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, whose 1985 dystopian novel is one of the most banned books in the country and who was in Kansas City for Banned Books Week, told KCUR, “you ban a book and it has a way of going underground.”

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 in the spring. 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 their plans to use their equipment and collection to educate peopel 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, will face 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 women 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 August 5 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.

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.

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.

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. Its also leading the way for affordable housing in Independence.

Governor 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 when a person is deprived of oxygen. 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.

Legendary sportscaster Kevin Harlan and his daughter Olivia Harlan Dekker will make history when they call the big game.

Sowers is having a tough time deciding who to cheer for during the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Sowers, a Kansas native, was on the 49ers coaching staff during the 2020 Super Bowl, but the following year she was coaching with the Chiefs.

This weekend will see the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers face off in Super Bowl 58. In a public radio tradition, Kansas City's KCUR and San Francisco's KQED have made their own friendly wager.

Community members are outraged over a cellphone video that captured off-duty KCPD officers pushing a handcuffed Black woman face-first into the ground and calling her an “animal." Speaking on KCUR's Up To Date, Police Chief Stacey Graves said the incident is being reviewed internally and by outside law enforcement.

Writers originally from Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Belarus will hold an event Friday at Union Station in Kansas City to discuss how the war in Ukraine shaped their work.

Taylor Swift’s appearances at Kansas City Chiefs games have created an economic boom for the metro and encouraged a wave of women and girls to become more involved in football.

Indigenous languages have been systematically suppressed throughout history. An event at the Kansas City Public Library central branch on Wednesday evening highlights poets who are bringing tribal languages back into their poetic processes.

During her year-long appointment by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Civil will work with local organizations to foster interest in poetry. “I want to plan programming that will help people find themselves,” she told KCUR’s Up To Date.

Kansas City resident Michael Menkhus, a Hallmark data analyst, was a two-time Jeopardy! champion in 2022. He got invited back to compete in the 2024 Champions Wildcard, which aired last week.

Come summer of 2026, Kansas Citians will see an influx of tourists for six FIA World Cup games scheduled to be played in the metro. Now that the city knows which games it's hosting, KC2026 can begin more detailed planning for the event, including how to address public transit needs.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have become the talk of the town ever since the popstar attended a Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium back in September. Since then, unfounded conspiracy theories from the far-right have swirled around the power couple.

During this year's NFL playoffs, burning and smashing the Shawnee shop's "Burnt Bills" and "Roasted Ravens" donuts were a good luck charm for Chiefs fans. A similar donut will be available for their Super Bowl matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

With the Chiefs back in the Super Bowl and March Madness right around the corner, what better time to catch a game at your neighborhood sports bar? Here’s a list of Kansas City’s best watering holes with big TVs and great food.

After nearly nine years of reporting on the Kansas City region, 41 Action News evening anchor Dia Wall, is departing the station and the city for a new role at WFAA in Dallas. Wall shared memories from her time covering Kansas City, and what it meant to be a journalist here, with KCUR's Up To Date.

One in eight Kansas City seniors struggle with food insecurity. Meals on Wheels, run through the KC Shepherd's Center, normally supplies hot meals to clients, but recent snow and cold temperatures have been a barrier to delivers.

Every Monday for 25 years, a group of Kansas City musicians has gathered for the Rural Grit Happy Hour, a showcase of American roots music. Four days of shows are scheduled this weekend for the quarter-century anniversary.

Currently, 16 and 17 year-olds in Missouri are allowed to marry someone 21 years old or younger with their parent's consent. State Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Democrat from Kansas City, is co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill to raise the marriage age to 18.

Jennifer Heinemann and Michell Jones know firsthand the impact of Sister Berta Sailer, one of the co-founders of Operation Breakthrough, who died last week. "She was more like a mom, a mentor and my hero," Jones recalled.

During Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, journalist Simon Shuster had unprecedented access to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his inner circle. On Thursday, Shuster will hold a talk about his new book "The Showman" at Unity Temple on The Plaza.

“Inside the Box: A 1951 Time Capsule” runs Feb. 3-May 5 at the Johnson County Museum in Overland Park, Kansas. The exhibit explores the contents of a recently-discovered 1951 time capsule, and offers a glimpse into mid-century suburban life.

Jackson County voters will decide in April whether to fund the Chiefs' and Royals' stadiums through a 3/8th-cent sales tax for the next 40 years. However, two legislators worry their constituents won’t have enough information to cast their ballots.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions as they face the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas next month. KCUR's Greg Echlin broke down how the team got here and what to expect from the big game.

As head dietician with the Kansas City Chiefs, Leslie Bonci uses her knowledge of nutrition to give the team a competitive edge each Sunday.

