan to claw back funding from U.S. foreign aid programs and public broadcasting organizations like NPR and PBS. What does this mean for KCUR? The station's general manager and interim content director discuss how this could impact our work.

Steve Kraske was joined on Up To Date by Sarah Morris, KCUR's general manager and a board member for NPR, and Lisa Rodriguez, interim director of content-journalism, to talk about the future of public media and the challenges ahead for KCUR.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

AI-aided art will greet Kansas City streetcar riders Jul 18, 2025

Some artists shy away from using AI. Kansas City photographer and digital artist David Morris embraces it. Hear how a local creative harnesses AI to bring his vision to life, and where you can see it! Plus: A Kansas City bookselling icon is retiring after years of tracking down Black books and vinyl. Now, a new generation is stepping up to preserve her legacy.

Artificial intelligence had a hand in a new art installation at a Kansas City Streetcar stop. David Morris’ abstract digital collage is called “Music is Community," and it’s part of this year’s “Art in the Loop” program. KCUR’s Julie Denesha spoke with Morris about how AI shapes his work.

Willa Robinson has been collecting and selling Black books and vinyl in Kansas City since the 1990s. She’s now retiring and closing what’s considered the longest-running Black-owned bookstore in Missouri. KCUR’s Celisa Calacal sat down with Robinson to talk about her collection, the legacy she’s leaving behind, and what’s next for the storefront.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Can Kansas City's transportation death spiral be fixed? Jul 17, 2025

In recent years, most Kansas City suburbs have cut transportation funding, which means fewer and slower buses. Local officials are racing to fix that. Plus: High school graduation rates in Kansas are higher than ever. But some people worry that the growth of credit recovery programs could be lowering standards for students.

Many suburbs in the Kansas City metro have fewer and slower buses because of cuts to transportation funding. Regional cooperation for transit programs also has been lacking. KCUR's Savannah Hawley-Bates reports on how Kansas City’s transit system is in a death spiral, and what can be done to fix it.

In Kansas, some educators and community members worry that the growth of credit recovery in high schools may be boosting graduation rates without ensuring that students actually learn the material and meet state standards. The Kansas News Service's Suzanne Perez reports.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Multibillion-dollar Panasonic plant opens in Kansas Jul 16, 2025

Panasonic's highly anticipated $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant opened in De Soto, Kansas, this week. But problems with Tesla, tariffs and tax breaks have investors worried. Leaders of the plant believe it's just a bump in the road.

The Kansas News Service's Zane Irwin covered the grand opening of the Panasonic plant, which aims to employ 4,000 people and have eight fully operational production lines by the end of 2026. He discussed its potential, future and possible challenges with Up to Date host Steve Kraske.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

Trump's budget may shutter this Missouri environmental lab Jul 15, 2025

Scientists in a Columbia, Missouri, lab have studied how toxic chemicals affect animals and ecosystems since the 1960s. But President Trump's proposed budget would likely mean lights out. Plus: Hydroelectric power is a mainstay of the United States electrical grid, but federal hurdles could take plants offline.

The White House wants to cut the budget of the Ecosystems Mission Area, the research arm of the Department of the Interior, by 90%. KBIA’s Harshawn Ratanpal reports about the potential threat to the Columbia Environmental Research Center.

Hydropower is one of the oldest sources of energy. It dates back at least 2,000 years, when water mills would crush grains and break ore. Today, hydropower accounts for nearly a third of renewable energy in the U.S. Harvest Public Media contributor Teresa Homsi reports that federal hurdles may prevent older hydroelectric plants from staying online and new projects from getting off the ground.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Carter Galloway and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

How Missouri governors 'quietly dismantled' an ethics watchdog Jul 14, 2025

A new report has raised concerns that Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and his predecessor have failed to fill vacancies at the Missouri Ethics Commission. As a result, the state watchdog has been unable to investigate dozens of complaints of ethical misconduct.

KCUR's Up To Date host Steve Kraske spoke with Kansas City Star reporter Kacen Bayless about the conseqeunces of those vacancies — which Kehoe finally filled on Friday.

Contact the show at news@kcur.org. Follow KCUR on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.

Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

You can support Kansas City Today by becoming a KCUR member: kcur.org/donate.

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