Glaser, a Missouri native, started performing sets at a Kansas City comedy club while an undergraduate at the University of Kansas. Today, she's one of the country's most successful comics, and she's back in town this Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Uptown Theater for "The Good Girl Tour."

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson laid out his budget proposal during his final State of the State address this week. KCUR's Up To Date asked the governor about his priorities this year and his thoughts on the Royals stadium funding debate.

The highest grossing film of 2023, "Barbie," saw its lead actress and director snubbed during Oscar nominations this week. That frustrated fans and cast members, but not everyone is surprised. KCUR's panel of film experts discuss the Oscar noms and what lesser-known films and series they recommend you see.

Michele Norris spent more than a decade asking Americans to describe their experiences with race in six words. Her new book "Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think about Race and Identity" shares those stories, and explores the nuance of how we think about race today.

Missouri state Reps. Aaron McMullen and Robert Sauls argue that Independence School District's move to a four-day week has been unpopular. They've both filed bills that would require towns with more than 30,000 people to vote before a school district can make the switch.

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, a coalition of statewide abortion rights groups, has until May 5 to gather more than 171,000 signatures to get a constitutional amendment on November’s ballot. The ballot initiative would legalize abortions up to the point of "fetal viability."

The Ascend Cohort Program aims to generate a 30% increase of income for Black professionals and entrepreneurs over three years through a series of professional development seminars.

For the sixth year in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs will play in a conference title game — more than any team other than the Patriots. "We can't normalize this because it's not normal," says Matt McMullen, senior team reporter for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sophie Day didn’t realize she had long COVID until she fainted and fell down a flight of stairs, breaking her collar bone. Since then, she’s been seeing an occupational therapist at University Health’s Center for COVID Recovery, which has helped her manage her debilitating fatigue.

Not everyone has the financial means or the interest to attend a traditional four-year college program. A Kansas City nonprofit is investing millions of dollars into adults making $45,000 or less each year — improving their financial stability and the city's workforce.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge joined KCUR's Up To Date, along with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, to discuss the state of affordable housing in Kansas City and nationwide.

Park University graduate student Victor Diaz was named one of 11 senior semifinalists in this month's Sphinx Competition, hosted annually in Detroit. The top award is $50,000, but Diaz has another prize in mind: Inspiring more Hispanic kids to discover classical music.

Each winter for nearly four years, Monique Litchman and Jeffrey Dungan each navigated life in Kansas City without a place to call home. At times, refuge was a homeless shelter, but sometimes, they stayed outside in the dangerously cold elements.

Edith Chapin, National Public Radio's editor in chief, manages news coverage for one of the largest media organizations in the country. With the presidential election, the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, Chapin is gearing up for an extremely busy 2024.

The annual event runs from Jan. 12-21. Over 200 participating restaurants have created special multi-course menus, with 10% of proceeds going to local nonprofit Kanbe’s Markets. But restaurants are reminding diners to give them some grace during one of their busiest times of the year.

The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night in what will likely be the venue's coldest game ever. KCUR's Up To Date spoke with three Chiefs reporters about the matchup, and heard from two season ticket holders about how they're preparing for the frigid temperatures.

DJ Yearwood, an intern for Kansas City Council member Melissa Patterson Hazley, is working to develop the KC Futures Commission, where teens and young adults would advise the government on relevant issues.

Twenty years ago, Bowling Green Rep. Chad Perkins thought the death penalty was a good idea. Now, he's the sponsor of a bill seeking to end the practice in Missouri, which was just one of five states to carry out executions last year.

Since 2003, the Kauffman Scholars program invested $140 million to help Kansas City-area students in under-resourced areas pursue an education and a successful career.

A local baseball fan created a Facebook group to "save Kauffman Stadium" over two years ago. Now, their movement claims over 7,500 members, even as the campaign to build a new downtown Royals ballpark gains momentum and legislative support.

Jennifer and Adam Parker started Tiny Pantry Times, a free pantry in their front yard, at the height of the pandemic. Three years later, the Johnson County couple is providing 18,000 pounds of food and other supplies a month, and are working to move to a larger space.

Kansas City got more than 5 inches of snow over the last day, and this weekend, temperatures could drop as low as -10 degrees. Here’s what the city is doing to prepare, and how it plans to tackle the impending pothole season ahead.

Members of the Jackson County Legislature voted to put a 3/8-cent sales tax extension on the April ballot, which would help fund a new Royals ballpark and renovations at Arrowhead Stadium. If voters approve the tax, both teams have committed to staying in Jackson County.

The Brick, a celebrated dive bar in Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District, has been serving affordable comfort food in its low-key digs for over two decades. "They’ve become a sort of family to me,” owner Sheri Parr says of her long-time customers.

Finding an affordable meal in Kansas City isn’t as easy as it once was, especially as the restaurant industry emerges from the COVID pandemic. This list of local diners, markets and counter-service spots will help you eat well without spending more than $15.

Missouri's 2024 legislative session is already underway in Jefferson City, and Kansas lawmakers are set to convene in Topeka next week. Here's what to expect from state legislators this year.

Women are still underrepresented in politics, despite serving in some of the highest numbers ever in 2023. The Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus is hoping to address that with a campaign school on January 20.

Kansas City's right-to-counsel program, which provides free legal representation to tenants who end up in eviction court, has prevented more than 1,000 evictions since its launch in June 2022.

Kansas City has been waiting for months to hear where the Royals want to build their proposed new stadium, while the question of funding remains up in the air. Mayor Quinton Lucas expects that "final deals and arrangements" could come in the days ahead.

Doug Frost, who holds the titles of both master sommelier and master of wine, joined Up To Date to talk all things wine.

Michael Glenn, a 16-year-old from Hutchinson, Kansas, and Gina Long, a local librarian, launched The Hutchinson Tribune in July.

The holiday season is expected to be filled with joy and social gatherings, but it can also be an incredibly isolating time for many. A University Health psychologist offers some suggestions for getting out of the house and making connections.

In the days before Christmas, Flourish Furniture Bank, the only nonprofit of its kind in the Kansas City area, plans to fully furnish eight homes for people experiencing housing insecurity.

Leavenworth County's Council on Aging, which provides services and programs for older adults, recently established a bucket list for aging adults. People 50 years and older are saddling up for adventures that take them high above Kansas City, zipping through treetops and out on the open water.

In October, the mayors of the three largest cities in Wyandotte County floated the idea of dissolving the Unified Government as an option to address debt and service issues. But not everyone thinks those structural changes are the right approach.

In his new book “On Indigenuity: Learning the Lessons of Mother Earth,” Native activist Daniel Wildcat explores how ancient Indigenous knowledge can be used to solve many of today’s most urgent issues, including climate change.

The bridge — which connects Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas to the West Bottoms in Kansas City, Missouri — had been slated for possible demolition until last month, when a group of local business owners made their case to repair it.

Popular Kansas City harpist and vocalist Calvin Arsenia is now also running his own performance venue — Greenwood Social Hall in Kansas City's Westside neighborhood — which he took over at the beginning of the month.

If you're looking for a good book to end the year with, Up To Date's panel of Kansas City book enthusiasts have read a combined total of more than 210 books this year. Check out their recommendations for your personal reading or for gifting to loved ones.

Following a 56-106 season that placed the Royals near the bottom of Major League Baseball, the team is uncharacteristically spending serious money to improve the team.

Saint Louis University is running a prison education program that provides some Missouri inmates and prison staff with the opportunity to earn degrees. An inmate who hopes to return to Kansas City upon his release says the program gave him a new perspective on life.

The country is seeing a shortage of behavioral health care professionals at the same time that demand for mental health care is rising. This fall, Kansas City hosted the Behavioral Health and Leadership Summit to discuss the shortage and how to attract more people to the field.

Kansas City native Jon Lovitch is a full-time gingerbread man who holds the Guinness World Record for the “largest entirely edible gingerbread village." To make this year's display at City Market, it took 300 pounds of gingerbread and 1,800 pounds of icing.

The CDC reported this month that only 17% of adults and 7% of children have received the updated COVID vaccine, which targets more recent coronavirus strains. But it’s never too late to get boosted, especially if you're hopping on a plane for Christmas break.

Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn announced last summer that she wouldn't run for re-election. She'll officially leave office when newly-elected mayor Marc Elkins is sworn in on Jan. 2.

Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka for the 2024 legislative session next month, and cannabis may be on the topic list. While Republican Senate President Ty Masterson is opposed to fully legalizing weed in Kansas, he says he's open to a discussion about medical marijuana.

Consuming news and information about traumatic events such as war and natural disasters can expose people to secondary trauma — even if they're not directly involved in what's happening.

Liberty Hospital in the Northland announced last month that it would partner with the University of Kansas Health System to help provide care. But the announcement is garnering some backlash from local lawmakers — rooted in the fact that it would bring a Kansas institution across state lines.

Three Kansas City schools were surprised with $10,000 each last week from the local nonprofit BeGreat Together. The grant is intended to help teachers at historically underfunded public schools enhance the classroom experience.

The Pinnacle Prize, established by philanthropist Kenneth and Ann Baum, is awarded each year to two Kansas Citians 40 years and younger who have shown a commitment to improving the lives of residents. Josh Henges, the city's first homelessness prevention coordinator, is one of this year's winners.

An ordinance proposed by Mayor Quinton Lucas would make it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to tenants because they're on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, known as Section 8. If passed, the law would be among the nation's strongest bans on source-of-income discrimination.

The holidays are here, and there's no shortage of festive cheer for the entire family to enjoy.

Sara Siegele, owner of Fountain City Sweets in Olathe, will appear in an episode of Food Network's "Christmas Cookie Challenge" set to air on Dec. 21. “I couldn’t believe it," Siegele says about being asked to compete.

Kansas City's Jewish community will observe the first night of Hanukkah on Thursday. But that community is feeling the dark cloud of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, along with an increase in incidents of antisemitic acts and rhetoric.

Former Kansas City Police Department detective Eric DeValkenaere, who was convicted of killing Cameron Lamb, has asked for clemency from Missouri Gov. Mike Parson — who says he's considering his options. Parson also spoke to KCUR's Up To Date about the possibility of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals moving to Kansas.

Tech N9ne, Kansas City's most famous rapper, has had a busy year. Decades into his career, the 52-year-old artist released a new album and has no plans of slowing down.

Tuesday marked the 150th anniversary of the Kansas City Public Library. KCUR's Up To Date broadcasted from the Central Library in downtown Kansas City to discuss the library's storied history, how it has changed over the years and what its future could look like.

Sheriff Calvin Hayden, the conservative incumbent under fire for his controversial election investigation, will need to beat a former colleague and a current police chief to keep his job for a third term.

In a new political tell-all book, "Romney: A Reckoning," journalist McKay Coppins explores Sen. Mitt Romney's political career, including his frustrations with one of Missouri's U.S. senators, Josh Hawley.

This month, Alan Kneeland becomes the first Black president of the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association. He's the co-owner of The Combine, a pizza restaurant at the corner of 30th and Troost.

Who said you can only try one item off the menu? These Kansas City restaurants — spanning Korean, tapas and others cuisines — encourage ordering big dishes for the table, family-style, or picking a handful of small plates and passing them around.

The new book "Power Up: Leadership, Character and Conflict Beyond the Superhero Multiverse" uses the stories of superheroes to reveal lessons that can be applied to our everyday lives. The book was co-created and co-edited by Kansas City entertainment journalist Jon Niccum.

According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, over 70% of Americans say tipping is expected in more places than it was five years ago. Despite the rise in tipping, relatively few adults know when, and how much, to tip.

Richard Berkley, who served as Kansas City mayor from 1979 until 1991, died Wednesday at the age of 92. Berkley was the longest-serving and first Jewish mayor of Kansas City.

Part of the Investigation Discovery series, which examines abusive practices in the Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, highlights two cases at religious schools in southwest Missouri. The docuseries is now streaming on Max.

The SERV Act, co-sponsored by Kansas City-area Reps. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) and Mark Alford (R-Missouri), will study the challenges to service members starting a business. The legislation passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support.

Lyda Conley became the first Indigenous woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court in her efforts to protect a sacred Native cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. A new play by Wyandotte playwright Madeline Easley is bringing Conley's story to the stage.

Former Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele and David Axelrod, former chief strategist for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, both say the country is headed toward a Trump vs. Biden rematch.

Kansas high school students are taking part in an exchange program that doesn't send them to a foreign country but instead sends them to a "foreign" town in the U.S., somewhere different from where they've grown up.

Environmental justice efforts have gained renewed relevance as a result of unprecedented funding offered by the Biden administration. Tom Jacobs of the Mid-America Regional Council is working to bring that funding to Kansas City.

Kansas City Council member Crispin Rea is the chair of a committee looking for community input on how to move forward with a new city jail. Engagement sessions will be held in the coming weeks so that residents can share their thoughts.

With more than 180,000 Kansas Citians facing food insecurity, GreenLight Fund Kansas City is investing $1.2 million into two nonprofits in an effort to reduce the barriers to equitable food access.

Reports have emerged that a site in Kansas City's Crossroads is being considered for a Royals stadium, but is time running out to make a deal? Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca IV told KCUR’s Up To Date that both the Royals and Chiefs are making "serious considerations for a move to the Kansas side."

Holiday gatherings are joyful for many, but for some, they can be contentious or difficult. Dr. Wes Crenshaw, a family psychologist in Lawrence, weighs in on how to deal with heated discussions and awkward questions at the dinner table.

The city of Raymore has been battling a proposed landfill on its northern border for more than a year now. Mayor Kris Turnbow, along with other leaders in the area, have been pushing for legislation in the Missouri General Assembly to stop the project before it begins.

With the hopes of making your Thanksgiving even the tiniest bit easier, KCUR's Up To Date asked local food experts and enthusiasts how to cook and host a delicious holiday meal, big or small.

The new terminal at Kansas City International Airport has been operating since February, but this upcoming week might just be the busiest stretch of travel it has seen since opening.

Following a series of listening sessions with community members, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas has developed a new comprehensive strategy called PlanKCK to achieve equitable growth and development while preserving and building upon the city's unique history.

Author Marc Myers had added more songs to his book "Anatomy of 55 More Songs: The Oral History of Top Hits That Changed Rock, Pop and Soul." The book includes the breakup story that Grammy-winning Missouri native Sheryl Crow sings about in her hit song "If It Makes You Happy."

Ingredients from the Kansas outdoors — including wild game and foraged produce — will be featured in the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' first-ever Wild Foods Cook-Off. The event will take place Sunday, Nov. 19 at Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center in Lawrence.

Kansas City Indian Center and the Not in Our Honor Coalition will protest Monday's game at Arrowhead Stadium over the Chiefs' name and appropriation of Native imagery. The Indigenous-led groups have called for these changes for decades, and they have no plans to stop.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents Missouri's 5th congressional district that includes Kansas City, says he isn't confident that the "Ceasefire Now" resolution — sponsored by Rep. Cori Bush — will lead to any concrete results in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins, who has won two Academy Awards for his work on "1917" and "Blade Runner 2049," is coming to Kansas City with his wife and collaborator James Ellis Deakins for events at the Country Club Plaza and National World War I Museum and Memorial.

At the Kansas City Museum, a new exhibit organized by Kansas City nonprofit reStart Inc. shows photos, videos and stories by photographer Randy Bacon that capture the unexpected circumstances that led local residents to homelessness and the resilience that helps some find their way out.

As the Plaza enters its second century, stakeholders have plenty of ideas for how to address concerns about the shopping district. Among them is increasing walkability in the area, which could provide a stronger sense of community.

After voters in Ohio on Nov. 7 approved an amendment that enshrined the right to an abortion into their state constitution, reproductive rights advocates in Missouri are working to follow suit.

The collaboration between Classical KC and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art highlights the connections between visual and aural art, and hopes to make the museum more interactive for visitors.

The main gallery updates are the most significant upgrade to the museum since it opened in 2006. The museum is offering free and discounted admission for Veterans Day.

An estimated 29% of military members who served Iraq and Afghanistan will experience post-traumatic stress during their life time. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to address the mental health condition but after trying multiple other methods, two Kansas veterans found healing through the Kansas City nonprofit Warriors' Ascent.

Statewide purchases of marijuana reached $950 million since Missouri began offering recreational sales in February, and the job market continues to grow. The state has also begun awarding microbusiness licenses. But it hasn't been all roses for the weed industry.

Voters registered as Republicans still outnumber Democrats in Johnson County, but by much less than in 2010. Today, more than half of the county's state representatives today are Democrats — metrics that show the power of the local GOP may be softening.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says he's been frustrated by funding talks between Jackson County and the Royals that would bring the team a new downtown ballpark. While he says there is blame on both sides, he believes Jackson County has not negotiated in good faith in recent weeks.

Election Day 2023 featured several important races across the Kansas City area. Voters decided a number of mayoral, city council and school board races across Wyandotte and Johnson counties, and voters in Kansas City, Missouri, approved the continuation of a sales tax crucial to the public bus system.

Kansas City was recently ranked as the worst city in America for dating. The creators of "Meet in the Middle," an interactive dating show at The Bird Comedy Theater, say they're offering a space for Kansas Citians looking for love — or simply a good time — to put down their phones and meet in real life.

Several Kansas lakes are currently under a health advisory due to toxic algae blooms. As temperatures rise, new research from the University of Kansas shows, these toxic water events are expected to worsen and spread to more northern states.

While many soldiers carried rifles in Vietnam, Chip Osborn carried a camera, and was charged with leading a team of soldiers to capture images of the war. This Veterans Day, Osborn will share photos from his deployment at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Kansas City voters will decide Tuesday on whether to renew a 3/8-cents sales tax that provides 30% of the KCATA's funding. If the tax is voted down, routes will be significantly cut and at least 100 workers will be let go.

States were banned from removing people from Medicaid during the COVID-19 public health emergency unless a person moved, died or asked to be taken off. Now that the pandemic has been declared over, Missouri and Kansas have resumed checking eligibility — and the process has not been going well.

The halal eatery, opened in 2018, features African and Mediterranean fare, and is a favorite to locals in search of a warm, filing meal. Hatimi says he uses traditional cooking methods.

On Independence Avenue in the Historic Northeast, adventurous diners don’t have to leave Kansas City to get a taste of the world. Sip chai at Soma Cafe, taste dumplings at Afghan Market, and don’t forget to grab a Mexican pastry or tamale at Elvira’s Pasteleria y Panaderia.

The annual displays in the Kansas City area pays tribute to victims of gun violence, suicide and overdoses in the Latino community. Victims from both sides of the state line will be represented.

The big question right now in Prairie Village, Kansas, is whether to adjust zoning laws in order to address the city's affordable housing problem. As that debate rages on in the Johnson County suburb, city council candidates on both sides of the issue have made it central to their platforms.

The clocks will "fall back" this weekend, and as the days get shorter and colder, it should be a priority to keep up your mental health. One Kansas City psychologist shares tips to lessen the effects of seasonal depression.

"A Seat at the Table," presented by the Kansas City Underground Film Festival, will feature the works of 12 local women and queer filmmakers.

Thirteen is a pivotal age. No longer just because the hormonal and physical changes the body is undergoing, but because in today's digital age, it's the benchmark to legally be allowed to join many social media platforms. Two Kansas City 13-year-olds share their perception of social media.

Dr. Robin Gurwitch, a psychologist and professor at Duke University Medical Center, spoke with Up To Date about how to speak with kids and teens about violence around the world — and here at home.

Lenexa is set to elect a new mayor for the first time in 20 years this November. Vying to replace him are two sitting members of the Lenexa City Council, Ward 1 councilmember Joe Karlin and Ward 4 councilmember Julie Sayers.

Kansas City has gotten caught up in the mania over Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's budding romance ever since the singer first came to watch the Chiefs play last month.

At 95 years old, Kansas-born Marilyn Maye said she's singing "better than ever." The iconic performer was a regular fixture in Kansas City for decades, and this weekend she returns to the Folly Theater with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

After an Olathe student tested positive for tuberculosis, four additional cases have been confirmed in the high school. Dr. Doug Swanson, an infectious diseases specialist at Children's Mercy Hospital, shares what symptoms to look for and if the public should be concerned about a wider outbreak.

The short documentary “Renter Revolt: Housing and Human Rights in America’s Heartland," produced by TIME Magazine, shows how the tenant advocacy group has become a leading voice in the national conversation on affordable housing.

It’s no secret that Kansas City’s music roots are deep, particularly in jazz, but what about the city's film scene? A new workshop will teach participants about music and filmmaking, with the aim of producing a documentary on historic local sites.

U.S. military members have a higher rate of eating disorders compared to civilians. The Department of Defense awarded a $4.2 million grant to a University of Kansas professor to establish screening tools to better detect individuals experiencing or at risk of disordered eating.

Tony Award-nominated actress Jennifer Westfeldt stars in Heidi Schreck's play "What the Constitution Means to Me" at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Author and city planner Nolan Gray argues that places like Kansas City need to abolish zoning laws, which he blames for housing segregation and the lack of walkable neighborhoods. Gray is speaking Wednesday at the Kansas City Public Library's Plaza branch.

Holden Ringer started walking across the U.S. in March as part of an effort to raise money and awareness for a pedestrian advocacy organization. After more than seven months mostly spent trekking on trails and highway shoulders, he's made it to Kansas City.

Since the war between Hamas and Israel began over two weeks ago, members of Kansas City's Islamic and Palestinian communities say they have experienced hate at an increased rate. Many say that they are concerned for their safety.

Evergy's climate plan scored just 9 points out of 100 this year, down from 18 last year. The drop comes from Evergy's decisions to push back the closure of coal plants in Kansas City and Lawrence, and its proposed expansion of natural gas power.

The Black, queer singer-songwriter from Kansas City, Kansas, says it's taken them 36 years to fully live life. Performing on stage, Stephonne says, is "me owning that freedom, that wholeness of myself."

October is National Employment Disability Awareness Month, but there’s still more organizations need to do to create accessible workplaces.

Students in Park University's social work, nursing and education departments took part in the exercise, which simulated a month of living at or below the poverty line. The simulation aimed to give students more empathy to clients, patients and students in difficult situations.

The humanitarian organization Heart to Heart International, based in Lenexa, Kansas, is working with partners in the Middle East to bring humanitarian aid to people in Gaza and Israel.

Scientists at Kansas City’s Stowers Institute for Medical Research are studying reef-building coral in a lab to better understand how it’s being impacted by climate change and, hopefully, to find a way to keep these precious animals alive.

Historically Black land-grant universities and colleges have been underfunded by more than $12 billion nationally compared to their non-HBCU counterparts, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Education. That includes Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

Ahead of her concert on Saturday in Lenexa, Sarah Lee Guthrie joined KCUR's Up to Date to discuss growing up in a family of folk music royalty, her love of Austin's honky tonk scene, and why she loves touring so much.

An estimated 70% of children quit organized sports by age 13. Filmed in the Kansas City metro, the new documentary "Not Good Enough" discusses the mental strain that young athletes feel from perfectionism and competition, and how adults can better approach the game.

In her new book “Gray Areas: How the Way We Work Perpetuates Racism and What We Can Do to Fix It,” sociologist Adia Harvey Wingfield at Washington University in St. Louis lays out actionable items employers and colleagues can take to truly support Black employees.

Gavriela Geller of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau told KCUR's Up To Date in September talk about a recent rise in antisemitic acts in Kansas City and the country. Since the war between Hamas and Israel began this month, Geller believes antisemitism is "absolutely" spiking even more.

After nearly a decade of road blocks, Missouri's Public Service Commission approved final plans for the Grain Belt Express line, which will drop off 2,500 megawatts of wind energy in Missouri. Construction could start as soon as 2025.

Johnson County residents in the Shawnee Mission School District will elect four members to the Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election. Key issues are diversity education, academic performance and teacher retention.

Sociology professor and author Alex Vitale, who is set to speak at the UMKC Cockefair Lecture on Tuesday, is calling for the end of policing as we know it. He contends that instead of directly addressing problems like gun violence and drug addiction with effective policy, the U.S. relies on police to "manage" the results.

One week into the war between Hamas and Israel, the deadly conflict is having an impact on Kansas Citians at home and abroad. KCUR's Up To Date was joined by four people who live in our region or have roots here — two with Israeli ties and two with Palestinian ties — to share their experiences and how their family has been affected.

From 2001-2021, more than 20% of Kansas City's homicides have occurred in the Santa Fe neighborhood. Last year, the neighborhood became the focus of KC Common Good's efforts to reduce violence by addressing the root causes. Since then, it's seen a 78% decrease in homicides, leaving Marquita Taylor "cautiously optimistic."

Communities can experience collective trauma from natural disasters, violence or systemic oppression, affecting not just mental health but also generational health and wealth. Kansas City is hosting its fall mental health symposium on community trauma featuring experts and leaders from around the metro.

"Music Feeds the Soul: An Evening of Mary Lou Williams" will celebrate the life and work of the Kansas City jazz icon. The event will take place at Rockhurst University on October 12 at 7:30 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

Without a speaker to lead the U.S. House, Yoder says Republicans can’t rally around a cause they can mostly all agree on: The urgent need to send defense aid to Israel in the wake of Hamas’ attack.

The Jayhawk has been the University of Kansas’s beloved mascot for more than a century. But what’s the story behind the mythical bird, and why has it endured?

After playing their final game at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, ahead of their move to a new riverfront stadium, the Kansas City Current sit near the bottom of the league table. What does the team need to improve?

"A Survey of Elemental Gratitude," an exhibition currently at the Kansas City Public Library, showcases the beauty of the Flint Hills— and asks us to consider its environmental future. Philip Heying's photography will be on display until December 9.

Kansans First is a new PAC founded by bipartisan political leaders from the Kansas Legislature. Their goal is to educate voters and get more centrists elected who can better represent "the heartbeat" of the state.

Federal student loan payments are resuming this month for about 1.2 million Missourians and Kansans after being paused in 2020. But the landscape has changed in the last three years: Borrowers now have new options for payment plans, and their loans could be held by different entities than the last time they paid.

Whether you're waking up with the roosters or you never made it to bed last night, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The Kansas City food scene has a plethora of early-bird offerings to start your day with a sweet or savory kick.

Poor classroom behavior is pushing some teachers out of the profession. The Missouri Department Elementary and Secondary Education wants to implement learning standards including self-awareness, respect and empathy.

Eight candidates running to be on the Blue Valley School Board spoke at a forum hosted by the Blue Valley Post on Wednesday. With four open seats, candidates have split into two even slates: one that represents the status quo, and another that seeks to push back against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and lessons about race and racism.

Taking place Oct. 7 in the West Bottoms, Kansas City's Chicano Art Festival includes live music, dancing and a lowrider hop competition.

At community listening sessions and in stories about the city's violence problem, we gained some new perspectives on a polarizing and seemingly intractable problem

For the first time this fall semester, students at Truman State University can declare a new major: cannabis and natural medicinals.

The program will provide landlords with a bonus and access to a damage claim fund when they take on a tenant using federal housing assistance. The bonus is a one-time amount equivalent to two months' rent.

The U.S. government averted a crises through the passage of a 45-day spending bill. But that's just one attention-grabbing political fiasco facing the U.S. Three of Missouri's U.S. Representatives share what concerns them within Washington politics.

Evergy is changing the way it charges for electrical usage beginning in October, moving from a flat rate to one based on demand at different times of day.

The AR-15, a rifle designed for American soldiers, has grown in popularity among civilians. The authors of "American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15" trace the history of the rifle and how it became one of the most polarizing weapons in America.

With demand high for new COVID vaccines, some CVS pharmacies around the Kansas City area weren't able to give out shots because of a pharmacist walkout. Organizers are demanding better working conditions and said that extremely limited staffing puts CVS pharmacists and patients at risk.

Beyoncé is performing at Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday, and the local Beyhive is swarming with excitement. But can Kansas City win the mute challenge?

Brandon Wolf is a survivor of the 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orland, and wrote the memoir, "A Place For Us." He'll speak as a part of the Grandparents for Gun Safety's 10th Annual Community Forum on October 9.

Johnson County is adding two specialty courts that will focus on treating underlying conditions that may have contributed to criminal behavior, with the hope of reducing recidivism.

Between auto workers, Hollywood, and baristas, it seems like workers are walking out on the job more often this year. Experts say wealth inequalities, inflation and a cultural shift in expectations from jobs are contributing to a more active labor movement.

NPR national political correspondent Mara Liasson told KCUR’s Up To Date that politics have changed a lot since she first started reporting over three decades ago. Liasson was in Kansas City to speak at United WE’s 2023 We Work For Change event.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says her top priority for the 2024 legislative session is passing Medicaid expansion. But the Democratic governor is up against Republican super-majorities in the House and Senate. Kelly spoke on KCUR's Up To Date about how she plans to make it happen.

"Nelly Don — The Musical Movie" was written, produced and directed by Terence O'Malley, a local lawyer and the great-great nephew of the real Nell Donnelly Reed. The film opens at several area movie theaters Friday.

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher has been accused of threatening to terminate the employment of a staffer who resisted his plan to give a private company a large contract. He denies the allegations.

In June of this year, 96 Kansas congregations left the United Methodist Church over mainly LGBTQ issues.

According to a recent AP-NORC poll, 77% of American adults believe President Joe Biden is too old for a second term. And as public figures like Mitch McConnell and Diane Feinstein publicly experience health problems, some are calling for the next generation of politicians to be much younger.

Residents of the Westside neighborhood say that gentrification — like the upcoming Pennway Point entertainment district — is forcing the Latino community out of the neighborhood with rapidly-rising property taxes.

Kansas City is dangerously close to setting a new record high for homicides. Modeled after an Omaha program that drastically reduced gun deaths, the Kansas City nonprofit KC Common Good is taking aim at addressing the root causes of violent crime.

Gavriela Geller, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau and the American Jewish Committee, says that more education is needed to combat antisemitism in Kansas City communities.

A year after the creation of 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline will now be accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Those who speak American Sign Language will soon have life saving intervention a phone call away.

Kansas City last updated its economic development strategy in 2014, during a very different time for the metro. Some council members say the city should revise the plan to better include affordable housing, sustainable efforts and transit.

Residents can book appointments to get updated COVID booster shots at local CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. However, the city's health department says it could be weeks before vaccines are delivered to its clinics.

Climate data suggests heat waves might be getting more frequent. Inconsistent building codes and the cost of implementing climate resilient practices mean that many homes aren't prepared to keep us cool in hazardous heat.

Prairie Sky Counseling Center, a Kansas City mental health clinic, offers therapy that encourages people to incorporate their religious and spiritual values — which can have an effect on people's wellbeing.

Kansas City native and former Seattle SuperSonics basketball player Dean Tolson made it to college without learning to read. Now, he holds an advanced degree, and is advocating for education with a new memoir, "Power Forward."

"It Started With A Horse," which is scheduled to screen at the Kansas City Underground Film Festival, provides an intimate look into the eccentric and unapologetic folk artist M.T. Liggett, whose sculptures can be seen outside Mullinville, Kansas.

Over the course of a three-and-a-half year period, Kansas police have taken more than $25 million in property and cash believed to be part of a crime — even if the victims are never charged. But critics say that civil asset forfeiture is being used unnecessarily and without proper oversight.

This week, Jackson County assessment director Gail McCann Beatty fielded questions from the legislature about this year’s problematic property assessments, which saw the value of properties increase by an average of 30%.

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 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 state Sen. Holly Thompson of Scott City sponsored legislation to decriminalize the harm reduction tool. She hopes this will help lower opioid overdoses.

Sex trafficking, which affects 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.